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603 headlines found — Page 11 of 51

The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Tony Blair says Labour must abandon net zero, support Trump and cut benefits

In highly unusual intervention, ex-PM says his party’s ‘almost infinite capacity for self-delusion’ makes it likely to lose next election Analysis: Tony Blair’s essay on Labour failings gets full marks for being unhelpful Tony Blair has accused Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting of putting Labour’s future at risk by abandoning the centre ground, warning that the party’s “almost infinite capacity for self-delusion” means it is likely to lose the next election. In a scathing 5,700-word

PoliticsDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Ministers urged to press ahead with UK ban on zero-hours contracts

Campaigners reject claims that tougher rules will deter hiring – and lock young people out of jobs Ministers should press ahead with a ban on zero-hours contracts, campaigners say, despite claims by business leaders that it would deter hiring and lock more young people out of the labour market. The Child Poverty Action Group and the union umbrella organisation the TUC were among eight signatories to a letter to the department of business and trade calling on the government to “ignore the noise”

Defence
The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Carol Vorderman demands apology from Reform candidate over ‘disgusting comments’

Broadcaster describes Robert Kenyon, who is standing in the upcoming Makerfield byelection, as a misogynist and a ‘cowardly man’ Carol Vorderman has demanded an apology from the Reform UK candidate in the upcoming Makerfield byelection for “disgusting comments” he made about her on social media in the past. The broadcaster and former Countdown numbers expert described Robert Kenyon, who Reform has backed to face Andy Burnham in next month’s vote, as a “cowardly man” for a series of offensive po

PoliticsDefenceReform
The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Mother of boy who may have died in TikTok challenge urges No 10 to ban social media

Ellen Roome, whose son, Jools Sweeney, was 14 when he died, wants a ban put in place for under-16s The mother of a teenager who believes he died in a TikTok challenge gone wrong has said that Downing Street has been too slow to move towards a social media ban for under-16s, and accused the government of “kicking it down the road”. Ellen Roome, the mother of Jools Sweeney, 14, is among the families who will meet Keir Starmer on Tuesday as a consultation into the social media ban closes this week.

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Next boss warns over ‘dramatic fall’ in UK entry-level jobs

Peer’s comments come as Milburn report is likely to find government has failed to tackle youth unemployment Business live – latest updates The boss of Next has sounded the alarm about a “dramatic fall” in the number of entry-level jobs in the UK and its impact on youth unemployment, saying the retailer now receives twice as many applicants for each role than two years ago. Lord Wolfson said the clothing and homeware chain, where he has been chief executive since 2001, typically received 10 app

Defence
The Guardian Politics26 May 2026

Wes Streeting says Starmer ‘behind the curve’ on under-16s social media ban – UK politics live

Former health secretary says he unsuccessfully argued for tougher action when in cabinet Good morning. The government has been consulting on whether to follow Australia and impose a ban on social media for under-16s, or whether to opt for other restrictions, and the consultation ends at 11.59pm tonight. Keir Starmer is expected to announce the government’s response soon afterwards. He has already said that there will be action of some sort. Last year ministers were sceptical about following the

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Rachel Reeves tells ministers to ‘buy British’ in four key industries

Exclusive: Chancellor pushes for procurement of ships, steel, energy and AI to prioritise Britishness as well as cost Rachel Reeves has instructed cabinet colleagues to award government contracts in four critical industries directly to British companies, making clear her irritation that ministers have been sending too much government business abroad. In a letter seen by the Guardian, the chancellor tells every cabinet minister in charge of a spending department to “buy British” wherever possible

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Nigel Farage’s Russian hack claim ‘without any merit’, former NCSC chief says

Ciaran Martin says Reform UK leader’s allegation over Guardian report on £5m gift ‘entirely unsubstantiated’ Nigel Farage’s claim that a Russian hack was behind a Guardian report on the £5m gift he received from a crypto billionaire has been described as “without any merit” by a former head of the National Cyber Security Centre. Ciaran Martin, founding chief executive of the agency, which is part of GCHQ, said Farage’s allegation, if true, would have major implications for UK policy towards Russ

DefenceReform
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Here is Andy Burnham’s route to save Labour: a new manifesto, a new election and electoral reform | Polly Toynbee

Proportional representation can rescue Britain’s warped politics. It could stop Nigel Farage arriving at No 10 with less than 30% of the vote Here comes the prospect of redemption, a second chance for Labour to start over. A victory for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield byelection not only opens the door to No 10; a leadership contest also allows him and Wes Streeting to finally stretch their wings. Ideas currently firmly chained up in a Downing Street dungeon could be freed. Land value tax? Wealth

PoliticsEconomyDefenceReformHousing
The Guardian Politics25 May 2026

Labour needs ‘system reset’ to tackle youth unemployment, report to say

Alan Milburn, who is leading review commissioned by government, says current strategy ‘going in wrong direction’ Labour has failed to tackle soaring youth unemployment and must launch a “system reset” involving a fresh attempt to overhaul health and disability benefits, a report commissioned by the government is to warn. Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into why almost a million young people are not in education or work, said ministers had so far responded with a series of disjointed jobs p

DefenceEducationHousing
The Guardian Politics24 May 2026

Labour to expand youth work experience and training schemes

Announcement comes after Alan Milburn says Britain has neglected generation of young people struggling to access work and training opportunities Ministers are expanding youth work experience and training schemes, after Alan Milburn warned Britain is spending £25 keeping young people on benefits for every £1 spent helping them into work. Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary will announce plans for 300,000 extra work experience placements over the next three years as Labour attempts to ta

Defence
The Guardian Politics24 May 2026

UK supply chain unprepared for major shocks such as war, report warns

Research by National Preparedness Commission calls for ‘worst-case scenario’ planning by European states Britain’s vital supply chains are unprepared for the prospect of a major shock such as war with Russia, and bold steps are needed to catch up with “worst-case scenario” planning by European states, ministers have been warned. Donald Trump’s “America First” transformation of the US, which has made what was once a trusted UK ally a much less reliable partner, should also feed into that planning

Defence