Politics

Politics knowledge cards on NewsBites — curated from specialist publications, updated throughout the day.

Burnham 'open' to calls for slavery apology but not reparations
The British government has never formally apologised for slavery despite repeated calls from a number of Commonwealth leaders.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-31T13:28:40Z
Mahmood expected to announce changes to rules around indefinite leave to remain
The home secretary has faced opposition from within the government over plans to impose new rules on migrant workers already in the UK.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-31T05:16:01Z
Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham's denials
The prime minister has categorically ruled out an early general election, but it has not stopped speculation at Westminster.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-31T00:00:15Z
Treasury accepts role in staff member's death
A Surrey coroner raises concerns over HM Treasury procedures following the death of Chloe Moffat.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T17:26:40Z
'No nation left behind' says Burnham after meeting first ministers in Glasgow
The meeting involved representatives from the UK's four nations to discuss devolving more powers to regions and cities.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T16:56:33Z
First minister says Welsh spending powers takes step forward after Andy Burnham meeting
Rhun ap Iorwerth says new powers for more cash matter of how and when, after meeting.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T16:37:03Z
Burnham's Number 10 North goes on multi-million pound hiring spree
The new government office in Manchester has launched 50 job adverts for roles including a "rewiring the state deputy director".

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T15:57:43Z
Mayor defects from Greens after Zionism motion
Drew Creek joins the Labour party after the policy motion was passed earlier this month.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T13:46:11Z
Winter fuel cuts turned the Welsh against Labour, former leader Neil Kinnock says
The former Labour leader says welfare policies turned disillusionment with Labour into "active dislike".

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T13:24:44Z
Mayors will be free to use share of tax to give residents grants
The Tory Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says he's working on what he's calling a "tax rebate scheme".

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T11:57:51Z
Streeting denies 'kicking can down the road' in defence spending row
The government is under pressure to set out a path to greater defence spending, as ministers unveil plans to boost UK firms.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-30T11:23:38Z
DUP blocks Michelle O'Neill's engagements over Drumcree
The DUP leader Gavin Robinson also confirms that Emma Little-Pengelly will not participate in joint engagements with O'Neill.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T18:08:15Z
What are the government's options for reducing welfare spending?
BBC Verify examines how much the welfare system costs and the options the government could use to reduce it.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T17:59:57Z
Lib Dems and Reform UK in war of words over alleged shove
The Lib Dems claim Farage "attempted to shove" their South Devon MP but a Reform source accuses the party of "lying".

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T17:46:15Z
Further delays for major council overhaul in nine of 14 proposed areas
Proposals to merge smaller councils to form larger unitary authorities were put on hold last month.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T16:02:51Z
Burnham says he wants to cut welfare bill 'as soon as we possibly can'
Opponents have questioned the Budget's lack of detail on welfare reform, with the prime minister not outlining a timetable for any reductions.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T15:42:56Z
MP apologises over bullying and harassment
Tony Vaughan is found to have been "overbearing and belittling" towards a female staff member.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T15:20:15Z
Bereaved families will not face tax bill over pension delays under new rules
Campaigners had warned some families could face an unfair financial penalty because of delays which were not their fault.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T15:18:04Z
Economist and former Burnham advisor scores Budget 4 out of 10
Former Burnham advisor Andy Haldane scores Healey's Budget out of 10

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T14:45:40Z
'Painful' years ahead, think tanks warn, as living standards set to fall
Budget forecasts show growth in living standards grinding almost to a halt.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T13:19:24Z
Treasury will not commit to reducing welfare bill before next election
The Treasury is disputing that the chancellor suggested to the BBC the benefits bill will be cut before the next election.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-29T10:41:50Z
Healey tells departments to make 1% cuts to fund defence
The reduction in public spending will go towards paying for the Defence Investment Plan.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T19:01:34Z
Healey unveils £100 for energy bills and bank tax in first Budget
The chancellor targets the cost of living amid global economic turmoil but opposition parties say he has not been bold enough.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T18:45:09Z
Burnham rules out early general election in next 12 months
The prime minister has denied speculation from some opposition parties that he will go to the country in spring 2027.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T18:41:42Z
Burnham insists 'no confusion at all' over his Brexit position
The prime minister said it was his "responsibility" to improve the Brexit deal at a summit in Brussels next month.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T17:24:21Z
Budget 2026: Key points at a glance
Here’s what you need to know from John Healey’s first Budget, as the chancellor sets out the government’s tax and spending plans.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T16:55:27Z
Chris Mason: Budget felt cautious despite its range of small measures
The chancellor has had to grapple with a mix of public finances and household finances being a mess.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T16:52:16Z
Watch: What are the key points from the Budget and how will they be funded?
The BBC's Joe Pike explains key things outlined by the Chancellor.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T16:12:57Z
How much is the minimum wage going up by?
What are the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, and how much are they worth?

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T14:53:29Z
Chancellor begins to deliver his first Budget
The chancellor begins his speech by calling it a Budget for the "working people of Britain, for British businesses big and small."

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-28T13:13:17Z
Chris Mason: Budget needs to go some way towards delivering PM's promises
Support on the cost of living, and in particular energy bills, as well as announcments on devolution will be central to John Healey's first Budget.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T22:30:09Z
Landline switchover could cut people off in emergency, minister warned
Plans to switch to digital landlines by January could leave remote areas of the UK vulnerable, MPs say.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T20:54:48Z
What do we know about Chancellor John Healey?
The Chancellor is due to deliver his first Budget.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T19:12:31Z
Healey to promise £15m to tackle misogyny in Budget
The Conservatives doubt whether women and girls will feel safer as a result of the funding.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T18:23:09Z
UK and EU officials to discuss freedom of movement
Officials are expected to begin discussions on a range of options for the future UK-EU relationship before a summit next month.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T17:20:40Z
MPs and MSP detained by Israel and barred from entering West Bank
SNP MP Lara Bird and the Scottish Greens MSP Kate Nevens were part of an international delegation turned away by Israeli security forces.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T16:34:44Z
Minimum wage set to rise but 18-20 year-olds will not get bigger increase
Chancellor John Healey will reveal the new pay rates in the Budget, and has also announced measures to help households with the cost of living.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T15:01:27Z
Independent review announced into murder of student Henry Nowak
"We must get to truth of what happened before, during and after that awful night," the home secretary says while announcing the review.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T07:51:57Z
Rise in sales of radios and tinned foods, say retailers, after call to stock up
Figures obtained by BBC Newsnight show large spikes in sales of torches, radios and power banks.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-27T06:33:11Z
Chris Mason: Burnham faces crunch decisions in his next 100 days
From Brexit debates to North Sea oil, there is plenty getting the cabinet, the Labour Party and the country talking.

BBC News — Politics · 2026-10-26T23:03:14Z