Browsing: UK politics

Monday’s headlines are leading with the prime minister’s announcement on his plans to crack down on legal migration to the UK – with measures that include banning overseas care home workers. It’s unclear how these measures won’t damage the economy further, but Starmer’s eyeing up a second term in office, and to beat Reform at the next general election (2029) he’ll need to have made massive moves on immigration (legal and illegal). Recent local elections in England saw Reform sweep traditional Labour and Tory hotspots, meaning you can expect to see both parties move closer to the right for the foreseeable future.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised “migration numbers will fall” when he sets out plans to reform the UK’s immigration system later this morning. 

It’s trade deals galore for the prime minister after yesterday’s announcement that Britain had signed a trade deal with India, the prime minister is set to announce a UK-US trade deal later today. The news is a huge win for both Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves who have been under pressure since taking office over the handling of the economy!

Experts are suggesting that the devil is in the details – and it’s likely to be more of a temporary pause on some tariffs rather than a long-term trade agreement. But still, with the world queuing up for a trade deal, getting in their first will no doubt be a boost for the PM and his struggling government.

Reform UK has decided not to suspend Councillor Joel Tetlow, despite criticism for sharing a meme referencing Adolf Hitler during VE Day commemorations.

The government says it will not reverse cuts to winter fuel payments despite the measure causing turmoil in the party. Since last week’s local election losses for Labour (and huge gains for Reform), there have been growing calls within the party for the cuts to be abandoned. 

UK and India agree trade deal after more than 3 years of talks. The UK-India trade deal will make it easier for UK firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, and cut taxes on India’s clothing and footwear exports.

Today’s news is dominated by yesterday’s commemoration of VE Day – as Europe marks 80 years of the end of WW2. There’s plenty of coverage of the royals – and their role in the celebrations and a look ahead at what other events are taking place across the country this week.

Cliff Notes Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended Labour’s unpopular policies, including cuts to the winter fuel allowance, stating they were necessary to address significant national…

Cliff Notes Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf claims the party aims to “remoralise” young people, alleging they are taught to “hate their country.” Yusuf argues…

Reform UK secured a narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, winning by just six votes after Labour previously held the seat with a substantial majority of nearly 14,700.

Over 1,600 council seats are contested across 23 local authorities, alongside mayoral elections and a critical by-election in Runcorn and Helsby following Labour MP Mike Amesbury’s resignation.

England is electing six mayors, including four combined authority mayors (metro mayors) and two city mayors, with most positions last contested in 2021.

The UK is set for the hottest day of the year (so far) today — and the sun is already shining across the capital. With temperatures soaring, it’s not just the weather that’s heating up — the news cycle is packed, too. 

You might as well get used to it – the sun is out and it’s here to stay (for at least a week). As the sun rolls out across the UK today, it’s already clear blue skies across the capital. So, let’s grab a coffee and have a run-through of today’s news bulletins. 

Liverpool have clinched the Premier League title in spectacular fashion, delighting fans across the city and beyond. Meanwhile, the UK is bracing for an intense heatwave this week, with temperatures expected to soar well above seasonal averages. In politics, the upcoming local elections could see notable gains for Reform UK, as dissatisfaction with the main parties fuels growing support for smaller challengers.

The government received pay rise recommendations from the independent review body, suggesting increases of nearly 4% for teachers and 3% for NHS workers, exceeding the current 2.8% offer.

The sun is blaring across the capital this morning, as the UK is set for high temperatures and clear skies this week. 

So grab yourself a coffee and let’s have a look at the headlines this Monday morning.

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, has not dismissed local level coalitions with Reform after the upcoming council elections but firmly rejected any national pact with Nigel Farage’s party.

Economists say Chancellor Rachel Reeves may have to raise taxes in the October Budget.

Local elections on 1 May will see 23 councils, primarily Conservative-controlled, up for grabs, amid expectations of significant losses for the Tories.

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer specifically to “biological woman and biological sex,” sparking protests from the trans community.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has unexpectedly reversed his stance on Chinese involvement in the UK steel sector, indicating a shift in government policy.

A week after Donald Trump unleashed his destructive and ill-thought-out tariffs on the world, US politics has stopped dominating the front splashes in the UK. 

Monday’s headlines lead with domestic news such as the race to save British steel, the Army being sent in to deal with the Birmingham bin strikes and reports on the Manchester bomber plotter attacking three prison guards with boiling oil and a homemade knife. 

Liverpool and Newcastle’s weekend Premier League wins dominate the sports pages.

British Steel is urgently working to secure raw materials like coking coal amid a crisis that threatens the future of the Scunthorpe plant, with government officials involved in negotiations.

Harriet Harman advises Sir Keir Starmer to clearly communicate that Donald Trump’s tariffs on UK goods are incorrect and unjustified.