60 h. ago Miliband vows to ban fracking, labels Reform ‘ideological extremists’ and tells Musk to ‘get the hell out of our politics’ – live

Environmental groups have welcomed the energy secretary’s fracking announcementAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So ...

Politics

61 h. ago Ed Miliband vows to ban fracking and warns Reform would ‘trash our climate commitments’ – UK politics live

There is currently no permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So I’ve got...

Events

62 h. ago Ed Miliband to announce total ban on fracking – UK politics live

There is not currently a permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumSome people have argued that it is a mistake for Keir Starmer and Labour to talk about Nigel Farage and Reform UK as much as they have. There is a case for saying that this just shores up the credibility of a party with only five MPs, and it switches the news agenda towards immigration and small boats (issues where Reform UK polls well) and away from “Labour issues” like health.And art of this argument is that, by calling the Reform UK migration policy racist, Labour is also making it easier for Farage to leverage grievance (which, as Starmer himself argued in his speech yesterday, is part of what lies behind Reform UK’s electoral support.I think it’s a mistake to pretend this isn’t the fight of our times.If it is the fight of our times, we’ve got to recognise that, and we’ve got to be in it. I think simply ignoring it is a mistake, a political mistake.No, not at all. There is a political fight that has to be ...

Politics

63 h. ago PM brands Channel crossings ‘Farage boats’ because Brexit has hampered returns – UK politics live

PM also says he does not believe Nigel Farage or Reform voters are racistHelena Horton is a Guardian environment reporter.Ed Miliband is due to take to the stage to deliver his speech today, and he is set to announce a “total ban” on fracking.I am about to announce something you have been calling for and campaigning on, which is to ban fracking for good. You called for it, I’m going to do it, thank you for your campaigning.What an amazing result for our environment, our local communities, and the thousands of committed people and groups right across the country who’ve spent years fighting for fracking to be banned for good – including the many who signed 38 Degrees supporter Geoff’s recent petition. Not long ago, it felt like fracking might make a comeback, with Reform UK pushing to put it back on the agenda. But thousands of us stood up, demanded a permanent ban, and made our voices impossible to ignore. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer says Farage ‘doesn’t like Britain’ as he ramps up attack on Reform

The prime minister has said Britain stands at a ‘fork in the road’ between decency and division

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer says Farage ‘doesn’t believe in Britain’ as he ramps up attack on Reform

The prime minister has said Britain stands at a ‘fork in the road’ between decency and division

Events

3 d. ago Nigel Farage a ‘snake oil salesman’ comparable to Andrew Tate, says No 10 chief secretary

Ministers signal Labour will take stronger approach to attacking Reform rather than just ‘respond to crazy things they’re saying’UK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer’s new No 10 enforcer has compared Nigel Farage to the influencer Andrew Tate, saying he is a “snake oil salesman” who is taking working-class boys down a dark path.Darren Jones, the No 10 chief secretary to the prime minister, said Labour was going to take a more “muscular approach to attacking Reform” and it would be “more proactive than just responding to the crazy things they’re saying”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Starmer to launch fresh attack on ‘divisive’ Farage in keynote speech

Health secretary says Reform UK leader a ‘con artist’ who cannot be trusted with public’s health

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Streeting brands Nigel Farage a ‘snake oil salesman’ in attack over Reform’s NHS plans

Health secretary says Reform UK leader a ‘con artist’ who cannot be trusted with public’s health

Economics

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Farage may ‘do away with NHS’, Streeting warns doctors after strike threats

The prime minister is also expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Events

3 d. ago Labour conference live: Public can’t trust Farage with the NHS, Streeting warns before Starmer unveils reforms

The prime minister is expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Events

3 d. ago Starmer to ramp up attack on Farage and Reform in pivotal Labour party conference speech: Live updates

The prime minister is expected to use his annual address to expand his attacks on Reform UK

Society

4 d. ago Labour conference live: Burnham backs Starmer as he dampens leadership bid rumours

Manchester mayor suggests speculation has stemmed from ‘overwritten’ and ‘inaccurate’ reporting

Politics

4 d. ago Labour members back Burnham over Starmer in new leadership poll by large majority: Live updates

Polling comes amid increasing speculation over Manchester mayor’s Westminster ambitions

Politics

4 d. ago Home secretary Mahmood vows to do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop small boat crossings: Live updates

Shabana Mahmood says she will send migrants home ‘who have no right to be here’

Society

4 d. ago Andy Burnham urges Labour to ‘call out’ Brexit failures after Reeves’ jibe at mayor: Live updates

The Greater Manchester mayor, however, said there was no prospect of the rejoining the EU ‘any time soon’

Events

4 d. ago Nigel Farage is the ‘single greatest threat’ to UK livelihoods, says Rachel Reeves: Live updates

The chancellor was also interrupted by a pro-Palestinian heckler during her speech

Events

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves commits to VAT manifesto pledge ahead of keynote Labour conference speech: Live updates

The chancellor said ‘the manifesto stands’ when she asked to rule out a hike in VAT before her speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool today

Politics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves warns Andy Burnham is ‘going the way of Liz Truss’

The red-on-red attack shows how far relations have deteriorated between Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer’s camp

Events

4 d. ago Burnham claims ‘climate of fear’ in Labour as he refuses to pledge loyalty to Starmer: Labour conference live

Keir Starmer dismisses Labour calls to oust him as ‘navel gazing' and says battle with Reform UK is ‘fight for the soul of our country'

Society