The Guardian Politics

Academy school leaders in England face pay cap to curb ‘banker-style’ salaries

Nearly 100 academy chief executives earn more than £200,000 a year, and at least one more than £500,000The era of academy school leaders in England receiving “banker-style salaries” and hefty annual increases may soon be over, with the government to introduce limits on executive pay.Nearly 100 academy chief executives earn more than £200,000 a year, with pay in academy trusts equating to anything from less than £5 a pupil to more than £150. Only a quarter of the high-earners were women. Continue

politics  Jul 1, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Burnham blueprint, as told by one of its architects – podcast

Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson, from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thinking behind itHelen Pidd has been one of Andy Burnham’s constituents for almost a decade now. She says she has seen Greater Manchester thrive on his watch. Now he wants to do for the rest of the country what he has done for her region. On Monday Burnham stood up in the People’s History Museum in Manchester and delivered his economic manifesto. Barring some 11th hour c

politics  Jul 1, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Northern Rail Project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

The £45bn scheme to link cities across north of England with new or upgraded lines has no convincing or properly costed plan, committee saysBuilding Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) risks repeating the failures of HS2 with “no convincing plan” to deliver it within a £45bn budget, an influential committee of MPs has warned.The government announced in January its commitment and funding for the NPR project to connect cities across the north, consisting of new or upgraded lines between Liverpool, Manc

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Why Starmer's defence plan leaves next PM with £4.7bn headache

Keir Starmer announces extra defence spending - but the subject will still be one of the trickiest issues in his successor's in-tray.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Burnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment plan

Ally of PM-in-waiting says four-year boost for the armed forces is an ‘unexploded bomb’Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie aheadAndy Burnham will have to find an extra £4.7bn for defence in his first budget, after Keir Starmer announced a £298bn defence investment plan (Dip) without having fully identified how it will be funded.Sources close to the Makerfield MP said he would not try to renegotiate the Dip after the outgoing prime minister announced its detai

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Half of government should be female, Labour women tell Burnham

Female MPs urge Burnham to ensure Labour lead by example on equality should he become prime minister.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead

The new PM must balance the security budget and other urgent spending priorities, with little room for manoeuvreKeir Starmer’s defence investment plan leaves behind spending problems that his successor will not be able to avoid.Military budgets will be well short of the UK’s Nato commitments by the end of the decade, and European allies and a combustible White House are likely to notice. Continue reading...

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Welsh budget facing cuts because of Starmer defence plans, says first minister

Money for new buildings to be cut as a result of defence plans, Rhun ap Iorwerth says.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

The Guardian view on the defence investment plan: the UK needs security, not dependency on a wayward US | Editorial

Sir Keir Starmer cuts civilian investment while deepening reliance on American power. That doesn’t feel like national renewalSince Brexit, Daphne du Maurier’s final novel, Rule Britannia, has been seen as a prescient warning about the UK cutting itself adrift from Europe. After joining and then leaving the EU’s predecessor, the Common Market, in a referendum, Du Maurier imagined the UK facing such economic instability that its prime minister submits to a US takeover. Britain is occupied by US fo

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Ella Baron on Keir Starmer and new funding for drones – cartoon

Continue reading...

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Frank Gardner: Key points from government's defence spending plan

The BBC's security correspondent analyses the details of the plan, and what they mean for the UK's armed forces.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Starmer and Reeves launch delayed defence plan with a sense of resigned relief

New defence secretary goes along with £1.5bn addition to spending plan that led to his predecessor’s resignation and Starmer’s in turnStarmer warns Burnham not to borrow to fund defence as he reveals £15bn planThere was an air of melancholy as the defence investment plan (Dip) was announced at Malloy Aeronautics in Maidenhead. A sense that the main figures were fading out of history even as the legacy was being written, as if the event were sepia-tinted.The Dip was supposed to be Keir Starmer’s

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Farage declares earning £270,000 for promoting gold bullion

The Reform UK leader says the payment from Direct Bullion was for work amounting to four hours per month for a three-month period.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Lib Dem MP pushes defence secretary on funding

'Is this genuinely new investment or simply moving money from one overstretched budget to another?' Liberal Democrat MP asks.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

How much more is being spent on defence and will the UK hit Nato's targets?

BBC Verify looks at how much extra the government is committing to spend on defence and whether it means the UK will hit Nato's targets.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Is the new defence plan enough to keep us safe? – The Latest

The prime minister has unveiled his long-delayed defence investment plan, promising an extra £15bn in defence spending over the next four years. The funding, which will be spent on drones, nuclear projects and RAF fighter jets, has been made available through cuts to energy, transport and housing projects.Keir Starmer urged his likely successor, the Labour MP Andy Burnham, not to borrow more money to pay for it. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian policy editor Kiran Stacey – watch on YouTube Continue

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Mayor angry as East Midlands road upgrades shelved

Major schemes in Derby and Nottinghamshire are due to be axed as money is diverted to defence.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Burnham plans to work some days in Manchester as PM

The ex-Greater Manchester mayor plans a new No 10 unit in the city if he becomes Labour's next leader.

politics  Jun 30, 2026

BBC Politics

Hull MP backs Andy Burnham to become PM

Dame Diana Johnson MP believes Burnham "would make an excellent leader".

politics  Jun 30, 2026

The Guardian Politics

Andy Burnham says he will end culture of briefing against female ministers

PM hopeful tells meeting of women’s parliamentary Labour party that any staff who undermine female members of his team will be sackedUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has said he will to end the culture of briefing against female ministers, promising Labour MPs he will sack any staff who undermine women in his team.Speaking at the meeting of the women’s parliamentary Labour party in Westminster, Burnham also strongly criticised descriptions of him as “the first female Labour PM” in t

politics  Jun 30, 2026