Politics

Labour is unveiling its security plans for government on Thursday, promising to treat criminal gangs who smuggle people in small boats “on a par” with the threats of climate change, hostile foreign powers and terrorism. Sir Keir Starmer is heading to The Hague later with his shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, where the pair will

The Conservatives reportedly dropped two potential candidates to become MPs after MI5 warned that they could be spies for China. The security service contacted the Tory Party last year and in 2021 advising the pair should not be included on the central list of candidates, according to The Times. The newspaper reported the pair had

Angela Rayner declared the battle to win over voters at the next general election is “getting started” as she revealed Labour’s vision to boost workers’ rights. In a speech at the TUC conference in Liverpool, Labour’s deputy leader gave a “cast iron commitment” to push through an employment rights bill in the party’s first 100

Angela Rayner has admitted she wishes she could give up vaping amid reports the government is considering a ban on disposable devices. Labour’s deputy leader – whose children call her the “vape dragon” – said she had taken up the practice to give up smoking, but it was “incredibly addictive”. It comes as government minister

Pay and housing will be at the heart of Labour’s “real-life” plans to level up the country, Angela Rayner is to announce. The deputy Labour leader, who was appointed the new shadow levelling up, housing and communities secretary in a reshuffle last week, will address the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Liverpool on Tuesday. In

China should not be described as a “foe” or a “threat” but it should be regarded as a “challenge”, a cabinet minister has said – following allegations a Chinese spy infiltrated parliament. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the claims were an “extremely serious concern” but we “shouldn’t be using language that makes people scared”. It

Mick Lynch is. But Sharon Graham isn’t. Yet Mick’s union the RMT isn’t even affiliated to the Labour Party, while Sharon’s Unite is one of the party’s biggest donors. Sir Keir Starmer breezes into blowy Liverpool on day two of the TUC conference to attend the traditional gala dinner for shadow cabinet ministers and the

Rishi Sunak says he is confident a trade deal will be struck between the UK and India after meeting with Narendra Modi at the G20 summit. The meeting came as the Indian prime minister said a consensus had been reached on a G20 leaders’ declaration and it has now been adopted. The wording around the

Rishi Sunak has denied his party is preparing for election defeat and insists his team is “fired up” about winning a full term. Asked what his message would be to Tory MPs despondent about the party’s lag in the polls, Mr Sunak said he was “entirely confident we can win the next election”. “I am

The career of Education Secretary Gillian Keegan looks precarious following the sudden disruption of the start of the school year. After days of hesitation, the government confirmed last week that RAAC concrete – which can cause buildings to collapse – has been identified in 146 schools, of which at least 43 were unable to begin

The jail from which terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife escaped “really needs closing ultimately”, the chief inspector of prisons has said. Speaking to Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge, Charlie Taylor said there was a “crisis” in large institutions like Wandsworth prison in south London due to a lack of places and staff, and

With his heritage and large extended family in the country, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will receive a warmer welcome than most of the other world leaders arriving in India this weekend for the G20 summit. Unfortunately though, a free trade agreement between the UK and India is not guaranteed any time soon. Last year, India

The UK will rejoin the European Union’s flagship Horizon science programme after two years of absence post-Brexit, the government has confirmed. Number 10 said the UK will join “through a bespoke new agreement with the EU”. A spokesperson added Prime Minister Rishi Sunak secured “improved financial terms of association that are right for the UK

Rishi Sunak has sounded a cautious note about the prospects of signing Britain’s biggest post-Brexit trade deal, saying it is “not a given”. Speaking to reporters as he travelled to the G20 in Delhi, the prime minister said he would “check in” with Narendra Modi about the progress towards a free trade agreement. But he

Grant Shapps has defended his appointment as defence secretary – saying the department “needs highly experienced cabinet ministers”. There was a backlash after Rishi Sunak’s ally was moved into one of the top roles in government amid a war in Europe – despite having no military experience. Critics claimed the prime minister had chosen appearance

The UK has been “underinvesting” in its infrastructure and the crisis surrounding concrete defects in schools and public buildings was “foreseeable”, a former Bank of England chief economist has told Sky News. Andy Haldane told the Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge show that schools, hospitals, road, rail and digital infrastructure across the UK had all