Babcock says Brexit and Covid beset Royal Navy contract as profits plunge 22. June 2026 (11:41) Underlying operating profits down 19% with 2019 frigate-building programme making loss, firm reportsOne of the UK’s biggest defence contractors has blamed Brexit and Covid among a catalogue of problems to beset a key contract for the Royal Navy, which led its annual profits to plunge.Annual profits at Babcock International fell by almost a fifth in the year to the end of March, as the firm reported a £140m charge on its contract to build five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory 22. June 2026 (11:37) Labour leader bows to mounting pressure after Andy Burnham’s success against Reform UK in MakerfieldUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Andy Burnham to Westminster.Less than two years after a historic election victory, Starmer had faced calls from his MPs to set out a timeline for his departure, with many of them unnerved by the threat from Nigel Farage’s party before the next general election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK and France rewrite ‘one in one out’ treaty to stop removed migrants returning 22. June 2026 (11:17) People smugglers have been using lorries to bring people deported to France under the deal back to the UKThe UK and France have been forced to rewrite the “one in, one out” deal because of concerns over the numbers of people re-entering the UK after being removed to the continent.The original treaty said people arriving in small boats could be returned to France. But people smugglers have used lorries to bring people who had been deported to France under the deal back to the UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teen accused of planning terror attack on Peter Dutton and Brisbane march was making ‘edgy joke’, court told 22. June 2026 (09:42) Defence barrister claims teenager was a ‘troubled kid’ but crown prosecutor says he was serious when he wrote of copying US domestic terroristsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA teenager accused of preparing a nail bombing campaign was either a “troubled kid” who made edgy jokes or a determined terrorist in waiting, a court has been told.The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, spent last week on trial in the Brisbane supreme court after pleading not guilty to one count of acts done in preparation for or planning a terrorist act. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brexit: how it has hit your wallet at the supermarket and on holiday 22. June 2026 (08:00) Ten years on, leaving the EU has made life more difficult and costly – here are some of the ways we’ve lost outIt is 10 years since voters in the UK chose to leave the EU, and our wallets have been feeling the effects ever since.From paying more to take the dog on holidays in France – and making calls while you are there – to higher grocery bills and the headache of filling in customs forms for parcels, Brexit has made many simple tasks more complicated and expensive. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zali Steggall expected to launch teal party after months of secret talks 22. June 2026 (07:36) Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps and Nicolette Boele are understood to be open to the idea but other crossbenchers are firmly againstFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastZali Steggall is poised to launch a new political venture as soon as this week after months of secret talks about the future of the teal movement.But it may be a party for one, at least initially, as the prospect of a “teal party” continues to divide crossbench MPs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran hails ‘progress’ as first day of talks with US conclude after shaky start 22. June 2026 (07:29) Mediators Pakistan and Qatar issue statement saying talks will run for rest of the week, as fighting in Lebanon continues to threaten agreementIran’s foreign minister has declared “progress” after the first day of talks between high-ranking officials from Washington and Tehran ended in Switzerland, despite a tense opening marked by Donald Trump threats to restart attacks.A joint statement from mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the US and Iran agreed to a roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks between lower-ranked officials will continue for the rest of the week, according to the statement, with fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon at the top of the agenda. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After Burnham’s reign, battle begins for Greater Manchester’s mayoral crown 22. June 2026 (07:00) The influential role vacated by the new Makerfield MP will be fiercely contested by Labour, Reform and the GreensAs Andy Burnham maps out the final steps on his path to Downing Street, he may feel that his future is clear. But a look back over his shoulder reveals a cloudier outlook, inviting the question: what now happens to his former role as Greater Manchester’s mayor?An election has been set for 30 July, and with the job widely seen as having grown under Burnham’s tenure to become one of the most influential in British politics outside Westminster, Labour is desperate to cling on to it – but parties to its right and left both see an opportunity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gen Z earning more than millennials did at the same age, says thinktank 22. June 2026 (07:00) At age 24, workers born in the late 1990s are paid more than any cohort since those born in the 1950sGen Z’s early careers are more financially rewarding than those of millennials, research suggests.Those typically born between 1997 to 2012 are experiencing a mini-rebound in pay packets, according to the research by the Resolution Foundation, in a seeming contrast to how the previous generation entered the job market. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top officer says anti-racism guidance has fuelled myth of two-tier policing 22. June 2026 (07:00) Head of Greater Manchester force refutes claims of anti-white bias but says he understands where it comes fromPolicing in Britain has “adopted the language of activism” and official guidance has “over-corrected” to combat accusations of racism, one of the UK’s most senior officers has said.Sir Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said he did not believe that “two-tier policing” existed or that forces were biased against white people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
