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Politics

European politics: the EU, Brussels, elections, governments and policy.

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The Burnham blueprint, as told by one of its architects – podcast

Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson , from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thi…

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Northern Rail Project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

The £45bn scheme to link cities across north of England with new or upgraded lines has no convincing or properly costed plan, comm…

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Most asylum seekers rejected under tightened laws will remain in UK

Critics call proposed limits on asylum claims a ‘quick fix that will create long-term chaos’ More than half of the people whose as…

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Will Starmer's plan for defence help UK hit Nato's spending target?

BBC Verify looks at what the big numbers around the Defence Investment Plan mean for spending on the military and hitting the gove…

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Starmer trims budgets to fund extra £15bn for defence

The plan outlines how billions will be spent on equipping the UK armed forces in the years ahead.

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Why Starmer's defence plan leaves next PM with £4.7bn headache

Keir Starmer announces extra defence spending - but the subject will still be one of the trickiest issues in his successor's in-tr…

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Burnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment plan

Ally of PM-in-waiting says four-year boost for the armed forces is an ‘unexploded bomb’ Britain has finally grasped the nettle on …

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Half of government should be female, Labour women tell Burnham

Female MPs urge Burnham to ensure Labour lead by example on equality should he become prime minister.

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Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead

The new PM must balance the security budget and other urgent spending priorities, with little room for manoeuvre Burnham left with…

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Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum bill

The Home Office will be given powers to recover costs from adults who have received asylum support under new laws.

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Welsh budget facing cuts because of Starmer defence plans, says first minister

Money for new buildings to be cut as a result of defence plans, Rhun ap Iorwerth says.

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Will Ireland’s diplomatic charm fix budget wars and Gaza trade row in next six months?

For the next six months, Dublin will try to play neutral on defence and Middle East policy while simultaneously pushing for a cont…

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The Guardian view on the defence investment plan: the UK needs security, not dependency on a wayward US | Editorial

Sir Keir Starmer cuts civilian investment while deepening reliance on American power. That doesn’t feel like national renewal Sinc…

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Ella Baron on Keir Starmer and new funding for drones – cartoon

Continue reading...

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Frank Gardner: Key points from government's defence spending plan

The BBC's security correspondent analyses the details of the plan, and what they mean for the UK's armed forces.

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Starmer’s delayed defence investment swansong satisfies absolutely no one

The Dip couldn’t be more Keir if it tried: the military, the allies and probably not even Keir himself were happy Starmer warns Bu…

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Farage declares earning £270,000 for promoting gold bullion

The Reform UK leader says the payment from Direct Bullion was for work amounting to four hours per month for a three-month period.

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Next chancellor will have to find £5bn to fund black hole in defence funding, government figures reveal – as it happened

Keir Starmer earlier unveiled a £15bn plan but said defence spending cannot be ‘bottomless pit’ and MoD has to ‘spend better’ Keir…

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Lib Dem MP pushes defence secretary on funding

'Is this genuinely new investment or simply moving money from one overstretched budget to another?' Liberal Democrat MP asks.

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MEPs limited access to Italy’s Gjadër migration centre in Albania

Progressive MEPs visited an external detention centre in light of the recent Return regulation vote, but found unjustified limits …

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Shetland councillors back plans to build tunnels to link some of largest islands

Financing options to be investigated for first two subsea projects that would link Mainland with Yell and Unst Councillors on Shet…

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Mayor angry as East Midlands road upgrades shelved

Major schemes in Derby and Nottinghamshire are due to be axed as money is diverted to defence.

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Steel quota deal for EU trade partners means more pain for China

China is set to face tougher restrictions on its steel exports to Europe under a new formula set out by the EU Commission.

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Burnham plans to work some days in Manchester as PM

The ex-Greater Manchester mayor plans a new No 10 unit in the city if he becomes Labour's next leader.