Politics

Asylum seekers could start being housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge as soon as today – with the government announcing further measures to combat illegal migration. About 50 people are expected to be in the first group of migrants to board the vessel docked in Portland Port, Dorset, despite local opposition. Inside the Bibby Stockholm

The Labour Party has said it would have “no choice” but to continue housing asylum seekers on barges and ex-military bases if it forms the next government. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said Labour would “inherit a mess” if it wins the next election and that it would have to “deal with the infrastructure that

Facebook, TikTok and Twitter will team up with UK law enforcement to crack down on posts by people smugglers encouraging migrants to cross the English Channel, the government says. Rishi Sunak, who has made cutting the number of small boats arriving on UK shores one of his “five pledges”, said the new partnerships with various social

A gym-goer has said she was shocked as she claimed Rishi Sunak turned up to a SoulCycle class on Friday. The prime minister is currently on holiday in California, saying earlier in the week it’s his first family trip away in several years. But after being pictured on Santa Monica Pier and visiting Disneyland, he

Boris Johnson has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to protect newts that have threatened his plans to build an outdoor swimming pool at his Oxfordshire country manor. The former prime minister promised to build a “Newtopia”, consisting of “newt motels”, for the amphibians who have taken residence at the Grade II-listed Brightwell Manor he shares with

Eddie Izzard has launched a campaign to become Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion. The comedian is aiming to be selected as Labour’s candidate for the seat at the next general election, when the Green Party’s only MP Caroline Lucas is standing down. Izzard, who also goes by the name of Suzy, announced the move in

The government is turning to the private sector in an attempt to cut NHS waiting lists. Thirteen new community diagnostics centres (CDCs) will be opened across England to carry out an additional 742,000 scans, checks and tests per year. Eight of the new facilities will be operated by the private sector – but despite this,

Greenpeace activists have covered Rishi Sunak’s £2m mansion in oil-black fabric after climbing on to the roof of the property in Yorkshire. Two of the environmental campaign group’s activists also unfurled a banner with the words “Rishi Sunak – Oil Profits or Our Future?” across the grass in front of the manor house. The group

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

Delays to moving asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are now being caused by checks on working practices, Sky News understands. A Home Office source confirmed reports that fire safety issues did lead to initial setbacks, saying a door had been put on the wrong way round. But now that has been fixed, there

Asylum seekers could be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge next week, Sky News understands. The vessel, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start accepting arrivals last week, but was pushed back. Sky News reported that the first people would then move on to the

Margaret Ferrier has lost her parliamentary seat following a successful recall petition. A by-election will now be called for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in Scotland. Ms Ferrier was ruled to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and put people at risk when she took part in a debate at Westminster after travelling

Asylum seekers will not be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as planned after last minute meetings responding to fire safety concerns, Sky News understands. However, there is still a possibility that they could be moved on to the barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset,

Rishi Sunak has defended his use of private jets for trips within the UK, saying it was “the most efficient use of my time”. The prime minister has faced growing criticism for taking non-commercial flights instead of using more sustainable transport when heading out of Downing Street to make announcements or carry out visits. Recent

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 –

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

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

Tory MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to “get off the fence” and tell Sadiq Khan to axe the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) after a court ruled the plans are lawful. Government ministers stressed the matter was out of their hands as they turned their attention to the Labour leader’s

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

The Home Office has bought marquees to accommodate 2,000 migrants at disused military sites by the end of August, Sky News understands. The tents will start to be erected over the coming weeks as part of emergency plans to deal with an expected surge of Channel crossings. According to The Times, which first reported on