Category: News Story

STORY

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has told the House of Commons that the driver of a passenger train died after two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Bedford on Friday 19 June. The collision happened at around 17:15 at Elstow, when the 16:40 Corby to London St Pancras service struck the stationary 15:50 Nottingham to London St Pancras service.

Alexander said at least 33 people were taken to hospital, with around a third of them in a serious condition, and at least 56 other people were treated for injuries. She said a number of those injured remained in a critical condition and thanked emergency services, railway staff, NHS workers and local residents who assisted passengers after the crash.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched an independent investigation and is expected to provide an update in the coming days. Alexander urged people not to speculate about the cause of the collision while investigators carry out their work, and said the railway between Bedford and Luton is expected to remain closed for the rest of the week while damaged trains are removed and infrastructure is repaired.

The statement made by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, outside 10 Downing Street on 22 June 2026.

Thank you. Thank you. Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government. The first in 14 years. A page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair.

The chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better. That’s what I came into politics for. The journey to that point was not easy.

Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told, time and time again, that my party was finished.

That we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party.

Ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security.

And becoming a party that, once again, stood proudly with, not against, our national flag. The hard work of change was with a singular purpose. Not power for power’s sake but to change Britain for the better.

To build a fairer country, with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued. Wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few. And look at what we’ve achieved in just two years.

An economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers. Wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power. Investment secured, infrastructure being built. An end to austerity, with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years.

The biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation. The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War. Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media, and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made.

Our reputation in the world restored, with Britain once again standing up for decency, respect and the rule of law. Securing trade dues, standing with Ukraine, standing up for our values, and rebuilding our relationship with our allies in Europe.

Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government, change delivered by a Labour government.

But I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power, and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.

The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.

Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.

I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.

I want to thank all of those friends and colleagues who have been at my side for these past six years or so for their incredible commitment, service and support.

I want to thank the brilliant No 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary civil service, who dedicate their lives to public service.

And when I leave, the biggest job in the country. I shall spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side, through good times and bad. And being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.

Thank you very much.

STORY

The Labour party has plunged into turmoil as Keir Starmer has confirmed that he will be resigning as Prime Minister. Speaking outside Downing Street, Starmer said:

“We proved those people wrong because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with God against our national flag.

The hard work of change was with a singular purpose, not power for power’s sake, but to change Britain for the better, to build a fairer country with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few.”

STORY

The Government has announced £50 million of investment to support critical minerals projects across the UK. The Department for Business and Trade said the funding would strengthen domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

The programme is intended to support extraction, processing and recycling of minerals used in products including smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries. Industry Minister Chris McDonald is launching the programme during a visit to Teesside’s Wilton Centre, including firms working on minerals processing and metal recycling.

The Government said the investment builds on more than £200 million already committed to critical minerals projects. Ministers have presented the policy as part of a wider economic security agenda, arguing that stronger domestic capability will help protect the UK from global shocks and supply disruption.

STORY

Sterling dipped as speculation mounted that Keir Starmer could announce a timetable for leaving office. Reuters reported that the pound fell by around 0.2% against the dollar on Monday as investors monitored the political uncertainty surrounding the Prime Minister’s future.

The market reaction came after several days of pressure on Starmer following Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by-election victory. Analysts said Britain’s fiscal position, high debt interest costs and weak growth meant that any new Labour leader would have limited room for large spending commitments, even if they promised a change of political direction.

Burnham has said he would respect the Government’s fiscal rules, but investors are expected to scrutinise any leadership campaign for signs of tax, borrowing or spending changes. The political uncertainty comes as the UK continues to face high borrowing costs compared with other major economies.

STORY

Keir Starmer is expected to set out a timetable for his departure as Prime Minister after growing pressure from Labour MPs following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election. Reports on Monday said Starmer had spent the weekend considering his position after previously saying that he would contest any leadership challenge.

Reuters reported that Starmer could announce an orderly transition, with Burnham waiting in the wings after returning to Parliament. The pressure on the Prime Minister has increased since Burnham’s by-election win, which gave him the parliamentary seat needed to mount a leadership challenge from within the House of Commons.

The potential change of leadership would come less than two years after Labour’s landslide general election victory. It would also add to a decade of political instability in the UK, with questions now focusing on whether Labour would hold a full leadership contest or move towards an uncontested handover to Burnham.

STORY

The Ministry of Defence has awarded Leonardo UK an initial £27 million contract to supply essential consumable spares for military aircraft across the UK’s fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet. The contract could be worth up to £70 million over seven years and will support 75 jobs in the UK defence industry.

The Aircraft Consumables Commodities contract covers around 11,000 NATO Stock Numbers, including parts and materials used to keep aircraft operational. The aircraft covered include Typhoon fighter jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and A400M and C-17 transport aircraft, some of which are currently deployed on live operations in the Middle East.

The MOD said the contract will give Leonardo responsibility for forecasting, procurement, stock management and obsolescence management for essential spares. Defence minister Luke Pollard said the investment would help maintain aircraft used to protect the UK and support operations overseas, while the MOD said the new system would provide a more efficient model for managing spares across defence aviation.

STORY

A number of Labour MPs have publicly rallied behind Keir Starmer as pressure continues over his leadership following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister is facing renewed speculation about his future, with reports that senior Labour figures are discussing whether he should stand down or agree a transition timetable.

Samantha Niblett, the Labour MP for South Derbyshire, said on social media that constituents at a coffee morning had thanked her for backing the Prime Minister and that comments and emails about her support had been “almost entirely gratitude”. She also said that constituents already knew she backed Starmer and called on others to sign up and contact their own MPs. Michael Payne, the Labour MP for Gedling, also urged the party to “stop the noise”, back the Prime Minister and focus on delivery.

Payne later wrote in LabourList that Starmer’s support for Ukraine, work with allies and focus on public services formed a record “worth defending”. He said Labour should not “spend its time indulging Westminster psychodrama” and argued that changing leaders would invite demands for an early general election. The public backing came as it is reported that Starmer was considering his political future, while other Labour figures continued to debate whether Burnham should replace him as party leader and Prime Minister.

STORY

Jeremy Corbyn has criticised Andy Burnham’s economic approach following the Greater Manchester mayor’s victory in the Makerfield by-election. Corbyn said that Burnham seemed “to be accepting too much of the austerity that we’ve had imposed upon us and doesn’t appear to be doing anything, as I can see it, differently internationally”.

Burnham won the Makerfield contest on 19 June, returning to the House of Commons and strengthening speculation that he could challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership. He used his victory speech to call for “fundamental change” in Britain, including changes to the economy, immigration, education and industry, and said the result showed Labour had a final chance to change direction.

STORY

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has opened an investigation into a dangerous occurrence at Todmorden in West Yorkshire after an out-of-service Northern train made an uncontrolled movement towards Todmorden Viaduct Junction. The incident happened at around 22:28 on 7 May 2026 and was announced by the RAIB on 19 June 2026.

The RAIB said the driver of the out-of-service train had been given permission by the signaller to move closer to a signal on Todmorden West Curve. However, the driver was not aware that the train was already standing with its driving cab beyond that signal, resulting in an uncontrolled movement towards the junction. The driver realised what had happened and brought the train to a stop close to the junction.

Around 12 seconds later, the 21:57 Manchester Victoria to Leeds passenger service, also operated by Northern, passed through the junction at about 45mph after leaving Todmorden station. The RAIB said there were no injuries or damage, but its investigation will examine the sequence of events, signalling systems, staff training and competence, revised working arrangements and any underlying management factors.