President Trump's administration is considering scrapping the Aukus submarine deal in a significant blow to the UK and US' special relationship.
The Pentagon has ordered a review of the 2021 pact between the UK, US, and Australia for building nuclear-powered attack submarines.
A US defence official stated that an "America first" approach will be taken by the Pentagon.
British defence companies have already secured £4billion worth of contracts to build a new series of submarines, known as SSN-Aukus.
Sir Keir Starmer announced last week that the UK will build a dozen new SSN-Aukus, coming into use by the end of the 2030s.
Commenting on the review request, a British Government spokesman said: "It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK did last year.
"The UK will continue to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which Aukus presents for our three nations."
A US defence official said: "The department is reviewing Aukus as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President's America-first agenda.
"As secretary [of defence] Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our service members, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs.
"This review will ensure the initiative meets these common-sense, America-first criteria."
Nigel Farage's ‘rhetoric’ attacked by guest in wake of Ballymena riots
Nigel Farage engaged in a fierce debate with political commentator Kieran Andrieu on GB News, with Andrieu blaming the Reform UK leader's rhetoric for helping to stoke tensions in Ballymena.
"Your personal rhetoric over the past 20 years has massively contributed to these kinds of scenes," Andrieu told Nigel during the heated exchange.
The confrontation came after three nights of rioting in Northern Ireland that left 32 police officers injured, sparked by the court appearance of two Romanian teenagers charged with attempted sexual assault.
Nigel rejected the accusations, insisting: "If they had listened to me, this would never have happened."
Badenoch slams Reform MPs for backing Burka ban, believing it would be a waste of police time
Kemi Badenoch has hit out at Reform MPs over their backing for the ban on the burka, suggesting it would waste the police's time.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Conservative leader said it was "a policy without a plan".
Badenoch said: "Are we going to send police officers into people's homes to check if they are wearing the burka at a time when we cannot even keep prisoners in prison.
"Do we have space in prison to put people wearing the burka in? This is what I mean by people just saying things, announcing policies without plans."
UK 'ready to go' to start implementing US trade deal
The Business Secretary suggested the delay in implementing the deal was due to the US
PAThe Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said the UK is "ready to go" with enrolling the UK-US trade deal, which was announced on May 8.
Reynolds suggested the delay to implement measures was on America's side, stating: "As soon as the president and the White House on their side are able to, we will implement that part of the deal."
He said: "We are ready to go on our side. In terms of the steps I need to take, I will inform the House with a written ministerial statement and lay the statutory instruments for the reciprocal part of that deal, which is obviously about beef and ethanol for us on this side."
Reynolds said he is "very hopeful" that the deal will come into effect "very soon".
Dominic Cummings blows lid on ‘absolute desperation’ to cover-up grooming gangs scandal: ‘I witnessed it!’
Dominic Cummings has exposed "systematic cover-ups" within Whitehall regarding child abuse cases, revealing why the system is "absolutely desperate" not to have an inquiry into grooming gangs.
Speaking to GB News' Steven Edginton, the ex-Boris Johnson-aide said: "There were mass cover-ups of the whole thing in Whitehall."
While the typical Whitehall cliche of "it's a cock-up, not a conspiracy" usually holds true, he said, child abuse is a significant exception.
There, Cummings warned, there were "multiple" exceptions...
Keir Starmer attempts walk-back on 'island of strangers' remark after left-wing meltdown
Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that he regrets his infamous 'island of strangers' remark
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that he regrets his infamous "island of strangers" remark which led to fury from the Labour left when he said it back in May.
The Prime Minister revealed that he could have articulated himself better when he made the comments, which prompted the ire of Corbynista ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.
McDonnell had accused the PM of "reflecting the language of Enoch Powell" as he rolled out Labour's Immigration White Paper.
Now, Starmer has told The New Statesman: "The actual concept was - and I said it in the speech but it didn't come through in the same way, and that's down to me - is I want to lead a nation that can confidently walk forward together as neighbours, as communities, wherever people have come from and whatever their background."
He added that this was a "progressive approach", but said: "I think probably emphasising that bit of it more will get it across better in the future."
In his speech, Starmer had said: "Let me put it this way, nations depend on rules, fair rules. Sometimes they are written down, often they are not, but either way, they give shape to our values, guide us towards our rights, of course, but also our responsibilities, the obligations we owe to each other.
"In a diverse nation like ours... we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together."
Reform UK comes out fighting as Tory 'Doge' row escalates
Following Kevin Hollinrake's letter to the ICO, a Reform UK spokesman said: "The Tories want to hide their waste and corruption. They just aren't serious."
RECAP: Nigel Farage warns of RECESSION as Reform UK attacks Chancellor's 'catastrophic fantasy economics'
Nigel Farage has warned that Britain is staring down the barrel of a recession in the wake of this morning's growth figures.
His Reform UK deputy Richard Tice had led outrage at the Chancellor earlier following the news that the UK economy had contracted by 0.3 per cent.
After branding it "catastrophic", Tice warned that Reeves's "splurge plans" were "holed below waterline already".
"Her fantasy economics," he jabbed.
Later, Farage swiped: "Reeves has not fixed the economy! The recession is coming."
Yesterday, Tice told GB News that he feared much of the Chancellor's spending spree would be "wasteful" and offered to step in to help the Treasury "make massive savings".
"They should stop wasting money. They should start making massive savings... I'm happy to help the Government produce those savings," he added.
DUP's Gordon Lyons should RESIGN over social media post which 'inflamed Larne unrest', First Minister says
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said DUP Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons should resign over a social media post sent hours before an attack on Larne Leisure Centre.
Lyons has faced criticism over the Facebook post about the location of migrant families who fled their homes.
O’Neill said: “He has failed to show correct leadership and I think that his commentary falls very short and very much strays into the territory of inflaming the situation so I think that he should consider his position.”
Asked if she was saying he should resign, she said: “Yes, I believe he should consider his position.”
Lyons had written that it had been "brought to my attention that a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre in the early hours of the morning following the disturbances in Ballymena".
"As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon," he added.
"It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.
"Protesting is of course a legitimate right, but violence is not... I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful."
Lee Anderson unleashes brutal swipe at Tories as Lib Dem defection rumours swirl
Lee Anderson has poured scorn on reports that "informal discussions" are underway between Lib Dems and Tory MPs on the left of the party looking for a new home.
The Reform UK chief whip - a Tory defector himself - jabbed: "That'll be about a hundred of them then."
Kemi Badenoch's Reform attacks dealt ANOTHER blow as Tory councillor switches allegiance in Scotland
The Tories have lost another councillor in Aberdeenshire to Reform UK.
Lauren Knight, who represents the Huntly, Strathbogie & Howe of Alford ward on the authority, announced the move on Thursday - and joins Dominic Lonchay, who made the switch last month.
Former Tory Mark Findlater also joined Reform last year, while Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr also joined up with Nigel Farage's party and is seen as its most senior figure in Scotland.
Knight said Badenoch's party had "left her", adding: "I am committed to being a strong voice for those who are too often unheard and to working tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of their needs, is given the opportunity to thrive.
"This is not just a political responsibility - it is a personal mission."
As Kemi Badenoch attacks Reform... Lib Dems 'hold discussions' with would-be Tory DEFECTORS
As Kemi Badenoch is laying siege to Reform UK, Liberal Democrat figures have revealed "informal discussions" are underway with Tory MPs on the left of the party looking for a new home.
The Lib Dems told PoliticsHome that there have been talks with Tories who have been left uneasy with shifting further to the right to combat the threat of Nigel Farage's party.
One Lib Dem MP involved in talks told the outlet: "Doors are not being slammed in our faces."
Another said they had spoken to at least two Conservative MPs who are unhappy about the party’s stance on net zero, claiming that they are "looking" at the Lib Dems as a potential new "home".
But one Tory said: "I would never defect - it's much easier to get a new leader."
Kemi Badenoch begins assault on 'scammers' Reform UK - 'Can you imagine 360 random people suddenly taking over Government?!'
Kemi Badenoch has launched an assault on 'scammers' Reform UK
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Kemi Badenoch has launched an assault on "scammers" Reform UK in a furious swipe at Nigel Farage's party.
"We cannot, in my view, allow Labour to get away with saying that they're are the only option, and this is the only way, this managed decline," she fumed.
"Or allow Farage, with no experience of legislating - he's never in Parliament, let alone Government - to just come in.
"Can you imagine 360 random people suddenly taking over government saying they are going to fix everything? We were there for 14 years, sweating and labouring, it was unbelievably difficult.
"How many of you would allow your businesses to be run by people who have never been in that business and say 'come on in, I'm sure you can fix it'? That's what he's offering, it's not real. It is a scam, and it's my job to expose that scam."
Back in Westminster... Labour backbenchers urge Cabinet to act on 'dodgy vape shops' - 'Blighting Britain!'
Labour MPs have called for a "crackdown" on "dodgy" vape, barber and souvenir shops "blighting" high streets across the country.
Melanie Onn said she "really must press" the Government for long-term action to tackle these shops, which MPs heard had links to tax evasion and money laundering.
Business & Trade Minister Gareth Thomas told MPs that the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) had visited almost 400 premises during a three-week operation in March, freezing several bank accounts.
Joe Powell, the MP for Kensington & Bayswater, told the Commons: "Small businesses across my constituency on our high streets - from Earl's Court Road to Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road - are fed up of being blighted by candy shops, low-grade souvenir shops, Harry Potter shops and, yes, even barber shops, with accusations of VAT and business rates evasion, and even links to money laundering and serious organised crime."
He urged Thomas to reveal "what steps" the Government is taking "to crack down on these operations and create a legitimate level playing field for our small businesses".
The minister replied: "We've been working with colleagues in the Home Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to take action to crackdown on illegitimate businesses that threaten to undermine the legitimate ones that are on all of our high streets.
"In March, the NECC co-ordinated a three-week crackdown against barber shops and other cash-intensive businesses where there were concerns, visiting almost 400 premises, securing freezing orders over a series of bank accounts totalling more than £1million."
David Lammy confirms UK 'working with local authorities'
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India.
"My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support."
Richard Tice: 'Thoughts and prayers with all those involved'
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: "Terrible news of the Air India flight that has crashed, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved."
Keir Starmer: 'Scenes from India are devastating'
The Prime Minister said: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
Kemi Badenoch: 'Heartbreaking news from Ahmedabad'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Heartbreaking news from Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with all those affected - especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy."
Lucy Powell: 'We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families'
Commons leader Lucy Powell has just told MPs: “The thoughts of the whole House and the Government will be with the families of those traveling on flight AI171 from Ahmedabad in India to London, Gatwick, which has reportedly crashed.
“This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones.
“We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the Government will provide all the support that it can with those in India on those in this country as well.”
Priti Patel speaks out on shock scenes from India as London-bound flight crashes
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has spoken out on today's plane crash in India.
Patel, whose paternal grandparents were born in the state of Gujarat - where the flight crashed - said: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the plane crash at Ahmedabad and with the emergency services at the scene.
"This will be a worrying time for the families of those on board.
"As further information comes forward, the Government needs to ensure it is working with Indian authorities to support British families affected."
More than 4,000 business leaders flee Labour-run Britain after Rachel Reeves axes non-dom rules
More than 4,400 business leaders have left Britain in the last year after Rachel Reeves abolished a tax break for non-domiciled residents, a damning new report shows.
Analysis by Bloomberg of 5 million company filings on Companies House shows a spike in departing business leaders over recent months - with more than 4,400 saying they had moved abroad in the last year alone.
A slew of recent studies have warned that Britain could lose thousands of jobs and up to £12.2 billion over the next four years if non-doms keep leaving at the pace that many advisers are predicting.
WATCH IN FULL: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to Britain's Newsroom
RECAP: Boris Johnson blames CORBYNISTAS for Labour's 'feeble' Spending Review - 'They're failing!'
Boris Johnson has blamed "Corbynistas" for Labour's "wasteful" Spending Review in a damning take-down of Rachel Reeves's plans.
The former Prime Minister said the "feeble" review had been spurred on by Labour's "Corbynista" grassroots - and warned that the Chancellor's refusal to spend more on defence would leave Britain at the mercy of Vladimir Putin's Russia.
"This is feeble," Johnson spat. "They have wasted a big opportunity. My view is that this Government is completely failing to show the leadership that is needed to defend Britain and defend Europe.
"Labour are congenitally hostile to defence spending. Their grassroots are still basically Corbynistas who think Russia is a great thing. Those views are still highly influential in Labour."
The ex-PM and long-time Ukraine backer also warned that Labour's failure to spend would leave the embattled country searching for leadership from other Western countries instead of Britain.
"If you talk to people in Ukraine or the US, they will say leadership on protecting Ukraine is now being offered by Germany and France," he said.
Reeves had told the Commons she was rolling out "a £11billion increase in defence spending and a £600milllion uplift for our security and intelligence agencies."
But Tory sources claimed in response that Labour had "taken money from a different department and pretended it was going to the Armed Forces".
Labour, in turn, accused the Tories of "getting their numbers wrong" and insisted Wednesday's review was "not a cut to defence" based on the Nato qualifying spend.
Rachel Reeves reignites Labour feud with Sadiq Khan as Chancellor REFUSES to admit looming cuts to police
Rachel Reeves has reignited a feud with Sadiq Khan over her Spending Review's impact on the Metropolitan Police.
The Chancellor slapped down Khan's claim that her plans would mean cuts to frontline police as she told the BBC: "I really don't accept there needs to be cuts when we're actually increasing the money that the police force gets."
She added: "If spending is going up by 2.3 per cent above inflation, I do not accept the need for cuts."
Just yesterday, the Mayor of London had seen vicious attacks from City Hall's Tory chief Susan Hall, who said: "Sadiq Khan has been completely snubbed by his own party in Government.
"After years of promising that Labour would be London's salvation, he's returned from this spending review with absolutely nothing to show for it.
"Londoners deserve better than a Mayor who can't even secure basic funding from his political allies in Westminster."
WATCH IN FULL: Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper speaks to GB News Breakfast
WATCH IN FULL: Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride speaks to GB News Breakfast
'I'm not a Klarna Chancellor!' Rachel Reeves left fuming at 'buy now, pay later' accusations
Rachel Reeves has denied being a "Klarna Chancellor" amid furious accusations of running a "buy now, pay later" Spending Review.
Asked whether she accepted that characterisation, she told LBC: "I don't accept that at all."
"The idea that yesterday I racked up a bill that I'm going to need to pay for in the future, that's just not right," Reeves spat.
"Last year, I had to increase taxes. I have now allocated that money in the spending review on health, security and economic growth, but everything yesterday was fully costed and fully funded from the budget last year."
Rachel Reeves haunted by growth jabs at Tories exactly one year on
Rachel Reeves's jabs at the Tories' record on the economy have resurfaced exactly a year on following this morning's growth figures.
On June 12, 2024, the then-Shadow Chancellor said - after the economy contracted by just 0.1 per cent, a third of this morning's shrink - that Rishi Sunak "claims we have turned a corner, but the economy has stalled and there is no growth".
"The Conservatives have failed," Reeves crowed. "It's time for change."
Labour endures by-election WIPEOUT as Reform, Tories AND Greens neck-and-neck
Labour was dealt a triple blow at a council by-election last night as it slumped to fourth place behind a practically neck-and-neck Reform UK, Conservatives and Greens.
Stroud District Council's Severn ward saw its Green candidate unhorse Labour to victory - but just 1.1 per cent split first and third place.
The Greens took back 27.8 per cent of the vote share, the Tories 26.9 and Reform 26.7.
Tory economic top dogs launch opening salvo against Rachel Reeves after economy shrinks
Tory Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride and Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith have kicked off an opposition pile-on against Rachel Reeves following this morning's damning growth figures.
Griffith blasted: "We said that April - the first month of this Government's tax hikes - would be awful, and today that’s been confirmed.
"GDP down; Manufacturing output falling; Trade (balance of payments) worst since 2022... It comes on top of rising unemployment and inflation."
And Stride fumed: "Before the election, Labour promised 'growth, growth, growth' but today's fall in GDP lays bare the disappointing consequences of Rachel Reeves's economic vandalism.
"Yesterday, the Chancellor should have taken corrective action to fix the problems she has caused. But instead her spending review has all but confirmed what many feared: more taxes are coming.
"Under Labour, we have seen taxes hiked, inflation almost double, unemployment rise, and growth fall. With more taxes coming, things will only get worse and hard-working people will pay the price."
Labour's growth mission HAMMERED as growth contracts in April
The British economy contracted by 0.3 per cent in April, the Office for National Statistics has said.
We'll bring you all the latest reaction to the figures as it comes in throughout the morning - with Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride and Lib Dems Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper all appearing on GB News Breakfast across the next two hours.
Reeves, responding to the figures, said: "Our number one mission is delivering growth to put more money in people's pockets through our plan for change, and while these numbers are clearly disappointing, I'm determined to deliver on that mission.
"In yesterday's Spending Review we set out how we'll deliver jobs and growth - whether that's improving city region transport, a record investment in affordable homes or funding Sizewell C nuclear power station.
"We're investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off."
Rachel Reeves rolls out £6billion 'testing and treatment' NHS splurge in bid to meet Labour 'milestone'
Rachel Reeves will splurge some £6billion on speeding up testing and treatment in the NHS
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Rachel Reeves will splurge some £6billion on speeding up testing and treatment in the NHS in a bid to meet a key Labour "milestone".
The Chancellor unveiled the investment, which includes new scanners, ambulances and urgent treatment centres aimed at providing an extra four million appointments in England over the next five years, after Wednesday's Spending Review.
The funding is aimed at reducing waiting lists and reaching Labour's "milestone" of ensuring the health service carries out 92 per cent of routine operations within 18 weeks.
Reeves claimed the NHS had been "put on its knees" as a result of under-investment by the Conservatives, adding: "We are investing in Britain’s renewal, and we will turn that around."
The new £6billion investment is set to come from the capital settlement for the NHS and will also help to speed up diagnoses with scans and treatment available in places such as shopping centres and high streets.
But Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think tank, warned Britain is transforming into a "National Health State".
She said: "Health accounted for 90 per cent of the extra public service spending, continuing a trend that is seeing the British state morph into a National Health State, with half of public service spending set to be on health by the end of the decade."
SPENDING REVIEW RECAP: Rachel Reeves vows to END migrant hotels - and refuses to rule out looming tax hikes
Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke to GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope in the wake of yesterday's Spending Review.
On the agenda were migrant hotels and the prospect of tax hikes for working Britons - and you can read the full stories from her interview below.
READ IN FULL: Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out future tax rises in response to GB News probing
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