Ministers intend to tighten entry rules for applicants from nations deemed likely to overstay and claim refuge, aiming to reduce costs and address concerns about misuse of work and study permissions.

The EU’s rejection of a data-sharing request has undercut attempts to tighten migrant controls, prompting renewed calls for broader cooperation at Westminster.

Nigel Farage is considering a move for No 10 after his party’s strong local election performance, asserting that the results demonstrate a significant blow to the traditional two-party structure.

An aide has been dismissed after inadvertently adding a reporter to a sensitive messaging group concerning possible airstrikes, raising questions over the safeguarding of classified details.