The prime minister has insisted none of his aides have engaged in briefing against cabinet ministers, as he warned his senior team they will be fired if they do so.
Sir Keir Starmer reiterated on Thursday that he would never sanction briefings against ministers and said they were “unacceptable”.
Starmer’s warning comes after Wes Streeting brushed off repeated questions about the anonymous attacks on him as “silly Westminster soap opera stuff”.
The prime minister said he had been “assured it didn’t come from Downing Street”, but made clear that if anyone falls below standards expected “there will be consequences”.
The prime minister apologised to Mr Streeting after reports that he was plotting to oust Sir Keir earlier this week, sparking the eruption of a civil war within the Labour Party.
Concern around leadership has deepened ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget on 26 November, as the UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent in the three months to September, according to the Office of National Statistics. This is a marked slowdown from the 0.3 per cent in the previous quarter.
Key points
- Starmer warns his senior team that anyone briefing against ministers will be fired
- 'Voters don't give two monkeys': Streeting refuses to discuss Labour briefing war
- Aides tell Starmer briefing didn't come from them
- Reeves responds to slow GDP figures
- Shadow chancellor says PM and chancellor 'are in office but not in power'
- PM is going 'nowhere' says former Labour comms chief
Full story: Starmer can’t afford to sack McSweeney, MPs say, as new year coup rumours swirl
17:36 , Athena Stavrou
Starmer can’t afford to sack McSweeney, MPs say, as new year coup rumours swirl
Labour divide comes ahead of challenges for government
16:59 , Athena StavrouThe unrest at the top of the party comes as Labour’s poll ratings have plummeted since Sir Keir delivered a landslide general election victory in July 2024.
It precedes Ms Reeves’s November 26 Budget, which could see the party rip up its manifesto promise not to increase income tax, and what MPs fear could be a bloodbath in elections next May in English councils and the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
UK economic growth slowed to 0.1 per cent for the past three months, new official figures showed.
Editorial: It is time for Labour to get a grip and stop this juvenile leadership farce
16:27 , Athena StavrouNot a single job would be created, asylum hotel closed or pound knocked off the national debt by ousting Keir Starmer – it is time for the Labour Party to act like adults if it is to stop Nigel Farage from marching into No 10.
Read our editorial here:
It is time for Labour to get a grip and stop this juvenile leadership farce
Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns
16:00 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has been warned by Tony Blair’s former Downing Street spin doctor to “get a grip” in No 10 – or risk losing power to Nigel Farage.
In a withering attack, Alastair Campbell said public support for the prime minister was “draining away” fast, adding that the government had “no compelling narrative” and had scored “too many own goals”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Campbell said he believes that the Labour Party’s strategy “isn’t going very well”.
He said: “The worst thing about recent days is it’s made a relatively new government look like the last lot.
“There are bigger, worse enemies – like Nigel Farage, who if we are not careful [is] going to come in and take over this country and take it to a very dark place.”
Watch: Ex bank boss hits out at Rachel Reeves over economic growth
15:34 , Athena StavrouPictured: Starmer visits Wales
15:18 , Athena Stavrou
Who is Morgan McSweeney?
14:48 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has said he “of course” retains full confidence in his under-pressure chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Mr McSweeney has been blamed by some within Labour for the fallout from the attacks on Wes Streeting, which were an apparent ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders.
The Labour Together campaign group was set up by McSweeney, and is credited with toppling Jeremy Corbyn as leader and replacing him with Starmer.
An influential figure in the Labour Party, he is also credited with securing their landslide victory last year.
Watch: Starmer to investigate who briefed against Wes Streeting from No 10, Labour party chair confirms
14:26 , Athena StavrouAides tell Starmer briefing didn't come from them
14:10 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has been assured that no No 10 staff have engaged in briefing against Cabinet ministers after he reiterated to them it is “completely unacceptable”, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “The Prime Minister has this morning gathered and spoken to his senior team in Downing Street. The Prime Minister reiterated the briefings against Cabinet ministers are completely unacceptable, which has always been his position.
“He underlined, as he told Parliament yesterday, that he has never and would never sanction any such briefings against colleagues.
“The PM said he had been assured that no Number 10 staff briefed against ministers. The Prime Minister made abundantly clear the high standards that he expects from staff, and if anyone falls below those standards there will be consequences.”
The meeting is understood to have taken place via a video call while the Prime Minister visits North Wales, with some staff alongside him and others in Downing Street.
No leak inquiry has been launched, No 10 indicated, and when the spokesman was asked whether this meant Sir Keir was attempting to whitewash over the situation, he replied: “I don’t accept that.”
Reeves: No evidence of where briefing came from
13:49 , Athena StavrouRachel Reeves insisted there was “no evidence” of where briefing against Cabinet ministers is coming from and suggested there may be a leak inquiry into the matter.
Asked about the briefing war, the chancellor said: “The prime minister was really clear yesterday that there is no place for that sort of briefing and that sort of behaviour, and I absolutely agree with the prime minister.”
Pressed on whether she had confidence in Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, Ms Reeves replied: “Yes, I do. But the prime minister was really clear that there really is no role for briefing against colleagues and I very much agree with the prime minister.”
When asked if the briefings should result in sackings, the chancellor replied: “Well, there I think is going to be a leak inquiry, but at the moment there is no evidence of where that briefing is coming from.”
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Starmer has full confidence in his communications chief, No 10 say
13:40 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Downing St has said that the PM has full confidence in Tim Allan, after calls for an investigation into his communications chief amid claims of a conflict of interest.
These centre on his shares in a lobbying company and reported discussions on politics with one of its consultants.
The Tories have called for a full Cabinet Office investigation, while the Lib Dems have also demanded a probe.
Labour says the allegation he has done anything to benefit Strand whilst in No 10 is “categorically false” and said any interactions with Tom Baldwin “are in his capacity as a journalist and have not related to Strand, its business or its clients.”
A Strand Partners spokesperson said Mr Baldwin, the PM’s biographer, was a journalist who “does not engage in government relations for Strand and this is not part of his terms of engagement with us.”
It added that Mr Allan sought advice on his interests from the Cabinet Office and followed “every element of the advice received. He receives no financial benefit from Strand and is not involved in our operations.”
Starmer: 'I will deal with anybody briefing against ministers'
13:31 , Athena StavrouKeir Starmer has said he will "absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers" following the bitter briefing war which erupted at the heart of Government.
Speaking from North Wales, the prime minister told reporters: "First, let me be clear that any briefing against ministers is completely unacceptable. That is not a new position for me, it is a position I have adopted ever since I became prime minister. I have made it very clear to my team.
"I have been talking to my team today. I have been assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10, but I have made it clear that I find it absolutely unacceptable."
He added: "I have been assured it didn't come from Downing Street, but I have been equally clear that whether it is this case or any other, I intend to deal with it."
Asked if he would sack those responsible, Sir Keir replied: "I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers. I have always said that is the standard that I expect, and that is the standard that I will enforce."
Full story: UK economic growth slows ahead of Budget after JLR shutdown
13:20 , Tara CobhamUK economic growth slowed to 0.1 per cent in the last three months, in a blow to the chancellor ahead of the forthcoming Budget.
Official figures also showed that the economy declined by 0.1 per cent in September after the cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover hit activity in the manufacturing sector.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1 per cent between July and September, following a 0.3 per cent increase between April and June.
Henry Saker-Clark reports:
Slowing of UK economic growth is 'disappointing', No 10 admits
13:00 , Tara CobhamThe slowing of UK economic growth to 0.1% for the past three months is “disappointing”, Downing Street admitted.
A No 10 spokesman told reporters: “These numbers are disappointing.”
“It’s obviously important to recognise the significance of the cyber attack” on Jaguar Land Rover, the official added, which is “clearly the primary driver behind the weaker September figures”.
“But we are determined to deliver that growth. We had the fastest-growing economy in G7 in the first half of this year. But there is clearly more to do to build an economy that works for working people.”
Asked whether the Chancellor should take responsibility for the slowing growth, the spokesman said: “I don’t accept that.”
Starmer warns his senior team that anyone briefing against ministers will be fired
12:40 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The prime minister this morning talked to his senior team in Downing Street, warning that anyone briefing against ministers would be fired.
He reiterated that he would never sanction briefings against ministers and said they were “unacceptable” and he had “zero tolerance” for them.
Downing Street said Keir Starmer had been assured that no No 10 staff had briefed against ministers and made clear that if anyone falls below standards expected “there will be consequences”.
Watch: Ed Miliband responds to Labour coup plot rumours
12:20 , Tara CobhamPolice and Crime Commissioners to be scrapped, Home Office announces
12:07 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished, the policing minister has announced. The Home Office has said this will save at least £100m. Public understanding of PCCs remains low, and two in five people are unaware that they exist, the department has said.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.
“I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities."
PCCs will be abolished at the end of their current term in 2028.
Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns
11:45 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has been warned by Tony Blair’s former Downing Street spin doctor to “get a grip” in No 10 – or risk losing power to Nigel Farage.
In a withering attack, Alastair Campbell said public support for the prime minister was “draining away” fast, adding that the government had “no compelling narrative” and had scored “too many own goals”.
The intervention by Mr Campbellcomes amid reports that the prime minister has apologised to his health secretary Wes Streeting over a briefing operation conducted against Mr Streeting on Tuesday evening from within Downing Street.
The Independent’s politics team reports:
Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns
Health secretary also not drawn on discussing McSweeney's future
11:30 , Tara CobhamHealth Secretary Wes Streeting would not be drawn into discussing the future of No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and brushed off repeated questions about a briefing war within the Government as “silly Westminster soap opera stuff”.
Mr Streeting was repeatedly questioned by broadcasters about the anonymous attacks on him earlier this week as he visited Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre in Liverpool, but he insisted it was “all yesterday’s news”.
Asked about an apology he received from the Prime Minister, the Health Secretary said: “One of the great things about being here in the North West today is you can leave all that silly Westminster soap opera stuff behind.
“What today’s figures show is that the NHS is on the road to recovery and this is a Labour Government which is delivering the change that people voted for: whether it’s falling waiting lists for the first time in 15 years – almost a quarter of a million lower than when we came to office; whether it’s rising satisfaction with GPs – where we promised to recruit 1,000 but actually delivered 2,500 more GPs; or whether it’s the fact that if you got suspected heart attack or stroke symptoms, an ambulance is coming to you about 10 minutes faster than this time last year.
“This is a Government that’s delivering change in the NHS. It’s on the road to recovery. I’d be the first to say though: a lot done, a lot more to do, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Asked about Mr McSweeney directly, the Health Secretary replied: “I’m sure that Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer and everyone else is absolutely delighted with the news today that NHS waiting lists are falling.”
'Voters don't give two monkeys': Streeting refuses to discuss Labour briefing war
11:15 , Tara CobhamHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has refused to discuss the Labour briefing war, saying the public do not “give two monkeys” about “Westminster bubble stuff”.
Asked about the saga during a visit to the Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre in Liverpool, the Cabinet minister told the PA news agency: “I have no intention of revisiting yesterday’s events. That’s yesterday’s news and it’s Westminster bubble stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anyone.”
Pressed on whether the Prime Minister would investigate the source of the attacks on him, Mr Streeting said: “No idea. Don’t care.”
He added: “I don’t think voters give two monkeys about what on earth is going on in the sort of Westminster village soap opera. What they do care about is, if they’re on an NHS waiting list, are we getting them down?”
The Health Secretary went on to highlight the fall in the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England, saying: “What we are focusing on is getting our NHS back on its feet. And today’s waiting list figures show the NHS is firmly on the road to recovery.
“Waiting lists are falling for the first time in 15 years, down by almost a quarter of a million now.”
Streeting focuses on NHS waiting lists as discussions continue around leadership coup
11:00 , Bryony GoochHealth secretary Wes Streeting appears to be concentrating on NHS waiting lists as discussions continue surrounding a Downing Street leadership coup.
He shared on X: “New today: we've cut waiting lists by 16,000 this month – meaning faster care and less worry for patients. The past year is the first time in 15 years that waiting lists have fallen. There's a way to go, but we're getting our NHS on the road to recovery.”
Mr Streeting denied what he called “self-defeating” claims, which he said showed problems with the culture in Sir Keir’s administration.
New today: we've cut waiting lists by 16,000 this month – meaning faster care and less worry for patients.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) November 13, 2025
The past year is the first time in 15 years that waiting lists have fallen.
There's a way to go, but we're getting our NHS on the road to recovery. pic.twitter.com/N5Fi7fnqgk
Can Starmer’s chief aide Morgan McSweeney survive PM’s latest fiasco?
10:48 , Bryony Gooch
Can Starmer’s chief No 10 aide Morgan McSweeney survive the PM’s latest fiasco?
Watch: Starmer to investigate who briefed against Wes Streeting from No 10, Labour party chair confirms
10:32 , Bryony GoochWho is Morgan McSweeney? Starmer's chief aide at the heart of leadership row
10:17 , Bryony GoochMorgan McSweeney is Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street Chief of Staff. He’s been at the heart of the leadership row as fingers are pointed for the fallout from the apparent ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders.
Sir Keir was forced to condemn “completely unacceptable” attacks on Cabinet ministers, as he told the Commons on Wednesday: “Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for the country.”
Mr McSweeney, who has been Sir Keir’s chief aide since October last year, was the campaign manager for the Labour Party and director of the think tank Labour Together.
Editorial: It is time for Labour to get a grip and stop this juvenile leadership farce
09:57 , Bryony GoochNot a single job would be created, asylum hotel closed or pound knocked off the national debt by ousting Keir Starmer – it is time for the Labour Party to act like adults if it is to stop Nigel Farage from marching into No 10.
Read more here:
It is time for Labour to get a grip and stop this juvenile leadership farce
Miliband stands by choosing Rolls-Royce to build UK's first small modular reactor nuclear power plant
09:42 , Bryony GoochAs well as discussing GDP and the leadership row, Ed Miliband has said he makes “no apologies” for choosing Rolls-Royce to build the UK’s first “small modular reactor” nuclear power station after criticism from the US ambassador.
The Energy Secretary told Times Radio: “It’s true he doesn’t think it’s so great.
“The reason he doesn’t think it’s so great is because he wanted a US company to be at this site.
“Because he thinks it’s the prime site … I totally understand that, it’s completely legitimate for him to be making the case for a US company.
“We chose a British company, Rolls-Royce for this site, and I make no apologies for that.
“Our job is to stand up for the national interest.
“There’s lots of things we’re co-operating with our US colleagues on.”
He said the other site that had been considered, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, could “accommodate various other US companies that are really interested in building new nuclear in this country”.
Analysis: Knives still out for McSweeney
09:28 , Kate Devlin, Whitehall EditorSenior Labour figures are still furious about the events of the last 36 hours - and demanding the head of Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, The Independent’s Whitehall Editor, Kate Devlin reports.
A Labour peer told the Independent Keir was being “derailed” by some of the people around him.
“It was a mistake to sack Sue Gray, engineered by McSweeney. Some say McSweeney is too powerful to sack - but that would now show Starmer is fully in charge,” he added.
Three ways Starmer could be ousted as PM after Streeting coup rumours
09:27 , Bryony Gooch
This is how Starmer could actually be ousted after Streeting ‘coup attempt’ rumours
Former bank chief claims Reeves doing all she can to stop economic growth
09:20 , David Maddox, Politics EditorThe former chairman of NatWest Bank has launched a broadside against Rachel Reeves warning she is doing everything she can to prevent economic growth.
Economist Sir Howard Davies told Radio 4’s Today Programme criticism of the chancellor comes less than two weeks ahead of a crucial budget which many believe could make or break the government.
While the chancellor came into office claiming that economic growth was her number one mission, the economy has stagnated.
Sir Howard blamed the policies she has brought in including increasing national insurance contributions on employers and new employment rights.
He said: “I would say that the way the government have been behaving in recent months is such that if they were trying to slow the economy down, I can't think of anything else I would do, because you demonstrate first of all that you've got trouble at the top of the government, you then conduct a series of remarkable leaks suggesting that you're going to tax property, you're going to tax wealth, you're going to tax gambling, you're going to tax banks. You're now going to tax even bikes for goodness sake.
“All of that is a sort of cumulative weighing down and creation of uncertainty. In addition, you have legislation which makes it more expensive to hire people, and you carry out a policy of public spending whereby public sector wages are going up by 6.6 per cent a year, and private sector by 4.2 and that is stopping the Bank of England from reducing interest rates, which would help as well. So there's a whole series of things which are not appropriate.”
Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns
09:14 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has been warned by Tony Blair’s former Downing Street spin doctor to “get a grip” in No 10 – or risk losing power to Nigel Farage.
In a withering attack, Alastair Campbell said public support for the prime minister was “draining away” fast, adding that the government had “no compiling narrative” and had scored ‘too many own goals.’
The intervention by Mr Campbellcomes amid reports the prime minister has apologised to his health secretary Wes Streeting over a briefing operation against him on Tuesday evening from within Downing Street.
Mr Campbell said the prime minister needs to reassert control as he faces demands to sack his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney over the claims made by sources that Mr Streeting was preparing to launch a leadership coup.
Read more here:§
Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns
Alistair Campbell tells Downing St 'get a grip' amid leadership row
09:05 , Bryony GoochAlastair Campbell, former director of communications at Number 10, said Downing Street needs to “get a grip” as Sir Keir Starmer faces a leadership row following briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Campbell said he believed the Labour Party’s strategy “isn’t going very well”.
He said: “The worst thing about recent days is it’s made a relatively new government look like the last lot.
“There are bigger, worse enemies – like Nigel Farage.”
“Get a grip,” he added.
PM is going 'nowhere' says former Labour comms chief
08:40 , Bryony GoochAmid concerns around the Budget, pressure remains on Sir Keir Starmer following a leadership row following briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Former Labour communication chief Tom Baldwin told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he believes the Prime Minister is going “nowhere”.
Asked whether he thinks the Prime Minister is in control, Mr Baldwin said: “I think this is the time where he really can get a grip on this.”
The former journalist, known to be close to the Prime Minister, added: “Keir Starmer is going nowhere out of Downing Street.”
Mr Baldwin’s comments come as Sir Keir faces pressure to overhaul his “toxic” Downing Street operation, after the Health Secretary criticised briefings from No 10 suggesting that he was plotting a coup.
Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Mr Streeting said the “juvenile” briefing against him showed problems with the culture in Sir Keir’s administration.
Industry analysis: 'All eyes will be on the Budget after weak GDP reading'
08:22 , Bryony GoochScott Gardner, investment strategist at JP Morgan Personal Investing, has said that more pressure is on the upcoming Budget after the weak GDP figures.
“All eyes will now be on the upcoming Budget with another weak GDP reading only adding to debates around which levers the Chancellor can pull to stimulate growth. In our view, boosting housing market activity is key to unlocking decent, sustained growth.
“This is especially important as recent uncertainty around potential changes to stamp duty and council tax has impacted overall sales and led to a softening in some parts of the market, like London."
Analysis: 'Unspectacular' economic growth shows importance of policies to boost public and private investment
08:14 , Bryony GoochReacting to today’s quarterly GDP figures, Ashwin Kumar, director of research and policy at IPPR, said: “The UK continues to show unspectacular economic growth. Today’s figures emphasise the need for the government to continue with its policies to boost public and private investment, reform the planning system, and improve our trading relationship with the EU.
“The government needs to consider how it can provide more certainty to businesses looking to build and look at how it can reform taxes to promote growth.
“This quarter’s GDP figures were also affected by a major cyber attack on one car manufacturer, emphasising the real effects of cyber crime, and the economic value of measures to protect the UK from such activity.”
Miliband admits GDP figures are 'disappointing'
08:11 , Bryony GoochEd Miliband has admitted that this morning's GDP (gross domestic product) figures are "disappointing".
The UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent in the three months to September, according to the Office of National Statistics, which is slower than expected.
Just after it was announced, the energy secretary told BBC Breakfast: "These are disappointing figures."
He partly blamed the impact of the JLR cyber attack on the manufacturing sector, saying: "There were particular factors due to the JLR cyber attack that have affected the figures that come out today."
He added: "The government are very focused on taking the actions that can get growth going in our economy because that's the way to raise living standards."
Industry analysis: Economy 'losing steam' ahead of Budget
08:11 , Bryony GoochLindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter, has said that the economy is running out of steam ahead of the Autumn Budget.
"Industrial output was back in contraction in September, partly due to the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack issues. This paints a picture of an economy that started 2025 strongly but is now badly losing steam just as the Chancellor prepares for a pivotal Autumn Budget. Her next move will be critical if she is to recover Labour’s economic growth mission and prevent any whispers of a recession looming.
“The nature of this Budget remains crucial for what comes next. Encouragingly, inflation appears to have peaked. However, uncertainty over potential tax rises and persistent rumours of employers being targeted yet again, such as through an ill thought-out attack on DC pension contributions via salary sacrifice, risks snuffling out fragile business confidence and pushing unemployment, already now at five per cent markedly higher.
"It appears lessons from last year’s budget which pushed up employer national insurance contributions, with an ensuing inflationary impact on service sector price inflation and the labour market, have not yet been learned."
Miliband categorically rules out running for Labour leader
08:07 , Bryony GoochEd Miliband has categorically ruled out running again for Labour leader as his name is among the senior party figures mentioned as Keir Starmer faces being ousted in the midst of the GDP slow down.
Asked on BBC Breakfast if he would "categorically" rule himself out of any potential race, the energy secretary said, "Yep," before jokingly adding: "I've had this great thing where I've had the best inoculation technique about wanting to be leader of the Labour Party, because I was between 2013-15. I've got the t-shirt that chapter's closed, thanks."
'He hates this stuff': Miliband vows Starmer will 'get rid' of aide who briefed against Streeting
08:06 , Bryony GoochConcerns about the budget come as the government faces issues around a leadership row.
Ed Miliband has vowed that Keir Starmer will "get rid" of the Downing Street aide who briefed against Wes Streeting, saying the prime minister "hates this stuff".
A civil war has erupted within the Labour party, with Sir Keir facing threats to his leadership, and the health secretary rumoured to be plotting a coup.
After it emerged that No 10 briefed against Mr Streeting, the energy secretary told BBC Breakfast this morning: "They should be sacked. I know the prime minister will want to find who that person is and will get rid of them if he can find them... It's often very hard to find out who does these briefings... Of course, if Keir Starmer finds that person, he'll get rid of them, I have absolute faith he'll do that – he hates this stuff."
Analysis: Interest rate cuts certain for December
08:02 , Karl Matchett, Business EditorBusiness Editor Karl Matchett reflects on the GDP figures:
So the latest GDP figures confirm the economy remains growing, but in the same way that snails move: in imperceptible fashion. 0.1 per cent growth over three months to September reinforces what many business leaders and public organisations have been saying: firms have put plans on hold until the environment is more favourable, and people have held off major plans due to uncertainty around the upcoming Budget.
Production output falling is a real issue for the government to face, especially on the back of last week's data showing employment at record post-Covid levels. Even more worrying, any 'growth' was front-loaded in this quarter, with August's figures revised down to no growth and monthly GDP falling 0.1 per cent in September itself. One outcome of all this?
An almost dead cert we now get an interest rates cut in December.
PM will 'get rid' of person behind briefing that unleashed leadership row
07:58 , Bryony GoochThe prime minister will “get rid” of the person behind a briefing that unleashed a leadership row if he finds them, energy secretary Ed Miliband has said.
“I’ve talked to Keir before about this kind of briefing that happens. As he always says, if he finds the person, he’ll get rid of them, and I absolutely believe he would do that,” he told Sky News.
Asked if he thought Sir Keir Starmer would sack the person, he said, “Sure, yeah.”
He also noted that briefing is a “longstanding aspect” of politics and pointed back to there being “lots and lots of briefing” under Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
“Look, I think the briefing has been bad, no question. But my message to the Labour Party, though, is quite simple today, which is, we need to focus on the country, not ourselves,” he told Sky News.
He added: “Turbulence is part of the gig, is part of the DNA of being in government.”
TUC: Government must 'stay the course' and use Budget to support living standards
07:44 , Bryony GoochTUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Bringing our economy back on track after 14 years of Tory chaos was never going to be straightforward. Cyber attacks on major manufacturers and a volatile international context are not making this job any easier.
“While previous retail sales figures were encouraging, consumer spending is still subdued - the government should now stay the course and use the Budget as an opportunity to keep supporting living standards.
“More money in people’s pockets will mean more spending on our high streets, more jobs, and stronger growth.
“But the Treasury are not the only actor at play here. The Bank of England needs to cut interest rates as a matter or priority – and end long-standing restraint on families’ and businesses’ finances.”
What was the JLR cyber attack?
07:42 , Bryony GoochThe cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is estimated to have been the most economically damaging hack in UK history and cost the country around £1.9 billion.
JLR stopped production across its UK factories for five weeks from September 1 after being targeted by hackers.
Around 5,000 businesses across the country have been hit by the fallout of the attack, according to research from the Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC).
Experts from the non-profit organisation have analysed the impact of the cyber attack across the economy and wider supply chain.
Shadow chancellor says PM and chancellor 'are in office but not in power'
07:40 , Bryony GoochThe Conservatives said Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are “in office but not in power” in response to the latest GDP figures showing that UK economic growth slowed.
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Today’s ONS figures show the economy shrank in the latest month, under a prime minister and chancellor who are in office but not in power.
“Months after the prime minister stripped the chancellor of responsibility for the Budget, Keir Starmer has now lost control of his own Downing Street operation – with his team openly at war with his Cabinet.
“If the prime minister does not have the backbone to control his team, he has no hope of reducing spending. Only the Conservatives have a leader with a backbone and a plan to deliver £47 billion of savings – allowing us to cut tax and cut the deficit under our golden economic rule.”
Reeves responds to slow GDP figures
07:38 , Bryony GoochIn response to the latest GDP data, chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “We had the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first half of the year, but there’s more to do to build an economy that works for working people.
“At my Budget later this month, I will take the fair decisions to build a strong economy that helps us to continue to cut waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living.”
JLR cyber attack impacted economy, says ONS chief
07:21 , Bryony GoochOffice of National Statistics director of economic statistics Liz McKeown has said that growth was impacted by a fall in car production, as a result of the JLR cyber attack.
She said: “Growth slowed further in the third quarter of the year with both services and construction weaker than in the previous period.
“Across the quarter as a whole manufacturing drove the weakness in production.
“There was a particularly marked fall in car production in September, reflecting the impact of a cyber incident, as well as a decline in the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry.”
GDP a 'damning indictment of Labour’s disastrous decisions'
07:16 , Bryony GoochLiberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: "This is a damning indictment of Labour’s disastrous decisions.
"From the jobs tax to business rates bills, the economy is barely spluttering along.
"The chancellor must take up our plans for an emergency package to save our high streets, put money back in the pockets of families and finally fix our broken relation with Europe to bring in billions for our public services."
As growth slows, could the Bank of England cut interest rates?
07:12 , Bryony GoochConcerns over a slowdown growth have led to predictions from economists that the Bank of England will cut interest rates next month, to 3.75 per cent, and could cut rates deeper than previously expected.
Policymakers will also look at the latest inflation data, which will be released next week, when they assess the next vote on interest rates.
Experts predicted 0.2 per cent slow down
07:09 , Bryony GoochThe 0.1 per cent growth is slower than experts predicted, after they already suggested it would slow down in the third quarter.
Experts predicted that the Office for National Statistics would report 0.2 per cent growth over the three months to September in their latest update on Thursday morning.
It will represent a slowdown after 0.3 per cent in the previous quarter, continuing a notable drop-off after a 0.7 per cent rise in the first three months of the year.
ONS announces latest growth figures
07:08 , Bryony GoochGDP grew 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2025.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) November 13, 2025
Services (+0.2%) and construction (+0.1%) grew while the production sector fell (-0.5%).
Read the article ➡️ https://t.co/XOrSeP3V5T pic.twitter.com/dEfTk6xqiz
Growth slower than expected
07:04 , Bryony GoochThe UK economy grew by 0.1% in the three months to September, according to the ONS, which is slower than expected.
Analysis: Slow growth over third quarter would present setback for Reeves
07:01 , Bryony GoochRachel Reeves and the government have been hopeful that stronger economic growth can help increase tax revenues and support government spending plans.
Slow growth or a stagnant economy over the third quarter would present a setback for the chancellor.
Sanjay Raja, chief UK economist at Deutsche Bank, has said the positive tempo in the economy earlier this year has “tempered” in the second half.
He added: “Anticipated weakness in growth is a result of weaker industrial production activity, and primarily weaker oil and manufacturing output.
“We expect the construction sector to remain flat on the month, with services activity just about inching higher to end Q3.”
UK economists predict growth to have slowed
06:55 , Bryony GoochGDP grew by 0.3 per cent in the three months to August 2025 compared with the three months to May 2025, a slight increase following growth of 0.2 per cent in the three months to July 2025.
But Sanjay Raja, chief UK economist at Deutsche Bank, predicts this will not last and UK economic growth will have slowed further over the third quarter of 2025.
He said: “Anticipated weakness in growth is a result of weaker industrial production activity, and primarily weaker oil and manufacturing output.
“We expect the construction sector to remain flat on the month, with services activity just about inching higher to end Q3.”
Why is GDP a crucial marker of how the UK economy is doing?
06:52 , Bryony GoochEvery month the Office of National Statistics (ONS) publishes new GDP figures.
In the run-up to the budget on 26 November these figures are a marker for how well the economy is doing.
Rising GDP signals economic growth, which is generally welcome news for the country’s companies, households and politicians.
When GDP is falling, it means the economy is shrinking. If it falls for two quarters in a row, the country is considered to be in a recession which can hit wages and jobs.
Rachel Reeves and the government have been hopeful that stronger economic growth can help increase tax revenues and support government spending plans.
Slow growth or a stagnant economy over the third quarter would present a setback for the chancellor.
