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295 headlines found — Page 4 of 25

The Guardian Politics11 Jun 2026

Global wars, a depleted military and stubborn Labour MPs: Healey exposes Starmer’s perfect storm

There is no narrative to convince the British public that difficult economic decisions on defence will be worth it UK politics live – latest updates As Labour MPs set out the case for change in the tea rooms and bars of Westminster, there is usually one caveat. They believed the prime minister was an asset when it came to national security and had performed beyond expectations on the world stage. Now that reputation too lies in tatters, after the resignation of John Healey with one of the most

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics11 Jun 2026

Young people in Britain are suffering a joblessness epidemic – and, so far, Labour is just making it worse | Larry Elliott

Youth unemployment is harming the mental health of a generation. A sluggish economy will only make things harder Unemployment is bad for anyone, but really hard on the young. That’s because prolonged periods of worklessness in your late teens or early 20s scar you for life. As academic studies have shown, it can cause depression and affect earning potential for years to come. There is a clear link between poor mental health and being unemployed. That’s why Alan Milburn’s probe into youth unemplo

EconomyHealthcare
The Guardian Politics10 Jun 2026

UK minister defends changes to student loans as pressure grows for reforms

Treasury minister Lucy Rigby says the government has the right to alter terms of existing agreements Ministers have rejected accusations that recent changes to student loans were unfair, arguing they are so heavily subsidised that the government has the right to alter their terms. Pressure has been intensifying on the UK government to reform the student loans system but the chief secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, told MPs on Wednesday that less than half of young people go to university, an

PoliticsEconomyEducation
The Guardian Politics10 Jun 2026

Nothing says stupidity like Reform's obsession with destroying British jobs | George Monbiot

The net zero economy is booming, so claims that prosperity depends on oil and gas are bunkum – unless you’re a Reform backer with fossil fuel interests, of course Really? You want to destroy a million jobs? Vote Reform UK for mass unemployment: is that your pitch? Hammer these questions home whenever you meet a supporter of the party. Or, for that matter, a Conservative, as their party now takes an almost identical line. The figures are stark. They were compiled not by Just Stop Oil or the Green

EconomyEnvironmentReform
The Guardian Politics10 Jun 2026

Most Makerfield voters say offensive posts would put them off candidate, poll finds

Survey in run-up to byelection also finds support for water renationalisation, wealth tax and cap on political donations A majority of voters in Makerfield say they would be less likely to vote for an election candidate if they have posted offensive content on social media, polling shows. The polling for the campaign group 38 Degrees, undertaken by Survation, asked 518 voters in the Makerfield constituency for their views on a range of issues, with 55% saying they would be less likely to vote fo

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics9 Jun 2026

Rows over defence investment plan ‘have badly harmed cabinet relations’

Sources say much delayed Dip is close to sign-off but only after some of the Labour government’s worst infighting Cabinet relations have been left badly damaged by the protracted row over the defence investment plan (Dip), according to Whitehall sources who say the standoff has led to some of the worst infighting since Labour took power. Ministers are putting the final touches on the plan, which is expected to be published in the coming weeks after departments agreed to cut their capital budgets

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics9 Jun 2026

Is Keir Starmer trying to build a legacy or just getting on with the job?

As the Makerfield byelection and a potential leadership challenge loom, there is a sense the PM is looking to create impacts that last As the weeks ticked down to her departure from Downing Street in 2019, Theresa May had a plan. Not only did she want to put a net zero target into law, but she wanted the UK to be the first major economy to do so. And that meant beating the French. “It required the machinery of government to move more quickly than the French parliament,” a No 10 official from the

PoliticsEconomyEnvironment
The Guardian Politics8 Jun 2026

Top chefs back Andy Burnham for prime minister to cut VAT on hospitality

Tom Kerridge says ‘whole of hospitality’ should get behind Burnham who has called for VAT cut from 20% to 10% Chefs and restaurateurs have said they hope Andy Burnham becomes prime minister after he backed calls to cut VAT tax for hospitality businesses. Burnham, who is standing as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield byelection and is expected to launch a challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership if he wins, has called for the rate to be cut from 20% to 10% to be in line with European rates. Co

PoliticsEconomyHealthcare
The Guardian Politics8 Jun 2026

UK companies opting to hire temporary workers over permanent staff, recruitment firms say

Report blames Middle East conflict and rising business costs for fragile jobs market and steep fall in recruitment UK companies are increasingly hiring temporary workers instead of permanent staff because of low confidence in the economy and higher cost pressures, according to a report. Recruiters reported a strong increase in offers of temporary roles in May, according to new research from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Continue reading...

Economy
The Guardian Politics7 Jun 2026

BA boss warns costly aviation taxes and rail tickets are stunting UK growth

UK lagging behind rivals on tourism growth because of travel costs and lack of joined-up planning, says CEO Sean Doyle The cost of travel to and around the UK is keeping millions of tourists away and slowing economic growth, the boss of British Airways said, as he urged a rethink of aviation taxes. The airline’s chief executive, Sean Doyle, said the UK had some of the highest aviation taxes in the world and was falling behind countries such as Japan, France and Germany in boosting its inbound to

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics5 Jun 2026

Britain is a swamp of lies and disinformation – and we got here on the Brexit bus | Jonathan Freedland

Ten years after the vote, our economy is battered – and our national conversation darkens by the day. Still, there is reason for hope When the anniversary comes, later this month, few will be in the mood to look back. All the political talk will be of the Makerfield byelection, of the future of this government and this prime minister. And yet, it would be wise to reflect on what happened on 23 June 2016 – if only because the choices Keir Starmer and his would-be successors face, indeed the entir

PoliticsEconomy
The Guardian Politics5 Jun 2026

Inside one man’s botched deportation: seven flights, two swallowed batteries and a staggering bill for the UK taxpayer

Omar is married to a British woman, has a British son and was given a single non-custodial sentence nine years ago. Nonetheless, the Home Office was determined to deport him – whatever the cost A year ago, Omar was living in the UK with his British wife and was determined to be a positive, consistent presence for his 10-year-old son, a British citizen from his first marriage. Omar is devoted to his child and has always been committed to guiding him to adulthood. But today, Omar, 40, lives in Egy

EconomyImmigrationRemigration