The government department overseeing national defence and military forces
The government has pledged to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. Ministers are navigating funding options—tax rises, spending cuts or borrowing—while the Defence Investment Plan awaits publication ahead of NATO talks. Healey has criticized the pace of spending growth, urging clearer funding paths.
The Makerfield by-election has intensified as Labour faces a challenge from Reform UK led by Nigel Farage, with growing support for Rupert Lowe’s faction and external scrutiny from tech and political figures. Defence and security concerns loom as Healey’s resignation compounds leadership tensions within Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
Prime Minister Starmer warns that the Middle East conflict will affect the UK economy and household costs. The government is implementing support measures, including a crisis fund and energy bill caps, as it monitors escalating global tensions and their economic fallout.
The UK government has stopped in-country assistance for relocating eligible Afghans who worked with British forces, directing them to seek relocation via third countries. The move comes as MPs, lawyers, and advocates warn of hardship and risk for Afghan allies left behind, with ongoing debates over safety and access to asylum.
The global conversation on unidentified anomalous phenomena has intensified as researchers publish new findings and institutions formalize collaboration. A Guardian feature traces shifts in policy and public interest, while related reporting underscores ongoing interest in official programs and whistleblower disclosures.
The UK has intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel. Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded the oil tanker Smyrtos during a six-hour operation. The vessel will be monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue. Leaders say the move signals a strong stance against Russia's war in Ukraine.