Browsing: UK Politics

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.

The UK has been temporarily spared from a steep hike in US steel and aluminium tariffs, following a new executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. While tariffs on other countries doubled from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday, the UK will remain at 25%—for now.

Most of the newspapers react to the government’s Defence Secretary Review plans, announced by the prime minister yesterday. The UK is set to spend an extra £2bn on drones and AI in a bid to make the country “battle ready” – but some papers (right-leaning Conservatives) warn that a tax rise will likely be on the way to pay for it. New submarines are set to be built in what some papers suggest is a warning to Russia, and the review lays out plans to recruit more people for the army, with a paid stint in the military for school leavers being considered.

AI is dominating the UK newspaper front pages this morning after the prime minister announced his defence strategy yesterday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has laid out plans to grow the British Army as he vows to put the country on a war footing and be prepared for Russian threats. 

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Tuesday, 3rd 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.

Leading the news in Britain is news that the UK government’s AI bill has been defeated in the House of Lords again (for the fourth time) as peers back an amendment to the bill that would require AI companies to reveal which copyrighted material they have used.

The UK government’s proposed Data (Use and Access) Bill has faced its fourth defeat in the House of Lords. Peers voted 242 to 116 in favour of an amendment that would require greater transparency from tech companies using copyrighted material to train artificial intelligence models.

YouTube comedian and magician Archie Manners has been hired full-time by the thinktank Resolute 1850, now set to be renamed The Centre for a Better Britain.

The UK government is prepared to take Roman Abramovich to court for the proceeds of his £2.5bn Chelsea FC sale, aiming to direct the funds to humanitarian causes related to the Ukraine war.

This week’s news kicks off with big announcements from the UK government regarding defence spending, commentary around illegal crossings of the English Channel as the number of those crossing in a single day rises and of course a lot of chatter about the sunshine!

Most of Monday’s newspapers lead with the prime minister’s strategic defence review, which is set to be released later today. The papers have a preview of what is likely to be in the review – which will outline the government’s priorities for military and spending in the coming years.

Monday’s front pages are dominated by two stories: the upcoming announcement of the Strategic Defence Review and the illegal crossings of the English Channel.

Several newspapers report that results from a new trial suggest that exercise is “better than drugs” in stopping cancer from returning.

Elsewhere, the rest of the front pages are made up of standalone reports including everything from Liz Truss flogging Whiskey to reports that Britain is set for a sunny June.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Monday, 2nd June 2025. The sun is shining over the capital this morning, so let’s soak up the rays while catching up on the latest news.
Much of the news dominating the UK headlines focuses on international events, however, there are a handful of UK-focused stories – mostly around the UK’s defence spending and plans set to be announced later today in the Strategic Defence Review.

The UK will build up to 12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines, as part of a sweeping Strategic Defence Review to be announced on Monday by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The submarines will begin replacing the current fleet from the late 2030s and are designed to safeguard Britain and its NATO allies for decades to come.

The UK government plans to establish at least six new weapons factories as part of a £6bn rearmament initiative to bolster its defence capabilities amid rising threats, particularly from Russia.