43 h. ago PMQs: Rayner signals UK would not join any US attack on Iran – UK politics live

Deputy prime minister says government seeking a diplomatic approachAngela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, she did not appoint a deputy (or even a “de factor deputy”, a post that has existed in Tory politics in recent years) and she said she would decide who would stand in for her at PMQs on a case by case basis. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, got the gig the first time Starmer was away.Chris Philp follows Alex Burghart in rotating for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. One Westminster wag asks “When is it going to be Robert Jenrick’s turn?”We have this profound challenge of the number of people joining the armed forces being outweighed by the outflow the people leaving. So ultimately its about retention.And the number one issue reason cited in last month’s attitude survey for the armed forces for leaving was family life. We know the quality of housing ...

Politics

43 h. ago Rayner brands Philp ‘Johnny Come Lately’ as he presses her on immigration

In a back and forth, Mr Philp claimed landlords are being offered ‘above market deals’ to secure properties for ‘illegal immigrants’.

Politics

6 d. ago Grenfell community gathers for final anniversary before tower demolition begins

Saturday marks eight years since the deadly blaze in west London.

Politics

6 d. ago Ninja air fryer shoppers snap up rare £60 discount on 9.5L holding Double Stack

Air fryers have become an essential in most homes. They're celebrated for making healthy cooking easier and faster, massively reducing cooking time

Economics

8 d. ago Charities hail ‘biggest cash injection in affordable housing in half a century’

Housing charity Shelter has described the funding as ‘a watershed moment in tackling the housing emergency’.

Politics

9 d. ago Mother says Southport project a thank you to ‘community that saved us’

The Government has pledged £5 million for the work at Town Hall gardens.

Politics

9 d. ago Government pledges £5m for renovation project in memory of Southport victims

Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner met the parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King in Downing Street on Tuesday.

Economics

9 d. ago Scrapping of Vagrancy Act next year landmark moment, say homelessness charities

Figures published in April showed the number of people classed as living on the streets in London had risen by more than a third (38%) in a year.

Politics

9 d. ago Labour to end 200 years of injustice by ripping up 'shameful' rough sleeping law

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the Government is 'drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice' by abolishing the Vagrancy Act, which has been on the statute books since 1824

Society

1 week ago Rachel Reeves in standoff over policing and council budgets days before spending review

Chancellor still at negotiating table on Sunday as Home Office demands more cash Rachel Reeves has been locked in a standoff over the policing and council budgets just days before this week’s spending review, which is set to give billions to the NHS, defence and technology.Yvette Cooper’s Home Office and Angela Rayner’s housing and local government ministry were the two departments still at the negotiating table on Sunday fighting for more cash, after weeks of trying to reach a settlement. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves strikes 11th hour deal with Angela Rayner to break cabinet civil war deadlock

Exclusive: The Treasury agreed a late deal with Angela Rayner’s Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government on Sunday evening, just days before Rachel Reeves publishes the spending review

Events

2 w. ago Starmer acknowledges need for swift clarity on winter fuel payments

The Prime Minister also did not steer away from suggestions that an announcement on the payment could come at the spending review on June 11.

Politics

3 w. ago Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government

Charities have urged a rethink by Government on the proposed welfare reforms.

Events

3 w. ago Rayner: Government not compromising green protections to build homes faster

The Government has set out proposals to cut red tape and for planning decisions to be shifted away from councillors and towards expert officers.

Politics

3 w. ago UK politics live: minister defends Labour’s justice record after warnings of threat to public safety

Housing minister says previous government left prison system in state of ‘criminal neglect’ amid warnings over early release plan The government is seeking to give a boost to smaller developers with faster planning decisions and financial backing to speed up building new homes.It will set out the detail of proposals to cut red tape and for planning decisions to be shifted away from councillors and towards expert officers as part of efforts to meet Labour’s pledge to build 1.5m homes by 2029-30.We’ve inherited, as you know, a housing system that’s not building enough homes part of the reason it is broken is that we’re overly reliant on a small number of large volume housebuilders. So we’ve got to diversify the housing market and get smaller housebuilders back in the game.In the 1980s they used to produce about 40% of all homes. Today it’s less than 10%, and so the package we’re announcing today allocating land specifically to SME housebuilders, providing them with more financial supp...

Events

3 w. ago Planning reforms seek to boost smaller developers to build homes faster

The Government will set out proposals to cut red tape and for planning decisions to be shifted away from councillors and towards expert officers.

Politics

3 w. ago Moment teenage thugs armed with hammers and knives invade club cricket pitch where children aged nine were playing

Maghull Cricket Club in Merseyside has reported 25 incidents to police of people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising equipment since July 2024.

Events

3 w. ago Teenagers fighting with hammers and knives on cricket pitch forces club to build protective fence

Maghull Cricket Club in Merseyside has reported 25 incidents to police of people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising equipment since July 2024.

Politics

3 w. ago Ministers considering tweaks to welfare reforms amid rebellion threat – reports

Sir Keir Starmer is said to be considering ‘tweaks’ to welfare cuts planned by his Government.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Badenoch has questions to answer over car hire security concerns’ – Labour

The Conservative leader has denied there were security concerns about the arrangement when she was a senior minister.

Events