UK politics live: Rachel Reeves to defend Budget to CBI after stark warning over tax rises

An alleged Chinese spy, known only as H6, who had established himself as a confidant of Prince Andrew and had met with former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, was barred from the UK in 2023 due to concerns about national security. Expelled by then-home secretary Suella Braverman for engaging in covert activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, the businessman's case was dismissed by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, affirming that he...

Angela Rayner will announce plans for new mega-councils in a white paper on English devolution, asking councils to merge to facilitate Labour's goal of building 1.5 million homes in five years. These "strategic authorities" aim to streamline decision-making and give regions a stronger voice, but may face backlash from critics concerned about loss of local control over planning. Around 20 to 30 new authorities are expected to be created, resulting in the consolidation of approximately...

Allies of Kemi Badenoch are urging people to scrutinize the record of Nigerian VP Kashim Shettima, who criticized her for denigrating her country of origin, while praising Rishi Sunak. Badenoch's supporters argue that Shettima's tenure as governor during the Boko Haram kidnapping of 276 girls in 2014 reflects Nigeria's failings in addressing such issues, highlighting his delayed response and failure to secure the girls' release. Full Article

Independent UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts condemned Iran's Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chasity and Hijab as a severe infringement on women's rights, targeting individuals as young as 12 with harsh penalties and citizen surveillance. The legislation intensifies State control over women's bodies, expands existing hijab restrictions, and embeds mandatory veiling in all sectors of society, creating a climate of fear and distrust while perpetuating gender-based persecution. The...

The UK foreign secretary David Lammy has opened diplomatic contact with Syrian rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime, while reiterating that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) remains a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK. He announced a £50 million humanitarian aid package for vulnerable Syrians, emphasizing the importance of a representative government, securing chemical weapons stockpiles, and ending violence. The aid will be distributed through UN and NGO agencies to Syrians in the country and refugees...

Your support helps The Independent to cover important stories, from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, with on-the-ground reporting and investigative work. Donations enable journalists to provide unbiased coverage and reach both sides of the story, ensuring quality journalism is accessible to all. Yvette Cooper has not set a deadline for reducing dangerous small boat crossings in the Channel, with 34,880 arrivals so far this year, up 20% from last year, but down...