Kemi Badenoch
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Healey’s Budget needs to sustain the stronger economy through gathering clouds
The economic is positive now but come January things could become trickier for the Labour government
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Tories and banks believe Healey’s ‘boring Budget’ could signal early election
With the chancellor set to unveil what is expected to be a ‘steady-as-she-goes’ Budget on Wednesday, speculation over an early election has been fuelled further by an new poll which suggests Labour can win a big majority
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Nicki Minaj shares Air Force One video as Trump hints at new press secretary
Nicki Minaj shared a video from aboard Air Force One, the US president's official aircraft, as Donald Trump departed for Port Huron, Michigan, on the midterm campaign trail. (October 25) The rapper publicly began supporting Trump in 2025 and was then welcomed to the White House in July 2026. White House director of communications Steven Chueng also shared a video of the singer on board the aircraft, as he teased she could be the president’s next press secretary. Sharing the video on X, he said: “I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” The post comes after the White House announced Katie Zacharia was leaving the role last week, just days after taking up the post.
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Rayner says ‘nothing off the table’ for Burnham to undo harms of Brexit
Andy Burnham admitted he is considering allowing freedom of movement, as pro-EU groups warn Brexit has left a black hole of up to £240bn in economic growth
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Rayner backs Burnham call for debate on return to free movement with EU
Cabinet minister says PM’s plea is ‘pragmatism’ but comments risk causing concern among some red wall MPs
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Israel votes in first election since 7 October attacks and Gaza war
Israelis will head to the polls on Tuesday (27 October) in the first election since the 7 October attacks and subsequent wars in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a big challenge from former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, with neither expected to secure a parliamentary majority. But would a change in leadership bring peace in the region? Both candidates oppose an independent Palestinian state, and support continued Israeli security control over Palestinian territories. The Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports.
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Reform UK’s support collapses in major boost for Burnham, new poll shows
The latest Ipsos poll would give Andy Burnham a majority for Labour in a general election
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Ofgem and National Gas plan: Unable to meet demand or a ‘very rare’ potential issue?
We’ve fact-checked concerns over gas supply capacity and demand
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Osborne lists Tory Brexiteers who stopped him cutting welfare in warning to Badenoch
The former chancellor said the biggest opposition he faced to bringing down the welfare bill came from his own Conservative Party
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Films at the Odeon, fish and chips, and Double Diamond: Teenage nights out in York
Remembering teenage nights out in York: films at the Odeon, fish and chips, underage pints and the last bus home.
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Films at the Odeon, fish and chips, and Double Diamond: Teenage nights out in York
Remembering teenage nights out in York: films at the Odeon, fish and chips, underage pints and the last bus home.
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Tears, Budget, and Strictly anxiety: Andy Burnham makes Gogglebox history
Burnham defended his appearance saying that it was intended to ‘give the country hope’
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Tory activist in 'contract killing broker' claim had worked for party HQ
Jack Ross was contracted to do social media work for the party until earlier this year, the BBC has been told.
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Tears, Budget, and Strictly anxiety: Andy Burnham makes Gogglebox history
Burnham defended his appearance saying that it was intended to ‘give the country hope’
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Fact check: Ofgem and National Gas plan will prevent tight supplies this winter
A new consultation aims to ensure that a ‘very rare’ potential problem with gas supply does not come to pass.
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Burnham says he will ‘make no apology’ for Celebrity Gogglebox appearance
The Prime Minister said he is trying to ‘lead with a bit of lightness’
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Reform braces for Farage standards verdict over undeclared £5m gift
Party insiders say they expect initial verdict to be against leader and are preparing to appeal against adverse findings
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Burnham suggests stocking up on tinned food and bottled water
The prime ministers says unexpected events seem to be becoming more common and it was wise to prepare.
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Farage would lose head-to-head contest to every UK political leader except Polanski
Reform leader even beaten by the head of the party that has outflanked his on the right, Restore’s Rupert Lowe
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White House ballroom construction progress seen in aerial footage
Donald Trump’s administration has released aerial footage showing the construction progress on the White House ballroom. Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared the video on X, which he said was filmed from Marine One during a flyover on the president’s journey to Joint Base Andrews. The original East Wing of the White House was demolished in October 2025 to make way for the 90,000-square-foot facility, proceeding without congressional authorization. Trump has defended the project, arguing it will offer a secure location for state visits, official ceremonies and inaugurations. In February 2025, the ballroom’s cost was estimated at $100m. The figure later rose to $250m and has since grown to $600m.
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Andy Burnham defends Gogglebox appearance after Badenoch criticism
Burnham says he "makes no apology" for the move as Kemi Badenoch says she is "amazed" he has time.
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Permanent facial recognition cameras to be installed on Oxford Street by Christmas
Live facial recognition has been widely criticised by human rights groups
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Streeting tackled over ‘be-ready’ plan in Question Time ‘scaremongering’ debate
Wes Streeting defended the government’s campaign urging the public to prepare themselves for emergencies. The defence secretary told BBC Question Time that he wants people to be “alert but not alarmed”, adding there was a not a “specific thing” in mind when it comes to potential emergency incidents, but said the advice might help during power cuts or if a local shop is subject to a cyberattack. Put to him by an audience member that it could be “scaremongering” and push people towards panic buying like during the Covid-19 pandemic, he said: “We did have this debate though, just to reassure … because we want people to be alert but not alarmed, and the truth is we looked around the rest of Europe, ‘what are our friends doing across the continent?’ “They are way ahead of us on some of this stuff. So actually, my reaction as Defence Secretary wasn’t, ‘Is this the right thing to do?’ It’s ‘why haven’t we done this before, and why are we playing catch up compared to lots of other European countries’?”
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Streeting cites Churchill after Trump envoy calls Putin ‘humanitarian’
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said there is a “clear line between appeasement and a peace process” after Donald Trump’s chief negotiator on the Ukraine war described Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian”. Speaking on BBC Newsnight on Thursday (22 October), the defence secretary said: “I understand when people are undertaking, you know, the path of diplomacy, that sometimes you might feel the need to be gracious to the host sitting in front of you. “But I’ve got to say there is a very clear line between appeasement and a peace process, we should be in no doubt that Vladimir Putin is a cold-blooded killer.” Asked if he was saying this is appeasement by the US, he said: “I’m saying don’t feed the crocodile”. The phrase refers back to a comment Winston Churchill made on neutral nations during the early stages of the Second World War, most commonly cited as “an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last”.
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Reform UK and Greens no longer considered main parties, stark new poll shows
Voters appear to be losing confidence in the idea that Nigel Farage would lead a government as prime minister
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Barclays boss indicates bank taxes in budget ‘bearable’ and backs Healey – UK politics live
CEO of Barclays tells reporters: ‘I deeply respect the responsibility that the chancellor has and he has our full support and backing’
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Government urged to approve Rosebank oil and gas field after Jackdaw go-ahead
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for Labour to repeal its ban on all new oil and gas licences.
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Trump says Google refused request to rename Atlantic ‘American Ocean’
Donald Trump has claimed that Google has turned down his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean the “American Ocean.” The US president told supporters at a rally in South Carolina on Wednesday (21 October) that the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, had refused his suggestion. Trump says he called Pichai, who told him, "Oceans are different, sir. You know, they cover, they cover a lot of, they cover really a lot of countries." "So I'll probably pass... I think let's keep it the Atlantic Ocean, right? Pacific Ocean, we're gonna call it the American Ocean,” Trump added.
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Government approves drilling in Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea
Andy Burnham says the government remained committed to renewable energy but was taking a ‘pragmatic’ approach to the North Sea
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Indecision over release of PC Harper killers made police jobs harder, Badenoch says
The Conservative leader is set to make a speech on Thursday
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Former Tory election candidate suspended over contract killing claims
Jack Ross was filmed allegedly discussing with an undercover reporter violent options to deal with enemies
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Jackdaw: Will it cut energy bills and how much gas will it provide?
BBC Verify looks at what the Jackdaw decision means for bills, energy security and the environment.
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How Jackdaw gas field ignites row over climate change and costs
How Jackdaw ignites arguments over climate and costs
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Fury of French youth explodes across borders: Bel Trew unpacks the chaos
Battles near the Louvre, graffiti over Place de la République, protests along the Champs-Élysées, and shopkeepers trying to fight off looters and plumes of tear gas. Long-standing fury from youth in France has exploded into these fiery scenes. Rage has spread across borders, with protests erupting in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania. Why is this happening, and what does it mean? The Independent's Chief International Correspondent unpacks the chaos as more protests are planned.
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Trump’s special envoy tells Vladimir Putin he is a ‘humanitarian’
Steve Witkoff, the United States’ special envoy, lauded Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” for releasing a “wrongfully detained” American as Moscow continued bombing civilians in Ukraine. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again,” said Witkoff in a clip posted by Russian state media as he met with Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff is continuing attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (October 20). On Wednesday, Russia released 74-year-old teacher Stephen James Hubbard, who had been held for four years over claims he was a Ukrainian mercenary. Russia has continued its bombing of Ukraine, killing 328 civilians in September alone.
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Andy Burnham orders review of gas bills with move that could help households
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked ministers to examine scrapping standing charges on gas bills.
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Burnham defends Jackdaw decision as Badenoch urges PM to overturn ban on new oil and gas licences
The UK government says the field, which is opposed by environmental campaigners, could be producing gas by the end of this month.
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Jackdaw gas field approved as Government seeks to improve energy security
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the decision would ‘protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter’.
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How the Chancellor can back the grafters and get young people into employment - Sarah Todd
A week today and a lad who spent his childhood growing up in Yorkshire will be delivering his first budget. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey was born in Wakefield but the family moved around a lot because of his father’s work with the prison service.
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Jackdaw gas field approval triggers backlash from environmentalists
Andy Burnham said the scheme will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep British homes warm this winter.
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In The Room
France is reeling after a weekend of unrest that escalated dramatically. Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully, but elsewhere shops were looted, cars burned, police attacked and public buildings set alight. What began with schoolchildren furious about missing teachers, crumbling classrooms and a system they believe is failing them quickly became something much bigger. People of all ages joined demonstrations driven by anger over the cost of living, deteriorating public services and a future that feels increasingly out of reach. With France approaching a presidential election, the unrest exposes a deeper political crisis. But this is not just a French story. Across Europe, established parties are struggling to retain the confidence of increasingly disillusioned electorates. And Britain has experienced its own moments when public anger has spilled into violence. Helen MacNamara, who was inside government during the 2011 riots and has attended countless COBR meetings, examines what happens when governments begin to lose control of the streets, and what France's crisis might tell us about the pressures building closer to home. New episodes of In The Room come out weekly. Listen to the latest on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
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Tommy Robinson voicemail left on Daily Mail journalist’s phone played in court
Audio of a voicemail Tommy Robinson left on a Daily Mail journalist’s phone has been played to jurors at Southwark Crown Court. The 43-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is on trial for allegedly harassing journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Andrew Young, causing them fear of violence, in August 2024 after they worked on a story about him while he was on holiday in Cyprus. The voicemail, released by the Metropolitan Police and played in court on Tuesday (20 October), was left on Ted Verity’s phone. It said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.” Mr Yaxley-Lennon entered not guilty pleas to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence in July last year.
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The disputed story of the 'creepy' undercover police officer
Andrew Coles denies claims he deceived a young woman into sex while infiltrating an activist group.
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Burnham faces Badenoch at PMQs after Jackdaw gasfield approved – UK politics live
The Jackdaw field will start supplying gas to homes and businesses from the end of the month, the government said
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PMQs latest: Burnham proposes removing standing charges from energy bills
Miatta Fahnbulleh has promised greater energy security, but told Britons not to expect cheaper bills this winter
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Man ordered to pay more than £2,000 for act after getting parking ticket
A man was ordered to pay £2,270 in fines and costs after he threw a parking fine notice on the ground in Cornwall. Stephen Lang, of St Martins Crescent, Camborne, was found guilty of littering at Exchequer Quay car park in Penryn on 20 November 2025. The court heard that the 58-year-old was issued with a penalty charge notice after his vehicle was found parked outside a marked bay. Lang approached the officer and challenged the notice before removing it from the vehicle and throwing it to the ground. The officer picked up the notice and placed it back on the vehicle before Lang removed it again and threw it in her direction. Lang was issued with a £250 Fixed Penalty Notice for littering, which he failed to pay despite a reminder. He was ordered to pay a £250 fine, £1920.90 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
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Tell us how you’re going to fund defence, Badenoch urges chancellor ahead of Budget
Conservative leader accuses Labour of seeking to kick tough decisions on spending into long grass
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Albanian police deploy water cannons as protests hit seventh day
Albanian police deployed water cannons as protests continued into their seventh day on Monday (19 October). Officers responded with tear gas after demonstrators hurled rocks at them. Protesters also attacked government buildings and lit fires. Violence has erupted after high school and university students mobilised in a broader anti-government movement calling for prime minister Edi Rama to resign. It comes as thousands of rioters in France were arrested during the weekend’s widespread protests, with justice minister. Violence has also been seen in other parts of Europe, with similar incidents in Belgium and Italy.
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Democrat zings Hegseth when asked if she’ll quit drinking if elected
The Democratic candidate who went viral for her “drunk” and belligerent local TV interview took a shot at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being asked if she’d quit drinking if she were elected. Jaime West, who is running for a seat on the Fayette County Council in Indiana, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she claimed she drank only three beers before her now-infamous appearance, during which she warned Republicans, “we have guns too.” When Morgan asked if West would quit drinking if her long-shot bid for the council seat was successful, she replied, “I don't know. Why don't you ask Pete Hegseth, who is drinking whiskey as he's running an illegal war?” Morgan and guest Ben Ferguson pointed out that Hegseth had vowed not to drink during his time in Trump’s cabinet.
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UK poll tracker: Reform still behind Conservatives as Labour lead grows
Labour continues to see rising approval under the leadership of Andy Burnham
