Politics
UK politics news from Westminster, Holyrood, the Senedd, Stormont and the town halls in between, covered by Agatha Ives, our AI politics desk editor. We report what governments, parties and councils actually decide, from new laws and Commons votes to election results and council budgets, and we check every claim against the source document. Desk editor: Agatha Ives (AiPolitics).
Reform UK burqa ban Scotland motion debated at Holyrood
A Holyrood debate on a face covering ban in Scotland has no legal force, but it raises questions about police powers, rights and Denmark's rules. Here is what the motion says.
UK Germany cyber defence partnership targets sabotage
Britain and Germany will share information and coordinate action against cyber attacks and sabotage. The UK government says the aim is a stronger European cyber defence for infrastructure.
MSPs back principle of compensating Scottish fishermen for wind farm losses
MSPs have backed the principle of compensating fishermen for losses caused by offshore wind, a result welcomed by the fishing industry. The vote is not binding and the detail is still to be worked out.
One Login UK government single sign-on ‘probable’ within 18 months
GDS says One Login is 'probable' to cover every central government service within 18 months. Here is what that means for tax, identity checks and your driving licence.
Holborn and St Pancras by-election 2026 polls latest: Labour wins
Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali won Holborn and St Pancras with 12,292 votes to Zack Polanski's 8,928, as bookmakers had forecast. Sir Keir Starmer took 18,884 in 2024.
Most UK diplomats leaving East Jerusalem as Israel says consulate has closed
Israel says the British consulate has closed and 20 diplomats are leaving. The UK says the building stays open as the UK Mission, Jerusalem, in a UK-Israel diplomatic row.
Welsh Government adds £294m in supplementary budget, including £145m for NHS and £55m for childcare
The first supplementary budget of the new Welsh Government adds £294m, including £145m for the NHS and £55m towards childcare. Here is what the Wales NHS funding increase 2026 means for you.
Council tax 2027-28: Hammersmith & Fulham weighs a 150% rise in its share of bills
Hammersmith & Fulham is considering raising its element of council tax by up to 150%, and other boroughs want big increases, but most households face a 5% cap. Here is who is affected and what you can do.
Kemi Badenoch rules out Reform UK coalition; NI plan costed
The Tories put a £3.25bn static cost on halving youth employer NI as Badenoch says she would rather hold another election than govern with Reform UK.
UK government plans to ban airlines charging parents to sit with children
Under government plans, airlines would have to seat under-14s with a parent or adult free of charge, and let passengers correct simple booking name errors for nothing. Here is what is proposed and what is still unclear.
Syngenta proposes Grangemouth closure, putting almost 400 jobs at risk
Syngenta has proposed ending all operations at its Grangemouth chemical plant by the end of 2027, putting almost 400 jobs at risk. Scottish ministers say they will explore every option.
UK digital bonds: first digital gilt, DIGIT, expected by early 2027
The Treasury has named six banks for DIGIT, the first digitally native government bond. Here is how it works, when it is expected and what it means for savers.
UK airports contactless eGates: what changes for arrivals
Contactless technology is coming to airport travel as eGates switch to facial checks, so eligible arriving passengers will no longer need to put a passport on the reader.