David Hughes
UK
Universal theme park set to open an hour from London in 2031
Some 8.5 million visitors are expected to visit the resort, on the site of a former brickworks near Bedford, in its first year
By David Hughes
9 Apr 2025
Politics
Starmer vows to put ‘builders not blockers first’ with changes to planning rules
Angela Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer have set out changes to councils’ housebuilding targets which could see green belt land developed.
By David Hughes
12 Dec 2024
Politics
Tories question £13m extra funding for UN’s Gaza aid agency
Sir Keir Starmer committed the extra money at a meeting with the head of UNRWA.
By David Hughes
11 Dec 2024
Politics
Spending squeeze ‘could cost more than 10,000 Civil Service jobs’
Ministers want the Civil Service to be ‘more efficient and effective’.
By David Hughes
11 Dec 2024
Politics
Savings target different to Osborne’s austerity-era cuts, says Reeves
The Chancellor said there would be a ‘real-terms increase’ in Government spending despite departments being told to meet the target.
By David Hughes
10 Dec 2024
Business News
No 10 insists Government backs farmers in face of looming tractor protest
Hundreds of tractors are expected in Westminster on Wednesday as farmers continue to protest against the Budget inheritance tax changes.
By David Hughes
10 Dec 2024
Politics
Cost of ministerial folders revealed as Chancellor launches spending crackdown
Rachel Reeves wants departments to find 5% savings in their budgets, with spending prioritised on key areas.
By David Hughes
10 Dec 2024
Politics
Reeves to take ‘iron fist’ to waste as departments challenged to find 5% savings
The Chancellor said finding ways to save money would allow resources to be focused on the Government’s priorities.
By David Hughes
10 Dec 2024
Politics
Starmer defends seeking investment from ‘key partner’ Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was pressed to raise human rights concerns during his talks with Mohammad bin Salman
By David Hughes
10 Dec 2024
Politics
PM says ‘no decision pending’ on removal of Syrian rebel group from banned list
A Cabinet minister had earlier suggested a decision on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham could be taken quickly.
By David Hughes
9 Dec 2024
Business News
Reeves pushes for closer trade ties with EU in Brussels talks
The Chancellor said economic growth was not a ‘zero-sum game’ and could benefit both the UK and EU.
By David Hughes
9 Dec 2024
Politics
Starmer has economy as top priority on Saudi trip amid human rights concerns
Sir Keir Starmer was meeting Mohammad bin Salman on the latest leg of his Middle East trip.
By David Hughes
9 Dec 2024
Politics
UK will make ‘swift’ decision on banned Syrian group, minister says
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said the situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime was uncertain.
By David Hughes
9 Dec 2024
Politics
Starmer denies watering down green power target in new ‘plan for change’
The Government has promised to be ‘on track to at least 95% clean power by 2030’.
By David Hughes
5 Dec 2024
Business News
Starmer vows to take on ‘alliance of naysayers’ with planning reform
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to push through decisions on major infrastructure projects.
By David Hughes
5 Dec 2024
Politics
The six ‘milestones’ set out in Starmer’s ‘plan for change’
Sir Keir Starmer said the targets would allow voters to hold the Government to account.
By David Hughes
5 Dec 2024
Politics
Starmer promises his ‘plan for change’ will improve people’s lives
Sir Keir Starmer is setting out a series of targets to measure progress on his Government’s key missions.
By David Hughes
5 Dec 2024
Politics
Lammy tells Nato members to ‘get serious’ about increased defence spending
Foreign Secretary David Lammy pointed to the UK’s own commitment to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP, although no timetable has been set for that.
By David Hughes
4 Dec 2024
Tech
‘Broader and deeper’ online risk to UK from criminals and state-backed hackers
The head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Horne, said the reliance on technology meant the risk from attack was greater.
By David Hughes
3 Dec 2024
Politics
Cyber risk facing UK being ‘widely underestimated’, security chief warns
National Cyber Security Centre chief Richard Horne will warn of the dangers posed by countries including Russia and China as well as online criminals.
By David Hughes
3 Dec 2024
Politics
Covid campaigners criticise Wormald’s promotion to Civil Service top job
Sir Chris Wormald will leave his role as the senior official at the Department of Health and Social Care to become the new Cabinet Secretary.
By David Hughes
2 Dec 2024