2 d. ago Labour pressure to ease welfare squeeze adds to Reeves’ headaches

The Chancellor faces demands to reverse the winter fuel payment cut, axe the two-child benefit limit and limit the scope of welfare reforms.

Events

5 d. ago Labour figures urge recognition of Palestinian state at UN conference

Ministers told ‘symbols matter’ and move would give Palestine stronger footing in future peace talksMinisters are under pressure from inside and outside Labour to recognise Palestinian statehood at a UN conference next month, with party grandees arguing it would bolster prospects for peace and demonstrate moral leadership amid escalating tensions. Alf Dubs, the veteran Labour peer and Holocaust survivor, said the symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state would offer Palestinians “the self-respect they’d have if they had a proper state,” and provide them a stronger footing in any future peace negotiations.“Even if it doesn’t lead to anything immediately, it would still give Palestinians a better standing,” Lord Dubs said. “Symbols matter.” The former cabinet minister Peter Hain echoed the call, warning that “delaying recognition until negotiations are concluded simply allows Israel’s illegal occupation to become permanent”. Lord Hain argued that formal recognition should be “a cata...

Politics

5 d. ago Labour Party under growing pressure to ditch its winter fuel payments policy after nearly 80 per cent of voters say it needs to change

The findings will pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to climb down over the cuts to the payments, worth up to £300 a year for vulnerable pensioners.

Events

6 d. ago SNP Government has 'no plan' to end Scotland's housing emergency as spending on affordable homes drops

A leading housing charity blasted John Swinney's Government and said it was time for ministers to be "frank" with the public.

Politics

7 d. ago UK borrowing rises to £20.2bn, putting pressure on Rachel Reeves

April figure more than expected and comes despite increase in employer national insurance contributionsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government borrowed more than expected in April, underscoring the challenge for Rachel Reeves to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules.With the chancellor under pressure on Labour’s tax plans, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2bn in April, £1bn more than the same month a year earlier. City economists had forecast borrowing of £17.9bn. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Pacific must not become a ‘military zone’ amid rise of China, New Zealand’s deputy PM warns

In an interview with the Guardian, Winston Peters says the world faces the ‘most uncertain time’ in 80 years ahead of talks with Australia's foreign ministerThe Pacific must be protected from becoming a military zone amid China’s growing push for influence in the region, New Zealand’s top diplomat Winston Peters has warned ahead of a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.Peters, who is New Zealand’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, told the Guardian that his country has a good relationship with China. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Zelenskyy urges more pressure on Russia after no ceasefire agreed in Trump

Ukrainian president says ‘pressure on Russia will push it toward real peace’Trump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses ceasefireEU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for the United States to take “strong action” against Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.“America said that if Russia doesn’t agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So we want to see those consequences, also from the US side,” Kallas said at a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.Putin is clearly playing for time, unfortunately we have to say Putin is not really interested in peace. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago John Swinney declares SNP ‘healed’ a year after taking helm of ‘fractured’ party

The First Minister took office in May last year at a tumultuous time for the SNP.

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves comes under pressure from her own local Labour Party to abandon her disability benefits cuts

The Leeds West and Pudsey Constituency Labour Party (CLP) has agreed to write to Rachel Reeves 'as soon as possible' to make clear it does not support the cuts.

Events

1 week ago Why have Israeli attacks on Syria surged since the fall of Assad? – video explainer

Just two days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria last December, Israel launched a sweeping offensive, seizing the Golan Heights and carrying out hundreds of airstrikes across the country. Israel has remained militarily involved in Syria, declaring regions near their shared border a demilitarised zone and carrying out frequent attacks, patrols and raids. These measures have frustrated the new leadership in Damascus, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has accused Israel of destabilising the country. Amaa al-Omar, a journalist who reports on Syria, explains what is driving the conflict and what impact it has had on Syria's interim leadersIsrael to occupy Syrian southern territory for ‘unlimited time’, says ministerSyria calls Israeli air strikes on Damascus a ‘dangerous escalation’Israel says airstrikes in Syria are ‘message’ to protect Druze minority Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Speaker urges Government to apologise for not taking Ministerial Code seriously

For the second time this month, Sir Lindsay Hoyle berated ministers in the chamber for making policy announcements to the media.

Politics

1 week ago Starmer’s former economic adviser warns Reeves will have to raise taxes

Labour prime minister and chancellor under pressure as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to hit the UK, despite last week’s trade deal

Events

1 week ago Primary pupils ask Education Minister for more maths and play time during visit to North Lanarkshire school

Jenny Gilruth MSP was in Wishaw to see how Pupil Equity Funding from the Scottish Government was benefitting young people.

Politics

2 w. ago Just 21 companies prosecuted in 15 years for not paying minimum wage

Exclusive: Labour prime mininster Keir Starmer under pressure to ensure workers get the wages they deserve

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves takes on Labour welfare cut rebels saying system that has left people who want to work 'trapped on benefits' MUST be 'reformed'

The Chancellor and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are facing potentially the largest rebellion of their time in office over plans to make it harder to claim disability payments and go on the long-term sick.

Economics

2 w. ago Boris Johnson says Tories in a ‘tough spot’ but will ‘recover’

The former prime minister said party leader Kemi Badenoch ‘just needs time to get going’.

Politics

3 w. ago 'Nuclear war' warning issued as India says it 'will respond' if Pakistan attacks back

Nuclear war with India could break out 'at any time', Pakistan's defence minister has said, as fears of a tit-for-tat bloodshed continue to grow. 

Events

3 w. ago Reeves insists she understands voters’ concerns after Labour election setbacks

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her actions in office as pressure mounted on Labour to U-turn on the winter fuel payment cut.

Politics

3 w. ago PMQs live: Keir Starmer faces anger after local elections as 45 Labour MPs tell him to 'act now'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will today face Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time since both parties suffered at the local elections last week

Politics

3 w. ago ‘You can’t do everything at same time’ says minister as Labour under pressure

Sir Keir Starmer has been facing calls to u-turn on his decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.

Politics