Browsing: UK Politics

The five problems with the chancellor’s U-turn on winter fuel payments – and there are some major issues.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledged to restore blast furnace operations in Port Talbot, calling it a matter of “national sovereignty and industrial pride.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out introducing a wealth tax under a Labour government, despite growing pressure from trade unions and party members.

Monday’s newspaper headlines are dominated by a few stories: Government policy, in particular, the upcoming Spending Review, which is set to be released on Wednesday and the clashes between protests and the National Guard in the USA. 

A handful of front pages lead with the NHS’s call for more blood donors, whilst the back pages report on football transfer gossip ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Portugal winning the Nations League and Spain’s Alcaraz winning the French Open.

Good Morning! It’s a cloudy start this morning in the capital, but don’t despair – the heat is expected to return later this week.

It’s all pretty glum news leading the UK media this moring, with most of it focused on the international chaos from across the USA and the war in Gaza.

Closer to home, NHS nurses are to vote on a pay deal today, there’s coverage of the upcoming Spending Review – set to be released on Wednesday and Premier League transfer gossip dominates the back pages.

Nearly 350,000 NHS nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are being asked to vote on a 3.6% pay rise from Monday. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has slammed the offer as “grotesque” and warned it could trigger a fresh strike ballot.

The upcoming spending review will outline the government’s budget allocations across departments, signalling priorities ahead of the general election.

The UK government will announce an £86bn funding package aimed at enhancing drug treatments and battery technology, with regional allocations of up to £500m for science and technology projects.

Zia Yusuf reversed his resignation from Reform UK, stating that the mission is too important and expressing commitment to taxpayers.

Several UK newspaper front pages cover the departure from Reform UK for the party chairman Zia Yusuf. The reports that a Reform civil war has broken out over a potential Burka ban, have deepened divisions within the party and led to several high-profile departures. It’s been a difficult time for Reform, internally, with questions over leadership, conflict and internal divisions swirling.

This morning’s front pages are dominated by two key narratives: the Trump-Musk feud – a high‑profile clash between Trump and Musk that’s made international headlines – and the dramatic departure of Zia Yusuf from Reform UK — spotlighting deep divisions ahead of future elections. Meanwhile, heavyweight political discourse continues with calls to reform the European Convention on Human Rights, and diplomatic tensions simmer as Moscow accuses the UK of aiding drone strikes with Ukraine.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Friday, 6 June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, a touch of morning rain has struck the capital – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out!

It’s all politics this morning, with news of the Scottish Labour Party’s victory over the SNP in the Hamilton by-election. The SNP came in second, with Reform in third and the Conservatives in fourth. In reality, whilst Reform came in third – in terms of votes they weren’t far off Labour.

But there was some bad news for Reform UK, with the party chair Zia Yusuf stepping down from his role amid questions of turmoil inside the party.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk last night engaged in a dramatic and shocking online spat, trading barbs back and forth over Donald Trump’s spending bill.

Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK, saying campaigning for the party is no longer a “good use” of his time. His departure follows tensions around a controversial call by Reform’s newest MP to ban the burka—an idea Yusuf publicly criticised.

Scottish Labour pulled off an unexpected victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP despite sliding poll numbers and backlash over UK-wide policies like cuts to winter fuel payments.

Scottish Labour’s Davy Russell won the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election with 8,559 votes, defeating the SNP’s Katy Loudon, who received 7,957 votes.

US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Elon Musk for publicly criticising his tax and spending bill, questioning the future of their relationship.

Labour may consider adjustments to the two-child benefit cap, potentially exempting specific families, as suggested by Harriet Harman.

Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK, stating that working to elect the party is no longer a “good use of my time.”

The Labour government’s U-turn on their deeply unpopular cuts to the winter fuel payments leads much of the newspapers. The government has said more pensioners will now be in line to receive the payment again but stopped short of explaining the new eligibility criteria. The chancellor did confirm those who will be eligible will receive their payment by this winter.

Thursday’s newspaper headlines report on the winter fuel U-turn announced by the chancellor yesterday – widely welcomed by the newspapers.

Andy Burnham acknowledges the possibility of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister, urging Labour to enhance connections with voters.

The government has confirmed that more people will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, in a U-turn on one of Labour’s first controversial policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the increased eligibility will be in place “this winter,” though specific details on the new threshold and who qualifies remain vague.

Lewis Hamilton has engaged in discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, focusing on educational reform as part of his ongoing commitment to the Mission 44 initiative.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Wednesday, 4th June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, the grey skies have returned. A touch of morning rain is on the way – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out.
Oh no!! Tariffs are back in the headlines, as Donald Trump’s hike on metals comes into effect. The UK has been temporarily spared the hike with the rate for the UK still at 25%.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce a £15 billion investment package for transport aimed at boosting infrastructure across the North, Midlands and West Country.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £15.6bn transport investment package aimed at boosting infrastructure across the North, Midlands and West Country. The cash will fund tram, train and bus improvements, including major projects in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the West Midlands.