Wes Streeting launched a full-throttle attack against Reform UK but refused to explicitly criticise Sir Keir Starmer in his resignation speech.
Speaking in the Commons, the former health secretary said Labour “risk handing the keys of No 10” to Nigel Farage’s party, while also warning Scottish and Welsh nationalism were an “existential threat” to the future of the UK.
But Mr Streeting, who mounted a Labour leadership challenge after quitting the Cabinet last week, fell short of denouncing his former boss, instead praising the "choices made by this Labour Government" on healthcare and the economy.
He also set out his vision of a “confident British patriotism” and urged the Government to boost defence spending "more rapidly".
Mr Streeting told MPs: “The future of this country will not be built by setting neighbour against neighbour, it will be built by renewing the bonds between us, decent jobs, strong public services, safe communities, a place we can call home, and a sense that everyone has a stake in Britain’s success.
"That is the patriotism we need today, not a brittle nationalism built on grievance but a confident British patriotism, decent, fair-minded, internationalist, bound together in common endeavour, with a conviction that our greatest strength has always been one another."
Mr Streeting warned Labour against "treading water" under Sir Keir Starmer.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
John Healey confirms UK has demarched Russia over 'totally unacceptable' RAF interference
John Healey has said the UK has made formal representations to Russia after two jets “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an RAF spy plane above the Black Sea.
The Defence Secretary told the Commons: “Today, I’ve revealed details of the dangerous interference with the RAF Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft by two Russian jets over the Black Sea, an unarmed surveillance aircraft.
“And we have demarched the Russians over this totally unacceptable act.”
A Russian Su-35 jet flew so close to the British reconnaissance aircraft that it triggered its emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot.
It is the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint aircraft since a plane fired a missile over the Black Sea in 2022, according to the MoD.
This comes after the Defence Secretary last month revealed the UK had tracked three Russian submarines that loitered over critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic for a month before retreating.
Yvette Cooper 'truly appalled' by footage of British nationals detained in Israel
The Foreign Office is in touch with the families of British activists detained in Israel, Yvette Cooper has said.
More than 400 people, including a number of British nationals and the sister of the president of Ireland, have been detained after taking part in an aid flotilla attempting to get past Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
In a post on X, the Foreign Secretary said: “We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support.”
Ms Cooper also condemned videos posted by Israeli national security minister, Iamar Ben-Gvir, taunting detained activists in what appeared to be a makeshift detention area at Ashdod, on Israel’s coast.
The videos, released by Mr Ben-Gvir earlier today, also showed some activists with their hands tied behind their backs and kneeling with their heads touching the floor.
Ms Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the footage, adding: “This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.”
"We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved.”
Tories reveal Makerfield by-election candidate with warning 'by-election not about Andy Burnham or Nigel Farage’s ego'
Michael Winstanley with stand for the Conservatives in the Makerfield by-election on June 18 | GETTYThe Conservative Party has announced Michael Winstanley as their candidate in the Makerfield by-election to contest Labour's Andy Burnham and Reform's Robert Kenyon on June 18.
Mr Winstanley was born and lives in Makerfield, having grown up above his parents’ corner shop in Ashton-in-Makerfield - joining the party aged 17.
In 1997, Winstanley was selected as the Conservative candidate for the Makerfield constituency, later being elected as Wigan councillor for Orrell in 2000, where he served for 16 years.
The eager candidate said: “I am honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Makerfield. This is the community where I grew up and where I have spent my life working, volunteering and serving local people."
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Education Secretary defends Gemma Collins' involvement in Department for Education posts
Bridget Phillipson has defended the move to feature reality TV star Gemma Collins in a series of Department for Education social media posts.
After criticism of the videos, the Education Secretary said responses revealed “a big dose of snobbery”.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 45, has appeared in three clips, and was not paid for the meeting, or for the making of the posts, the department said on Tuesday.
Ms Phillipson told the BBC: “I do have to come back to this point that I think a lot of the comments that I’ve seen on social media and elsewhere, there is a big dose of snobbery here - ‘What’s she got to offer? What does she have to contribute?’ - I do have to question why people are saying that and I do think it is snobby.
“She can reach some of the audiences that we want to reach to make sure that they know what government is trying to do to work with them.
“People have said to me so many times you’ve got to raise the status of technical and vocation education, you’ve got to meet people where they are, go to the audience and meet them where they are, I do that and then everybody says well, Gemma Collins has got nothing to offer.”
Government trade deal with Gulf states set to boost UK economy by sizeable £3.7bn a year
The UK has become the first G7 country to agree a trade deal with a bloc of Gulf states, in an agreement the Government said would boost the economy by an estimated £3.7 billion every year.
The deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - an alliance including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates - would also increase domestic wages by £1.9 billion annually in the long run, the Government said.
Under the free trade agreement, tariffs will be removed on exports such as food, medical equipment and advanced manufacturing, while the deal includes “first-of-its-kind” GCC commitments on the free flow of data.
An estimated £580 million in duties a year will be removed, based on current UK exports to GCC countries, once the agreement is fully implemented.
Negotiations on the deal began four years ago, when the expectation was that the deal could boost UK gross domestic product by £1.6 billion.
John Swinney unveils his new cabinet in Holyrood
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has unveiled his new cabinet - with Jenny Gilruth taking the top role of deputy.
Mr Swinney was legally sworn in as Scotland's leader at the Court of Session earlier today.
The Scottish government said the cabinet of nine is down from the 12 before the Holyrood election.
It includes the first ever cabinet secretary for public service reform, who will lead cross-government work "to ensure public services are responsive to the needs of the people of Scotland".
Responsibility for independence and the constitution will now sit directly with Mr Swinney.
The new Scottish government cabinet is as follows:
- Jenny Gilruth, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for finance and local government;
- Ivan McKee, cabinet secretary for public service reform;
- Neil Gray, cabinet secretary for justice;
- Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for health and care;
- Gillian Martin, cabinet secretary for climate action and rural affairs;
- Mairi McAllan, cabinet secretary for education, culture and Gaelic;
- Shirley-Anne Somerville, cabinet secretary for social justice and housing;
- Stephen Flynn, cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport.
Makerfield by-election confirmed for Thursday June 18
The Makerfield by-election will take place on Thursday June 18, Wigan council has confirmed.
'Reform are into fantasy economics', says Mel Stride as he bats away suggestions of a deal between the two parties
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride told GB News Reform are embroiled in "fantasy economics", and that no deals should be struck between Nigel Farage and the Conservatives.
When asked if the yet to be announced Conservative candidate should stand down in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, he replied: "No, absolutely not, if the suggestion is that we should be doing something that would be helpful to Reform."
The suggestion of the party forfeiting it's candidate comes amid concern of a split vote between the two parties - all but parachuting Andy Burnham into a seat.
"On the economy, Reform are fantasy. They're into fantasy economics, and the reality is the kind of unfunded commitments they make on tax, on spending, we see it left right and centre.
"It would actually have a major impact on our economy, and we really shouldn't be doing any deals with reform at all."
Government 'failure' as Sussex asylum accommodation could stay open until 2030
A military camp temporarily housing asylum seekers could stay open until 2030, a “dismayed” local council has said.
Wealden District Council said it had seen court papers showing Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex will have the option to remain open well beyond the 12 months originally planned.
The site could accommodate up to 500 adult male migrants while their claims for asylum in the UK are being processed, the first of whom moved in at the start of the year.
The council said it was disappointed by the Government’s “failure to communicate openly”.
The camp was handed over to the Home Office by the Ministry of Defence for a year, while longer-term accommodation options are found.
Border security and asylum minister Alex Norris previously told MPs the use of the site would be “temporary”, as the Government vowed to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament.
Rachel Reeves clashes with 'bad-mannered' heckler at Leeds petrol station
Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit back at a heckler who shouted at her while she tried to answer questions from the media, telling him: “I love our country, and one of the things about our country is good manners.”
She was interrupted by the man during the broadcast interview at a petrol station in Leeds, who told her the Government was “ruining the country” and said “get Keir Starmer out”.
As the heckler drove his truck out of the station, he said out of the window: “I’ve got British flags on.
“Am I going to get arrested? We’ve got English flags on here, Rachel, am I going to get arrested? Look at Rachel Reeves there, with a smile on her face.”
Ms Reeves then told him: “I love our country. I love our country, and one of the things about our country is good manners. Not very British.”
Updated Government guidance for single-sex spaces set to land tomorrow
Long-awaited updated guidance on single-sex spaces intended to publish this month is expected to be arrive tomorrow, before Parliament goes into recess.
The code of practice for services, public functions and associations covers nine protected characteristics including age, sex, disability, race and gender reassignment, and has been updated in full for the first time since 2011.
It is aimed at guiding businesses and other organisations such as leisure centres and hospitals on how they can follow equality law, including in provision of single and separate-sex services such as toilets and changing rooms.
It will face parliamentary scrutiny before coming into force.
Women’s rights campaigners have said it must mark “an important turning point”, while trans rights activists have insisted it must “protect trans people’s participation in public life”.
Labour warned against 'treading water' under Keir Starmer
Wes Streeting has warned Labour against "treading water" under Sir Keir Starmer.
It comes after he stepped down from Sir Keir's Cabinet following heavy Labour losses in the local elections.
Speaking to the Commons, Mr Streeting said: "I don’t believe our party has time to waste in government treading water. Because the thing about emergencies is that they make the impossible possible. Look back at the crises we’ve confronted.
"We couldn’t vaccinate against the deadly virus, until we could. We couldn’t nationalise the banking system, until we could.
"We couldn’t reorient our entire manufacturing base towards building aircraft, until we could. We couldn’t build hundreds of thousands of homes fit for heroes, until we could.
"In times of greatest peril, our country has been capable of doing great things; we still can.
"Britain used to punch above its weight in the world, we still can. Each generation used to provide a better future for the next, we still can."
'We need to invest more heavily in our defence', says Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting has said that Britain needs to invest more heavily in defence.
He told the Commons: "Nato secretary-general is right to warn today that our alliance has an unhealthy reliance on one ally.
"We need to invest more heavily in our defence and more rapidly.
"I know my Right Honourable friend the Defence Secretary and his team do not need persuading on this, nor do they need lectures from the Conservative Party who ran down our capability and now have the audacity to heckle from the sidelines like the arsonists complaining that the fire brigade hasn’t turned up quickly enough."
Wes Streeting: 'We would have been better off leading Europe than leaving the European Union'
Wes Streeting has claimed the UK was better off staying in the EU.
It comes after Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has sparked a major political row by declaring that Britain must eventually rejoin the European Union, calling Brexit a "catastrophic mistake".
Mr Streeting said: "When I gave my maiden speech 11 years ago, I argued that none of the problems facing our country would be solved by leaving the European Union.
"Today, in the dangerous and volatile world we find ourselves in, dominated by an unpredictable superpower in the USA, a rising superpower in China, and a failed superpower in Russia.., It is even more clear that we would have been better off leading Europe than leaving the European Union."
Wes Streeting: 'We must reject the politics that tries to divide us'
Wes Streeting has urged the Commons to "reject the politics that tries to divide us" as he gives a passionate address to the House.
Mr Streeting said: "Nationalism is not progressive and nationalism and patriotism are not the same thing. Nationalism says look inward, protect your own, turn away from the others.
"Patriotism says this country is strongest when we are confident enough to be outward-looking, generous and united.
"United but not always the same. On these benches we believe in a stronger Scotland and a stronger Wales as part of a fairer United Kingdom.”
He added: "We must reject the politics that tries to divide us, whether it’s dividing the countries of the United Kingdom or the people who call Britain their home. The nurse from Nigeria is not the enemy of the factory worker in Newcastle.
"The family fleeing war is not responsible for the cost of living crisis. Division is the oldest trick in politics and Britain deserves better than that."
Andy Burnham’s fight is 'Hope over hate', says Wes Streeting
Andy Burnham’s fight is "Hope over hate", says Wes Streeting as he claims Labour is in a "fight for the soul of our country".
Mr Streeting said: "Win the battles we thought that were long since won. Of progressives against reactionaries, of patriots versus nationalists, of hope over hate.
"That is our fight, it’s Andy Burnham’s fight in Makerfield and it is Labour’s fight for the soul of our country.
"For too long, and for too often, patriotism in Britain has been left to the loudest voices and the narrowest arguments, as though love of country belongs to one tribe, one country or one point of view.
"But the Britain I believe in is bigger than that because patriotism is not about who you exclude, it is about who you stand beside.
"It is not rooted in fear or change or suspicion of difference, it is rooted in solidarity, in the belief that we rise or fall together.
"That is the best of our country’s story, a Britain where people from different backgrounds, different faiths, different nations and regions still see themselves in one another.
"A country where the son of Indian pharmacists can become our first Hindu prime minister without having his Englishness questioned, a patriotism not built on blood and soil but built on shared values, shared institutions and shared responsibilities."
Wes Streeting: 'We are in the fight of our lives against nationalism'
Wes Streeting has claimed Labour are losing the fight to nationalism as he labelled Reform UK "a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great".
The former health secretary said: “I left the Government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism and it is a fight that we are currently losing.
"Unless we change course we risk handing the keys of No10 to Reform and I do not want that on our consciences.
"For the first time in our history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom.”
Wes Streeting: 'I won’t pretend that leaving government hasn’t been an emotional wrench'
He told the Commons: "I won’t pretend that leaving government hasn’t been an emotional wrench.
"The scars I bear on my abdomen from my cancer treatment are a daily reminder to me of a time in my life not so long ago when I wasn’t thinking about politics, only survival, and the NHS was there for me when I needed it.
"Walking through the doors of my department every day as the person entrusted with protecting the very service that saved my life has been an enormous responsibility and the most enormous privilege, and not one that I gave up lightly or hastily.”
'NHS is on the road to recovery', says Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting is giving his resignation speech in the House of Commons.
He began by claiming he left the NHS in a better place than he found it.
The former health secretary said: "Thanks to the choices made by this Labour Government the NHS is on the road to recovery, waiting lists fell by 110,000 in March, the single biggest fall in a single month outside of the pandemic for 17 years.
"Ambulance response times for heart attacks and strokes are now the fastest in five years, patient satisfaction with access to general practice has gone from 60 per cent to 75 per cent.
"And at a time when public trust in politics is low, we hit our target of recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers three years early.
"And on social care I’m proud that we’re putting in an extra £4billion worth of investment, that we’ve delivered the biggest expansion of carers’ allowance since the 1970s, that the £150million extra in the disabled facilities grant is providing more dignity, freedom and independence to thousands more disabled people, and that the first ever fair pay agreements will be delivered in social care. Because the people who care for our loved ones should never struggle to care for their own."
Ed Miliband pushes for Chancellor job as Cabinet ministers woo Andy Burnham for top roles
Ed Miliband is said to have made a major push to become Chancellor of the Exchequer under an Andy Burnham premiership.
The Energy Secretary is believed to be the favourite to replace Rachel Reeves in the Treasury should Sir Keir Starmer lose a leadership challenge to the Manchester Mayor.
Mr Miliband's special adviser has been sent to Makerfield to campaign for Mr Burnham in the upcoming by-election.
The same adviser was also sent in February to campaign in Gorton and Denton, which was won by the Greens' Hannah Spencer.
Nigel Farage joins Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon in Makerfield
Reform UK has announced self-employed plumber Robert Kenyon as the party's candidate for the crucial Makerfield by-election
|X/NIGEL FARAGE
Reform UK has announced self-employed plumber Robert Kenyon as the party's candidate for the crucial Makerfield by-election to challenge Andy Burnham's bid to return to Westminster.
Mr Kenyon, who has served as an army reservist and previously worked as a technician for the NHS in Lancashire, also ran in the 2024 election, where he finished in second place.
Nigel Farage previous decribed the by-election as a "David versus Goliath battle".
He said: "This is ‘the plucky plumber’ taking on ‘open borders Burnham’. Only Reform UK can beat Labour in this by-election.”
The by-election was triggered after Josh Simmons MP forfeited his seat to make way for Mr Burnham, who is using the vote as a means to re-enter Parliament and launch a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister.
Andy Burnham 'working on plans for first 100 days in No10' - before he's even been elected to Parliament
Andy Burnham is "working on plans for first 100 days in No10" before he has even been elected to Parliament.
The Greater Manchester Mayor's team is said to be drafting an agenda for his first three months as Prime Minister.
Plans are in their infancy, according to three insiders who have worked with Mr Burnham, but will likely address England's struggling social care system.
It comes as staff are also having to revisit historical comments made by Mr Burnham.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester previously argued that it is a "minority view" that female-only toilets should be exclusive for biological women.
Keir Starmer forced to halt PMQs and 'correct the record' after 'North Korea' gaffe
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was forced to "correct the record" during Prime Minister's Questions after a gaffe about North Korea.
After being handed a note in the Chamber, Sir Keir told MPs: "I've just been handed a note saying that I inadvertently said we did a trade deal with North Korea, rather than South Korea. That would be breaking news!"
MPs descended into a fit of laughter as Sir Keir continued: "So before I'm referred to the Privileges committee, can I correct the record? It was a slip of the tongue, but a pretty unfortunate one."
Suspended MP accuses Labour Party whips of launching 'discriminatory briefings' against him
Suspended Hull East MP Karl Turner accused Downing Street and Labour Party whips of launching "discriminatory briefings" against him.
He alleged they weaponised his history of mental health struggles to undermine him politically.
He told the Prime Minister: "From 1997 the Prime Minister campaigned to scrap single-judge trials in Northern Ireland.
"Yet when I opposed his Government’s plan to bring in single-judge trials in England and Wales, I received hostile briefings, and smears about my mental health from the lads in 10 Downing Street.
"The Chief Whip’s shaking his head but he knows about it.
"The Prime Minister knows that my nephew Matty took his own life as a result of work-related stress as a young criminal lawyer.
"So during mental health awareness week, while ministers spoke with compassion about health and well-being, did the Prime Minister reflect on those hostile, discriminatory briefings which he knew about and he allowed to happen?"
The Prime Minister said he "totally understands" the impact Mr Turner's nephew's death had on him.
He added: "I want to be absolutely clear that nobody should be smeared in relation to mental health, nobody, on any issue, whatever they may argue on any other issue, nobody. And I will do everything I can to make sure that is the position."
Keir Starmer brutally shuts down Hannah Spencer in fiery PMQs exchange: 'You think your leader walks on water!'
Hannah Spencer has sparked a major political debate by publicly criticising the 'unprofessional' drinking culture in Parliament
|GB NEWS
Green MP Hannah Spencer has been brutally shut down by Sir Keir Starmer after attempting to call for a ban on alcohol for MPs in Westminster.
During a fiery Prime Minister's Questions exchange Ms Spencer called on the Prime Minister to stop politicians from "drinking cheap alcohol at work".
In her first question to the Prime Minister, she told the House of Commons: "In Gorton and Denton, we have to pay full price for a pint. But here, for some reason, it's cheaper. Some MPs drink before voting, and that really shocked me when I came to Parliament, because it is our workplace."
MPs began to erupt at Ms Spencer's call to ban alcohol as she asked Sir Keir: "Does the Prime Minister agree with his own MPs who've defended their right to drink cheap alcohol at work, or does he agree with me that MPs shouldn't be drinking on the job?"
Behind the Green MP, Reform UK's Sarah Pochin can be seen telling Ms Spencer to "get a life" and "throw her policies out", as MPs continued to jeer at her question.
Taking aim at Mr Polanski and his recent council tax scandal, Sir Keir swiped: "And I know the Greens think that their leader walks on water - it turns out that he lives on water and does not pay his council tax!"
Keir Starmer avoids ruling out re-joining EU as he praises 'closer' ties with Brussel
Keir Starmer has avoided ruling out re-joining the EU
|GB NEWS
Keir Starmer has avoided ruling out re-joining the EU as he praises "closer" ties with Brussels.
When asked "which of his potential successors" he agrees with the Prime Minister said: "My position is very clear, we have already negotiated a closer relationship with the EU, we did that last year.
"We have another negotiation and agreement this year in the summer when we’ll get even closer and take a big step forward in relation to our relationship with the EU, which is in our national interest."
It comes after Wes Streeting explicitly advocated for the UK to rejoin the European Union "one day," while Andy Burnham argued that the UK should not consider rejoining right now to avoid rerunning toxic Brexit debates.
Keir Starmer fails to rule out future cuts to Britain’s foreign aid budget
Sir Keir Starmer has failed to rule out future cuts to Britain’s foreign aid budget.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, urged the Prime Minister to "rule out" cuts to the UK's foreign aid budget.
Sir Keir said: "We did take a decision in relation to aid in order to fund defence spending because we needed to increase defence spending but we are committed to our overseas aid and we’ve mitigated that with some of the measures we’ve put in place."
The Prime Minister previously announced a major reduction to the Official Development Assistance budget, slashing it from 0.5 per cent down to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI).
The phased reduction is taking the UK's international aid to its lowest level since 1999.
Kemi Badenoch: 'What Labour are doing is going to cost thousands more people their jobs'
Kemi Badenoch has said that not drilling in the North Sea will 'cost thousands more people their jobs'
|GB NEWS
Kemi Badenoch has said that not drilling in the North Sea will "cost thousands more people their jobs"
She said: "What he is doing is going to cost thousands more people their jobs, including in cities like Aberdeen which rely on oil and gas.
"So can he tell us why is he doing everything to save his job and doing nothing to save other people’s jobs?"
The Prime Minister replied: "There is drilling in the North Sea. She said there’s no drilling in the North Sea.
"She’s going to have to refer herself to the privileges committee... We are supporting those existing oil and gas fields throughout their lifespan.
"It is because we are on the international market that our prices for businesses and households go up every time there is an international conflict. We saw it with Ukraine and we saw it with Iran."
The Tory leader hit back: "I just listen to him and I wonder if he is okay. He is so deep in the bunker he is importing sanctioned Russian oil, he’s nationalising oil, he’s imposing price controls in the supermarket, it’s like the Soviets won.
"This country needs a government that has got its act together.
"Instead what we have is a Prime Minister hanging by a thread, fake support from his backbenchers, too scared to take difficult decisions, losing his moral compass by backsliding on Ukraine.”
Kemi Badenoch launches scathing attack on Labour and Reform over 'giving money to Russia'
Kemi Badenoch has launched a scathing attack on Labour and Reform over "giving money to Russia".
The Tory leader said: "Labour is giving money to Russia, Reform are taking money from Russia, there’s only one party that is standing up to Russia and that is the Conservative Party.
"I cannot believe that he is actually saying that he is doing something good on the war in Ukraine."
Ms Badenoch claimed the decisions would fund the killing of Ukrainian troops.
She added: "He says other countries are doing this, the EU is not doing this."
"Let me make it clear, I know it hurts him to hear it, he is now choosing to buy dirty Russian oil. That money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers. Isn’t he ashamed?"
Keir Starmer denies Labour are watering down sanctions on Russian oil
Keir Starmer has denied that Labour are watering down sanctions on Russian oil
|GB NEWS
Keir Starmer has denied that Labour are watering down sanctions on Russian oil after Kemi Badenoch accused the party of choosing oil from Russia, "but oil from Aberdeen is not" acceptable.
The Prime Minister insisted the new sanctions package would put "more pressure on Russia"
Sir Keir said: "Let me address the sanctions head-on because we have been united across the House on these issues since the beginning of the conflict.
"What we announced yesterday was a strong new package of new sanctions, going well beyond existing sanctions.
"So it’s a new package... We also issued two targeted, short-term licences to phase the new sanctions in and to protect UK consumers. That is standard practice.
"This Government has phased in sanctions in this way before, and the last government used exactly the same technique when they introduced sanctions.
"And when they did so, we supported them because we knew it was the right thing to do to bear down on Russia."
Keir Starmer: 'The only way to take control is through renewables'
Keir Starmer has claimed the only way to take control of Britain's energy is to continue to invest in renewable energy.
The Prime Minister told the Commons: "Oil and gas is coming out the North Sea 24/7. It will play an important role for many years to come.
"We’re supporting existing oil and gas fields throughout their lifespan.
"But families across the UK are fed up with their bills going up and down because of global conflicts. The only way to take control is through renewables.
"We’ve now consented renewables to power 23 million households.
"The leader of the Opposition wants to stick with the old Tory energy policy, which is leaving households exposed to higher bills year after year."
Plan to hike fuel duty paused, Keir Starmer announces
Plans to hike fuel duty have been paused, the Prime Minister has announced.
In the Chancellor's budget last Autumn, Rachel Reeves set out plans to gradually end the temporary 5p fuel duty cut introduced in 2022.
However, due to pressure, Labour have U-turned on this policy.
The Prime Minister said: "Families across the United Kingdom are facing impacts of a war that we did not choose.
"There is more that we can do so I can announce today that we are giving our hauliers a 12-month road tax holiday, helping to keep prices down. And we’re backing drivers by extending the freeze in fuel duty for the rest of the year.This is possible because of the decisions taken by the Chancellor, making us the fastest-growing economy in the G7, and she will set out further action tomorrow."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch thanked Sir Keir Starmer for the “U-turn” on fuel duty.
She told the Commons: “I welcome some of what the Prime Minister has said on fuel duty. Yes, it’s still a freeze, but we asked him about this on the 11th of March and the 25th of March, and he said he wasn’t going to do it.
"So, thank you for the U-turn. Thank you for the U-turn. Labour MPs are shaking their heads. It would make more sense if they just did what we were doing, because they get there in the end anyway.”
Keir Starmer hints at Andy Burnham return to Westminster
Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at Andy Burnham's return to Westminster as he congratulated Pep Guardiola on his success at Manchester City.
It comes as the Greater Manchester Mayor has been officially confirmed as the Labour Party candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said: "It would be remiss of me not to comment on one of Manchester’s great heroes moving on after almost a decade.
"So let me congratulate Pep Guardiola on all his success at Manchester City.
"And Mr Speaker, if I could declare an interest, I’d also like to say congratulations to Arsenal Football Club on becoming the Premier League champions."
Andrew Griffith hits out at 'immoral' decision to loosen Russian sanctions on oil and gas
Andrew Griffith has spoken out against the 'immoral' decision to loosen Russian sanctions on oil and gas
|GB NEWS
Andrew Griffith has spoken out against the "immoral" decision to loosen Russian sanctions on oil and gas.
Speaking on GB News, the Tory MP said: "This is completely immoral.
"It's an insane course of action when we're not exploiting the oil and gas in our own North Sea.
He added: "The British people have made great sacrifices along the way. Standing shoulder to shoulder, standing up to Putin.
"And for the government to do this is completely and ethically, the wrong thing to do."
Wes Streeting warned Brexit wars will destroy Labour
Wes Streeting has been warned that opening conversations about rejoining the European Union will destroy Labour.
Announcing his intentions to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership on Saturday, the former Health Secretary called for the UK to rejoin the EU 10 years after the referendum.
Now, speaking at the Brexit Unleashed conference, Lord Glasman said: "If we don’t have someone telling the truth in this leadership campaign, we will drift further and further into the EU progressive fantasy world, and then come the election, we will be obliterated.
"Of the three more or less named runners and riders, none of them appeals. Their policies I don’t think would be popular in the country, and if they’re popular in the Labour Party, that is a problem for the Labour Party."
Lisa Nandy also warned against begging the conversation, describing her colleague’s stance as "a bit odd”.
Speaking to GB News, the Culture Secretary spoke on the devastating local election results and added: "To respond to that with reentering the European Union seems to me to be a fundamental misreading of what people are asking us for.
"If going back into the EU was the answer to the problems that people have in their lives, then we would be telling people in towns like mine that everything was fine in 2015.
"It absolutely wasn't."
Britain must commit to a new customs union with the EU, says Ed Davey
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, claims Britain must commit to a new customs union with the EU.
Sir Ed said: "Keir Starmer’s days are numbered.
"So the key question in British politics is what stance are the Labour leadership candidates going to take on key issues like our economy and the cost of living and the defence of our country.
"We believe that if we’re going to get our economy going again, and secure the defence of our country, we need to rebuild our international alliances beginning with our European allies.
"And that’s why we’ve put forward our amendment to the King’s Speech for a new UK-EU customs union."
Tory MP demands explanations over Married At First Sight welfare concerns
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has written to Channel 4 and Ofcom with "serious concerns” about their response to "the horrifying allegations about Married At First Sight".
The update comes after three women accused their on-screen partners of sexual assault while speaking in a BBC Panorama documentary.
Chairwoman of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said: “The horrifying allegations about Married At First Sight raise serious concerns over whether enough is being done to protect people taking part in reality television.
"Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer."
Only one in four Labour members believe a new party leader should pursue a more liberal immigration policy
Only 26 per cent of Labour members believe a new party leader should pursue a more liberal immigration policy
|YOUGOV
Only 26 per cent of Labour members believe a new party leader should pursue a more liberal immigration policy, according to a May 2026 YouGov poll.
Supporting the existing Home Office policy framework under a new leader, 44 per cent of those polled believe the party should maintain its current approach to immigration.
Nearly one in five (18 per cent) of members advocate a more restrictive path, arguing that the party needs to further tighten border and immigration controls.
The remaining five per cent of those surveyed chose none of these options or said that they did not know which direction the party should take.
Grooming gangs inquiry vows 'not to shy away from race and ethnicity' as record funding announced
The Grooming gangs inquiry "will not shy away from race and ethnicity links" in a bid to "get to the truth", MPs have been told.
Zoë Billingham, one of three panel members, told the Home Affairs Committee that investigators would not "turn the other cheek" to evidence showing offenders were of Pakistani heritage.
She told MPs: "We've heard direct testimony from victims and survivors. We know that in terms of prosecutions in some parts of the country the perpetrators are from Asian Pakistani heritage."
"We're not going to shy away from that. We're not going to find excuses for that. In fact, quite the reverse."
She added: "We’re going to be forensically looking at how religion, culture, heritage and background could or could not have been a driver. Our inquiry has to get us to the truth."
It comes as the Home Office has announced £100 million to fight child sex offences and protect victims and survivors, including £38 million for Operation Beaconport.
A historic £100 million will drive a crackdown on child sexual abuse, including tracking down grooming gang members, with an aim to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.
Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary, said: "The grooming gangs scandal is one of the darkest moments in our country’s history – where the most vulnerable people were abused and exploited at the hands of evil child rapists.
"There will be no hiding place for the predatory monsters who committed unimaginable crimes of child sexual abuse and exploitation. We will track down these vile rapists and put them behind bars."
Keir Starmer: 'Government is delivering for Britain'
Sir Keir Starmer has declared that his Labour Government is "delivering for Britain" in a new social media post following today's news of a fall in inflation.
Inflation fell to 2.8 per cent for the 12 months to April 2026, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics
Sir Keir said on X: "Good news: inflation has fallen today. Our action to reduce energy bills, with the price cap dropping by £117, means inflation is now lower.
"There’s more to do - this Government is delivering for Britain."
Economists predicted a drop in last month's consumer price index (CPI) rate, as household energy bills were expected to offset the spike in fuel prices resulting from the US-Iran war.
Ukrainians 'feel very let down' by UK watering down sanctions on Russian oil, says Labour MP
Dame Emily Thornberry has criticised Labour's decision to water down sanctions on Russian Oil, claiming it is harmful to Britain's efforts to protect Ukraine.
She argues that since Russia invaded the Eastern European nation, Kyiv has looked to Britain as one of its most important allies.
Ms Thornberry said: We are talking about our allies in Ukraine who have been fighting a war bravely against Russia for years and years with our support.
"They have looked to Britain as one of their most important allies, and they don't understand, given that we promised that we would stop this loophole in October, and we still haven't done it. In fact, it seems to have got worse. People feel very let down."
She told the BBC: "There was a G7 announcement on 19 May which said that they, the G7, had an unwavering commitment to put pressure on Russia, including sanctions on the energy sector and actions against entities in third countries that materially support Russia's war effort, but we're still saying that we're going to take sanctioned oil, but so long as it goes to Turkey first and then it's refined, we will use it."
Watering down sanctions on Russian oil is 'insane', says Kemi Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch has said watering down sanctions on Russian oil is 'insane'
|PA
Watering down sanctions on Russian oil is "insane” when the UK government is refusing to fully exploit North Sea resources, Kemi Badenoch said.
The Conservative leaders hit out after sanctions were eased, allowing for the import of jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries amid surging costs due to the Iran war.
A trade licence, which came into effect on Wednesday, permits the imports “indefinitely”.
The sanctions were imposed as part of the package of measures targeting Vladimir Putin’s economy after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Mrs Badenoch said on social media: “After 18 months of ‘standing up to Putin’ the Labour govt quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries.
"Yesterday Labour MPs voted AGAINST UK oil and gas licences. We are now importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea.”
Labour denies pushing supermarkets to cap food prices amid outrage over '1970s style' policy
A Labour minister has denied reports that the Government is considering introducing a cap on supermarket food prices to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson has dismissed reports suggesting the Government approached supermarkets about introducing voluntary caps on staple food items.
Earlier this morning, Mr Tomlinson said: "This isn't something we're looking at. You have to talk to the supermarkets about that. The Government is not looking at doing this."
However, the energy minister indicated that officials were instead examining broader economic measures to support households.
Labour given new powers to bypass judicial reviews in net-zero push
Parliament will get powers to approve critical energy projects and limit judicial reviews that can hold them up under reforms to be announced by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The changes would allow Parliament to designate critical national importance (CNI) to the most important clean energy projects, such as new power stations and offshore wind farms.
This would reduce the potential grounds for judicial review.
For all other nationally significant infrastructure, including transport and water projects, the Government will introduce a fixed legal challenge window, at the end of which the planning consent could be updated to address any legitimate issues.
A policy note on the changes, which aim to shore up energy security and drive down bills, is being published on Wednesday.
A Treasury spokesperson said: "For too long, vital infrastructure delivery has been delayed by judicial reviews of projects the country needs.
"The Chancellor won’t stand for it any longer and is bringing forward bold changes to support delivery.
"She is clear that Parliament must take back control, to get Britain building the power plants, wind farms and grid connections that will bring bills down, strengthen our energy security, and deliver growth in every part of our country."
Deputy British ambassador to US mysteriously sacked
James Roscoe, the Deputy British ambassador to the US, has been mysteriously sacked.
Embassy staff were informed of his dismissal in a one-line email with no other explanation, it was revealed last night.
It's believed the exact reason for his departure will be explained on Wednesday to a gathering of diplomats.
A Foreign Office spokesman, meanwhile, simply said: "James Roscoe has left his post."
Keir Starmer to face first Commons grilling since Wes Streeting resignation
Sir Keir Starmer will face his first Commons grilling
|PA
Sir Keir Starmer will face his first Commons grilling since the resignation of his health secretary and the by-election candidacy of potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham placed further pressure on his premiership.
The Prime Minister will take questions from Kemi Badenoch and other MPs, while ex-cabinet minister Wes Streeting was also expected to make a resignation speech in the chamber on Wednesday.
His noon showdown with the Opposition leader is the first since Parliament returned after the May elections that saw Labour suffer heavy losses and prompted mounting calls for Sir Keir to resign.
It comes after Mr Burnham was confirmed as the party’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by former minister Josh Simons quitting to open up a path for the Greater Manchester Mayor to return to Westminster.
It is understood that the mayor was the only person shortlisted for selection by Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, bypassing a vote by the local party.
The decision sets up a contest between Mr Burnham and Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, a local plumber who contested the seat for the party in 2024.
If he returns to Parliament, Mr Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership, but the Prime Minister has insisted he will not "walk away" from Downing Street.
Rachel Reeves warned over 'weak' economy by Mel Stride
Sir Mel Stride has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves over rising prices and a weak economy despite a fall in inflation.
The Shadow Chancellor said: "Any fall in inflation is welcome, but prices are still rising far too fast and Labour has left our economy weak and exposed to the impacts of the Iran war.
"The recent spike in borrowing costs shows markets are increasingly worried about Labour’s leadership chaos and economic mismanagement."
In response to fresh inflation data from the ONS, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The war in Iran is not our war but one we will need to respond to, and the decisions I took in the Budget last year have kept inflation down as we deal with global instability.
"We have the right economic plan, and to change course now would risk our economic stability and leave working people worse off.
"We have already taken £117 off energy bills, frozen rail fares, and lifted the two-child limit, and over today and tomorrow I’ll set out the next phase of how we will support UK households."
Inflation falls to 2.8% in 'much welcome relief' for Britons but economy faces 'long-term pressures'
Inflation fell to 2.8 per cent for the 12 months to April 2026
|PA
Inflation fell to 2.8 per cent for the 12 months to April 2026, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
A drop in last month's consumer price index (CPI) rate was predicted by economists as a drop in household energy bills was expected to offset the spike in fuel prices resulting from the US-Iran war.
However, most economists had expected inflation to sit around three per cent over the period with this better-than-expected drop being considered "much welcome relief for Rachel Reeves".
The Chancellor has made correcting the course of the economy and improving gross domestic product (GDP) growth central to her fiscal agenda since taking the reins of the Treasury.
John Swinney will be sworn in again as First Minister today
John Swinney will be sworn in again as First Minister today before he appoints his top team.
The SNP leader was elected as First Minister for the second time yesterday after his party won 58 seats at this month’s election.
He told MSPs he was "determined to get on with the job” in Holyrood as he shook the hands of fellow party leaders following a series of votes, despite no other candidate looking likely to win the backing of a majority of MSPs.
Mr Swinney told Holyrood: "The people have again returned a pro-independence majority to this Parliament, the largest ever elected.
"They have said with a resounding voice that decisions about Scotland’s future should be taken here in Scotland, and I will ensure that the people have the right to decide on their own future.”
Keir Starmer handed blueprints for how to enforce digital ID without sparking public fury
The announcement of digital ID resulted in protests and outrage over fears of 'Government over-reach,' the Home Affairs Committee said
|GETTY
Sir Keir Starmer has been handed the blueprints for how to roll out digital ID without risking the public's wrath.
A Home Affairs Committee report has determined a lack of consultation and poor communication had "raised fears of Government over-reach" when the PM tried to introduce the controversial scheme last year.
Chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley said the rollout of digital ID was "nothing short of a fiasco", which "came out of the blue and made little sense".
She added: "It raised fears of Government over-reach into people's lives and was so poorly thought out that they had few answers to ease these concerns.
"It is worth bearing in mind that this was a policy direction that was generally well received by the public before they were spooked by the Government’s poorly thought out and badly explained plans."