UK politics live: Starmer and Biden meet in Washington for intensive talks on Ukraine war

Sir Keir Starmer is meeting with US president Joe Biden in Washington this evening where they will discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The prime minister and Mr Biden are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

But in a message apparently timed for when Sir Keir and his entourage were over the Atlantic on their way to the US on Thursday, President Putin warned such a move would mean Russia would be “at war with Nato”.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to Washington DC, Sir Keir said Russia started the conflict in Ukraine and that it can end the war “straight away”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded with allies for months to allow his military to fire long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

Britain has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles, three times the range of the missiles Ukraine has used up to now, but it cannot use them to fire at key targets inside Russia.

Key Points

• Starmer and Biden meet in Washington for Ukraine talks

• Putin warns West about allowing Storm Shadow missiles

• Starmer and Biden to discuss decision on use of Ukraine missiles

• Sharp dip in public backing for Starmer after winter fuel payments row

• No winter fuel payments cut assessment was done, Starmer admits

Putin ‘will not prevail’ in war with Ukraine, Biden says

21:55 , Alexander Butler

Russian president Vladimir Putin will not prevail in the war with Ukraine, US. President Joe Biden said on Friday during a meeting at the White House with UK prime minister Keir Starmer.

Pictured: Starmer meets Biden at the White House

21:44 , Alexander Butler

What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon banned from use in Russia by Ukrainian troops

21:12 , Alexander Butler

What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile banned from use in Russia by Ukraine?

Starmer and Biden meet in Washington for Ukraine talks

21:03 , Alexander Butler

Sir Keir Starmer is meeting with US president Joe Biden in Washington this evening where they will discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The prime minister and Mr Biden are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded with allies for months to allow his military to fire long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

Britain has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles, three times the range of the missiles Ukraine has used up to now, but it cannot use them to fire at key targets inside Russia.

Winter fuel payments tied to council tax bands ‘not possible’, says minister

21:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Dame Esther Rantzen has made a direct plea to the prime minister to follow through on his vow to make time in parliament for a debate and free vote on assisted dying.

The Childline founder had a telephone conversation with Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year – before he entered No 10 – in which he pledged his commitment on this issue.

Dame Esther’s latest comments come as a majority of members on a so-called citizens’ jury said assisted dying should be permitted in England.

The broadcaster has previously been praised for her role in bringing the difficult and sensitive conversation on assisted dying to the fore, having revealed in December that she has joined the Swiss Dignitas clinic as she lives with terminal cancer.

Without a change in the law, Dame Esther said she and others who are terminally ill could face “a bad death” or their families could have to endure police questioning and possible prosecution if they accompanied her to Dignitas.

Assisting someone to end their life is currently a criminal offence in England and Wales.

Dame Esther told Sky News: “What we’re hoping for is proper time to discuss the issues, have the free vote and change this cruel law.

“I call it cruel, because not only at the moment does it mean that I’ve got to have a bad death, if that’s what the cancer creates for me, but my family can’t be with me if I decide to go to Dignitas. Because otherwise they are liable to being accused of killing me and they get investigated by the police, so that’s just messy and wrong and not what we want.

“So, please Sir Keir, remember our conversation and let’s make time for this. It really is a matter of life and death.”

Starmer and Biden to meet in Washington for Ukraine talks

20:50 , Alexander Butler

Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet with US president Joe Biden in Washington on Friday where they will discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The prime minister and Mr Biden are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded with allies for months to allow his military to fire long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

Britain has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles, three times the range of the missiles Ukraine has used up to now, but it cannot use them to fire at key targets inside Russia.

Starmer ducks Trump cats and dogs row but promises photo of new kitten

20:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has promised to publish a picture of the new Siberian kitten in Downing Street as he tried to avoid commenting on the “cats and dogs” row inspired by Donald Trump during the recent presidential debate.

The prime minister is heading to the White House for a key bilateral summit with Joe Biden on Ukraine and the Middle East but his trip was already overshadowed by the fallout from the US election.

Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:

Starmer ducks Trump cats and dogs row but promises photo of new Downing Street kitten

Poll shows sharp dip in public backing for Prime Minister and Chancellor

20:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Public favourability for both Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves has fallen sharply, according to a poll.

As the government faces criticism for withdrawing winter fuel payments from all but the poorest pensioners, research this month found 32 per cent of people viewed the Prime Minister favourably, a six-percentage point drop since August.

Those who view Sir Keir unfavourably increased by eight points to 46 per cent over the same period, leaving a net score of minus 14 compared with a net score of zero last month.

The percentage who view Sir Keir unfavourably matches the highest level of negativity previously recorded for him by Ipsos following the Hartlepool by-election in 2021, which the Conservatives won from Labour with a swing of almost 16 per cent.

The chancellor, who has warned of difficult choices ahead of the Budget on 30 October, has seen her favourability fall by four points to 23 per cent, at a time her unfavourability has risen by nine points to 44 per cent.

This resulted in a net score of minus 21 in September compared with a score of minus eight in August.

The proportion of people who view the Labour Party favourably has fallen by four points to 36 per cent, while unfavourability has increased by eight points to 45 per cent.

However, despite some internal party concerns over the winter fuel allowance squeeze, positivity towards the prime minister and his party among Labour voters remains unchanged this month at 69 per cent.

Meanwhile the chancellor’s favourability has slipped by two points among Labour supporters to 46 per cent, with those viewing her as unfavourable increasing by four points to 21 per cent.

The poll found that 39 per cent of the public support the means testing of the winter fuel allowance and 42 per cent are opposed.

Labour £22bn black hole gloom ‘unhelpful’, top economist warns

19:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ gloomy warnings of a £22bn “black hole” in the public finances were “unnecessary and probably economically unhelpful”, a former chief economist at the Bank of England has warned.

Labour frontbenchers have issued a series of warnings about the financial mess they inherited from their Conservative predecessors upon winning the July election, widely interpreted as paving the way for tax rises and tight public spending decisions in the upcoming Budget.

Read the full story below:

Labour £22bn black hole gloom ‘unhelpful’, former BoE chief economist warns

Readers divided over partial suspension of arm sales to Israel

19:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Last week, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer suspended around 30 of the UK’s 350 arms export licenses to Israel, sparking strong reactions.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasised that while the UK continues to support Israel, the decision was made due to the “clear risk” of UK-supplied weapons being used to breach international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees and aid access to Gaza.

The decision continues to fuel debate, with figures like Lord Carlile praising Starmer’s “courage” but criticizing Netanyahu for hindering peace efforts. Overall, the UK’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict remains highly contentious, both domestically and internationally.

Here’s what The Independent readers had to say:

Readers divided over Starmer’s partial suspension of arm sales to Israel

Government strengthens Online Safety Act to crack down on revenge porn

18:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The sharing of revenge porn is to be classified as the most serious type of online offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning social media platforms will now have to take steps proactively to remove it, the government has said.

The change to the law will see the sharing of intimate images without consent upgraded to be made a priority offence under the new online safety rules, which are due to come into force from spring next year.

Read the full story below:

Government strengthens Online Safety Act to crack down on revenge porn

Flynn mulls Holyrood move but says he has not considered run for SNP leadership

18:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Stephen Flynn has insisted becoming SNP leader is not something he has “actively considered” – though he added that if the top post in his party becomes vacant he will think about it.

The SNP Westminster leader is mulling over whether to make the switch from the House of Commons to Holyrood, saying he will make a decision well ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election in May 2026.

A move to Holyrood could put him in prime position to become the next leader of the party – despite John Swinney insisting he was “no caretaker” when he took on the job in May this year.

Mr Flynn said he was “genuinely just glad” Mr Swinney had taken on the role – but the current Scottish First Minister could come under pressure from within his party if the SNP loses power at Holyrood in the 2026 vote.

Asked if he is going to stand for Holyrood in that election, Mr Flynn said: “I’ve just not made up my mind.”

Briefing Scottish political journalists at the House of Commons, the Aberdeen South MP said he will “make a decision early next year”.

Campaigners welcome Labour’s junk food ad bans

17:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has said it is “fantastic to finally see action” after the Government confirmed plans for a pre-watershed ban on adverts for junk food products.

Labour confirmed it will introduce legislation to ban companies advertising products deemed high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) on TV before 9pm.

It will also include a total ban on paid-for online adverts for these products, in an effort to tackle childhood obesity coming into force in October 2025.

Food industry bosses said they want the government to “move swiftly” on finalising the draft regulations so that firms can be prepared ahead of the law change.

Meanwhile, the Advertising Association trade group said the announcement will bring certainty but questioned the potential impact of the measures on tackling childhood obesity.

TV chef and childhood obesity campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall praised the proposed legislation.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s fantastic to finally see action and to have a government who looks like they accept the idea that it is part of their role to help us to lead healthier lives.

“In the end, this is just one of a raft of measures that we need to see.

“We’ve identified so many vital levers that that could be pulled to help people, particularly young people, live healthier lives, reduce the huge burden of obesity on the NHS. And this is a lever that even the previous government acknowledged needed to be pulled.”

UK Government to buy ESO from National Grid in £630m deal

17:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The government is to buy the Electricity System Operator (ESO) from National Grid after striking a deal worth £630 million.

It will pave the way for the ESO – the operation which oversees balancing supply and demand in the UK’s electricity grid – to be taken into public hands.

The move is part of the launch of the new National Energy System Operator (NESO) – a public body designed to aid the UK’s clean energy transition and support energy security.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the new body will launch on 1 October following the deal with National Grid.

National Grid said the “final cash consideration” for the sale is still subject to potential adjustments before the deal closes.

The new state-owned body will bring together planning for the UK’s electricity and gas networks under one roof, following the passage of the Energy Act in October last year.

The NESO will be chaired by former E.ON chief executive Paul Golby, with Fintan Slye as its chief executive.

Does our technocrat PM believe he is above politics?

16:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Keir Starmer’s growing impatience with the House of Commons suggests that, having come late to politics, he thinks he is better than those who have spent their lives doing nothing but politics, says John Rentoul:

Does our technocrat PM believe he is above politics?

UK’s first coal mine in 30 years blocked over ‘legally flawed’ climate claims

16:15 , Salma Ouaguira

The decision to grant planning permission for what would have been the UK’s first coal mine in 30 years has been quashed by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Holgate said that giving the go-ahead for the development at Whitehaven in Cumbria was “legally flawed”.

Climate campaign group Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change took legal action over the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s decision to grant planning permission in 2022.

Read the full story below:

UK’s first coal mine in 30 years blocked by High Court

UK national debt could reach nearly 300% of GDP in next 50 years

16:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The UK’s national debt is on an “unsustainable path” and is set to nearly triple in relation to the economy over the next 50 years, the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned.

Public debt is currently at its highest since the early 1960s, sitting at a total of some £2.7 trillion – equating to around 99.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Read the full story below:

UK national debt could reach nearly 300% of GDP in next 50 years

Why Ukraine wants to use Western long-range missiles inside Russia?

15:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Ukraine is pushing for permission from its Western partners to use the long-range missiles they have provided to strike targets deep inside Russia, as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

Kyiv officials argue the weapons are vital to weaken Russia’s ability to strike Ukraine and force it to move its strike capabilities further from the border.

Russia has warned that it would consider allowing such long-range strikes an act of war, and Ukraine’s Western allies are wary of antagonizing the country with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.

The issue is likely to weigh heavily on White House meetings today between US President Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer, as well as with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this month.

The long-range missiles include systems like the British-led Storm Shadow and the similar French-made SCALP or the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, ATACMS.

Port Sudan ‘safer than London’, says bishop

15:45 , Salma Ouaguira

A city in war-torn Sudan is safer than London, according to a peer.

The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, made the remark as he encouraged the soon-to-be-appointed UK special representative for Sudan to visit Port Sudan.

The city on the Red Sea serves as the seat of the internationally recognised, military-backed government.

Sudan descended into conflict in April 2023 when tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open warfare.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country.

The department’s travel advice notes the only functional civilian airport operating international flights is Port Sudan Airport.

Speaking during a House of Lords debate, Mr Baines said: “The UK Government must, in my opinion, along with partners, leverage all its resources and political power to cut off the arms flow and create the conditions where any credible ceasefire might create the space for negotiation.

“Failure to address this catastrophe now will only lead to increasingly uncontrollable consequences elsewhere, further destabilisation of an already fragile region – an example, oil gelling in the pipelines will diminish South Sudan’s economy and add to economic and humanitarian challenges – mass irregular migration will be a consequence and so on.

“So I agree with the call for all diplomatic means – the minister said – and one to add is I think it’s essential that the new head of office, the new special envoy must physically get into Sudan.

“I have to say Port Sudan when I was there was safer than London. But we need physical, visible presence, even if it’s only on a regular visit. Other ambassadors and envoys are doing this.”

Ed Miliband vows to deliver ‘energy security’ with more solar panels

15:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Prison population down 2% in a week as hundreds of inmates freed early

15:15 , Salma Ouaguira

The adult prison population dropped by more than 2,000 in the week the government freed hundreds of inmates early.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures showed 86,333 prisoners were behind bars in England and Wales on Friday.

This is 2,188 fewer than the 88,521 recorded at the end of last week, when the number of inmates being held hit another new record high amid the jail overcrowding crisis, indicating the population fell by two per cent in seven days.

The government said around 1,750 prisoners were freed early on Tuesday from jails across the two nations, suggesting a further 438 people also left under standard release terms.

The drop means the operational capacity for English and Welsh men and women’s prisons is 89,552, indicating there is now cell space for 3,219 criminals.

On Wednesday prime minister Sir Keir Starmer defended freeing criminals, including some convicted killers, early from prison as he angrily blamed previous government inaction for forcing him into taking urgent steps to tackle the problem.

This week’s mass exodus came after Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans in July to cut temporarily the proportion of sentences which inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent as the MoJ said overcrowding had pushed jails to the “point of collapse”.

Conservatives slam No 10 over ‘disgraceful’ failure to assess winter payment cuts

15:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Disgraced Tory donor Frank Hester gave £5m days before election called

15:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Disgraced Tory donor Frank Hester gave the Conservative Party £5m just days before Rishi Sunak called the general election, it has emerged.

The Tories faced widespread calls in March to hand back money given to them by the business tycoon after he was alleged to have said that Diane Abbott – Britain’s first Black female MP – made him “want to hate all Black women” and that she “should be shot”.

Despite Mr Sunak eventually condemning the remarks as racist, newly published Electoral Commission data shows Mr Hester’s Phoenix Partnership firm donated a further £5m to the Conservatives on 17 May – just five days before Mr Sunak called the election, months earlier than widely expected.

Read the full story below:

Disgraced Tory donor Frank Hester gave party another £5m days before election called

The one glaring omission from the devastating report into the NHS? Brexit

14:45 , Salma Ouaguira

The latest review of the health service is a substantial, thoroughgoing and even radical piece of work, writes Sean O’Grady. But it doesn’t mention the 2016 referendum once – despite its enormous impact.

The one glaring omission from the devastating report into the NHS? Brexit

Pictured: Starmer and Lammy sit at the British ambassador residence in the US

14:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat welcomes Sir David Lidington endorsement

14:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Welby: Preparing UK to wage peace will save lives, cash and control migration

14:00 , Salma Ouaguira

A major defence review should prepare the UK to “wage peace” to help save lives, taxpayers’ cash and control migration, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said the new government’s root and branch review needs to develop a “peace-building option”, alongside preparedness for war, in a bid to stop conflict before it happens.

He explained this could enable the UK to extend its influence, protect its interests and “guard against fresh waves of migration”.

Speaking during a debate on Sudan, Mr Welby said he had heard reports from those meeting small boats crossing the Channel of a “very high proportion” of people arriving from the war-torn African country.

Sudan descended into conflict in April 2023 after months of worsening tensions turned into open fighting between rival factions, including the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), seeking control of the country.

Mr Welby described Sudan as a “human catastrophe on an extraordinary scale” and said the use of “vast quantities” of humanitarian aid only results in temporary solutions.

He acknowledged the “hard work” of the Foreign Office in response to Sudan, before highlighting the UK government’s desire for a return to democratic civilian-rule.

Mr Welby told the Lords: “But as we’ve seen elsewhere, peace with an authoritarian government is better than no peace at all, and I hope that is not so much of a red line that we will not work to establish the ceasefire and the stability which will enable civilians to take over.”

Scottish secretary says Larry the Downing Street cat is a ‘little sh*t’

13:43 , Salma Ouaguira

Ian Murray has joked the famous cat of Downing Street was “the most miserable animal you’ll ever meet in your life”.

The Labour minister made the remarks during an on-stage discussion with business leaders at the CBI Scotland annual dinner in Glasgow.

Mr Murray said the 37 Scottish Labour MPs who won the general election wanted to be pictured with the Chief Mouser when they arrived in London, but the cat refused.

He said: “Downing Street rang, and all of us who pretty much knew inevitably that the Cabinet was going to be as the shadow cabinet was with a few exceptions, walked to Downing Street really excited and all we wanted to do was, not get the chat with the prime minister to be appointed, but was to try and get a picture with Larry the cat.

“And without putting too fine a point on it, Larry the cat is a little sh*t. So none of us got a picture with Larry the cat.

“Larry the cat is the most miserable animal you’ll ever meet in your life. I’m not surprised with who he’s had to live with for the last ten years.”

Jenrick vows to put Farage and Reform ‘out of business’

13:38 , Salma Ouaguira

Robert Jenrick has promised to put Nigel Farage and his party Reform UK “out of business” if he wins the Tory leadership contest.

The former immigration minister told Chopper’s Political Podcast on GB News: “How I view Reform is that it is a symptom, not a cause. It exists in its current form because the Conservative Party failed.

“We made promises, we didn’t keep them. What I want to do is to put Nigel Farage out of business, to make him redundant, by bringing home Reform voters to the Conservative Party, to making my party once again the natural home for small ‘c’ conservatives because we would once again be the party of secure borders, controlled immigration, small business, entrepreneurship, storing defences, the family, you name it, the things that drove me into politics.

“I believe we can do that. I think I am the right candidate to do that.”

Putin says Biden and Starmer risk war with Russia

13:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer defiantly stared down a threat of retaliation by Vladimir Putin as he flew out to Washington DC for talks with Joe Biden on the Ukraine war.

The prime minister and the US president are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

Our political editor David Maddox reports from Washington DC:

Starmer stares down Putin as he and Biden prepare to hand Ukraine missiles

Pictured: Starmer and Lammy arrive at the British ambassador’s residence in Washington

13:21 , Salma Ouaguira

Jenrick urges Tories to stop ‘making and breaking promises’ to win voters

13:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Robert Jenrick has urged the Conservatives to stop “making and breaking promises” it it wants to win back voters.

The Tory leadership hopeful, who is one of four contenders left in the race, said failures to deliver on promises was behind the party’s bruising election loss.

He resigned as immigration minister in 2023 in protest against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation scheme as he believed it did not go far enough.

Mr Jenrick told GB News: “I believe politics is a team effort. I had loyally defended prime minister after prime minister and had served in their governments.

“But I did feel that it was not in the national interest for me to go out as the minister responsible for immigration and to say things I didn’t believe were true, to perpetuate the cycle of broken promises.

“I didn’t want to be just another minister who made and broke promises on immigration and today I don’t want the Conservative Party to keep on making and breaking promises because that is why we lost.”

Bank of England set to pause interest rate cuts as ‘cautious tone’ sticks

13:07 , Salma Ouaguira

The Bank of England could hit the pause button on interest rate cuts after warning it needs to be “careful” not to rush the decision as pressures on inflation linger.

Experts think that the Bank’s rate-setting committee will likely keep UK interest rates at five per cent on Thursday.

The central bank had cut rates from 5.25 per cent in August, pushing through the first reduction since 2020.

Governor Andrew Bailey said it was able to do so because inflationary pressures had “eased enough”, but stressed that policymakers “need to be careful not to cut interest rates too quickly or by too much”.

UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation returned to the Bank’s two per cent target level in May and June, but then crept up to 2.2 per cent in July.

A group of economists for ING said some of the caution can be explained by inflation in the services sector, things like hospitality and culture, which the Bank’s policymakers watch closely when trying to work out how much domestic prices are rising.

Services-only inflation hit 5.2 per cent in July, down from 5.7 per cent the previous month, but still above the levels seen in the US and Eurozone.

They expect the majority of the committee to vote to keep rates on hold this month, before the pace of cuts picks up again in November.

Sanjay Raja, senior economist for Deutsche Bank, said that “despite cutting rates in August, the MPC struck a more cautious tone around inflation risks – something that will likely stick in September”.

He also thinks the Bank will keep rates the same on Thursday but then reduce them again in November.

Ed Balls claims NHS needs ‘big injection of resources’ to cope with reform

13:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Former Labour chancellor Ed Balls has said the NHS needs a “big injection of resources” urgently to cope with Sir Keir Starmer’s planned reform.

Mr Balls said the government will not deliver a “marked improvement” on the service unless there is “substantially bigger increase in health resources”.

He told his Political Currency podcast: “The reforms are important, but the thing which will make the biggest difference, if you get the right reforms with value for money, is a big injection of resources.

“If Labour wants to have delivered change by the next election, that injection of resources has to happen now.”

He added: “There is no way on earth there will be a marked improvement in health outcomes or perception of the health service without a substantially bigger increase in health resources over this Parliament than we’ve seen on average in the last 15 years.”

Motoring organisation urges Home Secretary to appoint 1,000 new ‘cops in cars’

12:45 , Salma Ouaguira

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is being urged to appoint 1,000 new roads police officers amid fears that many drivers are “getting away” with motoring offences.

The AA issued the plea after its analysis of Home Office figures found the number of traffic officers in England and Wales has fallen by 1,022 from 5,237 in 2016 to 4,215 in March this year.

A survey of its members conducted last month indicated 57% believe people can get away with careless driving due to a lack of police presence on the roads.

Many respondents also said other offences were going unpunished due to the reduction in the number of roads police officers, including using a handheld phone behind the wheel (44 per cent), drug driving (42 per cent), not wearing a seatbelt (46 per cent) and using a dangerous vehicle (43 per cent).

The AA said it welcomed the increased use of AI cameras which can detect more offences beyond speeding, but warned roads policing cannot be carried out by cameras alone.

About nine out of 10 (91 per cent) of its members surveyed said more traffic police would make communities safer.

Labour’s general election manifesto included a pledge to recruit “thousands” of new police officers to tackle neighbourhood crime.

UK Government to buy ESO from National Grid in £630m deal

12:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The government is to buy the Electricity System Operator (ESO) from National Grid after striking a deal worth £630 million.

It will pave the way for the ESO – the operation which oversees balancing supply and demand in the UK’s electricity grid – to be taken into public hands.

The move is part of the launch of the new National Energy System Operator (NESO) – a public body designed to aid the UK’s clean energy transition and support energy security.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the new body will launch on 1 October following the deal with National Grid.

National Grid said the “final cash consideration” for the sale is still subject to potential adjustments before the deal closes.

The new state-owned body will bring together planning for the UK’s electricity and gas networks under one roof, following the passage of the Energy Act in October last year.

The NESO will be chaired by former E.ON chief executive Paul Golby, with Fintan Slye as its chief executive.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Today marks a milestone for Britain’s energy system as we bring the system operator into public ownership to provide impartial, whole-system expertise on building a network that is fit for the future.

“The new National Energy System Operator has a huge role to play in delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

“This is another step forward by a Government in a hurry to deliver for the British people.”

Labour support drops in first poll since general election

12:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer refuses to rule out axing single-person council tax discount

12:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out scrapping the 25 per cent single-person council tax discount, saying decisions on the public finances had to be looked at “in the round”.

The prime minister said he would not be drawn on the future of the tax break for people who live alone ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget on October 30.

Scrapping the discount could further hit some pensioners living alone who have already suffered the loss of winter fuel payments, but Sir Keir insisted he was not punishing elderly Britons.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils, has argued that cash-strapped authorities should be given the power to vary the single person discount, which is worth about £3 billion a year.

Sir Keir was challenged about the potential impact of scrapping the discount for elderly people who live alone and denied the assertion it was a “punishment beating” for pensioners.

“No, absolutely not,” he told reporters accompanying him on his trip to Washington.

“And let’s just try to quash this now. The Budget is on October 30. So, between now and then, you are all going to ask me questions, as you did before the election, ‘will you rule out X, Y, Z?’

“And knowing that I’m not going to say before the Budget what we’re going to do, you will then write a story saying, ‘refused to rule out X, Y, Z’.

“I’m not going to say before the Budget what we’re going to do.

“That does not mean that I’m ruling in anything that you might be putting to me, it simply means, like every Prime Minister, we’re not going to reveal what’s in the Budget before we get to it.”

But when it was put to him that Ms Reeves had ruled out other potential cash-saving options such as scrapping free bus passes, TV licences and prescriptions, he said: “We’ve got to look at everything in the round.”

Report reveals slower and cheaper alternative to scrapped HS2 route

12:00 , Salma Ouaguira

A slower and cheaper 50-mile railway line could be built in place of a scrapped section of HS2, a new report has revealed.

The alternative route between Staffordshire and Cheshire, which would connect with the east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail, was described as a “golden opportunity” by former HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins.

The report commissioned by mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands said the route would be critical for movements of passengers and freight between the two regions.

Read the full story below:

New report reveals slower and cheaper alternative to scrapped HS2 route

Jenrick vows to lift the ban on new grammar schools and VAT on private schools

11:45 , Salma Ouaguira

Robert Jenrick has promised to lift the ban on opening new grammar schools if he wins the Tory leadership race.

The last Labour government banned the opening of new grammar schools but existing ones are allowed to expand.

Asked if he would scrap Labour’s ban on new grammar schools, Mr Jenrick told Chopper’s Political Podcast: “Yes. My constituents enjoy grammar schools in Lincolnshire. I am a strong supporter of grammar schools.”

He also said he would reverse Labour’s decision to impose VAT on private school fees.

Jenrick warns still ‘long road’ ahead in Tory leadership contest

11:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has warned there is still a “long road” ahead in the contest after tipped as a possible winner.

Asked if he had already won the contest, Mr Jenrick told GB News: “It is a long road, as you know, but I am absolutely delighted to have won so much support from parliamentary colleagues across the party, all wings of the parliamentary Conservative Party.

“And I think the message is resonating with MPs and above all with the members and the general public that the Conservative Party needs to change.”

MPs could face crackdown on paid media roles in blow to Farage

11:20 , Salma Ouaguira

MPs such as Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson’s presenting roles at GB News could be at risk under potential reforms from a new parliamentary body set up to restore trust in politics.

In its election manifesto, the Labour Party committed to establishing a modernisation committee of crossparty MPs tasked with reforming House of Commons procedures and drive up standards.

Following the newly-formed committee’s first meeting this week, chair Lucy Powell – who also serves as Commons leader – set out the body’s key priorities on Thursday, including addressing “cultural issues of bullying and harassment” and giving MPs more opportunity to scrutinise government legislation.

You can read the full story below:

MPs could face crackdown on paid media roles in blow to Farage

POLITICS EXPLAINED | Can the Labour government fix the broken private rental market?

11:15 , Salma Ouaguira

The Renters (Reform) Bill has the potential to radically improve the lives of tenants – but will it work? Sean O’Grady looks at the pros and cons of a landmark piece of legislation:

Can the Labour government fix the broken private rental market?

Sir David Lidington backs Tom Tugendhat for Tory leader

11:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Former Theresa May’s deputy prime minister has endorsed Tom Tugendhat in the Tory leadership race.

Sir David Lidington said he is convinced Mr Tugendhat “has what it takes” to bring the Conservatives back into power.

High court overturns Tory government’s decision to approve new coal mine in Cumbria

11:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The decision to grant planning permission for what would have been the UK’s first coal mine in 30 years has been quashed by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Holgate said in a ruling this morning that giving the go-ahead for the development at Whitehaven in Cumbria was “legally flawed”.

Climate campaign group Friends of the Earth (FoE) and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC) took legal action over the Department for Housing, Communities and Local government’s decision to grant planning permission in 2022.

While the government withdrew its defence in July, the developer of the proposed site, West Cumbria Mining (WCM), continued to oppose the claim.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Holgate said: “The assumption that the proposed mine would not produce a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, or would be a net zero mine, is legally flawed.”

The court heard the mine was dubbed as being net-zero and would extract what is known as metallurgical coal, which is used in steel-making.

It was also told the government had previously accepted that approximately 15 per cent of the coal would be used domestically.

Osborne: Starmer channeling his inner Tony Blair with NHS ‘reform or die’ message

10:50 , Salma Ouaguira

George Osborne has said Sir Keir Starmer has channeled his “inner Tony Blair” with his warning that he would prioritise reform over more public funding for the NHS.

During a major speech yesterday, the prime minister said he will not boost funding until it tackles its failings.

Reacting to The former Tory chancellor told his Political Currency podcast: “What Keir Starmer is saying is his solution is not more money. That is quite a thing for a new Labour prime minister to say.

“He says the NHS has reached a fork in the road, and we can either increase taxes on working people to pay for more of the healthcare required by an ageing society, or we can reform – and then he says it’s a case of ‘reform or die.’

“It felt to me that that’s the first time I’ve heard Starmer summon up his inner Tony Blair. He’s now talking about radical healthcare reform… that’s quite a different message than you have had from the Labour Party in recent years, which is ‘there’s not enough money going into the NHS’.”

Foreign Office: Russia’s accusations against six British diplomats ‘completely baseless”

10:45 , Salma Ouaguira

The Foreign Office has said Russia’s accusations against six British diplomats in Moscow are “completely baseless”

Russia revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of spying. But the Uk has denied the claims.

A spokesperson said: “The accusations made today by the FSB against our staff are completely baseless.

“The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six UK diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the UK government in response to Russian state-directed activity across Europe and in the UK.

“We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.”

The six diplomats left Russia weeks ago and are already being replaced, PA understands.

Russian state television named the six UK diplomats whose accreditation has been revoked.

Rossiya 24 news channel said the embassy employees are Jessica Davenport, Grace Elvin, Callum Andrew Duff, Katharine Mcdonnell, Thomas John Hickson and Blake Patel, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Dame Rantzen urges Starmer to consider assisted dying vote in parliament

10:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Dame Esther Rantzen has made direct a plea to Sir Keir Starmer to remember a conversation the pair had about allowing time for a debate in Parliament on assisted dying.

She said the issue “really is a matter of life and death”.

Dame Esther told Sky News: “He did say to me, rather sweetly – I had a phone call conversation with him – that he hoped I’d be alive to see the debate. So, I just want to remind him, just gently, you know, nothing bossy, just quietly. Dear Sir Keir, whom I’ve met and have worked with, could you possibly recall your kind words to me and make it come true?”

Without a change in the law, the broadcaster said she and others who are terminally ill could face “a bad death” or their families could face police questioning should she decide to go to Dignitas.

She said: “What we’re hoping for is proper time to discuss the issues, have the free vote and change this cruel law.

“I call it cruel, because not only at the moment does it mean that I’ve got to have a bad death, if that’s what the cancer creates for me, but my family can’t be with me if I decide to go to Dignitas. Because otherwise they are liable to being accused of killing me and they get investigated by the police, so that’s just messy and wrong and not what we want.

“So, please Sir Keir, remember our conversation and let’s make time for this. It really is a matter of life and death.”

Dame Esther Rantzen welcomes citizens’ jury verdict on assisted dying

10:35 , Salma Ouaguira

Dame Esther Rantzen has welcomed the verdict of a citizens’ jury on assisted dying, after a majority said it should be permitted in England.

The broadcaster and Childline founder, who is living with terminal cancer, described the current law as a “cruel mess”.

She told Sky News: “It didn’t surprise me, of course, because every public survey has come out showing a vast majority in favour of change, because the law at the moment is a cruel mess.

“But I was grateful for this (vote) because we have to keep it at the top of the agenda. Because, you know, events happen, politicians forget. They take other things as their priority.

“We who really care about this, need it, and for whom time is running out – particularly people like me with a terminal diagnosis – really want the law to permit us to have the choice over our own lives.

“Indeed, this is not to shorten life, it is to shorten death.”

Citizens’ jury support of assisted dying provides ‘missing piece of evidence’

10:23 , Salma Ouaguira

A public panel’s decision that assisted dying should be permitted in England provides “the missing piece of evidence” in the debate, the director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics said.

The council put the so-called “citizens’ jury” together, with a final vote cast by 28 jury members, with 20 agreeing that the law should change after eight weeks of deliberation.

The council’s director Danielle Hamm told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This is the missing piece of evidence and it’s the missing piece because it provides that really deep nuance around people’s judgments and why people have reached that decision, and it gives policymakers the information they need to really fully understand where the British public’s attitudes lies.

“It’s not just what people think, it’s why, and their nuanced views, their reasoning and how they’ve reached this decision.

“We’re publishing this interim report now because we know this is a live policy debate across England and the UK more widely, and we hope that this information will be used by decision makers to inform the debate and the conversation on assisted dying.”

Breaking: Prison population falls by more than 2,000 in one week after overcrowding plan

10:18 , Salma Ouaguira

The prion population in England and Wales has dropped by more than 2,000 people in just one week, days after Labour’s plan to reduce overcrowding kicked off.

The temporary early release scheme, which started on 10 September, would see around 1,750 prisoners released after serving 40 per sent of their sentence.

On Friday the prison population was 88, 521, but the figure has today been reduced by 2,188, to 86,333.

Starmer ducks Trump cats and dogs row but promises photo of new kitten

10:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has promised to publish a picture of the new Siberian kitten in Downing Street as he tried to avoid commenting on the “cats and dogs” row inspired by Donald Trump during the recent presidential debate.

The prime minister is heading to the White House for a key bilateral summit with Joe Biden on Ukraine and the Middle East but his trip was already overshadowed by the fallout from the US election.

The debate earlier this week saw the former president claim that migrants in Springfield, Ohio “are eating dogs, they’re eating cats, they’re eating the pets of the people who live there. This is happening in America”.

Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:

Starmer ducks Trump cats and dogs row but promises photo of new Downing Street kitten

Lib Dems criticise Labour over failure to carry out winter fuel assessment on pensioners

10:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The Liberal Democrats have slammed the government for failing to assess the impact of the winter fuel payments cut.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that a full impact assessment on the new measures had not been done.

Lib Dem’s work and pensions spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain said: “It is absolutely unthinkable that this new Government would push through a cut to winter fuel payments without an impact assessment.

“We know this will have massive knock-on effects for pensioners and potentially our NHS this winter as people are forced to choose between heating and eating.

“It’s not too late for ministers to change course. Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to tax the big banks rather than punish pensioners to make up for the years of Conservative Party failure.”

Ex-BoE economist brands Labour’s black hole claim ‘unnecessary and unhelpful’

09:50 , Salma Ouaguira

A former Bank of England economist has slammed the chancellor’s claim of a £22 billion “black hole” in government finances left by the Tories.

Anfy Haldane said the accusation is “unnecessary and probably unhelpful economically”.

He said Rachel Reeves’ statement was a “bad idea” as it caused a feeling of “fear and foreboding” just when the UK market found confidence among investors.

Mr Haldane told Sky News: “It’s one thing to reveal a black hole, if that indeed is what it is. But just leaving that to sit for three months I think was a bad idea.

“That’s generated a fear and foreboding and uncertainty among consumers, among businesses, among investors which is unfortunate because just after the election, there was a sense of refresh, a sense of renewal, a confidence about the UK both domestically and internationally.

“That [speech] just set it back on its heels a bit, which I felt was unnecessary alongside the partial measures that were taken which I think have also aroused some concerns about what might come next.”

Farage says Labour doesn’t have ‘the guts’ to deliver major NHS reform

09:45 , Salma Ouaguira

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused the Labour Party of being unable to deliver a major overhaul of the NHS.

Sir Keir Starmer claimed the health service had to “reform or die” following the damning Lord Darzi report.

Criticising the government’s intentions to improve the servive, Mr Farage told GB News: “But I wonder, just how radical is the Labour Party going to be? Now Wes Streeting the health secretary wrote a piece in The Times last year that I found really very, very encouraging.

“But will his boss really let him put in place the reforms that are needed? Well, I don’t think so. And here’s why, here’s Starmer from again this morning: ‘So the problem isn’t that the NHS is the wrong model. It’s the right model. It’s just not taking advantage of the opportunities in front of it, and that’s what we need to change.’

“Well, I don’t agree with that. I think the model is wrong. I think the funding model is wrong. The principle of healthcare being free at the point of delivery, that’s all anybody cares about. I don’t think the Labour Party actually has got the guts to do it.”

Government to use Online Safety Act to crackdown on revenge porn

09:32 , Salma Ouaguira

The sharing of revenge porn is to be classified as the most serious type of online offence under the Online Safety Act, meaning social media platforms will now have to take steps proactively to remove it, the government has said.

The change to the law will see the sharing of intimate images without consent upgraded to be made a priority offence under the new online safety rules, which are due to come into force from spring next year.

Under the laws, material considered a priority offence – which also includes public order offences and the sale of weapons and drugs online – must not only be removed when it is found online, but platforms must also proactively remove it and take steps to prevent it from appearing in the first place – with large fines for those who fail to do so.

The government said it hoped the crackdown would help drive the development of new and existing technologies to help keep people safer online, while also helping to tackle sexual offending and the normalisation of misogynistic material being shared online.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said he hoped requiring social media platforms to take more proactive action would “drive behaviour change”.

He said: “What I’m trying to do is, rather than just see action once an offence had been committed and the damage has been done to a victim, is to try and change behaviour that will prevent it happening in the first place.”

Russia expels six British diplomats it accuses of spying and sabotage

09:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Russia has revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow, accusing them of spying and sabotage.

As president Vladimir Putin warned that Nato will be at war with Moscow if Western nations allow Ukraine to use their long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory, Russia’s FSB security service accused British diplomats of working to ensure Moscow’s defeat in the 30-month conflict.

Read the full story below:

Russia expels six British diplomats it accuses of spying and sabotage

COMMENT | Will letting Ukraine use long-range missiles push Putin over edge?

09:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Granting permission to Kyiv to fire Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russia could result in a token nuclear strike in retaliation – but history suggests it unlikely, says Mark Almond:

Will letting Ukraine use long-range missiles push Putin over the edge?

Cleverly: Conservatives need to change perception they are ‘negative’

09:03 , Salma Ouaguira

James Cleverly has said he wants to tacjle the perception that the Tories are “angry” or “grumpy”.

The Tory leadership contender urged members of the Conservative party to shift the they way they are perceived by voters to win new ones.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Political Thinking podcast: “I want to break this artificial perception that being conservative means you are angry or negative or moany or grumpy.

“Because it just turns people off. It is running contrary to the mood of a lot of people that we need to win over, particularly younger voters.”

Poll: Sharp dip in public backing for Starmer after winter fuel payments row

08:56 , Salma Ouaguira

A new poll has revealed public opinion for Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves has fallen sharply.

It comes as Labour faced criticism for slashing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

The Ipsos survey found 32 per cent of people saw the prime minister favourably, which represents a six per cent point drop since August.

Thos who view Sir Keir unfavourably increased by eight points to 46 per cent over the same time perios, leaving a score of minus 14 compared with a net score of zero in August.

The chancellor, who has also been pressured over the upcoming October Budget, has seen her favourability fall by four points to 23 per cent.

The number of poeple who view the Labour party in a positive light has also fallen by four points to 36 per cent.

COMMENT | What Starmer’s Washington visit could mean for Ukraine

08:45 , Salma Ouaguira

The prime minister’s trip to the White House could provide an answer to President Zelensky’s prayers to use Western-made long-range missiles, writes Mary Dejevsky:

For once, a UK prime minister’s visit to Washington could offer more than the usual formulaic courtesies and obligatory references to the “special relationship”. Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with President Biden at the White House could provide the opportunity for the US to announce that it is acceding to Ukraine’s long-standing pleas to use US- and UK-supplied missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.

It is a perilous moment, and those with longer memories might sense the ghosts of another fateful UK-US encounter haunting the scene: the meeting between Tony Blair and George W Bush at Camp David in September 2002, where Blair gave Bush a degree of international cover, in the form of his unconditional support, for the invasion of Iraq.

Read Mary Dejevsky’s full opinion piece below:

What Starmer’s Washington visit could mean for Ukraine

Independent readers divided over Keir Starmer’s decision to suspend some arm sales to Israel

08:30 , Salma Ouaguira

While some viewed the arms suspension as a mere ‘token gesture’ that doesn’t go far enough, others argued Israel has a right to defend itself.

Here’s what you had to say:

Readers divided over Starmer’s partial suspension of arm sales to Israel

VOICES | The one glaring omission from the devastating report into the NHS? Brexit

08:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The latest review of the health service is a substantial, thoroughgoing and even radical piece of work, writes Sean O’Grady. But it doesn’t mention the 2016 referendum once – despite its enormous impact.

The one glaring omission from the devastating report into the NHS

Putin issues warning about Storm Shadow missiles

08:17 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden are set to agree on a deal to allow Ukraine to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

But President Putin said such a move would mean that Russia would be “at war with Nato”.

“So this is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question of deciding whether or not Nato countries are directly involved in a military conflict,” Mr Putin told Russian state TV.

In response, Sir Keir told journalists on the flight to Washington DC: “First, to reiterate, it was Russia who started this in the first place. They caused the conflict, they’re the ones who are acting unlawfully. And Ukraine obviously has the right to self-defence.

“That is why we have been providing training and capability. And, you know, there are obviously further discussions to be had about the nature of that capability.

“What I want to do is make sure that those discussions, tactical discussions, are set in the proper strategic context of the situation in Ukraine. And there are, equally, tactical issues in relation to the Middle East, which need to be set in a context which is strategic, not just tactical.”

Where is Keir Starmer today?

08:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer is in Washington DC to meet the US President Joe Biden to discuss conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine.

The prime minister has a packed agenda at the White House today where he will meet Mr Biden with Kyiv’s request to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

The bilateral summit has been carefully choreographed with foreign secretary David Lammy and US secretary of state Antony Blinken making a joint visit to Kyiv this week.

It is understood that the prime minister and the president want to thrash out a long-term victory plan for Ukraine.

Starmer stares down Putin as he and Biden prepare missiles decision

08:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer defiantly stared down a threat of retaliation by Vladimir Putin as he flew out to Washington DC for talks with Joe Biden on the Ukraine war.

The prime minister and the US president are believed to be on the cusp of allowing Kyiv to open up a new front in the war with Russia by using Western Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

But in a message apparently timed for when Sir Keir and his entourage were over the Atlantic on their way to the US, President Putin said such a move would mean that Russia would be “at war with Nato”.

Our political editor David Maddox reports from Washington DC:

Starmer defies Putin as he and Biden prepare to escalate Ukraine war with missiles

Ed Miliband says new energy grid ‘marks a milestone’

08:04 , Salma Ouaguira

The energy secretary has praised the move to bring the National Energy System Operator into public ownership.

He said: “Today marks a milestone for Britain’s energy system as we bring the system operator into public ownership to provide impartial, whole-system expertise on building a network that is fit for the future.

“The new National Energy System Operator has a huge role to play in delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

“This is another step forward by a government in a hurry to deliver for the British people.”

John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said: “We look forward to working together with NESO to continue to drive the UK’s energy transition forward at pace; accelerating the decarbonisation of the energy system for the digital, electrified economies of the future.”

Labour to nationalise National Grid’s Electricity System Operator

08:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The government is to bring National Grid’s Electricity System Operator arm into public ownership after striking a deal worth £630 million.

The move is part of the launch of the new National Energy System Operator (NESO) – a public body designed to aid the UK’s clean energy transition and support energy security.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the new body will launch on 1 October following the deal with National Grid.

National Grid said the “final cash consideration” for the sale is still subject to potential adjustments before the deal closes.

Pictured: Keir Starmer arrives to Washington DC

07:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Minister urges Putin to end war now

07:44 , Salma Ouaguira

Science and technology secretary has suggested the west should not listen to Vladimir Putin’s threats.

Peter Kyle told Sky News: “President Putin has continually made threats, but the bottom line has never changed in this.

“If this war could end quickly, it could do so because of President Putin, who could decide to win this war straight away.

“He started the war. He did so in an illegal way. He did so in an unprovoked way. He could end the war by just turning off the aggression that he’s shown consistently since the very beginning. And return this continent to peace.

“I urge him to do so.”

Minister: Starmer and Biden to discuss Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons

07:38 , Salma Ouaguira

Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle has confrimed Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Bifen will discuss Ukraine’s demand to use Western long-range missiles in Russia.

During their meeting at the White House today, both leaders will cover topics of Ukraine and Palestine.

The minister told Sky News: “That is clearly going to be one of the items that they’re going to discuss. I think they want to discuss Ukraine in the round.

“I think they want to understand where the conflict has got to. They want to try to understand, you know, the behaviour of President Putin.

“He’s increasingly erratic. His volatility is causing huge instability, not just in Ukraine and the immediate region, but around the world as well.

“I know that the two leaders are going to want to get together and talk about that, but also all of the big things that are happening in the world at the moment.”

UK national debt could reach nearly 300% of GDP in next 50 years

07:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The UK’s national debt is on an “unsustainable path” and is set to nearly triple in relation to the economy over the next 50 years, the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned.

Public debt is currently at its highest since the early 1960s, sitting at a total of some £2.7trn – equating to around 99.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Read the full story below:

UK national debt could reach nearly 300% of GDP in next 50 years

Winter fuel payments: Starmer admits no impact assessment has been carried out

07:20 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted there has been no impact assessment of how the decision to cut pensioners of winter fuel payments will affect them.

The prime minister said he had not been shown any reports about the consequences of his decision.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to Washington DC, he said: “There isn’t a report on my desk which somehow we’re not showing, that I’m not showing, as simple as that.”

Sir Keir said his cabinet was not legally obliged to carry out an official assessment of the plan to be done in advance.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “There are clear rules on this that we followed carefully.”