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Three asylum seekers wirth luggage move out from a Home Office contracted London hotel

UK's asylum hotel bill down 30%, government says

The Home Office's annual accounts show £2.1bn was spent on hotel accommodation in the year to March 2025.

7 hrs ago
Politics
Diane Abbott stands in the House of Commons wearing a black outfit and a large statement necklace. She is surrounded by seated MPs dressed in various colors, including blue, grey, and red. The chamber’s green benches and ornate wooden paneling are visible in the background.

Minister denies Labour wants Abbott out of party

Diane Abbott is suspended as a Labour MP after she said she did not regret "at all" a previous suspension.

13 hrs ago
Politics
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney

Starmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser

Morgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, the Cabinet Office said in a report.

16 hrs ago
Politics

Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election

Other planned changes include expanding voter ID to include bank cards and moving to automatic registration.

1 day ago
Politics

Which 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 ago
Politics
Diane Abbott stands in the House of Commons wearing a black outfit and a large statement necklace. She is surrounded by seated MPs dressed in various colors, including blue, grey, and red. The chamber’s green benches and ornate wooden paneling are visible in the background.

Minister denies Labour wants Abbott out of party

Diane Abbott is suspended as a Labour MP after she said she did not regret "at all" a previous suspension.

13 hrs ago
Politics
Diane Abbott MP, wearing a red jumper and dark navy jacket, speaks in the House of Commons.

Chris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Abbott again

Labour appearing consistent is core to Abbott's second suspension, writes the BBC's Chris Mason.

1 day ago
Politics
Sir Grant Shapps leaving Downing Street carrying a red folder

My focus was on saving lives after Afghan data breach, Shapps says

The former defence secretary says erring on the side of caution was "entirely justified" after the 2022 breach.

12 hrs ago
Asia
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney

Starmer's chief of staff is top paid special adviser

Morgan McSweeney is paid between £155,000 and £159,999, the Cabinet Office said in a report.

16 hrs ago
Politics
A young man with short light brown hair is wearing a blue pinstriped suit, a white shirt and pale blue tie. In the background are steps leading up to a large glass building with a sign above double doors that reads, "Warwickshire County Council".

Reform plans to spend up to £190k on assistants

Opposition parties on Warwickshire County Council say the money could be better spent elsewhere.

A bald man with glasses points with his left hand while speaking at a podium. He is wearing a dark suit, white shirt and purple tie. There is a blue background behind him with a saltire on it

Swinney's independence pitch could be key to SNP fortunes

The first minister has announced a three-point plan, but will it satisfy his party's supporters?

Germany's chancellor sits in a dark jacket and tie

Germany's Merz tells BBC Europe was free-riding on US

Merz was visiting the UK to boost defence ties with Germany, as part of a historic friendship treaty.

Part of the Palace of Westminster is seen between two Metropolitan Police officers in Parliament Square, London.

Met Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts

The move would reduce police front desks across London from 37 to 19, and reduce the number open 24/7.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz upon their arrival at Downing Street, in London

Plans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty

It comes as Friedrich Merz makes his first official visit to the UK as German chancellor.


Features and analysis

Two young women walk along Westminster Bridge in London with Parliament in the background

How 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.

Afghans scaling a wall to access Kabul airport during the evacuation in 2021

What we know so far about Afghan data breach

The revelation of a major data leak and subsequent relocation of thousands of Afghans to the UK has raised serious questions.

A monument inscribed with the word Afghanistan outside the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in London

Three key questions after Afghan data breach sparked unprecedented secret evacuation

The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner analyses the leak of Afghan citizens' data and the fallout.

US President Donald Trump holding a red baseball cap with the slogan Make America Great Again on it

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.

Close up shot of a person looking at bills and receipts on a table next to a calculator in their kitchen. They are wearing a blue jumper and the kitchen sink is in the background.

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 Mason

Diane Abbott MP, wearing a red jumper and dark navy jacket, speaks in the House of Commons.

Chris Mason: Why Labour had little choice but to suspend Abbott again

Labour appearing consistent is core to Abbott's second suspension, writes the BBC's Chris Mason.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks in the House of Commons.

Starmer stamps authority with MP suspensions, but risks appearing vindictive

Senior officials say the sackings came after repeated organising against the government.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands during a press conference.

Starmer and Macron plead for patience in an impatient world

The UK and France have agreed a "one in, one out" deal for migrants crossing the Channel.

People thought to be migrants wade through the sea to board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel.

Migrant deal will be seen as failure if numbers don't fall

The "one-in-one-out" deal with France to be announced later will have to deter people from getting in small boats.

A lone man crosses Whitehall and Parliament street during the middle of the day towards the Cabinet Office in Westminster

What happens inside the government's crisis room

Cobra is where senior ministers and officials gather to coordinate the emergency response to a crisis.


BBC InDepth

Image of Reeves and Starmer hugging, with another image of Laura K to the side

Labour might be down, but it's not necessarily out - voters reflect on a year in power

What’s gone wrong for Labour? 2024 voters delve into it, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

A treated image of Keir Starmer in front of number 10

Starmer's stormy first year: Why his political honeymoon was so short-lived

As the PM marks a year in office next week - which he will spend grappling with crises - British politics finds itself at an inflection point

Index pic

Crisis - which crisis? Israel-Iran another huge challenge for government

As buildings burn in Tehran and Tel Aviv, the UK government is facing another crisis, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

Faisal Islam in front of an image of Rachel Reeves walking past a black door, holding a red folder

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 vision

A montage image showing Mette Frederiksen and Danish homes in black and white behind

The country where the left (not the far right) made hardline immigration laws

Denmark has come under international attention for its tough approach. And its Social Democrat prime minister is leading the charge


Watch/Listen

Young person being interviewed, smiling to camera in front of a microphone, with black hair.

Votes for 16-year-olds? Teenagers react

The 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 Comments

Abbott suspended by Labour Party pending investigation into her comments about racism

PM Civil Society Summit speech

Sir Keir Starmer speaks about how reshaping government works with communities.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

How one Lib Dem MP persuaded ministers to change the law within a year of being elected.

Reporter Reads

A political strategist says there are eight words that resonate with all voters.


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