Rachel Reeves is set to cut food costs and offer free children’s bus fares in a fresh batch of measures aiming to ease the cost of living crisis and impact of the Iran war on the UK.
Staples such as biscuits, chocolate and baked beans could become cheaper as the government slashes import tariffs on more than 100 types of product, in a move which could save consumers a combined £150 million per year.
The chancellor will also announce on Thursday a “Great British Summer Savings” scheme, including free bus travel for children in England during the school holidays in August.
The free bus travel scheme will allow every child aged five to 15 in England to travel on participating local routes.
“My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs,” the chancellor said, although the government is not expected to announce immediate help with rising energy bills.
However, Reeves has ruled out making “massive unfunded spending commitments” to provide universal support with energy bills.
There had been speculation over whether the government could cap supermarket food prices, but these suggestions were met by heavy opposition from the industry and from Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, who said it would be “unsustainable”.
Key Points
- Reeves cuts food tariffs and bus fares for children to address cost of living
- Reeves rules out universal energy bill support
- Net migration drops to lowest level since early 2021
- Streeting told Starmer he would challenge him for leadership in 16-minute showdown
- Minister refuses to say whether cost of living pressures will increase
Andy Burnham says politics is in a 'dangerous place'
11:13 , Holly Evans
Andy Burnham has said that country has been “on the wrong path” for four decades, which he believes began with the deindustrialisation of large parts of Greater Manchester.
The mayor, who is standing in the Makerfield by-election and is widely seen as a threat to Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, has stated that privatisation, deregulation of buses and the austerity of the 2010s are all responsible for today’s economic situation.
He said: "I think it's taken us to a point where people in this country cannot have a good life. They cannot afford the basics, they can't afford a few pints the weekend, they can't afford a holiday. They can't afford to buy presents for the kids.
"This is this is a dangerous place. And I think we've got to kind of learn from what we've done here in Greater Manchester.
"Be proud of that. And what we've done here should now help change the country as a whole."
Documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's role as trade envoy released
11:04 , Holly Evans
In other news, the government has released the first batch of documents relating to the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy in 2001.
He was appointed to the role during the Tony Blair administration, with his role coming under scrutiny upon the release of the Epstein files.
This came in response to a request by the Liberal Democrats earlier this year.
Burnham calls for change of politics 'at the national level'
11:00 , Holly Evans
In an interview ahead of the upcoming Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham said “we need to change politics at the national level” to make life more affordable.
Andy Burnham was asked about why he wanted to be an MP, rather than being Greater Manchester's mayor. He said:
He said: "But I think we need to change energy, we need to change housing, and we need to change so many facets of life to make life more affordable for people again."
Starmer says government is 'delivering' in promise to 'control our borders'
10:46 , Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer said his Government is “delivering”, after new figures showed UK net migration had dropped to an estimated 171,000 last year.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “I promised to restore control to our borders. My government is delivering.
“I know there’s more to do, we’re introducing a skills-based migration system that rewards contribution and ends our reliance on cheap overseas workers.”
Net migration has fallen 82%.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 21, 2026
I promised to restore control to our borders. My government is delivering.
I know there’s more to do, we’re introducing a skills-based migration system that rewards contribution and ends our reliance on cheap overseas workers.
Dietitian says changes to help food costs need to also boost health
10:34 , Rebecca Whittaker
Registered dietitian Duane Mellor has said the government needs to be careful when reducing tariffs as a vehicle to reduce food prices as it may have “unintended consequences.”
“Although it seems like a good idea to reduce the cost of food, it is important that policies to help manage food costs should improve health,” he told The Independent.
“This could be achieved by using existing tools such as VAT alongside price reductions to incentives healthier foods to make them cheaper to help support affordable healthy choices this could promote uptake of foods such as vegetables (which could include seasonal and even UK grown foods which could help support the UK farming and food economy at the same time).”
Number of people claiming asylum in the UK is falling
10:28 , Holly Bancroft
The number of people claiming asylum in the UK is falling, with 94,000 people making a claim in the year ending March 2026, according to Home Office statistics published this morning. This is 12 per cent less than the previous year.
Just over half of asylum seekers arrived through illegal entry routes, such as small boats, while 39 per cent of claimants had previously arrived in the UK on a visa or with other leave.
The asylum grant rate is falling, and was 39 per cent in the year to March, down from 49 per cent in the previous year.
More people are receiving initial asylum decisions as the Home Office speeds up decision-making. Some 128,000 people received an initial decision in the year up to March 2026, up 32 per cent on the year before.
Cleverly takes aim at Braverman and Jenrick as he claims credit for migration figures drop
10:26 , David Maddox
Tory former home secretary James Cleverly has taken credit for the massive drop in net migration to the UK and made a barbed attack on two of Reform’s most prominent defectors from the Conservative Party.
With net migration falling to 171,000, Sir James tweeted: “Some people talked about reducing net migration, I did something about reducing net migration.”
The reference was to him replacing Suella Braverman as home secretary in 2023 after migration spiked under her despite her strong anti-migrant rhetoric.
At the time her immigration minister was Robert Jenrick with both now defectors to Reform which continues to rely on an anti-migrant campaign message.
Sir James also noted that while Labour is now taking credit for the fall the biggest reason was because of visa restrictions he introduced “which at the time Labour opposed.”
Nutritionists warn cutting the price of biscuits could lead to ‘overconsumption’ of unhealthy food
10:25 , Rebecca Whittaker
Import tariffs on biscuits, chocolate and baked beans could be slashed in a move to reduce the cost of food.
But nutritionists have warned reducing the price of confectionery and similar snack foods will just increase accessibility of unhealthy food.
Rob Hobson registered nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Life said it will “increase accessibility and normalises greater consumption of foods people already over-consume in the UK diet.”
Instead he would rather see fruits, vegetables and pulses reduced.
“From a public health nutrition perspective, I’d much rather see greater support for foods we know most people underconsume, such as fruit, vegetables, pulses, wholegrains and other fibre-rich staples”, he told The Independent.
“These are the foods consistently linked with better long-term health outcomes but they are often perceived as expensive or less accessible,”
“If the goal is to improve diets while also easing pressure on household budgets, then making healthier everyday staples more affordable would probably have the greatest long-term public health impact,” he added.
Cleverly: Reduction in net migration 'mainly due to the visa changes that I introduced'
10:20 , Dan Haygarth
Labour will try and take credit for this reduction in net migration. But it is mainly due to the visa changes that I introduced as Home Secretary in Dec 2023 and which Labour opposed at the time. pic.twitter.com/HIo7Z2iqHC
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) May 21, 2026
Reeves’ package of measures is more about proof of political life
10:19 , David Maddox
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is unveiling a series of cost of living measures today which at best can be described as niche rather than things which will dramatically change people’s lives.
The package includes free bus travel for under-15s during the school summer holidays and a plan to suspend tariffs on some food imports including biscuits and baked beans.
It all feels very incremental and missing is a serious package to reduce household energy bills and the much discussed proposal to try to cap the cost of essentials in the supermarket.
Neither is really surprising. As Liz Truss found to her cost, bailing out energy bills is hugely expensive and probably unaffordable while trying to cap supermarket prices could actually lead to a shortage of food on the shelves.
But the question remains why is Ms Reeves doing it and who benefits? She is certainly taking Tesco’s slogan “every little helps” to heart.
However, we have to look at the broader political context. This is a government teetering on collapse. The prime minister could be replaced before the summer and his chancellor Ms Reeves will surely follow him out of the exit door.
The uncertainty ties the hands of ministers in attempting to do anything significant. So this announcement, while helpful to parents and low income households, is more about reminding people that Keir Starmer’s government is still alive and still trying to do something even if it is not much.
Number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels down 35%
10:06 , Holly Evans
The number of asylum seekers being housed temporarily in UK hotels stood at a new low of 20,885 at the end of March 2026, down 35 per cent year-on-year, Home Office figures show.
More Brits leave UK in 2025 than nationals arriving
10:01 , Holly Evans
More British nationals are estimated to have left the UK in the year to December 2025 (246,000) than moved to the country (110,000), the ONS said.
It was a similar picture for nationals from “EU-plus countries” – covering the 27 members of the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – with a higher number emigrating from the UK (118,000) than immigrating (76,000).
By contrast, more people from outside the EU moved to the UK in 2025 (627,000) than left (278,000).
Weak consumer confidence causes decline in UK's private sector
09:47 , Holly Evans
Activity in the UK’s private sector declined for the first time in more than a year as weak consumer confidence hit the services sector, according to new figures.
The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which is watched closely by economists, recorded a reading of 48.5 for May, decreasing from 52.6 in April.
It was the weakest reading since April last year.
Any score above the 50.0 threshold represents growth, with a reading below this pointing to decline.
It was significantly below the 51.6 reading predicted by a consensus of economists.
Net migration drops to lowest level since early 2021
09:37 , Holly Evans
Net migration to the UK stood at an estimated 171,000 in the year to December 2025, down nearly a half (48 per cent) from 331,000 in the previous 12 months, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
It is the lowest figure since early 2021, when the post-Brexit immigration system was introduced and Covid-19 travel restrictions were still in place.
Net migration is the difference between the number of people moving long-term to the UK and the number of people leaving the country.
An estimated 813,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year to June while 642,000 emigrated.
The continued fall in net migration is being driven by fewer people from outside the EU arriving in the UK for work, the ONS said.
Steve Reed to set out powers to limit number of vape shops on high streets
09:35 , Holly Evans
Communities Secretary Steve Reed will use a speech on Thursday to set out proposals to give local communities more power over their areas.
His proposals include minimum standards for services such as pothole repairs and street cleaning, and powers to limit the number of vape shops and gambling businesses on high streets.
He will promise to bear down on private providers of social care following concerns that “profiteering” is driving councils into bankruptcy.
Watch: Streeting reveals he told Starmer he would 'challenge him' in first interview post-resignation
09:23 , Holly Evans
Streeting denies he could back Burnham in leadership challenge
09:10 , Holly Evans
A spokesperson for Wes Streeting has denied a report in The Times quoting unnamed allies of the former minister saying he could drop his leadership bid and back Andy Burnham if the Greater Manchester mayor wins the 18 June Makerfield by-election.
The spokesperson said: “Wes couldn’t have been clearer: he wants Andy to win Makerfield, wants him in the battle of ideas we need in Labour, and Wes will be a candidate in the coming contest.”
Mr Streeting did not launch an immediate challenge following his resignation last week.
Explaining the move on the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Mr Streeting said: “If we had been plunged straight into a leadership contest by me or for that matter, anyone else, I think it would have been seen as a deliberate attempt to get ahead of Andy Burnham’s potential return.
“And if there’s one thing that we need to do coming out of a change in leadership, it is to bring the tribes of the Labour Party together, to unite around one leader as one team, drawing on Labour’s different political traditions to unite progressives and beat Reform.”
Watch: Jess Phillips says Starmer has resilience of a cockroach in a nuclear war in first interview since resignation
09:00 , Holly Evans
Net migration likely to fall again in latest official figures
08:52 , Holly Evans
A fresh drop in the level of UK net migration is likely to be revealed when new figures are published on Thursday.
Net migration – the difference between the number of people moving long-term to the country and the number of people leaving – has been falling for much of the past three years.
The total peaked at a record 944,000 in the year to March 2023 but has dropped steeply since then, reaching 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
New estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday will cover the 12 months to December 2025 and are expected to show an even lower number.
The fall in net migration is being driven by two trends: a steady decline in people from outside the EU coming to the UK to work, study or join other family members; and a rise in the number of people leaving the UK for other countries, primarily non-EU students who have completed their education.
The drop in people coming to study and work is due to policy changes introduced by the previous Conservative government and continued by the current Labour administration.
These changes began in January 2024 when most overseas students were no longer able to bring family members to the UK.
Chancellor will not rush to take universal action on energy bills, says Treasury minister
08:43 , Holly Evans
The chancellor will not rush to take action on energy bills, and any support is likely to be targeted, the chief secretary to the Treasury has suggested amid growing cost of living pressures as a result of the war in the Middle East.
"The chancellor has been clear that she wants to monitor the situation, and then she's going to intervene in a targeted way", Lucy Rigby told Sky News.
She added: "The way that the last government dealt with this and intervened in an untargeted way, which is hugely costly for the taxpayer.
"The chancellor's been clear that she's not going to rush to action, she's not going to rush to any sort of universal action in that way. What she is doing is monitoring the situation internationally, monitoring the situation when it comes to our economy and the likely impact on energy bills."
Minister refuses to say whether cost of living pressures will increase
08:27 , Millie Cooke
A minister refused to say whether the government believes things will get harder for people as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
Asked whether the government's latest measures to tackle the cost of living signals an admission that things will get harder for people, Treasury chief secretary Lucy Rigby said: "Clearly, because of what's happening internationally, and particularly the crisis in the Middle East, we know that people are concerned.
“And we've seen the impact of that coming through.
"What the chancellor has been clear about is that she will take action, we're going to do that in a responsible way."
Streeting insists he will 'never forget' his council estate roots
08:22 , Millie Cooke
Wes Streeting insisted he would “never forget” his roots after growing up on a council estate in east London.
“I've never forgot my roots. I'm proud of my roots”, he told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast.
“I wish that at times when I was growing up, that life wasn't as hard as it was. And I don't want it to be that hard for other kids now.
“And the tragedy in our country today is the kids that I represent in my constituency on the London-Essex border, the council flat that I wanted to escape when I was growing up, those kids now aspire to.
“Because they're not in a council flat. They're in grotty temporary bed and breakfast accommodation. And the kicker is that we are paying about 3 billion quid a year for the privilege of putting these kids in grotty accommodation that stunts their development, their life chances, their opportunities.”
What else do we have on today?
08:18 , Holly Evans
At 11:30am, Rachel Reeves is set to announce measures to east the cost of living to the Commons. The chancellor is expected to cut food costs and offer free children’s bus fares in a fresh batch of measures aiming to ease the impact of the Iran war on the UK.
At 9.30am, the Office for National Statistics are set to announce a drop in the level of UK net migration, and the latest figures on asylum, resettlement and visas.
Labour MPs are reportedly planning to use the upcoming figures to pile pressure on the Home Office and Shabana Mahmood to reverse its plans for further immigration reforms.
We also have housing secretary Steve Reed giving a speech on neighbourhood standards at 10:15am, who will promise to bear down on private providers of social care.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has also laid out his plans to introduce a wealth tax if he were to become prime minister, and has revealed that he informed Sir Keir of his intention to challenge him for the leadership last week.
Reeves rules out universal energy bill support
08:01 , Holly Evans
Rachel Reeves has ruled out making “massive unfunded spending commitments” to provide universal support with energy bills, as families struggle with the cost of living.
Donald Trump’s ongoing war with Iran has significantly impacted both the UK and the global economic outlook, and is likely to cause an increase in domestic energy bills.
The chancellor is set to reveal details of how she will support families in the Commons on Thursday but will say that repeated Liz Truss’ £40bn package from 2022 following the Ukraine invasion would cost families more in the long-run.
Figures from the Treasury show that a repeat of this measure would only push up borrowing costs and mortgage rates.
In her statement, Reeves will say she favours targeted support, but will provide limited details.
Streeting told Starmer he would challenge him for leadership in 16-minute showdown
07:54 , Millie Cooke
Wes Streeting has revealed that he told Sir Keir Starmer he planned to challenge him as prime minister in his 15 minute meeting in Downing Street.
Speaking to the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, the former health secretary - who resigned last week - said he was "very honest with the prime minister privately about where I thought the government was going wrong, as have other Cabinet colleagues been, as have other ministers been, as have a quarter of our parliamentary party who signed a public statement."
Asked whether he told the PM that he planned to challenge him, Mr Streeting said: "Yes."
He added: "I don't want to get into the what he said and what I said, because I don't think that's fair or respectful. If I felt that the prime minister was going to change and things would be different, I would have been happy, more than happy, to stay doing the job that I love.
"Because I'm not going to pretend that the last week has been easy, or that leaving a job that I love with all my heart has not been an emotional wrench, because I loved being the health secretary of this country. I wanted to outperform Jeremy Hunt as the longest serving health secretary."
Green Party announces candidate for Makerfield by-election
07:45 , Holly Evans
The Green Party has announced nurse Chris Kennedy as its candidate for the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Kennedy, who is a children’s safeguarding specialist, said he was “proud” to have been elected to stand in the June 18 contest through a ballot of local members after a hustings.
He said: “We want to defend our area against the politics of hate and division and bring people together around a positive vision for the future.
“At the same time, we can’t let this election be dominated by a Westminster psychodrama. It must be about protecting what makes Makerfield special. People here are feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, and they deserve real support.
“Greens will fight for warmer homes, lower bills, and a fairer economy. And we will always stand up for our NHS, properly funded, publicly owned, and there for everyone when they need it.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the “greatest threat” in the by-election was Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
He said: “It is in hock to corporate interests and seeks to divide our communities rather than uniting them. We have shown we can take votes from Reform in a way Labour just can’t. We know there are many voters fed up with the status quo who will only choose between Reform and Greens.”
He also said his party would use the by-election to “press Andy Burnham on what kind of MP and Prime Minister he would be, given his mixed track record, and interviews this week suggesting he isn’t committed to fair voting, public ownership and a genuinely new economic settlement”.
Wes Streeting pledges wealth tax as he prepares for Labour leadership bid
07:38 , Holly Evans
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has set out plans for a wealth tax that would see capital gains tax equalised with income tax.
Mr Streeting, who had made clear he intends to stand in any leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer, said the current system is not fair and penalises work.
The MP’s intervention comes a day after he warned in his resignation speech that Labour must change course or risk handing Reform UK power, and after he quit the Cabinet last week calling on the Prime Minister to go.
Mr Streeting said: “A member of my family is a cleaner in Lancashire. She pays a higher tax rate on her salary than her landlord pays for the growing value of the home she lives in.
“She slogs her guts out, he puts in far less effort, yet the state rewards him more than her.
“And we wonder why people are angry.
“The system is penalising work. It’s not fair and it’s bad for our economy. We need a wealth tax that works.
“A pound made from simply owning assets should not be taxed less than a pound made from a hard day’s work.”
Higher or additional rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent on gains they make in the current financial year.
Under Mr Streeting’s proposal that would be equalised with the income tax rate of 40 per cent for higher rate taxpayers and 45 per cent for additional rate taxpayers.
Inflation expected to soar as conflict in Middle East continues
07:24 , Holly Evans
The latest package comes after the Government announced an extension of the 5p cut in fuel duty until the end of the year, along with a tax break for hauliers and help with red diesel costs for farmers.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.8 per cent in April, down from 3.3 per cent in March – and the lowest level since March 2025.
But this was largely driven by regulator Ofgem lowering the energy price cap from the start of April by 7 per cent, or £10 a month, for the average household using both electricity and gas, which was pushed down by Government measures to reduce bills.
Inflation is expected to surge back up as the conflict in the Middle East has sent fuel prices soaring and the energy price cap is expected to increase significantly from July when it is next updated.
Energy analyst Cornwall Insight’s prediction for Ofgem’s cap from July to September now stands at £1,850 for a typical dual fuel household, an increase of 13 per cent on April’s £1,641 annual cap.
Ministers are wary of a Liz Truss-style universal bailout for all households, warning that unfunded giveaways could trigger an increase in government borrowing costs and inflation, feeding through to higher mortgage rates, which would end up leaving people worse off.
Bus fare scheme will help children travel for free over summer holidays
07:16 , Holly Evans
The free bus travel scheme will allow every child aged five to 15 in England to travel on participating local routes.
The Chancellor is committing more than £100 million to fund the free fares scheme and to support bus services facing increased costs.
Ms Reeves said: “My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs.
“This summer I want every family to be able to enjoy themselves, that’s why we’re launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, and why we’re helping kids with free bus travel throughout August.
“As the war in Iran pushes prices up at home, my economic plan is the right one. I will continue to make the right choices, to protect households and businesses, and build a stronger and more secure Britain.”
Rachel Reeves to announce cheaper food in cost-of-living package
07:10 , Holly Evans
Shoppers could save on the cost of biscuits and chocolate as part of a package of measures being set out by Rachel Reeves to ease the impact of the Iran war.
The government is cutting import tariffs on more than 100 types of product in a move that is expected to save consumers more than £150 million a year.
The chancellor also set out a “Great British Summer Savings” scheme, including free bus travel for children in England during the school holidays in August.
In the Commons on Thursday, Ms Reeves will give details of policies to tackle the cost-of-living squeeze triggered by Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East but is not expected to announce immediate help with rising energy bills.
The household energy price cap is predicted to rise by £209 a year from July after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed up global oil and gas prices.
Ms Reeves may set out more details of her contingency planning but she is expected to wait until September before finalising any package of targeted support for households over the winter months, when more energy is used.
Comment: Starmer had an impossible choice over Russian oil – and got it wrong
07:00 , Jane Dalton
Ukraine will pay the price, writes Sean O’Grady:
Starmer had an impossible choice over Russian oil – and made the wrong one
Ukrainian MP: Lifting sanctions puts ‘question mark’ over UK friendship
06:00 , Jane Dalton
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Ukrainian MP: Easing Russian sanctions puts ‘question mark’ over friendship with UK
UK announces £3.7bn-a-year trade deal with Gulf states
05:00 , Jane Dalton
UK announces trade deal with Gulf states worth £3.7bn a year
We may have cut interest rates twice this year if not for Iran war – Bank chief
04:00 , Jane Dalton
UK interest rates may have been cut twice this year were it not for the Iran war, the Bank of England’s chief has said, as he warned that potential supermarket price controls were “not sustainable” in the long run.
Bank governor Andrew Bailey told MPs on the Treasury Committee that inflation also may have fallen to its 2% target level last month but the energy shock was keeping the cost of living higher.
The conflict has been the “dominating change in the landscape” for the economy, he said.
Mr Bailey added: “It was a reasonable expectation prior to this all happening that we would probably cut once or twice this year, the market was pricing that.
“The market isn’t pricing that now and effectively that was taken off the table.”
Watch: Could a supermarket food price cap help with the cost of living? We asked shoppers
02:50 , Jane Dalton
Comment: Why the UK doesn’t need Soviet-style price caps
01:00 , Jane Dalton
You can’t sustain lower prices without going bust, writes James Moore:
Why the UK really doesn’t need Rachel Reeves’s Soviet-style price caps
Britons oppose loosening sanctions on Russian oil
Thursday 21 May 2026 00:15 , Jane Dalton
New YouGov polling finds that 49% of Britons oppose loosening sanctions on Russian oil, compared to 19% who support it.
However, when asked which is the greater priority, more Britons say keeping fuel prices down (42%) than maintaining the strength of sanctions (32%).
Comment: One bad policy after another
Wednesday 20 May 2026 23:40 , Jane Dalton
Devising two terrible new policies in one day suggests Keir Starmer’s government has finally lost the plot, says John Rentoul:
Was this the moment Labour began to panic?
Reeves cuts food tariffs and bus fares for children to address cost of living
Wednesday 20 May 2026 22:51 , Alex Croft
Shoppers could save on the cost of biscuits and chocolate as part of a package of measures being set out by Rachel Reeves to ease the impact of the Iran war.
The Government is cutting import tariffs on more than 100 types of product in a move that is expected to save consumers more than £150 million a year.
The Chancellor also set out a “Great British Summer Savings” scheme, including free bus travel for children in England during the school holidays in August.
The free bus travel scheme will allow every child aged five to 15 in England to travel on participating local routes.
The Chancellor is committing more than £100 million to fund the free fares scheme and to support bus services facing increased costs.
Ms Reeves said: “My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs.
“This summer I want every family to be able to enjoy themselves, that’s why we’re launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, and why we’re helping kids with free bus travel throughout August.”
But the government is not expected to announce immediate help with rising energy bills.
Burnham ‘backs Mahmood over migration crackdown’ ahead of by-election race with Reform UK
Wednesday 20 May 2026 22:47 , Alex Croft
Andy Burnham is backing Shabana Mahmood’s stringent efforts to crack down on immigration, his allies say – in an effort to win votes from Reform UK supporters.
The mayor of Greater Manchester reportedly wants to “reframe” the home secretary’s changes but backs her attempts to limit legal and illegal migration, according to sources in his team.
Next month’s by-election in Makerfield is expected to be a close contest between Mr Burnham and Reform UK, which made recent council gains in local elections.
Reform has previously dubbed him “open-borders Andy” but those close to his campaign have told The Guardian he will not want to dilute the government’s curbs on migration.
Home Office reforms to migration rules under Ms Mahmood include ending the right to permanent refugee status and new settlement rules for people who have come to the UK since 2021.
Streeting likely to ditch leadership bid if Burnham wins Makerfield by-election - report
Wednesday 20 May 2026 22:45 , Alex Croft
Wes Streeting is likely to give up his ambition to become Labour leader if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election, according to a report in The Times.
The former health secretary’s senior allies have said there is a growing feeling that “no one can beat Andy” if the mayor of Manchester, who is widely believed to be planning a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer, finds his way back to parliament.
But another source close to Mr Streeting said this suggestions were “rubbish” and that he would stand in any leadership race.
Earlier, he warned Sir Keir during his resignation speech in the Commons that his government is losing the fight against nationalism, and that it risks “handing the keys of No 10” to Nigel Farage and Reform UK unless it changes course.
Mr Streeting said he had “no regrets” and “rebellious hope” after quitting the government last week and calling on Sir Keir to stand down.
Cheaper food and free bus rides for children in Reeves’ cost-of-living plan
Wednesday 20 May 2026 22:44 , Jane Dalton
Shoppers could save on the cost of biscuits and chocolate as part of a package of measures being set out by Rachel Reeves to ease the impact of the Iran war.
The Government is cutting import tariffs on more than 100 types of product in a move expected to save consumers more than £150m a year.
The Chancellor also set out a “Great British Summer Savings” scheme, including free bus travel for children in England during the school holidays in August.
In the Commons on Thursday, Ms Reeves will give details of policies to tackle the cost-of-living squeeze triggered by Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East - but is not expected to announce immediate help with rising energy bills.
Ms Reeves may set out more details of her contingency planning but she is expected to wait until September before finalising any package of targeted support for households over the winter months, when more energy is used.
The full list of products with lower tariffs will be published next week but is expected to include biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.
Streeting warns Labour must change course or risk Reform victory
Wednesday 20 May 2026 21:40 , Jane Dalton
Streeting warns Labour must ‘change course’ or risk handing election win to Reform
Watch: Starmer under fire as UK quietly eases sanctions on Russian oil
Wednesday 20 May 2026 20:45 , Jane Dalton
Activists urge ministers to ban hen cages
Wednesday 20 May 2026 20:15 , Jane Dalton
Activists placed giant symbolic keys beside statues of former prime ministers in Parliament Square, urging ministers to “unlock” cages for millions of hens across the UK.
A person in a chicken costume held up a key image beside Winston Churchill, David Lloyd-George and Benjamin Disraeli.
The activists say the government should introduce a nationwide ban on cages for the UK’s 6 million laying hens.
They were supported by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Adrian Ramsay, former co-leader of the Green Party, and Gorton and Denton by-election winner Hannah Spencer.
Analysis: Why Reform couldn’t care less about candidates' controversial views
Wednesday 20 May 2026 20:00 , Jane Dalton
Why Reform UK couldn’t care less about the controversial views of its candidates
Reeves hits back at Reform-backing heckler
Wednesday 20 May 2026 19:20 , Jane Dalton
Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit back at a heckler who shouted at her while she tried to answer questions from the media, telling him: “I love our country, and one of the things about our country is good manners.”
She was interrupted by the man during the broadcast interview at a petrol station in Leeds, who told her the government was “ruining the country” and said “get Keir Starmer out”.
The heckler appeared to be a Reform UK supporter as he shouted: “Nigel Farage. Go on Nigel.”
As he drove his truck, which had two St George’s flags on the roof, out of the station, he said out of the window: “I’ve got British flags on. Am I going to get arrested? We’ve got English flags on here, Rachel, am I going to get arrested? Look at Rachel Reeves there, with a smile on her face.”
Ms Reeves then told him: “I love our country. I love our country, and one of the things about our country is good manners. Not very British.”
Fit note system faces 'radical reform'
Wednesday 20 May 2026 19:00 , Jane Dalton
The government says pilot schemes to overhaul the fit note system are the first step of “radical reform”, with patients, healthcare staff and employers providing input ahead of legislation being brought forward for changes to the “broken system”.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Fit notes are too often a dead end – a piece of paper that tells people they can’t work but does nothing to help them get better.
“We’re changing that. By bringing employers, the NHS, and patients together we can help people recover faster, stay connected to their jobs, and get the economy firing on all cylinders.
“That’s what these pilots are about, and that’s what this Government is committed to – fixing what is broken.”
Care minister Stephen Kinnock said NHS staff had repeatedly highlighted that the current fit note system is not working for patients or clinicians who sign them off.
He said: “These pilots mark the beginning of the end for that broken system, giving people personalised support to get back into work and freeing up GPs from unnecessary admin so they can focus on what they do best: caring for their patients.
Reeves warned against supermarket price caps by Bank of England governor
Wednesday 20 May 2026 18:57 , Alex Croft
The governor of the Bank of England has warned Rachel Reeves against capping supermarket food prices, warning that the move would risk backfiring.
Speaking to MPs on the Treasury select committee, he said it would be “unsustainable” to freeze the price of essentials, although he accepted there could be reasons in the immediate term to control prices.
“I think the question you have to think through with this sort of thing is: are you doing it for some well-grounded, very temporary reason?” he added according to The Telegraph.
“I think if you start doing it as a matter of course, then you’re effectively artificially moving prices relative to costs, and that’s not a sustainable thing in the long run.”
His comments came after reports that the Treasury is urging supermarkets to limit food price rises, as officials fear the Iran war will push up bills for households already struggling with the cost of living crisis.
The policy, which would be voluntary, would apply to common items such as bread, eggs and milk, according to the Financial Times.
Watch: Labour are sunk if holiday plans canned over price of jet fuel
Wednesday 20 May 2026 18:41 , Jane Dalton
‘Broken’ sick note system to be overhauled
Wednesday 20 May 2026 18:20 , Jane Dalton
The current “fit note” system that results in a huge majority of patients being signed off work is set to be overhauled in a bid to boost economic productivity.
The government will launch pilot schemes to examine ways to end the “tick-box exercise” and provide personalised support for people to stay in employment or return to work if they fall ill.
About 11 million fit notes are issued every year in England.
The four trials will cover up to 100,000 appointments and last up to a year, the government said, with “continuous testing” to establish the most effective way to tackle the rise in the number of fit notes issued.
Under the plans, patients will be either referred to community health workers after being granted an initial fit note or not granted a note and supported by a separate service.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the current system was broken.
