Sir Keir Starmer will visit the United States later this month to meet with President Donald Trump amid tensions between the two countries on potential tariffs and Ukraine.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister discussed “his forthcoming visit to the US” with President Trump during a meeting with the President’s special envoy to the UK.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.”
Sir Keir’s planned trip to Washington comes as the UK faces the looming threat of trade tariffs.
President Trump said he plans to impose the levy on all countries that add extra costs to US goods, which could include VAT.
The Labour government has also distanced itself from the Trump administration’s stance on Ukraine, as Sir Keir said Britain is committed to Ukraine being on an “irreversible path” to joining Nato after the US appeared to rule out membership.
Key Points
- New tariff threat for Starmer as Trump rages at VAT
- BBC reporting on Reeves' expenses allegations 'totally inaccurate', claims senior minister
- Munich Security Conference 'crucial opportunity' to end Ukraine war, minister says
- Trump's tariffs could knock £24 billion of UK GDP growth over next two years, says expert
Starmer to visit US to meet with Trump
11:45
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer discussed “his forthcoming visit to the US” with Donald Trump on Thursday night during a meeting with the President’s special envoy to the UK, Downing Street has said.
A spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.
“Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance, and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.
“Mr Burnett reflected on his personal connections to the UK, and his mother’s experience working part-time in Downing Street as a waitress over 30 years ago.
“They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech and cultural matters between the US and the UK, and looked forward to working together.”
Lammy and Vance hold meeting at Munich security conference
11:34
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Jabed Ahmed
David Lammy said he looked forward to discussing support for Ukraine and European security as he met US vice president JD Vance in Munich on Friday.
In comments at the start of the meeting, the Foreign Secretary described the US-UK relationship as “more than just an alliance, it’s a covenant between two partners”.
He added: “We are committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same, and of course we have got important issues to discuss on Ukraine and how we support Ukraine at this difficult moment, and also broader issues of UK-US security.”
Mr Vance said: “Honestly, we have a lot in common, and the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will remain very strong.
“We are going to talk about something that he and I spoke about a couple of years ago, which is our shared belief that Europe really should take a big role in its own security, and I’m glad the Foreign Secretary agrees with me on that.
“I think there are other issues of common agreement, I’m sure we will talk about Russia-Ukraine.”
Comment | How the attorney general became a legal time bomb for Keir Starmer
11:33
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Jabed Ahmed
With Richard Hermer now under attack from cabinet colleagues over his ‘excessive’ adherence to international law – especially over immigration and the Chagos deal – the prime minister must be ruthless and ditch his friend, says John Rentoul
Watch | BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce and Labour minister in heated clash over migrant crackdown
11:17
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Jabed Ahmed
Full report | UK will respond accordingly to Trump’s £24bn VAT tariff threat, minister insists
10:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Ukraine is on an 'irreversible path to Nato', Starmer says
10:37
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Jabed Ahmed
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said Ukraine is on an “irreversible path to Nato”, in a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
Giving a readout of a call between, the spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, this morning.
“The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed. He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine.
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
“The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to Nato, as agreed by allies at the Washington summit last year.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
“The leaders also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the president updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference. They agreed to stay in close contact.”
Labour could tighten shotgun rules in move stoking farmer row
10:17
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Jabed Ahmed
The government is considering tightening controls around shotgun ownership, in a move likely to further fray Labour’s relationship with farmers.
Following a series of murders involving such weapons, the Home Office has announced a new consultation into shotgun licensing – citing concerns over the current rules raised by victims, police, coroners and MPs.
Pointing to concerns around shotgun owners keeping the weapons in their homes, including in towns and cities, the Home Office has also announced imminent plans to increase the number of referees required to obtain a shotgun licence – from just one to two – and to refresh police guidance, including around domestic abuse.
But some farmers have expressed fears over what they called “draconian and unreasonable” proposals, which they claimed would be viewed as “part of a wider anti-rural agenda”.
Exclusive | Badenoch falls further behind Starmer and Farage in new poll
09:59
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Jabed Ahmed
The latest tracker poll from Techne UK has seen the Conservatives drop another point in a week where Kemi Badenoch was strongly criticised for her performance in PMQs
Read the full report below:
Labour’s defence budget ‘won’t touch the sides’, Starmer is warned
09:39
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Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
BBC reporting on Reeves' expenses allegations 'totally inaccurate', claims senior minister
09:23
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Jabed Ahmed
A Cabinet minister has claimed the BBC’s reporting that Rachel Reeves was subject to an internal investigation into expenses while working at a retail bank was “totally inaccurate”.
The broadcaster reported about a probe on Thursday, which it said looked into the Chancellor’s time working for Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) between 2006 and 2009.
Asked about the report when he appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Unfortunately, the reporting has been totally inaccurate, and we heard yesterday that the person who was actually head of HR at that bank at that time says it’s untrue, said that she never, ever receive a file on Rachel Reeves.”
The minister was told that HBOS did not say there was no investigation, but that one had not been completed before the HR manager or Ms Reeves had left the bank.
Mr Kyle replied: “And she says that before she left the bank, there was no investigation that passed her desk. And she’s also said if there was one, it would have passed her desk.
“I didn’t see any of that reporting included in the story I read yesterday evening on the BBC website.”
Badenoch launches bid to get nine local elections rescheduled for May
09:09
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Jabed Ahmed
Kemi Badenoch has launched a formal bid to keep local elections scheduled for this May, as her shadow business secretary warned cancelling them was “entirely wrong”.
Kevin Hollinrake, who backed the Conservative leader’s motion, said there had been “no attempt to gather consensus” in areas where elections were cancelled.
Local government minister Jim McMahon laid an order earlier this week to postpone elections in nine council areas – across East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex and Thurrock, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey.
Polls due on 1 May in these areas would instead take place next year, after a local government reorganisation.
Mrs Badenoch this week laid an early day motion calling for the order to be “annulled”, initially backed by five other Conservative MPs including Mr Hollinrake.
The Government could now find time for the “prayer” motion to be debated by a committee or in the House of Commons chamber, where MPs could vote to keep elections in the diary.
Unambitious Brexit reset is fuelling business disappointment in Labour, warns Alastair Campbell
08:49
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Jabed Ahmed
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor cited The Independent’s front page and told Labour that the facts were the way to take on Brexiteers like Boris Johnson and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage
Munich Security Conference 'crucial opportunity' to end Ukraine war, minister says
08:31
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Jabed Ahmed
The UK is working to seize the “crucial opportunity” of negotiations to end the Ukraine war, as global leaders gather at the Munich Security Conference, Peter Kyle said.
Asked by LBC radio if Donald Trump’s negotiations were akin to the appeasement of Hitler in the 1930s, Science Secretary Mr Kyle replied: “We need to act coolly and calmly going forward, and listen to what President Zelensky says he needs, and to be there to support him for it.
“It is great that we have a US president that is now so dedicated to bringing this war to an end. His defence secretary said that everything is on the table.
“President Zelensky will be here today with JD Vance, the US vice president.
“This is a crucial opportunity and we want to make sure that this crucial opportunity is seized with both hands, and Britain is here in the middle of it, making sure that our voice and our desires and needs are here and taken care of and represented in the best way possible, too.”
Senior minister defends Rachel Reeves over embellished CV allegations
08:14
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Jabed Ahmed
A member of Rachel Reeves team set up her LinkedIn profile and was responsible for errors in it, Peter Kyle told BBC Breakfast as he defended his Cabinet colleague.
Asked about inaccuracies in the Chancellor’s profile on the professional networking platform, the Science Secretary said: “What you’re talking about here is something that Rachel has already addressed, and it is someone on her team set up a LinkedIn profile and they got the dates out by a few months actually.
“But what you’ve seen with Rachel is a Chancellor who is an economist by training and by practice, and she’s brought that experience into Government, and judge her on actions and not just words.”
Minister insists on 'cool, clear thinking' as Trump threatens tariffs
07:53
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Bryony Gooch
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said Trump’s tariff need to be approached with “cool, clear thinking”.
He continued: “We will assess any changes and challenges that come down the line from any part of the global economy, and we will act appropriately in the best interest of Britain.
“The second thing to say is that whatever the circumstances globally, you’ve got to get the foundations right for running our domestic economy. That’s why we fixed some of the challenges we inherited from the previous government.”
UK insists Ukraine has seat at table for Russia peace talks
07:42
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Bryony Gooch
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said it was a “good thing that there are now concerted efforts to bring this war to an end, but let’s just be really clear about what could bring the war to an end the fastest, and that would be if Vladimir Putin simply ended it.”
He told Times Radio from the Munich Security Conference: “President Zelensky is going to be addressing the conference here in Munich today, we need to hear what he has to say. Britain has stood alongside President Zelensky and Ukraine since the very beginning.
“We continue to do so now, and we insist of course, that President Zelensky is part of any negotiations that go forward, and that any peace that emerges, any negotiation emerges, is one that is on the terms which is acceptable to him as their president.”
Trump's tariffs could knock £24 billion of UK GDP growth over next two years, says expert
07:26
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Bryony Gooch
The global head of of FX Research at Deutsche Bank, George Caravels said that Donald Trump’s clarification of VAT as a tariff makes his policy “much more damaging” to countries like the UK.
As the tariff policy could see UK exporters in the US face extra charges of 21pc, Ahmet Kaya, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said it could knock 0.4 percentage points off UK GDP growth for the next two years, accounting for £24 billion ($30 billion).
Minister sacked over WhatsApp group called voter a ‘hag’ and mocked her house in sweary rant
07:00
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Jabed Ahmed
Does GDP growth mean ‘more money in your pocket’? Reeves plan explained
06:00
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Jabed Ahmed
Full report | Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ while working at bank
04:24
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Jabed Ahmed
Watch | Protesting farmers greet Starmer on tractors as he promotes Labour towns plan
02:00
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Jabed Ahmed
Ofgem vows to end years-long wait for new wind farms to connect to power grid
00:02
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Jabed Ahmed
Officials have unveiled plans to connect new wind and solar farms to the power grid faster, which they hope will end years of gridlock for some projects.
Regulator Ofgem hopes to scrap the current first-come, first-served approach to the grid connections queue, which has left some projects facing decade-long delays.
The new plan will see projects that can be up and running by 2030 fast-tracked, in a bid to help Labour hit its clean power goals.
Ofgem estimates the changes will roughly treble the amount of power generation added to the grid per year.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the reforms are “critical” to reach clean power by 2030, as the Government has promised, calling the current system “broken”.
He said the changes will mean “a targeted approach which prioritises quicker connections for the right projects in the right place”.
Developers have complained for years about the time it takes to get a cable to connect their wind or solar farm to the grid.
The current system means that a serious project which could provide electricity to millions of homes is often stuck behind more speculative schemes in the queue.
The queue is also an impediment to large-scale electric vehicle charging sites, like buses and vans, connecting to the grid.
Projects in the queue would generate more than 700 gigawatts (GW) of power if built, several times the amount the country needs.
New tariff threat for Starmer as Trump rages at VAT
Thursday 13 February 2025 23:59
,
Andy Gregory
The UK could be hit with new US export tariffs of up to 21 per cent after Donald Trump lashed out at VAT, in a fresh blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
The US president signed an executive order on Thursday vowing to impose the “exact same tax or tariff” placed on US goods by its trading partners.
Mr Trump’s senior trade counsellor said later, without mentioning the UK, that VAT was being considered as a tax on imports and that “President Trump is no longer willing to tolerate that”.
Mr Navarro claimed the EU’s VAT regime was the “poster child” for unfair trade, in comments that prompted Allie Renison – a former UK business and trade policy adviser – to warn in remarks to The Times that the UK was likely in the “firing line for a huge economic hit”.
“The reality is that it’s the EU that Trump is thinking about in targeting VAT, but the UK risks getting caught up in the crosshairs once again,” said Ms Renison. The economic warfare net just keeps on getting wider, and the government may not be able to maintain its heads-down approach for much longer.”
But Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told Sky News: “Wait and see what it means, it’s the best reaction to everything over the last month. Sometimes tariffs are announced, a couple of days later, they are unannounced.”
Politics Explained | Does Britain need its own Doge to cut government waste?
Thursday 13 February 2025 23:01
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Jabed Ahmed
Labour’s new towns plan means home ownership no longer pipe dream for millions of Britons, says Angela Rayner
Thursday 13 February 2025 22:01
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Jabed Ahmed
The deputy prime minister has written for The Independent hailing Labour’s plans for up to a dozen new towns in England
Badenoch faces call to apologise after party political clip filmed in Parliament
Thursday 13 February 2025 21:01
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Jabed Ahmed
Kemi Badenoch faces a call to apologise for filming part of a Conservative Party political broadcast in Parliament.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell called for a “full and speedy apology” after she heard allegations the Tory leader also used a Government-funded car in the four-minute video.
The broadcast, which aired on BBC One on Wednesday, features a brief clip of Speaker’s Court, part of the Palace of Westminster.
Julie Minns, the Labour MP for Carlisle, said on Thursday that Ms Powell “is committed to ensuring (rules and procedures) are upheld and respected at all times”.
She continued: “I imagine she therefore shares my concern that last night’s political broadcast from the Conservative Party not only extensively featured the use of a taxpayer-funded ministerial car but also was filmed in part on the parliamentary estate in Speaker’s Court, in direct contravention – as I understand it – of the rules of this House.
“Can I ask the Leader of the House to ensure that this matter will be fully investigated?”
Ms Powell replied: “She’s absolutely right. This is against protocol.
“It is against protocol of this House to speak without permission, particularly in Speaker’s Court, and I think the Leader of the Opposition, if she is hearing this today, should offer Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) a full and speedy apology for that.
“But also we have high standards that we’re all judged by, and using ministerial, Government-paid-for, publicly paid-for cars for party political campaigning purposes is not allowed, and rightly so because our constituents wouldn’t expect that to be the case.
“So, I hope the Leader of the Opposition has heard this question today and takes action to put this right.”
ICYMI | ‘Make sure Ukraine at heart’ of negotiations, says Starmer
Thursday 13 February 2025 20:01
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has said that “we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart” of negotiations for a peace deal with Russia, as Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear he will not accept any agreements which do not include Kyiv in talks.
The Ukrainian president has said to “not allow everything to go to Putin’s plan” after Donald Trump claimed that he and Vladimir Putin had agreed to start talks on ending the conflict.
The US president held individual calls with the Russian leader and Mr Zelensky on Wednesday.
Mr Trump said he had agreed with Russia’s leader to “work together, very closely” on bringing the three-year conflict to an end in the phone conversation.
The Prime Minister said it was “really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position”.
“Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians – more than anybody – want the conflict to end, but we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this,” Sir Keir told broadcasters on Thursday.
“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it.
“And it’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.
“Which is why I’ve been arguing since I’ve been Prime Minister that we need to ramp up the money, the capability and the training that we’re putting into Ukraine, and we’re delivering even more of that this year than we were last year.
“It’s really important: the strongest possible position for Ukraine. This has to be done with Ukraine.”
Whereabouts of Attorney General raised after complaint peers ‘never see him’
Thursday 13 February 2025 19:01
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Jabed Ahmed
Questions have been asked at Westminster over the whereabouts of Attorney General Lord Hermer as records show he has spoken just four times at the despatch box since taking up his role last summer.
Contributions by the Government’s top law officer in the House of Lords include making his maiden speech in July.
In response to a query in the upper chamber why peers “never seem to see” the Labour Cabinet member, a minister said she saw him “pretty regularly”.
Lord Hermer’s appointment has faced criticism in Parliament, amid concerns over how his previous legal work, including representing former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, could result in possible conflicts of interest in his current role.
The Attorney General last month confirmed he has recused himself from advising ministers on “certain matters” but could not give details as he was bound by convention.
As he is not an elected MP, he cannot appear in the House of Commons to be quizzed by MPs.
Questions are instead fielded in the elected chamber by his colleague, Solicitor General Lucy Rigby.
When former prime minister Lord David Cameron made a shock return to the then Tory Cabinet back in 2023 as foreign secretary and took a peerage, he was subjected to a special monthly question time in the House of Lords.
However, Lord Hermer has not had to face a similar scrutiny session.
His attendance was questioned as Conservative former MEP Lord Balfe raised a legal point over the move by the Labour Government to reset relations with Brussels following Brexit.
Bridget Phillipson ‘told high-profile headteacher to lower her tone’ in meeting
Thursday 13 February 2025 18:01
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Jabed Ahmed
The Education Secretary asked a high-profile school leader to “lower her tone” and “allow her to finish her sentences”, according to government minutes of a meeting between the pair.
Bridget Phillipson met with Katharine Birbalsingh – who has been commonly described as Britain’s strictest headteacher – last week after she criticised the proposed academy reforms in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Ms Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent in north-west London, wrote an article in the Spectator in January which accused Ms Phillipson of being “blinded by a Marxist ideology”.
She said she was concerned the Education Secretary would “destroy the huge gains made over the last decade”.
Government minutes of a meeting between the pair on February 3, obtained by Schools Week under the freedom of information act, claim Ms Birbalsingh repeatedly interrupted the Education Secretary and asked if she was introducing the Bill because of her own ambitions to lead the Labour Party.
The minutes drawn up by the Department for Education (DfE) said: “The SoS (Phillipson) stated she would need to ask KB (Birbalsingh) to lower her tone, and asked they remove the heat from the discussion.
“The SoS emphasised she would appreciate if KB would allow her to finish her sentences so that she can address KB’s questions and concerns in turn.”
The minutes record that Ms Birbalsingh “noted that as she herself did not understand politics, she should not expect the SoS to understand education because the SoS has not been a headteacher”.
It claims that Ms Birbalsingh said colleagues in Westminster told her to ask if the reason the Education Secretary is introducing the Bill “is because she wants to become the leader of the Labour party”.
Rocky path ahead if politicians kowtow to Trump and Farage, warns Sturgeon
Thursday 13 February 2025 17:01
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Jabed Ahmed
The world will be on a “rocky path” if politicians “kowtow” to the likes of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage, former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Movements in the style of the two men have seen increased political success in recent years, but Ms Sturgeon has urged “progressive, liberal people who care about democracy” to fight back.
Speaking to community radio station Glad Radio, she said politicians in the UK have a “choice” to make regarding fending off the threat of Mr Farage’s Reform UK and its surging poll ratings – to copy them or be an alternative.
While she said work should continue to try and build a relationship with the US given its status in the world, Ms Sturgeon said: “If we don’t stand up now and fight for democracy, fight for a view of the world that values everybody for who they are and says that it’s right to support people from excluded groups in society to be more involved.
“If we don’t stand up for all of that, if we don’t be very mindful of the power of China and Russia and the changing dynamics in the world, if we don’t absolutely get to grips with the climate crisis, then the world we’re going to bequeath to those that come after us is not one that I would have ever wanted to contemplate.
“So this next few years, if progressive, liberal people who care about democracy kowtow to the Donald Trumps and Nigel Farages of this world, then we’re on a pretty rocky path.
“I hope that’s not what happens, I hope we see a coming together of those forces to stand up and actually defend the form and the vision of the world we want to see.”
Watch | Farmer calls on Keir Starmer to end agricultural inheritance tax
Thursday 13 February 2025 16:48
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Jabed Ahmed
UK remains ‘robust’ with Beijing, Lammy says as he greets Chinese official
Thursday 13 February 2025 16:38
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Jabed Ahmed
The UK will continue to engage in “robust and constructive” discussions with China, David Lammy said as he welcomed Beijing’s foreign affairs minister to London.
Wang Yi met with the Foreign Secretary in central London, as the Government seeks a warmer relationship with China in order to drive investment into the UK.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, an influential figure within the Government, was said to have joined part of the meeting to discuss economic growth.
As Mr Lammy welcomed his counterpart to the Foreign Office, he said the UK and China’s relationship should be “consistent, strategic and in both of our countries’ long-term interests”.
He added: “Since my visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister and President Xi met at the G20, of course, and the Chancellor travelled to China for a wide-ranging visit including an economic and financial dialog and conversations which have brought tangible benefits and progress to both of our countries.
“I look forward to a broad set of discussions today including following up on areas of bilateral economic co-operation as well as important issues for UK national security.”
The Government has been warned in recent months of the security risks posed by the Chinese state as ministers seek to strengthen ties.
The Independent revealed last month the scale of Chinese investments in UK universities.
Ministers warned infected blood compensation payouts taking ‘far too long’
Thursday 13 February 2025 16:17
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Jabed Ahmed
Compensation payouts to victims of the infected blood scandal are taking “far, far, far too long”, ministers have been warned.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds used a Commons statement to update MPs on the efforts to compensate people, with payments to those who are living, infected and registered with the support scheme to be “accelerated” from April.
But several MPs voiced concerns on behalf of victims, including fears that more will die before they receive money they are entitled to.
More than 30,000 people who received NHS treatment between the 1970s and early 1990s were infected with contaminated blood.
Many contracted a number of viruses including hepatitis C and HIV.
Some 3,000 died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications.
Labour MP Ian Lavery (Blyth and Ashington) told Mr Thomas-Symonds: “Despite his sterling efforts, and I really mean that, I’ve got to say that this process is taking far, far, far too long.
“There are victims dying at the rate of two per week, never seeing the compensation which they deserve.
“Victims are desperate to understand what and how much compensation they might even be due under this process.”
Mr Thomas-Symonds said the Government has published explainer documents on compensation and the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) intends to publish a “compensation calculator” by the end of March.
Rise in no-fault evictions ‘shows need for swift passage of law to ban them’
Thursday 13 February 2025 16:02
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Jabed Ahmed
A year-on-year rise in no-fault eviction claims issued to households exposes the uncertainty many tenants face, a charity has said.
The latest data published by the Ministry of Justice showed 32,287 claims had been issued to households under the accelerated procedure in 2024.
Landlords can apply for an accelerated possession order if the tenants have not left by the date specified in a Section 21 notice.
Last year’s figure was up by 7% from 30,230 in 2023.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, has promised a ban on no-fault evictions.
Matt Downie, chief executive of the Crisis charity said while the proposed legislation will provide tenants in England with “long overdue and much-needed protection from no-fault evictions, easing anxiety for renters across the country”, stronger measures are needed to protect low-income households from “unaffordable” rent increases.
Big Issue founder Lord John Bird, who is a crossbench peer, described the latest rise as “frightening”.
Does GDP growth mean ‘more money in your pocket’? Reeves plan explained
Thursday 13 February 2025 15:44
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Jabed Ahmed
Consensus in Europe that defence collabration must improve, Downing Street suggests
Thursday 13 February 2025 15:31
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Jabed Ahmed
European leaders agree that “Europe needs to step up in terms of defence collaboration”, Downing Street has suggested.
Answering questions about President Donald Trump and Ukraine on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the US “remains committed to the Nato alliance”, adding: “I think all European leaders agree that Europe needs to step up in terms of defence collaboration, defence spending.
“You can see that in the UK with the increased defence spending that we announced at the budget, our commitment to setting our path to 2.5% of GDP in defence, our work as part of the strategic defence review to determine the challenges, threats and opportunities that UK faces.”
Referring to a Nato meeting involving Defence Secretary John Healey on Wednesday, the spokesman added: “There was a clear message from European Nato allies to step up support for Ukraine.”
Those affected by infected blood scandal most will have higher rates of compensation, government announces
Thursday 13 February 2025 15:16
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Jabed Ahmed
People living with the most harm from the infected blood scandal will be able to apply for higher rates of compensation from the Government scheme, a minister has announced.
Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds said those eligible would have to apply through the “core” scheme first, but would later be able to register with the “supplementary” scheme.
Giving an update on payments to both affected and infected victims of the scandal, he told MPs: “The Government recognises that there are some exceptional cases where the the level of compensation offered through the core route does not sufficiently address a person’s individual circumstances.
“For this reason, the Government has provided for higher levels of compensation for specific awards through the supplementary route where people can demonstrate their eligibility.”
He said the Government had laid parliamentary regulations which would allow for payments to be made to those affected by the scandal, as well as those infected. He said he hoped the first compensation payments to that group would be made before the end of 2025.
Mr Thomas-Symonds said 23 offers had been made to infected people, worth a total of £34 million in compensation.
Fourteen have been accepted, which amounts to more than £13 million. Payments to those who are living, infected and registered with the support scheme will be “accelerated” from April, he said, adding: “This is only the beginning and there is much more work to do.”
Starmer suggests Britons cannot have both better living standards and tax breaks
Thursday 13 February 2025 14:59
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Jabed Ahmed
The public faces a choice between better living standards or wanting farmers to keep their inheritance tax break, Sir Keir Starmer suggested.
Responding to a protest which took place while he visited a building site in Buckinghamshire, the Prime Minister said: “Yes there was a protest there, and to some extent that draws out quite an important discussion that we have to have as a country.”
The budget had to stabilise the UK’s finances, he insisted, which included “tough but right decisions” on national insurance contributions for businesses and ending the inheritance tax break for farmers.
Sir Keir told broadcasters: “These are political choices, but what you can’t have is interest rates coming down, the growth we need in the economy, your waiting lists coming down, and maintain the tax break for farmers.
“People watching this will understand that that is a choice. They will know what they would prefer.
“Do they want their waiting lists to come down, do they want their mortgages to come down, the economy to start working for everyone?
“That is what we are trying to achieve.
“Or do we want to give tax breaks for farmers? We can’t have both.”
Labour MP says there are 'questions to be asked' over Rachel Reeves' alledged expense investigation
Thursday 13 February 2025 14:40
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Jabed Ahmed
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh says there are “questions to be asked” regarding Rachel Reeves’ CV and allegations regarding historic expenses as revealed by the BBC today.
Ms McDonagh also twice described the incident as an “expenses scandal”.
Speaking to Jo