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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Full list of UK Government departures as Keir Starmer loses his 10th member
KEIR Starmer has lost 10 members of his Government since Labour won the General Election in July 2024. This is a higher number of departures than those clocked up by his immediate predecessors during the equivalent period of their premiership. Rishi Sunak lost nine Government members in the first 13 months since taking office, Boris Johnson six and Theresa May three. READ MORE: Homelessness minister quits after reports of £4000 rent hike for tenants Liz Truss's premiership lasted only a month and a half, during which there were three departures. These totals do not include people who left the government as part of changes made during a planned reshuffle. The figures are based on press reports and data published by the Institute for Government. The 10 people to leave the Labour Government so far are: Louise Haigh (November 28 2024). Resigned as transport secretary after failing to correct police records in 2013 regarding a stolen mobile phone. Tulip Siddiq (January 14 2025). Resigned as economic secretary to the Treasury after an investigation by the independent adviser on ministerial standards. Andrew Gwynne (February 8 2025). Sacked from job as under-secretary of state for public health and prevention for comments in a WhatsApp group. Lord Cryer (February 14 2025). Resigned as government whip in the House of Lords due to personal reasons. Anneliese Dodds (February 28 2025). Resigned as international development minister and minister for women over cuts to the international aid budget. Lord Hunt (May 22 2025). Retired after holding post of minister of state in Department for Energy Security. Baroness Curran (June 6 2025). Resigned as minister of state in Department for Energy Security due to ill health. Vicky Foxcroft (June 19 2025). Resigned as government whip in the House of Commons over proposed cuts to disability benefits. Lord Moraes (July 22 2025). Resigned as government whip in the House of Lords due to personal reasons. Rushanara Ali (August 7 2025). Resigned as homelessness minister in Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after allegations she increased rent on a property she owned.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Petrol rockets to highest price in MONTHS with fears it could hit 150p per litre
PETROL prices in the UK have jumped to their highest level since April, sparking fears they could climb even higher. The average petrol price at the pump is now 133.19p per litre, up from 132.95p in June, according to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. 1 Diesel prices have also risen to 140.58p per litre, up from 140.26p last month - the highest level since April 28. Experts warn that escalating conflict in the Middle East could push prices even higher, with some predicting petrol could hit 150p per litre. Tensions between Israel and Iran, along with US military action in the region, have already caused the price of crude oil to spike. After reaching nearly $79 a barrel in late June, oil prices now sit just under $70. However, further unrest could see the cost soar again. Tony Redondo, who runs Cosmos Currency Exchange, says petrol prices could shoot up if oil hits $100 a barrel. He explained that oil prices have already gone up by 3% in the last two weeks because of trouble in the Middle East and shops charging more to cover their costs. "There is also speculation that fuel duty may be increased for the first time since 2011 in October's budget, even though taxes already account for 60% of petrol prices at the pump. "Prices could rise to 150 per litre if oil prices rocket to $100 if the Iran-Israel conflict reignites or Iran closes the Straits of Hormuz," he added. However, Samuel Mather-Holgate, an Independent Financial Adviser at Mather and Murray Financial, pointed to potential US motives behind higher oil prices. He said President Donald Trump might want oil prices to stay high to help US oil companies produce more. But he warned this could make things more expensive overall and push up interest rates. He said: "Trump may want prices to stay higher for longer to incentivise US oil giants to 'drill baby drill', but he won't like the effect on inflation this causes. "Higher inflation means higher interest rates, so the possibility that filling up your tank may only be more expensive for a short period will be welcomed by most." For now, drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump, but we've shared some tips below to help you save money. Warning over petrol station mistake which can cost £1,000s How can I find the cheapest petrol stations? Websites like can help you find the cheapest petrol stations near you. The site covers over 3,800 petrol stations using CMA data, providing daily price updates for unleaded, diesel, super unleaded, and premium diesel. To use it, simply register, enter your postcode, choose how far you're willing to travel (up to 20 miles), and select your fuel type. Keep in mind, you can only search the website five times a day, but downloading the app gives you unlimited searches. Your savings will depend on how often you fill up, which varies based on how frequently you use your car. Prices also differ by location and change week to week, so it's always worth checking to make sure you're getting the best deal. isn't the only option for comparing fuel costs. Fleet News and Allstar also offer tools to check petrol prices across different counties, letting you see how your area compares to the UK average. Plus, has a petrol price checker for registered users, allowing them to find fuel prices within a 5, 10, or 25-mile radius. How else can I cut fuel costs? ONE way to save is by signing up for major supermarket loyalty schemes, which can give you discounts of up to 5p per litre. Esso has partnered with Nectar, allowing you to get 5p off per litre when you redeem 300 Nectar points. BP drivers can use the BPme rewards card to earn one point for every £1 spent in-store or on a litre of regular fuel, with £1 off fuel or shopping for every 200 points. Loyalty schemes from Texaco, Shell, Sainsbury's, and Tesco also offer savings on fuel and shopping bills. You can further reduce fuel costs by driving more efficiently by: Accelerating gradually without over-revving. Driving in the highest gear possible. Allowing your car to slow down naturally instead of braking unnecessarily. Don't forget about clutter in your car. Extra weight from tools, toys, or rubbish can increase fuel consumption by as much as 12%. Clearing out unnecessary items can make a noticeable difference to your costs.
New Statesman
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
Ed Miliband keeps winning
Photo byIt's been a cheery couple of weeks for Ed Miliband. Despite a raft of negative briefings in the weeks prior to the spending review, Miliband's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ended up being one of Rachel Reeves' biggest winners. Alongside the cancellation of a previously trailed cut to the Warm Homes Plan, DESNZ received a 16 per cent increase in spending power (more than any other department). And now, following a period of internal wrangling with the Number 10 and the Treasury, the former Labour leader has announced the extension of the Warm Homes Discount, a policy which offers a £150 energy bills discount to those on low incomes. Insiders tell me it is something the Energy Secretary has been working on behind the scenes for months. Energy bills – and the government's pledge to cut them by £300 before the end of the parliament – will be a key metric of Labour's success at the next election. Frustration over the slow pace of reduction, alongside fury over the Winter Fuel Payment, were big issues on the doorstep during the locals (it wasn't a good night for Labour). In the wake of voting, one insider close to Miliband pointed to the Warm Homes Discount – which was first introduced in 2011 – and questioned why the government did not make more of it following the decision to cut Winter Fuel. It is, after all, a means-tested benefit intended to support not just elderly people, but millions of households on low incomes to reduce their energy bills. The extension announced on Thursday will see a further 2.7 million households eligible to receive this benefit; over 6 million households will now be able to access the discount. It will be paid for via a deal which the government has struck with the energy regulator, Ofgem. Currently, energy bills include the socialised costs of energy companies' unpaid debts, the government has done a deal to reduce the overall debt burden on energy companies. This accompanies the recent cut to the Energy Price Cap, which comes into effect in July, meaning a double whammy of energy bill reductions. All of this suggests that despite speculation that Keir Starmer might be about to make an about-turn on support for net zero, the Prime Minister is firmly staying put. Not only has Miliband's funding been bolstered, but his department has been responsible for some of the government's most recent positive news: 100,000 new jobs at Sizewell C, solar panels for newbuild homes, schools, and hospitals, and now the extension of the Warm Homes Discount. And Starmer has made clear that, in directly taking on Nigel Farage, he won't look to ape the Reform UK's net zero scepticism but will seek to prove how the green transition can help low-income, marginalised communities, as well as slashing the UK's carbon emissions. That Starmer is staying close to Miliband is unsurprising. The PM has, after all, always been environmentally minded (he is a pescatarian, did you know?). Perhaps his most famous case as a human rights lawyer was representing two Greenpeace Activists against McDonalds in the 1997 McLibel trial. Starmer, who's former Kentish Town home is a short walk from Miliband's ends in Dartmouth Park, was also encouraged to run to be an MP in 2015 by his predecessor as Labour leader. The pair have a shared political history; it's easy to speculate that Starmer feels some loyalty there. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Connections aside, it's clear Starmer sees the electoral benefit of his Energy Secretary's clean power drive, particularly after the disastrous Winter Fuel Payment saga and the government's subsequent U-turn. Reducing the UK's reliance on imported natural gas and other fossil fuels will lead to lower energy bills; a result on which Starmer's premiership will be heavily judged (and to some extent, already is). And in this new turbulent international climate – the arguments for energy security remain; Miliband was the first to make them. After months of underestimation from his detractors, the Energy Secretary and his agenda are safe, for the time being. It all now rests on the success of his delivery. Related
India Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Government workers in the UK used AI to do their jobs, here is what they found
A recent trial involving 20,000 civil service workers in the UK has found that artificial intelligence tools, when integrated into daily workflows, can save government employees an average of 26 minutes a day, equivalent to roughly 13 working days a year. 'The objective of this experiment was to understand the value that an AI tool such as M365 Copilot would bring when deployed across a large portion of the UK government. Value was defined as improvements in efficiency, task completion rates, and overall user satisfaction,' the report findings are part of a three-month pilot conducted across several government departments, including the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and agencies handling welfare, pensions and child services. The initiative tested Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI assistant built into Microsoft tools such as Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and used Copilot to manage routine tasks like drafting documents, replying to emails, setting up meetings and preparing presentations. According to the final study, 'trial participants saved an average of 26 minutes a day when using M365 Copilot.' The trial was launched as part of a broader push to modernise government operations and explore how new technologies could increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle presented the findings at SXSW London, noting that artificial intelligence has the potential to 'help us work smarter, reduce red tape, and make better use of taxpayers' money.'advertisementThe report showed a high level of satisfaction among users, with 'user sentiment overwhelmingly positive, with 82 per cent expressing they would not want to return to their pre-Copilot working conditions.' Additionally, 'over 70 per cent of users agreed that M365 Copilot reduced time spent searching for information, performing mundane tasks, and increased time spent on more strategic activities.'That said, the trial also revealed challenges and limitations. Some users raised concerns over security and data handling, especially when dealing with sensitive or complex material. As noted in the report, 'perceived concerns with security and the handling of sensitive data led to reduced benefits in a minority of cases. Limitations were observed when dealing with complex, nuanced, or data-heavy aspects of work.'Still, the majority of feedback was optimistic. The experiment reported high engagement levels, with '39 per cent of users using it multiple times a day, and a further 43 per cent using it at least multiple times a week.' Satisfaction scores also reflected this enthusiasm, with users rating their overall experience at 7.7 out of 10, and 8.2 out of 10 for recommending the tool to AI assistant was most frequently used within Microsoft Teams, which saw the highest adoption rate of 71 per cent. However, adoption was notably lower for other tools: Excel peaked at 23 per cent and PowerPoint at 24 per cent. Usage of Word and Outlook declined slightly toward the end of the experiment, while Copilot Chat showed a small recovery after a brief trial found that 'results were consistent across grades and professions, with differences observed in how the tool was used and where benefits were realised.' Some employees with conditions like dyslexia and dyspraxia also found the AI tools especially helpful, enabling them to complete work more 'only 17 per cent [of users] did not notice any clear time savings,' more than a third of respondents reported saving over 30 minutes a day. The study concludes that if such results were applied across the wider civil service, the time saved could significantly improve productivity and free up workers for higher-value tasks.
Spectator
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Farage plans ‘Minister for deportations'
Machinery of government is not the sexiest of subjects – but it is a useful way of signalling a politician's priorities. Rishi Sunak used his first reshuffle to rebrand the 'Department for Energy Security' and create a new ministry for science. Boris Johnson invented the Department for Levelling Up; Jeremy Corbyn proposed a 'Minister for Peace.' Now, Nigel Farage has floated his own changes to the Whitehall machine, with the creation of a new ministry for deportations. At a Dover press conference this morning, the Reform leader declared that: We will demand a minister for deportations. It will be part of the Home Office but it will be a separate department within it. We will need to recruit new people, as the evidence at the moment suggests those who work in the Home Office would wilfully obstruct policy if we won the next general election. The eye-catching announcement was the top line from a speech which largely reprised Reform's greatest hits: leave the ECHR, repeal the Human Rights Act and clamp down on asylum claims.
