Politics

Reset, revamp, or repetition? Call the prime minister’s “Plan for Change” what you like, but it clearly puts planning front and centre. The core pledge was one we first heard 14 months ago: 1.5 million homes built in England during this parliament. The government admits it’s a tough ask. It’s not been met since 1972,

Sir Keir Starmer is not accustomed to receiving much praise, so he’ll take it where he can. And on Friday it came from an unlikely source, his political opponents. Speaking at the British-Irish Council summit in Edinburgh, SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney described a change in atmosphere since Labour took office. Image:

Conservative peer Lord Rami Ranger has forfeited his CBE – just a month after regaining the Tory whip. The move was confirmed in a notice published in the London Gazette saying the King had directed Lord Ranger’s CBE would be “cancelled and annulled”. According to the PA news agency, the decision was made after the

Kemi Badenoch has hit back at Sir Keir Starmer for joking about her comments on working at McDonald’s – saying he would face calls to resign if he were a Conservative prime minister. Ms Badenoch, who replaced Rishi Sunak as Tory leader last month, has spoken extensively about her time working at the fast food

Sir Keir Starmer has said it is not his “plan” to increase any more taxes before the next election – but he cannot categorically rule them out if “unforeseen circumstances” strike the government. The prime minister told the BBC he did not “want to suggest we’re going to keep coming back for more because that

Like Rishi Sunak did before him, Sir Keir Starmer has announced “measurable milestones” that he says his government will deliver on during his time as prime minister. He says that this will “throw a gauntlet down” to ministers and civil servants who will have to deliver on the priorities, while also allowing the British people

After five months in power, even the most loyal cabinet members would quietly admit it’s been a rocky run for Sir Keir Starmer and Labour. The prime minister’s personal polling ratings have tumbled from a +7 in the post-election honeymoon to -29 now. Many pensioners, business owners, entrepreneurs and farmers are angry, and between the

Driving test managers are “bullying” examiners into being lenient with learners to reduce the COVID driving test backlog, Sky News has been told. They have claimed bosses at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are encouraging examiners to carry out driving tests in unroadworthy cars, sometimes without valid MOTs, owned by those taking tests,

The chancellor has admitted it will not be “easy” for businesses to “absorb” the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions that was announced in the budget. Rachel Reeves also acknowledged that the change – which will see employers’ contributions rise to 15% from April 2025 – would also hit charities and local councils. Speaking at

The globe-trotting prime minister has hit back at his critics – and cosied up to Donald Trump like never before. After claims by opponents that he spends too much time abroad, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his travels are in the UK’s interests. Tax rises will be ‘catastrophic’ – politics latest A reminder: in just

Pyrotechnics, fireworks, balloons – Reform UK’s conference was unlike any other. Back in September, Nigel Farage’s party used its annual gathering to underscore its message that it offers something different.  Throughout Birmingham’s NEC, screens flashed up images of the party’s leader. When it was time for Mr Farage’s speech, delegates flocked to hear him speak.

Bereaved families and MPs are urging the government to take tougher steps to protect younger teenagers from “horrific” content on social media.  The Australian government’s decision to legislate for a smartphone ban for under 16s has reignited the debate in the UK about further restrictions, and a Labour MP is hoping to get government support

Labour is set to publish its plan to tackle migration next week – as the number of people who have crossed the Channel under Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have hit a new milestone. In the early hours of this morning, Sky News understands two small boats were picked up in the Channel with

Sir Keir Starmer is set to reveal his Labour’s “plan for change” as he looks to draw a line under a tough first five months in office amid public anger over budget proposals. The prime minister will set out milestones in key policy areas to achieve the targets laid out in the manifesto. Sir Keir

I have watched hundreds of hours of parliamentary debates in my long time covering Westminster and I can honestly say that the five hours of discussion I witnessed in the Commons on Friday were some of the most memorable, moving and humane exchanges I have ever seen.  Because this bear pit of a debating chamber

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office after the names of the alleged victims of the Westminster honeytrap scandal were revealed to each other. The force has said it apologises “sincerely for any distress” after an email was “sent in error”. According to reports, the Met sent an email to all