Guardian UK Politics
UK government urged to act over proposed illegal Israeli settlement
Former UK diplomats are pressing the government to take a firm stand against Israel's planned E1 settlement, a 3,400-home development in the West Bank that critics say would effectively sever Palestinian territorial continuity. The letter, signed by senior ex-ambassadors and high commissioners, demands ministers warn companies against participating in the project or face consequences. The intervention signals growing pressure on London to move beyond statements and deploy economic leverage on the issue.
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Farage says Trump’s Iranian ‘civilisation will die’ threats went ‘way too far’– UK politics live
Nigel Farage has broken ranks with his usual pro-Trump stance, describing the former president's threats to destroy Iranian civilization as going "way too far" and "over the top in every single way." The remarks signal a rare moment of public distance between Farage and Trump, whose political alignment has been a defining feature of Reform UK's brand. Meanwhile, the Green Party has waded into the ongoing resident doctors strike, calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to address long-term grievances over pay and working conditions rather than resorting to pressure tactics.
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Trump uses Neville Chamberlain jibe to mock Starmer over stance on Iran
Donald Trump invoked the ghost of Neville Chamberlain to mock Keir Starmer over his refusal to endorse US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, drawing a pointed comparison to Britain's pre-war appeasement architect. The jab, delivered at a White House Easter event, signals deepening friction between Washington and London over Middle East policy. Starmer's resistance to backing the strikes is emerging as a serious fault line in the transatlantic relationship.
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UK government caps student loan interest rates at 6% from September
The UK government will cap interest rates on plan 2 and plan 3 student loans at 6% starting this September, shielding graduates in England and Wales from inflation-driven repayment spikes. The move follows sustained pressure on ministers over fears that rising global inflation was turning student debt into a long-term financial trap. For many borrowers already carrying tens of thousands in debt, the cap offers meaningful relief at a time when unchecked interest could have significantly extended repayment timelines.
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Reform UK would stop visas for people from countries seeking slavery reparations
Reform UK is threatening to ban visas for nationals of any country that pursues slavery reparations from Britain, with home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf calling such demands "insulting." The policy would effectively use immigration controls as leverage against nations seeking compensation for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. The announcement comes as international pressure for reparations grows, putting Reform at odds with a broader global conversation about remedying historical wrongs.
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