9 April 2026

PA Media Green leader Zack Polanski speaking at the New Economics Foundation
Politics

Greens Demand £8.4bn Energy Support Fund Amid Rising Bill Fears

Green Party Leader Zack Polanski Urges Government to Shield Households from Energy Price Surge Zack Polanski , leader of the Green Party of England and Wales , has called for the government to allocate billions of pounds to protect households from a potential spike in energy bills triggered by the escalating conflict in Iran. Polanski warns of a looming increase of up to £300 per household and demands decisive action to eliminate uncertainty over future energy costs.

Reuters Three RAF Typhoon aircraft, with their canopies open, prepare to depart RAF Coningsby for Qatar
Politics

Ministers still wrangling over delayed defence investment plan

UK Defence Investment Plan Faces Lengthy Delays Amid Government Disputes UK Defence Investment Plan Remains Stalled as Ministers Clash The UK government continues to grapple with finalizing its long-awaited 10-year defence investment plan, critical for equipping the armed forces for future conflicts. Despite a commitment to release the plan before Christmas, officials have yet to reach consensus, leaving defence contractors in limbo and raising concerns over military readiness.

Getty Images A woman in a wheelchair in front of a group of protesters holding placards arguing against assisted dying
Politics

Scotland Rejects Assisted Dying Bill After Intense Debate

Scotland Rejects Assisted Dying Bill After Intense Debate The Scottish Parliament has decisively rejected the pioneering Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill , closing the door on what would have made Scotland the first UK nation to legalize assisted dying. The vote ended 69 to 57 against the legislation after a passionate and emotionally charged debate.

EPA/Shutterstock Donald Trump is pointing as he answers a question. He is wearing a dark coloured suit, white shirt and a yellow tie. He is also wearing a US flag badge on his lapel.
Politics

Trump Criticizes UK’s Hesitant Stance on Iran Strait Crisis

Trump Criticizes UK’s Hesitant Stance on Iran Strait Crisis US President Donald Trump sharply rebuked the UK government for its cautious response to the escalating conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Trump expressed profound dissatisfaction with the UK’s reluctance to engage robustly, urging them to act “enthusiastically” to reopen this vital maritime passage.

Getty Images A young man and woman stand alongside each other looking at an estate agents' window.
Politics

Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through UK Economy

How Missile Strikes in Iran Are Disrupting UK Mortgages and Inflation Missile attacks on an Iranian oil field are triggering a chain reaction that’s shaking the UK economy in unexpected ways. From farmers rationing red diesel to homeowners suddenly seeing their mortgage offers withdrawn, the ripple effects of this conflict stretch far beyond the Middle East.

EPA Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood walking to a car wearing dark brown glasses, red lipstick, and a light grey blazer.
Politics

UK Government Faces Backlash Over Tougher Migration Settlement Rules

UK Government Faces Backlash Over Tougher Migration Settlement Rules The UK government is poised to overhaul its immigration system by significantly extending the period migrants must wait to gain permanent residency. This bold move aims to tighten settlement eligibility, but it has ignited fierce opposition from political figures and labor groups alike.

PA Media Angela Rayner speaks into a microphone against the backdrop of speakers at a Liverpool night club
Politics

Angela Rayner’s Bold Speech Sparks Labour Leadership Debate

Angela Rayner’s Bold Speech Sparks Labour Leadership Debate Angela Rayner delivered a blistering, no-holds-barred critique of her party’s leadership that has reignited intense speculation about her ambitions to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. Speaking to a room of Labour activists in a Westminster pub, Rayner unleashed a forceful 1,500-word address that, while never naming Starmer directly, laid bare her frustrations with what she views as the party’s lackluster performance

BBC A stylised image of a back dog next to a polling station sign, against a multi-coloured triangle on a purple background
Politics

Essential Guide to May 2026 Elections in England, Scotland & Wales

Essential Guide to May 2026 Elections in England, Scotland & Wales On Thursday, 7 May 2026, millions of voters across the UK will participate in an election cycle rivaling the scale of the 2024 general election. This pivotal date will see Scots and Welsh citizens choosing their representatives for their national parliaments, while English voters head to the polls for numerous local council and mayoral contests.

Getty Images A young woman with long reddish-brown hair and wearing a dark blue apron stands behind the counter in a brightly-lit cafe, next to an ornate chocolate cake. There is a large coffee machine on the back wall, with piles of empty take-away cups and several boxes of tea bags.
Politics

Nearly 400 Employers Fined for Minimum Wage Violations

Nearly 400 Employers Fined for Minimum Wage Violations Almost 400 companies have been ordered to repay over £7.3 million to approximately 60,000 workers who received less than the legal minimum wage. This crackdown highlights the government’s commitment to enforcing fair pay across the UK workforce.

Niall Carson/PA Wire Martin and Trump are sitting next to each other in a room with a fire place, a bust of a head and a glass vase. Martin's hands are up as he talks.
Politics

Irish PM Micheál Martin Navigates Tense Trump Meeting on St Patrick’s Day

Oval Office Showdown: Martin Faces Trump’s Sharp Criticism Taoiseach Micheál Martin , renowned for his amateur boxing background, showcased his diplomatic agility during a challenging meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The annual St Patrick’s Day encounter in Washington quickly escalated into a high-stakes exchange dominated by sharp critiques and geopolitical tensions, particularly surrounding Iran and Middle East conflicts.

Getty Images Trump wearing a black suit and blue tie looks into the distance. The background is black.
Politics

Allies Hesitate as Trump’s Iran Crisis Threatens Strait of Hormuz

Allies Hesitate as Trump’s Iran Crisis Threatens Strait of Hormuz Donald Trump’s approach to the escalating conflict with Iran has plunged the Strait of Hormuz into crisis, exposing deep divisions among NATO allies and underscoring the absence of any swift solution. The vital waterway, a critical artery for global oil shipments, now faces blockades that threaten the global economy and test the alliance’s cohesion like never before.

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