2 h. ago Starmer defends Reeves but refuses to rule out tax rises as he announces 10

PM says only possible to transform the NHS due to decisions taken by chancellor, and denies the pressure is too much for herStreeting says he has to go to the Commons to make a statement to MPs.But first he introduces Rachel Reeves, saying that she has put an extra £29bn into the NHS.It is thanks to her leadership that we’ve seen interest rates in our country fall four times. It’s thanks to her leadership that we see wages finally rising faster than the cost of living. And it’s thanks to her leadership we have the fastest growing economy in the G7.If Australia can effectively serve communities living in the remote outback, we can meet the needs of people living in rural England.If community health teams can go door to door to prevent ill health in Brazil, we can do the same in Bradford. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Four charged by counter terrorism police after planes damaged at RAF base

The four will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Events

18 h. ago No 10 defends chancellor after day of bitter recriminations over welfare bill fiasco

Rachel Reeves said to have PM’s full backing after she was in tears in the Commons amid fallout of Labour’s welfare bill U-turnKeir Starmer has been forced to defend his chancellor after a day in which the bitter recriminations over Labour’s welfare bill fiasco appeared to leave Rachel Reeves in tears and the markets in turmoil.Ministers said there would be long-lasting implications for the government’s spending priorities after it was forced to abandon the central plank of its welfare changes to prevent a damaging defeat by rebel MPs. Continue reading...

Economics

19 h. ago Watch: MP recalls Starmer defended ‘activist’ who broke into RAF base 21 years ago in court

Independent MP Zarah Sultana drew a sharp comparison between Keir Starmer’s past and present when recalling how, as a barrister, he defended an activist who broke into RAF Fairford to prevent war crimes in Iraq—calling it “not terrorism, but conscience.”

Events

26 h. ago Starmer defends welfare reform package despite climbdown over Pip

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was forced to shelve key elements of the welfare reform plan to limit a Labour revolt.

Politics

29 h. ago Welfare bill climbdown will have ‘a cost’ at budget, says senior minister

Pat McFadden says U-turn will change calculations, as IFS says tax rises in autumn look increasingly likelyUK politics live – latest updatesThere will be “a cost” to the government’s climbdown on welfare changes at the budget, one of Keir Starmer’s senior ministers has said, as a leading fiscal thinktank said new tax rises appeared increasingly likely.Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, defended Starmer and the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, after the second reading of the government’s main welfare bill passed its first Commons test only after a central element was removed. Continue reading...

Economics

46 h. ago Anas Sarwar backs plan to proscribe Palestine Action as terrorist group after RAF base break

Palestine Action has broken into defence factories in Glasgow and RAF bases in England.

Events

49 h. ago Starmer defends his record in power as biggest revolt of his premiership looms

The Prime Minister insisted at a meeting of senior ministers that his team could look back with a “real sense of pride and achievement”.

Politics

61 h. ago The firebrand plotting to turn Britain Green: He's been an Extinction Rebellion activist, a 'boob whisperer' hypnotist and an actor, now he wants to win over virtue

Zack Polanski posted pictures on his social media showing his backing for Palestine Action, the organisation accused of breaking into an RAF base and vandalising aircraft.

Events

4 d. ago Two more men arrested after planes at RAF base vandalised 'by Palestine Action'

The incident has been claimed by soon-to-be-banned campaign group Palestine Action

Events

4 d. ago Two further terror arrests after vandalism of planes at RAF base

The spray painting was claimed by soon-to-be banned campaign group Palestine Action.

Events

6 d. ago I'm NOT a huge lefty! Attorney General Lord Hermer dismisses claims he 'defends those who hate Britain' and hits out at 'two

Lord Hermer, who was hand-picked to be the Government's chief legal adviser by Sir Keir Starmer, defended himself from Tory attacks over his past client list.

Events

6 d. ago Terror arrests after vandalism of planes at RAF base claimed by Palestine Action

A woman and two men, who were arrested on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, have been taken into custody.

Events

7 d. ago Keir Starmer admits government has ‘asked a lot’ of business, and defends employment rights bill – business live

PM tells BCC conference businesses have made a ‘huge difference’, following the tax rises in the last budgetFull story: Shell has ‘no intention’ of making offer to buy BP after £60bn takeover rumoursStarmer then tells the BCC conference that the spending review earlier this month is a “clear shift” towards investing in the future of the UK, not simply tackling the promises it inherited.Starmer says his administration have “wiped the slate clean”, stabilized the economy, and can now move onto building a fairer Britain, with change and renewal.‘I fully acknowledge that this year, as we’ve had to fix the foundations of our country, [and] deal with the unprecedented mess that we inherited, we’ve asked a lot of you.I understand that, and I want to acknowledge that.They are all vital for the long-term growth of our country. But none of that would have been possible without your contribution. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Keir Starmer defends Labour's tax hikes and employment rights red tape as business chiefs warn burden must NOT be increased again

Keir Starmer admitted the government had 'asked a lot' of firms as he addressed the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London .

Events

7 d. ago Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ‘noises off’ and defends his leadership – as it happened

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will pull the entire welfare bill before the en...

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ‘noises off’ and defends his leadership – UK politics live

PM ‘committed to reforming system’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will...

Politics

8 d. ago Labour welfare rebellion live: Rayner defends benefit reforms as Starmer vows vote will go ahead

Angela Rayner stepping in for Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Politics

9 d. ago Palestine Action supporters clash with police after Government vows to ban group under anti

Arrests made as protest turns violent a week after two activists broke into an RAF base and damaged two Voyager planes

Politics

1 week ago 'Terrorist' protest group Palestine Action clash with police as government tries to ban them after they broke into RAF base and vandalised plane

Hundreds of activists waving Palestinian flags and holding placards gathered at Trafalgar Square today.

Events