Politics

Surprise scenes were witnessed in North Yorkshire today as protesters from Greenpeace climbed on to the roof of Rishi Sunak’s manor house to demonstrate against his oil and gas policies. The group knew the prime minister and his family were away, but as well as attracting a lot of media attention, the action has raised
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A future pandemic, Russia’s potential to disrupt global energy supplies and extreme weather are among 89 threats the government has identified to the UK’s security. The Cabinet Office has updated the national risk register to help the public prepare for “worst-case scenarios” that could strike the country. Other threats include the malicious use of drones
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HS2 has been rated as “unachievable” as part of an annual report from a government watchdog. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) gave the first two phases of the troubled high speed rail project a “red” rating, saying the whole plan may need to be “reassessed”. The project has been hit by ever-increasing costs –
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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
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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
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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
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For someone who’s supposed to be a details man, Rishi Sunak clearly doesn’t like being subjected to forensic interrogation. At a painful appearance before the Infected Blood Inquiry, it didn’t help the prime minister’s mood when he was loudly heckled early on by members of the public listening to his evidence. But it got worse
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Rishi Sunak is planning to delay energy efficiency targets for rented homes following pressure from landlords about the cost of the improvements. The overhaul is part of a wider review of the government’s environmental policies, which some Tory MPs fear are too expensive and will hurt the party’s chances at the next general election. Politics
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The Conservatives have suffered two by-election defeats in what had been seen as safe seats. Labour won in the constituency of Selby and Ainsty, while the Liberal Democrats triumphed in Somerton and Frome. The opposition parties both overturned Tory majorities of about 20,000 – as polling experts said the results meant “deep electoral trouble” for
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Polls will open today at 7am for three by-elections across the country, as voters decide who they want to represent them in parliament. The seats of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London, Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire, and Somerton and Frome in Somerset, will all be up for grabs, with polls closing at
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