Keir Starmer declares ‘UK will not be drawn into wider war’ as he announces energy bill support for thousands of Britons

Ministry of Defence issues update on Middle East

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) have issues an operational update in the Middle East.

A spokesman said: "British pilots have now completed more than 550 flying hours on defensive operations protecting British people, bases and partners in the region.

"The UK now has more jets in the region than at any period in the past 15 years.

"Last night, UK F-35 and Typhoon aircraft, supported by Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, have continued to conduct defensive air patrols over Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain and the Eastern Mediterranean."

Donald Trump takes veiled swipe at UK in warning to Europe over 'full force' Iran bombing

Donald Trump has taken a veiled swipe at the UK and European nations for failing to join the US action in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring they "depend on it more than us".

Delivering an update on the conflict in a press conference in Washington, the US President encouraged those nations to "come and help us" after "taking care" of Iran.

Mr Trump told reporters: "We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the Strait far more than ours. We get less than one per cent of our oil from the Strait, and some countries get much more.

"Japan gets 95 per cent, China gets 90 per cent, many of the Europeans get quite a bit. South Korea gets 35 per cent. So we want them to come and help us with the Strait."

WATCH THE CLIP AND READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Labour respond to Reform UK's mixed messages on Iran

Labour have responded to mixed messages that have come from Reform UK regarding the war in Iran.

Reform's education spokeswoman, Suella Braverman, told GB News on Monday it was the "wrong decision" not to loan the use of military bases to the US during their initial offensive in Iran, while Nadhim Zahawi told The Sun the UK should "make all of our assets available" to the US and even "join the bombing if needed".

Nigel Farage recently spoke out, declaring UK should not join the conflict as the Government "don’t have the capability to offer anything".

In response, a Labour Party spokesman said: "Nigel Farage and his top team are all over the place on the Middle East. Nigel Farage spent a week calling for escalation and if it was down to him, our country would have been dragged into this war. Now he and his band of former Tories are busy u-turning in the hope the British people won’t notice.

"No decision a Prime Minister must take is more serious than whether or not to send our troops into war. While Keir Starmer offers serious, calm-headed leadership in the national interest, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch are proving they’re unfit for office."

Tories demand 'urgent action' in the Strait of Hormuz

The Conservatives have called for "urgent action" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in Iran.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel, demanding an urgent response to the ongoing closure of the pivotal Strait, asked in the House of Commons: "Recognising that this is not straightforward, where is this plan and what measures are being considered?"

"The British public need to know what the government is doing to protect our economic and national security."

The Strait of Hormuz has remained shut as a result of the war in Iran. The notorious choke point is responsible for around 20 per cent of the world's oil and energy shipments.

While one Type-45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, set sail destined for the Mediterranean last week, and has yet to arrive, Mrs Patel asked whether minehunter vessels or Royal Navy destroyers were being considered.

"This is a hugely consequential moment for the world, and Britain cannot stand by and sit on the bench," she added.

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty responded, saying reopening the Strait is "very complex" and must be "multilateral," insisting once more than the UK will "not be drawn into the wider war".

Ukrainian President to visit UK on Tuesday, says Defence Secretary

John Healey has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the UK on Tuesday.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Defence Secretary said: "I can confirm today that, over the last month, we have delivered to Ukraine 3,500 drones, 18,000 artillery rounds and three million rounds of small ammunition.

"We face two conflicts on two continents, supported by an axis of aggression with similar tactics and similar technologies.

"I say this to the Ukrainian people on behalf of the UK: we will not forget the war in Europe and our total determination to stand with Ukraine remains steadfast, and we will welcome President Zelensky to this country tomorrow."

Defence Secretary fails to confirm delayed defence plan will be published before Parliment breaks up

Defence Secretary John Healey has declined to confirm whether the delayed Defence Investment Plan would be released before Parliament breaks for Easter on March 26.

MPs pressed the minister repeatedly for a concrete publication date, but he consistently refused to provide one.

When asked directly if the document would appear before the Easter recess, Healey sidestepped the question entirely.

Pushed a second time on the same point, he again refused to offer a straightforward answer.

On the third attempt, he would only say: "As the prime minister said, it will be published as soon as it is ready."

The government's blueprint will outline defence spending priorities over the coming decade, detailing how resources will be allocated across Britain's military.

Ministers had initially promised to unveil the strategy last autumn, making the current delay significant.

Over 150 MPs demand Keir Starmer stop peers from blocking assisted dying bill

More than 100 Labour MPs have written to the Prime Minister asking him to stop peers from purposefully blocking the passage of the assisted dying Bill.

In total, over 150 MPs have signed the private letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, including parliamentarians from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.

They have raised concerns about the slow progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords, with only half of the 1,200 amendments up for consideration having been debated after 11 days of scrutiny.

Opponents of the Bill have been accused of trying to “talk out” the Bill as it makes its way through the Lords.

Now, a joint letter co-ordinated by Peter Prinsley, the Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, has urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the situation.

The MP and consultant doctor wrote: “A small number of peers have been using procedural tactics to block the Bill in the House of Lords and it now appears very likely that they will prevent it returning to the Commons before the end of this session.

“While we fully respect the Government’s neutrality on the principle of assisted dying, we are confident that you would agree with us that we cannot be neutral on the fundamental democratic principle that it is for the elected House of Commons to decide on this matter.”

His letter added: “Our constituents, in every part of the country, strongly support a change in the law and it is clear to us that the issue must be resolved sooner rather than later.

“Our ask is simple. That, whether or not the Bill returns through the private members’ bill ballot after the Kings Speech, time will be found for Parliament to come to a decision in the next session."

Kemi Badenoch: UK should not answer President Trump's call to send ships to the Middle East 

Kemi Badenoch has said that the Government should not concede to US President Trump’s demands to send warships to the Middle East until it has developed its own plan,

Speaking during a visit to a kosher supermarket in Golders Green, north London, Mrs Badenoch said: “We have believed in freedom of navigation as a country for centuries, even this government has had targeted strikes at the Houthis in the Strait of Hormuz.

“But what is the plan? We need to see the plan.

“It is not clear the Prime Minister has been involved in the planning process. All of our allies seem to be worried about how slow he is.

“I’m worried that he’s not deep enough in conversations with the US. But before we start sending ships out, we need to know what the plan is.

“What I want to see is the Prime Minister coming up with a plan for the national interest, not just what his Labour backbenchers want. This is not just about the Labour Party. This is about the whole country.”

Keir Starmer denies misleading MPs over Peter Mandelson appointment  

Keir Starmer has denied misleading MPs by telling them due process was followed in the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

Asked whether he had misled the Commons by telling them due process had been followed, the Prime Minister asnwered: “No.”

The Prime Minister added that his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, had considered the question last week, “and answered very robustly that the process had been followed”.

But he continued that the process “wasn’t strong enough”, saying: “Amongst the changes that I intend to put into place is the fact you can’t announce something until the vetting is finished.

“It wasn’t an individual decision in the Mandelson case, that was the process. We only have to look at that in the light of the appointment to realise that that needs to change.

“But on due process, that process that was there was followed, the problem was the process wasn’t strong enough. Ultimately, it was my mistake and I have apologised for that and quite right too.”

Scottish Labour leader says 'all options should be on the table' to reopen Strait of Hormuz 

All options should be on the table to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, the Scottish Labour leader has suggested.

Asked if Sir Keir Starmer should back the US and send the Navy into the key trading route, Anas Sarwar warned that “mobilising assets” into the region could prolong the conflict.

However, he added: “The UK has to constantly keep under review the actions it takes in order to protect its citizens and order to protect our economy so all options need to be on the table.

“But it’s right that the UK is not part of any offensive action.”

Rachel Reeves acknowledges 'real and urgent problem' of energy crisis 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the “real and urgent problem” for low-income households reliant on heating oil.

The Treasury said Northern Ireland, where a greater proportion of homes rely on heating oil, has been allocated £17 million, while England will receive £27 million, Scotland will get £4.6 million and Wales given £3.8 million.

The funding allocations were based on census data, the Treasury said, and will be allocated directly to the devolved governments to be used to support vulnerable households, mostly in rural areas.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: ”Heating oil prices have spiked sharply, and I know that for families in rural communities that is a real and urgent problem.

“That’s why we’re putting over £50 million of support to help the people who need it most, including funding for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver support in Northern Ireland where this issue hits hardest.”

Reform announces 'more than £700million in savings' under Doge programme 

Richard Tice, Reform UK's Deputy Leader and Head of Doge, announced today that the party's councils have secured more than £700 million in savings during their inaugural year in power.

He said that the nine majority-controlled Reform UK councils have simultaneously achieved the lowest council tax increases of any political party, according to figures released this Monday.

Over £325 million in savings have already been realised, with an additional £400 million earmarked for the 2026/27 financial year.

The party credits these results to what it describes as a determined efficiency programme across its local authorities.

Reform UK's average council tax increase stands at 3.94% across its nine majority-run authorities, a figure the party notes is close to current inflation levels.

Richard Tice blasts 'absolute scandal in plain sight' during Doge speech

Richard Tice has fumed at the "absolute scandal in plain sight" of council spending as he spoke on Reform UK's Doge policy.

"The council taxpayer is being ripped off, and I've had enough now," he began.

"It's an absolute scandal in plain sight that no other MP has focused on and talked about until I came along. The numbers are utterly mind-boggling.

"We could potentially, over the next couple of years, reduce employer contributions by some 300 million pounds a year in our councils alone, whilst protecting all of the rights, the benefits and entitlements.

"No, it's not glamorous, but it's so, so important to be able to say those sorts of numbers in our councils alone, which potentially would mean that there'll be almost no council tax rises in many of our councils. That's what I'm focused on."

Keir Starmer addresses ‘attacks’ on his Iran response: 'Time will show that we were right'

Keir Starmer has hit out at those who have attacked his response to the conflict in Iran.

The Prime Minister has faced criticism from both Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage for his apparent indecisiveness following joint US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic regime.

It also came just hours after President Donald Trump said the UK may no longer be America's "number one ally" over the PM's failure to send ships to the Middle East.

“I have been attacked by some for my decision not to join the offensive against Iran,” Sir Keir said.

“There are others who would have made a different decision two weeks ago. They would have rushed the UK headlong into this war without the full picture of what they're sending out forces into, and without a plan to get us out.

“That is not leading, it's following. My leadership is about standing firm for the British interest. No matter the pressure.

“I believe time will show that we have the right approach. Right on the economy and the cost of living. Right on defence and energy. And right on this war, in the best interests of the British people.”

Government's energy bill support package in full

• Energy bills will be capped until the end of June, saving the average household £117 a year, thanks to Ofgem reducing the price cap for households on average usage
• Fuel duty cap will be extended until September, with the Labour Government floating a 'cheap fuel finder' for drivers to find the lowest price of oil
• Some £53million in immediate cost-of-living support will be awarded to heating oil customers, who are considered the most exposed to changes in the market.
• Continuing with the UK's energy security independence scheme to ensure the UK is "not subject to the fluctuations of prices" caused by geopolitical events
• Work with other countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Keir Starmer insists: ‘I stood by my principles’ on Iran

Keir Starmer has insisted he has "stood by his principles" on Iran.

“Whether to commit British troops to military action is the most serious responsibility for any Prime Minister.

“At every stage, I've stood by my principles, principles which I held just as strongly when it came to debate about the Iraq War in 2003.

The Prime Minister said these were “principles which I believe are shared by the British people.

“Our decision should be based on a calm, level-headed assessment of the British national interest, and that if we are to send our servicemen and women into harm's way, the very least they deserve is to know that they do so on a legal basis, and with a proper thought-through plan.”

Prime Minister backs plans to 'fast-track' nuclear power 

Keir Starmer has backed plans to "fast-track" new nuclear power stations to "build Britain's energy security and independence".

"We are pushing ahead with our long-term plan to build Britain's energy security and independence, because otherwise, we will continue to be subject to wild fluctuations in oil and gas prices.

""We've already brought in £90 billion pounds of investment in clean British energy, and that's enough to power the equivalent of over 20 million homes.

"Just last week, we committed to reforming regulations, so we can fast-track new nuclear power stations."

'Immediate support' of £53million for heating oil customers announced

The Prime Minister has announced "immediate support" for heating oil customers.

Sir Keir said the Government would provide £53million for households "most exposed" to the pressures of the market.

'Legal directive' for energy companies to be introduced 

Keir Starmer will introduce a "legal directive" to energy companies that will "ensure that every penny of the savings that we delivered through last year's budget is passed directly onto customerse".

Fuel duty cut extended to September

The Prime Minister has confirmed that fuel duty cuts will be extended until September.

In addition, Keir Starmer announced the launch of a cheap-fuel finder that requires petrol stations to publish live prices.

New energy bill cap announced in response to Iran crisis 

Keir Starmer has said energy bills will be capped until the end of June.

Prime Minister insists: 'We have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz' 

Keir Starmer has declared that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to "ensure stability in the market".

Keir Starmer promises: 'We will not be drawn into a wider war'

Beginning his address to the nation, Keir Starmer pledged that Britain "will not be drawn into a wider war".

"Our priority is always the national interest, and so we have been clear and consistent in our objectives throughout this conflict."

Kemi Badenoch hits out at Keir Starmer's 'confused leadership' ahead of address: 'He lied and lied!'

Kemi Badenoch has slammed Keir Starmer for his “confused leadership” and “chasing polls rather than acting on conviction” ahead of his major address this morning.

The Prime Minister is set to take aim at the Conservative leader and Nigel Farage in his speech to the nation on Iran.

Sir Keir is expected to accuse Mrs Badenoch of advocating British involvement in the war, a claim she strongly denies.

“This morning, the Prime Minister will attempt to lecture the country about leadership,” the Tory leader wrote on X.

“He will claim that he alone is acting in the national interest while misrepresenting my position.

“The truth is, after the Mandelson scandal, the whole country saw how he lied and lied."

Mrs Badenoch insisted her stance was limited to allowing US forces to operate from British bases and carrying out retaliatory strikes if those facilities came under attack.

“The prime minister argued against that... but then changed his mind and did exactly as I had suggested.

“We see the same confused leadership across his government. Today’s youth unemployment policy shows the pattern: decisions taken without thinking, followed by frantic attempts to undo the consequences.

“This is what happens when a prime minister governs by chasing polls rather than acting on conviction.”

Prime Minister thanks Canadian opposite number for Ukraine support

Keir Starmer has thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for his support on Ukraine at a Downing Street meeting, remarking on the “strong history and values between our countries”.

The Prime Minister said: “The opportunity we have got to put together our values, our principles and apply them to a very volatile world is really important.”

“Thank you for all of your support in Ukraine, it’s been invaluable with the coalition of the willing.”

He also commended the work that Canada and the UK have done with Nato “on the back of a very successful G7”.

Keir Starmer and Mark Carney bond over 'even more challenging' world 

Keir Starmer and Mark Carney have bonded over their mutual support amid an "even more challenging" world.

Mr Carney said it was a year ago today that he was sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada where he agreed with Sir Keir to “work closely on a number of international issues and also to tighten our bilateral ties in intelligence sharing, in trade”.

“It’s a good thing that has happened because the world’s become even more challenging,” the Canadian Prime Minister said.

He also commended Sir Keir “for your secure leadership of the coalition of the willing”.

Cabinet Minister insists 'we're not protagonists' in Iran war as he hits out at 'other forces in UK politics'

Pat McFadden has insisted the the Governement is not a "protogonist" in the Iran war and hit out at "other forces in UK politics" for supporting the conflict.

Speaking to GB News, the the Work and Pensions Secretary stressed: "We've not sought to be protagonists in this war. The Prime Minister has made that clear from the beginning.

"There have been other forces in UK politics urging us to be protagonists in this war. I don't think that's the right attitude to adopt."

The comment was a veiled swipe at Reform UK and the Conservatives, who have called on Britain to be more supportive of US action in the Middle East.

"We'll always protect our citizens and our military assets in the region, but that response has framed our response to the war so far."

Mel Stride addresses 'deeply worrying' pro-Iranian regime protest 

Sir Mel Stride has addressed what he called the "deeply worrying" Quds Day protest in suppport of Iran's Islamic regime that took to the streets of London yesterday.

"We see too much of this kind of behavior on our streets, far too much anti-semitism in our country at the moment, and those things are on the face of it, just very deeply worrying," he told GB News.

"I think the Home Secretary actually was absolutely right to have banned the march. But of course, there was this static protests.

"In terms of what happened there, the Metropolitan Police have clearly arrested a number of people, and they will look into their assessment as to whether there has been a breach of the law of incitement of hatred or the violence or whatever it may be, and take appropriate action.

"We have to wait to see what the police come back with."

Mark Carney meets Keir Starmer at Downing Street

Candian Prime Minister, and former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney has arrived at Downing Street to meet Keir Starmer.

Shadow Chancellor slams Keir Starmer for 'damaging' the special relationship 

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride has slammed Keir Stamer for "damaging" the UK's special relationship with the US over Iran.

It came as the US leader said the UK was no longer America's "number one ally" over the Prime Minister's refusal to send ships to the Middle East.

"The Government was very slow off the mark at the beginning, not allowing access to UK bases to the United States, which, incidentally, of course, is the position we've ended up in, albeit that the relationship with the Americans has soured considerably in the meantime," he told GB News.

"We've got to step up to the plate on this one. "

"So when it comes to these latest requests from the President, I think they have seen in the context, I'm afraid, the flat footedness of this Government and the fact that they've already damaged that special relationship with our most important ally."

Keir Starmer under pressure to grant lower tution fees to European students as Brussels ‘reset’ stalls

Keir Starmer is under pressure from the EU to grant European students lower tuition fees, as his hopes of a “reset” with Brussels have stalled.

The bloc has made the demand as part of any agreement that would allow young people to live and work across borders.

“It is true that talks have stalled and that this is now the main issue on which both sides cannot agree,” one insider said.

British officials say the demand came as a surprise and insist it was not included in last year’s framework agreement between Sir Keir and Ursula von der Leyen.

A Government spokesman said any scheme must be “time-limited” and “capped” and would not include access to home tuition fee status, while one British source described the idea as a “non-starter”.

Analysts estimate that granting EU students domestic fee levels would cost universities around £140m in the first year, rising to £400m over a typical three-year degree. Since Brexit, the share of EU students at UK universities has fallen sharply, from about 27 per cent to just 5 per cent.

EU negotiators want students from the bloc to pay the same rate as their British counterparts when they study in the UK, as part of a Youth Experience Scheme deal.

British students usually pay around £9,500 a year, while international fees can total tens of thousands of pounds.

Met Police chief heads to Washington in bid to release new Mandelson files

The head of the Metropolitan Police is set to visit Washington this week to urge the US to release unredacted exchanges between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, has already met with US ambassador Warren Stephens - with whom he is understood to have raised the issue.

UK authorities fear that a formal request for the emails may be required to access the unredacted US Department of Justice (DoJ) documents.

The police force has already made contact with the DoJ to gain access to files related to Lord Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

US lawmakers and victims of the convicted paedophile have said the publicly released Epstein files were redacted to hide victims.

Last month, it was revealed some men’s names had been redacted, while some victims' information had been publicly revealed.

Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie alleged that six men's names were improperly redacted, but it later turned out four of the men had no connection to Epstein.

Lord Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s Government.

He was subsequently bailed, but later released from his bail conditions, although he remains under investigation.

Greens plan to break with Church of England in assault on centuries of British heritage

The Green Party has announced plans to separate the Church of England from the state should it win the next General Election.

Under proposals outlined in party policy documents, Zack Polanski's party would end the Prime Minister's involvement in appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Church would also become a self-governing institution, while bishops currently sitting in the House of Lords would lose their seats.

Elsewhere, the role of the Church's representative in the House of Commons, held by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, would also be scrapped...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Iran dishes out WAR THREAT to Britain if Keir Starmer sends warships to guard Strait of Hormuz

Iran has directly threatened Britain with military action if it sends the Royal Navy to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

With Donald Trump repeatedly calling for an alliance to guard the waterway - and bring oil prices down - Iram's Foreign Ministry dished out a chilling threat to the UK.

A spokesman for the ministry said any help given to the US would be seen as "complicity in the crime of aggression".

"We are not at war with the UK... but any participation in this war would be regarded as participating in the US-Israel war of aggression against Iran," Esmail Baghaei raged to Times Radio.

Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister has claimed Tehran is "open to countries who want to talk" about securing safe passage of their vessels.

His country is repeatedly attacking tankers in the Arabian Gulf.

Breaking through the night: Donald Trump launches vicious new attack on Keir Starmer's Britain - and warns Nato faces 'very bad future'

Donald Trump launched a vicious new attack on Sir Keir Starmer's Britain overnight in the latest blow to the "special relationship".

The President said Britain may no longer be America's "number one ally" - just days after his Middle East envoy suggested his and Sir Keir's relationship was broken.

The President said that Nato allies should pitch in and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz - and argued that China and Europe are more reliant on oil from the Gulf than the US.

He told the FT: "If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato."

While the UK's response to the Iran war was lacking, Mr Trump said, despite being America's "longest-serving" ally.

He added that when he "asked for them to come, they didn't want to come"...

READ THE FULL STORY ON DONALD TRUMP'S FURY HERE