The King has removed Andrew’s remaining titles, told him to leave Royal Lodge and relocate to Sandringham. He will be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The decision follows continued fallout from his association with Jeffrey Epstein; his accuser’s family welcomed the move.
David Lammy says Britain is not a racist country despite facing prejudice growing up. Marking Black History Month, the Deputy PM and justice secretary criticised Reform, accusing it of fuelling division, praising communities that confronted hate and urging unity over fear.
An OBR productivity downgrade has opened a £20bn gap, leaving Rachel Reeves to choose between higher income tax or spending cuts in the 26 Nov Budget. Economists, including the IFS, argue that multiple smaller tax rises to protect a pledge would cause unnecessary economic damage.
Rachel Reeves is warned that a mooted mansion tax, an annual 1% levy on property value above £2m, would not plug the £50bn fiscal gap. Economists and Labour MPs call for wider property‑tax reform, including changes to stamp duty, ahead of the autumn Budget.
A drone unit south of Zaporizhzhia conducts precision night missions from an underground command post, using small unmanned aircraft to locate and neutralise opposing units. Operators detail methods and Western support that strengthen defence, disrupt supply lines and deter further incursions.
Rachel Reeves is under pressure to raise the top rate of income tax to plug a £30bn–£40bn hole in the public finances, despite a pledge to avoid broad tax rises. Options include a 5p increase on the 45p rate, though the IFS notes this might raise only about £1bn by 2029–30.
Labour lost the Caerphilly by-election, ceding a century-old stronghold to Plaid Cymru and falling to third behind Reform. Allies warned the PM his position is fragile, with pollsters saying time is running out to reset. He said he was deeply disappointed and vowed to do more.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the BMA’s plan for five days of resident doctors’ strikes next month, calling it a ‘slap in the face’ for NHS staff and patients. Citing a 28.9% rise last year, he accuses the union of rushing to action and says the only political winner would be Nigel Farage.
Labour’s “one in, one out” migration plan is under strain after a person deported to France reportedly returned by small boat. Channel arrivals this year have already exceeded last year’s total, while only 42 people have been sent back since July. The PM faces fresh criticism.
Rachel Reeves says leaving the EU has harmed the economy more than expected, adding avoidable costs for firms. With about a month until the Budget, she signals tax rises to tackle a deficit of up to £50bn and plans to rebuild relations with Brussels to ease trade frictions.