UK

Lord Mandelson smiles alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February 2025.

Officials deliberately withheld Mandelson vetting result from me, Starmer says

The PM tells the Commons that if he had known the peer failed security vetting he would not have been appointed.

9 hrs ago

Politics

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street ahead of his statement to the House of Commons in London

Key points from Starmer's Mandelson statement

The prime minister has been back in the Commons after it emerged the Labour peer failed vetting.

10 hrs ago

Politics

Frustration, apathy and hope: Birmingham divided as extraordinary election looms

Is the UK's second city about to see the biggest political shake-up in more than a decade?

1 day ago

Birmingham & Black Country

'Huge relief' as students given loans 'in error' get repayment reprieve

Approximately 22,000 weekend students had been told their courses were never eligible for student finance.

11 hrs ago

Family & Education

Two students in school uniform sit indoors during a break, looking down at smartphones held in their hands.

Phones to be banned in schools by law in England under government plans

Education minister Jacqui Smith said the move would create "a clear legal requirement for schools".

6 hrs ago

Family & Education

Border Force officers processing the first small boat migrants detained under the UK's "one in, one out" deal with France, in Dover, Kent. A row of men sit on a bench with their backs to the viewer. Their faces have been blurred. There is a man in a hi-vis vest standing in front of them at a desk.

Reform pledges to review all asylum claims for past five years if it wins power

The current Labour government has already announced major crackdowns on immigration, including disrupting gangs.

15 hrs ago

Politics

Where are there elections 7 May? Everything you need to know ahead of tonight's voter registration deadline

The deadline to register to vote in next month's parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland, and local elections in parts of England, is 23:59 tonight.

A rectangular metal sign which reads 'Home Office'

Home Office blocks anti-Islam influencer from entering UK

Valentina Gomez, a US-based influencer, said she intended to travel to the UK to attend a rally next month.

Kezia Dugdale is looking sternly at the camera with her head to the side. She is wearing a dark tartan jacket and a necklace. The background is dark

Ex-Scottish Labour leader Dugdale appointed as Stonewall chairwoman

Dugdale, who is currently chairwoman of Shelter in Scotland, said she was "thrilled and honoured" to secure the post.

Lord Mandelson has short grey hair swept to one side and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. He has a dark blue jacket on and white and blue striped shirt underneath

Starmer would have blocked Mandelson over vetting failure, ministers say

The prime minister says he only learned of security concerns around the ex-US ambassador earlier this week.

'Staggering' I was not told Mandelson failed vetting, says PM

The PM is facing calls to resign over the revelation that Lord Mandelson did not pass security checks.

Liz Kendall wearing a serious expression, dressed in a dark suit, stands in front of a white car

AI minister Kendall says she doesn't use AI at work

The Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary this week unveiled a £500m fund to boost British AI firms.

Features and analysis

How do I register to vote in the May 2026 elections?

Here’s what you need to know about how you register to vote and when.

A collage of the No.10 door, Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer

Why Starmer still can't move on from the Mandelson mess

The decision to send Peter Mandelson to Washington has become a scandal that just won't go away for Labour.

Lord Mandelson speaks into a microphone at the ambassador's residence in Washington. Behind him is a US flag, flowers and a painting on yellow wallpaper.

What we know about Mandelson's vetting and security clearance

The former US ambassador was given a security clearance despite concerns being raised during checks.

Zahid Hasan Akhand, a bearded man wearing a fleece jacket and jumper and sitting at a desk, in a picture taken by an undercover reporter

Bogus websites, staged protests and pretend atheists: Inside the fake asylum industry

In the second part of an undercover investigation, the BBC exposes elaborate deceptions being used to bolster fake asylum claims.

Undercover footage of an Asian woman sitting on a bed. The chimney breast behind her has been turned into a feature wall with bright blue and silver wallpaper, while the bed cover is a large check pattern in yellow, blue and grey.

Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds

The BBC exposes a shadow industry charging migrants thousands of pounds to help them cheat the asylum system.

From our Political Editor Chris Mason

On the left is Sir Keir Starmer, who has grey hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. He is in front of a red background and speaking into a microphone. On the right is Lord Mandelson, who has grey hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses.

Chris Mason: PM facing awkward hours ahead as Mandelson questions remain

Mandelson vetting row shows Westminster continues to have the power to surprise, writes Chris Mason.

Peter Mandelson walking to his car wearing a casual jacket and grey jumper

Chris Mason: Mandelson nightmare haunts Starmer again

The prime minister is believed to be absolutely furious over the handling of Lord Mandelson's vetting, Chris Mason writes.

Chris Mason: Ministers have to close asylum loopholes while protecting genuinely vulnerable

There has been a stickiness to the electorate's concerns about issues of immigration and asylum, Chris Mason writes.

A close up image of Rachel Reeves wearing glasses and a purple suit while sitting on a sofa as she talks to Sir Charles Roxburgh (out of frame) in London on Monday.

Chris Mason: Iran war has trapped Labour in a vicious circle

A subdued economy makes trade-offs and choices over public spending more difficult, Chris Mason writes.

JD Vance and David Lammy shaking hands in an office, in front of two flags – one embroidered with the American stars and strips and another with the bald eagle.

Chris Mason: How Lammy and Vance's unlikely friendship is being leveraged

Their relations remain warm just as those between their leaders seems decidedly chilly, Chris Mason writes.

BBC InDepth

Why Starmer still can't move on from the Mandelson mess

The decision to send Peter Mandelson to Washington has become a scandal that just won't go away for Labour.

Treated image of Keir Starmer and Laura Kuenssberg on the right under the headline BBC In Depth

As Starmer faces war overseas, his party can't find peace at home

British politicians tend to stick together during dangerous moments abroad. In 2026? Not so much.

A treated image of Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron

Why Europe's leaders have struggled to speak as one on Iran

European nations say they want to work better together but have differing priorities

A treated image of Keir Starmer and No.10 door

One giant boys' club? Why Westminster can still feel like a man's world

The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson has prompted soul searching about women’s role in government, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

A treated image of close up shots of Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping

Why China views the UK visit as part of something bigger

Sir Keir Starmer is one of a number of world leaders heading to Beijing

Watch/Listen

Watch: Starmer faces MPs as Mandelson row drags on

Sir Keir Starmer addressed MPs in the Commons about Peter Mandelson's vetting for his job as US ambassador.

A woman with black hair stood in a street next to a red car

Why are the 2026 local elections so significant?

BBC West Midlands political editor Elizabeth Glinka explains the significance of 14 local elections.

Mandelson and Starmer standing together in February 2025

Why Starmer is under renewed pressure over Mandelson scandal

Political correspondent Harry Farley reports as new information emerges about the former US ambassador's appointment to the role.

Party leaders say how they engage young people in politics

Party leaders each face questions from an audience of voters in Llandudno.

A man wearing a suit with grey hair stands on the streets of Swindon Town Centre

What changes people want to see in Swindon

We asked what issues people in Swindon cared about most going into the local elections.