Labour will revisit compensation for WASPI women, signalling a potential U-turn after accepting earlier findings should have been considered. Campaigners seek £10,000 each for 3.6m affected by state pension age changes. Backers hail progress; the Tories accuse delay, with decisions likely around the Budget.
Ministers are weighing alternatives to the BBC licence fee after an editorial row triggered a $1bn legal threat from the US President. The BBC chair apologised and the director-general resigned, intensifying concerns over leadership and relevance as some push a subscription model.
BBC director-general Tim Davie resigned after a programme about the US President used an edited clip, sparking bias claims. BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness also quit. A leaked memo showed pressure to address alleged systemic bias. Davie said he took ultimate responsibility.
Labour MPs are discussing a potential leadership challenge to Starmer, triggered by frustration with No 10 and plans to raise income tax in the forthcoming Budget. Meetings among backbenchers reportedly explored candidates and timing, though senior figures urge caution and say no move is imminent.
New deputy leader Lucy Powell urges the PM and Chancellor to drop planned income tax rises, warning they would breach Labour’s manifesto and erode trust. She also backs scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Ministers hit back, saying circumstances have changed and Reeves has set out the case.
Authorities are searching for detainees mistakenly released, including an Algerian individual accused of misconduct who was due for removal; the error went unnoticed for a week. Another inmate was freed in a separate case. Deputy PM David Lammy faces questions over the errors.
Rachel Reeves signalled a possible basic-rate income tax rise in the Budget, the first since 1975, to raise up to £30bn. In a pre-Budget speech she said everyone will need to contribute and declined to renew Labour’s pledge not to raise income tax, NI or VAT. Economists suggest a 2p increase.
Rachel Reeves will use a pre‑Budget speech to hint at major tax rises, potentially including income tax, to shore up the public finances. The plan could breach Labour’s manifesto pledge. No 10 backs candour on the fiscal challenge as ministers seek support ahead of the Budget.
Police will step up patrols on the rail network after an incident on a Doncaster–London service left 11 in hospital, including an LNER staff member who intervened. A man is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. It is not being treated as terror-related; the driver’s swift stop at Huntingdon was praised.
Prince Andrew is set to receive a £558k payment over Royal Lodge, but Buckingham Palace says extensive remedial works after damp and mould were found—estimated at about £1m—could affect or outweigh the sum.