Politics

Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps will lead an intensive series of engagements this week in a determined effort to strengthen the UK’s energy independence. The prime minister and energy security secretary are meeting with industry leaders from oil, gas and renewable sectors aimed at driving forward measures to safeguard national energy security and diminish reliance

Businesswoman and aspiring MP Gina Miller has said Monzo Bank’s decision to close one of her accounts is a case of “democracy gone wrong”. Ms Miller, the legal activist who challenged the government’s handling of Brexit, told Sky News that Monzo Bank had written to her on 13 July to explain that her account for

Labour has accused the government of displaying an “unforgivable lack of urgency” in tackling the needs of rape victims and implementing crucial recommendations made by two scathing reports. Analysis by the party shows that several “immediate” recommendations from the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates (CJJI) have been left unfulfilled. The CJJI conducted two comprehensive reports, one

Tory MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to “get off the fence” and tell Sadiq Khan to axe the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) after a court ruled the plans are lawful. Government ministers stressed the matter was out of their hands as they turned their attention to the Labour leader’s

The expansion of ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) to outer London boroughs has been ruled as lawful by the High Court. Five Conservative-run councils had launched legal action back in February over the expansion. The scheme will come into force from 29 August and see the drivers of the most polluting vehicles charged £12.50 a day

The High Court is set to publish a ruling on Friday morning over the London mayor’s plan to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the capital’s outer boroughs. Five Conservative-run councils launched legal action back in February over the extension, which is due to come into force on 29 August. The scheme –

The government is calling for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to use the “full force of sanctions” following reports of lawyers allegedly offering to help people make false asylum claims. The Daily Mail reported numerous solicitors agreed to help an undercover reporter posing as an economic migrant submit a false asylum application in exchange for thousands

Rishi Sunak was heckled for failing to answer questions over delays to a full compensation scheme for victims of the NHS infected blood scandal. The prime minister’s evidence to the infected blood inquiry was met with groans, jeers and even laughter from those listening. The reaction prompted Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry, to

Nigel Farage has had his account with prestigious bank Coutts closed. The Brexit campaigner has been told by his exclusive bank Coutts – a favourite of the Royal Family – that they no longer want him as a customer. Mr Farage claimed in a video on Twitter this was due to him being a “politically

Rishi Sunak has been branded “desperate and pathetic” after accusing Labour of being “on the same side of criminal gangs” smuggling immigrants into the UK. Senior Labour MPs have rounded in on the prime minister over a tweet sent from his official account on Tuesday. Mr Sunak shared a link to a Daily Mail story

Cabinet minister Michael Gove says he is going on holiday to a Greek island which is experiencing wildfires – as he insisted the region is “safe”. The housing secretary told Sky News he was heading to Evia – a large island just off the coast of Athens – in “just over a week”. It has

Michael Gove and Rishi Sunak have pledged to see off Conservative rebellions over housebuilding as they lay out their plans to increase homes in the UK. Mr Gove, the housing secretary, was delivering a speech on his plans to increase the number of homes being built in the UK, with the government having previously missed

Developers have accused the government of not doing enough to tackle falling levels of house building, as Michael Gove prepares to unveil plans that he says will boost construction – without spoiling the countryside. In a speech expected on Monday, the levelling up and housing secretary will set out measures aimed at “unblocking the planning

Sadiq Khan is still committed to expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) but is happy to look at new ideas for ways to mitigate the financial impact on Londoners, Sky News understands. The London mayor is understood to be willing to consider measures as long as they do not reduce the policy’s effectiveness at

Michael Gove has warned against “treating the cause of the environment as a religious crusade” and called for a relaxation of some net zero measures. The housing secretary told The Sunday Telegraph he wants to “relax” the deadline for landlords in the private rented sector to make energy improvements to their properties. He said the

Labour’s failure to take Boris Johnson’s former seat is a reminder that “policy matters”, Sir Keir Starmer has said – after the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) by London mayor Sadiq Khan was blamed for the narrow loss. The opposition leader told activists that the Conservatives hanging on to Uxbridge and South