Politics

Getty Images By Paul Seddon & Chris Mason BBC News Rishi Sunak has pledged to increase defence spending by nearly £5bn over the next two years to counter emerging threats from hostile states. The funding boost will be confirmed in a new UK foreign and security strategy, to be published on Monday. It comes ahead

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Paul Seddon & Laura Kuenssberg BBC News The chancellor has vowed to help reduce the cost of childcare at Wednesday’s Budget as part of a wider drive to help people into work. Jeremy Hunt told the

Reuters By Chris Mason Political editor, BBC News Wandering onto the crunch of the courtyard gravel of the Elysee Palace in Paris, the president and the prime minister shared smiles and a brolly. It was the image that said more than many more words had sought to convey. These leaders of similar age and similar

Getty Images Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson would not be “wise” to nominate his own father for a knighthood, a government minister has said. Speaking on BBC Question Time, Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said prime ministers should “absolutely not” hand honours to family members. It follows reports Mr Johnson planned to name his father, former

HS2 By Simon Jack Business editor The government is set to announce that construction of certain sections of HS2 will be delayed in an attempt to cut costs, the BBC understands. It is thought the delay will primarily affect sections from Manchester to Crewe and Birmingham to Crewe. But sources have also indicated that some

PA Media By Chris Mason Political editor, BBC News The government always knew this was going to cause a row. And the row is only just beginning. The prime minister’s aim is clear enough. Stop The Boats – another three word slogan. Sunak says he is up for the fight on migrant boats Will this

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Sam Francis Political reporter, BBC News Matt Hancock supported threatening to block a disability centre in a Tory MP’s constituency in a bid to get him to vote for the Covid tier system in England, leaked

PA Media By Ione Wells & Phil Kemp BBC Politics Former colleagues of Dominic Raab have spoken to the BBC about their experience of working with him, as an inquiry into bullying claims reaches its final stages. The investigation into the allegations against Mr Raab is being led by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC. Dozens

Reuters By Helen Catt Political correspondent Matt Hancock suggested to an aide that they “frighten the pants off everyone”, messages published by the Sunday Telegraph show. It appears the former health secretary discussed when to reveal the existence of the Kent variant of Covid, to ensure people comply with lockdown rules. In another exchange, the

PA Media By Kate Whannel & Oscar Bentley BBC News MPs investigating whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over lockdown gatherings in Downing Street have produced an update on their investigation. Parliament voted for the cross-party Privileges Committee to examine the matter last year. In a statement, released at the same time as the committee’s update,

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Kate Whannel Political reporter, BBC News MP Neil Coyle has thanked a parliamentary assistant and journalist for “possibly saving my life”, after they complained about his behaviour. Mr Coyle – who sits as an independent after

Getty Images By Kate Whannel Political reporter, BBC News Ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock has accused a journalist of a “massive betrayal and breach of trust” after she leaked texts he sent during Covid. Isabel Oakeshott defended releasing WhatsApps she obtained when working on Mr Hancock’s book, arguing it was in the “overwhelming national interest”. However,

Reuters By Christy Cooney & Becky Morton BBC News Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has disputed claims he rejected expert advice on Covid tests for people going into care homes at the start of the pandemic. WhatsApp messages leaked to the Daily Telegraph newspaper suggest Mr Hancock was told in April 2020 there should be

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Sam Francis Political reporter, BBC News Rishi Sunak has said the Brexit deal agreed with the EU restores “balance” to Northern Ireland’s politics. The prime minister announced the new agreement, which replaces the Northern Ireland Protocol

Getty Images The first female Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd has died aged 93. She served as speaker from 1992 to 2000, before going on to become a baroness in the House of Lords from 2001. The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described her as “an inspirational woman” who was known for

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has said he would resign if an inquiry finds he has bullied civil servants. Eight formal complaints have been made against Mr Raab, who was appointed deputy prime minister and justice secretary