Sir Keir Starmer has defended his UK-EU reset deal saying it will put a stop to “never-ending” passport queues and get British holidaymakers to the beach even quicker.
Sir Keir said the agreement would also “cut the price of the weekly shop” and “put money back in people’s pockets.”
The prime minister posted on X: “My deal with the EU means more Brits will be able to sail through the e-Gates instead. Getting you to the beach sooner.”
He said the deal “a clear message sent across the globe that Britain is back on the world stage”.
“Does [the deal] drive down bills? Does it drive up jobs? Does it strengthen our borders?
“And in each case, the answer is resoundingly ‘yes’.”
The Labour Party also criticised Nigel Farage for “failing to get off his sunbed” for the debate after it emerged he was on a three day foreign holiday.
The deal has sparked a backlash from the fishing industry and Brexiteers by striking a deal for EU fisherman to access British waters for 12 years, far longer than had been expected.
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Key Points
- Economic pain necessary to stabilise finances and cut interest, says Reeves
- UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violence
- Nigel Farage admits he is on holiday, missing Keir Starmer’s Commons statement on the EU reset
- Starmer releases video criticising 'poser' Farage
Rising wages will help ease cost-of-living, says Reeves
08:18
,
Jabed Ahmed
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said rising wages would help ease the cost-of-living squeeze.
She told broadcasters: “For the last few months, wages have been rising at a faster level than prices.
“That is welcome, but I do absolutely get that the cost-of-living challenges are still the biggest concern that families up and down our country have, which is why we are taking action with the national living wage, with free breakfast clubs, with freezing fuel duty because I am determined, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, to help relieve some of that pressure that families have been facing.”
Economic pain necessary to stabilise finances and cut interest, says Reeves
08:13
,
Jabed Ahmed
Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged that her policies had “consequences” but insisted it was necessary to stabilise the economy.
Asked if the inflation figures had been pushed up by measures including the hike in employers’ national insurance, she said: “When I became Chancellor last year, I faced the very difficult challenge that there was a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.
“We had to fix that, and if we hadn’t have done the Bank of England would not have been able to cut interest rates four times this last year, which has obviously had a direct effect on the mortgages and the rents that people pay.
“And also that money that we raised from national insurance, but also cracking down on non-doms, tax – VAT – on private schools, increasing capital gains, particularly on private equity firms, that money has gone into our National Health Service, which is why waiting lists and waiting times are going down after spiralling out of control the last few years.
“So I do recognise that all policies have consequences, but if I hadn’t have acted to stabilise the public finances, we would be in a worse position today.”
Steve Reed: ‘Israel has gone beyond self defence’
08:04
,
Holly Evans
Steve Reed has described the situation in Gaza as “intolerable” and said Benjamin Netanyahu is making things worse, not better.
The environment secretary doubled down on Sir Keir Starmer’s condemnation of the Israeli prime minister, calling for him to halt renewed hostilities.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “We are working closely with our allies and there are other allies as well who are trying to apply pressure on the Netanyahu government.”
And he added: “This has gone beyond self defence on the part of Israel, this is an attack that we can no longer tolerate.”
Reeves: ‘Disappointed… but we will go further and faster’
07:42
,
Holly Evans
Rachel Reeves has said she is disappointed by the rise in inflation, but that the government will go “further and faster” in a bid to cut bills.
The chancellor said the UK is still “a long way” from double digit inflation seen under the Conservatives.“But I'm determined that we go further and faster to put more money in people's pockets,” she said.
She added: “That's why we have increased the minimum wage for millions of working people, frozen fuel duty to protect commuters and struck three trade deals in the past two weeks that will go towards cutting bills."
I know the cost of living is still weighing down on working people.
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) May 21, 2025
That's why we have increased the minimum wage, frozen fuel duty and begun rolling out free breakfast clubs in schools.
But I’m determined we go further and faster to put more money in people's pockets.
Tories: Country paying the price for Labour failings
07:34
,
Holly Evans
The Conservatives have said the country is paying the price for Labour’s failings in government.
Responding to the inflation increase, shadow chancellor Mel Stride said the news was “worrying for families”.
He said: “We left Labour with inflation bang on target, but Labour’s economic mismanagement is pushing up the cost of living for families - on top of the £3,500 hit to households from the Chancellor's damaging Jobs Tax. Higher inflation could also mean interest rates stay higher for longer, hitting family finances hard.”
This morning's news that inflation has jumped to 3.5% – well above the 2% target – is worrying for families, and the Bank of England expect it to rise even further.
— Mel Stride (@MelJStride) May 21, 2025
We left Labour with inflation bang on target, but Labour’s economic mismanagement is pushing up the cost of living… https://t.co/qsPkgMcwe1
Environment secretary says inflation rise is 'disappointing'
07:18
,
Holly Evans
Cabinet minister Steve Reed acknowledged the rise in inflation was “disappointing”.
The Environment Secretary told Times Radio: “I recognise these are disappointing figures. I know how much people are struggling with the cost of living crisis, but no one said that this problem could be fixed overnight.
“And I think you have to look at these figures in the round, we’ve brought double-digit inflation way down now.
“We’re stabilising the economy. We’re putting money back in people’s pockets with an increase in the minimum wage that puts £1,400-a-year into the pockets of some of the lowest paid.
“We’ve seen fuel duty frozen. We’ve had four interest rate cuts in a row now, and for the first quarter of this year, we now have the fastest growth in the G7 so there’s a lot of positive information out there as well.”
Inflation soars to highest for more than a year on ‘awful April’ bill increases
07:17
,
Holly Evans
UK inflation surged to its highest level for more than a year last month after households were hit by a raft of “awful April” bill increases, official figures have revealed.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation hit 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March and the highest since January 2024.
Economists had been expecting a rise to 3.3% last month.
ONS acting director-general Grant Fitzner said: “Significant increases in household bills caused inflation to climb steeply.
“Gas and electricity bills rose this month compared with sharp falls at the same time last year due to changes to the Ofgem energy price cap.
“Water and sewerage bills also rose strongly this year, as did vehicle excise duty, which all pushed the headline rate up to its highest level since the beginning of last year.”
With the Brexit reset, Kemi Badenoch has been stitched up like a kipper
07:00
,
Barney Davis
As the Conservatives scream ‘betrayal’ at the new agreement with EU – which will only make life easier for ordinary Brits, and be beneficial to business – they have fallen into an obvious trap set for them by Keir Starmer, says Sean O’Grady.
Labour postpones women’s conference over Supreme Court transgender ruling
06:03
,
Barney Davis
Labour has postponed its women’s conference because of the risk of protests and legal challenge following the Supreme Court ruling on gender.
The party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Tuesday to postpone the event, which was due to take place in September, pending a review.
A leaked advice paper had recommended postponing it because the “only legally defensible alternative” would be to restrict attendance to biological women.
The NEC also decided to extend the terms of those serving on the National Labour Women’s Committee until a conference takes place and elections can be held.
A Labour Party spokesperson said the party must make sure all its procedures “comply with the Supreme Court’s clear ruling” and that it would make any changes required with “sensitivity and care”.
The Supreme Court ruled in April that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.
Zelensky and Starmer share another phone call
05:01
,
Barney Davis
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held another phone conversation with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to thank him for new sanctions on Russia.
A spokesman for Zelensky said: “The Head of State expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for the new sanctions that target entities in Russia’s military, energy, and financial sectors and contribute to forcing the Russian Federation toward peace.
“Additionally, the European Union today approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia.
“The President noted that European partners are already preparing the next steps in exerting pressure on Russia to end the war, adding that it would be good if the United States also helped.
“Volodymyr Zelensky and Sir Keir Starmer discussed the key elements of their joint diplomatic efforts and potential meetings that can really ensure a ceasefire and progress toward lasting peace.
“They also talked about yesterday’s conversation with US President Donald Trump and joint actions within the Coalition of the Willing.”
David Lammy announces Israel to be hit with sanctions
04:02
,
Barney Davis
Trump ‘wants UK to boost defence spending to 3% by 2029’
03:02
,
Barney Davis
Donald Trump is demanding that the UK boost its defence spending to set an example for the rest of Europe, according to The Times.
Pentagon chiefs said the US president would be “happier” if the UK increased their defence budget by tens of billions so that it hit 3 per cent of GDP by 2029.
Brits won't be able to use EU e-gates until October
02:01
,
Barney Davis
British holidaymakers are expected to queue for a while yet at passport control despite Labour’s promises.
According to the UK-EU agreement, there will “no legal barriers to e-gate use for British nationals travelling to and from EU member states after the introduction of the EU entry/exit system (EES)”.
But The Guardian reported that it is not being implemented until October at the earliest when it will be phased in over six months.
Tories face wipeout as they drop to fourth place in major poll
01:02
,
Barney Davis
Tories face wipeout as they drop to fourth place in major poll
A poll by YouGov has left Kemi Badenoch’s party on just 16 per cent with the Lib Dems passing them on 17 per cent.
Archie Mitchell and David Maddox report:
Starmer says he won't stand for lavish Thames Water bonuses
Wednesday 21 May 2025 00:01
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer has supported the decision to refuse Thames Water bosses lavish bonuses after it was given a £3bn emergency loan.
The Prime Minister posted on X: “Bonuses for failure? We won’t stand for it.”
The FT reported crisis talks between Ofwat, the government, the utility, and its creditors held over the weekend agreed to “pause and reconsider the retention payments”.
“All the parties recognise that the payments are a distraction from the major issues at hand.”
Words of Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s mother read out in Parliament in emotional speech by MP
Tuesday 20 May 2025 23:00
,
Barney Davis
Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s heartbroken mother’s words have been spoken in Parliament by an MP, as measures to compel criminals to appear in the dock for sentencing were brought to the Commons.
Anneliese Midgley read out Cheryl Korbel’s victim’s statement, which her nine-year-old daughter’s killer Thomas Cashman “refused to hear” in court.
“Let her words ring out in this chamber, like they should have done in Cashman’s ears that day,” Midgeley said.
In her victim statement, Ms Korbel described Olivia as “the light of our lives, our beautiful, sassy, chatty girl who never ran out of energy”.
Ms Korbel had also said: “My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv and not being with her when she needed me the most, I was the first person to hold my baby girl, and as her mum, I should have been the last.
“I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams, the utter devastation he has caused, he doesn’t care, how could he?
“His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled. That man set out to do a job and he didn’t care about anyone else or who got in the way. He certainly couldn’t own it either.”
Vaccine maker’s £1bn UK investment to create ‘hundreds of high-skilled jobs’
Tuesday 20 May 2025 22:01
,
Barney Davis
A major investment by a Covid-19 vaccine pioneer will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and fund new research centres, the Government has said.
Biopharmaceutical company BioNTech has announced funding of up to £1 billion into the UK over the next 10 years.
Reform UK's Darren Grimes complains about being banned from Durham's mining gala
Tuesday 20 May 2025 21:00
,
Barney Davis
The Durham Miners’ Gala has banned Reform UK councillors from attending the “biggest working class demonstration and event in the world”.
The General Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association (DMA) said Reform politicians will “never” be invited to the historic event, which dates back to 1871.
Nigel Farage pays tribute to 'patriot' Patrick O'Flynn
Tuesday 20 May 2025 20:30
,
Barney Davis
Nigel Farage has lead tributes to political journalist and top Brexiteer Patrick O’Flynn who has reportedly passed away.
The Reform UK leader said on X: “So sad to hear of the passing of Patrick O’Flynn.
“Paddy was a great journalist, a great thinker, a great patriot and a titan of our joint cause. Thank you Paddy.”
Former MEP and previously a political editor of the Daily Express, Patrick O'Flynn died at the age of 59.
Would it do the Tories any favours to bring back Boris Johnson?
Tuesday 20 May 2025 20:00
,
Barney Davis
As the party grasps at straws to revive itself following its recent electoral failures, my colleague Sean O’Grady puts paid to the notion that reinstating Johnson would be a good idea:
Farage can't get up from sunbed - Labour
Tuesday 20 May 2025 19:50
,
Archie Mitchell
Responding to Nigel Farage confirming he is on holiday while MPs debated the deal with the EU, a Labour spokesman said: “Nigel Farage clearly cares so passionately about this issue he’s decided he can’t get up from his sunbed to represent his constituents or his party.
“He’s not a leader – he’s an opportunist who just talks Britain down whenever it suits him.”
Labour MP warns UK to 'counter China's influence'
Tuesday 20 May 2025 19:02
,
Barney Davis
Labour MPs have urged the government prevent the Chinese Communist Party from acquiring critical British infrastructure
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, told PoliticsHome: "The public are rightly cautious about UK engagement with China under the CCP regime and the government should be too.
"The upcoming ‘China audit’ is an opportunity for a new, clear-eyed approach to dealing with the CCP’s economic, political and geopolitical reach.
"From critical national infrastructure and political freedoms to R&D and intellectual property, we know that China is seeking to exert influence in the UK and we should be stepping up our efforts to counter it."
Conservative question 'part-time' Nigel Farage's stamina after French holiday reports
Tuesday 20 May 2025 18:38
,
Barney Davis
Conservatives have lashed out at Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader allegedly missed the Commons debate on Labour’s deal with the EU because he was on holiday.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “On the day that the Labour Government surrenders our national interest to the EU and betrays our fishermen, the part-time leader of Reform UK is sunning himself in Europe while Parliament is sitting.
“He clearly doesn’t have the stamina to stand up to Starmer.
“Only the Conservatives are providing proper opposition to this disastrous Labour Government.”
Nigel Farage admits he is on holiday, missing Keir Starmer’s Commons statement on the EU reset
Tuesday 20 May 2025 18:11
,
Barney Davis
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has admitted he is on holiday after Sir Keir Starmer called him out for not being in the Commons to debate his EU deal.
He told The Times: “There seems to be great consternation in the press that they have not seen me for 48 hours. Well, they will have to wait some time.
“After months of touring the UK in the run up to our hugely successful local election campaign I will resume travelling the country next week as Reform moves to the next stage.
“Meanwhile I am having my first overseas break for 3 years, the jungle excepted. Well I say break… plenty of articles and fundraising calls.”
Britons are split on whether the Brexit reset deal with the EU is a good or bad deal - latest YouGov poll
Tuesday 20 May 2025 17:56
,
Barney Davis
'This Government is beginning the long and hard work of rebuilding our justice system'
Tuesday 20 May 2025 17:23
,
Barney Davis
New legislation that will reform sentencing powers and support for victims in England and Wales is part of the Government’s “long and hard work” to reform the justice system, the Justice Secretary has said.
Outlining the motives behind the Victims and Courts Bill, Shabana Mahmood said: “When this Government took office just 10 months ago we inherited a justice system in crisis. Our prisons were on the point of collapse, the backlog in our courts was at record levels and rising fast, and victims were all too often paying the price.
“This Government is beginning the long and hard work of rebuilding our justice system so it serves victims once more.”
Ms Mahmood said the Government’s aim was to ensure justice was swift, that prisons did not become full and victims are not traumatised by engaging in the justice system.
She said: “We are reforming sentencing so that our prisons never run out of space again and there is always space inside for dangerous offenders.”
Free speech not dead, says Starmer as wife of Tory councillor refused prison appeal
Tuesday 20 May 2025 16:53
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer signalled he did not believe free speech was dead in the UK after a woman was refused an appeal bid against her 31-month sentence for inciting racial hatred in the wake of the Southport riots.
Asked if Lucy Connolly – the wife of a Tory councillor – losing her appeal bid meant free speech was dead in the UK, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “I’m not across the details of the particular case, but let me give you the principles that I would apply.
“Firstly, I’m strongly in favour of free speech. We’ve had free speech in this country for a very, very long time, and we protect it fiercely.
“I’m equally, though, against incitement to violence against other people. That has long been an offence in our country, and rightly so.
“So, as I say, I don’t know the details of this, but free speech: yes; incitement to violence: no.”
Cambridge college cuts ties with arms companies after student protest
Tuesday 20 May 2025 16:24
A University of Cambridge college has announced it will divest from arms companies following student protests.
King’s College said on Tuesday that its governing body has voted to “adopt a new responsible investment policy” to align with the values of its community.
It comes after pro-Palestine protesters staged demonstrations and set up encampments against the war in Gaza at Cambridge University last year.
Student-led group Cambridge for Palestine has been calling on the university to divest from companies “complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine”.
Under the new policy, King’s College’s financial investments will exclude companies that are involved in activities “generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation”.
It will also exclude companies which produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons.
Sir Ed Davey takes the mick out of Kemi Badenoch using savage hotdog meme
Tuesday 20 May 2025 16:11
,
Barney Davis
Sir Ed Davey has mocked the Conservatives for complaining about Labour’s deal with the EU with a superbly pointed meme.
Incredible scenes from Kemi Badenoch’s speech on our trade relationship with Europe. pic.twitter.com/FECxRslFkr
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) May 20, 2025
Kemi Badenoch had told the Commons: “The Prime Minister can dress it up as much as he wants, but he has failed. It is bad for bills, it is bad for jobs, and it is bad for borders. This is not a deal made for Britain; this is a deal made for Labour’s PR to show them on the world stage. Well, it is a stitch-up for our country, for their short-term headlines.”
The quote originates from Netflix comedy I Think I Should Leave where Tim Robinson in a hot dog costume tries to pretend he is not the one who has crashed a hot dog-shaped car.
Sir Keir browses the bargains in Lidl as ministers tie up EU deal
Tuesday 20 May 2025 16:02
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer said supermarket workers were in the Government’s “mind’s eye” as ministers were striking a trade deal with the EU.
As he spoke with Lidl staff at a shop in north London, the Prime Minister added: “With this deal, I wanted to come see you, because as Rachel (Reeves) says, what this deal is all about is getting rid of the red tape, getting rid of the bureaucracy and bringing the price of food, in particular agricultural products, down.
“That will have a massive impact on reducing bills and the prices that people have to pay, and it will help jobs to thrive in businesses like this.”
The Lidl store on Tottenham Court Road, north London, is within the Prime Minister’s constituency, Holborn and St Pancras.
Israel hits back at 'unjustifiable' sanctions on settlers
Tuesday 20 May 2025 15:50
,
Barney Davis
Responding to David Lammy’s announcement suspending trade deal talks with Israel and sanctioning West Bank settlers, Israel’s Foreign Ministry hit back on X.
They said: “Following the UK’s announcement that it will suspend free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and impose sanctions on settlers: Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government.
“More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries. If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative.
“The sanctions against residents of Judea and Samaria are unjustified, and regrettable, especially at a time when Israel is mourning yet another victim of Palestinian terror — Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room.
“Doctors continue fighting for her newborn’s life in hospital. The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.”
Keir Starmer vows to get Brits to the beach sooner
Tuesday 20 May 2025 15:44
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed his agreement with the EU which gives UK tourists in Europe easier access to passport e-gates.
The prime minister posted on X: “You know how it goes: all you want to do is start your holiday, but you get off the plane to never-ending queues at passport control.
“My deal with the EU means more Brits will be able to sail through the e-Gates instead. Getting you to the beach sooner.”
Prime Minister apologises for ‘overly rude’ comment that MP ‘talks rubbish’
Tuesday 20 May 2025 15:22
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer has said his comment that the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader “talks rubbish” was “overly rude”.
The Prime Minister apologised to Liz Saville Roberts at the despatch box on Tuesday, as he took questions about the UK agreement with the European Union.
Ms Saville Roberts told the Commons: “The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, ‘we should retain the benefits of the single market’.
“Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?”
Sir Keir replied: “I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise.
“I do respect the honourable member.”
Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described “red lines” on the single market in Labour’s 2024 manifesto and added the Government had “kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal”.
UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violence
Tuesday 20 May 2025 14:52
,
Barney Davis
The UK has slapped Israel with further sanctions and suspended trade talks with the country in response to violence against Palestinians in Gaza.
My colleague Political Correspondent Millie Cooke with the latest:
Science minister hails potential of mRNA cancer vaccines amid £1bn BioNTech deal
Tuesday 20 May 2025 15:03
,
Barney Davis
The British government will today sign a £1billion-pound deal with Covid-vaccine maker BioNTech to advance mRNA technology which could prevent cancers from developing.
BioNTech is looking to set up three “centres of excellence” in the Britain which will use AI to develop new drugs.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the Mirror: “There are two totally transformative technologies coming together - mRNA as a tool for vaccines plus artificial intelligence. We as a country can be not just a leading force, but the superpower that the world needs when it comes to treating disease.”
“The Holy Grail is always stopping people getting cancer in the first place and mRNA treatments are preventative. We are in the foothills of the age where we could be treated for diseases that are not currently present in our bodies and actually the technology is leading in that direction faster than people realise. This is something that this government wants to be at the forefront of so it is British people who benefit first, while we also contribute to the global good.”
Starmer releases video criticising 'poser' Farage
Tuesday 20 May 2025 14:33
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer has released the opening of his speech to the House of Commons today where he hit back at critics of his EU deal.
He said: “It’s also the member for Clapton – who is not here – the member for Kingston, who have both shown in their own ways, that their parties simply do not care. And if your whole approach to our allies is about striking a pose, then you don’t get to strike a deal.”
The Tories said deals couldn’t be done. They just meant they couldn’t do them.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 20, 2025
My Labour government got on with the job and secured three in two weeks.
We will always put British people first. pic.twitter.com/unInG5gn4U
Latest YouGov poll shows 64% of Brits disapprove of Labour's record
Tuesday 20 May 2025 14:07
,
Barney Davis
YouGov asked Brits do you approve or disapprove of the Government’s record to date?
Starmer told EU deal a 'bitter betrayal of British youth'
Tuesday 20 May 2025 13:42
,
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer’s deal with the EU is “a bitter betrayal of British youth”, Conservative MP Esther McVey (Tatton) claimed, specifically referring to “white working class boys who suffer the most”.
She told the Commons: “With youth unemployment higher in Europe, in countries like France, Spain, Portugal and Sweden, I can see why the EU pushed for a youth mobility scheme to help get their youth unemployment figures down.
“So can the Prime Minister tell the House what impact assessment he has done on his youth scheme for youth unemployment for young Brits, particularly white working class boys who suffer the most and can he tell the House today the cap he has put on numbers f
