UK

Two serving ministers have broken cover to urge Rishi Sunak’s government to “lead the way” and increase defence spending to at least 2.5% at a time of growing threats. In a highly unusual intervention, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a foreign office minister and former defence minister, and Tom Tugendhat, the security minister and an experienced soldier, published

British boxer Anthony Joshua has defeated former UFC title-holder Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. The former two-time world champion demolished the MMA star by knockout in the second round with a huge right hand. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest

The interim findings of a seven-year investigation into murders linked to the British Army’s most prized mole in the IRA will be published later. Freddie Scappaticci, codenamed “Stakeknife”, headed the IRA’s “nutting squad”, a unit tasked with identifying informants, but was himself operating as a spy for British intelligence. The west Belfast bricklayer, who died

England’s roads authority has launched a campaign aimed at drivers who hog the middle lane on motorways. Some 32% of drivers admit to middle lane hogging at least “occasionally” and 5% say they “always” do it, according to a recent survey by National Highways. More than a fifth say they tailgate other drivers, a type

Christian Horner has said the “intrusion on my family is now enough” and “has been very trying” after scrutiny following claims that he behaved inappropriately towards a female member of Red Bull staff. Speaking at a news conference in Saudi Arabia, he said: “There’s been a lot of coverage surrounding this. “One has to go

Labour is demanding the Tories spell out how they will pay for a “reckless” plan to abolish national insurance contributions. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in his budget it was his long-term ambition to “end this unfairness”, while an email sent to Tory members said “we’ll be able to make progress towards that goal in the

Jeremy Hunt has told Sky News his spring budget is “absolutely not” the last throw of the dice before a general election – as he refused to rule out another fiscal event before the country goes to the polls. Speaking to political editor Beth Rigby, the chancellor said the “working assumption” in Downing Street is

Graduates in their 20s are earning less in real terms than they were before the 2008 financial crash, and are £1,200 worse off than they were at the start of the pandemic on average, despite recent cuts to national insurance. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has teased further national insurance cuts in his upcoming budget, following on

“Perhaps we need a revolution!”  Cobbler Dave is half joking and half serious. Stepping through the red door into his shoe repair business on a quiet street in Grimsby takes you back to a simpler time. Politics Live: Chancellor accused of ‘deception’ over budget tax cut There’s no price list, no click-and-collect and you certainly

An “incredibly vulnerable” girl held in a young offenders’ institution was pinned down and forcibly stripped by “multiple” male prison guards, according to a watchdog. The teenager had been restrained and had her clothes removed on two occasions at YOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire, which holds some of the most “challenging” children in the country.

Jeremy Hunt is to extend a key government lending programme for another two years following pleas from Britain’s army of small businesses. Sky News has learnt that the chancellor will announce in his budget on Wednesday that the recovery loan scheme, which was reintroduced in the summer of 2022, is to be extended until 2026.

Jeremy Hunt is considering a last minute further cut to public spending to boost the tax giveaway in Wednesday’s budget. The Politics At Jack And Sam’s podcast, out now, set out how Number 10 and 11 have spent recent days finding as many different ways of raising future revenue as possible to increase the size

Some Jewish people are “absolutely terrified” to leave their homes during pro-Palestinian marches, according to the chancellor. While most people wanted to demonstrate peacefully, Jeremy Hunt told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show there had been instances of “very intimidatory protests” and this was “not the British way”. Please use Chrome browser for

Dozens of police officers across the UK have been convicted of crimes including rape, sexual assault and sex offences against children in the three years since the murder of Sarah Everard, new data shows. Officers have also been convicted of assault, possession of indecent images, harassment and controlling and coercive behaviour since 3 March 2021

George Galloway told Sky News he “despises” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when asked about the prime minister’s speech condemning extremism. The Workers Party of Britain leader won the Rochdale by-election with 12,335 votes – more than 5,000 votes over second placed independent David Tully – and focused much of his campaign on the plight of

A man who stabbed to death his ex-partner and a man she was dating in a “ferocious” attack has been sentenced to a whole life order. Marcus Osborne murdered Katie Higton, 27, and Steven Harnett, 25, in May last year. He forced his way into the home he used to share with Ms Higton in

Controversial left-wing firebrand George Galloway has won the Rochdale by-election. The former Labour MP and Celebrity Big Brother contestant, who was standing for the Workers Party of Britain, won 12,335 votes. Labour had been expected to win the seat until its campaign was thrown into disarray by leaked recordings of their candidate Azhar Ali making

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has said his Red Bull boss Christian Horner is “probably a little bit distracted” as he faces more questions over its investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour. Team principal Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, said he “won’t comment on anonymous speculation” after material reported to have

Hundreds of residents are to be moved out of their council homes in Aberdeen after they were found to contain potentially dangerous concrete panels. Around 500 homes in the city’s Balnagask area were identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panels following an inspection last year, including 364 council properties of which 299 are

A man has been convicted of murdering sex worker Emma Caldwell in 2005 after he was finally brought to justice despite major police failings. Former sign fitter Iain Packer, 51, was found guilty of what the jury heard was the “execution” of the 27-year-old. Emma, who spiralled into a life of heroin addiction after the