Andy Burnham Closing Gap with Reform UK as PM
Polling shows Labour narrowing the gap with Reform UK to just 1% after Andy Burnham's first week as Prime Minister, with bus fare caps and energy VAT cuts announced.
Category : Westminster Updates
Workers face £18,000 loss as state pension age rise accelerated
Workers could lose nearly £18,000 as the state pension age rise to 68 is brought forward by at least seven years to 2037, affecting those aged 49 to 55, Treasury officials confirm.
Record 165 Migrants Cross Channel in Single Boat
A record 165 migrants crossed the Channel in a single boat, breaking the previous record of 128. The route is becoming more dangerous, warns Care4Calais, as Home Office figures show 13,007 arrivals this year.
Burnham Hints at Personal Allowance Rise for Low Earners
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to review the personal allowance threshold for households earning over £12,570, potentially offering a tax boost, but stresses no commitment has been made.
Andy Burnham to limit DWP benefits for young people
Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to limit DWP benefits for young people, backed by Lord Blunkett, as part of welfare reforms to curb rising costs.
Burnham Urged to Suspend EU Entry-Exit System for Britons
Liberal Democrats call on PM Andy Burnham to lobby EU to suspend the bungled EES system until September, citing chaos at airports and ruined holidays for millions.
Burnham's Triple Lock Pledge Widens Pension Gap by £3,005
Andy Burnham's commitment to the Triple Lock means state pensioners over 73 face a £3,005 gap between new and basic rates, with new rate at £12,860 and basic at £9,855.
Triple Lock: Pre-1953 Pensioners Face £230 Monthly Shortfall
State pensioners born before 1953 will receive £230 less per month under Andy Burnham's Triple Lock commitment, widening the gap between old and new state pensions.
France Wildfire: 20,000 Evacuated, Two Firefighters Dead
A wildfire in Cap Ferret, southern France, has forced the evacuation of 20,000 people. Two firefighters died, and President Macron has requested EU aid to combat the blaze.
DWP PIP Holiday Rule Under Burnham
PIP claimants must inform DWP of trips abroad over four weeks under PM Andy Burnham, as holiday rules remain unchanged until the Timms Review.
Ryanair CEO: 'We'll Leave Without You' Under EU Rules
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary warns passengers they must be at the gate on time, blaming EU's EES system for delays and saying flights won't wait.
Burnham Urged to Help EV Drivers Without Driveways
Andy Burnham faces calls to address inequality as his VAT cut on home charging leaves households without driveways paying 25p per mile on public rapid chargers, compared to 7p at home.
UEFA Scrutinises Villa's Garnacho Deal Over Swap Rules
UEFA may treat Aston Villa's loan-to-buy deal for Alejandro Garnacho and Morgan Rogers' £117m Chelsea sale as a swap, reducing Villa's profit. Villa face scrutiny over player exchange regulations.
DWP State Pension Age Rise Ruled Out by Burnham
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out bringing forward the state pension age rise to 68, confirming the Triple Lock remains and dismissing OBR claims.
UK Warns Against Travel to Bahrain and Kuwait Over Iran Tensions
The UK Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Bahrain and Kuwait, citing unpredictable US-Iran conflict and risks of attacks, flight cancellations, and airspace closures.
Andy Burnham: State Pensioners Could Gain £1,895
State pensioners born before 1960 could be £1,895 better off under Andy Burnham's commitment to the triple lock, with the full state pension projected to reach £14,442 by 2029/30.
Miliband's Anti-Trump Past May Complicate US Meeting
New Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who once called Trump a 'racist' and 'misogynist' at a Birmingham rally, faces an awkward first meeting with the US President. Critics urge him to hold his principles.
Amy Winehouse Death Anniversary and Quiz Answers July 22
Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning on July 22, 2011, at age 27. Plus answers to July 22 quiz including West Side Story, Phobos, Deimos, and more.
Birmingham MP Al Carns Rejects Role in Burnham Government
Birmingham Selly Oak MP Al Carns turned down a junior minister role in Andy Burnham's government, citing unresolved defence funding concerns, while Jess Phillips also missed out on a position.
Burnham Proposes Tougher Drink-Driving Limit
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham advances plans to reduce the legal drink-drive limit from 35 to 22 micrograms, aligning with Scotland's limit, as part of a broader road safety strategy.
Half a Million UK Households Ditch TV Licence
More than 500,000 UK households stopped paying the TV licence last year as cord-cutting hits record highs. The annual fee rises to £180, but many services remain free.
Burnham £960 Tax Blow for Workers Earning £12,571-£50,270
Andy Burnham's rowing back on the £12,570 personal tax-free allowance could cost workers £700, with typical basic-rate taxpayers facing an extra £960 a year by 2031.
OECD Warns Burnham on Triple Lock Sustainability
The OECD has warned incoming PM Andy Burnham that the triple lock on state pensions is unsustainable due to rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, urging reform to reduce fiscal risks.
Automatic Driving Ban for Drink-Drive Deaths
Tracy Venison calls for mandatory lifetime driving bans for drivers who kill while under the influence, after her son Aidan was killed by a drunk driver.
State Pension Age Rise to 68 by 2039 Amid Life Expectancy Drop
The state pension age will rise to 68 by 2039, seven years earlier than planned, as healthy life expectancy falls sharply, with men in deprived areas facing just 73.2 years.
FCDO Warns Brits on Travel to 13 Middle Eastern Nations
The UK Foreign Office has issued urgent travel advice for 13 countries in the Middle East, including Turkey and Cyprus, as the US-Iran conflict escalates with continued airstrikes and rising casualties.
10m state pensioners face HMRC tax as numbers surge
Over 10 million state pensioners will pay income tax by 2026/27, up 3 million in five years, as frozen allowances and rising pensions drag more into tax.
Bridgnorth Man Urges MOD to Name Warship HMS Shropshire
A Bridgnorth man has launched a campaign asking the Ministry of Defence to name one of its new warships HMS Shropshire, after the historic cruiser that served in World War II.
Extended Pub Hours for 2026 World Cup Linked to Crime Rise
Extended pub hours for the 2026 World Cup led to a significant increase in crime across the West Midlands, according to a report. The rise included violent incidents and public order offenses.
Pay-Per-Mile Tax: 4G/5G Tracking for EV Drivers from 2028
Labour's pay-per-mile tax for EVs, set for April 2028, will use 4G/5G tracking. Drivers face 3p per mile, plug-in hybrids 1.5p. Critics say the system 'still does not work for drivers.'
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