Politics

Reuters By Jonathan Beale Defence Correspondent The Army’s “troubled” programme to build the new Ajax armoured vehicle “has turned a corner” according to the defence secretary. Ben Wallace said he was confident recent fixes had put the project back on track after a series of embarrassing setbacks and delays. The £5.5bn Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Sam Jennings By Liz Jackson BBC News A disability activist from London felt “dehumanised” after she was prevented from handing over a letter at No 10’s door because suitable wheelchair ramps weren’t provided. Sam Jennings, 44, was invited to Downing Street after campaigning for rail accessibility improvements. “If you can’t get the culture right at

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Chris Mason & Kate Whannel BBC News Sir Keir Starmer has outlined the five “missions” he will put at the centre of his party’s offer to voters at the next election in a speech in Manchester.

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Becky Morton Political reporter Sir Tony Blair and Lord Hague have called for everyone in the UK to get digital ID cards as part of a “technological revolution”. In a report, the former Labour prime minister

Getty Images By Michael Race Business reporter, BBC News The UK government saw a surprise surplus in its finances in January despite “substantial spending” to help with energy bills and EU payments. The highest self-assessed income tax receipts since records began in 1999 boosted the UK’s coffers. It meant it spent less than it received

Getty Images By Jemma Crew & Adam Durbin BBC News The most dangerous domestic abusers will be put on the violent and sex offender register, ministers have said. A proposed law change will see them monitored more closely by the police, prison and probation services so they “don’t fall through the cracks”. Such offenders also

Getty Images By Becky Morton & Laura Kuenssberg BBC News An intervention by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson on post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland is not “entirely unhelpful”, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt has said. He has urged Rishi Sunak not to abandon legislation that would give the government powers to unilaterally scrap parts of

Getty Images By Jessica Parker BBC News Brussels correspondent After well over a year of talks between the UK and the EU it appears that a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol is finally around the corner. The set of post-Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland has split political opinion since its inception in 2021.

Sinn Féin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is meeting Northern Ireland’s political parties amid speculation a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol could soon be struck. Sources suggest a deal could be reached as early as next week on post-Brexit trading arrangements. Mr Sunak is meeting party leaders at a hotel near Belfast before travelling to

Reuters By Chas Geiger BBC News Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to bar him from standing for the party at the next general election, calling it a “flagrant attack” on democracy. Mr Corbyn said it was up to local party members to choose their candidate, not Labour leaders. The

SOPA Images By Chas Geiger BBC News Jeremy Corbyn will not be a Labour candidate at the next general election, party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said. Mr Corbyn was suspended from being a Labour MP and sits as an independent because of a row over antisemitism. The former Labour leader had hoped to be

Getty Images By Alex Forsyth Political correspondent, BBC News Millions of households are facing an increase in their council tax from April, as local authorities try to balance their books. The County Councils Network (CCN) found three-quarters of English councils with social care duties that have published budget details are planning a 5% hike. This

EPA Labour has accused the Conservative government of overseeing “lavish spending” on hotels, hospitality and other costs using taxpayer-funded debit cards. The bills have been highlighted in a Labour study of spending on government debit cards in 2021. Examples of bills include £3,393 on 13 fine art photographs, and £23,457 on alcohol for UK embassies

CLODAGH KILCOYNE/REUTERS By Jessica Parker BBC political correspondent Northern Ireland Protocol talks are in their end stages, according to two sources with knowledge of negotiations. One suggested a legal text is now being looked at where the final, binding details are nailed down. However, it is also cautioned there are still things to square off

This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. By Becky Morton BBC political reporter For more than seven years there has been an effective ban on new onshore wind developments in England after a planning clampdown. Now, with the rules set to be relaxed, the

PA Media Labour has comfortably held West Lancashire in a by-election, increasing its vote share over the Conservatives. Ashley Dalton was elected with a 8,326 majority on a 10.5% swing from the Tories as turnout fell to 31.3%. Part-time charity worker Ms Dalton will replace Rosie Cooper, who stood down to take a senior NHS