16 h. ago Ministers will set target to spend more defence money with small businesses

The Ministry of Defence will also launch a new hub for small and medium sized enterprises to give them better access to the sector.

Politics

30 h. ago Shield British defence firms from US raiders, top brass sound a warning

Fears over the sale of some of Britain's leading defence firms to US private equity barons have surfaced as defence giant Chemring is being targeted.

Events

33 h. ago In this dangerous age, Britain needs to exert soft power as well as the hard stuff | Andrew Rawnsley

Defence spending has to go up, but siphoning money from international aid is a self-defeating follyShortly before he flew to Washington, Sir Keir Starmer turned up in the Commons, put on his sombre voice and declared: “Everything has changed.” One of the more startling transformations has been to Sir Keir himself. The Labour leader came to office thinking, as did most of those who voted for him, that he was going to be a domestically orientated prime minister with primary ambitions to improve living standards, build lots of homes and rejuvenate public services. That’s what “change”, his one-word election slogan, was supposed to be about. When he originally selected his overriding “five missions”, the defence of the realm didn’t make the cut.His central definition today is as a geopolitically focused prime minister who is promising to spend more on guns, missiles and warplanes and less on international aid. More British bullets will be purchased at the expense of succour to the impov...

Politics

49 h. ago Jos Buttler’s England reign ends in painful defeat by South Africa

Gp B: South Africa, 181-3, bt England, 179, by 7 wktsEngland limp out of Champions Trophy with three lossesJos Buttler called the Champions Trophy a brutal format before the start of the tournament but in the end it proved mercifully short. Had this been a World Cup, stretched out over weeks to milk even more television money, England could easily have surpassed that bleak title defence in India 18 months ago by way of ignominy.Instead, it was off to the airport, via the hotel, after this third and final defeat; the first time they have exited a global event without a single group win. South Africa, who topped Group B with a crushing seven-wicket win, were due to fly to Dubai on Sunday, even if the farcical schedule – dictated by India having to play all their matches in the gulf state – meant they do not know whether this will actually be the scene of their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

53 h. ago Türkiye's foreign minister set to join Ukraine meeting in London

Türkiye's foreign minister set to join Ukraine meeting in London  News.Az

Politics

4 d. ago Minister has ‘set out path to approving’ Gatwick expansion – source

The Planning Inspectorate recommended Heidi Alexander should give the go-ahead for a scheme at the West Sussex airport, but with adjustments.

Politics

6 d. ago Kremlin disputes Trump claim Russia would accept Nato peacekeeping troops in Ukraine – live

Kremlin says it has nothing to add to the foreign ministry’s position on the unacceptability of Nato peacekeepers in UkraineUkraine’s presidential press service has issued a photograph showing president Volodymyr Zelenskyy introducing the world leaders visiting Kyiv some new developments in Ukraine’s defence industry.British prime minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a cut to the country’s aid budget to immediately hike defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, ahead of his visit to the White House on Thursday, according to The Sun. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Keir Starmer to push Donald Trump on Ukraine peace deal during Washington visit

The Prime Minister is set to meet Donald Trump in Washington

Politics

8 d. ago Kemi Badenoch urges Prime Minister to cut foreign aid and pour money into defence

The Tory leader wrote in a letter that 'this is no time for dither', arguing: 'History has been unforgiving to politicians who, faced with growing threats, chose procrastination over action.'

Politics

9 d. ago Voices: Keir Starmer’s secret letter reveals that he sees Nigel Farage as the real leader of the opposition

The prime minister has set out a restrictive approach to immigration in a memo to cabinet ministers – making clear that he sees Reform, not the Conservatives, as the threat at the next election, writes John Rentoul

Politics

1 week ago Prisoners in Scotland to be released today as hundreds to be freed early over next 6 weeks

Prisoners are set to be released as early as today as First Minister John Swinney looks to free up space in the prison system.

Events