\n<\/p>\n
Peter Walker<\/span><\/p>\n Peter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.<\/em><\/p>\n Zack Polanski is facing unexpected internal opposition in his bid to fight the Holborn and St Pancras byelection for the Greens, with a local councillor saying he is also seeking the nomination and that the seat needs a local MP, not \u201ca politician you\u2019ll only see on a leaflet\u201d.<\/p>\n Hamza Chowdhury<\/strong>, a Green councillor on Camden council in north London, said in a post that he had received nomination from six other Greens, meaning seven of the 10 Greens on the council oppose Polanski being selected.<\/p>\n Among those backing him is Lorna Russell, the group leader in Camden for the Greens, who are the official opposition to Labour.<\/p>\n Polanski, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, announced on Thursday that he would seek the nomination to fight the seat vacated by Keir Starmer, setting up a high-stakes byelection against Labour.<\/p>\n Local party members will vote later this week to select a candidate, and the Guardian has been told that they are broadly supportive of Polanski standing.<\/p>\n But such high-profile opposition is notable, especially given Chowdhury argued that Polanski, who currently lives in east London, would be unable to properly represent the area if he won.<\/p>\n Chowdhury wrote on Instagram:<\/p>\n double quotation markI know Camden because I live it every day. I know the challenges facing our communities, our estates, our broken lifts, our unpicked bins, our unclean roads and endless housing register waiting list because these are the places I have grown up and continue to call home.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t need another MP who arrives during an election campaign, puts out a few leaflets, makes a few promises and disappears once the votes are counted. We need an MP who is present, accessible and visibly part of the community all year round.<\/p>\n I am asking Green party members for the opportunity to represent your home truly and properly. I\u2019m not asking you to vote for a politician you\u2019ll only see on a leaflet. I\u2019m asking you to choose someone who is already here.<\/p>\n <\/span>Zack Polanski (second from left) campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras at the weekend with Green party activists.<\/span> Photograph: Andy Hall\/The GuardianShare<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.30 EDT<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 15m ago<\/p>\n Lib Dems claim local government reorganisation could put ‘essential services and vulnerable people at risk’<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 22m ago<\/p>\n Farage claims Reform UK triggered council reorganisation U-turn by using judicial review court challenges<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 35m ago<\/p>\n List of counties and areas in England where local government reorganisation plans have been cancelled or shelved<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n No 10 refuses to deny report saying the Sun won’t be getting any favours from Burnham while he’s PM<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Labour moves writ for Holborn and St Pancras byelection to be held on Thursday 8 October<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Rayner cancels some local government reorganisation plans for England, and delays others, after Burnham requested rethink<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n MP calls for circumcisions by non-health professionals to be banned, as Commons debates amendments to health bill<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Polanski faces challenge to be Greens’ candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, as most Greens on local council back rival<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Policing minister Sarah Jones to make statement to MPs on Portsmouth anti-migrant disruption<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n No 10 hits back at US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, after he accuses UK government of ‘Jew hate’<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Opposition parties accuse Healey of offering ‘more of the same’ in his first major speech as chancellor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Healey’s speech – snap verdict<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Ministers told to axe many consultations, and tolerate more legal risk, so they can drive through change more quickly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Healey says he cannot comment on budget be because responding to speculation will ‘only fuel more speculation’<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Healey declines to rule out tax rises in budget<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Healey says he wants to cut burden of business regulation by 25%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Healey says changes to Treasury’s green book rules will ‘skew investment to projects with more long-term potential’<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Healey allocates \u00a3150m from British Business Bank for start-ups in north of England<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Healey says he will set out ‘roadmap to fiscal devolution’ in budget<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Healey says he wants to ‘draw the line’ under ever-rising costs for business<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Healey says making ‘Great Britain growth Britain again’ is ‘central’ to his mission as chancellor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Healey says there’s ‘nothing progressive’ about paying debt interest, and being ‘true to our values’ means controlling spending<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n ‘Even Reeves had more vision’ – opposition parties not impressed by advance briefing on Healey’s speech<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Healey says he wants growth story ‘written in more places’<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 8h ago<\/p>\n Minister condemns \u2018thuggish\u2019 far-right, anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n County councils in England were particularly opposed to the proposed local government reorganisation because county councils operate in a two-tier system (with district councils), and the main purpose of the plan was to replace two-tier councils with unitary councils (on the grounds they are supposedly more efficient).<\/p>\n Today the County Councils Network<\/strong> issued a broadly positive statement about the reorganisation U-turn. Its chair elect, Sean Matthews, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markMany of our members had serious concerns [about the reorganisation] and felt the decisions taken over the last six months would not deliver any of these aims \u2013 with the previous Starmer government shifting substantially from its own criteria to create new authorities covering populations of 500,000 or more. Others were concerned how decisions were made, the robustness of the process and the underpinning evidence.<\/em><\/p>\n The CCN called on the new administration in government to take ownership of the programme \u2013 reviewing the decisions made and only proceeding with proposals that can deliver sustainable councils and protect services. We are pleased they have taken ours, and our councils\u2019 concerns on board by announcing a pause and review of the programme today.<\/em><\/p>\n Many of our members will be relieved that the decisions they viewed as damaging to local services and financially unsustainable have been withdrawn or are being reviewed. For our councils that do want to proceed with reorganisation in their area, we will support them in their next steps and we will be seeking further clarity from government in the coming days.<\/em><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n The Tories have described the government\u2019s local government reorganisation U-turn as a \u201ctotal humiliation\u201d. David Simmonds<\/strong>, the shadow local government minister, said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is yet another total humiliation for this Labour Government, who have once again been exposed breaking the law in an attempt to force their top-down programme of local government reorganisation on communities.<\/p>\n Ministers are only backing off because they have been found out in the face of relentless Conservative opposition to their gerrymandering. Their behaviour shows that [Andy] Burnham and [Angela] Rayner\u2019s promise to empower local communities is completely hollow: their intention was always to dictate downwards.<\/p>\n And, in her statement, Z\u00f6e Franklin<\/strong>, the Lib Dem local government spokesperson, says services are at risk.<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is an embarrassing and chaotic climbdown, which has resulted in already cash-strapped councils wasting huge sums on plans the government told them were legally watertight.<\/p>\n Many local authorities, on the frontline of delivering vital services such as adult social care and Send support, were relying on this reorganisation to survive financially. Many are now left with nothing, potentially putting essential services and vulnerable people at risk.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Reform UK politicians are normally the first to complain about the courts being used to obstruct the wishes of an elected government. But Reform councils in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex launched judicial review proceedings to block the local government reorganisation plans that were going to abolish those county councils and Nigel Farage<\/strong>, the party leader, has claimed that it was these moves that triggered the government U-turn announced today.<\/p>\n In a statement, Farage said:<\/p>\n double quotation markReform UK not only argued that this government\u2019s plans for local government reorganisation were an unmitigated disaster, but we once again put our money where our mouth is.<\/p>\n Earlier this year we took on the government and forced them to give the vote back to millions of people after Labour tried to cancel democracy. Now, thanks to our judicial reviews in affected Reform-led councils, the government has backed down on their plans yet again.<\/p>\n Only Reform had the backbone to stand up to these reckless plans. This is yet another embarrassing defeat for Labour. Only Reform backs real democracy.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Here is the list of the four counties where local government reorganisation plans have been scrapped: Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.<\/p>\n And here are the 14 counties and areas where local government reorganisation plans have been put on hold pending a review.<\/p>\n Derby and Derbyshire<\/p>\n Devon, Plymouth and Torbay<\/p>\n East Sussex and Brighton<\/p>\n Gloucestershire<\/p>\n Hertfordshire<\/p>\n Kent and Medway<\/p>\n Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool<\/p>\n Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland<\/p>\n Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire<\/p>\n Nottingham and Nottinghamshire<\/p>\n Oxfordshire and West Berkshire<\/p>\n Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent<\/p>\n Warwickshire<\/p>\n Worcestershire<\/p>\n There are two other areas where the government was considering reorganisation but had not yet taken a decision over a proposed way ahead: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and West Sussex. In these areas, reorganisation is also on hold.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n In the Commons, Angela Rayner,<\/strong> the communities secretary, has just given a statement about her plans to cancel some local government reorganisation plans, and to delay others. (See 2.20pm.) Lindsay Hoyle<\/strong>, the speaker, said it was relief to have an announcement that had not been briefed to the media in advance.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n On the subject of Liverpool, the Department for Transport<\/strong> has confirmed that Liverpool city region is getting \u00a386m to bring its bus services under public control. In a news release, the DfT says:<\/p>\n double quotation markMillions of passengers across the Liverpool city region are set to benefit from better, more reliable bus services as the city becomes the first to bring its network under public control under this government.<\/p>\n In a huge boost for local growth, the government will provide \u00a386.3m of funding until 2029 to deliver better services for passengers, as well as a share of a new one-off \u00a33m pot to help mayors take control of their services.<\/p>\n This funding will give the combined authority the power to plan bus networks to run services where they are needed most. Like in London and Greater Manchester where bus services are franchised, this also means local leaders in Liverpool will have more say over routes, branding and fares, which could mean cheaper journeys across the city.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Downing Street had refused to deny an Observer story saying that Andy Burnham intends to ensure that the Sun newspaper does not get any special editorial favours from him as PM.<\/p>\n That suggests Rupert Murdoch\u2019s favourite tabloid won\u2019t be getting exclusive interviews, or special articles for publication carrying Burnham\u2019s byline.<\/p>\n The Observer report was written by Tom Baldwin,<\/strong> a former Labour communications director, who explained:<\/p>\n double quotation markAlthough neither Burnham nor his official spokespeople have said anything explicit since he entered No 10 about ending cooperation with the newspaper,<\/em> three separate sources close to him have privately said he intends to maintain a stance of granting the tabloid \u201cno special favours\u201d.<\/p>\n His position is understood to be causing \u201cconsternation\u201d within the headquarters of the newspaper\u2019s owner, Rupert Murdoch\u2019s News UK, where executives have long since been used to the Sun<\/em> getting access and securing influence at the very highest level of government.<\/p>\n Burnham\u2019s decision is understood to relate to the Hillsborough tragedy. He grew up near Liverpool and had friends who were at the Hillsborough match, and campaigning for justice for the families of victims became one of the big causes of his political career. As a young culture secretary, Burnham gave a speech at the Hillsborough 20th anniversary memorial in 2009 which was instrumental in persuading him that the government had to redouble its efforts to ensure the full truth came out.<\/p>\n No paper did more to smear the Hillsborough fans than the Sun, which falsely claimed that their behaviour was to blame for the crush that led to 97 people being killed. Although the paper has apologised, and all those involved in that reporting have long since moved on, the paper is still reviled on Merseyside.<\/p>\n Asked about the Observer story at the Downing Street lobby briefing, the PM\u2019s spokesperson<\/strong> did not deny the claim that the Sun would not be getting special favours from the new PM. Asked repeatedly about the story, the spokesperson just said that Burnham would be engaging \u201cwith a wide range of media, including new forms of media\u201d, as he has been doing already.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Lucy Powell<\/strong>, the deputy Labour leader, has issued this statement following the moving of the writ for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection. (See 2.41pm.)<\/p>\n double quotation markLabour has hit the ground running in Holborn and St Pancras. We\u2019ve been out every day speaking to local residents about their priorities and it\u2019s clear that Andy Burnham\u2019s message of hope is really cutting through. Since this byelection was announced we\u2019ve had thousands of conversations on the doorstep right across the constituency and Labour activists and supporters will be speaking to thousands more in the coming days.<\/p>\n While others talk, Labour is delivering the progressive change people in Holborn and St Pancras want to see. We\u2019ve taken early action to give people vital breathing space on the cost of living, and we\u2019re taking on the long term challenges people really care about, like ending rough sleeping, tackling youth unemployment and making sure we finally fix our social care system.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n In the Commons Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, has just asked a question during questions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Florence Eshalomi<\/strong>, the homelessness minister, was replying and, in a pointed jibe about Keir Starmer, she said it was good to see a former PM still playing an active role in the Commons.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n In the Commons Anneliese Midgley<\/strong>, the Labour chief whip, has just moved the writ for the Hoborn and St Pancras byelection. That means it will be held on Thursday 8 October.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Decisions on flagship local government reorganisation have been withdrawn as the government launches a review of the plans following new legal advice, the Press Association reports. PA says:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government<\/strong> (MHCLG) said the review is to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government\u2019s aim to \u201crewire the state\u201d, and follows \u201cupdated and privileged legal advice\u201d.<\/p>\n At least eight councils have launched legal challenges or were considering to do so due to opposition to the government\u2019s choice of footprints for new councils.<\/p>\n Reform UK-led Kent county council is set to consider a judicial review at a meeting on Tuesday after it did not receive a response from the government to a letter setting out concerns.<\/p>\n Plans for reorganisation in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn in the light of new legal advice.<\/p>\n Decisions on 14 further areas will be reviewed and paused alongside the cases of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and West Sussex, which are yet to have a decision confirmed.<\/p>\n The government will also confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries, saying it remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.<\/p>\n Communities secretary Angela Rayner<\/strong> is expected to tell parliament on later: \u201cAs we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it\u2019s only right that as a new secretary of state I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.<\/p>\n \u201cThe prime minister told the House last week he was \u2018prepared to look at local government reorganisation\u2019 and he asked me as his communities secretary to \u2018do that\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd, secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister, and any additional considerations.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas and I am very grateful for it.\u201d<\/p>\n MHCLG said reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities, East and West Surrey, will go live in April 2027.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Chris Osuh<\/span><\/p>\n Chris Osuh is a Guardian community affairs correspondent.<\/em><\/p>\n A proposal to ban anyone who is not a healthcare professional from performing circumcisions has been launched in parliament after the deaths of baby boys in the UK.<\/p>\n Sam Carling<\/strong>, Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, has tabled an amendment to the government\u2019s health bill.<\/p>\n At present, anyone can legally circumcise in the UK. The amendment calls for non-therapeutic male circumcision to become a \u201cregulated activity,\u201d and follows coroner\u2019s inquests and criminal prosecutions drawing attention to the risk of unregulated circumcisers.<\/p>\n Circumcision is routinely performed for religious and cultural reasons in some Black, Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain. Community organisations have been warning of the risks of the lack of regulation.<\/p>\n In a prevention of future deaths report published in January, the government was urged by a coroner to take action to avoid similar tragedies to the death of Mohamed Abdisamad, a baby who died of a streptococcus infection in February 2023, a week after being circumcised.<\/p>\n Since 2001, circumcision has been a factor in the deaths of seven boys.<\/p>\n Carling said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe need to strengthen the regulation of non-therapeutic male circumcision could not be clearer. The tragic death of Mohamed Abdisamad in 2023, and other tragic deaths and serious injuries in recent years, have shown that the legal framework in this space is simply not good enough.<\/p>\n My amendment would enact the recommendations of the coroner in Mohamed\u2019s case, who was clear that the status quo, in which anyone can perform a circumcision with no requirements on infection control measures or aftercare, would lead to future deaths.<\/p>\n Carling\u2019s amendment would require circumcision to come under the inspection regime of the Care Quality Commission, and for integrated care boards to produce annual data on prevalence and complications of non- therapeutic male circumcision.<\/p>\n MPs will be debating report stage amendments to the health bill this evening, and it will get its third reading tomorrow.<\/p>\n Yvette Cooper<\/strong>, the new health secretary, is tabling a series of government amendments to the bill intended to strengthen local accountability and increase support for maternity services. Explaining the changes, a government source said:<\/p>\n double quotation markMandatory local government representation will be restored on the integrated care boards which manage health services around the country, reflecting Andy Burnham\u2019s devolution agenda.<\/p>\n And a new role of maternity and neonatal commissioner will be created by the bill, reflecting Cooper\u2019s personal prioritisation of maternity services and developed alongside the government\u2019s maternity advisor Michelle Welsh (MP for Sherwood Forest).<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.59 EDT<\/p>\n Peter Walker<\/span><\/p>\n Peter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.<\/em><\/p>\n Zack Polanski is facing unexpected internal opposition in his bid to fight the Holborn and St Pancras byelection for the Greens, with a local councillor saying he is also seeking the nomination and that the seat needs a local MP, not \u201ca politician you\u2019ll only see on a leaflet\u201d.<\/p>\n Hamza Chowdhury<\/strong>, a Green councillor on Camden council in north London, said in a post that he had received nomination from six other Greens, meaning seven of the 10 Greens on the council oppose Polanski being selected.<\/p>\n Among those backing him is Lorna Russell, the group leader in Camden for the Greens, who are the official opposition to Labour.<\/p>\n Polanski, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, announced on Thursday that he would seek the nomination to fight the seat vacated by Keir Starmer, setting up a high-stakes byelection against Labour.<\/p>\n Local party members will vote later this week to select a candidate, and the Guardian has been told that they are broadly supportive of Polanski standing.<\/p>\n But such high-profile opposition is notable, especially given Chowdhury argued that Polanski, who currently lives in east London, would be unable to properly represent the area if he won.<\/p>\n Chowdhury wrote on Instagram:<\/p>\n double quotation markI know Camden because I live it every day. I know the challenges facing our communities, our estates, our broken lifts, our unpicked bins, our unclean roads and endless housing register waiting list because these are the places I have grown up and continue to call home.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t need another MP who arrives during an election campaign, puts out a few leaflets, makes a few promises and disappears once the votes are counted. We need an MP who is present, accessible and visibly part of the community all year round.<\/p>\n I am asking Green party members for the opportunity to represent your home truly and properly. I\u2019m not asking you to vote for a politician you\u2019ll only see on a leaflet. I\u2019m asking you to choose someone who is already here.<\/p>\n <\/span>Zack Polanski (second from left) campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras at the weekend with Green party activists.<\/span> Photograph: Andy Hall\/The GuardianShare<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.30 EDT<\/p>\n The Sarah Jones statement about Portsmouth (see 1.18pm) will be the second of three ministerial statements this afternoon. There are no urgent questions.<\/p>\n At 3.30pm, before Jones, Angela Rayner, the communities secretary, will make a statement about local government reorganisation. That should last about an hour, and after Jones finishes, at about 5.30pm, Emma Reynolds, the chief secretary to the Treasury, will make a statement about economic growth.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n At the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM\u2019s spokesperson<\/strong> condemned the behaviour of anti-migrant protesters who blocked roads in Portsmouth yesterday. He said: \u201cThuggish behaviour is unacceptable, we condemn it unreservedly.\u201d<\/p>\n This was stronger than the initial response released by the Home Office yesterday, but in line with what Emma Reynolds<\/strong>, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said in interviews this morning. (See 8.59am.)<\/p>\n Sarah Jones<\/strong>, the policing minister, will give a statement to MPs on the disruption later this afternoon.<\/p>\n Asked if the government regarded the protests as \u201cfar-right\u201d, the PM\u2019s spokesperson<\/strong> said that dealing with them was an operational matter for the police, but that \u201cany behaviour that is intimidatory and a cause of disruption to passengers and travellers is unacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n At the weekend Mike Huckabee<\/strong>, the US ambassador to Israel, posted this on social media about the UK.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Brits have lost it. The Jew hate of their government knows no boundaries and knows no facts<\/p>\n Huckabee was commenting on a tweet from the Israeli government criticising Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, for comments about Israel\u2019s record in Gaza.<\/p>\n Asked about Huckabee\u2019s comment at the Downing Street lobby briefing, the PM\u2019s spokesperson<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe completely reject that assertion. We\u2019re committed to protecting Jewish communities in the UK and continue to engage with community leaders and groups.<\/p>\n The government is investing almost \u00a3380m over three years, to protect Jewish communities, crack down on antisemitic extremism and hostile state activity, and tackle antisemitism in schools, universities and local communities.<\/p>\n The spokesperson would not say if the government had formally complained to the US authorities about Huckabee\u2019s remark.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Jaguar Land Rover has announced thousands of job cuts in a \u201cbody blow for workers\u201d as it grapples with tough trading conditions, Donald Trump\u2019s tariff wars and the fallout from a cyber-attack. Rob Davies <\/strong>and Alex Daniel<\/strong> have the story.<\/p>\n Asked about this at the No 10 lobby briefing, the PM\u2019s spokesperson<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe understand that this will be an uncertain and concerning time for affected workers, their families and the wider communities.<\/p>\n And we know that current market conditions are challenging for the automotive sector globally. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve taken significant action to back the UK\u2019s automotive industry by lowering electricity bills for manufacturers, providing \u00a34bn of capital R and D funding to manufacture zero-emission vehicles and launching a \u00a32bn electric car grant to encourage people to buy Evs.<\/p>\n The business secretary [Jonathan Reynolds] is in close contact with JLR and he will be meeting them early this week.<\/p>\n The spokesperson also confirmed that Reynolds has been \u201cclear on his ruling out of any form of bailout\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Hamish Falconer<\/strong>, appointed by Andy Burnham as minister for EU relations, has had his first official meeting with his EU opposite number, Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d. In a social media post, Falconer says he wants \u201ca more ambitious partnership\u201d.<\/p>\n Share\n
Lib Dems claim local government reorganisation could put ‘essential services and vulnerable people at risk’<\/h2>\n
Farage claims Reform UK triggered council reorganisation U-turn by using judicial review court challenges<\/h2>\n
List of counties and areas in England where local government reorganisation plans have been cancelled or shelved<\/h2>\n
No 10 refuses to deny report saying the Sun won’t be getting any favours from Burnham while he’s PM<\/h2>\n
Labour moves writ for Holborn and St Pancras byelection to be held on Thursday 8 October<\/h2>\n
Rayner cancels some local government reorganisation plans for England, and delays others, after Burnham requested rethink<\/h2>\n
MP calls for circumcisions by non-health professionals to be banned, as Commons debates amendments to health bill<\/h2>\n
Polanski faces challenge to be Greens’ candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, as most Greens on local council back rival<\/h2>\n
Policing minister Sarah Jones to make statement to MPs on Portsmouth anti-migrant disruption<\/h2>\n
No 10 hits back at US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, after he accuses UK government of ‘Jew hate’<\/h2>\n