Appointments, departments, policy announcements and the machinery of government.
Britain’s economy grew by 0.4% between April and June, but the Bank of England expects underlying growth to slow to around zero as renewed Middle East conflict, higher energy costs and Budget uncertainty test Andy Burnham’s new government.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readHouseholds within 500 metres of eligible new electricity transmission infrastructure could receive £250 a year off their electricity bills for ten years, with 43 expected projects named across England, Scotland and Wales.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readFifty policing and law-enforcement leaders have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to examine every lawful option to prevent the earlier release of two men convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper.
Charlotte Mercer · 6 min readShadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has attacked the Government's £662 million border agreement with France after a record 230 people crossed the Channel in a single overcrowded inflatable boat.
Staff member · 6 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham will begin a month-long tour of the UK on Monday, promising to listen to communities and announce further measures addressing living costs, consumer practices and struggling high streets.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readDefence Secretary Wes Streeting has visited the Rosyth shipyard and forces housing in Edinburgh, highlighting Scotland’s role in Royal Navy shipbuilding, skilled employment and national security.
Peter Jackson · 4 min readBusinesses bidding for major central government contracts will receive greater credit for creating local jobs, apprenticeships, training and work placements under procurement rules taking effect in January 2027.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readUp to 159 NHS mental health facilities will open across England under a £343 million programme designed to provide earlier walk-in support and specialist emergency care away from busy A&E departments.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readPolice representatives are considering legal action over plans allowing Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to leave prison earlier, as Sentencing Minister Jake Richards defended the Government’s position.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readLissie Harper has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government of an ‘utter betrayal’ after two men convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper remained eligible for earlier release despite new exemptions for serious sexual offenders.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readAndy Burnham has promised to be relentless in tackling small-boat crossings, but more than 2,000 people arrived during his first 12 days as Prime Minister as questions continued over enforcement on French beaches.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readVeterans are preparing a legal challenge over rules that treat Armed Forces occupational pensions as unearned income when Universal Credit is calculated, amid claims that some former service personnel have received demands for tens of thousands of pounds.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readA tribunal has ruled that the Cabinet Office does not have to reveal whether serving ministers declared criminal convictions during the appointment process, or how many did so.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readNames, organisations and work email addresses belonging to police officers, staff and other criminal justice professionals have been published on the dark web following a breach of the Police National Legal Database.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readUK health officials are urging holidaymakers to take additional food and water precautions following a sharp rise in cyclospora infections, with most cases linked to travel in Mexico.
Staff member · 3 min readHousing Secretary Angela Rayner has approved a data centre and wider redevelopment around Brick Lane despite demands for a housing-led future for the former Truman Brewery estate.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readThe first 46 of 138 new homes for British armed forces personnel and their families have been completed at Dhekelia Station in Cyprus.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readLabour’s Bev Craig has been elected Mayor of Greater Manchester after defeating Reform UK’s Sian Astley in the second stage of voting.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readForeign Secretary Ed Miliband has welcomed the announcement that Hamas will disarm, while warning that Israeli withdrawal, the ceasefire and humanitarian access must also be delivered.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readChancellor John Healey will present the Government's next Budget on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, alongside a new economic and fiscal forecast from the OBR.
Charlotte Mercer · 1 min readThe Government has announced plans to give English mayors a share of locally raised income tax as part of one of the biggest transfers of power away from Westminster in decades.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readDiane Abbott has been readmitted to the Labour Party following an independent disciplinary process. The Jewish Leadership Council has questioned whether the decision is consistent with Labour's approach to antisemitism.
Staff member · 2 min readScottish Labour MP Joani Reid has been restored to the Parliamentary Labour Party after an independent review, saying she was never a suspect or witness in any police investigation.
Staff member · 2 min readAndy Burnham has welcomed investment in the UK's nuclear deterrent, highlighting the creation of 22,000 apprenticeships and the role of defence manufacturing in supporting skilled jobs.
Staff member · 2 min readAndy Burnham has called for a new cross-party approach to social care, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey backing efforts while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the talks.
Staff member · 3 min readConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to repeal provisions allowing the early release of certain serious offenders, arguing ministers can halt the scheme before further releases take place.
Staff member · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Bridget Phillipson as Chair of the Labour Party following his recent Cabinet reshuffle, with the Houghton and Sunderland South MP taking on responsibility for the party's organisation and election preparations.
Staff member · 2 min readThe Government has announced plans to work with major UK pension providers on a proposed £1 billion scale-up fund designed to invest in Britain's fastest-growing science and technology businesses.
Staff member · 2 min readShadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has written to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh urging her to investigate allegations made by whistleblowers about the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Staff member · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed his support for banning trail hunting, telling the Labour Animal Welfare Society he wants to see the government's animal welfare strategy implemented in full.
Staff member · 3 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham's appointment of Andy Slaughter as Solicitor General has prompted criticism from Conservative MPs over meetings Mr Slaughter held with Hamas representatives during visits to the Palestinian territories in 2010.
Staff member · 2 min readNew Defence Secretary Wes Streeting will forgo his salary for three months to offset his resignation pay-off, in contrast to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, who has refused to return her own severance payment.
Staff member · 3 min readShadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has called for a wider investigation into former ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following his dismissal, while Mr Khan continues to deny allegations of sexual misconduct.
Staff member · 2 min readChancellor John Healey has confirmed the Treasury is committed to ensuring pensioners whose only income is the state pension will not pay income tax, as the triple lock pushes payments toward the personal allowance.
Staff member · 3 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham said the opening of No 10 North was "the best day of my life" as he outlined his vision to bring government closer to every part of the United Kingdom.
Staff member · 2 min readAndy Burnham is facing criticism after flying by government jet to Manchester for his first day working from No10 North, with estimates suggesting the trip cost taxpayers over £30,000.
Staff member · 3 min readGraham Hardwell has held Longwell Green for the Conservatives in a South Gloucestershire Council by-election, fending off a strong first-time challenge from Reform UK.
Staff member · 2 min readThe Conservatives have held the Exmouth Brixington seat on East Devon District Council in a by-election, fending off a strong first-time challenge from Reform UK and a resurgent Liberal Democrat vote.
Staff member · 2 min readHousing Secretary Angela Rayner has ruled out freezing rents as part of Andy Burnham's cost of living measures, telling BBC Breakfast the government would not be pursuing rent controls.
Staff member · 3 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham will work from No 10 North in Manchester for the first time tomorrow, as part of his plan to move some Downing Street functions out of London.
Staff member · 3 min readRestore Britain leader Rupert Lowe MP has publicly called on the Justice Secretary to reverse the decision to move Southport killer Axel Rudakubana to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.
Staff member · 2 min readAxel Rudakubana, jailed for the Southport murders, has been transferred from Belmarsh prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital after a psychologist assessment, sparking anger from victims' families.
Staff member · 3 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out discussions on a second Scottish independence referendum as he seeks a more practical relationship with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
Staff member · 2 min readDowning Street has said there are currently no plans to abolish jury trials following reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham could abandon proposals introduced under former Justice Secretary David Lammy.
Staff member · 1 min readHousing Secretary Angela Rayner has defended her decision not to repay a £16,876 ministerial severance payment after returning to government, saying she was out of office for almost a year before rejoining Cabinet.
Staff member · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has paused the Government's planned September prisoner release scheme, saying no inmates will be released under the policy until an urgent review has been completed.
Staff member · 2 min readLeading figures from the pensions industry have welcomed the decision to keep Torsten Bell as Pensions Minister, saying continuity will help deliver the Government's reform programme.
Staff member · 2 min readOlivia Bailey has announced she is leaving government following the latest ministerial reshuffle, reflecting on her time as Minister for Early Education and Equalities and thanking colleagues for the opportunity to serve.
Staff member · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England, with the Government saying nearly 32,000 businesses will benefit from the new relief scheme.
Staff member · 2 min readAnas Sarwar has announced he is joining Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government as UK Minister of State for Trade, saying he is "delighted" to take on the role.
Staff member · 2 min readLabour MP Jo White has been appointed Minister for Migration and Citizenship, replacing Mike Tapp. Her appointment comes after she responded to reports surrounding a leaked audio recording.
Staff member · 2 min readLabour MP Natalie Fleet has announced she is stepping down as Minister for Safeguarding, saying the role became "overwhelmingly triggering" and that victims deserve "someone at their best."
Staff member · 1 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered a review of the Government's early prisoner release scheme following concerns over the potential early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers.
Staff member · 2 min readMike Tapp has confirmed he is leaving his role as Minister for Migration and Citizenship, thanking Home Office staff and pledging to continue supporting the Government from the backbenches.
Staff member · 1 min readScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is reportedly set to resign and join Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government as a minister, triggering a Scottish Labour leadership contest.
Staff member · 1 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has stepped back from plans to increase the personal income tax allowance, citing the state of the public finances despite raising expectations during the Makerfield campaign.
Staff member · 1 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to introduce a £2 cap on single bus fares across England from January 2027 as part of a wider package of cost-of-living measures.
Staff member · 1 min readCabinet Office Minister Louise Haigh has lost responsibility for tackling public sector fraud following her appointment, with the Government reallocating the brief after renewed scrutiny of her previous conviction.
Staff member · 1 min readReports are suggesting Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the continued use of British military bases for certain US strikes against Iran, with the Government describing the authorised operations as limited and defensive.
Staff member · 1 min read