UK News

The Prime Minister has insisted he will fight any leadership contest, after Andy Burnham won a by-election to return to Westminster (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Starmer insists he will stand in any leadership contest, following Burnham win

Janice Nix, 67, was found guilty of the manslaughter of five-year-old Andrea Bernard by punishing her with a scalding hot bath in Thornton Heath, south London, in 1978 (Handout/PA)

Janice Nix, 67, was found guilty of the manslaughter of five-year-old Andrea Bernard by punishing her with a scalding hot bath in Thornton Heath, south London, in 1978 (Handout/PA)

Stepmother jailed for manslaughter of girl in scalding bath in 1978

Susan Smith, left, of For Women Scotland welcomed the ruling (PA)

Susan Smith, left, of For Women Scotland welcomed the ruling (PA)

Housing trans inmates in women’s jails ‘unlawful’, judge rules

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at Ashton Town FC in Ashton-in-Makerfield, after winning the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons (Peter Byrne/PA)

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at Ashton Town FC in Ashton-in-Makerfield, after winning the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons (Peter Byrne/PA)

Could Burnham’s win mean Starmer’s days in No 10 are numbered?

Scotland fans in Boston ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco on Friday. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026.

Scotland fans in Boston ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Scotland and Morocco on Friday. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026.

Scotland fans not worried by train allocation slots for Morocco game

The impact of Iran war pressures on UK public finances has been laid bare as official figures showed government borrowing lifted to a higher-than-expected £23.3 billion last month after debt interest costs surged to a record May high.

The impact of Iran war pressures on UK public finances has been laid bare as official figures showed government borrowing lifted to a higher-than-expected £23.3 billion last month after debt interest costs surged to a record May high.

UK Government borrowing jumps as debt interest costs hit record May high

Police outside Johnsons of Old Hurst following the incident (PA)

Police outside Johnsons of Old Hurst following the incident (PA)

Arrested man released after boy, three, injured in crocodile enclosure at zoo

David Campbell murdered Brian Low on February 16, 2024 (Police Scotland/PA)

David Campbell murdered Brian Low on February 16, 2024 (Police Scotland/PA)

Ex-gamekeeper refused leave to appeal against murder conviction

Smoke plumes after the crash (Debbie Reyes Katz via AP)

Smoke plumes after the crash (Debbie Reyes Katz via AP)

Eight dead after B-52 bomber crashes at California air base

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking to the media outside St Aidan’s Parish Centre in Wigan, on Thursday (Peter Byrne/PA)

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking to the media outside St Aidan’s Parish Centre in Wigan, on Thursday (Peter Byrne/PA)

Farage issues plea to voters who backed Restore after Reform by-election loss

Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon (AP)

Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon (AP)

Israeli military strikes southern Lebanon amid intense fighting

Chancellor Rachel Reeves with chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences, Mark Woodbury (Toby Melville/PA)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves with chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences, Mark Woodbury (Toby Melville/PA)

Universal unveils UK theme park name and logo as £7.3bn investment announced

Andy Burnham has been elected as the new MP for Makerfield (Peter Byrne/PA)

Andy Burnham has been elected as the new MP for Makerfield (Peter Byrne/PA)

Gilt yields climb after Burnham election and rise in state borrowing

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham is declared the winner of the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Friday June 19, 2026.

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham is declared the winner of the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Friday June 19, 2026.

Andy Burnham says Makerfield win can be ‘turning point’ for British politics

Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander messaged Lord Mandelson (Henry Nicholls/PA)

Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander messaged Lord Mandelson (Henry Nicholls/PA)

SNP calls for probe into Scottish Secretary over Mandelson meeting

Douglas Lumsden won Thursday’s contest (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Douglas Lumsden won Thursday’s contest (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Tories in ‘seismic’ by-election win as Flynn calls for SNP reflection

Andy Burnham’s majority over Reform in Makerfield was 9,231, nearly 4,000 more than Labour’s majority in 2024 (Peter Byrne)

Andy Burnham’s majority over Reform in Makerfield was 9,231, nearly 4,000 more than Labour’s majority in 2024 (Peter Byrne)

Makerfield by-election result: Key numbers and historical trends

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Friday June 19, 2026.

Labour party candidate Andy Burnham at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Friday June 19, 2026.

Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election to set up challenge to Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Switzerland’s Federal President Guy Parmelin (not pictured) meet during the G7 summit in Evian, France. Picture date: Tuesday June 16, 2026.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Switzerland’s Federal President Guy Parmelin (not pictured) meet during the G7 summit in Evian, France. Picture date: Tuesday June 16, 2026.

Could Burnham’s win mean Starmer’s days in No 10 are numbered?

The Government said its ‘full roadmap’ for house buying will be rolled out across the rest of the Parliament (Yui Mok/PA)

The Government said its ‘full roadmap’ for house buying will be rolled out across the rest of the Parliament (Yui Mok/PA)

Home buyers and sellers set to save time and money under housing market shake-up

Douglas Lumsden won the by-election (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Douglas Lumsden won the by-election (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Tories claim Aberdeen South as SNP vote collapses

Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture

Labour candidate Andy Burnham surrounded by supporters at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, as voting is underway in the Makerfield by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture

Burnham should be heard ‘at top of politics’ if he wins Makerfield, says Nandy

Douglas Lumsden is set to become an MP (Paul Reid/PA)

Douglas Lumsden is set to become an MP (Paul Reid/PA)

Tories to take Aberdeen South as SNP concedes defeat

Scottish Conservative Aberdeen South candidate Douglas Lumsden (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Scottish Conservative Aberdeen South candidate Douglas Lumsden (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Tories ‘cautiously optimistic’ in Aberdeen South by-election

Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026.

Votes are counted at the Edge Wigan for the Makerfield by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Josh Simons. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026.

Votes being counted in Makerfield contest which could pave way for Burnham PM bid

Competitors take part in the Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race (Chan Long Hei/AP)

Competitors take part in the Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race (Chan Long Hei/AP)

Dragon Boat Festival links modern China to traditions more than 2,000 years old

Kemi Badenoch attended a victory rally in Aberdeen after Conservative Douglas Lumsden won the Aberdeen South by-election (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Kemi Badenoch attended a victory rally in Aberdeen after Conservative Douglas Lumsden won the Aberdeen South by-election (Michal Wachucik/PA)

Labour obsessed with internal drama, says Badenoch as Tories win by-election

Mohammed Azim, 41, has been found guilty of the murder of 19-year-old Lily Whitehouse (West Midlands Police/PA)

Mohammed Azim, 41, has been found guilty of the murder of 19-year-old Lily Whitehouse (West Midlands Police/PA)

Truck driver guilty of girlfriend’s murder after crushing her against lamppost

Tesco has reported a slowdown in sales growth (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Tesco has reported a slowdown in sales growth (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Tesco says shopper sentiment hit by Iran war but prices not affected

A CCTV grab showing the movement of Mark Fellows, Lee Newell and David Taylor at HMP Wakefield (CPS/PA)

A CCTV grab showing the movement of Mark Fellows, Lee Newell and David Taylor at HMP Wakefield (CPS/PA)

Trio of inmates who murdered child killer in his cell will never be released

Peter Murrell embezzled just over £400,000 from the SNP while he was its chief executive (Jane Barlow/PA)

Peter Murrell embezzled just over £400,000 from the SNP while he was its chief executive (Jane Barlow/PA)

MPs urged to examine ‘systemic failings Murrell exploited’ to embezzle £400,000

The Bank of England plans to test the resilience of markets (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The Bank of England plans to test the resilience of markets (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Private credit firms to begin stress-testing against deep global recession

Tay Keith (Annie Lesser/Imagespace/Alamy Live News)

Tay Keith (Annie Lesser/Imagespace/Alamy Live News)

Hip hop producer Tay Keith dead at 29

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch hailed Douglas Lumsden’s victory in the Aberdeen South by-election (PA)

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch hailed Douglas Lumsden’s victory in the Aberdeen South by-election (PA)

Kemi Badenoch hails by-election win as showing Tories ‘working to regain trust’

At least two people who ‘had eyes’ on Noah Donohoe on the night of his disappearance were not asked to give statements by police, the inquest into his death has heard (Family handout/PA)

At least two people who ‘had eyes’ on Noah Donohoe on the night of his disappearance were not asked to give statements by police, the inquest into his death has heard (Family handout/PA)

Two people who ‘had eyes’ on Noah Donohoe not asked for statement, inquest hears

Marks Electrical said consumers have reined in spending in the face of cost of living and unemployment worries (Marks/PA)

Marks Electrical said consumers have reined in spending in the face of cost of living and unemployment worries (Marks/PA)

Marks Electrical flags caution over sales outlook amid consumer pull-back

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced Government action to protect children online (Carlos Jasso/PA)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced Government action to protect children online (Carlos Jasso/PA)

Social media firms cast doubt on effectiveness of Starmer’s social media ban

Harry Kane came face to face with his own wax figure in London (Handout/PA)

Harry Kane came face to face with his own wax figure in London (Handout/PA)

Harry Kane waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds London ahead of World Cup

A small motorboat passes anchored vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

A small motorboat passes anchored vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

Keir Starmer says UK will ‘play full part’ in reopening Strait of Hormuz

Vice president JD Vance had been due to lead the talks (AP)

Vice president JD Vance had been due to lead the talks (AP)

Vance bid to start Iran talks hit snag as weekend negotiations put on hold

Peter Murrell may have been trying to ‘heal’ a ‘psychological wound’ with his series of purchases using embezzled cash, an expert has suggested. (Jane Barlow/PA)

Peter Murrell may have been trying to ‘heal’ a ‘psychological wound’ with his series of purchases using embezzled cash, an expert has suggested. (Jane Barlow/PA)

Expert: Murrell may have been trying to heal psychological wound with purchases

Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing (PA)

Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing (PA)

Epstein survivors reluctant to go to police about Andrew told ‘door is open’

Hyde Park, London, during the record-breaking May heatwave (Ben Whitley/PA)

Hyde Park, London, during the record-breaking May heatwave (Ben Whitley/PA)

Hot weather to smother parts of UK in new heatwave that may top 34C

Britain’s economy contracted last month for the first time in eight months amid signs that the Iran is beginning to take its toll on some sectors (PA)

Britain’s economy contracted last month for the first time in eight months amid signs that the Iran is beginning to take its toll on some sectors (PA)

UK economy contracts for first time since last August

Protesters outside the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Protesters outside the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

Ministers must clear Horizon shortfall claims by end of the year, says committee

The 56-year-old was giving evidence to a tribunal in central London (Stanley Murphy-Johns/PA)

The 56-year-old was giving evidence to a tribunal in central London (Stanley Murphy-Johns/PA)

Naomi Campbell asks for ‘respect’ and tells tribunal she has been ‘deceived’

Shoppers on Buchanan Street in Glasgow (PA)

Shoppers on Buchanan Street in Glasgow (PA)

Consumer confidence plunges among younger adults

Police at Johnsons of Old Hurst (Joe Giddens/PA)

Police at Johnsons of Old Hurst (Joe Giddens/PA)

Man bailed as ‘not fit for interview’ after boy ended up in crocodile enclosure

The jobless rate rose unexpectedly to 5% in the three months to March, ONS figures show (Alamy/PA)

The jobless rate rose unexpectedly to 5% in the three months to March, ONS figures show (Alamy/PA)

Unemployment rate rises and vacancies slump in first signs of Iran war jobs hit

A man stands beside a fishing pole along the shore as cargo ships and commercial vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/AP)

A man stands beside a fishing pole along the shore as cargo ships and commercial vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/AP)

Iran’s supreme leader endorses direct talks as US lifts blockade

The first results of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election have been declared (Jane Barlow/PA)

The first results of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election have been declared (Jane Barlow/PA)

Lib Dem Liam McArthur first MSP returned – winning with record vote share

Kim Leadbeater speaking to the Press Association in her office at the Houses of Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Kim Leadbeater speaking to the Press Association in her office at the Houses of Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Murdered MP Jo Cox would be deeply concerned by divisions in UK, says sister

Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said there is no vacancy in Number 10 as Sir Keir Starmer is ‘getting on with the job’ (PA)

Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said there is no vacancy in Number 10 as Sir Keir Starmer is ‘getting on with the job’ (PA)

Starmer ‘getting on with the job’ despite Burnham’s victory, says minister

Peter Murrell embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP and spent it on luxury goods (Jane Barlow/PA)

Peter Murrell embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP and spent it on luxury goods (Jane Barlow/PA)

Ex-Sturgeon aide calls for independent inquiry into Murrell embezzlement case