Former diplomats say ministers must threaten action against any companies bidding to build E1 settlement of 3,400 houses in West BankBritain must lead efforts to stop Israelâs annexation of the West Bank â full text of letterA group of leading former UK ambassadors and high commissioners has called on the UK government to threaten action against any companies bidding to build an illegal Israeli settlement âdesigned to divide the West Bank in two and destroy Palestineâs viabilityâ.In a letter published in the Guardian, the 32 former diplomats said tenders for the planned E1 settlement, which would involve the construction of 3,400 houses on âPalestinian soilâ as part of Israelâs âsystemic West Bank annexationâ, were due to be issued on 1 June. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Group of MPs and animal charities call for end to practice after Scotland and Wales vote to phase it outKeir Starmer is coming under pressure from backbench Labour MPs to ban the âcruelâ practice of greyhound racing.The Welsh and Scottish governments voted last month to phase out the practice. Animal welfare groups say thousands of dogs in the UK have died in recent years owing to racing in the âinherently dangerousâ sport. Continue reading...
Labour says it is âuntenableâ for Simon Dudley to continue in his role after he said that Grenfell was tragic âbut everyone dies in the endâGood morning. One of the big policy decisions for all parties ahead of the next election is whether or not to keep the pensions triple lock. Most mainstream economists and welfare experts think it is overly generous (pensioners used to be significantly poorer than working-age people, but that is no longer the case), and ultimately unaffordable. But it is popular, and pensioners turn out to vote in elections in much higher numbers than younger people.The Conservatives at one point suggested they might drop it, but Kemi Badenoch now defends the triple lock quite strongly. Labour has not said what its election plans are yet. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK, says he will take tough decisions to cut welfare spending, and he was thought to be sceptical about the triple lock. But Robert Jenrick, his Treasury spokesperson, is thought to be in favour, and at a press conference later they are expected to confirm Reform UK would keep it.Reform UK is facing calls to sack its housing spokesman after he said the Grenfell Tower fire was a âtragedyâ but that âeveryone dies in the endâ.Simon Dudley, a former executive at Homes England and the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, said the pendulum had âswung too far the wrong wayâ on regulation after the deadly blaze at the west London tower block in 2017.If Nigel Farage has an ounce of decency, he will sack his housing chief immediately.These disgraceful comments about those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire are beyond the pale and it is completely untenable for Simon Dudley to continue in his position. Continue reading...
Partyâs housing spokesperson made comments while criticising safety regulations brought in after 2017 tragedyCampaigners for Grenfell families have called on Reform UK and its housing spokesperson to apologise after he said the tower fire was a âtragedyâ but that âeveryone dies in the endâ.Simon Dudley, a former head of Homes England, had announced in February that he was joining Reform, as Nigel Farage said he was planning to bring more âexpertsâ onboard to advise the party. Continue reading...
Charities say taxes should rise for banks, defence and energy companies which stand to make windfall profitsMiddle East crisis liveRachel Reeves is being urged to raise taxes on businesses generating âwindfallâ profits linked to the US-Israel war on Iran to fund emergency cost of living support for UK households.With the government under pressure to respond, a group of leading charities, campaigners and trade unions said the chancellor could raise billions by taxing âexcess profitsâ linked to the conflict. Continue reading...
⢠House Republicans argue that financial regulators must adapt governance frameworks to keep pace with innovations in artificial intelligence, digital assets, and real-time payment systems.
⢠Congressional financial services leaders contend that regulatory evolution is essential as these technologies reshape how Americans save, invest, and conduct transactions.
⢠The statement reflects broader debates about regulatory modernization in response to rapid technological change in the financial sector.
Electric buses are just 1% of the Australian fleet compared with 80% in urban China, a quarter in the Netherlands and 12% in the UKFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Mortonâs free Clear Air newsletter hereAs diesel climbs past $3 a litre amid fuel security concerns, transport advocates are calling for the rollout of electric buses across Australia to be prioritised.In Australia, just 1% of buses are electric, compared with 80% of the urban fleet in China, a quarter in the Netherlands and 12% in the UK. Continue reading...
David Pocock says a flat 25% export levy on gas producers could redirect âwartime profitsâ to struggling AustraliansGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPressure is mounting on the Albanese government to help households struggling with fuel prices, with working from home and free public transport posited as possible solutions.Nearly 150,000 New Zealand families will soon receive a weekly cash payment to help them afford petrol, believed to be the worldâs first fuel relief package that directly pays citizens since the Israel-US war on Iran began. Continue reading...
As Iran war drives up cost concerns, thinktank says ÂŁ3.7bn discount system should be developed before next winterThe UK government is facing calls to spend almost ÂŁ4bn to launch a âsocial tariffâ providing cheaper energy for poor households amid growing concerns over the Iran conflict.As households brace for an increase in living costs, the Resolution Foundation said ministers should develop a system of discounted domestic energy bills in time for next winter to protect the most vulnerable households. Continue reading...
House to consider amendment that would pardon women in England and Wales affected by prior âunjustâ lawsWomen who have been arrested, investigated and convicted under abortion legislation in England and Wales âmust not be left behindâ if the law is changed to prevent women being criminalised in future, campaigners have said.Last summer, the House of Commons voted to end the criminalisation of women who terminate their pregnancies outside the legal framework, through a new clause in the crime and policing bill. Continue reading...
Treasury minister Spencer Livermore trails new strategy as chancellor pins hopes on benefits of AI amid global uncertaintyThe NHS and Ministry of Defence will be urged to buy British tech, as the government pins its hopes on the benefits of artificial intelligence to kickstart growth in the face of the Iran crisis, Treasury minister Spencer Livermore has said.The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will restate her economic strategy in a high profile lecture on Tuesday, just as rocketing oil prices have raised fears of higher inflation and weaker growth. Continue reading...
This blog has now closed. Follow our Middle East blog hereBoth Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine were asked today about energy secretary Chris Wrightâs comments to CNBC on Thursday, where he said that the US Navy cannot escort ships through the strait of Hormuz now but it was âquite likelyâ that could happen by the end of the month.Gen Caine appeared to agree with Wrightâs assessment, calling the waterway a âtactically complex environmentâ. Continue reading...