Head of government; leader of the cabinet in parliamentary systems
Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as prime minister and asked Labour to open nominations on 9 July, with a new leader in place by September. Andy Burnham’s Makerfield victory and Wes Streeting’s withdrawal have left Burnham the clear front-runner to replace him; Labour faces a rapid leadership handover.
The UK government has announced plans to bar under‑16s from major social platforms and to restrict risky features, including livestreaming, stranger‑to‑stranger chats and romantic AI chatbots for under‑18s. Ministers say the measures will start next spring; critics warn the ban is rushed, risks driving children to unregulated services and could face legal challenges.
The government has convened emergency meetings with the Bank of England to assess the war’s economic impact as oil prices surge. Ministers warn that higher energy, food and flight prices are likely to persist for eight months after the conflict ends, with contingency plans for CO2 shortages and supply-chain disruption.
The Mandelson files have been published, revealing extensive private communications with the prime minister and other officials. The government says disappearing messages are allowed if they do not affect record-keeping, while critics warn about gaps in transparency as MPs push for full disclosure.
The government has announced a three-month AI tutoring trial and an AI bootcamp scheme to help young people enter work, backed by over 50 firms. The package targets Neets (1.25m at risk) and includes a “Jobcentre in your pocket” concept and regional investment, as Labour and ministers push a pro-growth, pro-worker agenda.
Major UK retailers have written to the prime minister, coordinated by the British Retail Consortium, urging a review of policies on national insurance, the national living wage, and employment rights to boost youth employment. The move follows Neets data showing over one million 16-24-year-olds not in work or education. Government is rolling out a youth employment package and new payments to support entry-level hiring.
Defence ministers are negotiating funding for the Defence Investment Plan as the government considers how to meet targets for defence spending. The debate has moved from initial allocations to how to fund a sustained increase while balancing other public budgets.
The government has moved to tighten online safety rules after FOI data links more than 100,000 offences on Snapchat to sexual exploitation. Ministers are preparing an Australian-style ban for under-16s and are weighing curbs on addictive features and AI chatbots. The consultation drew around 120,000 responses, underscoring public concern.
Defence Minister Healey has resigned amid conflict over the Defence Investment Plan, pressuring Prime Minister Starmer as by-elections loom. Ministers warn that funding and readiness must rise to meet growing threats, while Burnham mulls a leadership bid.