Old UK

Angela Rayner given permanent seat on UK national security council_P

Exclusive: Rebooted Downing Street operation seeks to smooth over reports of tensions with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner will more formally deputise for Keir Starmer at events such as prime minister’s questions. Photograph: Tayfun Salcı/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock Angela Rayner has been…

Politics and pop don’t mix well – here’s why! B

The temptation for political leaders is to steal a little stardust and show they share the public’s tastes. This catch is that cultural icons have opinions of their own and are unlikely to be marching in step with any politician…

The public has turned on Keir Starmer – he’s only got himself to blame! B

The speed of Labour’s collapse in popularity has been remarkable (Picture: James McCauley/Shutterstock) The nights are getting longer in the UK, and those warm summer months seem a long time ago. Like when Keir Starmer walked into Downing Street in July with a majority…

Martin Lewis warns of online scam ‘wild west’ over fake Rachel Reeves ad_P

Money expert urges Ofcom be given more powers as interview with chancellor used to trick people to share bank details Martin Lewis said the ‘organised crime groups’ behind the scams acted like ‘dark web online marketing agencies’. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Guardian…

Budget 2024: ‘Difficult choices’ ahead, warns health secretary – as he refuses to rule out income tax thresholds will be frozen! B

Freezing income tax thresholds while inflation rises means hundreds of thousands of people would be dragged into higher tax bands. 1:12 ‘We’re not going to fix 14 years in one budget’ The health secretary has warned of “difficult and big…

Historic UK seaside town in financial crisis after Labour-run council splurges £6.9m! B

One of Britain’s most historic seaside resorts is on the financial “edge” after Labour-run Blackpool Council’s cash reserves plunged from £7 million … to just £76,000. Blackpool is on the financial (Image: Eric Latham) The Lancashire town drew in visitors from…

UK facing calls at Commonwealth summit to pay billons for role in climate crisis_P

Slavery also on agenda at meeting of government heads, which King Charles will attend for first time as monarch King Charles and Keir Starmer in London last week. They are expected to resist discussions on slavery reparations at the summit. Photograph:…

Rachel Reeves eyes inheritance tax raid on aristocrats and landowners! B

The Chancellor’s Budget may reform business and agricultural property relief, which create tax loopholes for the wealthy Rachel Reeves is said to want to raise an extra £35bn in taxes Credit: Phil Noble/Reuters The Chancellor is set to hit aristocrats and…

Rachel Reeves’s expected stealth tax could slash incomes for 1m and clobber pensioners! B

Chancellor could force elderly people to pay extra levies, while other earners could be dragged into higher rates Rachel Reeves could extend the freeze on income tax thresholds in her October 30 Budget (Image: AP) Pay packets for one million Britons…

UK deports record number of Nigerians and Ghanaians in single flight_P

Flight comes as news emerges of plan to send asylum seekers who arrive on Chagos Islands to British territory of Saint Helena Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana are relatively rare, with just four recorded in freedom of information data…