Keir Starmer rams House of Lords with Labour 'cronies' despite vowing to abolish chamber

Wes Steeting offers to pay off junior doctor exam fees to avoid strikes 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to reimburse resident doctors for their Royal College membership and exam fees, if they call off the strikes.

In a statement to the Commons, he said: “While I cannot go further on pay this year, I am able to offer today to put money back in resident doctors’ pockets by reimbursing Royal College portfolio membership and exam fees with the latter backdated to April.

“The allowance for less than full time resident doctors, many of whom are parents and carers, will be increased by 50% to £1,500, helping to close the gender pay gap.”

He also said the decision to give 48 hours’ notice on whether the strikes are going ahead will cause “serious operational challenges” for NHS leaders “who need certainty now as to whether they are cancelling patient appointments and cancelling staff annual leave to cover strikes”.

Mr Streeting said he offered to “extend their strike mandate”, despite knowing this “would leave me open to attack from political opponents”.

“It was a risk I was willing to take to stop the Christmas strikes going ahead,” he added.

Javier Milei to become first Argentine leader to visit UK since Falklands War

President Javier Milei is set to become the first Argentine leader to visit the UK since the Falklands War in 1982.

The maverick leader, who won power in Buenos Aires in 2023, said he would travel to Britain in April or May next year.

He explained he would like to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as well as opposition leaders, including Nigel Farage.

President Milei also invited Sir Kier to take an official visit to Argentina amid thawing relations between Buenos Aires and London.

The South American leader retains his commitment to see Argentina control the Falkland Islands, but suggested it should be “sought through peaceful and diplomatic solutions."

“I think that the best way to show the willingness on the part of Argentina is to show that we also have a commercially adult relationship,” the President told The Telegraph.

He is also in talks with Britain to lift a ban on weapons exports to Argentina, reversing current Government policy to “refuse licences for export and trade of goods judged to enhance Argentine military capability”.

Labour’s flagship workers' rights reform derailed once again in House of Lords setback

The Government has suffered a further setback in the House of Lords to its flagship workers’ rights reforms.

Peers backed by 244 votes to 220, majority 24, a Tory demand to force a review of the existing compensation limit for unfair dismissal, which the Labour administration wants to scrap.

The move was introduced at the 11th hour as part of a concession by the Government to abandon its pledge to give workers day-one protection against unfair dismissal.

There will be a six-month qualifying period for protections against unfair dismissal, after changes to the Employment Rights Bill.

Labour's narrow defeat in the chamber comes as the Prime Minister nominated a raft of allies to join the Lords, potentially aiding the party's agenda in future votes.

David Lammy sets out plans to see childhood criminal records wiped clean

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is planning to see the childhood criminal records wiped clean to avoid past offences harming job prospects.

The Justice Secretary has said he is considering “simplifying” the system to ensure that checks are “proportionate” to the crime.

He hoped to launch the reforms after it emerged that people in their 50s, 60s and even 70s were being penalised in the job market for crimes such as stealing a bike or street fighting in their youth.

“We will consider opportunities to simplify the criminal records regime to ensure it is clear and proportionate, particularly in relation to childhood offences,” the Justice Secretary said.

“We want to help children who have committed a crime to stop reoffending and turn their lives around. That is why the Government is actively exploring opportunities to simplify the criminal records system, while always putting public safety first," the Ministry of Justice added.

The plan has faced some concerns that more serious crimes, like drug dealing or harassment, would be expunged from records.

In 2017, Mr Lammy led a review of discrimination within the policing and criminal justice system, commissioned by the Conservatives under Lord David Cameron and then Baroness Theresa May.

It advocated for reform of how criminal records are kept and recommended offenders should be able to appeal to a judge to have their records “sealed” if they demonstrate they have changed their behaviour since they were convicted.

Full list of new peerages revealed as leaders nominate allies for House of Lords

The full list of new peerages approved by King Charles has been revealed, with the leaders of the largest political parties nominating allies for the House of Lords.

Nominations of Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister and Labour Party leader:

• Andy (Andrew) Roe KSFM - Chair of the national Building Safety Regulator and former London Fire Commissioner
• Dame Ann Limb DBE DL - Former Further Education College Principal and former Chair, The Scouts. Pro Chancellor, University of Surrey, and Chair of City & Guilds Foundation, Lloyds Bank Foundation, and The King’s Foundation
• Brenda Dacres OBE - Mayor of Lewisham
• Carol Linforth OBE – Lately Labour Party Chief of Staff - Operations
• Catherine MacLeod - Former journalist and political adviser, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and Non-Executive Director at the Scotland Office
• David Isaac CBE - Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, Chair of the University of the Arts London, Chair of the Henry Moore Foundation, and a trustee of Cumberland Lodge
• David Pitt-Watson - Responsible Investment Expert. Co-founder and former CEO of the Equity Ownership Service and Focus Funds at Federated Hermes
• Farmida Bi CBE - Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Vice-Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee
• Professor Geeta Nargund - Founder and former Medical Director of Create Fertility. Founder and Trustee of Health Equality Foundation
• Katie Martin – Lately, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Joe Docherty - Chair of Northern Powergrid Foundation and Trustee, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, former Chair of Council, Durham University
• Len (Leonard) Duvall OBE - Chair of the London Assembly and Leader of the London Assembly Labour Group
• Matthew Doyle - Former Director of Communications to the Prime Minister and for the Labour Party
• Sir Michael Barber - Chancellor, University of Exeter and adviser to the Prime Minister on effective delivery
• Neena Gill CBE - Former Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands
• Nick (Nicholas) Forbes CBE - Chair, Breaking Down Barriers Commission and former Labour Leader, Newcastle City Council
• Peter Babudu - Executive Director of Impact on Urban Health, former councillor in Southwark
• Peter John OBE - Former Southwark Leader and former Chair of London Councils.
• Richard Walker OBE - Founder and Chairman, Bywater and Executive Chairman, Iceland Foods
• Russell Hobby CBE - CEO, The Kemnal Academies Trust, former CEO, Teach First and former General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers
• Cllr. Dr Sara Hyde - Fabian Society Chair and Islington council’s Executive Member for Health and Social Care
• Cllr. Shama Tatler - Brent Councillor and Vice-Chair of the London Labour Regional Executive, Patron of the Labour Housing Group and Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association
• Dr Sophy Antrobus MBE - Senior Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King’s College London
• Tracey Paul - Chief Communications Officer at Pool Reinsurance and former policy advisor
• Uday Nagaraju - Technology Consultant, Politician and Founder of AI Policy

• Sharron Davies MBE – Campaigner for Women’s Rights & Olympic Swimming Silver Medallist for Great BritainSimon Heffer - Professor of Modern British History at the University of Buckingham and a historian, journalist, author and political commentator
• The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood - Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament for Wokingham

• Mike Dixon – CEO of the Liberal Democrats
• Dominic Hubbard (Lord Addington) – Lately Liberal Democrat hereditary Peer, President of the British Dyslexic Association and Vice President, the UK Sports Association
• Rhiannon Leaman – Former Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Liberal Democrats
• John Russell (Earl Russell) – Lately Liberal Democrat hereditary Peer, photographer
• Sarah Teather – Former MP, former minister and Charity CEO

Nominations for Crossbench Peerages:

• Charles Kinnoull (The Earl of Kinnoull) DL - Convenor of the Crossbench Peers, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, former Chair of the House of Lords European Union Committee

Nusrat Ghani MP discusses Crowborough residents taking legal action to challenge migrant housing plan

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Keir Starmer defends Sadiq Khan in bitter row with Donald Trump 

Sir Keir Starmer has come to the defence of his "friend" Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump renewed his row with the London Mayor.

The US President yesterday called Sir Sadiq a "horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor" in an interview with Politico.

However, a spokesman for Sir Keir said: "Those comments are wrong.

"The mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up London's air with the world's largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses.

"The Prime Minister is hugely proud of the mayor of London's record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend."

Scottish life expectancy figures branded ‘damning indictment of SNP incompetence’

“Damning” new figures on life expectancy in Scotland have been branded an “indictment of SNP incompetence”.

Data from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed that the average life expectancy for Scots was 77.12 years for men and 81.06 years for women, two years lower than in England and a year lower than in Wales.

“Life expectancy in Scotland continues to be low compared to other countries in Europe, particularly compared to other Western European countries,” the NRS said.

Scottish Conservatives health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “After nearly two decades of SNP rule, Scotland remains the sick man of Western Europe.

“The nation’s poor life expectancy is a damning indictment of the incompetence of successive SNP health secretaries who have allowed NHS waiting times to spiral out of control and failed to tackle the drug deaths crisis,” he slammed.

Keir Starmer holds call with Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz

“The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz today.

“The leaders discussed the latest on the ongoing US-led peace talks, welcoming their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and to see an end to the killing.

“Intensive work on the peace plan is continuing and will continue in the coming days.

“They agreed that this was a critical moment – for Ukraine, its people and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region.”

Keir Starmer defends 'friend' Sadiq Khan after bust-up with Donald Trump

Sir Keir Starmer has yet again defended his "friend" Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump blasted London's Mayor.

The US President called Sir Sadiq a "horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor" in an interview with Politico published yesterday.

However, a spokesman for Sir Keir said: "Those comments are wrong.

"The mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up London's air with the world's largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses.

"The Prime Minister is hugely proud of the Mayor of London's record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend."

Reform leads by 9 per cent as Labour slumps into third

Reform UK has opened up a nine per cent lead in More in Common's latest opinion poll.

Nigel Farage's support stands at 30 per cent, ahead of the Tories on 21 per cent.

Meanwhile, Labour's vote share took a one-point hit to fall to 20 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats remain steady on 14 per cent, while the Greens drop to 10 per cent.

 Radical overhaul of ECHR gets green light as major shake-up set to allow Britain to deport foreign criminals

The Council of Europe has opened the door to major European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) reform.

In a communiqué issued this afternoon, a “clear starting point” to reforming the convention is specified, saying a “State Party can expel foreigners convicted of serious crimes even though they have acquired ties to their host country”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has long advocated for reforming the ECHR, as opposed to outrightly leaving it behind, a move pushed by his political foes Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

He wants to rescue the treaty and make it “evolve and reflect the challenges of the 21st century” - warning that if it does not, “populists will win”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Rachel Reeves blames Keir Starmer for £26billion Budget tax raid

Sir Keir Starmer was responsible for hiking taxes in Rachel Reeves's Budget, the Chancellor has suggested.

Ms Reeves, who this morning faced a grilling at the Treasury Select Committee, revealed the decision to freeze income tax thresholds was made jointly with the Prime Minister.

There had been reports Ms Reeves was considering a manifesto-breaking increase to headline rates.

However, the Chancellor told MPs she took Sir Keir through "all of the numbers and all of the options”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour MP accuses Reform UK of pursuing 'deluded' Doge strategy

Labour MP Jim Dickson has accused Reform UK of "pursuing" deluded strategy to cut costs at Kent County Council.

“Before May’s election, Reform in Kent promised that they would improve services and cut taxes," Mr Dickson said.

“Instead vital services to older people and those with a mental health condition provided by great organisations are to be cut.

“Would the Prime Minister agree with me on two things, that given the additional money for the county through the fair funding review, it is beyond belief that Kent are cutting services that vulnerable people rely on, and that their so called Doge unit, which we were told would eliminate waste, actually stands for deluded, overconfident, gormless, and embarrassing?”

The Prime Minister listed off a number of scandals concerning local figures from inside Reform UK, warning they were examples of the "chaos" created by Nigel Farage's party.

Keir Starmer slaps down Lib Dem calls for rejoin EU's customs union

Sir Keir Starmer has slapped down Sir Ed Davey's call for the UK to rejoin the EU's customs union.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, the Liberal Democrat leader asked: “If we stand up to President Trump, we do need to strengthen our ties with Europe, not just on defence, but on the economy too.

“And the truth is this Government will not succeed unless it gets our economy growing strongly again, and the best way to do that is a customs union with Europe.

“The Prime Minister’s chief economic adviser knows it. The Deputy Prime Minister knows it.

“And yesterday, the Labour chair of the Trade Select Committee showed she knows it too, when she backed our bill.

“Does the Prime Minister fear that if he keeps opposing a customs union in 12 months time, he will not be standing there?”

Sir Keir replied: “We have got a closer relationship with the EU through our reset earlier this year.

“Yes, I do want a closer relationship than what we’ve got at the moment. We are moving towards that.

“We do have manifesto commitments on issues such as single market, customs union and freedom of movement, but I would gently point this out that having now done significant trade deals with other countries, including the US and India.”

'Wrong!' Kemi Badenoch accuses PM of not knowing anything

Kemi Badenoch has suggested Sir Keir Starmer does not know what is going on following a heated exchange about energy bills and education.

When the Prime Minister claimed Labour had employed more teachers, Mrs Badenoch said: “There are now 400 fewer teachers since since she came into office, she’s shaking her head. It’s on the DfE (Department for Education) website.

“I can understand that the right honourable lady is angry. We’re all angry at the mess she’s making.

“The Prime Minister doesn’t know what’s going on with energy. He doesn’t know what’s going on in education. Does he know anything about what’s going on?

“Last year, the Prime Minister promised to recruit 13,000 more police officers. How’s that going?”

Mrs Badenoch deployed a similar tactic following an exchange about policing.

She said: “Wrong again, I asked him how many police officers there are now, 1300 fewer officers than at the election.

“Mr Speaker, I don’t know if the Home Secretary wants his job, but I do read that she’s having conversations with Tony Blair because he’s already given up on the prime minister.

“Why don’t we talk about the Health Secretary? Let’s see how he’s doing. We do know he definitely wants the job. He said he’d end the doctor strikes.

“So can the Prime Minister tell the house how many appointments have been lost to strike action since last July.”

'You're blowing hot air!' Kemi Badenoch hits out at PM over energy bills

Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of "blowing hot air" after he swerved a question on cutting energy bills.

Mrs Badenoch said: “Mr Speaker, I asked him about energy bills. He could power the national grid on all of that hot air, he promised to cut energy bills by 300 pounds. Energy bills have risen by £187.

“But let’s look at someone else who’s making a mess. Let’s look at the education secretary.

“Oh, there she is. Labour pledge to recruit 6500 more teachers. So can the prime minister tell the House how many extra teachers are there since she became Education Secretary?”

Sir Keir replied: “They left our schools in a mess. They left our economy absolutely broken. They should be utterly ashamed of their record in service.”

Kemi Badench blasts Keir Starmer as 'caretaker PM'

Kemi Badenoch has asked Sir Keir Starmer about Labour MPs reportedly calling him a "caretaker Prime Minister".

The Leader of the Opposition said: “Let me answer the question for the prime minister. He’s being called a caretaker, because everyone can see that he’s lost control of his party. They’re all so busy trying to replace him.

“Let’s start with the Energy Secretary, who wants to recycle himself as leader.

“He said he cut families energy bills by £300. Can the Prime Minister tell the house how much have energy bills fallen by since the election?”

Sir Keir replied: “We don’t need the pantomime auditions any more, please”.

PM pays tribute to British soldier who died in Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions Sir Keir said: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.

“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”

Lance Corporal Hooley was killed during an accident in the ex-Soviet state yesterday.

PICTURED: Keir Starmer arrives in House of Commons with Chancellor

Rachel Reeves refuses to answer questions on rejoining EU customs union after Labour's Brexit revolt

Rachel Reeves has refused to answer a question on whether the UK should rejoin the EU's customs union.

Speaking to the Treasury Committee just hours after 13 Labour MPs backed the move, the Chancellor said: “Good try. I think the OBR is sticking to their numbers of a four per cent hit, which is still very material.”

“It’s why we’ve got this reset with the EU we are at the moment negotiating around a new food and farming agreement, energy trading, Erasmus, and a new youth mobility acheme, because we recognise that making it hard to trade with your nearest neighbors and trading partners is not exactly good for businesses.”

REVEALED: Keir Starmer avoids Reform grilling at PMQs

Sir Keir Starmer will not face a grilling from a Reform UK MP at Prime Minister's Questions.

In the penultimate Commons showdown of 2025, the Prime Minister will field questions from eight Labour MPs - Rachael Maskell, Andrew Cooper, Sojan Joseph, Josh Dean, Jim Dickson, Kirsteen Sullivan, Chris Murray and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter.

Four Tory MPs - Saqib Bhatti, Luke Evans, Blake Stephenson and Sarah Bool - will also ask questions, alongside Liberal Democrat MPs Sarah Olney and Wera Hobhouse.

Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out clobbering Britons with further taxes

Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out further tax raids on assets such as dividends and property.

Ms Reeves said: “What I did in the Budget was to increase by two percentage points, the basic rates on dividend, savings and property income, and made some changes to the additional and higher rates as well.

“I think that is the right thing to do. A two percentage point increase is quite a big increase in the tax rate on any form of income, but I think we got the balance right in the Budget on that.”

The Chancellor added: “Well, obviously, if you go out to work, you pay national insurance, and you don’t pay national insurance on other forms of income, but we have taken action in this budget to narrow the gap between those different forms of income.”

Keir Starmer sends two top allies to EU in last-ditch bid to 'fix far-right problem'

Sir Keir Starmer is sending two of his closest allies to the heart of the EU today in a desperate bid to "fix the problem" of the "far-right".

David Lammy and Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, have been dispatched to Strasbourg for urgent talks on reforming the highly controversial European Convention on Human Rights.

The PM is pushing to rescue the treaty and make it "evolve to reflect the challenges of the 21st century" - warning that if it does not, "populists will win".

His poll-topping rivals Reform UK and his Tory opposition have both pledged to leave the Convention entirely, arguing it is being misused to fuel Britain's migrant crisis.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Rachel Reeves clashes with Tory veteran over growth

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has clashed with a veteran Tory MP over her plan to deliver growth.

Dame Harriett Baldwin, a former chairwoman of the Treasury Committee, said the Chancellor “chose not to put any new growth measures in this Budget”.

Ms Reeves replied: “I did not say in the answer to my question, as you suggested, that there were no growth measures in this Budget. Far from it.”

The Chancellor also mocked Dame Harriet over the Tory Party's economic record, adding that she was “not surprised” she did not want to discuss it.

Rachel Reeves claims income tax threshold freeze doesn't break manifesto - 14 months after suggesting it would be

Rachel Reeves has claimed her decision to freeze income tax thresholds does not break of Labour's 2024 manifesto.

She told MPs: "I was very clear that everyone would have to make a contribution and you saw that in the Budget on November 26.

"We froze for an additional three years the tax thresholds, national insurance and income tax, that the previous Government had frozen for seven years.

"We extended that for a further three years. It's not a breach of the manifesto."

However, during her first Budget last year, Ms Reeves said: "I'm keeping every single promise on tax that I made in our manifesto, so there will be no extension of the freeze in income tax and national insurance thresholds beyond the decisions by the previous Government."

Chancellor provides major update to millions of pensioners

The Chancellor has also confirmed the triple lock is here to stay.

When asked by Tory MP Dame Harriet Baldwin about ruling out "capital gains on primary residences” or reducing the state pension triple lock to a “single lock”, Rachel Reeves simply replied: "Yes."

Rachel Reeves claims Treasury received 'more information' to avoid income tax increases

Rachel Reeves has suggested the Treasury received "more information" from the Office for Budget Responsibility to avoid increasing income tax rates.

She told MPs: “The OBR do costings of all the changes that we’re making as well as there being interactions between the tax measures and other economic variables, whether that be GDP, consumption, inflation and so all of this is changing.”

Ms Reeves added: “It was a big Budget, I think we’d all agree that, and every measure both has its own impact, but also a cumulative impact. So there was a lot more information between those sets.”

Treasury official sets out leak probe focus

James Bowler, who serves as permanent secretary in the Treasury, confirmed to MPs that an inquiry into leaks ahead of the Budget will look into the actions of officials, political advisers and ministers.

Mr Bowler stopped short of confirming whether the Treasury Committee would receive the inquiry's findings in full.

However, the top mandarin insisted the committee would see his response to the probe.

'I did not leak!' Rachel Reeves claims control of No11 media briefings 

Rachel Reeves has claimed control of media briefings from the Treasury but admitted there had been leaks ahead of her Budget.

She told MPs: "Yes, and myself and the team are very clear about the Macpherson Principles.

"Of course, as I said, yesterday in Parliament, I did not disclose confidential information. But as I've also been clear, there have been leaks.

"That's why we've set up a leak inquiry. And that is why we are doing this work. So that investigation is happening at the moment to ensure future budget security."

Chancellor confirms security review included in Budget leak probe

Rachel Reeves has confirmed the Treasury will conduct a security review it conducts an investigation into leaks made in the build-up to the Chancellor's tax-hiking Budget.

She said: "I want to stay on the record how frustrated I am, and have been, by these incidents and the volume of speculation and leaks.

"The budget had too much speculation. There were too many leaks. And much of that leaks and speculation was inaccurate."

Rachel Reeves expresses 'frustration' over Budget leak fiasco

Rachel Reeves has expressed her "frustration" after key details about her Budget were leaked before November 26.

Speaking to the Treasury Committee, the Chancellor said: "Leaks are unacceptable, the Budget had too much speculation, there were too many leaks... very damaging."

Ms Reeves added: "I want to say on the record how frustrated I am... a leak inquiry is underway... we are also conducting a review of Treasury security processes."

The Chancellor was also flanked by senior civil servants from No11.

The committee of MPs will examine the tax and spending plans in the Budget, and their implications for “the economy, public services and government debt”.

Rachel Reeves prepares for Treasury Committee grilling

Rachel Reeves is preparing for a grilling before the Treasury Committee just weeks after her Budget was leaked online.

The Chancellor will sit down in front of the committee at 10am.

The committee, which is chaired by a Labour MP, includes a number of high-profile Tory MPs.

Dame Harriett Baldwin and John Glen appear likely to challenge the Chancellor directly.

New poll claiming pro-Brexit majority of 2016 have DIED blasted as ‘detached from reality’

A new Brexit poll suggesting 62 per cent of Britons would vote to rejoin the European Union has been blasted as “detached from reality”.

The survey, shared by former YouGov president Peter Kellner, found 19.8 million people would now chose to rejoin the EU, up from 16.1 million Remain voters in 2016.

Meanwhile, just 11.7 million voters would still back Brexit, down from 17.4 million nearly a decade ago.

The analysis, which was shared with the fanatically pro-EU magazine New World, showed 3.2 million Brexit voters have died since the referendum was held nine years ago.

An additional 1.8 million Remain voters have also died since 2016.

The research also found 4.1 million Brexit voters have changed their minds, compared to just 1.1 million 2016 Remain supporters.

Younger voters were also identified as a key reason behind the shift, with three million new voters breaking for rejoin by a margin of five-to-one.

However, ex-Brexit Minister David Jones warned the survey is missing the “elephant in the room”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

WATCH IN FULL: Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride speaks to GB News Breakfast

Hours before Donald Trump's attack... Keir Starmer receives special invitation to US after meeting with ambassador

A few hours before Donald Trump launched an attack on Labour's policies at a campaign rally, Sir Keir Starmer met with the US ambassador, Warren Stephens.

Mr Stephens said the duo met to "resume our ongoing diplomatic conversation about ways to maximize the US-UK partnership to advance our shared interests".

In a slight repreive for the PM after the President's recent attacks on "decaying" European countries, the ambassador said the White House was committed to America's international partnerships.

"We discussed a full range of Donald Trump's priorities, particularly, the Trump administration’s commitment to Aukus, the desire to finalise the trade agreements signed at President Trump’s historic second State Visit, our appreciation for the UK’s contribution to the Gaza peace plan, and our continued support for Ukraine," he said.

"In looking forward to 2026, I invited the Prime Minister to join our year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence."

Donald Trump directly attacks Keir Starmer's Britain at campaign rally in fresh international headache for PM

Donald Trump directly attacked Sir Keir Starmer's energy and migration policies last night at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The President told frenzied crowds: "Look at Norway, they have a section of the North Sea... It's a very rich country. They have a tremendous worth because of the North Sea.

"But the UK... If they don't go back to oil, I think a lot of bad things are happening to the UK.

"You know that their immigration policies are so bad. It's so bad. Destroying our beautiful Europe."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Ministers told to accept 40,000 migrants under contentious EU mobility scheme

Britain would be able to let in more than 40,000 EU migrants under the EU's "youth mobility scheme", new research has revealed.

A study by the UK Trade and Business Commission has found that 44,000 more young Britons left the UK as part of similar schemes with "Canzuk" allies Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

That has left the Home Office with visa "headroom" - which could be filled by European youths without smashing Labour's pledge to curb net migration.

But the EU is said not to want a cap whatsoever.

"We do not see the need for setting a quota or cap," one Brussels diplomat told The Times.

"What is wrong with our young Europeans? We do not have a problem with young Brits."

A UK Government spokesman instead said the scheme should be "balanced, time-limited and capped".

Back in London... French presidential frontrunner plots alliance with Nigel Farage to end migrant crisis for good - with Royal Navy to stop the boats

France’s presidential frontrunner Jordan Bardella is moving to forge an alliance with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to "restore Europe’s borders" after the pair held talks in London on Tuesday.

Mr Bardella, the leader of the National Rally party, pledged to change France’s border policy to support Britain in tackling the Channel small boats crisis should he secure victory in next year's elections.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the 30-year-old said he would support joint patrols with Britain and give the UK Border Force the green light to carry out “pushbacks” in the Channel.

He met Mr Farage on Tuesday, labelling him a "pioneer" who fought for Britain's independence from the EU.

The National Rally leader described the talks as preparations for governing.

And over lunch, according to The Spectator, Mr Farage told him he would instruct the Royal Navy to turn back small boats in the Channel - one of Reform's longest-held campaign promises...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE