Author: Fatimah Idera

The UK government has announced a £275 million investment in technical training and apprenticeships, positioning it as the centrepiece of its long-awaited industrial strategy. The move is seen as a direct response to Nigel Farage’s growing influence in England’s manufacturing regions, especially in traditional Labour strongholds. The package, unveiled by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Sunday, will fund the establishment of new Technical Excellence Colleges, short courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital manufacturing, and significant capital upgrades for training providers across England. The investment is designed to address critical skills shortages in sectors such as engineering, defence, battery production,…

Nigel Farage has defended Reform UK’s controversial proposal to attract wealthy individuals to the UK with a £250,000 residency fee and preferential tax treatment, prompting Labour to brand the scheme a billionaires bonanza. At a press conference in London, the Reform UK leader said the plan is designed to reverse the trend of high-net-worth individuals leaving the country, arguing that their presence could boost spending and job creation. Under the proposal, wealthy foreigners would pay a one-off £250,000 fee for 10 years of residency in the UK and receive exemptions from taxes on international income and inheritance. Reform UK estimates…

“This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy,” Starmer said.

Britain is facing a heightened threat of Iranian retaliation following US airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, a senior Cabinet minister has warned. On Saturday night, US President Donald Trump authorised the B-2 bomber strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear sites, calling it a very successful attack. In response, Iran’s foreign minister warned of everlasting consequences, prompting countries across the world to brace for possible reprisals. Speaking on Sunday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Iran’s hostile activities in the UK were already at a significant level, including cyberattacks and covert surveillance, and that the threat could now increase. “I think it…

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched a sweeping national investigation into the state of maternity services across England, following a series of high-profile scandals and persistent safety failings. Announcing the review at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists World Congress, Mr Streeting said the investigation would be modelled on the landmark Darzi review into NHS care and aims to restore public confidence in maternity services. The decision follows emotional meetings with bereaved families whose babies died at hospitals including Nottingham, Leeds, East Kent, Shrewsbury, Telford, and Morecambe Bay, all areas previously identified for serious failings in maternity and neonatal…

British Airways and Singapore Airlines have suspended flights to and from Dubai following overnight US airstrikes on Iran, as airlines respond to the rapidly escalating security situation in the region. The UK’s flag carrier cancelled two scheduled flights to Dubai and Doha, both set to depart from London Heathrow on Sunday afternoon. A BA spokesperson confirmed that no flights would operate to or from the Gulf states on Sunday, citing safety concerns. “As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority,” the…

A senior UK Cabinet minister has warned that the threat of Iranian retaliation on British soil could intensify following overnight US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump authorised B-2 bomber strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, calling the operation a very successful attack. In response, Iran’s foreign minister warned the bombings would have everlasting consequences, prompting international fears of reprisal attacks. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Iran’s covert activity in the UK was already at a significant level, citing persistent cyber attacks and espionage operations. “Hardly a week goes by without an Iranian cyber attack on the…

Sir Keir Starmer is tightening his grip on Labour MPs as the party braces for a major rebellion over upcoming benefit reforms, with backbenchers now being ordered to attend a critical vote on July 1. Dozens of Labour MPs who had planned to be absent from Parliament that day say their official permission to miss the vote has been withdrawn, a move seen as a clear signal from party leadership that no dissent will be tolerated. The vote concerns the Government’s proposed £4.3 billion cut to welfare spending, including major reforms to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The…

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned Britain not to become too dependent on foreign labour due to a defeatist approach to getting young people into skilled jobs. He criticised what he called the casual attitude taken by previous governments in allowing sectors like healthcare, construction, and manufacturing to rely heavily on imported workers, leaving the UK workforce with tremendous skills gaps and vulnerable to global economic shocks. His intervention comes ahead of Labour’s release on Monday of a long-term industrial strategy designed to reduce Britain’s dependence on foreign workers by investing in its talent pool. The plan includes a 10-year…

Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his own party to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group, following the Government’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The move comes after activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton on Friday and vandalised two military aircraft. In response, the Home Office announced that Palestine Action will be banned under terrorism laws, a decision that has sparked backlash from the group, which plans to stage a mass protest outside Parliament at noon on Monday. Labour backbenchers are now urging the Prime…