9 h. ago Chief Scout and former SAS man Bear Grylls nearly became our US envoy, diplomatic sources claim

Grylls is said to have been on a shortlist of three for the job, which went to former Labour minister Peter Mandelson.

Politics

11 h. ago Keir Starmer: Do not vote for 'dangerous' politics of Nigel Farage

The Prime Minister will urge voters to back a Labour government in Holyrood when he comes to Glasgow.

Politics

42 h. ago Anas Sarwar: I will ban mobile phones in school classrooms as Labour First Minister

The Scottish Labour leader said he would make schools ‘safe, calm places for learning again’

Politics

43 h. ago Solicitors' watchdog reopens probe into Labour's Jonathan Reynolds over Business Secretary's CV 'lies'

Pressure piled on the Labour Cabinet minister after the Solicitors Regulation Authority said it would reinvestigate accusations he misrepresented his legal career.

Politics

43 h. ago Andrew Gwynne under investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Mr Gwynne was sacked as a minister and suspended from the Labour Party earlier this month

Events

47 h. ago Keir Starmer urged to ramp up defence spending – UK politics live

This is ‘probably one of the most alarming times for Britain’s defence since the second world war’, says Lib Dem leader Ed Davey as he calls for more spendingHello and welcome to our rolling coverage of UK politics.The Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said the government must swiftly ramp up defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP).I’ve never known a time like this, it is probably one of the most alarming times for Britain’s defence and security since the second world war, with our closest ally changing their position. So we have to debate it, it is going to be difficult.I don’t think there’s an easy solution, but we have put some ideas on the table. One idea we have put is to increase the digital services taxes, a tax on about 20 multinational companies with turnovers of over £500m and we would raise it from the current 2% to 10%.Foreign secretary David Lammy is in South Africa for the second day of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.Scottish Labour leader Anas ...

Politics

57 h. ago Labour ministers are urged to double their investment in the grid to meet surging demand for electricity

With energy demands predicted to double by 2050, the Government must ensure the system can cope and connect new sources of renewable power to the grid, it says.

Politics

2 d. ago 'He never pretended to be a solicitor': Labour minister stumbles as she tries to defend Jonathan Reynolds over his CV 'lies'... even though he told MPs he 'worked as a solicitor'

Amid mounting pressure on Jonathan Reynolds for falsely describing himself as a solicitor, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy attempted to launch a defence of her fellow minister.

Politics

3 d. ago Labour gave Lords less than two days to vet 'fraud case' investment minister

Poppy Gustafsson, appointed to Sir Keir Starmer 's frontbench team in October, was seen as a surprise choice for the role at the time.

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer faces criticism from Labour MPs over his opposition to Palestinians claiming asylum in Britain

More than a dozen serving Labour MPs and peers have told the Prime Minister to explain why he has vowed to close a 'loophole' that allowed a family in war-torn Gaza to settle in the UK.

Events

4 d. ago Grandmother says suspended Labour MP called her 'hag' in vile WhatsApp group

Grandmother Elaine Cole said the suspended Labour MP and former government minister Andrew Gwynne described her as a 'hag' in the controversial WhatsApp group 'Trigger Me Timbers'

Politics

4 d. ago Swinney pledges extra £25m for Grangemouth and calls for matched funding

The First Minister said the Labour Government must ‘do what it said it would do before the election’.

Economics

4 d. ago Furious farmers leave Treasury meeting with 'boiling blood' after 'uncaring' Labour ministers refuse to budge on inheritance tax raid

James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and farming minister Daniel Zeichner spoke with representatives of various countryside groups this morning.

Politics

6 d. ago Labour ministers to create a 'development fund' for Mauritius as part of Keir Starmer's £9billion deal to lease Chagos Islands

Sir Keir Starmer 's controversial agreement will include money for 'strategic projects' to improve the lives of Mauritians including a 'Chagossian Trust Fund' paid for by the UK.

Economics

6 d. ago Watering down of assisted dying Bill could cause it to be voted down by MPs in next Commons vote, Labour ministers believe

Sources told the Mail that senior figures were 'spooked' by the backlash to major changes to the controversial legislation revealed last week.

Politics