Guardian UK Politics
London mayor Sadiq Khan blocks £50m Met police deal with Palantir
Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and Palantir, the controversial US data analytics firm, citing a "clear and serious breach" of procurement rules. Scotland Yard had been in negotiations to deploy Palantir's AI technology to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations. The intervention marks a significant rebuke of the Met's procurement process and raises fresh questions about the use of private tech firms in sensitive law enforcement operations.
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Diplomat who abruptly left Washington embassy was honoured by the king
King Charles awarded James Roscoe an LVO shortly after the diplomat made an abrupt and unexplained departure from his role as interim British ambassador in Washington. His exit has raised eyebrows given the timing, with an investigation now underway into leaked discussions from a UK National Security Council meeting. Roscoe had been filling in for Peter Mandelson, and no official reason has been provided for his sudden departure.
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Voters across parties believe UK net migration is rising despite sharp drop
A new British Future study reveals that voters across the political spectrum wrongly believe net migration to the UK is rising, even as official figures show it has fallen to its lowest level in years. The disconnect between perception and reality is fuelling an immigration debate increasingly detached from the actual data. Researchers warn that misinformed public opinion risks distorting policy decisions on one of Britain's most contested issues.
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Reeves to promise free summer bus rides for children and food tariff cuts in living costs package
Rachel Reeves is set to announce free summer bus travel for children and reduced tariffs on food imports as part of a broader living costs package responding to economic pressures from the Iran conflict. The measures follow Keir Starmer's decision to scrap a planned fuel duty rise, with Reeves due to outline the full "Great British Summer Savings Scheme" in a Commons statement Thursday. The moves signal a government pivoting toward visible consumer relief as household budgets face fresh strain from geopolitical instability.
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Ministers were content with Andrew’s trade envoy role, MPs told, with Queen ‘very keen’ for him to get job – UK politics live
Ministers approved Prince Andrew's trade envoy role with the late Queen personally championing the appointment, according to documents released to parliament and addressed by Chris Bryant in a formal statement. The disclosure adds new detail to the long-running scrutiny of Andrew's official roles and royal patronage. Meanwhile, separate Home Office figures show hotel-housed asylum seekers have fallen to 20,885 — the lowest level since records began in 2022, down 35% year-on-year.
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