The prime minister has ruled out rejoining a new EU-UK customs union, stressing it would not be “sensible” given the new deals with countries such as the U.S. and India on trade.
It comes after more than a dozen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill calling for the government to open talks and rethink the Brexit policy.
In response to a question from Sir Ed Davey, Starmer said that Labour promised in its manifesto not to join the Customs Union, but does want to make this relationship tighter.
Earlier, 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.
Key Points
- Starmer rules out rejoining UK-EU Customs Union
- Rachel Reeves addresses 'unacceptable' and 'damaging' leaks
- Review of Treasury security processes underway after 'unacceptable' 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'
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
14:11 , Holly EvansIn a rare case of the Liberal Democrats making the political weather, Ed Davey’s party has managed to put the question of Britain’s ties with Europe back on the political agenda, despite attempts by Downing Street to avoid the festering wound of Brexit.
A 10-minute rule bill calling on the government to open talks on a new EU-UK customs union was put before the Commons by Lib Dem spokesperson on Europe, Al Pinkerton. Although it was never likely to become law, it was backed by more than a dozen Labour MPs, which puts fresh pressure on Keir Starmer to revisit the issue.
Davey said the symbolic vote “was a historic victory” against “the economic nightmare of the Conservatives’ broken Brexit deal”.
So what is this proposed new UK-EU customs union?
Read the full explainer from political commentator Sean O’Grady here:
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
Trump’s criticism of Sadiq Khan is ‘wrong’, Downing Street says
14:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer believes Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Sadiq Khan is “wrong,” Downing Street has said, after the Prime Minister faced calls to stand up to the US president.
No 10’s defence of the Labour London Mayor came a day after it declined to criticise the president’s attack on him.
Mr Trump’s latest salvo in his long-running spat with Sir Sadiq came in an interview in which he branded the UK politician a “disaster” and “disgusting”.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary told reporters on Wednesday: “Those comments are wrong.
“The Mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up London’s air with the world’s largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses.
“The Prime Minister is hugely proud of the Mayor of London’s record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend.”
Mr Trump had also told Politico Sir Sadiq had been elected “because so many people have come in”.
Asked about that claim in particular, Sir Keir’s press secretary reiterated: “As I say, the comments are wrong.”
Tory MP says digital ID plans are 'un-British'
13:30 , Holly EvansA Conservative MP has described Labour’s plans to introduce digital ID cards as "intrusive and fundamentally un-British" and something the government has no mandate to implement.
Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: "It's an attack on our open society and a staggering waste of taxpayers money, isn't it?"
Starmer says digital ID has "huge benefits" and says the Conservatives failed to control UK borders.
"We are taking control of our borders and I'm glad we're doing so".
Starmer calls on Europe to reform ECHR to see off far-right threat
13:10 , Holly EvansKeir Starmer has said Europe’s leaders must re-examine how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in order to tackle illegal migration and see off the rise of the far right.
The prime minister and his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, have jointly called on other continental leaders to agree on a “modernisation” of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted in their national laws amid increasing concern over illegal migration.
It came as European ministers, including deputy prime minister David Lammy, met in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday to discuss reforming how the treaty is interpreted in the courts.
Read the full article from political correspondent Millie Cooke here:
Starmer calls on Europe to reform ECHR to see off far-right threat
Badenoch 'probably going to be the guest star' on Liz Truss shows, says Starmer
12:50 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer said Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is “probably going to be the guest star” on The Liz Truss Show next week, both talking about “how Liz Truss was 100% right”.
The Prime Minister was responding to a question from Mrs Badenoch, who asked: “Last year, the Prime Minister promised to recruit 13,000 more police officers. How’s that going?”
Sir Keir said: “Three thousand more by the end of March, we’re rising on police numbers.”
He added: “She’s obviously spent the morning rehearsing for The Liz Truss Show, she’s probably going to be the guest star next week, both of them talking about how Liz Truss was 100% right.
“But what Liz Truss said was the Conservatives need to take responsibility for their 14 years of failure. That was Liz Truss, their former leader, so perhaps she’ll heed that, get up and say sorry.”
Starmer mocked over tax rises and spending time out of the country
12:52 , Holly EvansIn one heated exchange during PMQs, the prime minister was mocked for spending “so much time” out of the country after his tax rises.
Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans said: “I feel for the prime minister. It must be tough wherever he goes in the UK because of his policies, a pub, higher taxes, a restaurant, higher taxes, a cafe, higher taxes, a farm, higher taxes, a care home, higher taxes, a hospice, higher taxes.
“So Mr. Speaker, is this the reason the prime minister chooses to spend so much time out of this country?”
Sir Keir dismissed the claims as “a load of nonsense”.
PMQs: More discomfort for Starmer from his own backbenches
12:39 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
Karl Turner, the Labour MP Kingston upon Hull East, has fired another shot across the prime minister’s bows.
He asked that if the plan to get rid of the right to a jury trial for some offences was only about the “backlog” in the court system “then why isn’t there a sunset clause?”.
Sir Keir Starmer relied on the words of former judge Brian Leveson whose recommendations are behind the plan to limit jury trials.
But the question represents a feeling of discomfort for many Labour MPs on this issue and yet another challenge to the PM’s authority.
With issues like this stacking up on his leadership judgement his position becomes more perilous by the day.
Starmer rules out rejoining UK-EU Customs Union
12:38 , Holly EvansThe prime minister has ruled out rejoining a UK-EU Customs Union, after a vote on Tuesday night saw more than a dozen Labour MPs back a Liberal Democrat bill supporting the notion.
The prime minister has reportedly rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for the UK to rejoin the customs union in an attempt to improve faltering economic growth.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “Does the Prime Minister fear that if he keeps opposing a customs union in 12 months time, he will not be standing there?”
Sir Keir said: “We have got a closer relationship with the EU throughout reset earlier this year.
“Yes, I do want a closer relationship than what we’ve got at the moment. We are moving towards that.
“We do have manifesto commitments on issues such as single market, customs union and freedom of movement, but I would gently point this out that having now done significant trade deals with other countries, including the US and India.”
Badenoch calls on PM to admit 'Labour is not working'
12:28 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has taken a broader swing at Starmer's government, and claimed that "everything is getting worse" under Labour.
Badenoch adds that his cabinet should be doing their own jobs, but instead they're all "competing for the caretaker's job".
The Tory leader then called on the prime minister to "admit that Labour is not working".
In response, Starmer says Badenoch is "living proof you can say whatever you like when nobody is listening to anything you have to say".
"No wonder so many are leaving her party, they know there's absolutely no reason to stay," he adds.
Starmer vows to stand up for 'a strong Europe' but avoids question on Trump
12:25 , Holly EvansThe prime minister has vowed to stand up for Europe but avoided commenting on recent comments made by Donald Trump that described European leaders as weak.
In an interview with Politico, the U.S. president went after London mayor Sadiq Khan again, calling him "a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor", and claimed European nations had failed to take control of immigration and the war in Ukraine.
When asked by Liberal Democrat Ed Davey about these comments, Sir Keir said: "On the question of Europe and President Trump's comments, what I see is a strong Europe, united behind Ukraine and united behind our long standing values of freedom and democracy. And I will always stand up for those values and those freedoms."
It was noted however that he made no reference to “standing up to President Trump”.
PMQs analysis: Starmer visibly rattled after Badenoch’s best PMQs yet
12:21 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
That was a brutal dismantling of Keir Starmer’s government by Kemi Badenoch in PMQs.
Bit by bit she went through the failures of Labour to deliver on key promises including less teachers, less police and more days lost to doctor’s strikes.
“Everything is getting worse under Labour,” she said as she mocked Starmer as the “caretaker prime minister” with his cabinet ministers trying to get his job.
It was her most confident performance yet and left Sir Keir looking distinctly rattled as he floundered around talking about Reform.
Just a month ago it was Ms Badenoch whose job security seemed to be the least secure of the party leaders but now she appears to be confident with Sir Keir desperately holding on to his job.
Too many women 'failed by maternity services, Starmer says
12:17 , Holly EvansToo many women are “failed” by maternity services, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he told the Commons: “I am particularly concerned by maternity services, and that’s why we’ve commissioned a review so every mother is heard, gets proper care at what should be a special time, and currently, too many are failed.
“We’re funding healthy babies services in 75 of the most deprived areas, and we’ve taken action to save parents up to £500 a year on infant formula.
“It is a moral mission of this Government to lift children out of poverty, and we intend to do so.
“The leader of the Opposition (Kemi Badenoch) thinks that maternity pay is excessive.”
Badenoch takes aim at energy bills and teacher hires
12:15 , Holly EvansTaking aim at his leadership, Kemi Badenoch has claimed that Sir Keir Starmer has “lost control of his party” and said: "They are all so busy trying to replace him that they have taken their eyes off the ball."
In a series of rapid questions, she asks Sir Keir about energy bills, which Ms Badenoch says have risen, as well as how many teachers have been hired.
Taking aim at Bridget Phillipson, she said: “There are now 400 fewer teachers since she came into office, it’s on the DFS website - does she not check it?
“The prime minister doesn’t know what’s going on in energy department, what’s going on in education - does he know what’s going on in the home office?”
This leads to further spars over the number of police officers hired and Wes Streeting’s bid to end the doctor strikes.
PMQs: Kemi Badenoch goes after Starmer over his uncertain future
12:09 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
The Tory leader has in cricket parlance started with a bouncer against Keir Starmer.
“What are his own MPs calling him a caretaker prime minister?” she said.
Sir Keir looked stunned by the brutal short question, but it reflects a new confidence for Kemi Badenoch who was herself the subject of leadership challenge gossip until a few weeks ago.
Now she feels comfortable enough to go after the prime minister over the fragility of his position with jokes about Ed Miliband wanting to “recycle” her leadership.
Sir Keir is reduced to talk about how ex-Tory MPs are going to Reform UK.
Starmer pays tribute to UK armed forces member who died in Ukraine
12:06 , Holly EvansA British soldier killed on duty in Ukraine has been named by the Ministry of Defence as 28-year-old Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that he died while "watching the testing of a new defensive capability".
Starmer says he was injured in a tragic accident away from the frontline.
At Prime Minister’s Questions Sir Keir said: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.
“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
Watch: Reeves admits too many leaks were ‘very damaging’ for Budget
11:52 , Holly EvansCouncil of Europe reaffirms commitment to ECHR but addresses 'unprecedented challenges'
11:48 , Millie CookeAlain Berset, secretary general of Council of Europe said all 46 member states have "reaffirmed their deep abiding commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and and European Court of Human Rights."
But he added that ministers have also "expressed concerns regarding unprecedented challenges posed by migration".
It came after he told broadcasters that the Council of Europe is “absolutely ready” to consider changes to the treaty to address concerns over migration.
Tory-led debate to use censure motion to call on Reeves to apologise for Budget leaks
11:44 , Holly EvansA Tory-led debate in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon will see the party use a parliamentary process known as a censure motion to call on Ms Reeves to apologise for how the Budget unfolded.
Addressing the Treasury Committee, Ms Reeves said there had been a lot of information shared between the OBR and the Treasury in the weeks leading up to the autumn statement.
“Pre-measures is not the final word from the Office for Budget Responsibility, because then you have post-measures forecasts,” she told MPs.
“They take into account the policy decisions that we take as a Government on tax and spend… so there was plenty of additional information being shared between the OBR and the Treasury between October 30 and major measures one and indeed major measures two.”
Ahead of the Conservative-led debate later, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Ms Reeves of putting “party before country”.
He said: “Rachel Reeves has repeatedly misled the British public. She promised she wouldn’t raise taxes on working people – and then she did. She insisted there was a black hole in the public finances – and there wasn’t.”
Reeves denies income tax threshold freeze is a manifesto breach
11:32 , Kate DevlinChallenged on so-called fiscal drag, Ms Reeves has denied that her income tax threshold freeze is a manifesto breach.
The chancellor said the Labour’s manifesto at the last election clearly referred to rates of income tax, national insurance and VAT.
She said: “But I have been very clear - I'm not trying to shy away from it in any way that... everyone makes a contribution through freezing those, thresholds.
“I'm not trying to sort of sneak it out and pretend it doesn't exist.”
But she added that working people “would pay a bit more in tax” from 2028.
Reeves questioned on 'squeezed middle' and defends tax decisions
11:28 , Holly EvansAsked by Jim Dixon, the Labour MP for Dartford, asked Rachel Reeves if her tax decisions may have led to a “squeezed middle”, which means that those in the middle of the income distribution are finding it difficult to maintain their living standards
Parts of the Budget such as taxing salary sacrifice schemes have been criticised for these reasons.
She said: “I do recognise that we’ve asked everyone to contribute by freezing the thresholds for an additional three years on top of the seven years for which they’ve already been frozen, but we were able to keep those contributions to a minimum by asking those with the broader shoulders to pay more.”
SEND policy will not be decided by Treasury
11:14 , Holly EvansAsked about Labour’s policy on special educational needs and disabilities spending, which saw their budget moved away from local authorities to central government, Ms Reeves said that she disagreed with the way the OBR calculated the cost of this decision.
She pointed out that education secretary Bridget Phillipson is leading a review into the SEND system.
"The purpose of the SEND review is about delivering a system that works for families, for children and for schools," Reeves says.
"And it's right that, the education secretary, not the chancellor, leads on that."
She added: “The system just doesn’t work, and we have to reform it. My mum was a special needs’ teacher when I was, and she then became a classroom teacher because there were cuts then to special needs, teachers weren’t getting the support they needed.
“So this is something that matters to me, including as a parent, but it should not be me leading the work.”
Reeves stands by £22bn 'black hole' figure
11:04 , Holly EvansRachel Reeves has stood by her “£22bn black hole” figure that was left by the previous Tory government, stating it had been set out to her by Treasury officials after she became chancellor in July 2024.
Tory MP Harriet Baldwin asked the chancellor what her growth plan is and interjected that the figure has been “discredited by the Office for Budget Responsibility”, with Ms Reeves replying “not at all”.
On growth, Reeves recalls that the OBR upgraded the UK's growth forecast in the spring, which she says is a result of government policies.
Starmer and I took decision not to raise income tax ‘as a team’, Reeves says
10:41 , Kate DevlinA 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 EvansChancellor 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.”
Review of Treasury security underway after 'unacceptable' leaks
10:27 , Holly EvansA 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 DevlinJames 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 EvansRachel 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 DevlinThe 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 EvansNations 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 EvansThe 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 EvansThousands 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 EvansDavid 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 EvansFrench 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 EvansAmnesty 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 EvansEurope’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 EvansLisa 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 EvansTalks 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 DaltonHigh 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 DaltonThere 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 DaltonEurope'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 DaltonBy 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 UddinThe 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 DaltonGovernment 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 DaltonSir 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 UddinHigh 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 UddinThe 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 UddinFormer 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: