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The Guardian Politics16 Jul 2026

UK economy grew by 0.1% in May despite impact of Iran war

Rise in GDP follows a 0.1% decline in April, figures from the Office for National Statistics show The UK economy grew by 0.1% in May, despite the impact of the Iran war on energy costs, official figures show. The Office for National Statistics said GDP rose, following a 0.1% decline in April. The figures were in line with a 0.1% rise in May that economists had forecast. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics16 Jul 2026

Burnham must avoid ‘summer of speculation’ on tax, warns CBI chief

Rain Newton-Smith calls for a new generation of public-private partnerships to fund major projects Andy Burnham must avoid another “summer of speculation” on tax and spend that would spook British business, the chief executive of the CBI has warned. As Burnham prepares to take up the Labour leadership on Friday, with a new cabinet to be announced on Monday, Rain Newton-Smith urged him to tread carefully. Continue reading...

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics16 Jul 2026

Defence is the one public budget we dare not question – will Andy Burnham break this cycle? | Andy Beckett

Any boost for the military will be paid for by cuts elsewhere. Britain’s new PM should be careful he is not being sold a pup For many British voters, politicians and journalists, public spending has had a bad name since the late 1970s, when Margaret Thatcher’s government began its long campaign to tame the supposedly bloated state. From this perspective, the public sector wastes money, commissions unnecessary or out-of-date projects and generates endless jargon and reasons for its own existence,

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics15 Jul 2026

Shabana Mahmood expected to be named Andy Burnham’s chancellor

The home secretary is the frontrunner for the role ahead of ‘risky’ Ed Miliband, according to senior Labour figures Shabana Mahmood has emerged as the frontrunner to become Andy Burnham’s chancellor after a fierce briefing war over the prospect of Ed Miliband being appointed to the powerful role. Senior Labour figures with knowledge of Burnham’s thinking told the Guardian they expected the home secretary to be moved to the Treasury amid concerns that Miliband would become a target for criticism

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics15 Jul 2026

At his final PMQs, Starmer soaked up the love from all sides – and even some tenderness from Kemi

It wasn’t his performances on Wednesday lunchtimes that did for the ultimate mid-table PM – it was all the other stuff Who would have thought it? Most of us would have put money on Kemi Badenoch failing to read the room for Keir Starmer’s last ever prime minister’s questions. Not a bit. From her opening tribute to Ann Widdecombe to her final gags, Kemi was the model of warmth, generosity and tenderness. Pitch perfect. Not a word out of place. So much so that you couldn’t help wondering if the re

Defence
The Guardian Politics15 Jul 2026

In Wales, I've seen what happens when devolution isn't done right. Here's what Andy Burnham must know | Will Hayward

In my country, devolution has been the equivalent of giving someone a new electric car without the capacity to charge it. That can’t be the model for the whole UK As a journalist, I have specialised in Wales, Welsh politics and devolution for the past 10 years. Devolution, in particular, could be considered a bit niche as subjects go. But suddenly, everyone wants to talk about it because Andy Burnham is making it front and centre of his offer as prime minister. MPs have been falling over themsel

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics15 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham urged to overhaul ‘timid and limited’ elections bill

Ex-minister who helped write draft calls for bolder action on voting reform, crypto donations and social media The government was “timid” and “incremental” when deciding what to include in its elections bill, a former minister who helped write it has said, as she urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, to go further. Rushanara Ali, who resigned as democracy minister last August, said the draft legislation still contained big gaps when it came to voting reform, cryptocurrency donations a

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Burnham hails Hillsborough law as ‘rewiring of the state’ as MPs approve bill

PM-in-waiting says bill is major step towards securing accountability families had fought for, in rare moment of Labour unity Andy Burnham has hailed a power shift from the state to the people as MPs finally passed the stalled Hillsborough law, a rare moment of Labour unity with the bill set to be a key legacy of Keir Starmer’s government. In his first intervention in the Commons since returning as an MP, Burnham said the bill was a significant step towards securing the accountability the Hills

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Britons urged to take ‘small steps’ to prepare for potential national crises

Government to launch campaign to help people cope with events such as weather emergencies or cyber-attacks The British public should begin taking “small but important steps” to secure and protect water, power supplies and basic phone signal in case of further severe weather emergencies, national crises or cyber-attacks, Downing Street has said. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, told MPs “the risks we face from climate change cannot be underestimated”, and warned of the “si

PoliticsDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Keir Starmer becomes first UK PM to receive France’s Légion d’honneur

Exclusive: Emmanuel Macron honours outgoing prime minister for leadership role in supporting Ukraine Keir Starmer has become the first UK prime minister to be presented with the Légion d’honneur by a French president, in recognition of his work with France on the security of Europe. Emmanuel Macron awarded the historic honour to Starmer for his leadership in setting up the coalition of the willing – a group of countries chaired by France and the UK that have pledged to support Ukraine – at a cri

Defence
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

UK to continue sending potential trafficking victims to France despite court ruling

Court ruled last week against policy to reduce protections for asylum seekers facing removal under one in, one out scheme The Home Office is set to ignore a high court ruling and continue sending asylum seekers to France without looking into claims they have been trafficked, which last week was found to be unlawful. On Friday Mr Justice Sheldon ruled against the home secretary’s policy to reduce protections for trafficking victims earmarked for forced removal to France. Home Office sources told

ImmigrationDefenceReformCrime
The Guardian Politics14 Jul 2026

Tories deny purge as Lord Barwell hits back after losing party whip

Former minister says decision suggests ‘intolerance of criticism’ but source says it was for problems with conduct The Conservatives have denied they are purging prominent centrists after Gavin Barwell lost the whip in the wake of warnings from Kemi Badenoch that supporters of policies such as targets for net zero were no longer welcome in the party. Lord Barwell, who was an MP and minister before becoming Theresa May’s chief of staff, said he was saddened at the decision and that Badenoch riske

DefenceEnvironment