Rachel Reeves admits too many leaks were ‘very damaging’ for Budget - latest

Rachel Reeves has said there were too many “damaging” and “inaccurate” leaks in the run-up to her November Budget, and insisted such unauthorised briefings must never happen again.

The chancellor told the Commons Treasury Committee: “I want to say on the record how frustrated I am and have been by these incidents and the volume of speculation and leaks, and that is why I am doing something about it, because we cannot allow this to happen again.

The Office for Budget Responsibility accidentally leaked Ms Reeves’s fiscal plans shortly before her Budget announcement to government, leading to the resignation of its chairman Richard Hughes.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has called on European leaders to rehash how the major human rights treaty, the European Convention of Human Rights, is interpreted to help tackle illegal migration.

The prime minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen have made a joint call to other leaders to agree to a “modernisation” to prevent voters from turning to the “forces that seek to divide us”.

The ECHR, which underpins Britain’s Human Rights Act, is seen by its critics as a major barrier to attempts to deport illegal migrants from the country.

It comes as European ministers, including deputy prime minister David Lammy, are due to meet in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.

Key Points

• Rachel Reeves addresses 'unacceptable' and 'damaging' leaks
• Council of Europe to discuss changes to ECHR migration rules
• New UK-EU custom union proposal supported in the Commons
• David Lammy will argue pulling out of the ECHR will be a 'fake solution'
• Starmer warns of 'lost decade of kids' at launch of £500m youth plan
• Taxpayers left with hefty bills from high UK borrowing costs

Starmer and I took decision not to raise income tax ‘as a team’, Reeves says

10:41 , Kate Devlin

A hugely controversial moment ahead of the Budget was the decision not to raise income tax.

Now Ms Reeves has said that the prime minister was partly responsible for the move.

She told MPs that she and the Labour leader “decided it together as a team - because that is what we are”.

She added: “The prime minister and I met two, three times a week during the Budget process. That is not always the case between chancellors and prime ministers, I recognise that, but there is a very close partnership between myself and the prime minister.”

Reeves insists FT story on dropping income tax rise plans was a leak

10:31 , Holly Evans

Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted a Financial Times story which revealed she had dropped plans for an income tax rise in the Budget was based on a leak, rather than an authorised briefing.

She said the story was “incredibly damaging” because it gave the impression she might have dropped her commitment to rebuilding the “headroom” she had against her rule of balancing day-to-day spending with tax receipts.

She told MPs: “It was not an off-the-record briefing, it was a leak. I’m absolutely categorical that that was not an authorised briefing.

“It was incredibly damaging and frustrating. That is why we have a leak inquiry.

“It was not briefing that was signed off by me, any of my ministers or officials. It was unacceptable. That is why there is a leak inquiry going on.”

Rachel Reeves addresses 'unacceptable' leaks

10:27 , Holly Evans

A review of Treasury security processes – as well as a leak inquiry – is under way to inform future fiscal events, Rachel Reeves has said.

Speaking to the Commons Treasury Committee, the Chancellor said: “I am grateful as well to have the opportunity to make a statement and to reiterate in the strongest terms that leaks are unacceptable.

“The Budget had too much speculation. There were too many leaks, and much of that, those leaks and speculation, were inaccurate, very damaging, as well as the IT security issues… The OBR’s report also noted that the spring statement had been accessed early as well.

“I want to say on the record how frustrated I am and have been by these incidents and the volume of speculation and leaks, and that is why I am doing something about it, because we cannot allow this to happen again.

“A leak inquiry is under way with my full support, being led by the permanent secretary at the Treasury, and we are also conducting a review of the Treasury security processes to inform future fiscal events.

“We also clearly need to look explicitly at physical IT security.

“The Treasury have asked the National Centre for Cyber Security to undertake a forensic examination of recent economic and financial outlooks.

“The outcome of that review, of course, will be public, and we’ll write to you with the outcomes of that review.”

Leak inquiries have led to dismissal in past, MPs told

10:20 , Kate Devlin

James Bowler, the permanent secretary at the Treasury, has denied that leak inquiries are useless.

He told MPs: “It is not the case that leak inquiries don’t get anywhere”.

He said that in the past they had led to action “including dismissal”.

Reeves says new OBR chair unlikely to be hired until 2026

10:18 , Holly Evans

Rachel Reeves has thanked Richard Hughes for his service as the OBR head, after he resigned following the Budget day error which saw the documents leaked.

When asked when a new chairman would be recruited, the chancellor said it is "unlikely" there will be a new chair before the Spring forecast given the "rigorous" recruitment process.

She adds that that they will advertise for the role "as soon as possible" but that this will most likely be in 2026.

Budget had ‘too many leaks’, Reeves says

10:07 , Kate Devlin

The chancellor has told MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee that her Budget last month had “too many leaks”.

Rachel Reeves added that many of the leaks and speculation around her statement “were inaccurate”.

Ms Reeves said she was “frustrated” by the volume of both and that a leak inquiry was underway.

Starmer says European leaders should join against 'forces that seek to divide us'

09:56 , Holly Evans

Nations arguing for reform hope a political declaration signed by the gathered ministers in Strasbourg could carry enough weight to directly influence how the European Court of Human Rights interprets the agreement.

In a warning to other leaders, Sir Keir and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen added: “Europe has faced big tests before and we have overcome them by acting together. Now we must do so again. Otherwise, the forces that seek to divide us will grow stronger.

“So our message is this: as responsible, progressive governments we will deliver the change that people are crying out for. We will control our borders to protect our democracies – and make our nations stronger than ever in the years to come.”

UK pushing for changes in ways Article 3 and 8 are interpreted

09:26 , Holly Evans

The UK and Denmark are among a number of countries grappling with migration problems which are pushing for changes in the way the treaty is interpreted, notably in its Article 3 protection against inhuman or degrading treatment and the Article 8 right to a family life.

Both articles have been used to prevent people with no right to be in the UK being sent back to their home countries.

David Lammy will say: “The definition of ‘family life’ can’t be stretched to prevent the removal of people with no right to remain in the country.

“The threshold of ‘inhuman and degrading treatment’ must be constrained to the most serious issues.

“And states must be able to take proportionate decisions on the removal of foreign criminals, so that we renew the convention’s democratic foundation.”

Labour, unlike the Tories and Reform UK, are committed to remaining within the ECHR, which was drawn up in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Thousands of asylum claims unresolved after three years, damning spending watchdog analysis finds

09:11 , Holly Evans

Thousands of asylum claims remain unresolved after three years, damning new analysis of Home Office data shows, as the government grapples to get the backlog down.

The National Audit Office (NAO) found that almost half - 56 per cent - of the 5,000 people who made an initial asylum claim in January 2023 did not have a final outcome by September 2025.

Some 2,812 people did not have a conclusion in their asylum claim, the report published on Wednesday said. Of those who did not have their case resolved, 1,369 were withdrawn, disqualified or suspended.

It comes as David Lammy attends the Council of Europe to call on fellow leaders to rehash how the ECHR is interpreted in law to tackle illegal migration.

Read the full article from social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft here:

Thousands of asylum claims unresolved after three years, damning analysis finds

David Lammy will argue pulling out of the ECHR will be a 'fake solution'

09:00 , Holly Evans

David Lammy is expected to call for joint action to modernise the European Convention of Human Rights to empower states to tackle illegal migration, and secure the future of the treaty.

The deputy prime minister will say that pulling out would be a “fake solution that would undermine every international agreement”, but will call for the ECHR to evolve to prevent ongoing “abuse of the system and to crack down on criminal gangs”.

Mr Lammy will say: “We must strike a careful balance between individual rights and the public’s interest, otherwise, we risk a loss of confidence in the Convention, and in human rights themselves.”

He will also add that the UK is “committed to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Convention is a critical foundation of peace, stability, and security in Europe. It is a mechanism for justice, that guarantees and delivers everyday protections for every citizen in Europe.

“However, the Convention was never intended to be frozen in time… it has endured because it has evolved.”

French far-right leader would rewrite border policy to allow Britain to push back migrant dinghies

08:24 , Holly Evans

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella told the Daily Telegraph newspaper he would rewrite French border policy to allow British patrol boats to push back migrant dinghies into France’s waters, if he led the country.

The National Rally leader and French MEP is currently leading in opinion polls to win the first round of France’s next presidential elections, expected in 2027.

He said that he and Nigel Farage had met to discuss what the Frenchman described as preparations for governing. “We came to the conclusion that we must prepare our political movements to exercise power and that it is possible we will do so at the same time,” he said.

Amnesty International criticise plans to reform ECHR as a 'moral retreat'

07:59 , Holly Evans

Amnesty International UK hit out at UK plans to lead reforms of the ECHR, describing it as weakening protections.

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights programme director, said: “There is a dreadful irony in our Justice Secretary working with his counterparts to remove or reduce rights on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It shows how far we have drifted from the moral resolve of the last century, when our grandparents determined that the fact we are all born free and equal must be protected in law.

“Human rights were never meant to be optional or reserved for comfortable and secure times. They were designed to be a compass, our conscience, when the politics of fear and division try to steer us wrong. To weaken ECHR protections now, on a day meant to reaffirm dignity and protection for all, is not reform. It is moral retreat.”

Starmer calls on European leaders to modernise ECHR ahead of gathering

07:55 , Holly Evans

Europe’s leaders must rehash how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in law to tackle illegal migration and prevent voters from turning to “the forces that seek to divide us”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Prime Minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen have made a joint call on other leaders across the continent to agree a “modernisation” of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted in their countries’ laws.

In an opinion piece for the Guardian newspaper, the two prime ministers advocated for a tougher approach to policing Europe’s borders as a means of winning against populist political opponents, and said they were “making this case across Europe”.

Sir Keir acknowledged the “current asylum framework was created for another era”, adding: “In a world with mass mobility, yesterday’s answers do not work. We will always protect those fleeing war and terror – but the world has changed and asylum systems must change with it.”

But his Government has insisted it will remain a member of the treaty, and has adopted a series of hardline immigration measures, modelled on those spearheaded by Ms Frederiksen’s Danish government, in order to decrease the number of migrants crossing the English Channel.

“Migration must be orderly, managed and sustainable. Irregular routes should not be the go-to option – so we must dismantle the human smuggling networks that prey on desperation.

“Together, we are calling on our friends across Europe to go further in tackling these shared challenges,” the two leaders wrote.

Government does not want to introduce social media ban for children, Nandy says

07:45 , Holly Evans

Lisa Nandy said the Government does not want to introduce a social media ban for children like Australia’s because of concerns about “enforceability”.

Asked whether the measure would be a good idea, the Culture Secretary told Times Radio: “We don’t think so. We asked young people what they thought about it, and the overwhelming response was concerns about enforceability.

“Are we seriously saying that we’re going to start prosecuting young people for going on social media?

“There’s also a real concern particularly amongst girls that if people can’t see the problem with behaviour online, they won’t be able to see the problem with behaviour in the real world.

“What they really wanted was more education, more advice, and particularly someone who cared about them, who they could talk to, an adult who they could trust… to be able to navigate some of this.”

Council of Europe to discuss changes to ECHR migration rules

07:40 , Holly Evans

Talks on how to modernise the way the European Court of Human Rights tackle illegal migration cases are set to begin on Wednesday, with deputy prime minister David Lammy set to attend the Council of Europe summit in Strasbourg.

The British government has been working behind the scenes for international partners to revolutionise the way in which the ECHR approaches migrations cases, with critics stating it gets in the way of removing those who have travelled via people smuggling routes.

Nine members of the human rights body, led by Italy and Denmark, have already called earlier this year for reforms. While the UK did not sign the open letter, it is understood it has been lobbying behind the scenes.

It has been reported that member states hope to reach a political declaration by spring. If achieved, it would be one of the most important reforms to human rights law since the ECHR came into existence in 1953.

Taxpayers left with hefty bills from high UK borrowing costs

07:00 , Jane Dalton

High government borrowing costs since Labour won the election have cost the taxpayer up to £7bn, according to a new report.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found the UK had faced “uniquely high” borrowing costs compared with other advanced countries.

Yields on government bonds – also known as gilts – have risen steadily since Labour came into power in the summer of 2024.

'Nothing Muslim or Islamic about grooming gangs' says Mahmood

05:45 , Jane Dalton

There was nothing Muslim or Islamic about grooming gang crimes, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said as she announced the next step in the inquiry into the gangs.

Ms Mahmood also said she feared community relations had been damaged by "the actions of those who looked the other way" during reports of group-based child sexual exploitation.

She announced that Baroness Anne Longfield would chair a three-year inquiry, with a budget of £65m, into grooming gangs.

"What is required now is a moment of reckoning," she said. "We must cast fresh light on this darkness."

Baroness Longfield has vowed to “not shy away from difficult truths”.

Opinion: The £26bn reason to rethink our relationship with EU

04:30 , Jane Dalton

There is a £26bn reason to rethink our relationship with the EU

Starmer calls on European leaders to rejig ECHR

03:30 , Jane Dalton

Europe's leaders must rehash how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in law to tackle illegal migration and prevent voters from turning to "the forces that seek to divide us", Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Prime Minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen called on other leaders across the continent to agree a "modernisation" of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted.

In an opinion piece for The Guardian, the two prime ministers advocated a tougher approach to policing Europe's borders to defeat populist political opponents.

The ECHR is seen by its critics as a major barrier to attempts to deport illegal migrants.

The right to family life, enshrined by article 8 of the agreement, is often used as grounds to prevent removals.

Opinion: UK’s aid cuts leave us less secure

03:05 , Jane Dalton

By Olivia O’Sullivan, director of Chatham House's UK in the World programme:

The UK’s aid cuts have consequences for our security

Ukraine must decide its own future, Yvette Cooper says

01:50 , Shaheena Uddin

The foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Ultimately, Ukraine’s future has to be for Ukraine, and the things that we have discussed, that Secretary Rubio has set out as well, is the importance of having a just and lasting peace, so that Russia is deterred and cannot simply come again, but also so we support the strength and sovereignty of Ukraine.

“That’s why all of the discussions are taking place.

“But ultimately it’s again, as I said in the speech, two presidents are working for peace, and one president – President Putin – has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.”

Asylum delays and backlogs wasted public cash, watchdog finds

01:00 , Jane Dalton

Government action to bring in short-term fixes to the asylum system has led to backlogs elsewhere and delays that have wasted taxpayers' money, the public spending watchdog has found.

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) said the current cost of supporting people seeking asylum is "disproportionately high" and totalled around £4.9bn for 2024-25, driven by long delays and backlogs.

A sample of 5,000 people who began their asylum claims nearly three years ago showed more than half the cases remained unresolved.

The conditions can cause uncertainty and hardship for asylum-seekers, and erode public confidence in the system, report authors warned, while the watchdog called for better data and a whole-system approach across government departments.

The Government announced plans to overhaul the asylum system last month.

But the watchdog said the complex plans needed a sustainable approach - otherwise there is a risk of "unintended consequences for already stretched systems".

Starmer warns of 'lost decade of kids' at launch of £500m youth plan

00:15 , Jane Dalton

Sir Keir Starmer warned of a "lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage" as the Government launches a 10-year youth plan.

Labour's national youth strategy, published today, will aim to ensure 500,000 more young people across England have access to a trusted adult outside their home, as well as resources on how to stay safe online.

Some £500m will go on reviving youth services, with a pledge to build or refurbish 250 youth facilities over four years, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.

Ministers also want to:

- Launch a network of 50 "young futures" hubs by 2029 as part of a £70m programme to provide access to youth workers, with the first eight operational by March 2026 in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Co Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.

- Support organisations in "underserved" areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a £60m fund.

- Improve young people's wellbeing, personal development and "life skills" through a new £22.5m programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools.

- Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other "trusted adults" with £15m of investment.

Taxpayers left with hefty bills from high UK borrowing costs

Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:30 , Shaheena Uddin

High government borrowing costs since Labour won the election have cost the taxpayer up to £7 billion, according to a new report.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found the UK had seen “uniquely high” borrowing costs when compared to other advanced countries, with yields on government bonds – also known as gilts – having risen steadily since Labour came into power in the summer of 2024.

New UK-EU custom union proposal supported in the Commons

Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:00 , Shaheena Uddin

The Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill, was tabled by the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton on Tuesday. The vote ended in a surprise tie of 100 to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote.

The majority of Labour MPs had no vote recorded. However three voted against and 13 who voted in favour of the bill.

Four Reform UK MPs voted against the Bill and their party leader Nigel Farage did not vote, according to Parliament’s voting records.

Chair of the grooming gangs inquiry announced

Tuesday 9 December 2025 22:30 , Shaheena Uddin

Former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield will chair the inquiry into grooming gangs after months of delays.

The Independent's Home Affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:

Chair of the grooming gangs inquiry announced

Tories call for Reeves to apologise for 'misleading' country

Tuesday 9 December 2025 22:00 , Jane Dalton

Rachel Reeves should apologise for "misleading the country" about the public finances in the run-up to the Budget, the Commons will hear.

The Conservative Party will also call on MPs to join them in criticising the Chancellor for introducing £26bn worth of tax rises in the Budget, which they say breaks a manifesto promise.

In a Tory-led debate on Wednesday afternoon, the party will use a censure motion to call on Ms Reeves to apologise.

The Chancellor has faced questions about whether she misled the public after a letter from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) contested her narrative that she needed to raise taxes to fill a financial "black hole".

Critics say she largely raised taxes after she scrapped the two-child benefit cap.

The Conservative Party is expected to ask "that this House calls on the Chancellor to apologise for misleading the country about the state of the public finances, rolling the pitch for raising taxes, breaking her promises and increasing welfare spending".

The motion also said Ms Reeves should apologise for "misleading briefings and leaks” that “caused uncertainty for families, businesses and investors", as well as for "breaking her promise after the last Budget that the Government was not going to raise taxes again, and instead raising taxes at the Budget by £26bn".

UK member of the armed forces killed in Ukraine in ‘tragic accident’

Tuesday 9 December 2025 21:45 , Shaheena Uddin

A UK armed forces member was killed in Ukraine as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, the Ministry of Defence has reported.

Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated” by the man’s death in a statement on X.

The Ministry of Defence statement said: “It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.

“He was injured in a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.

“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”

Farage did not vote on EU Bill

Tuesday 9 December 2025 21:30 , Jane Dalton

Four Reform UK MPs voted against the Bill promoting a new UK-EU customs union, and party leader Nigel Farage did not vote, according to Parliament's voting records.

Analysis: How scrutiny of Farage is affecting Reform UK

Tuesday 9 December 2025 20:50 , Jane Dalton

Are the troubles of Nigel Farage weakening Reform UK?

Yvette Cooper responds to Trump's claims that Europe has "weak leaders"

Tuesday 9 December 2025 20:30 , Shaheena Uddin

Yvette Cooper has responded to Donald Trump’s claims that Europe’s nations are “decaying” and have “weak” leaders.

The foreign secretary was asked by journalists about the US president’s views and said: “What I see in Europe is strength.

“The strength and commitment to the support for Ukraine and also strength to step up to the plate and to ensure that we are increasing our investment in defence, and also ensure that we are doing our bit through the coalition of the willing, as well as through investment in military support and the energy infrastructure support that Ukraine needs.”

Call for watchdog probe into Reform's election expenses

Tuesday 9 December 2025 19:58 , Jane Dalton

Britain's elections watchdog has been urged to investigate Reform UK's election expenses, amid allegations of an overspend in Nigel Farage's Clacton constituency.

Labour chairwoman Anna Turley called on Mr Farage to explain whether his party spent more than the £20,660 limit, and has written to the Electoral Commission.

Former Reform councillor and member of Mr Farage's campaign team, Richard Everett, has claimed the party failed to declare spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills and a bar refurbishment in its Clacton campaign office.

Essex Police are assessing the claims.

Reform strenuously denies the allegations. A party spokesman said: "The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name."

He described the claims has having come from "disgruntled” former councillor, who has since left the party to sit as an independent.

Sanctions against Russia and China-linked groups announced

Tuesday 9 December 2025 19:30 , Shaheena Uddin

Yvette Cooper announced sanctions on media outlet Rybar and its co-owner Mikhail Sergeevich Zvinchuk, claiming its Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages “reaches millions worldwide using classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake investigations and AI-driven content”.

“Masquerading as an independent body, Rybar is, in fact, partially co-ordinated by the presidential administration and receiving funding from the Russian state corporation, Rostec, and working with members of the Russian intelligence services.”

The foreign secretary also launched action against Pravfond, as well as “Moscow-based so-called think tank” The Centre for Geopolitical Expertise and its founder Aleksandr Dugin.

She also announced action against “two of the most egregious” China-based companies, i-Soon and the Integrity Technology Group, for “advanced and indiscriminate cyber activities” against the UK and its allies.

Ms Cooper said: “Our message to those who would seek to harm us is clear: we see you in the shadows, we know what you are doing and we will defend ourselves.”

Bank of England expect Reeves' budget to bring down inflation

Tuesday 9 December 2025 19:00 , Shaheena Uddin

Bank of England policymakers said they expect Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget to knock as much as 0.5 percentage points off inflation by next spring.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts also indicated that the budget policies will reduce inflation by 0.4 per centage points next year, alongside the freeze in rail fares.

Stop minimum wage rises to save jobs, says Tory leader

Tuesday 9 December 2025 18:40 , Jane Dalton

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has warned against further increases to the minimum wage because "too many businesses can't pay for it".

She said jobs were disappearing and promised the Tories would reduce burdens on firms.

Mrs Badenoch told the BBC: "It's not government ministers that create jobs, it's business that creates jobs.

"We need to make sure that we set the minimum wage at a good level but we also need to make sure that their other burdens, their business rates, their corporation taxes, all of the things they do - the endless regulation, the Employment Rights Bill: they're just sick and tired of so much happening. Let's lighten that burden."

The national living wage will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 in April for people aged over 21 and 18 to 20-year-olds will see the rate increased by 8.5% to £10.85.

She added: "Stop government intervention. Government mandating minimum wage increases is not creating jobs.

"The jobs are disappearing."

Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: "Family finances are still reeling from the Tories' economic failure which saw sky-high interest rates, rocketing energy costs and higher prices."

Watch: MI5 'turned blind eye' to IRA spy Stakeknife's crimes

Tuesday 9 December 2025 18:15 , Jane Dalton

MI5’s initial failure to disclose all it knew about the Army’s top spy in the Provisional IRA during the Troubles was a significant failure, an independent report on the activities of Stakeknife has said.

The final report of Operation Kenova said that MI5 had earlier and greater knowledge of Stakeknife than it had revealed.

The UK Government has been urged to name Stakeknife, and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the refusal to do so was “bordering on farce”.

ICYMI: Two House of Lords peers suspended after breaking lobbying rules

Tuesday 9 December 2025 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Two members of the House of Lords, including a former army chief, have been suspended from the upper chamber after being found to have exploited their positions for financial gain.

The suspensions follow two independent investigations, triggered by a newspaper sting operation, which concluded that Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans of Watford had both breached the Lords' code of conduct.

You can read more below:

Two House of Lords peers suspended after breaking lobbying rules

Watch: Starmer reiterates support for Ukraine as Zelensky meets European allies at Downing Street

Tuesday 9 December 2025 17:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

ICYMI: Trump hits out at ‘horrible, vicious, disgusting’ Sadiq Khan as he reignites feud with London mayor

Tuesday 9 December 2025 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Donald Trump has reignited his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq Khan, branding him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor” as he criticised immigration to the UK.

In an extraordinary interview, the US president singled out the London mayor, calling him a “disaster” and suggesting he has done a “terrible job”.

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin has this story below:

Trump hits out at ‘horrible’ Sadiq Khan as he reignites feud with London mayor

Former children’s commissioner says she will ‘follow evidence’ in grooming gangs probe

Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:45 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Baroness Anne Longfield has vowed she will “not shy away” from difficult truths as she was appointed as the chair of the national inquiry into grooming gangs after months of delays.

Of her appointment, Baroness Longfield said: “The inquiry owes it to the victims, survivors and the wider public to identify the truth, address past failings and ensure that children and young people today are protected in a way that others were not.

“The inquiry will follow the evidence and will not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths wherever we find them.”

Baroness Longfield and the inquiry panel wrote an open letter to survivors as their role was confirmed, saying: “We know that trust must be earned.”

Disgraced firm Fujitsu loses post-Brexit border contract

Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

The Japanese tech firm behind the Post Office scandal has lost a contract to run Britain’s post-Brexit border systems, reports say.

According to POLITICO, Fujitsu lost the contract last month after mounting pressure for it to be stripped of public work.

13 Labour MPs oppose Keir Starmer to support customs union call

Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:26 , Joe Middleton

The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:

In total 13 Labour MPs opposed Keir Starmer to support a call for a customs union with the EU, which has piled pressure on their leader and his Brexit stance.

Of the 100 MPs who voted in favour - 65 were Lib Dems, 13 were Labour, 8 were SNP, 4 were independents, 4 were Plaid Cymru, 3 were Greens, 2 were SDLP and 1 was Alliance.Of the 100 MPs who voted against - 89 were Conservatives, 4 were Reform UK, 3 were Labour, 2 were independents, and there were one each from the Northern Irish parties the TUV and the UUP.

Last week Sir Keir repeated that Labour was not planning to rejoin the EU's customs union, after the deputy prime minister said countries in such unions see a boost to their economies.

Labour launch Great British Railways branding

Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:10 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Labour have unveiled the branding behind ‘Great British Railways’ amid ongoing nationalisation efforts.

The state-owned Great British Railways (GBR) unveiled its new branding, confirming it will be rolled out across trains, websites, and stations from next spring.

Described by the Department for Transport as a “striking and memorable design”, the livery was developed internally to maximise value for money.

In a post on X, transport secretary Heidi Alexander wrote: “Great British Railways – coming soon to a train near you.

“The GBR brand will soon be rolled out on trains, websites, stations and more. You'll see it on the new app, a one-stop - shop where you can check trains times and book tickets without fees.”

Great British Railways – coming soon to a train near you. 🇬🇧🚂

The GBR brand will soon be rolled out on trains, websites, stations and more.

You'll see it on the new app, a one-stop - shop where you can check trains times and book tickets without fees. pic.twitter.com/RvXbEzYs51

— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) December 9, 2025

Analysis: Starmer loses customs union vote in the Commons, despite huge majority

Tuesday 9 December 2025 15:51 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Keir Starmer won more than 400 seats in the House of Commons, securing a majority of 174 MPs, only last year.

Now his party has failed to win a vote that would have required just 101 MPs to back it.

The sheer number of Labour MPs on his party’s benches should have offered the PM much more breathing room in the Commons. But it has not turned out that way.

Many abstained, in a sign the party is divided over its approach to the EU. The Labour leader is now under greater pressure over his Brexit strategy after a so-called 10-minute rule bill, tabled by the Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, was supported in the Commons, ending in a tie of 100 votes to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote.

In response, deputy speaker Caroline Noakes voted “aye" to break the tie.

Kemi Badenoch says trust is 'badly damaged' after appointment of Baroness Longfield

Tuesday 9 December 2025 15:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Kemi Badenoch has slammed Labour’s approach in the lead-up to the appointment of Baroness Longfield to the grooming inquiry, saying trust is “badly damaged”.

In a post on X, the Tory leader said survivors of abuse “have been waiting far too long for an inquiry they can trust”.

“This inquiry must be rigorous, fearless and free from political influence,” she added.

Progress is welcome, but it shouldn’t have taken the Conservatives publishing a survivor-led terms of reference for the government to finally move.

Survivors have been waiting far too long for an inquiry they can trust. They have been ignored, dismissed and made to feel… https://t.co/P2vnOAj95r

— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) December 9, 2025

Bill introduced after MPs split evenly 100-100

Tuesday 9 December 2025 15:08 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

MPs were split exactly evenly on whether to introduce the Bill.

The deputy casting speaker had the casting vote. She voted aye “to allow further debate”.

The second reading will be on 16 January 2026.

MPs leave chamber to vote

Tuesday 9 December 2025 14:58 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

MPs have now left the chamber to vote on the motion.

We are expecting the result in around 15 minutes.

EU ‘does not want’ a customs union with the UK, MP argues

Tuesday 9 December 2025 14:54 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Tory MP Simon Hoare, who voted Remain, told MPs he accepted the result of the referendum as he opposed the customs union idea in the Commons.

Mr Hoare, the former chair of the NI affairs committee, said there were four reasons to reject the proposal.

But the most important, he said, was that “the EU does not want it” and it was "an enormous arrogance” to think that they do.

Partnership with EU matter of 'national security', Pinkerton says

Tuesday 9 December 2025 14:51 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

Dr Pinkerton warned that closer economic partnership with Europe is also a “matter of our national security”.

“Russia is defined by military expansionism and destabilisation, China grows more coercive and authoritarian by the year,” he adds.

He says Trump’s administration has shown a willingness to “threaten and coerce even its closest allies”.

Mr Pinkerton references the US’s recent national security strategy, which welcomes “the growing influence of patriotic European parties” and says its “goal should be to help Europe correct its current cultural trajectory. A clear signal of intent to interfere with allies domestic politics.

He says we must stand closes with those who share our “values, trade, and common security”.

Brexit is a ‘flop’ MP says as he calls on Commons to back a customs union deal

Tuesday 9 December 2025 14:44 , Nicole Wootton-Cane

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Lib Dem Al Pinkerton said Brexit was “economics by consolation prize and the country is paying the price”.

He quoted the Tory PM Sir John Major that Brexit is a “flop” as he urged MPs to back a customs union deal.

The Lib Dems are appealing to Labour backbenchers to support the move.

Earlier, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wrote to the prime minister accusing the government of “failing to take the steps necessary to begin, properly, the work of undoing the damage” of the Tories Brexit deal.