Politics

Downing Street has defended Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson after he said asylum seekers who don’t want to be housed in barges should “f*** off back to France”. When asked if this view represented the government, Number 10 pointed to comments made by Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, who said the “indignation” of the Ashfield MP

Asylum seekers who did not get on the Bibby Stockholm today have until Tuesday to board the vessel or face having their government support cancelled, Sky News can reveal. While 15 people did board the barge docked in Portland, Devon, around 20 people did not take up the offer made on what the government has

Some of the first group of asylum seekers have boarded the Bibby Stockholm barge with more arrivals expected today, Sky News understands. Around 50 people were expected to move on to the vessel, docked in Portland Port in Dorset, on Monday following weeks of delays. The Bibby Stockholm is one of a number of alternative

Bosses who hire migrants who don’t have the right to work in the UK could face fines of up to £60,000 under new government plans to deter Channel crossings. The civil penalties for “unscrupulous” employers and landlords who help people live and work in the country illegally will be significantly increased, the Home Office has

Interest rates are up, house prices are down, the small boats are still coming, and NHS doctors are striking. Labour are still 20 points ahead of the Conservatives in the poll of polls. As he contemplates his political future and the lack of progress on his five pledges, it is understandable that the prime minister

A gym-goer has said she was shocked as she claimed Rishi Sunak turned up to a SoulCycle class on Friday. The prime minister is currently on holiday in California, saying earlier in the week it’s his first family trip away in several years. But after being pictured on Santa Monica Pier and visiting Disneyland, he

Boris Johnson has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to protect newts that have threatened his plans to build an outdoor swimming pool at his Oxfordshire country manor. The former prime minister promised to build a “Newtopia”, consisting of “newt motels”, for the amphibians who have taken residence at the Grade II-listed Brightwell Manor he shares with

Eddie Izzard has launched a campaign to become Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion. The comedian is aiming to be selected as Labour’s candidate for the seat at the next general election, when the Green Party’s only MP Caroline Lucas is standing down. Izzard, who also goes by the name of Suzy, announced the move in

Rishi Sunak has been pictured on his summer holiday as his family enjoy a “really special” trip to California. The prime minister, his wife Akshata Murty, and two young daughters Krishna and Anoushka beamed while on the busy Santa Monica Pier where they played funfair games. The family will also head to Disneyland during their

The government is turning to the private sector in an attempt to cut NHS waiting lists. Thirteen new community diagnostics centres (CDCs) will be opened across England to carry out an additional 742,000 scans, checks and tests per year. Eight of the new facilities will be operated by the private sector – but despite this,

A Labour MP has apologised after he shared a fake image of the prime minister on social media. Karl Turner, who represents Hull East, shared an image on X (formerly known as Twitter) showing Rishi Sunak with a badly pulled pint at the Great British Beer festival, along with a woman looking on disapprovingly in

A future pandemic, Russia’s potential to disrupt global energy supplies and extreme weather are among 89 threats the government has identified to the UK’s security. The Cabinet Office has updated the national risk register to help the public prepare for “worst-case scenarios” that could strike the country. Other threats include the malicious use of drones

UK energy chiefs will gather in Downing Street today to discuss net zero as a debate rages in both main parties about the future of green policies. Industry leaders from EDF, SSE, Shell and BP will meet Grant Shapps, the energy security secretary, just days after the government announced it would grant more than 100

Asylum seekers could be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge next week, Sky News understands. The vessel, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start accepting arrivals last week, but was pushed back. Sky News reported that the first people would then move on to the

Wine and gin drinkers will have to shell out more from today as alcohol taxes rise. The shake-up aims to encourage drinkers to cut back by taxing all alcohol based on its strength, rather than the previous categories of wine, beer, spirits and ciders. The increase will see duty rise by 44p on a bottle

Asylum seekers will not be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as planned after last minute meetings responding to fire safety concerns, Sky News understands. However, there is still a possibility that they could be moved on to the barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset,

Rishi Sunak has defended his use of private jets for trips within the UK, saying it was “the most efficient use of my time”. The prime minister has faced growing criticism for taking non-commercial flights instead of using more sustainable transport when heading out of Downing Street to make announcements or carry out visits. Recent

Rishi Sunak will head to Scotland on Monday as the Conservatives kick off a week of campaigning on energy security. Number 10 said the prime minister would use the trip to “highlight the central role” the country will play in “defending the UK against disrupted global energy supplies” and reaching the government’s net zero targets.

Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps will lead an intensive series of engagements this week in a determined effort to strengthen the UK’s energy independence. The prime minister and energy security secretary are meeting with industry leaders from oil, gas and renewable sectors aimed at driving forward measures to safeguard national energy security and diminish reliance

Labour has accused the government of displaying an “unforgivable lack of urgency” in tackling the needs of rape victims and implementing crucial recommendations made by two scathing reports. Analysis by the party shows that several “immediate” recommendations from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates (CJJI) have been left unfulfilled. The CJJI conducted two comprehensive reports, one