35 m. ago Starmer denies Trump is setting UK policy as defence spending is increased

The Prime Minister announced the increase ahead of a meeting with US president this week

Politics

47 m. ago 'Keir Starmer is putting missiles before medicine and it won't serve UK's interests'

Writing for The Mirror, Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of Oxfam UK, said that compassion has gone out the window - while international aid helps the UK's self-interest

Events

51 m. ago Household energy bills to soar by average of £111 from April 1 as Sir Keir Starmer told to 'apologise'

This is 9.4% or £159 higher than this time last year

Economics

55 m. ago Keir Starmer warns 'we can't hide from this' as he holds hasty press conference on response to Putin threat

Keir Starmer helf a press conference at No10 on Tuesday night regarding the threat of Vladimir Putin ahead of his trip to the White House.

Events

62 m. ago Keir Starmer bows to Trump pressure and increases UK defence spending by slashing foreign aid

PM brands Russia a ‘menace in our waters’ and says UK must stand by Ukraine to achieve lasting peace to avoid threats to economic instability

Politics

64 m. ago This is a hard choice. We believe in foreign aid – but we have to make cuts. We must keep the UK safe | David Lammy

Putin’s Russia is a threat to all Europe, including the UK. Vital aid work will be hit as we spend more on defence, but we must deal with the world as it isThere are moments in history when everything turns, but the extent of change is not perceived until later when the fog has cleared. These are hinge points that require clear leadership and bold action. In the late 1940s, my Labour predecessor and hero Ernie Bevin, alongside Clement Attlee, saw through the fog when they led Britain into Nato and the UN, and secured the development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. In the 1960s, Harold Wilson saw through the paranoia of the cold war, refusing Lyndon Johnson’s request to send British troops to Vietnam. In the 1990s, Tony Blair understood that unless we stopped the president of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, there would be no peace in the Balkans.Three years into Vladimir Putin’s brutal war, this is again a hinge point for Britain. Keir Starmer’s commitment to dramatically raise defence s...

Politics

70 m. ago ‘Immediate risk to life’ for mother on hunger strike over jailed son – doctor

The Free Alaa campaign said Laila Soueif is now on the 149th day of her hunger strike and was admitted to hospital on Monday evening.

Events

71 m. ago Starmer defends aid cuts to boost defence as ‘necessary’ amid charity criticism

Sacrificing aid funding to bolster Britain’s war chest was branded ‘reckless’ by charities and aid organisations.

Politics

74 m. ago Watch: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

82 m. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

91 m. ago SNP Budget plans approved with Greens, Lib Dems and Alba support

Ministers highlighted record spending for the NHS and councils in the £63 billion budget settlement.

Politics

95 m. ago German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defence fund

Friedrich Merz, expected to be next chancellor, has spoken of urgent need for ramped-up defence, but ‘blocking minority’ could form in future BundestagGermany’s outgoing parliament could be asked to sign off on a new defence fund in its final weeks as the conservative winners of Sunday’s election seek to balance geopolitical demands with the looming pressures of a new Bundestag hostile to military spending.Since the victory of his CDU/CSU alliance, Friedrich Merz has spoken of the urgent need for Europe to ramp up its own defence capabilities, saying it needs “independence from the USA” amid an unpredictable Trump administration and a looming threat from Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

97 m. ago Starmer slams accusation he is ‘Farage in disguise’ over defence spending increase

Sir Keir Starmer dismissed an accusation he is "Nigel Farage in disguise" over his plans to slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Politics

1 hour ago Starmer accuses Farage of ‘fawning’ over Putin as Reform MPs face ‘poodles’ jibe

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson also hit back over criticism of his party colleagues during a war of words with the SNP’s Stephen Flynn.

Politics

1 hour ago We must stop Putin in Ukraine to protect Europe: Keir Starmer puts UK on a war footing by increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

The Prime Minister pledged to accelerate an increase in the UK's defence spending in the face of Russia's belligerence and growing US indifference to European security.

Politics

2 h. ago Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending

PM confirms rise in military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has announced drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending, amid fears over Donald Trump’s commitment to European security.The prime minister said the UK government would increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – as he prepared for what is likely to be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC this week. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago WW3 fears grow as Starmer denies Trump forced 'biggest change since Cold War'

To fund the increases in defence spending, Starmer said 'painful' decisions will have to be made as he explained development assistance aid will be cut from 0.5% to 0.3%

Politics

2 h. ago Mason Greenwood transfer latest as Man United brace for 'large' cash injection after next move

The former Manchester United forward could be on the move this summer with suggestions of a sell-on clause involved

Sport

2 h. ago Banks and defence stocks help lift FTSE 100 after Starmer ups security spending

The blue-chip index gained 9.69 points, or 0.11%, to close at 8,668.67.

Economics

2 h. ago Keir Starmer addresses nation after slashing aid budget to fund 'biggest sustained rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including the cut to foreign aid

Economics