8 h. ago Ministers delay flagship child poverty plan until the autumn

The child poverty strategy, originally due to be published this spring, was expected to include a recommendation to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Politics

9 h. ago Probation staff shortages threaten to derail plans to safely release prisoners early, ministers warned

Exclusive: ‘Vital window’ to boost probation workforce before prison reforms put huge pressure on service already in chaos, says union chief

Events

20 h. ago Starmer's migration plans will damage Wales, first minister fears

Starmer's migration plans will damage Wales, first minister fears  BBC

Politics

37 h. ago Chagos 'surrender' CAN go ahead: Judge clears Keir Starmer to hand over UK territory after chaotic 11th

The Prime Minister's plan to announce this morning that he was handing the archipelago to Mauritius was thrown into chaos after a High Court injection was made in the dead of night.

Events

42 h. ago Starmer blocked from completing Chagos Islands deal by High Court judge after last

The prime minister planned to sign a deal handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius today but a dramatic 3am ruling by a senior judge has put a pause on the plans

Events

42 h. ago Paedophiles to be 'castrated' in Government's new prison plan that could be mandatory

Sex offenders could be forced to undergo chemical castration in a bid to curb their sexual urges and prevent reoffending, under plans being considered by ministers

Events

50 h. ago Shabana Mahmood considers chemical castration for serious sex offenders

Justice secretary expected to back radical sentencing reforms, including use of libido-suppressing drugs in England and WalesShabana Mahmood, the lord chancellor, is considering mandatory chemical castration for the most serious sex offenders, according to government sources.The minister’s department is planning to expand a pilot to 20 regions as part of a package of “radical” measures to free thousands of prisoners and ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.Ensure custodial sentences under 12 months are only used in exceptional circumstances.Extend suspended sentences to up to three years and encourage greater use of deferred sentences for low-risk offenders.Give courts greater flexibility to use fines and ancillary orders like travel, driving and football bans.Allow probation officers to adjust the level of supervision based on risk and compliance with licence conditions.Expand specialist domestic abuse courts to improve support for victims.Expand tagging for all perpetrato...

Politics

3 d. ago Proposals to expand troubled Parc Prison with hundreds more inmates as system is 'days from collapse'

The plans to expand the Welsh prison comes as the Ministry of Justice warns prisons in Wales and England are 'days from collapse'

Events

6 d. ago Labour minister warns North Sea to 'plan for future' without oil and gas amid Government carbon capture rift

A potential rift has opened up within the UK government between the energy transition and the funds needed to kickstart a crucial delayed project.

Politics

8 d. ago Immigration UK: Talks held over 'return hubs' for failed asylum seekers, Sir Keir Starmer says

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the plans around ‘return hubs’ on Thursday.

Events

8 d. ago UK in talks to deport failed asylum seekers to Balkans as Keir Starmer visits Albania

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed talks over plans to set up 'returns hubs' overseas to send failed asylum seekers to during a historic visit to Albania

Events

8 d. ago MSPs demand action plan from ministers to tackle Scotland's housing emergency

Figures for households and children in temporary accommodation are highest on record

Politics

9 d. ago Labour to pump hundreds of millions of pounds into 'left behind' areas where Reform won councils at local elections to see off Farage threat

Ministers are planning action as Sir Keir Starmer fights off a rebellion against his effort to regain the upper hand over Reform, which has made gains in many former Labour heartlands.

Politics

9 d. ago What would a youth visa scheme with the European Union look like?

As hopes grow for a youth mobility scheme with the European Union, The Independent looks at how it would work in practice

Politics

9 d. ago Donald Trump meets Syrian president in Saudi Arabia before Gulf tour resumes – US politics live

Donald Trump meets Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia after agreeing to lift sanctions on SyriaDonald Trump has said he wants to make a deal with Iran, but it can only go ahead if the regime stops “supporting terror” and abandons its nuclear plans.In related news, Iran’s deputy foreign minister will meet with European diplomats for nuclear talks in Istanbul on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Government supports ‘controlled’ youth movement schemes, minister says

Ahead of the UK-EU summit next week, backbench Labour MPs pressed the Government to agree a youth mobility scheme.

Politics

1 week ago Cooper defends Starmer as migration speech likened to ‘rivers of blood’ language

The Home Secretary insisted the tone of the Prime Minister’s migration plan was ‘completely different’ from Enoch Powell’s 1968 anti-migration speech.

Events

1 week ago Minister defends PM’s ‘island of strangers’ claim amid Labour backlash

The Prime Minister used a Downing Street speech on Monday to lay out plans to ‘significantly’ reduce net migration.

Politics

1 week ago Cutting immigration will 'damage' Scottish economy and hit NHS recruitment, warns John Swinney

The SNP leader criticised the Prime Minister's choice of language as he announced a plan to restrict immigration - and claimed Starmer was "terrified" of Nigel Farage.

Events

1 week ago Labour's immigration white paper: Key points explained — from faster deportations to axing care worker visas

Prime Minister unveils plans to make it harder for foreigners to permanently settle in the UK

Economics