Planned doctors strikes in England next week may be averted after Wes Streeting offered medics a fresh deal amid soaring flu cases pressuring the NHS.
The health secretary put new terms on the table on Wednesday in a bid to avoid planned strike action from 17 December. In the new offer, Mr Streeting promised an expansion of specialist training posts for those who qualified in the UK, but refused to budge on pay.
Resident doctors - previously known as junior doctors - have seen pay rises of nearly 30 per cent over the last three years.
Mr Streeting urged members of the British Medical Association (BMA) to take the offer, stressing that the walkout over the winter period would have a “much different degree of risk” to previous strikes.
He said winter pressures on the NHS, including warnings over “the most severe flu season in decades”, meant any decision to strike would “inflict pain on patients, other staff and the NHS itself”.
But BMA fellow deputy chairman Dr Shivam Sharma says he finds it “difficult” to see members accepting the new offer, describing it as a "mixed bag".
Members will vote over the next four days over whether to accept the new offer or proceed to industrial action.
Key Points
- Streeting makes last-ditch offer in bid to avert strikes
- 'Difficult to see members accepting offer', BMA chief says
- How much resident doctors really earn
Elsewhere in politics
10:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAway from Wes Steeting’s offer to resident doctors, here are Thursday’s headlines in politics:
• Tony Blair has effectively endorsed Shabana Mahmood as a future Labour leader, praising her as “brilliant” and “impressive”
• The prime minister has ruled out rejoining a UK-EU Customs Union, after a vote on Tuesday night saw more than a dozen Labour MPs back a Liberal Democrat bill supporting the notion
• Rachel Reeves has admitted that the briefings and leaks in the run-up to her tax-raising Budget were “extremely damaging” – but has insisted she did not authorise them
• Justice Secretary David Lammy is reportedly considering wiping childhood criminal records
How much resident doctors really earn
09:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWes Streeting has offered doctors a deal ahead of proposed strikes over the NHS’s busiest period - but a pay increase is notably absent.
The health secretary has been adamant he will not negotiate on pay after resident doctors received a nearly 30 per cent rise over the last three years.
But how much do resident doctors really make? You can read more below:
How much resident doctors really earn as they strike over NHS pay
'Difficult to see members accepting offer', BMA chief says
09:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
BMA fellow deputy chairman Dr Shivam Sharma has cast doubt on the offer Wes Streeting has given to the BMA, saying he finds it "difficult to see members accepting" it, describing it as a "mixed bag".
The health secretary’s new deal to the British Medical Association (BMA) proposes to tackle the bottleneck by prioritising UK medical graduates and doctors for specialty training.
Under the offer, 4,000 more specialty training places will be created and their Royal College membership and exam fees will be reimbursed.
But Dr Sharma told Times Radio: "Ultimately, this is a ballot on both pay and jobs. And to resolve a dispute, both things have to be fixed, so members will have to decide, but I do find it difficult to see members accepting this offer."
He added: "It's difficult because the total number of jobs... have not increased and we are under-doctored, so this is not going to increase staffing levels within the NHS and when appointments are being canceled, millions of appointments are being cancelled on non strike days".
Streeting makes last-ditch offer in bid to avert strikes
08:57 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWes Streeting has made a last-ditch attempt to halt planned strikes by resident doctors next week by offering medics a new deal.
The health secretary has offered doctors an expansion of specialist training opportunities - but notably has refused to budge on pay.
He urged doctors to take the deal, saying a resident doctors’ strike over Christmas would have a “much different degree of risk” than previous walkouts and that he “cannot think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way”.
But BMA fellow deputy chairman Dr Shivam Sharma has cast doubt on the offer, saying he finds it "difficult to see members accepting" it, describing it as a "mixed bag".
Members will now have until 15 December to vote on the revised terms.
Lammy ‘considering wiping childhood criminal records’ to prevent harm to future job prospects
07:00 , Joe MiddletonJustice Secretary David Lammy is reportedly considering wiping childhood criminal records.
The move, designed to help simplify the criminal records check system, aims to prevent minor teenage offences from scuppering adult job prospects, following Daily Telegraph reports that youthful transgressions are still disclosed to employers in middle age.
“We will consider opportunities to simplify the criminal records regime to ensure it is clear and proportionate, particularly in relation to childhood offences,” Mr Lammy, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, told the newspaper.
Why Lammy is ‘considering wiping childhood criminal records’
Reeves admits Budget leaks were ‘extremely damaging’ but insists she wasn’t to blame
06:00 , Joe MiddletonRachel Reeves has admitted that the briefings and leaks in the run-up to her tax-raising Budget were “extremely damaging” – but has insisted she did not authorise them.
The chancellor faced a grilling from MPs about her Budget, with the fallout from the chaos that preceded the fiscal event last month still casting a shadow over her future.
She confirmed that a leak inquiry is underway, with officials noting that in the past, people have been sacked over unauthorised briefings.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports
Women’s life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels – but men’s yet to recover
05:00 , Joe MiddletonA baby girl born between 2022 and 2024 can expect to live for an average of 83.0 years, while a baby boy born is likely to live for 79.1 years.
Both figures are an improvement on the previous three-year period of 2019-2021, when life expectancy fell to 82.7 years for females and 78.7 years for males due to the impact of the pandemic.
Life expectancy gap between men and women bigger than before pandemic
British soldier killed in Ukraine military training exercise named and pictured
04:00 , Joe MiddletonA British soldier killed on duty in Ukraine has been named by the Ministry of Defence.
Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, died in a “tragic accident” while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability on Tuesday morning.
Paying tribute at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.
“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
Dan Haygarth reports
British soldier killed in Ukraine military training exercise named and pictured
Watch: Starmer responds to Trump attack on Europe
03:00 , Joe Middleton‘You’re not welcome in our country’: The far-right agitators travelling to Calais to abuse small-boat migrants
02:00 , Joe MiddletonAnti-migrant activists are increasingly making trips to northern France to harass migrants and charity workers. Holly Bancroft examines this disturbing new trend
The far-right agitators travelling to Calais to abuse small-boat migrants
SNP ahead in poll as increasing support puts Reform second
01:00 , Joe MiddletonThe SNP is leading among voters ahead the Holyrood election while support for Reform UK increases and that for Scottish Labour drops, according to a poll.
The new survey from Ipsos Mori ahead of next May’s election gives the SNP a constituency vote share of 35 per cent.
That is down from the 47.7 per cent the party achieved at the last Holyrood election in 2021.
The poll shows Reform UK’s share of the vote has risen, with 18 per cent of Scots planning to use their constituency vote to back Nigel Farage’s party – up four points since June.
Scottish Labour’s constituency vote share has fallen to 16 per cent, the poll found, which is down seven points since June.
On voting intentions for the regional list, the SNP leads on 28 per cent with Labour on 18 per cent, closely followed by Reform and the Scottish Greens both on 17 per cent.
Lord Malcolm Offord, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform at the weekend, said: “This poll proves all the momentum is with Reform in Scotland. Labour is in reverse and the SNP is stuck in neutral. The voters want a new narrative to power forward a successful Scotland.
“Scotland needs reform, and Reform is coming to Scotland.”
Rentoul: Starmer’s Strasbourg showdown with the ECHR is his last chance to see off Farage
Wednesday 10 December 2025 23:59 , Joe MiddletonThe justice secretary ought to warn European leaders that if they do not reform the court of human rights, Nigel Farage and his allies will destroy it, writes John Rentoul
Starmer’s Strasbourg showdown with the ECHR is his last chance to see off Farage
Watch: Starmer responds to Trump attack on Europe
Wednesday 10 December 2025 23:00 , Joe MiddletonWilliam Hill owner considers sale after Budget gambling tax hikes
Wednesday 10 December 2025 21:00 , Holly EvansWilliam Hill owner Evoke has said it could be sold after launching a review, as the gambling giant prepares to be hit hard by Budget changes to gambling taxes.
The company, which also owns 888, said its directors are undertaking a review of strategic options, “including but not limited to a potential sale of the group”.
It added that the sale of some of its assets or business units is also an option.
The company said the potential sale follows an update on the day of the autumn Budget last month, when Labour announced plans to increase gambling taxes.
Debt-laden Evoke had said changes to online gaming duties and a new online sports betting tax would see its duty costs rise by up to £135 million a year from 2027.
In the Budget, the Chancellor raised remote gaming duty from 21 per cent to 40 per cent from April next year.
There will also be a new online sports betting duty of 25 per cent, which will cover all sports except horse racing, from 2027.
Cabinet vying for Prime Minister’s job, says Badenoch in PMQs clash
Wednesday 10 December 2025 20:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet ministers are vying for his job, Kemi Badenoch has claimed, as the pair clashed over Labour’s record since the election.
The Conservative Party leader used one of her last despatch box appearances before Christmas to list Labour’s manifesto pledges and accused the Government of “making a mess”.
Mrs Badenoch used the famous slogan from her party’s 1970s dole queue poster, produced when Margaret Thatcher held her job, when she asked: “Isn’t it time that the Prime Minister admits that ‘Labour isn’t working’?”
Sir Keir defended his record, saying the Conservatives should “hang their heads in shame” after 14 years in power.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs Badenoch claimed Energy Secretary Ed Miliband wanted to “recycle himself” by leading Labour for a second time.
She described Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as “someone else who is making a mess” after Labour promised voters it would recruit 6,500 more teachers.
Mrs Badenoch added: “I don’t know if the Home Secretary (Shabana Mahmood) wants his job, but I do read that she’s having conversations with Tony Blair because he’s already given up on the Prime Minister.
“Why don’t we talk about the Health Secretary (Wes Streeting)? Let’s see how he’s doing. We do know he definitely wants the job.
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 19:00 , Holly EvansIn a rare case of the Liberal Democrats making the political weather, Ed Davey’s party has managed to put the question of Britain’s ties with Europe back on the political agenda, despite attempts by Downing Street to avoid the festering wound of Brexit.
A 10-minute rule bill calling on the government to open talks on a new EU-UK customs union was put before the Commons by Lib Dem spokesperson on Europe, Al Pinkerton. Although it was never likely to become law, it was backed by more than a dozen Labour MPs, which puts fresh pressure on Keir Starmer to revisit the issue.
Davey said the symbolic vote “was a historic victory” against “the economic nightmare of the Conservatives’ broken Brexit deal”.
Read the full article from Sean O’Grady here:
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
SNP ahead in poll as increasing support puts Reform second
Wednesday 10 December 2025 18:00 , Holly EvansThe SNP is leading among voters ahead the Holyrood election while support for Reform UK increases and that for Scottish Labour drops, according to a poll.
The new survey from Ipsos Mori ahead of next May’s election gives the SNP a constituency vote share of 35 per cent.
That is down from the 47.7 per cent the party achieved at the last Holyrood election in 2021.
The poll shows Reform UK’s share of the vote has risen, with 18 per cent of Scots planning to use their constituency vote to back Nigel Farage’s party – up four points since June.
Scottish Labour’s constituency vote share has fallen to 16 per cent, the poll found, which is down seven points since June.
On voting intentions for the regional list, the SNP leads on 28 per cent with Labour on 18 per cent, closely followed by Reform and the Scottish Greens both on 17 per cent.
Lord Malcolm Offord, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform at the weekend, said: “This poll proves all the momentum is with Reform in Scotland. Labour is in reverse and the SNP is stuck in neutral. The voters want a new narrative to power forward a successful Scotland.
“Scotland needs reform, and Reform is coming to Scotland.”
Starmer defends Sadiq Khan after Trump brands London mayor 'disgusting'
Wednesday 10 December 2025 17:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has belatedly defended Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump branded the London mayor “horrible, vicious, disgusting”.
In an attack which reignited his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq, the US president also called him a “disaster” and suggested he has done a “terrible job”.
In an interview with Politico, President Trump said: “He’s a horrible mayor. He’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.”
And he claimed of Sir Sadiq, the city’s first Muslim mayor, whose parents came from Pakistan, “gets elected because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now.”
Read the full article here:
PM belatedly defends Sadiq Khan after Trump calls him ‘horrible, vicious, disgusting’
Watch: Starmer responds to Trump attack on Europe
Wednesday 10 December 2025 16:00 , Holly EvansIn pictures: Today's PMQs
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:40 , Holly Evans
What will it take for UK to rejoin customs union?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:03 , Holly EvansMPs have backed proposals to create a new UK-EU customs union, raising the question of whether a key Brexit pledge could soon be undone.
In an “historic” parliamentary vote on Tuesday, the Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill was narrowly backed by the Commons, as 13 rebel Labour MPs voted in support.
A surprise tie of 100 votes to 100 meant deputy speaker Caroline Noakes was given the casting vote which, in accordance with the precedent to allow further debate, she gave to the ayes.
Tabled by the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, the bill would require the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU.
Read the full analysis here:
What will it take for UK to rejoin customs union after Commons Brexit vote?
Yvette Cooper also set to meet with European counterparts on illegal migration
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:48 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has adopted a series of hardline immigration measures, modelled on those spearheaded by Mette Frederiksen’s centre-left Danish government, in order to decrease the number of migrants crossing the English Channel.
The Government is expected to bring forward homegrown legislation to change how the Article 8 right to family life is interpreted in UK courts, and is also considering examining the threshold for Article 3 rights.
Elsewhere, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper is also meeting with European counterparts in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss more cooperation over tackling illegal migration and increasing removals.
She said: “To strengthen our borders at home, we need to increase cooperation with other countries on innovative solutions – including on prevention, law enforcement and returns.”
Council of Europe agrees to look at how ECHR applied in migration cases
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:27 , Holly EvansMinisters of 46 member states signed up to European human rights laws have backed plans to look at how to tackle concerns over addressing migration within the legal framework.
The chief of the body which oversees the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) said ministers had taken an “important first step forward together” to agree a political declaration on migration and the ECHR, and support a new recommendation to deter smuggling of migrants “with full respect for human rights”.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset told reporters that the “living instrument” is possible to adapt and work will begin to adopt the declaration in Moldova in May 2026 following a meeting of ministers in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
He said: “This is really the starting of a process on a consensus basis. That’s the most important point for today.
“All 46 member states have reaffirmed their deep and abiding commitment to both the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.
“This is not rhetoric. This is a political decision of the highest order.
“But ministers have also expressed their concerns regarding the unprecedented challenges posed by migration and the serious questions governments face in maintaining societies that deliver for citizens.”
Reeves admits Budget leaks were ‘extremely damaging’ but insists she wasn’t to blame
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:21 , Holly EvansRachel Reeves has admitted that the briefings and leaks in the run-up to her tax-raising Budget were “extremely damaging” – but has insisted she did not authorise them.
The chancellor faced a grilling from MPs about her Budget, with the fallout from the chaotic run-up to the announcement last month still casting a shadow over her future.
She confirmed that a leak inquiry is underway, with officials noting that in the past, people had been sacked over unauthorised briefings.
Read the full article here:
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:11 , Holly EvansIn a rare case of the Liberal Democrats making the political weather, Ed Davey’s party has managed to put the question of Britain’s ties with Europe back on the political agenda, despite attempts by Downing Street to avoid the festering wound of Brexit.
A 10-minute rule bill calling on the government to open talks on a new EU-UK customs union was put before the Commons by Lib Dem spokesperson on Europe, Al Pinkerton. Although it was never likely to become law, it was backed by more than a dozen Labour MPs, which puts fresh pressure on Keir Starmer to revisit the issue.
Davey said the symbolic vote “was a historic victory” against “the economic nightmare of the Conservatives’ broken Brexit deal”.
So what is this proposed new UK-EU customs union?
Read the full explainer from political commentator Sean O’Grady here:
Why is Labour under pressure to seek an EU-UK customs union?
Trump’s criticism of Sadiq Khan is ‘wrong’, Downing Street says
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer believes Donald Trump’s criticism of Sir Sadiq Khan is “wrong,” Downing Street has said, after the Prime Minister faced calls to stand up to the US president.
No 10’s defence of the Labour London Mayor came a day after it declined to criticise the president’s attack on him.
Mr Trump’s latest salvo in his long-running spat with Sir Sadiq came in an interview in which he branded the UK politician a “disaster” and “disgusting”.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary told reporters on Wednesday: “Those comments are wrong.
“The Mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up London’s air with the world’s largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses.
“The Prime Minister is hugely proud of the Mayor of London’s record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend.”
Mr Trump had also told Politico Sir Sadiq had been elected “because so many people have come in”.
Asked about that claim in particular, Sir Keir’s press secretary reiterated: “As I say, the comments are wrong.”
Tory MP says digital ID plans are 'un-British'
Wednesday 10 December 2025 13:30 , Holly EvansA Conservative MP has described Labour’s plans to introduce digital ID cards as "intrusive and fundamentally un-British" and something the government has no mandate to implement.
Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: "It's an attack on our open society and a staggering waste of taxpayers money, isn't it?"
Starmer says digital ID has "huge benefits" and says the Conservatives failed to control UK borders.
"We are taking control of our borders and I'm glad we're doing so".
Starmer calls on Europe to reform ECHR to see off far-right threat
Wednesday 10 December 2025 13:10 , Holly EvansKeir Starmer has said Europe’s leaders must re-examine how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in order to tackle illegal migration and see off the rise of the far right.
The prime minister and his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, have jointly called on other continental leaders to agree on a “modernisation” of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted in their national laws amid increasing concern over illegal migration.
It came as European ministers, including deputy prime minister David Lammy, met in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday to discuss reforming how the treaty is interpreted in the courts.
Read the full article from political correspondent Millie Cooke here:
Starmer calls on Europe to reform ECHR to see off far-right threat
Badenoch 'probably going to be the guest star' on Liz Truss shows, says Starmer
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:50 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer said Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is “probably going to be the guest star” on The Liz Truss Show next week, both talking about “how Liz Truss was 100% right”.
The Prime Minister was responding to a question from Mrs Badenoch, who asked: “Last year, the Prime Minister promised to recruit 13,000 more police officers. How’s that going?”
Sir Keir said: “Three thousand more by the end of March, we’re rising on police numbers.”
He added: “She’s obviously spent the morning rehearsing for The Liz Truss Show, she’s probably going to be the guest star next week, both of them talking about how Liz Truss was 100% right.
“But what Liz Truss said was the Conservatives need to take responsibility for their 14 years of failure. That was Liz Truss, their former leader, so perhaps she’ll heed that, get up and say sorry.”
Starmer mocked over tax rises and spending time out of the country
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:52 , Holly EvansIn one heated exchange during PMQs, the prime minister was mocked for spending “so much time” out of the country after his tax rises.
Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans said: “I feel for the prime minister. It must be tough wherever he goes in the UK because of his policies, a pub, higher taxes, a restaurant, higher taxes, a cafe, higher taxes, a farm, higher taxes, a care home, higher taxes, a hospice, higher taxes.
“So Mr. Speaker, is this the reason the prime minister chooses to spend so much time out of this country?”
Sir Keir dismissed the claims as “a load of nonsense”.
PMQs: More discomfort for Starmer from his own backbenches
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:39 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
Karl Turner, the Labour MP Kingston upon Hull East, has fired another shot across the prime minister’s bows.
He asked that if the plan to get rid of the right to a jury trial for some offences was only about the “backlog” in the court system “then why isn’t there a sunset clause?”.
Sir Keir Starmer relied on the words of former judge Brian Leveson whose recommendations are behind the plan to limit jury trials.
But the question represents a feeling of discomfort for many Labour MPs on this issue and yet another challenge to the PM’s authority.
With issues like this stacking up on his leadership judgement his position becomes more perilous by the day.
Starmer rules out rejoining UK-EU Customs Union
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:38 , Holly EvansThe prime minister has ruled out rejoining a UK-EU Customs Union, after a vote on Tuesday night saw more than a dozen Labour MPs back a Liberal Democrat bill supporting the notion.
The prime minister has reportedly rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for the UK to rejoin the customs union in an attempt to improve faltering economic growth.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “Does the Prime Minister fear that if he keeps opposing a customs union in 12 months time, he will not be standing there?”
Sir Keir said: “We have got a closer relationship with the EU throughout reset earlier this year.
“Yes, I do want a closer relationship than what we’ve got at the moment. We are moving towards that.
“We do have manifesto commitments on issues such as single market, customs union and freedom of movement, but I would gently point this out that having now done significant trade deals with other countries, including the US and India.”
Badenoch calls on PM to admit 'Labour is not working'
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:28 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has taken a broader swing at Starmer's government, and claimed that "everything is getting worse" under Labour.
Badenoch adds that his cabinet should be doing their own jobs, but instead they're all "competing for the caretaker's job".
The Tory leader then called on the prime minister to "admit that Labour is not working".
In response, Starmer says Badenoch is "living proof you can say whatever you like when nobody is listening to anything you have to say".
"No wonder so many are leaving her party, they know there's absolutely no reason to stay," he adds.
Starmer vows to stand up for 'a strong Europe' but avoids question on Trump
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:25 , Holly EvansThe prime minister has vowed to stand up for Europe but avoided commenting on recent comments made by Donald Trump that described European leaders as weak.
In an interview with Politico, the U.S. president went after London mayor Sadiq Khan again, calling him "a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor", and claimed European nations had failed to take control of immigration and the war in Ukraine.
When asked by Liberal Democrat Ed Davey about these comments, Sir Keir said: "On the question of Europe and President Trump's comments, what I see is a strong Europe, united behind Ukraine and united behind our long standing values of freedom and democracy. And I will always stand up for those values and those freedoms."
It was noted however that he made no reference to “standing up to President Trump”.
PMQs analysis: Starmer visibly rattled after Badenoch’s best PMQs yet
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:21 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
That was a brutal dismantling of Keir Starmer’s government by Kemi Badenoch in PMQs.
Bit by bit she went through the failures of Labour to deliver on key promises including less teachers, less police and more days lost to doctor’s strikes.
“Everything is getting worse under Labour,” she said as she mocked Starmer as the “caretaker prime minister” with his cabinet ministers trying to get his job.
It was her most confident performance yet and left Sir Keir looking distinctly rattled as he floundered around talking about Reform.
Just a month ago it was Ms Badenoch whose job security seemed to be the least secure of the party leaders but now she appears to be confident with Sir Keir desperately holding on to his job.
Too many women 'failed by maternity services, Starmer says
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:17 , Holly EvansToo many women are “failed” by maternity services, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he told the Commons: “I am particularly concerned by maternity services, and that’s why we’ve commissioned a review so every mother is heard, gets proper care at what should be a special time, and currently, too many are failed.
“We’re funding healthy babies services in 75 of the most deprived areas, and we’ve taken action to save parents up to £500 a year on infant formula.
“It is a moral mission of this Government to lift children out of poverty, and we intend to do so.
“The leader of the Opposition (Kemi Badenoch) thinks that maternity pay is excessive.”
Badenoch takes aim at energy bills and teacher hires
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:15 , Holly EvansTaking aim at his leadership, Kemi Badenoch has claimed that Sir Keir Starmer has “lost control of his party” and said: "They are all so busy trying to replace him that they have taken their eyes off the ball."
In a series of rapid questions, she asks Sir Keir about energy bills, which Ms Badenoch says have risen, as well as how many teachers have been hired.
Taking aim at Bridget Phillipson, she said: “There are now 400 fewer teachers since she came into office, it’s on the DFS website - does she not check it?
“The prime minister doesn’t know what’s going on in energy department, what’s going on in education - does he know what’s going on in the home office?”
This leads to further spars over the number of police officers hired and Wes Streeting’s bid to end the doctor strikes.
PMQs: Kemi Badenoch goes after Starmer over his uncertain future
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:09 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
The Tory leader has in cricket parlance started with a bouncer against Keir Starmer.
“What are his own MPs calling him a caretaker prime minister?” she said.
Sir Keir looked stunned by the brutal short question, but it reflects a new confidence for Kemi Badenoch who was herself the subject of leadership challenge gossip until a few weeks ago.
Now she feels comfortable enough to go after the prime minister over the fragility of his position with jokes about Ed Miliband wanting to “recycle” her leadership.
Sir Keir is reduced to talk about how ex-Tory MPs are going to Reform UK.
Starmer pays tribute to UK armed forces member who died in Ukraine
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:06 , Holly EvansA British soldier killed on duty in Ukraine has been named by the Ministry of Defence as 28-year-old Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that he died while "watching the testing of a new defensive capability".
Starmer says he was injured in a tragic accident away from the frontline.
At Prime Minister’s Questions Sir Keir said: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability.
“His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”
Watch: Reeves admits too many leaks were ‘very damaging’ for Budget
Wednesday 10 December 2025 11:52 , Holly EvansCouncil of Europe reaffirms commitment to ECHR but addresses 'unprecedented challenges'
Wednesday 10 December 2025 11:48 , Millie CookeAlain Berset, secretary general of Council of Europe said all 46 member states have "reaffirmed their deep abiding commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and and European Court of Human Rights."
But he added that ministers have also "expressed concerns regarding unprecedented challenges posed by migration".
It came after he told broadcasters that the Council of Europe is “absolutely ready” to consider changes to the treaty to address concerns over migration.
Tory-led debate to use censure motion to call on Reeves to apologise for Budget leaks
Wednesday 10 December 2025 11:44 , Holly EvansA Tory-led debate in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon will see the party use a parliamentary process known as a censure motion to call on Ms Reeves to apologise for how the Budget unfolded.
Addressing the Treasury Committee, Ms Reeves said there had been a lot of information shared between the OBR and the Treasury in the weeks leading up to the autumn statement.
“Pre-measures is not the final word from the Office for Budget Responsibility, because then you have post-measures forecasts,” she told MPs.
“They take into account the policy decisions that we take as a Government on tax and spend… so there was plenty of additional information being shared between the OBR and the Treasury between October 30 and major measures one and indeed major measures two.”
Ahead of the Conservative-led debate later, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused Ms Reeves of putting “party before country”.
He said: “Rachel Reeves has repeatedly misled the British public. She promised she wouldn’t raise taxes on working people – and then she did. She insisted there was a black hole in the public finances – and there wasn’t.”
Starmer calls on European leaders to rejig ECHR
Wednesday 10 December 2025 03:30 , Jane DaltonEurope's leaders must rehash how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in law to tackle illegal migration and prevent voters from turning to "the forces that seek to divide us", Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen called on other leaders across the continent to agree a "modernisation" of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, the two prime ministers advocated a tougher approach to policing Europe's borders to defeat populist political opponents.
The ECHR is seen by its critics as a major barrier to attempts to deport illegal migrants.
The right to family life, enshrined by article 8 of the agreement, is often used as grounds to prevent removals.
Opinion: UK’s aid cuts leave us less secure
Wednesday 10 December 2025 03:05 , Jane DaltonBy Olivia O’Sullivan, director of Chatham House's UK in the World programme:
Ukraine must decide its own future, Yvette Cooper says
Wednesday 10 December 2025 01:50 , Shaheena UddinThe foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Ultimately, Ukraine’s future has to be for Ukraine, and the things that we have discussed, that Secretary Rubio has set out as well, is the importance of having a just and lasting peace, so that Russia is deterred and cannot simply come again, but also so we support the strength and sovereignty of Ukraine.
“That’s why all of the discussions are taking place.
“But ultimately it’s again, as I said in the speech, two presidents are working for peace, and one president – President Putin – has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.”
Asylum delays and backlogs wasted public cash, watchdog finds
Wednesday 10 December 2025 01:00 , Jane DaltonGovernment action to bring in short-term fixes to the asylum system has led to backlogs elsewhere and delays that have wasted taxpayers' money, the public spending watchdog has found.
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) said the current cost of supporting people seeking asylum is "disproportionately high" and totalled around £4.9bn for 2024-25, driven by long delays and backlogs.
A sample of 5,000 people who began their asylum claims nearly three years ago showed more than half the cases remained unresolved.
The conditions can cause uncertainty and hardship for asylum-seekers, and erode public confidence in the system, report authors warned, while the watchdog called for better data and a whole-system approach across government departments.
The Government announced plans to overhaul the asylum system last month.
But the watchdog said the complex plans needed a sustainable approach - otherwise there is a risk of "unintended consequences for already stretched systems".
Starmer warns of 'lost decade of kids' at launch of £500m youth plan
Wednesday 10 December 2025 00:15 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer warned of a "lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage" as the Government launches a 10-year youth plan.
Labour's national youth strategy, published today, will aim to ensure 500,000 more young people across England have access to a trusted adult outside their home, as well as resources on how to stay safe online.
Some £500m will go on reviving youth services, with a pledge to build or refurbish 250 youth facilities over four years, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.
Ministers also want to:
- Launch a network of 50 "young futures" hubs by 2029 as part of a £70m programme to provide access to youth workers, with the first eight operational by March 2026 in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Co Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.
- Support organisations in "underserved" areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a £60m fund.
- Improve young people's wellbeing, personal development and "life skills" through a new £22.5m programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools.
- Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other "trusted adults" with £15m of investment.
Taxpayers left with hefty bills from high UK borrowing costs
Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:30 , Shaheena UddinHigh government borrowing costs since Labour won the election have cost the taxpayer up to £7 billion, according to a new report.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found the UK had seen “uniquely high” borrowing costs when compared to other advanced countries, with yields on government bonds – also known as gilts – having risen steadily since Labour came into power in the summer of 2024.
New UK-EU custom union proposal supported in the Commons
Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:00 , Shaheena UddinThe Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill, was tabled by the Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesman Al Pinkerton on Tuesday. The vote ended in a surprise tie of 100 to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote.
The majority of Labour MPs had no vote recorded. However three voted against and 13 who voted in favour of the bill.
Four Reform UK MPs voted against the Bill and their party leader Nigel Farage did not vote, according to Parliament’s voting records.
Chair of the grooming gangs inquiry announced
Tuesday 9 December 2025 22:30 , Shaheena UddinFormer children’s commissioner Anne Longfield will chair the inquiry into grooming gangs after months of delays.
The Independent's Home Affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
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