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The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

It’s the silver lining from this terrible age of Donald Trump: he is pushing Britain closer to the EU | Gaby Hinsliff

Ten years after the Brexit vote, Trump’s disdain and insults are fuelling the belief that the UK should renew ties with Europe Going anywhere nice this summer? No, me neither, judging by the warning from the Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, that a global shortage of jet fuel caused by the Iran war may soon lead to cancelled flights. Suddenly a week in Cornwall looks a safer bet, though even that will be a stretch for some families as the cost of long car journeys heads through the roof. When the r

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

Cost of living tsar urges Starmer to extend fuel duty cut in light of Iran war

Richard Walker says any planned September rate rise should be scrapped to reflect increase in petrol prices A cut to fuel duty should be extended to reflect the rise in petrol prices, the government’s cost of living champion has said. Richard Walker, executive chair of the supermarket chain Iceland, urged Keir Starmer not to raise the levy in September, in light of the conflict in the Middle East. Continue reading...

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

Trump claims Starmer is weak as he mocks PM and UK aircraft carriers

Footage shows US president saying UK ‘should be our best’ ally and accusing PM of prevarication over sending ships • Middle East crisis – live updates Footage has emerged of Donald Trump mocking Keir Starmer by claiming the prime minister said he would have to consult his team before deciding whether to send UK aircraft carriers to the Middle East. In a new low for UK-US relations, Trump appeared to impersonate Starmer during an Easter lunch speech at the White House. Continue reading...

Defence
The Guardian Politics3 Apr 2026

What I learned from my first few weeks as a Green MP? Most politicians have no clue how tough things are out there | Hannah Spencer

With this escalating cost of living crisis, so many are really suffering – yet Labour lacks the imagination, boldness and will to do anything about it Six weeks ago, I was doing what I’ve always done – working as a plumber in people’s houses. I’d just completed a plastering qualification and was looking forward to putting it to good use. Now, I’m here in parliament, and to call it a culture shock would be an understatement. It’s easy to see why a lot of MPs don’t understand how hard things in th

PoliticsEconomyDefenceEnvironment
The Guardian Politics2 Apr 2026

Starmer must call energy summit akin to 2008 crisis response, Labour MP says

Former government adviser Polly Billington urges bigger steps to shield people in UK from effects of Iran war Middle East crisis – live updates Keir Starmer should convene a global energy summit of the same order as Gordon Brown’s response to the 2008 financial crisis and put Britain on a “war footing” to reduce its exposure to fossil fuels, a Labour MP and former government adviser has said. Polly Billington, who was an aide in Brown’s government, warned that economic pain was “hurtling down

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics2 Apr 2026

‘People need hope’: Greens court voters in battle for north-east council seats

Former Labour mayor Jamie Driscoll aims to win central Newcastle ward after defecting to the Green party “Thank you very much to all you would-be penguins huddling together for warmth,” said Jamie Driscoll to the dozen supporters braving bitingly cold, blustery weather to begin knocking on doors and delivering leaflets. The former Labour North of Tyne mayor is one of the Green party’s highest-profile recruits. Standing for Newcastle city council in the central Monument ward, he was giving a pep

DefenceEnvironmentCrime
The Guardian Politics2 Apr 2026

Teachers made ill by rats and hit by toaster receive share of £15m payout

Details about compensation for personal injury awarded to UK school staff revealed by NASUWT A teacher who became ill from a rat infestation and another who was injured after a pupil threw a toaster and chair are among UK school staff who received a share of £15m paid out in compensation. The details were revealed by the NASUWT union ahead of its annual conference in Birmingham later this week, and relate to successful claims for unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, personal injury and

DefenceEducation
The Guardian Politics1 Apr 2026

A third inflationary shock in less than a decade is coming: who will pay the price this time around? | Aditya Chakrabortty

Brutal past experience has taught us that a cost of living crisis doesn’t affect us all the same, because we don’t all go into it with the same income or wealth Perhaps the most celebrated writer on oil markets is Daniel Yergin. His work has won a Pulitzer and his advice sought by every president from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump. Let’s start by looking at an example. Fifteen years ago, before the US and Israel started their war on Iran, killing thousands of civilians in the process, before the

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics1 Apr 2026

Starmer’s ‘five-point plan’ was not a plan | Nils Pratley

Two of the points were measures on energy bills from the autumn budget, another restated the existing energy strategy “We have a five-point plan for the immediate crisis,” declared the prime minister during his remarks from Downing Street on Wednesday. Really? Two of his five points were measures on energy bills that pre-date the Iran war. One was a description of support for a sub-set of consumers but dodged the key question of who else could get help. Another stated the government’s longstandi

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics1 Apr 2026

Families condemn UK ‘impotence’ over UAE ‘social media misuse’ detentions

Ministers accused of being too fearful of offending Emirates to help Britons detained for sharing images of war Middle East crisis live – latest updates The families of UK citizens held in the United Arab Emirates over allegations that they shared images of the conflict with Iran have voiced frustration at the British government’s failure to help. Several British citizens are among more than 100 foreign nationals who have been detained under draconian Emirate rules that outlaw publishing or sh

Defence
The Guardian Politics1 Apr 2026

Royal Navy captain steps back from duties over link to MP whose husband faces China spy claims

Joani Reid MP reportedly swapped flirtatious messages with senior officer in charge of nuclear-armed submarine A Royal Navy captain in charge of one of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines stepped back from his duties over his relationship with the MP Joani Reid, whose husband faces allegations of spying for China. The married senior officer was investigated by the navy last year over his contact with Reid after the messages, described as inappropriate, prompted an assessment of a potential blackm

Defence
The Guardian Politics1 Apr 2026

US jibes at Royal Navy are uncomfortable because they have substance | Jamie Grierson

While Pete Hegseth has mocked the ‘big, bad Royal Navy’, the First Sea Lord has sounded the alarm about its readiness Middle East crisis – live updates The US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, had his tongue firmly in his cheek when he singled out the “big, bad Royal Navy” in a recent press update on the US-Israeli war against Iran. Hegseth’s sarcastic comment was the latest in a long line of jibes against the capabilities and readiness of the British Royal Navy. Continue reading...

Defence