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BBC News - Politics

Abbott suspended by Labour Party after comments about racism

    MP Diane Abbott is suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation, the BBC understands.

    Which parties could benefit from lower voting age?

      Young people are more likely to vote for left-wing parties - but how could this translate to a real election?

      Met Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts

        The move would reduce police front desks across London from 37 to 19, and reduce the number open 24/7.

        Plans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty

          It comes as Friedrich Merz makes his first official visit to the UK as German chancellor.

          Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election

            Other planned changes include expanding voter ID to include bank cards and moving to automatic registration.

            Starmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs

              The PM argues MPs "elected on a Labour manifesto" should back the government's plans.

              Starmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser

                Morgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, the Cabinet Office said in a report.

                Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive

                  Senior officials say the sackings came after repeated organising against the government.

                  Government spends £53m on domestic violence programme

                    The money will expand an existing pilot which works with perpetrators to help them resolve personal issues.

                    Reform council agrees plan to share data with savings unit

                      The Doge cost-cutting team is seeking data-sharing agreements with all of the councils Reform UK controls.

                      Lib Dems back 'pot zero' plan to cut energy bills

                        Leader Sir Ed Davey says the UK must break the link between gas prices and electricity costs.

                        Serious questions for Tories over Afghan data breach - PM

                          Details of thousands of Afghans who supported UK forces were mistakenly leaked under the last government.

                          MoD offered to speed up resettlement case of Afghan who posted data breach names on Facebook

                            The BBC understands the individual, an Afghan national, is now living in the UK.

                            Labour suspends four MPs after welfare cuts rebellion

                              Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell all voted against welfare reforms.

                              Badenoch and PM spar over 'modest income' tax pledge

                                A cabinet minister said people on "modest" incomes will be protected from tax rises, but the Tories say ministers can't explain who they are.

                                UK inflation at highest for almost a year and a half

                                  Food and clothing prices rose more quickly while fuel fell only slightly, boosting the overall rate of inflation.

                                  Stop being negative about savers buying shares, Reeves says

                                    Chancellor tells the financial industry to change the narrative around consumer investment to encourage growth.

                                    Ex-PM 'extremely cavalier' in Brexit handling, says Tory MP

                                      A former NI secretary has accused David Cameron of treating the Brexit referendum as "some sort of Eton game".

                                      Trump shrugs off giving Parliament speech when he visits UK

                                        The US president says there is no need to recall MPs, saying "let them go and have a good time" instead.

                                        Reeves inadvertently breached rules on gifts, says MPs' watchdog

                                          The chancellor missed the 28-day deadline for registering free tickets from the National Theatre.

                                          Tories made 'false promises' to veterans, Benn says

                                            Hilary Benn was speaking during a three-hour debate in Parliament, which saw MPs clash over legacy.

                                            Reform-led council calls for more social care visas

                                              The government’s Social Care Worker Visa route for overseas recruitment is to end.

                                              UK to start processing Syrian asylum claims again

                                                Decisions were paused more than seven months ago, following the fall of the Assad regime.

                                                MP facing sex assault charges given trial date

                                                  MP Patrick Spencer, who has been accused of sexually assaulting two women, denies charges in court.

                                                  Shoddy that Trump can't address MPs, says Farage

                                                    The US president's state visit later this year has been scheduled during a House of Commons recess.

                                                    More rules being considered to keep children safe online

                                                      Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander says age checks will not mark the "end of the conversation".

                                                      How will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work?

                                                        The minimum voting age will fall to 16 across the UK as part of a package of election reforms.

                                                        What we know so far about Afghan data breach

                                                          The revelation of a major data leak and subsequent relocation of thousands of Afghans to the UK has raised serious questions.

                                                          Three key questions after Afghan data breach sparked unprecedented secret evacuation

                                                            The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner analyses the leak of Afghan citizens' data and the fallout.

                                                            Is there a secret formula for election-winning slogans?

                                                              Political strategist Chris Bruni-Lowe claims in a new book that eight words hold the key to electoral success.

                                                              Welfare cuts: What are the Pip and universal credit changes?

                                                                The government watered down its welfare reform plans to get MPs to vote for the benefits bill.

                                                                Norman Tebbit: Outspoken hero of the Conservative political right

                                                                  Norman Tebbit's radical views on self-help kept him at the cutting edge of Conservative politics.

                                                                  A year in power - BBC correspondents assess how Labour are doing

                                                                    With the economy, immigration, education, welfare and health high on the agenda, has Sir Keir Starmer's top team met their pledges?

                                                                    Nick Robinson: Starmer told me he'd met every challenge. But things look bad right now - very bad

                                                                      Nick Robinson sits down with the prime minister to look back at his first year in Downing Street.

                                                                      Reeves bounces back after tears but challenges remain

                                                                        The chancellor draws a line under excruciating episode but still faces the same problems, writes Henry Zeffman.

                                                                        Seven ways Starmer's plan could change the NHS

                                                                          The BBC looks at what the government's 10-year NHS plan could mean in practice.

                                                                          Who are the welfare bill rebels? Find out how your MP voted

                                                                            Check whether your MP voted for or against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

                                                                            Reeves' five choices to turn government finances around

                                                                              The chancellor's financial wriggle room has shrunk after welform reforms were watered down.

                                                                              What has been driving the rise in disability benefit claims?

                                                                                The government has confirmed details of its scaled-back plan to reform some benefits.

                                                                                Analysis: Humiliation for Starmer as he loses control of Commons

                                                                                  The BBC's political editor Chris Mason and chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman on the welfare bill.

                                                                                  Welfare cuts: What are the Pip and universal credit changes?

                                                                                    The government watered down its welfare reform plans to get MPs to vote for the benefits bill.

                                                                                    'Noses out of joint': Colleagues reveal what Reform's Zia Yusuf is like to work for

                                                                                      Some who have worked with the former Reform chairman call him a "powerhouse", but others describe a chaotic workplace.

                                                                                      Assisted dying bill: What happens next?

                                                                                        The historic bill has cleared all of its Commons stages and now goes for further scrutiny in the Lords.

                                                                                        Faisal Islam: How much will U-turn on disability benefits cost?

                                                                                          The changes could cost up to £3bn which will have to come from higher taxes or cuts elsewhere, given the chancellor's self-imposed borrowing rules.

                                                                                          PM's benefit cuts U-turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised

                                                                                            After the PM's efforts to mend relations with many on Labour's left, plenty are still unhappy.

                                                                                            Could this be the most significant Nato summit since the Cold War?

                                                                                              Europe braces for Trump's arrival at the Nato summit with difficult questions over Iran and defence, following the 5% defence spending target he's demanded of allies

                                                                                              Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive

                                                                                                Senior officials say the sackings came after repeated organising against the government.

                                                                                                Starmer and Macron plead for patience in an impatient world

                                                                                                  The UK and France have agreed a "one in, one out" deal for migrants crossing the Channel.

                                                                                                  Migrant deal will be seen as failure if numbers don't fall

                                                                                                    The "one-in-one-out" deal with France to be announced later will have to deter people from getting in small boats.

                                                                                                    What happens inside the government's crisis room

                                                                                                      Cobra is where senior ministers and officials gather to coordinate the emergency response to a crisis.

                                                                                                      Rachel Reeves' tears raise big questions at top of Labour

                                                                                                        Whatever the cause, Labour must soon start projecting direction, confidence and grip.

                                                                                                        Labour might be down, but it's not necessarily out - voters reflect on a year in power

                                                                                                          What’s gone wrong for Labour? 2024 voters delve into it, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

                                                                                                          Starmer's stormy first year: Why his political honeymoon was so short-lived

                                                                                                            As the PM marks a year in office next week - which he will spend grappling with crises - British politics finds itself at an inflection point

                                                                                                            Crisis - which crisis? Israel-Iran another huge challenge for government

                                                                                                              As buildings burn in Tehran and Tel Aviv, the UK government is facing another crisis, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

                                                                                                              Labour tiptoed cautiously through its first year - will it now decide to escape its own shadow?

                                                                                                                This week's Spending Review may be an opportunity for the UK government show investors its vision

                                                                                                                The country where the left (not the far right) made hardline immigration laws

                                                                                                                  Denmark has come under international attention for its tough approach. And its Social Democrat prime minister is leading the charge

                                                                                                                  Votes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react

                                                                                                                    The government has announced that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election.

                                                                                                                    Reporter Reads

                                                                                                                      A political strategist says there are eight words that resonate with all voters.

                                                                                                                      Reporter Reads

                                                                                                                        BBC Political Editor Chris Mason on the latest defection from Tory to Reform.

                                                                                                                        Watch: PM talks about his 'good personal relationship' with Trump

                                                                                                                          Watch: PM talks about his 'good personal relationship' with Trump