Politics

Rishi Sunak has been pictured on his summer holiday as his family enjoy a “really special” trip to California. The prime minister, his wife Akshata Murty, and two young daughters Krishna and Anoushka beamed while on the busy Santa Monica Pier where they played funfair games. The family will also head to Disneyland during their

Greenpeace activists have covered Rishi Sunak’s £2m mansion in oil-black fabric after climbing on to the roof of the property in Yorkshire. Two of the environmental campaign group’s activists also unfurled a banner with the words “Rishi Sunak – Oil Profits or Our Future?” across the grass in front of the manor house. The group

A future pandemic, Russia’s potential to disrupt global energy supplies and extreme weather are among 89 threats the government has identified to the UK’s security. The Cabinet Office has updated the national risk register to help the public prepare for “worst-case scenarios” that could strike the country. Other threats include the malicious use of drones

Delays to moving asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are now being caused by checks on working practices, Sky News understands. A Home Office source confirmed reports that fire safety issues did lead to initial setbacks, saying a door had been put on the wrong way round. But now that has been fixed, there

Asylum seekers could be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge next week, Sky News understands. The vessel, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start accepting arrivals last week, but was pushed back. Sky News reported that the first people would then move on to the

Margaret Ferrier has lost her parliamentary seat following a successful recall petition. A by-election will now be called for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in Scotland. Ms Ferrier was ruled to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and put people at risk when she took part in a debate at Westminster after travelling

Asylum seekers will not be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as planned after last minute meetings responding to fire safety concerns, Sky News understands. However, there is still a possibility that they could be moved on to the barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset,

Rishi Sunak has defended his use of private jets for trips within the UK, saying it was “the most efficient use of my time”. The prime minister has faced growing criticism for taking non-commercial flights instead of using more sustainable transport when heading out of Downing Street to make announcements or carry out visits. Recent

HS2 has been rated as “unachievable” as part of an annual report from a government watchdog. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) gave the first two phases of the troubled high speed rail project a “red” rating, saying the whole plan may need to be “reassessed”. The project has been hit by ever-increasing costs –

Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps will lead an intensive series of engagements this week in a determined effort to strengthen the UK’s energy independence. The prime minister and energy security secretary are meeting with industry leaders from oil, gas and renewable sectors aimed at driving forward measures to safeguard national energy security and diminish reliance

Labour has accused the government of displaying an “unforgivable lack of urgency” in tackling the needs of rape victims and implementing crucial recommendations made by two scathing reports. Analysis by the party shows that several “immediate” recommendations from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates (CJJI) have been left unfulfilled. The CJJI conducted two comprehensive reports, one

Tory MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to “get off the fence” and tell Sadiq Khan to axe the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) after a court ruled the plans are lawful. Government ministers stressed the matter was out of their hands as they turned their attention to the Labour leader’s

The expansion of ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) to outer London boroughs has been ruled as lawful by the High Court. Five Conservative-run councils had launched legal action back in February over the expansion. The scheme will come into force from 29 August and see the drivers of the most polluting vehicles charged £12.50 a day

The Home Office has bought marquees to accommodate 2,000 migrants at disused military sites by the end of August, Sky News understands. The tents will start to be erected over the coming weeks as part of emergency plans to deal with an expected surge of Channel crossings. According to The Times, which first reported on

The High Court is set to publish a ruling on Friday morning over the London mayor’s plan to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the capital’s outer boroughs. Five Conservative-run councils launched legal action back in February over the extension, which is due to come into force on 29 August. The scheme –

Rishi Sunak was heckled for failing to answer questions over delays to a full compensation scheme for victims of the NHS infected blood scandal. The prime minister’s evidence to the infected blood inquiry was met with groans, jeers and even laughter from those listening. The reaction prompted Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry, to

Rishi Sunak is planning to delay energy efficiency targets for rented homes following pressure from landlords about the cost of the improvements. The overhaul is part of a wider review of the government’s environmental policies, which some Tory MPs fear are too expensive and will hurt the party’s chances at the next general election. Politics

As a record breaking heatwave ravages southern Europe, back in a drizzly United Kingdom another debate has fired up – the future of the government’s green agenda. Sparked by its narrow win in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election last week – a battle fought and won by the Conservatives’ opposition to London’s Ultra Low

Cabinet minister Michael Gove says he is going on holiday to a Greek island which is experiencing wildfires – as he insisted the region is “safe”. The housing secretary told Sky News he was heading to Evia – a large island just off the coast of Athens – in “just over a week”. It has

The head of the most senior ethics watchdog has called for some form of limit on MPs’ second jobs, telling Sky News it is “hard to argue” some politicians are putting parliament first. MPs should be given an “indicative” ceiling on how much time to spend on their extra-parliamentary roles, according to an interview with