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Showing posts from February, 2026

Chris Mason: Trump calls Starmer as US and Europe diverge on Iran strikes

The UK was not involved in, nor has it endorsed, the strikes on Iran by Israel and the US. from BBC News https://ift.tt/T0vUFDV via IFTTT

Palestine Action arrest as Churchill statue defaced

The Westminster statue of the former prime minister is vandalised with slogans daubed in red paint. from BBC News https://ift.tt/yUPbtHu via IFTTT

Green MP cancels plumbing jobs after by-election win

New Green MP Hannah Spencer has apologised to clients for having to cancel jobs after by-election win. from BBC News https://ift.tt/UwpMXLz via IFTTT

Nearly a million 16-24 year-olds not working or in education

People at the start of their careers are particularly affected by the UK's weak job market. from BBC News https://ift.tt/jh3W2k9 via IFTTT

Met apologises to Lord Speaker after Mandelson tip-off error

Lord Mandelson's lawyers said police arrested the peer because of a "baseless" suggestion he was planning to move abroad. from BBC News https://ift.tt/WoJI7dp via IFTTT

Court backlog will continue to rise even with new reforms, Lammy says

The justice secretary says every crown court in England and Wales will be funded to hear as many cases as possible next year. from BBC News https://ift.tt/JnfCSLj via IFTTT

MP's aide charged with indecent images offences

Conor McGrath is a former Labour councillor and ex-aide to Kevin Bonavia MP. from BBC News https://ift.tt/izFUQGE via IFTTT

Three things that could bring Starmer down - and what might save him

Sir Keir's survival as Labour leader and prime minister hangs in the balance, writes Nick Eardley. from BBC News https://ift.tt/05og2Vt via IFTTT

Sturgeon accused Salmond of 'revenge mission' against her government

Sturgeon made the remark during an interview when she was being investigated over claims she misled parliament. from BBC News https://ift.tt/AzqTwQg via IFTTT

Chris Mason: MPs take a new tone on Andrew – but how big is their appetite for radical changes?

It was quite a moment when Sir Chris Bryant called the former prince "rude, arrogant and entitled" in the House of Commons, the BBC's political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/9tzvUDj via IFTTT

MPs demand temporary ban on crypto donations to UK parties

It comes amid concerns the anonymity of crypto could be used to get round rules on foreign donations. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dgeq3oT via IFTTT

Tories vow to lower interest on some student loans

Kemi Badenoch says graduates feel 'stitched up' as she promises to cut Plan 2 loan interest charges. from BBC News https://ift.tt/IZF3Yse via IFTTT

'It is a catastrophe' - the man battling to stem rising youth unemployment

Alan Milburn returns to his hometown of Newcastle as he undertakes a review into the growing numbers of young people out of work. from BBC News https://ift.tt/SFfkbZ0 via IFTTT

MPs to discuss inquiry into trade envoy role after Andrew arrest

A cross-party committee will also look into the appointment and accountability of UK trade envoys. from BBC News https://ift.tt/TELUDm4 via IFTTT

Australia backs removing Andrew from royal line of succession

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne despite being stripped of his titles. from BBC News https://ift.tt/eUmtRNW via IFTTT

'Effective' SEND support won't be taken away, minister says

But the education secretary says children "will be reviewed in terms of their needs", under planned reforms. from BBC News https://ift.tt/E0VQXJc via IFTTT

UK agrees drone defence plan with four EU allies

The scheme will seek to take inspiration from Ukraine's drone manufacturing programme. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QmdW451 via IFTTT

Higher tax helped UK government reach record January surplus

The government took in more from tax receipts than expected, official data suggests. from BBC News https://ift.tt/603sV1r via IFTTT

Lib Dems set out plans to stop SEND services being 'cash cows'

Council spending on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities has soared in recent years. from BBC News https://ift.tt/e2hqga1 via IFTTT

Deportation of Chagos Islanders blocked by judge

A court upholds a challenge about the lawfulness of the orders to remove four men who travelled to the territory. from BBC News https://ift.tt/pGufw2q via IFTTT

Lobbying firm co-founded by Mandelson goes into administration

Global Counsel's clients cut ties with the firm over Lord Mandelson's links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. from BBC News https://ift.tt/IWaGnS3 via IFTTT

Minister refuses to give timescale on Ajax after soldiers left vomiting

The multi-million pound Ajax vehicles, made in Merthyr Tydfil, have been beset by problems. from BBC News https://ift.tt/BiRdlAu via IFTTT

Swinney was told of Murrell charges weeks before they became public

Former SNP chief executive Murrell is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period. from BBC News https://ift.tt/PSWmLGD via IFTTT

US says it supports UK Chagos Islands deal

US Department of State says it supports the UK's decision to "proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago". from BBC News https://ift.tt/gDNY3Mi via IFTTT

MPs may investigate Andrew over trade envoy claims

The business committee will discuss whether to "take this investigation forward" when they meet next Tuesday, Byrne says. from BBC News https://ift.tt/HeT7iYA via IFTTT

What we learned from BBC Gorton and Denton debate

Gorton and Denton by-election candidates from five parties go head to head in a BBC debate. from BBC News https://ift.tt/UVp5hrZ via IFTTT

Ministers want to reform SEND - but they are treading very carefully

The government is expected to outline its plan to overhaul the complex system of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England soon. from BBC News https://ift.tt/t9P5fnd via IFTTT

Andrew's time as trade envoy should be investigated, says Vince Cable

The former prince's alleged actions were "totally unacceptable", the ex-business secretary says. from BBC News https://ift.tt/bxo5dRI via IFTTT

Palestine Action ban ruled unlawful but group remains proscribed for now

It remains in place for now to allow further legal argument and the government to consider an appeal. from BBC News https://ift.tt/t5hcWgH via IFTTT

Where does Wormald sacking leave Sir Keir Starmer?

Is transplanting staff at the heart of government part of a bigger strategy - or a sticking plaster? from BBC News https://ift.tt/XBPC8M7 via IFTTT

Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe launches new party

The new party is set up by former Reform UK member, Rupert Lowe. from BBC News https://ift.tt/H5nDQBf via IFTTT

One giant boys' club? Why Westminster still feels like a man's world

The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson has prompted soul searching about women’s role in government, writes Laura Kuenssberg. from BBC News https://ift.tt/ipo0N7F via IFTTT

Welsh Tory leader's staff defect to Reform on eve of conference

Party gathers in Llandudno as senior aides quit to join Nigel Farage's organisation. from BBC News https://ift.tt/BcHNZWX via IFTTT

Reeves says 'more to do' after sluggish GDP growth

The chancellor's comments came after figures showed the UK economy saw a lacklustre end to 2025. from BBC News https://ift.tt/3ovpBeU via IFTTT

'Vast majority' of parents should be involved if children question their gender, schools told

School leaders welcome the "greater clarity" on how to handle the polarising issue for parents and pupils. from BBC News https://ift.tt/kSJ3cIo via IFTTT

I will never walk away, says PM after facing pressure to quit

The prime minister sought to strike a defiant tone after a day of political jeopardy. from BBC News https://ift.tt/FB3DzhE via IFTTT

Chris Mason: Smiles of a survivor as Starmer attempts his latest reset

Some political air has been cleared for Sir Keir but fundamental issues remain unaltered, the BBC's political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dnlDxku via IFTTT

Ministers told not to publish their own Mandelson messages

The warning comes after Wes Streeting published his WhatsApp exchanges with the former US ambassador. from BBC News https://ift.tt/D5o0qQw via IFTTT

New plan to fix 'ageing and fragile' schools exposed by Raac crisis

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says the government's 10-year strategy is a "turning point" for schools. from BBC News https://ift.tt/nQb8zx0 via IFTTT

Chris Mason: Smiles of a survivor as Starmer attempts his latest reset

Some political air has been cleared for Sir Keir but fundamental issues remain unaltered, the BBC's political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/dnlDxku via IFTTT

Foreign Office to review Mandelson's US ambassador pay-off

No 10 sources have called for Mandelson to return the money or give it to a charity that supports victims. from BBC News https://ift.tt/MhIs0YL via IFTTT

Three things that could bring Starmer down - and what might save him

Sir Keir's survival as Labour leader and prime minister hangs in the balance, writes Nick Eardley. from BBC News https://ift.tt/rhfTFYZ via IFTTT

Starmer has kept Trump on side - but is it coming back to bite him?

The PM’s increasingly assertive opponents are set on turning one of his few sweet spots sour. from BBC News https://ift.tt/TKkV8og via IFTTT

Increase school funding to meet need for special education, MPs urge

A cross-party group calls on the government to "align funding to need", as ministers consider SEND reforms. from BBC News https://ift.tt/QWoM9iN via IFTTT

Government could be forced to release 100,000 Mandelson documents

No 10 says it's the "early stages" of gathering documents related to the peer's appointment as US ambassador. from BBC News https://ift.tt/2SnTdcg via IFTTT

Americast

The president says he’ll honour the results "if the elections are honest” from BBC News https://ift.tt/fOx3KL7 via IFTTT

Americast

The president says he’ll honour the results "if the elections are honest” from BBC News https://ift.tt/lyV6fi0 via IFTTT

Americast

The president says he’ll honour the results "if the elections are honest” from BBC News https://ift.tt/fOx3KL7 via IFTTT

Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after visa penalty threat

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Angola have said they will cooperate on migrant returns. from BBC News https://ift.tt/YrbHWqp via IFTTT

Americast

The president says he’ll honour the results "if the elections are honest” from BBC News https://ift.tt/fOx3KL7 via IFTTT

County council facing 'effective bankruptcy'

Worcestershire County Council is asking for £71m in emergency support. from BBC News https://ift.tt/08kKqmY via IFTTT

Mandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggest

Emails released by the US government suggest the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein planned to use the visa to meet young women in Moscow. from BBC News https://ift.tt/XOSNCby via IFTTT

Who is Peter Mandelson?

A key Labour figure for decades, Lord Mandelson faces renewed scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. from BBC News https://ift.tt/LOYjPTI via IFTTT

Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal

The chaos of the parliamentary debate about the former Labour minister is just one sign of how quickly the mood in the party has soured this week. from BBC News https://ift.tt/SNc8srI via IFTTT

Chris Mason: Mandelson revelations a scandal on another level

Sir Keir Starmer's decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington a year ago gives this row political salience, the BBC's political editor writes. from BBC News https://ift.tt/35iWhsr via IFTTT

Kemi Badenoch denies sacked Tory's claim party doesn't allow free speech

The Conservative leader was responding to a claim made by an ex-member sacked for speaking to Reform. from BBC News https://ift.tt/cLiegCh via IFTTT

Labour scales back new energy efficiency targets for social homes

It comes after councils and housing associations warned about the cost to implement new stricter standards. from BBC News https://ift.tt/jikvqPb via IFTTT

Can a Reform leader in Wales share the spotlight with Farage?

Questions on who will call the shots remain unanswered, as Reform prepares to announce who will lead the party in Wales. from BBC News https://ift.tt/HVxgZeW via IFTTT

Faisal Islam: Mandelson, Darling and the conversation I can't forget

The Epstein files appear to give extraordinary context to a call between the former chancellor and JP Morgan's boss. from BBC News https://ift.tt/DOylNnr via IFTTT

Andrew should testify to US Congress, Starmer suggests after new photos

Sir Keir Starmer suggests Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify over his dealings with the convicted sex offender. from BBC News https://ift.tt/Gkb6eiI via IFTTT

Student loan system 'fair and reasonable', says Reeves

The chancellor's defence comes after Martin Lewis called her freeze on student loans "not a moral thing". from BBC News https://ift.tt/XOJMiY2 via IFTTT

Starmer invites Japan PM to UK after Tokyo talks

Sir Keir and Sanae Takaichi discussed ways to strengthen ties between their two nations during the meeting, at the end of the UK prime minister's trip to East Asia. from BBC News https://ift.tt/FKjBQ8u via IFTTT