In an interview with Premier Christian News, Keir Starmer has spoken warmly about the importance of Christian values and the vital role churches play across the UK. Speaking after a Downing Street reception honouring about a hundred church volunteers, Starmer described faith as a 'north star' during times of insecurity, conflict, and economic pressure. He highlighted Christian values of compassion, dignity, and care for others as essential foundations in a divided world. Starmer praised church volunteers as representing 'the true Britain' - a nation marked by kindness, generosity, and a willingness to look out for one another. He warned that these qualities are increasingly challenged by voices seeking to divide society, and said the Church’s quiet, faithful service tells a powerful story about national identity. From food provision to companionship and community support, he noted that churches step in where government cannot always reach. He also pledged closer partnership between government and churches, emphasising that this service continues year-round, not just at Christmas. Looking ahead to Christmas Day, Starmer said he plans to attend church with his family, welcoming a season of reflection, peace, and gratitude.

Keir Starmer has urged religious leaders to help strengthen social unity in the UK, expressing deep concern about divisions affecting communities nationwide. Speaking at a Downing Street reception during Interfaith Week, he praised the vital contributions of faith groups while acknowledging that recent violence - including attacks on a Manchester synagogue and a mosque in East Sussex - has tested interfaith harmony. Starmer said the country is at a fork in the road, with a choice between shared patriotic renewal or a descent into toxic division marked by racism, hostility, and rising online abuse. He said he wanted to serve the whole country ‘in all its reasonableness, its practicality, its tolerance, its live and let live, and its diversity.’ He finished by making a commitment to continued work with faith leaders to bring about change, commenting, ‘This has to be a partnership. We will play our part, but we recognise we can’t do it on our own.’

Keir Starmer has firmly denied authorising anonymous briefings against members of his cabinet after reports suggested some aides believed he could face a leadership challenge from health secretary Wes Streeting. At PMQs, he called such attacks completely unacceptable, insisting he appointed his ministers because they are 'the best people to carry out their jobs’. Streeting, who missed PMQs to address an NHS conference, rejected claims he was plotting a leadership bid and criticised what he described as a 'toxic culture' inside No 10 - though he does not believe the prime minister is responsible. Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of having 'lost control of his government’, while speculation persists within Labour about who might stand if a contest were triggered. Despite a large 2024 majority, Starmer’s leadership has faced turbulence; with the Budget and devolved elections looming, internal unity is being tested.

Keir Starmer has unveiled multi-million-pound clean energy investment deals as he heads to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The agreements, worth over £115 million, include £15 million for a new operations centre at the Port of East Anglia, £100 million for Belfast Harbour to deliver two Irish Sea wind farms, and Statera Energy’s plans for a major battery site in Greater Manchester. Downing Street says the projects will create more than 600 skilled jobs, describing them as 'national renewal in action’. Starmer said the UK will continue leading on climate action, promising to champion future generations and working people alike. Energy secretary Ed Miliband called clean power 'the engine of Britain’s economic renewal’. Yet critics question Labour’s ability to meet its net zero goals after scaling back international commitments, including rainforest protection funds. Conservative and Reform UK leaders argue that net zero targets are unrealistic and harmful to UK industry. See also the world article about the Earthshot Prize winners.

Keir Starmer has fuelled speculation that Labour may raise income tax in the autumn budget after refusing to reaffirm the party’s election pledge not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. Questioned in the Commons, he cited bleak new productivity forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, which have deepened the £20 billion gap facing Rachel Reeves. Treasury officials are modelling options including a 1p or 2p rise in the basic rate of income tax, possibly offset by cuts to national insurance, to raise up to £8 billion annually. Reeves is also considering freezing tax thresholds, potentially drawing more workers into higher bands, and reviewing the windfall profits levy on oil and gas firms to encourage new investment. Starmer, while claiming there would be 'no return to austerity', said the poor fiscal inheritance from the previous government demanded 'difficult choices’. Critics accused Labour of preparing tax rises because it cannot control spending, while supporters argue that fair reform is needed to restore economic stability. See also

A new poll has placed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage ahead of Keir Starmer as the public’s preferred choice for prime minister - the first time he has led in such polling. The survey, conducted from 10 to 13 October among 1,141 people, found 33% favoured Farage and 30% Starmer, while 29% were undecided. Ipsos’s Keiran Pedley said the result marks 'an intriguing shift' in the political landscape, with growing public confidence in Reform’s economic and immigration policies - issues Britons see as most important. Separate YouGov research also shows Labour’s support slipping to a record low of 17%, tied with the Conservatives, while Reform leads with 27%. The Greens have 16% and the Liberal Democrats 15%. Farage’s growing appeal, fuelled by dissatisfaction with both major parties, signals rising volatility in UK politics. Pressure is mounting pressure on Labour ahead of the autumn budget and next year’s local and national elections.

Keir Starmer will announce major asylum policy reforms at a European summit in Copenhagen. Refugees granted asylum in the UK will no longer automatically receive settlement or family reunion rights, ending a longstanding route suspended in September. Previously, asylum-seekers could sponsor immediate family without meeting visa, income, or language requirements. Under the new policy, gaining indefinite leave to remain will take longer than the current five years, with a new benchmark of around ten years, though timescales may vary depending on individual contribution to UK society. Starmer insists settlement must be 'earned' and not seen as a 'golden ticket’. Along with these changes, the UK will partner with Denmark, investing £3m to address migration causes in the Western Balkans and encourage local job creation. Starmer argues the reforms will deter small boat crossings while still allowing sanctuary for genuine refugees. Critics fear the changes risk undermining family unity for those fleeing persecution. See

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has urged the Labour Party to pursue 'wholesale change' to confront what he described as an 'existential threat' to Britain. Speaking ahead of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, Burnham criticised the party’s leadership style under Keir Starmer as 'factional and divisive’. Though often tipped as a future leader, he insisted he was not plotting an immediate return to Westminster, but challenged Labour to present a clear plan to 'turn the country around’. He said he was willing to work with anyone serious about radical reform, citing his efforts to re-nationalise Manchester’s bus network as an example, and suggesting that core services such as housing, energy, water, and rail should return to public ownership. His intervention comes amid political turbulence for Starmer, following Angela Rayner’s resignation over tax errors, the sacking of Peter Mandelson for links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the departure of a senior aide over offensive leaked messages.

Donald Trump has met Keir Starmer at Chequers during his second state visit to the UK, following the announcement of £150 billion in American investment. The funds, pledged by major firms including Blackstone, Prologis, and Palantir, are expected to create around 7,600 jobs across Britain. The leaders are set to sign a 'technology prosperity deal' to boost UK artificial intelligence development, while also discussing trade, investment, and foreign policy. The talks come after a Windsor Castle state banquet, where both Trump and the King hailed the 'special relationship' between the UK and US. While Starmer hopes to spotlight renewed transatlantic ties and economic opportunity, both governments face awkward questions, including ongoing controversies linked to Jeffrey Epstein and differing positions on Israel. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will also host a Downing Street reception for US and UK business leaders to showcase deeper cooperation. The visit marks a significant moment for strengthening economic and diplomatic bonds between the two nations.

Brussels has warned that no deal on easing border checks for UK food imports will be reached unless Britain agrees to expand youth mobility schemes. The proposed sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement - central to Labour’s plan to reduce food costs by 2027 - would align rules on plants, animals, and food products, cutting supermarket prices and border delays. But EU negotiators insist progress depends on allowing more young Europeans aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK. Cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds pressed for urgency during talks in Brussels, stressing the need for relief as food inflation has risen for five consecutive months, with key staples up 5.1% annually. European diplomats, however, argue the SPS deal is more important for Britain than the EU. Meanwhile, UK firms face possible exclusion from bidding on EU defence projects worth €150 billion unless terms are finalised soon, with France resisting UK involvement. The Government faces mounting pressure as household food costs continue to climb.