Politics

The Scottish government has confirmed it will no longer provide winter fuel payments to all pensioners. The once universal benefit will now be means-tested and replicate a UK government decision. The introduction of a replacement Scottish benefit has also been delayed. It comes amid reports that Finance Secretary Shona Robison has written to cabinet colleagues

There were “multiple and fundamental failures” with the NHS’s management of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane’s mental health treatment, the health secretary has said. Speaking after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report found paranoid schizophrenic Calocane’s condition was downplayed by the NHS, Wes Streeting said the report’s findings were “deeply distressing”. Calocane fatally stabbed students Grace

Conservative leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has called Elon Musk’s claim civil war was inevitable in the UK “delusional”. In his first major speech since declaring his bid for the Conservative leadership, the former security minister hit out at the billionaire X owner who has been criticising Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the week of riots

Wages are still rising but at a slower pace as the unemployment rate surprisingly fell, according to official figures. The percentage of people who are out of work and looking for a job dropped to 4.2% in July, said data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Money blog: Heinz urged to bring back classic

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken with the Iranian president as part of international efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, Sky News understands. The 30-minute phone conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian followed a joint statement on Monday issued with France, the US and Germany calling on Iran and its allies not to “jeopardise the opportunity

Tory leadership contender Tom Tugendhat will call for a national conversation about the root causes of the recent riots – hitting out at the “reckless rhetoric” of Nigel Farage. In his first major speech since declaring his bid to head the Conservative Party, the former security minister will attack a “culture of denial” that moves

More than 700 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on Sunday in 11 boats, new figures show – the highest since Labour came to power. Home Office data showed 703 people were detected coming across on Sunday, which is also the third highest this year. Eleven boats were detected, suggesting an average

The home secretary has said respect for the police needs to be restored after the “brazen abuse and contempt” shown by rioters. Yvette Cooper said there is “lots of rebuilding to be done” after a fortnight of rioting following the Southport stabbings on 29 July. “Respect for the police, respect for the law, and respect

Tax rises will likely be announced in the autumn budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted. She said Labour would stick to its election manifesto pledge not to raise national insurance, income tax or VAT. During the election campaign, Labour candidates avoided answering questions on whether other taxes would be increased – and the Conservatives warned

Kemi Badenoch has entered the Conservative leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak with a pledge to tell voters the truth. The shadow housing secretary – who served as business and trade secretary in the last government – becomes the sixth person to put themselves forward. She joins James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick and Mel

Is Sir Keir Starmer turning into Harold Wilson with his high-profile public support for Gareth Southgate’s boys in the final of the Euros? “Have you ever noticed,” the wily Mr Wilson declared after Alf Ramsey’s heroes triumphed in 1966, “how we only win the World Cup under a Labour government?” Barely a week after becoming

Home Office minister Jess Phillips has shared the story of how she was appointed to her new role – and why it means she can no longer appear on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast. Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson, it was revealed this episode would be the Labour

The last government left “a mountain of mess” that was like “a Downing Street party”, according to Sir Keir Starmer. Writing in The Guardian, the Labour prime minister attacked the Conservative government that preceded him and the state they left the economy. Sir Keir said: “Like a Downing Street party, they’ve left a mountain of

Prisoners who have served 40% of their sentence will be released to help alleviate overcrowding, the government has announced. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said failing to act now risks “the collapse of the criminal justice system and a total breakdown of law and order”, including looting and rioting in the streets. Prisoners in England and

Sir Keir Starmer has said Joe Biden was “on good form” after a meeting with the US president at the White House during the NATO summit. The prime minister dismissed concerns the US president’s cognitive ability is not up to scratch as Mr Biden faces calls to step down as the Democratic candidate ahead of

The special relationship between the US and UK is forged on shared history, common values, and diplomatic ties that are far deeper and enduring that any one president or prime minister. But there was no doubt that President Joe Biden seemed particularly pleased to welcome the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Oval

Sir Keir Starmer is on his first overseas visit as prime minister at a NATO summit where he will flex his diplomatic muscles. Less than a week after becoming prime minister, Sir Keir has joined other world leaders in Washington DC for the summit marking 75 years since NATO was formed. It is expected to

Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard are here with their guide to the day ahead in politics.  They discuss what’s on the table at the prime minister’s first NATO meeting and dinner with Joe Biden, whether the rumours are true that Labour could introduce digital ID cards, and what is really

The Conservative Party is a step closer to choosing a replacement for Rishi Sunak after picking a new leader of its backbench group. Bob Blackman has been chosen as the new chair of the 1922 Committee. “The 22”, as it is known, is the Conservative Party‘s backbench committee – meaning it organises things like leadership