Browsing: UK politics

Sir Keir Starmer expressed concerns that Britain could become an “island of strangers” if immigration issues are not addressed, drawing criticism for similarities to past inflammatory rhetoric.

Friday’s newspaper front pages cover the fallout from Albania’s rejection of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s migrant deal. On his first official visit to Albania, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK is in talks with other countries to establish overseas “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers.

The UK’s leading business lobbying group, the CBI, is calling for a major reset in relations with the EU, saying the current post-Brexit setup is “no longer fit for purpose”. Ahead of a UK-EU summit on 19 May, the group has urged both sides to rebuild trust and take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.

MPs are set to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill again on Friday, following major amendments and months of committee scrutiny. The bill, first passed in November by 330 votes to 275, would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek assisted dying.

Victims’ watchdog Baroness Newlove expresses serious concerns regarding the government’s changes to prisoner recall release policy, questioning the early release of certain sexual and violent offenders.

Sir Keir Starmer is in Albania to strengthen measures against migrant smuggling gangs, aiming to reduce both legal and illegal migration levels.

Much of Wednesday’s headlines are dominated by the news that a man – convicted of the horrific murder of Diane Sindall in 1986, has finally been cleared and freed after new DNA evidence ruled him out.

Peter Sullivan has spent nearly 40 years behind bars in what is believed to be the longest miscarriage of justice involving a living prisoner in British legal history.

A new study has highlighted the benefits of weight-loss drugs beyond tackling obesity in the UK – other benefits include halving the risk of heart attacks and strokes and appearing to protect the heart almost immediately.

Assisted dying is also dominating the UK news this morning with GPs deeply divided on the issue. It comes after the Scottish assisted dying bill passed its first vote at Holyrood.

On the international front, Donald Trump has announced he will lift sanctions on Syria – as he embarks on a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, aimed at securing deals for the US and his private businesses.

For a second day, there’s a lot of coverage of yesterday’s announcement from the prime minister regarding a planned crackdown on legal migration to the United Kingdom.

Tuesday’s headlines are heavily dominated by the suspicious fires at two homes connected to the prime minister, as well as a car on the street of one of the house fires.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the suspected arson.

The UK’s jobs market is making the headlines as it’s starting to show signs of strain with the number of workers on payroll falling during the opening months of 2025.

High street chain Marks & Spencer has suffered a serious cyber attack, resulting in the theft of customers’ personal data, although payment details and passwords remain secure.

On the international front, Trump is touring the Middle East to secure multi-billion-dollar agreements, including arms sales and investments, with Gulf leaders.

Nigel Farage proposes allowing essential migration in areas with skill shortages but intends to cap the numbers, with details to be announced in four years’ time.