Politics

Rishi Sunak was heckled for failing to answer questions over delays to a full compensation scheme for victims of the NHS infected blood scandal. The prime minister’s evidence to the infected blood inquiry was met with groans, jeers and even laughter from those listening. The reaction prompted Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry, to

Policing minister Chris Philp is to contact the police watchdog following a Sky News investigating in which a woman claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted in police custody. Mr Philp congratulated home editor Jason Farell for his reporting of Zayna Iman’s experience with Greater Manchester Police (GMP). After being arrested and held in custody

The arrival of the first asylum seekers at the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge has been delayed until next week at the earliest, Sky News understands. The vessel, which has been opposed by the local MP and residents, arrived in Portland on the coast of Dorset last week. In a tweet on 18 July announcing its

The head of the most senior ethics watchdog has called for some form of limit on MPs’ second jobs, telling Sky News it is “hard to argue” some politicians are putting parliament first. MPs should be given an “indicative” ceiling on how much time to spend on their extra-parliamentary roles, according to an interview with

Michael Gove and Rishi Sunak have pledged to see off Conservative rebellions over housebuilding as they lay out their plans to increase homes in the UK. Mr Gove, the housing secretary, was delivering a speech on his plans to increase the number of homes being built in the UK, with the government having previously missed

Developers have accused the government of not doing enough to tackle falling levels of house building, as Michael Gove prepares to unveil plans that he says will boost construction – without spoiling the countryside. In a speech expected on Monday, the levelling up and housing secretary will set out measures aimed at “unblocking the planning

Sadiq Khan is still committed to expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) but is happy to look at new ideas for ways to mitigate the financial impact on Londoners, Sky News understands. The London mayor is understood to be willing to consider measures as long as they do not reduce the policy’s effectiveness at

Michael Gove has warned against “treating the cause of the environment as a religious crusade” and called for a relaxation of some net zero measures. The housing secretary told The Sunday Telegraph he wants to “relax” the deadline for landlords in the private rented sector to make energy improvements to their properties. He said the

Labour’s failure to take Boris Johnson’s former seat is a reminder that “policy matters”, Sir Keir Starmer has said – after the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) by London mayor Sadiq Khan was blamed for the narrow loss. The opposition leader told activists that the Conservatives hanging on to Uxbridge and South

In the early 1980s, the US labour movement coined the term “just transition”.   Clean air and water laws it had supported on health and environmental grounds had begun driving thousands of Americans out of their jobs. If environmental protections are going to benefit society, as the “just transition” argument goes, governments must ensure livelihoods

The Conservatives have suffered two by-election defeats in what had been seen as safe seats. Labour won in the constituency of Selby and Ainsty, while the Liberal Democrats triumphed in Somerton and Frome. The opposition parties both overturned Tory majorities of about 20,000 – as polling experts said the results meant “deep electoral trouble” for

Two by-elections lost, one held by the Tories, but the biggest lesson of the last extraordinary few hours is apparent by looking at the swings against Rishi Sunak’s party: that they suggest the Conservative Party is on course to lose Number 10 at the next election. This does not mean the situation isn’t salvageable. But

Rishi Sunak has criticised the EU for a “regrettable choice of words” after it appeared to endorse the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands. The prime minister’s official spokesman said his view was that it would have been “entirely unacceptable for the EU to question the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their own future”. A

The government has delayed publishing its long-awaited transgender guidance for schools after its own legal advisors concluded some of the suggested elements would be unlawful, Sky News understands. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had promised to bring out the advice during the summer term, which comes to an end this week for most state schools. But

Polls will open today at 7am for three by-elections across the country, as voters decide who they want to represent them in parliament. The seats of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London, Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire, and Somerton and Frome in Somerset, will all be up for grabs, with polls closing at

Nigel Farage has claimed his bank account was closed down after Coutts decided his views “do not align with our values”. The former UKIP leader said last month that the exclusive bank – used by the Royal Family – had written to him to tell him both his personal and business accounts were being closed,

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at criticism of his plan to keep the two-child benefit cap if his party is elected – maintaining they need to make “tough decisions”. There has been a growing rift between Labour MPs and the leadership after Sir Keir revealed he would not scrap the Conservative policy

A controversial barge that is set to accommodate 500 asylum seekers has arrived in Dorset. The Bibby Stockholm departed Falmouth in Cornwall on Monday – one month behind schedule. It was pulled by a tugboat into Portland Port on Tuesday morning. The vessel’s arrival in Dorset – which has been opposed by the local MP

A barge which will house 500 asylum seekers is on the move, with the first residents expected to board later this month. The barge – named the Bibby Stockholm – departed from Falmouth, Cornwall, to head to Portland Port in Dorset on Monday morning as Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman faced fresh criticism

Boris Johnson has been criticised for the swelling size of the House of Lords and an imbalance in the political make-up of the upper chamber. A report from the Lord Speaker’s committee on the size of the house highlighted Mr Johnson as showing “no interest” in trying to reduce the number of peers. This follows