- 2d ago
Chancellor Healey pledges fiscal discipline and regional growth ahead of budget
In a speech in Coventry seven weeks after taking office, UK Chancellor John Healey set out plans to devolve investment powers to city regions and cut regulatory costs by 25% by 2029 while committing to strict fiscal rules.
- Sep 1
Andy Burnham faces parliament grilling over UK defence spending and market pressure
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended his economic strategy and military spending plans during his first appearance at Prime Minister's Questions on 2 September 2026.
- Aug 29
Andy Burnham to abstain from assisted dying vote ahead of Commons debate
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Labour lawmakers he will abstain during the 11 September second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill to ensure a free vote without prime ministerial influence.
- Aug 19
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces £442m plan to house rough sleepers by Christmas
The British government will allocate £102 million in new funding to expand emergency winter shelter and healthcare services across England, targeting rough sleeping hotspots.
- Aug 10
UK disconnects Royal Navy drone cameras found sending signals to China
British Ministry of Defence disconnected internet from K3 Scout drone cameras after a routine check found Chinese-made components transmitting heartbeat signals to a China-based IP address.
- Aug 3
UK economy faces recession risk if Strait of Hormuz stays shut into 2027, EY warns
EY's latest outlook says GDP could contract by 0.2% next year if the vital waterway remains closed, while fuel thefts from UK forecourts have hit £194,000 a day since the Iran war began.
- Jul 31
UK chancellor Healey sets first budget for 28 October, tells ministers to find cuts for Burnham's pledges
Chancellor John Healey announced his first budget will be delivered on 28 October and told cabinet ministers they must reprioritise existing budgets to fund Andy Burnham's new policy pledges, warning that no new money is available.
- Jul 30
UK invests £8.4bn in Dreadnought nuclear submarines as Burnham ties defence to jobs
Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled £8.4 billion for the next phase of the Dreadnought-class submarine programme during a visit to Barrow-in-Furness, framing the nuclear deterrent as both a security guarantee and an engine for reindustrialisation.
- Jul 22
Burnham scraps electricity VAT and digital ID, pledges £340m to tackle homelessness
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first cabinet meeting to announce the elimination of VAT on household electricity bills, the scrapping of a digital ID scheme, and £340 million in extra homelessness funding.
- Jul 21
UK borrowed £16bn in June, undershooting forecasts, but first-quarter deficit overshoots by £2.7bn
Britain borrowed £16 billion in June, a third less than a year earlier, but the first-quarter deficit of £57.6 billion exceeded official forecasts by £2.7 billion, underscoring the fiscal challenge for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Jul 17
Burnham pushes for written constitution as Labour's Bev Craig wins Manchester mayoral race
Prime minister says decentralisation programme strengthens argument for codified rules, as Labour's Bev Craig wins Manchester mayoral contest.
- Jun 30
UK to boost defence spending by £15bn with a major push into drones and a hybrid navy
Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a £300 billion defence investment plan for the next four years, with over £5 billion earmarked for drones and autonomous systems as the country adapts to lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Jun 29
UK unveils long-delayed defence plan with £5 billion for drones, but funding row lingers
The delayed Defence Investment Plan, prioritising autonomous systems and uncrewed ships, was published on Tuesday amid accusations from opposition parties that it is 'too little, too late'.
- Jun 24
Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election, triggering Starmer resignation and Labour leadership race
Andy Burnham's return to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election has triggered Keir Starmer's resignation and opened a Labour leadership race, with Burnham the clear frontrunner.
- Jun 22
Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister after two years, Andy Burnham set to take over
Britain faces its seventh prime minister in a decade as Keir Starmer steps down, with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham the clear favourite to succeed him.
- Jun 21
Keir Starmer expected to resign as UK prime minister on Monday after losing Labour support to Andy Burnham
Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation as British prime minister on Monday, succumbing to months of internal Labour pressure after Andy Burnham's decisive by-election win in Makerfield.
- Jun 21
Keir Starmer faces mounting resignation calls as rival Andy Burnham returns to Parliament
The British prime minister is under unprecedented pressure from his own party after a by-election win by the popular former Manchester mayor, with multiple media outlets reporting a resignation announcement as soon as Monday.
- Jun 13
Starmer battles to retain grip on power as defence secretary quits over £18bn funding gap, Burnham eyes challenge
John Healey's shock resignation as UK defence secretary has plunged Keir Starmer's government into turmoil, with mayor Andy Burnham positioning himself to launch a leadership bid if he wins a by-election next Thursday.
- Jun 12
UK PM Starmer names Dan Jarvis as defence secretary after John Healey's resignation over spending shortfall
In a snap move, Prime Minister Keir Starmer named ex-paratrooper Dan Jarvis as Britain's new defence secretary, hours after John Healey resigned in protest over defence budget constraints.
- Jun 11
Two UK ministers quit over defence funding row as Starmer faces cabinet rebellion
Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns resigned on Thursday, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to provide the funds needed to protect the country against growing threats.
