Reform promise to scrap ‘insane’ Northern Powerhouse Rail September 8, 2025 Reform UK has pledged to scrap Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), labelling the project “insane” ahead of a major announcement by the Labour government in the coming weeks. Richard Tice, in a forward to a report by centre-right think tank Policy Exchange, told companies considering bidding for contracts to build NPR that they should “not bother” [...]
Tom Tugendhat backs calls to marshal financial services to boost defence September 8, 2025 Tom Tugendhat has backed a report calling for greater involvement from the financial services sector to boost defence spending in the UK. The MP for Tonbridge, who served as security minister from September 2022 to July 2024, said Canada has a “vital role to play” in the country’s national resilience. “From Taiwan [...]
No 10 backs ‘fed up’ Londoners in tube strikes row – as pressure grows on Khan September 8, 2025 No 10 has backed “fed up” Londoners hit by tube strikes on Monday as Mayor Sadiq Khan was urged to find a solution with the trade union RMT to end industrial action. People across the capital have been hit by strikes stopping services on the London Underground, with disruption to last until Friday. The prime [...]
Starmer to back unions over businesses amid backlash over Employment Rights Bill September 8, 2025 Keir Starmer is set to push back against business-led amendments proposed by the House of Lords to water down the Employment Rights Bill, as the government is backing unions’ calls for workers’ rights to be strengthened. MPs are set to consider changes proposed in the Lords to replace a new right against unfair dismissal from [...]
Defence spending will ‘generate 85,000 jobs’ by 2035 September 8, 2025 Defence spending commitments will create a total of 85,000 jobs across the sector in the next 10 years, analysis by a leading industry body has suggested, as government officials are rolling out plans to attract investment from the private sector. Ahead of a conference on defence investment, the trade body ADS has said the defence [...]
Labour deputy leader hopeful slams Rachel Reeves’ ‘excessive deference’ to OBR September 8, 2025 The prominent backbencher and former transport secretary Louise Haigh, who is a frontrunner to become the deputy leader of the Labour Party, has taken aim at Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ “excessive deference” to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and adhering to “arbitrary fiscal targets”. Senior officials in the Labour Party are set to agree on [...]
Cross-party politicians urges Starmer to prioritise audit watchdog reform September 8, 2025 The Prime Minister has been urged by 66 MPs and Lords in a cross-party alliance to prioritise the long-overdue Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill that was promised last year. In the King’s Speech in July 2024, the newly elected Labour government unshelved the Bill that would reform the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) into a [...]
Healey says Rayner ‘not a victim’ amid Labour reshuffle discontent September 7, 2025 Angela Rayner is “not a victim” and “any government is stronger” with her, a Cabinet minister has said after a reshuffle following her resignation saw tensions flare within Labour. Defence Secretary John Healey defended Sir Keir Starmer’s “clear, swift, fair action” following his former deputy’s admission that she mistakenly underpaid stamp duty on a seaside [...]
PM ‘to move asylum seekers into barracks’ after Home Office shake-up September 7, 2025 Shabana Mahmood is expected to unveil plans to move asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks as the Government seeks to harden its immigration policy amid rising numbers of crossings in the Channel. The newly appointed Home Secretary is reportedly set to announce the use of Ministry of Defence sites to house people after a [...]
Cabinet reshuffle: Lucy Rigby replaces Emma Reynolds as City minister September 6, 2025 Former solicitor general Lucy Rigby has been made Economic Secretary to the Treasury, a role often called the City minister, in the latest development in Starmer’s reshuffle. Rigby replaces Emma Reynolds, a former City lobbyist who had held the role since last July but who has now become environment secretary. In a post on X, Rigby said she was [...]
