Runcorn by-election: Reform UK reveal Sarah Pochin as candidate March 24, 2025 Reform UK have unveiled Sarah Pochin as their candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election ahead of their first major electoral test since the general election. The party announced on Monday that the former magistrate would stand in the upcoming ballot to replace former MP Mike Amesbury, who stood down following his assault conviction. Pochin, [...]
Heathrow fire ‘not believed suspicious’ but under Met counter-terror probe March 24, 2025 The cause of the fire which shut down Heathrow Airport is “not believed to be suspicious” but is under investigation by the Met Police counter-terrorism squad, a minister has said. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander updated MPs on the “unprecedented” power outage which shut Britain’s busiest airport over the weekend in the House of Commons on [...]
Spring Statement won’t ‘alter basics’, Starmer insists, amid tax cuts reports March 24, 2025 The Spring Statement this week will not “alter the basics” of public spending plans, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted.
MPs’ salaries to hit £93,904 in April March 24, 2025 It has been confirmed that MPs’ salaries will rise by almost three per cent to £93,904 in the next financial year. Parliament’s expenses watchdog has announced members of the House of Commons will benefit from a 2.8 per cent increase in pay from next month. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said the pay rise [...]
Number of migrants arriving in UK after crossing Channel passes 5,000 March 22, 2025 More than 5,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, latest figures show. Some 341 people made the journey in six boats on Thursday, bringing the provisional total for the year so far to 5,025. This is the earliest point in the year that crossings have reached [...]
‘Nothing off the table’ over possible troop deployment for Kyiv, No10 says March 22, 2025 Western military planning to enforce a potential ceasefire in Ukraine is set to intensify in London next week as No10 said “nothing is off the table” over possible troop deployment for Kyiv. No10 said “thousands” of personnel would be required to support any operation whether by “sea, on land or in the air” as allies [...]
Chancellor rules out ‘tax and spend’ policies ahead of spring statement March 22, 2025 The Chancellor has ruled out “tax and spend” policies ahead of her spring statement next week. Rachel Reeves is under pressure to increase taxes or cut spending to meet the financial rules she set at the budget in October amid disappointing growth figures and higher-than-expected borrowing. Figures released on Friday came as a further blow, [...]
Free Thinking: Is Keir Starmer or Kemi Badenoch the real Margaret Thatcher? March 21, 2025 In this episode of Free Thinking, City AM Opinion and Features Editor is asking what Margaret Thatcher would make of Keir Starmer’s plans to cut red tape for businesses.
‘Fighting to overturn cruel tax’: Parties gear up for legal fight over private school fees March 21, 2025 Three claimant groups gear up for a legal challenge of the government's VAT policy on private schools next month
UK ambassadors to have growth ‘KPIs’, foreign secretary tells trade summit March 21, 2025 The UK’s ambassadors will have “KPIs that contribute to our economic growth” as diplomats shift to a more economic mindset, the foreign secretary has said. David Lammy told an audience of businesses that he wants the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to become the “international delivery arm of the government’s missions, the first of [...]