Tag: News Story

STORY

The Government has confirmed plans to bring forward legislation banning social media platforms from offering services to children under 16. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the measures were expected to be introduced to Parliament before Christmas, with protections due to come into force in spring 2027.

The proposal would apply to social media platforms and is intended to reduce the amount of time children spend scrolling online. The Government said 16 and 17 year olds would still be able to access social media, but that some functions, including live streaming and communication with strangers, would be restricted by default.

The announcement is likely to lead to further debate over enforcement, privacy and age verification. The Government has said the policy is about protecting children, while critics have raised questions about how platforms will verify age, how data will be handled and whether children will try to bypass restrictions.

STORY

The Government has published a Green Paper setting out options to make trusted news sources more prominent on social media and video sharing platforms. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the proposals were intended to improve access to reliable news and support the long term future of public service media.

The consultation could require platforms to ensure that content from public service media, including the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and 5, as well as other trustworthy providers, is easier to find. The Government said the changes could mean recognised national and local news publishers appearing more prominently when users search for news during periods of crisis or public disorder.

The Green Paper also considers wider reforms to the public service media system, including the future of television distribution, listed events and the prominence of regulated broadcasters on third party platforms. The consultation will run until 31 August.

STORY

Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting that he embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP. The former party chief executive appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to taking party funds over a period of more than a decade.

Murrell had admitted embezzling the money from the party, with separate reporting saying the court heard that funds had been used for vehicles and luxury purchases. The case formed part of the long running investigation into SNP finances, which had previously involved searches and interviews with senior party figures.

Murrell was married to the former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during the period covered by the case, though she has denied knowing about the misuse of funds. The sentence represents a major development for the SNP at a time when the party has already faced political pressure over its record in Government and its handling of internal governance.

STORY

Ed Davey has challenged Andy Burnham to support an amendment calling for the UK to rejoin the single market. The Liberal Democrat leader made the intervention on the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum, saying Burnham should move beyond what he described as the Government’s timidity over Europe.

The Liberal Democrats said the referendum anniversary marked a lost decade for living standards and economic performance. Davey also linked the argument to Nigel Farage, referring to the £5 million gift that Farage has said was a personal reward for his role in delivering Brexit.

The party is seeking to use the Labour leadership transition to press for a more explicit shift in UK-EU policy. Burnham has previously presented himself as a politician able to appeal beyond Labour’s existing base, but any move towards single market membership would be politically contested inside Labour and among opposition parties.

STORY

Nigel Farage has said Andy Burnham would have no mandate if he became prime minister without a general election. The Reform UK leader said the public deserved a vote and argued that voters had little idea what Burnham’s policy positions would be if he entered Downing Street next month.

Farage also said the churn of prime ministers since the 2016 referendum was linked to what he described as the failure of the establishment to accept and implement Brexit. His comments came on the tenth anniversary of the referendum and a day after Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that he would stand down as Labour leader and prime minister once his successor had been chosen.

The Reform UK leader also acknowledged that the resurfacing of social media posts by Rob Kenyon, the party’s Makerfield candidate, had damaged the party’s campaign. Kenyon lost the by-election to Burnham by almost 10,000 votes, with Farage saying the posts were not good and did not help, while also saying it had been too late to withdraw the candidate.

STORY

Labour MPs are considering whether to mount a leadership challenge to Andy Burnham as the party prepares for a change of prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement. Nick Thomas-Symonds, a Cabinet Office minister and long standing ally of Starmer, said there should be a swift transition rather than a drawn out contest, arguing that the interests of the country should be the main consideration.

Al Carns, a former defence minister, and Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, had not ruled out leadership bids. Some MPs were said to be concerned that Burnham could enter Downing Street without having his policy platform subjected to scrutiny by the parliamentary party or the wider membership.

Burnham was sworn in as MP for Makerfield on Monday after winning the by-election last week. If no other Labour MP secures enough support to stand against him, reports suggested he could become prime minister by 17 July, with Starmer remaining in office during the leadership process.

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.