Politics

Southport child killer Axel Rudakubana received the second-longest life sentence in English history and the government does not ever want to see him released, Downing Street has said. Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said ministers “share the public’s disgust at [Rudakubana’s] barbaric crimes” but said imposing a whole life order (WLO) was not possible because

The government has hinted it is open to joining a tariff-free trading scheme as part of its plan to “reset” its relationship with Europe. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested that joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) could be acceptable as it “is not a customs union”. Politics latest: Minister ‘hopes’ Southport killer dies in prison The

From shattering the record for most executive orders signed on a first day in office, a bishop imploring him to have mercy on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people, Melania’s hat and Mark Zuckerberg’s wandering eye – the first few days of Trump 2.0 has been not just the talk of the town in Washington DC, but in

A record number of children are living in B&Bs beyond the legal limit as England’s homelessness crisis pushes councils to breaking point. MPs said there is a “dire need” for housing reform, with the lack of affordable homes forcing cash-strapped local authorities to haemorrhage their funds on temporary accommodation. The “crisis situation” means there is

👉Listen to Politics At Jack And Sam’s on your podcast app👈 Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Dan Bloom look at the day ahead in British politics. Today, Sir Keir Starmer is on the NIMBY offensive to boost economic growth, with plans to reduce the number of times people can go to

Sir Keir Starmer is vowing to take on “the NIMBYs” by reducing legal challenges to infrastructure building – with a new approach stopping “newts and bats” from blocking construction. The Labour government has made growth one of its primary targets, with a key plank of this strategy to build new infrastructure like roads and power

Rachel Reeves risks entering an economic “doom loop” if she continues to cut spending, a former Bank of England chief economist has warned. Andy Haldane, who was with the Bank for 32 years until 2021, said the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecast in March could lead to less investment and spending. He told Sky

It presented Sir Keir Starmer with his first big challenge in office, and the Southport stabbings – followed by riots – look set to colour the early stages of his premiership. He dealt with the immediate aftermath by successfully mobilising the justice system and fast-tracking offenders through it – a throwback to his days as

Professor Alexis Jay has criticised the “weaponisation” of child sexual abuse by the Conservatives and accused the previous government of an “awful” response to the scandal. The former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said she did not want to give Tory MPs “oxygen” after they called for a new national inquiry

It was a small signifier – one which could be over-interpreted – but nevertheless provoked angst among some in government at a time when there isn’t universally huge confidence that UK-US political relations are as robust as they should be. On Sunday, the British Embassy in Washington had a bash for members of the incoming

Leading MPs have questioned whether the new Office for Value for Money will actually save the taxpayer any money. In the October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new department to help the government “realise the benefits from every pound of public spending”. However, a report published by the cross-party Treasury Select Committee has heavily

There’s a deep, transatlantic contrast between the bombastic billionaire Donald Trump and the bespectacled human rights lawyer Sir Keir Starmer, on a political and a personal level. Despite the so-called “special relationship” it’s clearly going to be an uphill battle for the British PM to forge a productive relationship with the incoming president, but he

There are currently “no plans” for the UK to follow in America’s footsteps and ban TikTok, a cabinet minister said. Darren Jones said cats and dancing videos do not “seem like a national security threat”, but suggested the position could change if an issue emerges which the government is “concerned about”. The Chinese-opened app was

When Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is just one point behind you in the opinion polls, the last thing you want to be reminded about is Brexit. If you’re Sir Keir Starmer, that is. No doubt Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, was trying to be friendly. After all, as Sir Keir said, they share a passion

One of parliament’s most popular bars is being closed for security reasons following an alleged spiking incident. Strangers’ Bar, which has an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Thames, will close from Monday while a review of safety arrangements is carried out. It is not clear how long the bar will be closed, but more information

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈 After “going dark” for most of the week, Beth pops up in Poland to talk world politics with Ruth and Harriet. Top security, a slow train and Russian drones are all part of the inside story of the prime minister’s visit to

Kemi Badenoch has denied the Conservatives would consider means testing the pensions triple lock, as she accused her opponents of trying to “scare people”. The Tory leader sought to clarify remarks she made on LBC on Thursday evening, which were interpreted as her leaving the door open to means testing the system that guarantees the

No phones or other devices, strict reporting rules, bombed-out buildings, and a drone threat – Beth Rigby shares what it’s like to join the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in Ukraine. Sky News’s political editor said “the whole experience was absolutely fascinating” on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, but added the nature of Sir Keir‘s visit

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will “look at every conceivable way” to stop former Troubles internees claiming compensation after a report warned ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for “a payday from the taxpayer”. Currently, the law under the Legacy Act blocks Mr Adams and others interned without trial in the 1970s

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will “look at every conceivable way” to stop former Troubles internees claiming compensation after a report warned ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for “a payday from the taxpayer”. Currently, the law under the Legacy Act blocks Mr Adams and others interned without trial in the 1970s