Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Donald Trump has met Keir Starmer at Chequers during his second state visit to the UK, following the announcement of £150 billion in American investment. The funds, pledged by major firms including Blackstone, Prologis, and Palantir, are expected to create around 7,600 jobs across Britain. The leaders are set to sign a 'technology prosperity deal' to boost UK artificial intelligence development, while also discussing trade, investment, and foreign policy. The talks come after a Windsor Castle state banquet, where both Trump and the King hailed the 'special relationship' between the UK and US. While Starmer hopes to spotlight renewed transatlantic ties and economic opportunity, both governments face awkward questions, including ongoing controversies linked to Jeffrey Epstein and differing positions on Israel. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will also host a Downing Street reception for US and UK business leaders to showcase deeper cooperation. The visit marks a significant moment for strengthening economic and diplomatic bonds between the two nations.

The Government’s new 'one in, one out' deal with France to deport Channel migrants has hit delays, as deportation flights were grounded for a third consecutive day. The Home Office is appealing a High Court ruling which halted the removal of a man claiming to be a victim of modern slavery. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned 'last-minute, vexatious' appeals, vowing to fight attempts to block removals and pledging to review the Modern Slavery Act to close loopholes. She insisted that Britain’s generosity was being exploited and promised to 'robustly defend the public’s priorities’. The UK-France pilot scheme, agreed by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron in July, would return asylum seekers arriving illegally in small boats while allowing approved applicants to enter the UK through a legal route. Officials maintain flights will still go ahead in the coming days, despite setbacks. Critics warn, however, that deportations must carefully consider genuine trafficking cases and vulnerable individuals. Breaking news: the first deportation has taken place. See

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has branded Elon Musk’s language at a London rally 'abhorrent’, after he warned of violence linked to uncontrolled migration and called for Parliament’s dissolution. Mahmood insisted: 'No-one gets to mess with British democracy’, stressing that Britain is a tolerant and diverse nation. Musk’s remarks, delivered in conversation with activist Tommy Robinson at the 150,000-strong 'Unite The Kingdom' march, were condemned across the political spectrum. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Musk was 'deeply irresponsible, deeply dangerous’, while Downing Street called his words inflammatory and threatening to public order. Debate also arose over whether Musk’s Tesla and energy ventures should receive UK contracts, with critics urging government review. Nigel Farage defended Musk’s appeal to 'fight' through free speech and elections, though others accused him of fuelling division. As protests and counter-protests highlighted national tensions, Mahmood affirmed that English identity embraces both long heritage and diverse backgrounds.

Conservative councillor Clare De Silva has expressed her sadness at fellow Christian Danny Kruger’s defection to Reform UK. Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire since 2019 and formerly shadow work and pensions minister under Kemi Badenoch, announced his move alongside Nigel Farage, who appointed him to lead a new Reform team preparing for government. Calling the decision 'very painful’, Kruger declared, 'The party is over: the flame is passing from one torch to another’, and praised Farage as 'our last hope' on the right. De Silva told Premier Christian News she was shocked and saddened, calling the departure a poignant loss. While disagreeing with his choice, she stressed the importance of Christians disagreeing well in politics: 'I know Danny is a God-fearing man and will have made this decision really carefully… we should disagree well.' The moment highlights both division and opportunity for grace among believers in public life.

Brussels has warned that no deal on easing border checks for UK food imports will be reached unless Britain agrees to expand youth mobility schemes. The proposed sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement - central to Labour’s plan to reduce food costs by 2027 - would align rules on plants, animals, and food products, cutting supermarket prices and border delays. But EU negotiators insist progress depends on allowing more young Europeans aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK. Cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds pressed for urgency during talks in Brussels, stressing the need for relief as food inflation has risen for five consecutive months, with key staples up 5.1% annually. European diplomats, however, argue the SPS deal is more important for Britain than the EU. Meanwhile, UK firms face possible exclusion from bidding on EU defence projects worth €150 billion unless terms are finalised soon, with France resisting UK involvement. The Government faces mounting pressure as household food costs continue to climb.

MPs have warned against scrapping education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs and disabilities. In a new report, the education select committee calls for EHCPs to remain as a vital 'backstop of accountability' for families, alongside statutory minimum standards for SEND provision in all schools. The eight-month inquiry highlights the unsustainable strain on the system, with 638,745 children now holding EHCPs - the highest since their introduction. Despite a decade of rising funding, outcomes for many pupils remain poor, and parents often face exhausting battles to secure support. The committee recommends more training for teachers, greater specialist provision, and funding increases in line with inflation. Campaigners stress that EHCPs give children enforceable rights, while the Government insists reforms will strengthen provision and reduce the need for conflict. MPs argue that long-term sustainability requires an inclusive, well-resourced education system backed by cross-agency cooperation.

Three people, possibly including children, have died attempting to cross the English Channel near Calais, French authorities confirmed. The victims, believed to be from Egypt and South East Asia, were among more than seventy people crammed onto an overloaded boat. Officials said they were likely crushed to the bottom of the vessel. While 44 passengers were rescued, three later died in hospital. On the same night, another 115 people were rescued from a separate boat -  one of the largest groups recorded - while three remain missing from a different vessel. This year alone, over twenty migrants have died making the perilous crossing; 2024 was the deadliest year on record, with at least 82 deaths. More than 30,000 people have already reached the UK in small boats this year. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of people-smuggling gangs and the UK’s asylum system. New home secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to prioritise border security and tackle traffickers driving the crisis.

The Labour Party’s deputy leadership contest is narrowing to a likely two-horse race between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell. Education secretary Phillipson became the first candidate to secure the required 80 nominations, with 116 backers including three cabinet ministers. She has emphasised immigration and border security as key concerns for voters, particularly in constituencies vulnerable to Reform UK advances. She highlighted her record of defeating populist opponents and promised to 'give hope' by tackling small boat crossings and improving public services. Powell, with 77 nominations, has drawn support from left-leaning MPs, presenting herself as more available for campaigning than a serving minister. Other contenders failed to gain sufficient momentum. While critics fear Phillipson may be seen as a Downing Street-backed 'coronation' candidate, her supporters argue she represents unity and strength. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer faces further scrutiny over his political judgment after he sacked Lord Mandelson as British ambassador to the USA, following the publication of email messages to Jeffrey Epstein. See

Public support for the monarchy has dropped to its lowest level since records began in 1983, according to the British Social Attitudes survey. The share of people saying the monarchy is important has fallen from 86% in 1983 to just 51% in 2024. While more than half (58%) still prefer retaining the monarchy over replacing it with an elected head of state, the gap is narrowing, with 38% now favouring abolition. Younger and left-leaning people are most likely to support change, while older, right-leaning voters remain the strongest backers. Among party supporters, Conservatives (82%) and Reform UK (77%) show the highest loyalty to the crown, while Labour members are almost evenly split. In Scotland and Wales, most respondents favour an elected head of state. The findings, released ahead of Donald Trump’s state visit to Windsor Castle in September, underline a shifting national mood.

The Trussell Trust is calling for urgent government action in the autumn budget to tackle soaring hunger across the UK. Its landmark study, Hunger in the UK, reveals that 14.1 million people, including 3.8 million children, faced hunger in 2024 due to insufficient income. This represents one in six households, and is a rise from 11.6 million in 2022. Foodbank reliance is growing, but many go without help, believing others are in greater need. The crisis hits children under five and disabled people hardest, with nearly three quarters of foodbank users living with disabilities. Alarmingly, 30% of those referred are from working households, showing that employment is no safeguard against hardship. Universal Credit is failing to protect families: over half of recipients experienced hunger last year. With households left with only £104 a week after housing, Trussell says poverty is about income, not food supply. They urge scrapping the two-child limit, reforming Universal Credit, and uprating Local Housing Allowance to prevent hunger from becoming routine.