Politics

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

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.

Sir Chris Wormald has been named as the new cabinet secretary and head of the civil service. The 56-year-old will replace Simon Case after he announced in September he would stand down as cabinet secretary at the end of the year for health reasons but would remain in place while his successor was chosen. Sir

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

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has resigned. It comes after she admitted she pleaded guilty to an offence connected with incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013. In a statement on Thursday night, Ms Haigh said she discovered “some time later” that the phone had not been taken. In her resignation

Sir Keir Starmer has accused the Tories of using Brexit to deliberately run an “open borders experiment” in the UK. The prime minister said the British people are “owed an explanation” after revised figures showed net migration reached a record high of almost one million under the previous government’s watch. Follow live: Spending on asylum

“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