The UK would pay £460million a week to rejoin the European Union as the huge cost of Wes Streeting’s Brexit plot is exposed.
Mr Streeting reignited the Brexit debate on Saturday by confirming he wants the UK to rejoin the Brussels bloc.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham was driven to perform a U-turn on the issue after a video resurfaced from October 2025 of the Greater Manchester Mayor saying he would bring Britain back to Brussels.
The “King of the North” later insisted he “respected” the referendum’s outcome, although he did not agree with it.
However, under Mr Streeting’s plans, Britain’s last European Commissioner, Sir Julian King, has warned that the UK could be forced to cough up an extra £5billion a year more to be a member state.
This figure would be joined with a sum of £18.9billion, which was the price of the last complete year of EU membership back in 2019.
The total figure weighing on Britons each week would come to a staggering £460million, more than the £350million a week spent back in 2016.
Eurosceptics have warned Sir Keir Starmer’s reset with the EU would mark a “betrayal” of the 17.4 million who voted for Brexit in 2016.
Labour MP Jonathan Hinder also warned of a Red Wall revolt if the UK even considers rejoining the EU.
Mr Hinder said: “And to suggest the solution now is for us to reopen that debate is just staggering, and the Labour Party is in an existential crisis, it really is, and the idea that we can reconnect to our working-class base by reopening this debate is just a staggering level of out of touch.”
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Government lifts sanctions on imported diesel and jet fuel from Russia amid shortage crisis
The Government has lifted sanctions on Russian oil, allowing diesel and jet fuel from crude oil that originates in Russia, but refined in other countries, to be imported.
Officials have issued a licence, which comes into force tomorrow, allowing the import of such oil products “indefinitely” – although it will be reviewed periodically by the business secretary.
It comes amid fears of jet fuel shortages this summer, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to restrict the global supply of jet fuel.
The UK had banned the import of oil products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil in October last year, in a bid to further increase financial pressure on Russia as it continues its war in Ukraine.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said at the time that banning the products was the “right approach to ensure that Russian oil is not finding its way onto global markets and indeed, finding its way into UK markets”, and that ministers would “take whatever actions necessary to destroy the capability of the Russian government to continue this illegal war in Ukraine”.
Other refined oil products made from Russian-origin crude oil, such as petrochemicals and heating oil, remain banned.
Parties still at odds over leadership of Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council’s first meeting since local elections resulted in a six-party split has been adjourned today, without any agreement on who should lead the authority.
Newly-sworn members of the 101-seat council met this evening, and approved the election of Liberal Democrat councillor Zaker Choudhry as Birmingham’s Lord Mayor for the coming year.
The previously Labour-run council fell into no overall control after the May 7 local election, which saw the appointment of 13 independent candidates, and the ousting of Labour’s John Cotton – leader during the city’s long-running bin strike.
Reform UK (23) and the Green Party (19) won the largest number of seats.
Councillors had been expected to elect a new council leader, after both Labour and Reform UK ruled out working in a coalition with other parties.
Mr Choudhry, chair of the meeting, said: “I declare that the meeting be adjourned to a future date to be advised. This is to allow further discussion to take place.”
‘Credibility of Labour in Government is at stake’ says John Healey as he takes swipe at damaging civil war in ranks
John Healey said he did not care about “photo ops or PR firms” in a swipe at leadership hopefuls jockeying within Labour as he warned “the very credibility of Labour is at stake”.
The Defence Secretary said: “We must not lose sight now of the duty people gave us in 2024. The special opportunity of government. We must not throw away so lightly the power we were given.
“I don’t care about photo ops or PR firms. Politics – to me – is not about the individual. People will not forgive us if they think we’re more concerned about ourselves than we are about them.
“And I say to my colleagues what Michael Gove once said: that ‘we govern by consent’. Through the way we behave, the change we deliver, the trust with the public.
“And right now, the very credibility of Labour in Government is at stake.
“We must get serious. It’s not about us, not about the insiders of politics, it’s about the interests of the country. We must be a Government that steers Britain through the conflicts and looming crises we face, and be a party that manages ourselves in a constructive, well ordered way.”
Labour “turned in on ourselves” over a “tough” 10 days, says John Healey
John Healey has said Labour “turned in on ourselves” over a “tough” 10 days.
Giving a speech at an event hosted by the Good Growth Foundation, the Defence Secretary said: “These have been a difficult few weeks.
“Politics is fracturing. Communities are struggling. Wars are raging. People are worried.
“Our world is changing, fast. It is less predictable, more dangerous, with rising demands on defence.
“For Labour, the last 10 days has been tough. We’ve lost many hundreds of good councillors across the country.
“We’ve turned in on ourselves.”
Prime Minister’s situation is ‘irrecoverable’ says former first minister of Wales
Sir Keir Starmer should set out a timetable for his departure, a former Welsh Labour leader has said, calling the situation for the Prime Minister “irrecoverable”.
Mark Drakeford, former first minister of Wales between 2018 and 2024, told Channel 4 News he would support Andy Burnham to be Sir Keir’s successor, and intends to campaign for him in Makerfield.
“I think Keir Starmer should set out a timetable for a change in leadership of the United Kingdom Labour Party and the United Kingdom itself.
“He is a decent man who works extremely hard every day to do his very best, but a combination of circumstances and capacity mean that it hasn’t worked out, and it’s time to recognise that and make a plan to move ahead.
“I think it is irrecoverable, both his own personal standing and his ability to lead an effective government.”
‘Ripping up the failed status quo’ – Keir Starmer addresses Government’s renters’ rights laws
Sir Keir Starmer said the Government’s renters’ rights laws were an example of “ripping up the failed status quo” as he addressed a Downing Street reception for homelessness charities and other campaigners.
The event at No10 was also attended by his former deputy Angela Rayner, though the pair did not cross paths as the Prime Minister mingled following a short speech during which attendees applauded.
“We had to fight for this,” he said in his remarks at the podium.
“We did this very much together. This is not a dry piece of legislation that just sits on the statute books – it makes a real impact for renters up and down the country.”
He said he was “so proud” of the reforms, adding: “When I became your Prime Minister two years ago, I said sticking plaster politics wouldn’t be enough to turn this country around.”
He said that in an “uncertain world” with heightened global tensions, the Government could either go into a “defensive crouch”, which would be “the wrong response,” or take action to make things better.
John Swinney re-elected as First Minister – all you need to know
John Swinney was re-elected as First Minister of Scotland today – 11 days after the SNP became the largest party north of the Border.
Although it is mathematically unlikely anyone but the leader of the largest cohort of MSPs takes up the mantle of First Minister, the top job comes down to a vote by MSPs after all party leaders put themselves forward.
Holyrood heard from six party leaders for the first time since the election on May 7: incumbent First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney; newly elected Malcolm Offord leading Reform UK; Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar; one half of the Scottish Greens leadership, Gillian Mackay; Russell Findlay with his decimated Scottish Tories; and the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ Alex Cole-Hamilton.
One MSP has already been deducted from the SNP’s 58 elected officials after Cunninghame North’s Kenny Gibson was chosen as the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer last week and assumes neutrality.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Global economy ‘held hostage’ by Strait of Hormuz blockade, says Yvette Cooper
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz risks the world “sleepwalking into a global food crisis”.
Speaking at an aid conference in London today, Ms Cooper said Iran’s blockade could mean tens of millions of people go hungry.
“Heating oil for Asia – stuck in the Strait, fertilisers for Africa – stuck in the strait, 20,000 seafarers, 800 ships – just stuck in the strait”, she said.
Ms Cooper described the blockade as leaving the global economy “held hostage”, and that countries in the global south were “paying the biggest price”.
Shadow Energy Secretary slams Ed Miliband’s plans and claims last Tory government did a better job
Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has slammed Ed Miliband’s plans, and insisted she did a better job in the last Conservative administration.
She said: “Bills came down £500 under me, they’ve gone up £200 because of the Secretary of State’s plans.”
Ms Coutinho served as Energy Secretary between August 2023 – when Ofgem’s energy price cap was £2,074 per year for a typical household – and July 2024, when the price cap was £1,568 per year.
That was a difference of £506, and came as prices were normalising following the spike after Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine.
Under Mr Miliband, the price cap is currently £1,641 – a rise of £73 since he took up the role.
The previous price cap, which ran from January to March this year, was £1,758 – £190 higher than when Mr Miliband took charge.
Ofgem will announce the July to September price cap by May 27.
John Swinney ‘determined to get on with the job’
John Swinney has said he is “determined to get on with the job” as he was voted in as Scotland’s First Minister.
He promised Scots his Government will have an agenda that is both “ambitious” and “practical”, and said he has a “clear plan for the work ahead” and a “determination to deliver for the people of Scotland”.
He also made it clear he will continue to push for a second independence referendum – despite the SNP’s failure to win an overall majority in the Holyrood election.
‘Whoever is the leader, we have to have a plan’, says Foreign Affairs Committee chair amid Labour leadership race
Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry has emphasised the importance of a clear plan for Labour’s governance amid the leadership race.
“Well, look, the work needs doing,” she told reporters.
“We needed to have the plan. We do have it in some things, so on green energy Ed Miliband had a plan. But he was given the latitude to be able to develop that.
“I know that there were other people, including myself, frankly, who had other things that we wanted to put into a plan, but it was held back because it was like, ‘hang on a minute, it’s probably better to leave it vague so that we don’t alienate people’.
“We’ve all got ideas. I’ve got a list. Everybody’s got a list. There’s more that we could do. And then we need to pull it together. Whoever is the leader, we have to have a plan.”
John Swinney voted to carry on as First Minister
John Swinney has been voted in as Scottish First Minister
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GETTY
MSPs have voted for John Swinney to continue to be the First Minister of Scotland.
After three rounds of voting Mr Swinney received 56 votes overall.
In the first round of voting Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton was eliminated with 10 votes and Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay was eliminated in the second round of voting with 11 votes.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord both received 17 votes and Scottish Greens leader Gillian Mackay received 15 votes.
WATCH: Transport Secretary announces new HS2 cost of up to £102.7billion and further delay
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says the HS2 could cost up to £102.7billion and may not open until 2039.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, Ms Alexander said: “It gives me no pleasure to say the expected cost of completing two is now between £87.7billion and £102.7billion, priced in 2025.
“Two thirds of this increase is down to past misunderstanding of the work required underestimation and inefficiency issues within the control of HS2 limited some of its suppliers and previous Governments.”
WATCH HERE.
‘There is only so much I can do from Greater Manchester’: Andy Burnham ‘humbled’ to have been selected as Labour’s Makerfield candidate
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said that he feels “humbled” to have been selected as Labour’s Makerfield candidate.
In a statement, Mr Burnham said: “These proud working-class communities represent the very best values of our country and they deserve so much better.
“It would be my honour to work for them every day, if elected as their MP, to achieve that.
“Many people here feel Westminster isn’t working for them and they are right. I am standing to change that and get the voice of these communities heard loud and clear.
“I am glad that this by-election has finally put the places that make up the Makerfield constituency into the national spotlight.
“They have been neglected by national politics for too long. It is a good thing that all political parties are now on the hook to tell the voters here what they are going to do for them.
“More than anything, people need life to be more affordable again. As Mayor, I have brought in changes which are helping, such as the £2 fare cap, free bus travel for our 16-18 year-olds and removing the 9.30am restriction from older and disabled people’s bus passes.
“But there is only so much I can do from Greater Manchester.
“If elected, I will have a relentless focus on reducing people’s everyday costs and bills and well as securing the investment these communities need.
“I have been an elected representative in Greater Manchester for 25 years. Throughout that time, I have fought for the people of the North West of England on so many fronts.
“I am now ready to bring the whole weight of that experience to fighting for the communities of the Makerfield constituency and would be privileged to be given that opportunity.”
Local plumber to stand as Reform UK’s candidate for Makerfield by-election
Local plumber Robert Kenyon has been announced as Reform UK’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election.
In a slick campaign video, Mr Kenyon took aim at Mr Burnham being “parachuted” into the Manchester seat.
“For Andy Burnham, Makerfield will be a stepping stone. But for me, Makerfield is the only place I’ve ever wanted to represent,” he said.
Andy Burnham confirmed as Labour candidate in Makerfield ahead of crunch contest
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the Makerfield by-election.
Labour’s ruling body, the NEC, shortlisted Mr Burnham as the sole candidate.
Ex-minister warns Mandelson vetting documents are being ‘withheld’
Former minister Sir Jeremy Wright has warned that the vetting documents into the appointment of vetting documents are being “withheld”.
Sir Jeremy, the deputy chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) went on to claim that Whitehall was redacting information and withholding documents for purposes “not specifically permitted in the humble address”.
He told the Commons: “The ISC has been considering redactions to documents on the grounds that, if unredacted, those documents may prejudice national security or international relations.
“But it has become apparent to us that the Government also intends to redact documents for other reasons not specifically permitted in the humble address or, in some cases, to withhold those documents altogether.”
Release of next batch of Mandelson files set to be delayed AGAIN
The release of the next batch of Mandelson files are set to be delayed again.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the next batch of vetting documents detailing the appointment of Peter Mandelson to the UK Ambassador to the US would be released after Whitsun Recess.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Jones said: “As I have previously said to the House, the Government will be publishing a second tranche of material.
“This is currently being finalised and will be one of the largest government publications ever laid in this House.
“This is reflective of the breadth of the motion and also the Government’s commitment and transparency in responding to it…
“Given the House is due to rise on Thursday, and given the length of the publication, the second tranche will now be published after Whitsun recess to give the House sufficient time to review the material and to be able to ask me and the Government questions.”
Makerfield by-election officially triggered after Josh Simons makes way for Andy Burnham
Makerfield by-election has been officially triggered after Josh Simons resigned from his seat.
The mid-term contest is likely to be held on June 18 after the Chief Whip issued the writ today.
Jonathan Reynolds told the Commons: “I beg to move that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in this present parliament for the borough constituency of Makerfield, in the room of Joshua Cameron Simons, who since his election for the said borough constituency has been appointed to the Office of Steward and Bailiff of His Majesty’s Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham in the county of Buckinghamshire.”
Keir Starmer arrives at memorial services for victims of infected blood scandal
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at a memorial service for those impacted by the infected blood scandal at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the victims of what has been dubbed the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history.
‘Fighting yourselves to death!’ Dan Jarvis skewered by GB News host over Labour’s infighting while Britain remains ‘in a state’
Watch the moment GB News host Alex Armstrong grills Security Minister Dan Jarvis on Labour’s ongoing internal drama, declaring the Government is “fighting itself to death”.
Speaking to the People’s Channel, Mr Jarvis assured he is “getting on with the difficult and important job of keeping our country safe”.
Stressing the country’s ongoing issues affecting Britons, Alex told Mr Jarvis: “It doesn’t seem like you’re getting on with the job.
“The country’s in an absolute state, and your party is fighting itself to death over who should be the next Prime Minister, despite the fact we don’t even know whether there will be one. It’s all a bit of a mess, isn’t it?”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Andy Burnham would smash Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting in Labour leadership contest, poll shows
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would smash Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting in a Labour leadership contest, a new poll has revealed.
Polling conducted by YouGov found 47 per cent of party members named Mr Burnham as their first choice candidate for Labour leader.
Mr Burnham, who is hoping to win a by-election in Makerfield on June 18, also opened up considerable leads in head-to-head contests.
The Greater Manchester Mayor would defeat the Prime Minister by a margin of 59 per cent to 37 per cent.
The “King of the North” is also more popular than Mr Streeting, opening up a 70-point lead over the ex-Health Secretary.
Mr Streeting, who announced on Saturday his intention to stand in a leadership contest, also struggled against both Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband among Labour members.
Over the border: MSPs to elect Scotland’s First Minister today
MSPs are set to vote for Scotland’s next First Minister after the Holyrood elections on May 7.
SNP’s John Swinney declared he was confident he would win the election.
Andy Burnham blasted by Claire Coutinho over ‘extraordinary’ plans to re-industrialise Britain: ‘It’s madness!’
Claire Coutinho has launched a scathing two-pronged attack on Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband, describing Labour’s plans for Britain’s energy security as “madness”.
Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Energy Secretary hit out at Mr Burnham’s plans to re-industrialise the UK while the Energy Secretary continues to “shut down the North Sea”.
In a speech in Leeds on Monday, Mr Burnham argued that Britain had been on the “wrong path for 40 years” with deindustrialisation in the North.
He said: “The deindustrialisation of the 1980s was devastating for places across Makerfield like Ashton-in-Makerfield, Orrel, Winstanley, Hindley, Platbridge.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
‘He’s got a great track record…in Manchester’: Security minister refuses to back Andy Burnham as PM
Security minister Dan Jarvis has refused to back Andy Burnham as a potential successor to Sir Keir Starmer.
“He’s got a great track record in Manchester,” he told GB News’s Ellie Costello, when asked about Mr Burnham’s suitability for Labour leader.
“And it’s absolutely his right to put himself forward as the candidate for the Makerfield by-election. But there is a process that is in place, the NEC will have to take a view about who they think is the best candidate and whoever they decide will be the candidate.
“And I’m sure the whole Labour movement will get behind that person and campaign for them in this important by-election.”
Mr Jarvis backed the Greater Manchester Mayor in a previous leadership contest.
PICTURED: David Lammy arrives at No10 ahead of Cabinet meeting
Angela Rayner makes leadership quip at birthday bash – ‘Only joking!’
Angela Rayner refused to shy away from the leadership speculation as she made a jovial quip at an event last night.
Speaking at Big Issue’s 35th birthday dinner, the former Deputy Prime Minister – and Sir Keir Starmer’s rumoured rival – said she was there to “launch her leadership bid”, Politico reported.
“Only joking! My head of comms is here and freaking out. That was a joke,” Ms Rayner clarified.
PM gears up to chair first Cabinet meeting since Wes Streeting’s resignation
The Prime Minister is gearing up for his first Cabinet meeting with his top team since Wes Streeting resigned last week.
The former Health Secretary said he had “lost confidence” in his boss’s leadership and called on Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his departure.
Following a tumultuous week in office, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he would not “walk away” from his premiership and vowed to lead his party into the next General Election.
Keir Starmer warned decision to redirect £6bn away from ‘first line of defence’ could compromise national security
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the decision to redirect £6billion away from the “first line of defence” could compromise national security.
Some of Britain’s most senior former military chiefs have co-signed a letter protesting the Government’s decision to cut about £6billion from the overseas budget to fund an increase in defence spending.
Among the 51 signees are Field Marshal Lord Richards, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General James Cowan, who commanded the British Army’s primary fighting division, and General Sir Nick Parker, former Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces.
The cuts to the overseas budget will be used to fund an estimated £28billion hole in the Ministry of Defence’s finances.
But Lord Richards has urged Sir Keir “not to force a choice between defence and development”.
UK unemployment rises to 5% and wage growth slows but Labour insist figures ‘encouraging’
Britain’s jobless rate has risen from 4.9 per cent to five per cent in the three months to March, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) labour market data.
It comes despite expectations that unemployment would remain unchanged on the quarter.
These figures include the first month of the US–Iran conflict, which triggered a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices.
The resulting increase in fuel costs fed through to businesses and households almost immediately.
READ THE FULL STORY.
BOMBSHELL POLL: Breakdown of Labour members’ leadership views
Andy Burnham would be victorious in a leadership contest, bombshell polling has suggested.
The Greater Manchester Mayor is the first choice for leader across 47 per cent of Labour members.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer comes runner-up on 31 per cent.
The recently-resigned Wes Streeting lags far behind his rivals on just four per cent.
The pollsters at YouGov interviewed 706 Labour members from May 14 to 18.
Yvette Cooper to warn world ‘sleepwalking into food crisis’ over Iran conflict upheaval
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to warn the world is “sleepwalking into a global food crisis” following the upheaval driven by the Iran conflict.
Ms Cooper will sound the alarm over the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz this morning, pointing out the crisis has disrupted the worldwide distribution of fertilisers.
As a result, some 45 million people are at risk of falling into acute food insecurity if the war is not resolved by the middle of the year.
Ms Cooper will advise the reopening of the strait to dodge the looming crisis to allow fertiliser through the key maritime passageway.
READ THE FULL WRITE-UP HERE.
Labour leadership chaos could ‘cost British families £300 each’
The Labour leadership contest has already cost British families £300 each, the Tories have warned.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride will say taxpayers face a “Burnham penalty” after Sir Keir Starmer’s position as Labour leader has been thrown into doubt.
Chaos and speculation around Downing Street – after a pathway for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament was opened – has been reflected in the bond markets.
Gilt yields, effectively the interest rate on government borrowing, have increased since Labour’s poor local election results and movement from potential leadership challengers such as Mr Burnham and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
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