Politics

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

Heidi Alexander has been appointed the new transport secretary after Louise Haigh stepped down over a criminal conviction. The Swindon South MP had been serving as a justice minister until her promotion today, and worked as Sadiq Khan’s deputy transport mayor between 2018-2021. Politics Live: Landmark assisted dying debate under way Ms Haigh resigned after

Dame Prue Leith believes her son would have a “different attitude” towards assisted dying had he watched his uncle or father die – as she did. The broadcaster, best known for The Great British Bake Off, urged members to “vote for change” as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is set to be

The Home Office spent a record £5.38bn over the last year on asylum – more than a third higher than the previous year. Figures released on Thursday showed spending on asylum rose by £1.43bn in the 2023/24 financial year to £5.38bn – 36% higher than in 2022/24 when £3.95bn was spent. The latest figure, covering

“Just the man I want to talk to!” We are out in Dover with Mike Tapp, the first elected Labour MP here for 20 years. “When are you going to do something about these boats?” constituent Carol puts down her shopping to ask him. Politics latest: Starmer rejects calls for election Image: Dover MP Mike

The controversial assisted dying bill has just been approved by MPs in a truly historic vote in the Commons. The bill, which would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given medical assistance to end their own life, passed its second reading – the first parliamentary hurdle it must go through

A landmark bill to ban the younger generation from ever smoking has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons. The legislation, backed by 415 to 47, means anyone born after 1 January 2009 will be prevented from buying tobacco if it ultimately becomes law. Before then, the bill must go through further parliamentary

Council services such as leisure centres and waste collection could suffer due to the cost of social care if the government goes ahead with plans to scrap district councils in favour of “super councils”, local government sources have claimed. They told Sky News the government is considering getting rid of district councils, which are responsible

Jobcentre reform will be at the centre of the Labour government’s plans to “get Britain working again”. Tackling the increasing number of people out of work and relying on the state for income has become a major priority of the state, with welfare costs taking up a sizeable portion of government spending. According to the

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out an early general election after a petition calling for a second vote reached two million signatures. The petition was launched over the weekend and says there should be another vote, just four months after Labour won a landslide, because they have “gone back on their promises they laid out

The last time MPs voted on the question of assisted dying – nearly three quarters were against it. Nine years later – polling suggests two thirds of the country would back a change in the law. That ratio is mirrored in the number of cabinet ministers who’ve so far publicly declared their position, with 10

Young people will lose their benefits if they refuse to take up work and training opportunities, a minister has confirmed ahead of announcing measures to cut the welfare bill. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, told Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that “conditions” will be attached to new skills opportunities the government intends

The UK is on a “slippery slope towards death on demand”, according to the justice secretary ahead of a historic Commons vote on assisted dying. In a letter to her constituents, Shabana Mahmood said she was “profoundly concerned” about the legislation. “Sadly, recent scandals – such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon

The UK will “set out a plan” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring, the prime minister has said, finally offering a timeframe for an announcement on the long-awaited hike after mounting criticism. Sir Keir Starmer gave the date during a phone call with Mark Rutte, the secretary general of

The UK will “set out a path” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring, the prime minister has said, finally offering a timeframe for an announcement on the long-awaited hike after mounting criticism. Sir Keir Starmer gave the date during a phone call with Mark Rutte, the secretary general of

It’s the most controversial battle over a private members’ bill in parliament for nearly 60 years. Not since David Steel’s 1967 Abortion Act has a piece of legislation been so potentially consequential. So don’t expect Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to enjoy a smooth passage on to the statute

Anas Sarwar is “right” to distance himself from Sir Keir Starmer over the decision to scrap winter fuel payments for most pensioners, Baroness Davidson has said. The Scottish Labour leader has promised to go against the national party and reintroduce the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners if elected to Holyrood in 2026. The Tory

Government borrowing rose to £17.4bn last month – the second highest October figure since monthly records began, official figures show. Economists had predicted £13.3bn of borrowing. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing was £1.6bn higher than the same month last year. Figures also showed that central government debt interest rose

Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family has announced. The former political giant served as MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years and was a key part of New Labour under Sir Tony Blair. His family said he had “spent his life