67 m. ago It’s under fire from left and right – but Labour’s workers' rights bill is a huge achievement | Polly Toynbee

It makes no sense for union leaders to cry betrayal when it will be their members who benefit from these sorely needed reformsThe wall of sound shouting “liar” at the chancellor is a bizarre Westminster frenzy. Stand back from the hysteria and ask this question: how can Rachel Reeves be accused of raising more money than necessary when there is still pitifully little to go round in every department at her cabinet table? It’s a weird Tory ramp that she lied about a black hole when we can see it everywhere in the real world. She could have raised more.As the prime minister, Keir Starmer, pleads the case for all that was Labour-flavoured in the budget, the week also brought a breakthrough for Labour’s flagship employment rights bill. Shamelessly stymied by the Lords’ Tory majority, the government watered down a clause on so-called day-one rights that would have given workers protection from unfair dismissal from the day they walked into a job. That legal right will now kick in at six m...

Economics

2 h. ago The most misleading thing about Rachel Reeves’s budget? Who it was really for | Aditya Chakrabortty

Labour backbenchers have been cheering it as a win for the most vulnerable in socety. In fact it was aimed at the bond marketsThe charge is a grave one: that Rachel Reeves has just lied to Britons, spooking them into paying billions in extra taxes that she can splash out on higher benefits. However hyperbolic, this isn’t the usual Westminster sparring; this time, someone might get hurt. A week ago, critics of Reeves and Keir Starmer were, rightly, calling their budget “chaotic”. Today, it’s denounced as lies, and Kemi Badenoch is demanding the chancellor quit. It’s an accusation that demands straightforward answers, so let me give mine. Did the chancellor tell lies? On the available evidence, no. There were no whoppers, no falsehoods, no porkies. But despite Starmer’s comments yesterday, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see here and we can all move along. Reeves did mislead the public about the factors shaping her decisions. Was it all to funnel cash to “benefits street”, as the...

Politics

2 h. ago UK terror watchdog warns national security plan ignores escalating online threats

Independent reviewer says need to protect against online threats is now as important as need for robust armed forcesThe UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism laws has criticised the government’s latest national security strategy for failing to take online threats more seriously, despite Keir Starmer claiming it would result in “a hardening and sharpening of our approach” in the face of Russian menace.Jonathan Hall KC said it was “a very surprising omission” that the 2025 national security strategy did not focus more on online risks, including from terrorists and hostile states, which he said were now a “major vector of threat”. Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Britain's Budget betrayal: Sir Keir Starmer vows to curb handouts...just days after £16billion welfare spending boost

The Prime Minister said the Government would make attempt to 'reform' welfare, with the current system having 'trapped people in poverty' - days after boosting handouts by £16billion a year..

Economics

8 h. ago US and Russian demands for Ukrainian territory is ‘toughest part of peace negotiations’, says President Zelensky

US and Russian demands to give Moscow swathes of Ukrainian territory are “the most difficult” part of peace talks, President Zelensky revealed yesterday. He was speaking after marathon meetings with France's President Macron, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US envoy Steve Witkoff – who is due to meet Putin in Moscow today. Zelensky said: “The...

Politics

8 h. ago China is a ‘real national security threat’ to UK, Starmer warns – in wake of spying concerns

SIR Keir Starmer has warned that China poses “real national security threats to the United Kingdom”, tightening his stance as tensions rise over alleged espionage attempts targeting Westminster. Speaking at the historic Guildhall, the Prime Minister said Britain could no longer afford years of “blowing hot and cold” on China, urging a clearer and more...

Events

9 h. ago Keir Starmer defends China stance as he claims UK must not shrink back from 'chaotic world'

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain must not duck out of engaging with China, and referenced Brexit, saying the way it had been 'sold and delivered' was 'simply wrong'

Politics

9 h. ago China poses 'a national security threat to the UK', Sir Keir Starmer warns

In his annual Guildhall speech on foreign policy, the Prime Minister argued that failing to engage with the world's second largest economy was 'a dereliction of duty'.

Events

10 h. ago Keir Starmer slams Brexit 'wild promises' and takes swipe at Reform's 'corrosive' attitude

In his annual foreign policy address in the City of London, Keir Starmer said the UK’s place on the world stage had been restored under the Labour government

Politics

10 h. ago Britain must not shrink back from ‘chaotic world’, says Starmer

In his annual Guildhall speech on foreign policy, the Prime Minister took aim at those who advocate leaving the ECHR or Nato.

Politics

11 h. ago This PM has changed the Labour Party once – he must now do so again

Editorial: Steering the party from the nadir of Corbynism to a landslide majority is Keir Starmer’s greatest achievement – but he now faces his stiffest test in tackling its drift back towards old Labour refuseniks who are hampering pro-growth change

Politics

12 h. ago Starmer insists there was ‘no misleading’ after claims Reeves lied in run

Keir Starmer forced to publicly defend chancellor over accusations she lied about country’s finances - as Labour MPs voice discontent

Politics

12 h. ago Starmer insists there was ‘no misleading’ amid claims Reeves lied in run

Sir Keir Starmer forced to defend Rachel Reeves during speech as Labour MPs voice discontent

Politics

14 h. ago Now Keir Starmer is telling porkies in vain attempt to defend Rachel Reeves

This Budget was all about keeping Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves in power, argues Brian Monteith

Politics

14 h. ago RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Rachel Reeves lied, but ultimately the buck stops with 'Surkeir' Starmer. This gruesome twosome can't postpone their day of reckoning for ever...

When Keir Starmer became Labour leader five years ago, I thought I'd better come up with a suitable nickname. The first I fastened upon was Max Headroom.

Politics

15 h. ago Zelenskyy sets out Ukraine’s red lines in press conference with Macron – Europe live

Ukrainian president says focus remains on security guarantees, maintaining sovereignty and territory UK prime minister Keir Starmer is delivering a major economy speech this morning.You can follow all the key lines on our UK live blog with my colleague Andrew Sparrow, but there’s a particular line of argument that will no doubt reasonate in Europe, too.“Let me be crystal clear, there is no credible economic vision for Britain that does not position us as an open, trading economy.So we must all now confront the reality that the Brexit deal we have significantly hurt our economy and so for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Reeves warns against isolationist politics in Welsh summit speech

Rachel Reeves used her speech at the Wales Investment Summit to warn against the politics of ‘national retreat’.

Events

16 h. ago Celtic Fans Collective reveal plans for march ahead of Hearts clash as they take swipe at 'sneering' Ross Desmond

The fall-out from last month's disastrous AGM continues as fuming supporters hold Parkhead chiefs to account

Sport

16 h. ago Donald Trump's fresh health mystery as he lashes out at reporter over MRI probe

As the US president takes another savage swipe at a female reporter and questions over his health ramp up, we look at the details behind the mystery that's causing Trump to crack

Politics

16 h. ago Nine things to know from Keir Starmer speech including Reeves defence and Brexit damage

Keir Starmer told audiences in London today that the Budget was a 'moment of personal pride' as he defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she comes under fire.

Events