3 h. ago Mortgage lender bans Bank of Mum and Dad as it launches new 2% deposit scheme

The new First Step mortgage lets you put down 2% of the property price of the home you want to buy, with a minimum deposit of just £5,000 - but gifted deposits won't be accepted

Economics

22 h. ago Ministers meet mortgage lenders to discuss plans to hand out bigger loans

Ministers are meeting mortgage lenders today to discuss plans to make it easier for people to get in the housing ladder, including by handing them bigger mortgages.

Politics

25 h. ago Starmer vows to be ‘clear’ with Herzog that UK condemns Israel’s strike on Qatar

The Prime Minister will meet the Israeli president in Downing Street later on Wednesday.

Politics

28 h. ago US homeland security chief to meet Belgian prime minister to tackle drug smuggling

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem plans to meet Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Antwerp to discuss efforts to combat transnational drug smuggling

Politics

43 h. ago First Minister to meet President Trump to discuss whisky tariffs

John Swinney is to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office today to discuss high whisky tariffs.

Politics

52 h. ago John Swinney ‘pressing the case’ for Scotch whisky on US visit

The First Minister is in Washington DC where he will meet those ‘intimately involved’ with setting tariff rates for Scotch whisky.

Politics

3 d. ago Business news live: FTSE 100 climbs and mortgage lenders start to raise interest rates again

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Monday

Economics

3 d. ago 'Five Eyes' ministers meet to discuss smashing people smuggling gangs, UK says

'Five Eyes' ministers meet to discuss smashing people smuggling gangs, UK says  Reuters

Politics

5 d. ago US and UN discuss Gaza reconstruction plan before general assembly

Talks aimed at preventing row at UN conference, where several countries plan to recognise state of Palestine A potential UN-endorsed reconstruction plan for Gaza, including a one-year technocratic government, an international stabilisation force, disarmament of Hamas and a rejection of mass deportation of Palestinians, is being discussed with the US to prevent the UN general assembly descending into a bitter row about the symbolic recognition of Palestine as a state.It is almost certain that the UK, along with France, Canada, Belgium and Malta, will recognise the state of Palestine at a UN conference on 22 September to be held on the sidelines of the general assembly, in the week when world leaders deliver major speeches. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Ministers urged not to meet Israeli president during UK visit

Isaac Herzog is understood to be visiting London next week.

Politics

7 d. ago Israel’s president to visit London next Thursday for expected talks with ministers

Exclusive: Isaac Herzog will make trip just weeks before UK is planning to recognise statehood of PalestineIsrael’s president will visit London next Thursday just weeks before the UK is expected to recognise the state of Palestine at the UN general assembly, the Guardian understands.Two sources have confirmed Isaac Herzog is expected to meet UK ministers and senior political figures – the first time a senior Israeli leader has been in Britain since the foreign secretary, David Lammy, met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, on an unannounced visit in the spring. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago The far right’s green bashing has given mainstream parties an excuse to do nothing – but we have more agency than we think | Ajit Niranjan

As powerful forces push back against green forces, it is little surprise that many of us feel dismay. Climate scientists do, too. But together we can take action to challenge the prevailing apathySupport the Guardian’s independent journalism today Last year, I stood in front of a black-clad skinhead as he shook a fist full of rings thick enough to double as a knuckle-duster. Flecks of spit flew into my face as he railed against the green agenda of the last German government.Until recently, it would have felt bizarre to talk to protesters at a neo-Nazi-linked rally about climate change or hear them rant unprompted about heat pumps. But far-right parties have entered the political mainstream, and their scathing tirades against “woke” green rules are energising their base.Join George Monbiot and special guests on 16 September for a special climate assembly to discuss the growing and dramatic political and corporate threats to the planet. Book tickets – in person or livestream Continue ...

Politics

7 d. ago North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

China’s Foreign Ministry says that visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

Politics

1 week ago UK lenders approved most mortgages for 6 months in July, says BoE

Data points to continued recovery in property transactions

Politics

1 week ago Israeli attacks on Gaza City kill dozens ahead of planned offensive

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are sheltering in Gaza City as Israel’s leaders discuss a plan for attack

Events

1 week ago Israeli airstrikes and gunfire kill 18 in and around Gaza City, Gaza officials say

Toll includes 13 people trying to get food near distribution point, as Israeli cabinet to discuss next stages of offensiveIsraeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed at least 18 people in and around Gaza City, local health authorities have said, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet prepared on Sunday to discuss plans to seize the city.Residents of Sheikh Radwan, one of the largest neighbourhoods of Gaza City, told reporters the area had been under Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes throughout Saturday, overnight and on Sunday morning, forcing many families to flee. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Israeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed 18 around Gaza City, local officials say

Toll includes 13 people trying to get food near distribution point, as Israeli cabinet to discuss next stages of offensiveIsraeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 18 people in and around Gaza City, local health authorities said, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet prepared to discuss plans to seize the city.Residents of Sheikh Radwan, one of the largest neighbourhoods of Gaza City, told reporters the area had been under Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes throughout Saturday, overnight and on Sunday morning, forcing many families to flee.With Reuters and Agence France-Presse Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Investigation launched into ‘horrific murder’ of Ukrainian politician in Lviv

Former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy shot dead as EU ministers meet to discuss measures to force Moscow to the negotiating tableA Ukrainian former parliamentary speaker was shot dead in Lviv on Saturday, authorities said, as European foreign ministers met to discuss increasing pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine.Andriy Parubiy, a member of parliament who served as parliamentary speaker from 2016 to 2019 and a key figure in Ukraine’s 2013 pro-European Maidan revolution, was shot dead, prosecutors said. A murder investigation has been launched and the president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned the killing as a “horrific murder”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Tony Blair urged to explain secretive Donald Trump meeting at White House

The former PM met with Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to discuss post-war plans for Gaza - which the US President has frequently mused about turning into a Las Vegas-style waterfront resort

Society

2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy picks Olha Stefanishyna as ambassador to US

Ukrainian officials due in Washington on Friday; Russians short of fuel as oil refineries burn. What we know on day 1,282Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Olha Stefanishyna, a former top cabinet minister, as Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, ending months of speculation. She takes over as ambassador from Oksana Markarova, who held the position for six years, including more than three years of full-scale war with Russia, and became a target for partisan criticism from Republicans. It was announced in July that Markarova would be replaced. Stefanishyna served in Zelenskyy’s administration as a deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, playing a major role in the country’s integration into western institutions, and as minister of justice.Zelenskyy announced his officials will meet US counterparts in New York on Friday as the Ukrainian president continues to push for a one-on-one meeting with Vladimir Putin despite Kremlin refusals. “Friday, meetings will take plac...

Politics