8 h. ago Taxi for Labour! Ministers are 'running out of road' and plotting to slap VAT on cab fares, Tories warn

Labour has refused to rule out slapping VAT on private hire fares, sparking speculation the Chancellor will clobber cabbies at the Budget. Industry experts expect such a tax to raise £750million a year.

Events

19 h. ago Starmer intervention in China spy case collapse would have been ‘absurd’ – No 10

The CPS dropped the case after deeming the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security.

Politics

19 h. ago Lord Speaker to step down early from role to care for wife with Parkinson’s

The former Labour MP and minister says Joan had ‘selflessly supported’ him throughout his career.

Politics

20 h. ago 'Who the hell's side are you on?': Labour ministers accused of 'weakening' case against 'Chinese spies' to maintain 'positive relationship' with Beijing

The Prime Minister is mired in a deepening crisis over the role played by No10 in the collapse of the trial of two Britons accused of espionage on behalf of the Communist regime.

Politics

20 h. ago Grand Sumo Tournament comes to London for the second time outside Japan in the sport's 1,500

Grand Sumo Tournament comes to London for the second time outside Japan in the sport's 1,500-year history  CBS News

Politics

20 h. ago UK ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 500 times in first year of power, analysis shows

Lobbyists attended 48% more meetings than Tories, as Labour accused of giving them ‘backstage pass’ UK politics live – latest updatesGovernment ministers met representatives from the fossil fuel industry more than 500 times during their first year in power – equivalent to twice every working day, according to new research.The analysis found that fossil fuel lobbyists were present at 48% more ministerial meetings during Labour’s first year in power than under the Conservatives in 2023.Ministers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) met fossil fuel lobbyists 274 times, with industry figures present at almost a quarter of meetings.Ed Miliband, the secretary for energy and climate change, met fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with a third of all his meetings attended by industry figures.During the same period DESNZ ministers met trade union representatives 61 timesThree fossil fuel companies: BP, Shell and Equinor , met ministers 100 times between them.Fossil fuel l...

Politics

20 h. ago Labour ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 500 times in first year of power, analysis shows

Lobbyists attended 48% more meetings than Tories, as Labour accused of giving them ‘backstage pass’ UK politics live – latest updatesGovernment ministers met representatives from the fossil fuel industry more than 500 times during their first year in power – equivalent to twice every working day, according to research.The analysis found that fossil fuel lobbyists were present at 48% more ministerial meetings during Labour’s first year in power than under the Conservatives in 2023.Ministers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) met fossil fuel lobbyists 274 times, with industry figures present at almost a quarter of meetings.During the same period DESNZ ministers met trade union representatives 61 times.Ed Miliband, the secretary for energy and climate change, met fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with a third of all his meetings attended by industry figures.Three fossil fuel companies: BP, Shell and Equinor, met ministers 100 times between them.Fossil fuel lobby...

Politics

25 h. ago China is a national security threat to the UK, spy case official warned

Labour prime minister Keir Starmer facing questions after witness statements provided for the trial of two men who allegedly spied for China also say government is ‘committed to pursuing a positive relationship’ with Beijing

Events

44 h. ago Labour's grooming gangs inquiry 'has stalled because ministers can't find anyone to chair it'

Four months on from Sir Keir Starmer performing a U-turn to commit to a full national probe, the Home Office confirmed it had still yet to appoint anyone to lead the inquiry.

Politics

50 h. ago The crisis engulfing Emmanuel Macron contains a warning for Keir Starmer | Rafael Behr

The French president dominated the centre ground but has failed to build a legacy there. Labour is in danger of doing the sameBritain and France do not share a fixed quota of political stability such that reduced volatility on one side of the Channel causes chaos across the water. It was just a coincidence that Keir Starmer won a huge majority at precisely the moment last July when legislative elections made France ungovernable for Emmanuel Macron.It was a misfortune for both men, and for Europe, that their political trajectories were out of sync. Macron had dealt with four Tory prime ministers before finding a potential ally in the ascendant Labour leader. By then his presidency was in spiralling decline. Britain was rousing itself from Brexit delirium just as France was losing the plot.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Events

62 h. ago Prostate cancer screening would save thousands of lives and have a 'generational impact' on men's health, Rishi Sunak says

The former Conservative prime minister stood alongside Labour's deputy prime minister David Lammy as they called for targeted checks for men at highest risk of the disease.

Society

68 h. ago Labour minister criticises ban on women and teenage girls taking part in London mosque charity fun run

The housing secretary said the decision by the East London Mosque was ‘inappropriate’

Politics

69 h. ago William Hague urges Keir Starmer to ‘be more like Margaret Thatcher’

The Prime Minister has been under pressure this summer with Labour trailing behind Reform in opinion polls and others questioning his leadership.

Politics

2 d. ago Tony Blair flees questions at Egypt peace summit after Trump says the ex

The former Labour prime minister was among those who queued up to shake hands in Egypt with the US president, who has spoken about him having a seat on a 'peace board'.

Politics

3 d. ago 'This Parliament has been spied on': Furious Speaker Lindsay Hoyle berates ministers over collapse of China spying court case amid questions for Labour

Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned that Parliament was not getting the 'protection it needs' amid a furore over the decision to drop charges against Chris Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33.

Politics

3 d. ago 50p sells for 500 times face value and there are more than 200,000

A collector paid £245 for an inconspicuous 50p on eBay, prompting people to check their own coins

Politics

5 d. ago We don’t need a Labour Government in Scotland that will look like UK, says Flynn

The SNP Westminster leader urged Scots to set their sights ‘so much higher’.

Politics

5 d. ago Keir Starmer's security adviser Jonathan Powell is 'too close to China', Labour cabinet ministers warn

Jonathan Powell is facing scrutiny across the political divide after he reportedly refused to call Beijing an 'enemy' of the UK in evidence for the case.

Events

7 d. ago I don’t recall asking questions of botched Covid exam model, says Swinney

The First Minister appeared before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Thursday.

Politics

7 d. ago Pubs and restaurants to stay open until the early hours in bid to save hospitality industry and boost 'the British night out'

Labour ministers are pushing plans to allow alcohol-selling businesses to increase their opening hours - after lockdown, spiralling costs and crippling tax raids took their toll on night life.

Politics