Category: News Story

STORY

Campaigning in the Makerfield by-election has entered its first weekend, with the contest attracting national attention because of Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster. ITV News reported that Burnham has said the by-election could “change Labour”, as the Greater Manchester Mayor seeks to win the seat for the party.

The Liberal Democrats have selected Stockport councillor Jake Austin as their candidate, while the Conservatives have named Michael Winstanley. Reform UK is standing Robert Kenyon, who came second in Makerfield at the 2024 general election. The Green Party is reopening its selection process after Chris Kennedy withdrew shortly after being chosen.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stood down to clear a path for Burnham. The contest is expected to be watched closely because of Labour’s wider leadership tensions, Reform UK’s recent electoral advances and the importance of northern English seats to Labour’s parliamentary strength.

STORY

Rachel Reeves’ allies have begun making the case for her to remain Chancellor if Labour changes leader, according to reports. The Guardian said supporters of Reeves were arguing that she would be the best figure to maintain market confidence and protect the Government’s economic credibility during a period of political instability.

The intervention comes amid continuing speculation about Keir Starmer’s future and the possibility of a leadership contest. Reeves has faced criticism from within Labour over fiscal policy, but her supporters point to improved IMF growth forecasts, recent falls in inflation and the Government’s cost of living measures as evidence that her approach is producing results.

The Chancellor’s position is likely to become part of any wider debate about Labour’s direction. Some Labour figures have argued for a more expansive economic programme, while others have warned that any move away from fiscal discipline could unsettle investors and increase pressure on the public finances.

STORY

David Miliband has said the UK needs a national consensus on its future relationship with the European Union, following reports that the Government has proposed a single market for goods with the bloc. The former Foreign Secretary said the UK required a more substantial reset than the current approach, while accepting that the terms Britain had before Brexit were no longer available.

Miliband said the EU itself had changed significantly since the 2016 referendum, particularly because of the war in Ukraine and the question of future enlargement. He argued that the UK needed to think strategically about its long-term place in Europe, rather than treating the relationship as a narrow trade negotiation.

His comments come as Labour faces internal debate over Europe, with some figures calling for a closer economic relationship and others warning ministers not to abandon the party’s election commitments. The Government has said it will not rejoin the EU, the customs union or the full single market, but is seeking practical measures to reduce trade friction.

STORY

The UK Government has proposed creating a single market for goods with the European Union as part of efforts to deepen post-Brexit trade links, according to reports. Reuters said the proposal had been put forward during discussions with Brussels, with ministers seeking ways to reduce barriers for businesses while maintaining Labour’s stated red lines on free movement and full single market membership.

The EU is reported to have rejected the proposal in its current form, arguing instead that the UK would need to consider options such as a customs union or closer alignment with the European Economic Area. The Government has said it wants a closer and more stable relationship with the EU, particularly on food standards, emissions trading, defence procurement and industrial cooperation.

The talks come ahead of a planned UK-EU summit in July, where both sides are expected to seek progress on trade and cooperation measures. The issue is politically sensitive for Labour, with ministers facing pressure from business groups for closer alignment and from opponents who warn against reopening major elements of the Brexit settlement.

STORY

The Government has announced pilots to overhaul the fit note system in England, saying the current arrangements do not provide enough support for people who become ill, employers or healthcare professionals. The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care said four pilots would test new approaches through selected NHS WorkWell sites and major employers.

The Government said around 11 million fit notes are issued each year, with more than nine in ten declaring the person not fit for work. The pilots will cover up to 100,000 appointments and run for up to a year, testing personalised “stay in work” and “return to work” plans. Patients may either receive an initial fit note from a GP before being referred to a support service, or be referred directly to a separate service staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners.

The pilots will begin from July in Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and Lancashire and South Cumbria. Ministers said the reforms are intended to reduce unnecessary GP administration while bringing together patients, employers and trained professionals to discuss adjustments and support. The Government said findings from the pilots will inform future legislation on fit note reform.

STORY

Chris Kennedy has withdrawn as the Green Party candidate for the Makerfield by-election just hours after being selected. Kennedy, a nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, had been chosen by local party members to contest the seat, but the party later confirmed that he had stepped down for “personal and family reasons”.

The withdrawal followed scrutiny of previous social media posts, including material relating to an arson attack on Jewish ambulances in Golders Green. The Guardian reported that the Green Party said the posts did not reflect its values, and that Kennedy had deleted them and apologised.

The party said it would reopen nominations and hold a new selection meeting on Monday. The Makerfield by-election, expected on 18 June, was triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to seek a return to Parliament. Labour has selected Burnham as its candidate, while Reform UK is standing Robert Kenyon.

STORY

A new space awareness system has become operational to help protect UK satellites and the services that depend on them. The Ministry of Defence and UK Space Agency said the Borealis system will improve the UK’s ability to track objects in space, including debris and satellites that could threaten British assets.

The Government said the system has gone live six months ahead of schedule and will support the National Space Operations Centre by combining and analysing data from multiple sources. Ministers also released the first images from the UK’s Noctis-1 military telescope, including images of objects such as the International Space Station and military communications satellites.

Defence minister Luke Pollard (in photo) said space was now a contested domain and that protecting satellites was

important for both the economy and national security. The Government said nearly 20% of UK GDP is reliant on satellite services, including navigation, communications, money transfers and weather forecasting.

STORY

The Government has set out how the Football Governance Act will give supporters stronger protections over the future of their clubs. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy (in photo) said the legislation was designed to protect club heritage, improve financial oversight and ensure fans are consulted on important decisions.

The Act gives the new Independent Football Regulator powers to examine club ownership, require stronger financial planning and prevent clubs from joining prohibited breakaway competitions. It also requires clubs to consult properly before making major changes to badges, colours, names or grounds.

Ministers said the reforms are intended to protect the football pyramid and give fans a greater say in how clubs are run. The Government said the regulator will also be able to identify individuals who put clubs at risk and take action where necessary.

STORY

Passengers could be able to book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year after the Government opened applications for operators to join a new pilot scheme. The Department for Transport said the trials would allow approved firms to run services on roads in Great Britain.

Ministers said the scheme could support older and disabled people, create skilled jobs and help develop the UK’s autonomous vehicle sector. Services will be subject to safety assessments, cyber-security checks and local consent from transport authorities before operating.

Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood (in photo) said self-driving vehicles could expand independent travel and support economic growth. The pilots will be used to gather real-world evidence as ministers develop the regulations needed for wider deployment of the technology.

STORY

The UK is sending three additional sniffer dogs to Bulgaria as part of efforts to disrupt organised migration crime before it reaches the Channel. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the dogs would help strengthen border security and detect equipment used by criminal networks.

The Government said the deployment forms part of a whole-route approach to stopping small boats, including cooperation with European partners and the National Crime Agency. More than 1,000 boats and engines have been seized since early 2023 through joint work with countries including Bulgaria, Belgium, France and Germany.

The announcement follows recent talks in Moldova where Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper secured agreement from European partners on reforms linked to migration cases. Ministers said the UK’s international work is designed to break criminal supply chains and reduce the profits made by organised gangs.