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Hillsborough Law clears MPs, pledging candour and accountability
12 hours ago•Source: BBC
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Burnham signals tax flexibility to back high-street relief
UK Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham said there is room for movement on tax within Labour's manifesto, proposing higher business rates on large warehouses to fund tax cuts for pubs and other high-street venues while pledging not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance, and stressing credibility on public finances alongside defence and welfare considerations.
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Labour leadership doubt grows as Burnham gains traction
The prospect of Keir Starmer fighting on as Labour leader is fading as Andy Burnham’s appeal and leadership potential rise; insiders warn a leadership contest may be likely after the Makerfield by-election, ministers warn of possible party splits, and some see Starmer’s grip weakening despite past electoral gains.
UK forces warned they may have to dial back training without more funding
UK’s defence leadership warns that the Defence Investment Plan is underfunded for day-to-day operations and training, risking reduced military readiness unless more funding is provided, as Defence Secretary John Healey resigns and Dan Jarvis reviews how the money will be spent.
UK leans toward Australia-style ban on under-16s on major social platforms
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil an Australia-style plan to ban under-16s from major social platforms (TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and more), stop livestreams on so-called safer sites, and restrict talking to strangers on gaming apps, with curfews for older teens under consideration; full details will be announced next month after a public consultation showed broad support for online-safety measures.
Green candidate quits Makerfield bid amid 'false flag' post row
Green Party candidate Chris Kennedy withdrew from Makerfield's by-election hours after being named, apologising for social media posts describing an ambulance arson attack as a 'false flag'; the posts have been deleted and the Greens say they do not reflect party views. The by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons' resignation, is due on 18 June, with a replacement candidate to be decided on Monday.
Murray Takes Health Secretary Post with a Guarded Stance on Trans Rights
James Murray is appointed UK Health Secretary after Wes Streeting resigns. A gay MP and former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Murray inherits a policy landscape shaped by Streeting’s controversial stance on puberty blockers and ongoing debates over trans rights. His own record shows a 2022 claim that trans women are women, mixed responses on trans women in sports, and, after the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling, public statements emphasizing dignity for trans people and support for a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while advocating that single-sex spaces align with biological sex. The article suggests scrutiny of how his leadership will influence LGBTQ+ policy in light of legal rulings and party dynamics.
Five forks in Labour’s road as Starmer battles a leadership stalemate
Starmer faces a five-path crisis: he could stand down; Streeting could trigger a leadership contest without Burnham; Burnham could win the Makerfield by-election and mount a leadership bid; Burnham could win the by-election and force Starmer out; or Burnham could lose the by-election, prolonging Labour’s paralysis and opening the field to other contenders such as Streeting and Rayner.
Rayner cleared by HMRC sharpens Labour leadership calculus
Angela Rayner says HMRC has cleared her of wrongdoing over stamp duty tax affairs, potentially paving the way for a Labour leadership bid as Wes Streeting’s allies push to challenge Keir Starmer; Starmer warns a leadership contest could cause chaos, with MPs needing 81 backing to trigger a ballot amid last week’s ministerial resignations.
Bath mayor apologises for sharing false-flag claims about Jewish ambulance arson
Bath mayor Dr Bharat Pankhania apologised unreservedly after sharing X posts that wrongly claimed the arson of Hatzola ambulances was an 'Israeli false flag operation' and insurance fraud; the posts were deleted and described as abhorrent. The incident is being treated as antisemitic hate crime, with two people arrested on suspicion of arson, while Hatzola remains a Jewish-led emergency medical charity.
UK won't mirror Trump on Iran, says Cooper
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper rejected President Trump's critique of the UK's Iran response, saying the UK will make decisions in its national interest and not agree with Trump on every issue, after Trump suggested the UK might send aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
Parliament weighs removing Prince Andrew from the line of succession after police inquiry
Ministers are reportedly weighing legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession once the police investigation concludes; MPs from several parties have urged action, with Labour and Lib Dems calling for removal and some advocating a wider debate on abolishing the monarchy. Any change would require an Act of Parliament and consent from other realms, and would also remove him as a counsellor of state.