NewsNewsUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandScotlandWalesUK's asylum hotel bill down 30%, government saysThe Home Office's annual accounts show £2.1bn was spent on hotel accommodation in the year to March 2025.7 hrs agoPoliticsMinister denies Labour wants Abbott out of partyDiane Abbott is suspended as a Labour MP after she said she did not regret "at all" a previous suspension. 13 hrs agoPoliticsStarmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviserMorgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, the Cabinet Office said in a report.16 hrs agoPoliticsVoting age to be lowered to 16 by next general electionOther planned changes include expanding voter ID to include bank cards and moving to automatic registration.1 day agoPoliticsWhich parties could benefit from lower voting age?Young people are more likely to vote for left-wing parties - but how could this translate to a real election?1 day agoPoliticsMinister denies Labour wants Abbott out of partyDiane Abbott is suspended as a Labour MP after she said she did not regret "at all" a previous suspension. 13 hrs agoPoliticsChris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Abbott againLabour appearing consistent is core to Abbott's second suspension, writes the BBC's Chris Mason.1 day agoPoliticsMy focus was on saving lives after Afghan data breach, Shapps saysThe former defence secretary says erring on the side of caution was "entirely justified" after the 2022 breach.12 hrs agoAsiaStarmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviserMorgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, the Cabinet Office said in a report.16 hrs agoPoliticsReform plans to spend up to £190k on assistantsOpposition parties on Warwickshire County Council say the money could be better spent elsewhere.Swinney's independence pitch could be key to SNP fortunesThe first minister has announced a three-point plan, but will it satisfy his party's supporters?Germany's Merz tells BBC Europe was free-riding on USMerz was visiting the UK to boost defence ties with Germany, as part of a historic friendship treaty.Met Police to close half its front desks following budget cutsThe move would reduce police front desks across London from 37 to 19, and reduce the number open 24/7. Plans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treatyIt comes as Friedrich Merz makes his first official visit to the UK as German chancellor.Features and analysisHow will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work?The minimum voting age will fall to 16 across the UK as part of a package of election reforms.What we know so far about Afghan data breachThe revelation of a major data leak and subsequent relocation of thousands of Afghans to the UK has raised serious questions.Three key questions after Afghan data breach sparked unprecedented secret evacuationThe BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner analyses the leak of Afghan citizens' data and the fallout.Is there a secret formula for election-winning slogans?Political strategist Chris Bruni-Lowe claims in a new book that eight words hold the key to electoral success.Welfare cuts: What are the Pip and universal credit changes?The government watered down its welfare reform plans to get MPs to vote for the benefits bill. From our Political Editor Chris MasonChris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Abbott againLabour appearing consistent is core to Abbott's second suspension, writes the BBC's Chris Mason.Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictiveSenior officials say the sackings came after repeated organising against the government. Starmer and Macron plead for patience in an impatient worldThe UK and France have agreed a "one in, one out" deal for migrants crossing the Channel.Migrant deal will be seen as failure if numbers don't fallThe "one-in-one-out" deal with France to be announced later will have to deter people from getting in small boats.What happens inside the government's crisis roomCobra is where senior ministers and officials gather to coordinate the emergency response to a crisis.BBC InDepthLabour might be down, but it's not necessarily out - voters reflect on a year in powerWhat’s gone wrong for Labour? 2024 voters delve into it, writes Laura Kuenssberg.Starmer's stormy first year: Why his political honeymoon was so short-livedAs the PM marks a year in office next week - which he will spend grappling with crises - British politics finds itself at an inflection pointCrisis - which crisis? Israel-Iran another huge challenge for governmentAs buildings burn in Tehran and Tel Aviv, the UK government is facing another crisis, writes Laura Kuenssberg.Labour tiptoed cautiously through its first year - will it now decide to escape its own shadow?This week's Spending Review may be an opportunity for the UK government show investors its visionThe country where the left (not the far right) made hardline immigration lawsDenmark has come under international attention for its tough approach. And its Social Democrat prime minister is leading the chargeWatch/ListenVotes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers reactThe government has announced that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election.Diane Abbott Suspended Again After Racism CommentsAbbott suspended by Labour Party pending investigation into her comments about racismPM Civil Society Summit speechSir Keir Starmer speaks about how reshaping government works with communities.Political Thinking with Nick RobinsonHow one Lib Dem MP persuaded ministers to change the law within a year of being elected.Reporter ReadsA political strategist says there are eight words that resonate with all voters.
