46 h. ago Reeves to launch crackdown on benefit fraud alongside lifting two

Move aims to bring in extra £1.2bn of savings as government seeks to head off criticism over welfare spendingYou be the chancellor: play our budget gameRachel Reeves will launch a fresh crackdown on benefit fraud at the same time as lifting the two-child limit for universal credit at a cost of £3bn, as ministers seek to head off criticism over rising welfare spending in the budget.The chancellor has made the decision to scrap the two-child limit in full, a move that will be welcomed by Labour MPs who have long highlighted its effect on increasing child poverty.Freezing income tax thresholds for an extra two years to 2030, bringing more people into higher tax bands as wages rise.Making salary sacrifice schemes less generous, including those for pension contributions.A pay-per-mile scheme on electric cars to help fill the tax gap from petrol duty as more people opt for green vehicles.Bringing in higher tax on the most expensive properties, including a surcharge on the highest-value ho...

Politics

5 d. ago Republicans dodged a bullet on shutdown and Trump bailed them out on Epstein

Republicans no longer have to contend with the shutdown, but the issue of spiking health care premiums hasn’t gone away, writes John Bowden

Politics

6 d. ago DfE slated as 'tone deaf' for posting joke apology on social media boasting about Labour's achievements in schools

The message, posted last night, was headed 'apology statement' with the official Government logo, but then went on to list 'wins' by ministers.

Politics

7 d. ago VAT: Head teacher accuses Rachel Reeves of 'live experiment' on private school pupils as 9

The head teacher of St Leonards independent school has accused the UK Government of a ‘social experiment’ on children’s education

Society

8 d. ago Online safety ‘getting worse’, warns former UK cyber security agency boss

Felicity Oswald wants to use her new role as head of Girlguiding to call on the Government and social media firms to do more to protect girls online.

Events

1 week ago MP visits TSB Livingston branch to find out how bank is supporting vulnerable customers

The visit, hosted by Andrew McIntyre, Head of Government Affairs at TSB, focused on the bank’s work to promote financial security, protect customers, and provide safe and inclusive spaces for local people.

Economics

1 week ago Trump administration suing Gavin Newsom over California’s voter

Trump’s justice department is attempting to block the state’s new congressional maps , which voters overwhelmingly approved through Proposition 50.Democrats appear more enthusiastic than Republicans about voting in next year’s congressional elections following the party’s victories in recent state and local contests, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, which showed Republican President Donald Trump’s approval steady at 40%.The six-day poll, which closed on Wednesday, showed 44% of registered voters who called themselves Democrats said they were “very enthusiastic” about voting in the November 3, 2026, elections, compared with 26% of Republicans who said the same. Some 79% of Democrats said they would regret it if they didn’t vote in the election, compared to 68% of Republicans. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Federal worker says Trump administration retaliated against her over MSNBC interview about shutdown

A day after she appeared on MSNBC last month to talk about how millions of Americans could lose food benefits because of the shutdown, the USDA informed Ellen Mei that she was scheduled to be terminated because she shared government information ‘without prior approval.’

Politics

1 week ago White House admits key economic data may never be released and blames the shutdown

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warns October CPI and jobs reports might not be published

Economics

1 week ago Bulletin briefing: US shutdown ends, terror incident in India and new malaria drug

Longest government shutdown in US history ends as Trump signs bill. Read more here.

Events

1 week ago Trump doesn't field questions after Epstein files release as he signs deal to end US government shutdown

US President does not field questions from media as questions swirl around him following the release of Epstein files

Politics

1 week ago Trump signs funding bill to end longest US government shutdown

President signs legislation to restart federal operations after House passes measure in 222-209 voteThe longest US government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday after more than 42 days, following the House of Representative’s passage of a bill negotiated by Republicans and a splinter group of Democrat-aligned senators.The compromise sets the stage for government operations to return to normal through January, while leaving unresolved the issue of expiring tax credits for Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare health plans, which most Democrats demanded be extended in any deal to reopen the government. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trump signs bill ending longest government shutdown in history which disrupted air travel and food benefits for millions

The signing comes after the government was shut down for almost 43 days and the president urged senators to end the filibuster if the gridlocked negotiations didn’t move forward

Politics

1 week ago House votes to end longest shutdown in US history, sending bill to Trump's desk

After 43 days, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have passed a budget to fund the U.S. government.

Politics

1 week ago Trump to sign funding bill ending 43 days US government shutdown

The spending bill vote was split 222-209

Politics

1 week ago Donald Trump says US has 'never been in better shape' as he signs bill ending government shutdown

The House of Representatives spending bill vote was split 222-209 and so brings to a close the mammoth shutdown - with Trump calling it an 'honour' to make it official

Politics

1 week ago House begins voting on bill to end government shutdown as new Epstein revelations roil US politics – live

The White House announced that Donald Trump plans to sign the legislation to reopen the federal government at 9:45pm Eastern Time, on live televisionIn a new batch of emails released by Democrats on the House oversight committee, Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald Trump knew about the late financier and sex-offender’s conduct. In the three emails released, Epstein apparently told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims.In two other emails to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls”, referring to the now-president. According to the exchanges, Epstein also solicited Wolff’s advice about how he should handle Trump discussing their friendship in an interview with CNN. “I think you should let him hang himself,” Wolff writes. “If he says he hasn’t been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a p...

Politics

1 week ago Trump calls Epstein emails a Democratic deflection after correspondence alleges president ‘knew about the girls’ – live

Trump says release of Epstein emails is a distraction from Democrats’ performance during shutdown; White House says they ‘prove absolutely nothing’Trump knew about Epstein’s conduct, newly released emails suggestDemocrat who could force Epstein vote to be sworn in after standoffIn a new batch of emails released by Democrats on the House oversight committee, Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald Trump knew about the late financier and sex-offender’s conduct. In the three emails released, Epstein apparently told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims.In two other emails to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls”, referring to the now-president. According to the exchanges, Epstein also solicited Wolff’s advice about how he should handle Trump discussing their friendship in an interview with CNN. “I think you should let him hang himself,” Wolff writes. “If he says he hasn’t been on the plane o...

Politics

1 week ago White House says new Epstein emails mentioning Trump ‘prove absolutely nothing’ – live

White House press secretary says, ‘Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep’Trump knew about Epstein’s conduct, newly released emails suggestDemocrat who could force Epstein vote to be sworn in after standoffIn a new batch of emails released by Democrats on the House oversight committee, Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald Trump knew about the late financier and sex-offender’s conduct. In the three emails released, Epstein apparently told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims.In two other emails to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls”, referring to the now-president. According to the exchanges, Epstein also solicited Wolff’s advice about how he should handle Trump discussing their friendship in an interview with CNN. “I think you should let him hang himself,” Wolff writes. “If he says he...

Politics

1 week ago White House says ‘unnamed victim’ Trump ‘spent hours’ with was Virginia Giuffre, accusing Democrats of ‘fake narrative’ – live

Spokesperson says Giuffre repeatedly said Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing as she accuses Democrats of trying to ‘smear’ presidentTrump knew about Epstein’s conduct, newly released emails suggestDemocrat who could force Epstein vote to be sworn in after standoffIn a new batch of emails released by Democrats on the House oversight committee, Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald Trump knew about the late financier and sex-offender’s conduct. In the three emails released, Epstein apparently told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims.In two other emails to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls”, referring to the now-president. According to the exchanges, Epstein also solicited Wolff’s advice about how he should handle Trump discussing their friendship in an interview with CNN. “I think you should let him hang himself,” Wolff writes. “If he says he hasn’t been on the plane or to the ...

Politics