Politics

More than 700 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on Sunday in 11 boats, new figures show – the highest since Labour came to power. Home Office data showed 703 people were detected coming across on Sunday, which is also the third highest this year. Eleven boats were detected, suggesting an average

The home secretary has said respect for the police needs to be restored after the “brazen abuse and contempt” shown by rioters. Yvette Cooper said there is “lots of rebuilding to be done” after a fortnight of rioting following the Southport stabbings on 29 July. “Respect for the police, respect for the law, and respect

Tax rises will likely be announced in the autumn budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted. She said Labour would stick to its election manifesto pledge not to raise national insurance, income tax or VAT. During the election campaign, Labour candidates avoided answering questions on whether other taxes would be increased – and the Conservatives warned

It has been claimed Kemi Badenoch could start a fight in an empty room. She’s a combative, confrontational, anti-woke crusader who takes no prisoners – among opposition MPs and even some Tories. In her article in The Times confirming her leadership bid, Ms Badenoch wrote: “If I have the privilege to serve, we will speak

Conservative leadership contests always start with much handshaking and hat doffing, but it never takes long for the muckraking and kneecapping to commence. Mel Stride managed as much – albeit in a characteristically courteous manner – when he popped up on Friday to announce his campaign. Asked about another candidate’s apparent volte-face on the European

One person has been found dead near Calais after a small boat attempted to cross the Channel from France to the UK overnight, according to French authorities. Another 34 people were rescued and taken to emergency services after a vessel got into trouble. According to the French coastguard, there are several boats still at sea.

Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has said it is “time to put unity before personal vendetta” as she threw her hat into the ring for the Tory party leadership. Entering the increasingly crowded field to replace Rishi Sunak, the senior Conservative MP laid the blame for their worst-ever defeat on 4 July not on

The government is expected to agree to above-inflation pay rises for public sector workers in the coming days, amid concerns over the costs of not settling, Sky News understands. Independent pay review bodies have already recommended the above-inflation figure to ministers for teachers and nurses of about 5.5% to keep them in line with increases

Is Sir Keir Starmer turning into Harold Wilson with his high-profile public support for Gareth Southgate’s boys in the final of the Euros? “Have you ever noticed,” the wily Mr Wilson declared after Alf Ramsey’s heroes triumphed in 1966, “how we only win the World Cup under a Labour government?” Barely a week after becoming

Home Office minister Jess Phillips has shared the story of how she was appointed to her new role – and why it means she can no longer appear on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast. Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson, it was revealed this episode would be the Labour

The last government left “a mountain of mess” that was like “a Downing Street party”, according to Sir Keir Starmer. Writing in The Guardian, the Labour prime minister attacked the Conservative government that preceded him and the state they left the economy. Sir Keir said: “Like a Downing Street party, they’ve left a mountain of

Prisoners who have served 40% of their sentence will be released to help alleviate overcrowding, the government has announced. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said failing to act now risks “the collapse of the criminal justice system and a total breakdown of law and order”, including looting and rioting in the streets. Prisoners in England and

There are fears that prison overcrowding could lead to a breakdown in law and order and even looting if further action to alleviate capacity problems in jails across England and Wales is not taken.  Justice Secretary Shabanah Mahmood will today warn the justice system is on “the brink of total collapse”, which is “putting the

The special relationship between the US and UK is forged on shared history, common values, and diplomatic ties that are far deeper and enduring that any one president or prime minister. But there was no doubt that President Joe Biden seemed particularly pleased to welcome the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Oval

Sir Keir Starmer has met Joe Biden at the White House for formal talks after the prime minister’s debut on the world stage. The pair were pictured sitting together, and at one point laughing, as the prime minister said the “special relationship with the US is so important and stronger than ever”. To cement the

Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard are here with their guide to the day ahead in politics.  They discuss what’s on the table at the prime minister’s first NATO meeting and dinner with Joe Biden, whether the rumours are true that Labour could introduce digital ID cards, and what is really

Sir Keir Starmer will tell NATO allies that the UK has a “cast iron commitment” to lifting the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but is refusing to honour this pledge in his first term in government. The new Labour prime minister said en route to his first international summit since his landslide election

Suella Braverman has attacked Rishi Sunak as she appealed to grassroots Tory members ahead of a Conservative leadership campaign. The former home secretary, who was re-elected to her Fareham and Waterlooville seat, hit out at her own party for letting MPs, not members, oust Boris Johnson and replace him with Mr Sunak. “It was members

Just days into his premiership, Sir Keir Starmer is heading to the US for a meeting with NATO leaders. We take a look at why he is taking the trip and what might happen when he is there. Why is the prime minister going to Washington? NATO – or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation –

Relations between London and Edinburgh have been severely strained for years. The messy relationship soured dramatically in the Boris Johnson era, with public spats and name-calling. Scottish officials have long held the view that some Tory prime ministers felt it was beneath them to meaningfully engage with the first ministers of the devolved nations. UK