Politics

The Labour MP behind the assisted dying bill said she has “no doubts” about its safeguards after a minister warned it would lead to a “slippery slope” of “death on demand”. Kim Leadbeater told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that she has “huge respect” for Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, but that she doesn’t agree

Young people will lose their benefits if they refuse to take up work and training opportunities, a minister has confirmed ahead of announcing measures to cut the welfare bill. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, told Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that “conditions” will be attached to new skills opportunities the government intends

Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris says he is setting aside “significant funds” to protect the country from any economic shock under Donald Trump’s presidency. But the Fine Gael leader, whose party is seeking a historic fourth consecutive term in Friday’s general election, remains hopeful of retaining good trade relations. President-elect Trump has threatened to impose tariffs

Russia is prepared to launch a wave of cyber attacks on Britain – and can “turn the lights off for millions of people”, a minister will warn. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will tell a NATO conference next week allies must “not underestimate” the threat Moscow poses in its “hidden war”. Russia

With six days to go before Friday’s historic Commons showdown on assisted dying, it’s the opponents who are turning up the heat. The explosive attack on the bill by Shabana Mahmood follows the poignant and personal plea from Gordon Brown to MPs to reject the bill. We knew the justice secretary is opposed to the

The UK is on a “slippery slope towards death on demand”, according to the justice secretary ahead of a historic Commons vote on assisted dying. In a letter to her constituents, Shabana Mahmood said she was “profoundly concerned” about the legislation. “Sadly, recent scandals – such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon

The UK will “set out a plan” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring, the prime minister has said, finally offering a timeframe for an announcement on the long-awaited hike after mounting criticism. Sir Keir Starmer gave the date during a phone call with Mark Rutte, the secretary general of

The UK will “set out a path” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring, the prime minister has said, finally offering a timeframe for an announcement on the long-awaited hike after mounting criticism. Sir Keir Starmer gave the date during a phone call with Mark Rutte, the secretary general of

MPs have launched a review into pensioner poverty after the government admitted the cut to winter fuel payments could force 100,000 people into poverty. The government announced soon after winning the election in July that only elderly people in receipt of pension credits would receive help of up to £300 this winter, instead of every

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn will no longer seek a dual mandate to stand as an MSP in the Scottish parliament while remaining an MP. Mr Flynn, who was re-elected as the MP for Aberdeen South in July, sparked criticism after announcing plans earlier this month to win his party’s nomination for the Aberdeen South

A Reform MP was jailed 18 years ago for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend, newly released court records have revealed. James McMurdock, 38, the new MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, was convicted of assaulting his then girlfriend in 2006 while drunk outside a nightclub. He spent 21 days in a young offenders’ institution after

Yvette Cooper has refused to say whether Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to the UK after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant.  Sir Keir Starmer has backed the ICC, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman having said the Government respects the independence of the court.  But No 10 would not be