Politics

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will be “looking towards a better, brighter future” in his first Christmas message as prime minister. It comes almost six months into the Labour leader’s time in Downing Street, with the prime minister currently having to battle criticisms of his party’s management of the economy and the direction he

The UK economy is “headed for the worst of all worlds” as businesses expect activity to fall at the start of next year, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The industry group’s growth indicator survey found that private sector firms expect to cut down on hiring, reduce output and for prices to rise

There are no “immediate” plans to stop Elon Musk donating large sums of money to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, according to the government. However, Commons Leader Lucy Powell left the door open for changes in the way political donations are regulated in the future. There have been reports and rumours that Mr Musk could provide

Donald Trump’s second stint as president will be like a “24/7 bar-room brawl”, according to the UK’s former ambassador to Washington. Lord Darroch was the representative for the UK to the US between 2016 and 2019 – when Mr Trump was last in power – until cables he sent to London were leaked and showed

Pensioners have until the end of Saturday to apply for benefits which could unlock access to the winter fuel payment, or risk missing out on up to £300. It has been switched to a means-tested benefit including for those on pension credit, but official estimates suggest there are 760,000 households who do not claim pension

This is awkward for Downing Street to say the least. The person chosen by the British government to be the keystone in the most important of bilateral relationships is, according to one of the incoming president’s close aides, a “complete moron”. Chris LaCivita is a central character in Trump’s orbit. He managed Trump‘s election victory

Government borrowing in November was the lowest for that month in three years, according to official figures. November borrowing was £3.4bn less than the same time last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The state borrowed £11.2bn more than it took in last month. The deficit fall was not anticipated by analysts who

Labour’s anti-corruption minister has been named in court documents detailing claims her family embezzled billions of pounds from a nuclear power project in Bangladesh. Economic secretary Tulip Siddiq – who holds responsibility for financial crime and illicit finance – is alleged to have helped co-ordinate meetings with the Russian government regarding the Rooppur nuclear power

Hospices in England will receive an extra £100m to improve buildings, equipment and accommodation, the government has said. The government announced the £100m will be given to both adult and child hospices in the new year and will cover until the end of the next financial year in April 2026. A further £26m will be

The chancellor campaigned for Waspi women to receive compensation when she was shadow pensions minister – and revealed that her own mother was affected by changes to the pension age. Rachel Reeves spoke in a Westminster Hall debate in 2016 in which she said the women hit by the increase to the state pension age

Sir Keir Starmer has nominated his former top adviser Sue Gray for a peerage. Ms Gray, whose report into the partygate scandal contributed to the downfall of former prime minister Boris Johnson, is among 30 new Labour peerages announced ahead of Christmas to redress the party “imbalance” in the House of Lords. The Conservatives have

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said most Waspi women knew the state pension age was changing so it was not “the best use of taxpayers’ money to pay an expensive compensation bill”. The government revealed on Tuesday it would not be compensating millions of women born in the 1950s – called Waspi women – who say

Nigel Farage and his party treasurer have met with Elon Musk at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for the first time since rumours surfaced of a multi-million donation from the tech tycoon. The Reform UK leader and Nick Candy, the billionaire husband of singer Holly Valance who will take up the fundraising role for Mr Farage’s

David Cameron and George Osborne made a “massive mistake” in courting China from 2010 to 2016, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has told Sky News. The former Tory leader said the Yang Tengbo spying row proves that aspects of national security were overlooked and the UK is now paying the price. Sir Iain, who served in

The alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew has said he did “nothing wrong or unlawful” – as he was named publicly for the first time. In a statement, Yang Tengbo added that the “widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue”. It comes after the High Court lifted restrictions on naming

Naming an alleged Chinese spy who has been linked to Prince Andrew is a “matter for the courts”, a government minster has said. Jim McMahon told Sky News that while he does not know the alleged agent’s identity, he assumes his more senior cabinet colleagues would be aware “depending on their security clearance”. Politics Live:

The shadow home secretary said he is “deeply concerned” about allegations of Chinese spies in the UK and warned those in public life to be “extremely vigilant”. Chris Philp told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme the Chinese Communist Party has been “engaging in organised and systemic attempts to influence political life” for

More than 35,000 migrants have arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel in small boats so far this year, the latest figures show. On Saturday, 160 people made the journey from France in three boats, bringing the total for this year to 35,040 – 20% higher than last year. The number of small boat

Reform UK would be “delighted” to accept donations from billionaire Elon Musk, according to its deputy leader Richard Tice.  He told Sky News political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh Mr Musk recognises Reform is “the party of common sense”. His comments come days after Reform UK’s treasurer revealed he had spoken to Elon Musk. There had previously

The prime minister and chancellor were in lockstep as they reacted to Friday morning’s GDP figures. “Disappointing”, the PM’s spokesperson said, echoing Rachel Reeves’s words two hours earlier. The UK economy shrunk for a second month, contracting 0.1% in October. Money blog: latest updates Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:10