Politics
Burnham defends Jackdaw decision as Badenoch urges PM to overturn ban on new oil and gas licences
The UK government says the field, which is opposed by environmental campaigners, could be producing gas by the end of this month.
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Inflation and government borrowing highest for a year ahead of next week's Budget
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‘Climate vandalism’: Jackdaw gasfield approval condemned - The Latest
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Faisal Islam: Inflation and borrowing figures illustrate chancellor's Budget challenge
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Shabana Mahmood urged to ‘read the room’ on Labour opposition to immigration policy
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Holocaust school lessons to be improved after 'shocking' antisemitism review
Education Secretary Lucy Powell has stressed the importance of reminding new generations of the horrors of the Holocaust.
Politics
Energy secretary leaning towards rejecting Rosebank oilfield
<p>Exclusive: Officials say Miatta Fahnbulleh minded not to give approval in victory for climate campaigners</p><p></p><p>Miatta Fahnbulleh is minded to reject the giant Rosebank oilfield, sources have told the Guardian, in what would be a blow for the Nort…
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Tory MP questions government advisor's position after wife's Palestine Action post
A Downing Street spokeswoman tells the BBC Sarah Helm "does not represent the government in any capacity".
Politics
The Guardian view on drilling in Jackdaw: a truly pragmatic approach would focus on Britain’s green transition | Editorial
<p>Opening the North Sea gasfield will deliver minimal benefits for households, while sending a dismal signal before next month’s Cop summit</p><p>This week a report from the UN Environment Programme <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct…
Politics
Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget
Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.
Politics
Burnham approves Jackdaw – and Labour’s unity on climate action is imperilled with the stroke of a pen | Zoe Williams
<p>This foolish decision undermines hopes that this government will take the necessary steps the climate crisis demands </p><p>When the news broke that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/21/jackdaw-gasfield-in-north-sea-approved">…
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Labour will not have the courage to cut spending, says Badenoch
Speaking ahead of next week's Budget, the Conservative leader says her party would make £70bn of cuts.
Politics
As Miatta ignites the speaker’s gas-fuelled inferno, Reform show up as snowflakes | John Crace
<p>The energy secretary’s trip north provokes Hoyle’s futile rage, while ITV’s Reform exposé leaves Zia Yusuf immensely sad</p><p>When is a licence not a licence? When it’s a new licence that is an old licence. After months of faffing around – there were th…
Politics
Second Labour MP suspended over Covid loan repayments
Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth, voluntarily referred himself for investigation.
Politics
Can UK pop cut immigration and stop the boats? I suppose we’ll find out with GB News Music Radio | John Harris
<p>An ‘all British, all day’ station is a nativist dream come true – but good luck with the playlist. And anyway: how many artists will want to be on Farage FM?</p><p>If you want a quintessential “It wouldn’t happen now” story, try this. Two months before M…
Politics
Farage vows to scrap tax on armed forces reserves
A large group of protesters turned up outside the Reform UK rally in Plymouth with Nigel Farage.
Politics
From strife-torn France to the UK, rightwing populists win when they stir chaos while promising order | Rafael Behr
<p>Marine Le Pen and Donald Trump are arsonists who play at being firefighters. Nigel Farage is finding that act harder to pull off in Andy Burnham’s Britain</p><p>An election where one side represents chaos will nearly always be won by the party that promi…
Politics
Jane Dodds standing down as Welsh Liberal Democrats leader
Dodds said it was time to hand over the leadership to a "new generation" after nearly nine years in the role.
Politics
My late wife Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency in 2016. The alleged attack on Helen Haines is a punch to the gut | Brendan Cox
<p>Moments like these can reinforce our divisions or remind us of what we stand to lose when hatred and intimidation are allowed to brutalise our democracy</p><p>It’s never a good sign when you turn on your phone to find a dozen messages asking if you are O…
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Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules
The changes come after concerns that penalties issued by private providers are too harsh and leave motorists unfairly punished.
Politics
Nige seems tired and bored of himself as Kemi conjures a telepathic budget | John Crace
<p>The Tory leader has glimpsed the future and it involves Labour putting every last UK citizen on benefits</p><p>If you’re worried about next week’s budget, then now is your time to chill out. Because Kemi Badenoch has all the answers. The chancellor, John…
Politics
Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits
The families of the victims of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane had been campaigning for the change.
Politics
No surprise and lasting anger: families of people who died in care homes react to Covid inquiry report
<p>Relatives recount distress and loneliness their loved ones went through in pandemic as a result of isolation policy</p><p>“At the time it felt like a devil’s bargain – it was horrible, but it was what [we thought] we had to do to keep people safe,” says …
Politics
Reform leader accuses MSP of 'squatting' in seat after resignation
Malcolm Offord says he is 'disappointed' at Amanda Bland's decision to leave the party and sit as an independent.
Politics
‘It’s about persistence’: Cornish devolution no longer a pipe dream as its champion bows out
<p>Dick Cole is quitting as head of Mebyon Kernow, which campaigns for greater self-rule for Cornwall, after 29 years at the helm</p><p>There will be no great fanfare when Dick Cole steps down as party leader in a few days’ time.</p><p>“We’ll have an offici…
Politics
Jobless rate falls but small firms cut back hiring
Small firms cite labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring, the Office for National Statistics says.
Politics
‘Damp squib’: Ed Davey can breathe easy as Lib Dem leadership challenge fails to materialise
<p>Lengthy meeting heard grumbles about ‘blue wall’ policies and ‘Ming vase’ tactics but no real rancour</p><p>As political showdowns go, this week’s gathering of Liberal Democrat MPs, billed by some as a crunch moment for Ed Davey, was a touch underwhelmin…
Politics
PM says youth unemployment is a 'catastrophe and a moral failure'
The UK faces "economic catastrophe" with one million young people not in work or training, the prime minister says.
Politics
The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’
<p>Westminster appears to be waking up to warnings over AI safety, with concerns over its use by extremist groups and bad actors</p><p>“I have this sense that, within a few months, AI is going to be all anyone is talking about,” said one cabinet minister, w…
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Bereaved families could face 'unjust' tax bill after civil service pension delays
The chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee says families should not be taxed through no fault of their own.
Politics
Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s decision to approve the Jackdaw North Sea gasfield – cartoon
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/oct/21/ben-jennings-andy-burnham-approve-jackdaw-north-sea-gasfield-cartoon">Continue reading...</a>
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Troubles legacy bill is not an amnesty for soldiers - NI secretary
Amendments to the bill are being debated by MPs, as the long-awaited legislation returns to the House of Commons.
Politics
From politicians on TikTok to fetching a ping-pong ball: Edith Pritchett’s week in Venn diagrams – cartoon
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/picture/2026/oct/19/politicians-tiktok-chasing-pingpong-ball-edith-pritchett-week-in-venn-diagrams-cartoon">Continue reading...</a>
Politics
First minister promises to look at Welsh council powers
Plaid Cymru's leader makes pledge ahead of talks with Andy Burnham, who wants more devolution to councils.
Politics
Martin Rowson on John Healey’s first budget – cartoon
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/oct/16/martin-rowson-john-healey-first-budget-cartoon">Continue reading...</a>
Politics
Reform MSP quits party to sit as independent
Amanda Bland's decision relegates the party to the third-largest group at Holyrood, with one member fewer than Labour.
Politics
Reform UK mayor investigated over naked photo claims
Reform UK's Luke Campbell denies claims that he showed nude photos of himself to a female colleague.
Politics
People playing loud music on buses could face £100 fine
Antisocial behaviour on buses in England could lead to fines while a new campaign is also being launched for trains. A national campaign asking rail passengers "share the carriage, not the noise" is being launched.
Politics
Polanski says he will not overturn Green Party's 'Zionism is racism' motion
The Green Party leader said, while he wanted to amend it, the motion would stand until 2028.
Politics
Ending corridor care in hospitals for children a priority, says health secretary
Yvette Cooper also announces £140m investment in England's urgent care system, ahead of winter.
Politics
No further action against government adviser's wife over Palestine Action post, police say
Sarah Helm, who is married to Jonathan Powell, was responding to a discussion about the author Sally Rooney.
Politics
How Jackdaw ignites row over climate and costs
How Jackdaw ignites arguments over climate and costs
Politics
Chris Mason: Jackdaw approved but tricky energy trade-offs remain
Jackdaw and Rosebank are case studies in the slow motion awkwardness the UK has over energy.
Politics
What is happening to UK prices?
UK inflation rose in September, pushed up by higher petrol and diesel prices.
Politics
Burnham risks wrath of Commons Speaker for talking too much at PMQs
The prime minister takes longer than his predecessors to respond to questions from MPs, writes Matt Chorley.
Politics
What is the Budget and what could be in it?
Chancellor John Healey will set out his plans for UK taxes on 28 October.
Politics
Who is Chancellor John Healey? Labour veteran who quit as defence secretary
The softly-spoken former defence secretary is gearing up for the biggest moment of his long political career.
Politics
Why the prime minister wants to talk about Brexit again
For the first time since the UK left the EU, we have a prime minister who will "unflinchingly" debate Brexit, says the BBC's political editor Chris Mason.
Politics
Chris Mason: Lib Dems rally behind Davey as he pledges change
The BBC's political editor Chris Mason looks at the fallout from the Lib Dem frontbench resignations.
Politics
Why are hundreds of prisoners being released early?
More people going to prison, and for longer, is why governments including the current one have had to release prisoners early.
Politics
Why Tories are talking about winning the next election
Kemi Badenoch is more popular than her party right now - Tories are hoping it will rub off on them.
Politics
Tensions exposed among Greens by 'Zionism is racism' conference vote
What may be troubling for the Greens institutionally is what this episode reveals about some of the dynamics in the party.
Politics
Track UK's latest migration numbers - net migration, visas, asylum and small boats
Use our interactive tracker to explore the latest migration statistics for the UK