UK politics live: Keir Starmer says UK-US relationship ‘stronger than ever’ with Biden as leaders meet for Nato summit today

Joe Biden described the US and the UK because the “better of allies” as he appeared to again Sir Keir Starmer’s push for the UK to forge nearer defence ties with Europe.

In his first face-to-face assembly with the newly elected British prime minister, Mr Biden known as the UK the “transatlantic knot” binding the 2 continents collectively.

“I type of see you guys because the knot tying the transatlantic alliance collectively, the nearer you might be with Europe. We all know the place you might be, you understand the place we’re.” Mr Biden mentioned.

Sir Keir desires an formidable new UK-EU safety pact to strengthen co-operation and seeks nearer work on defence with key allies resembling France and Germany.

Sir Keir advised the president: “The particular relationship is so necessary. It’s cast in troublesome circumstances, endured for thus lengthy, and stronger now than ever.

A UK Authorities spokesman mentioned Mr Biden and Sir Keir “agreed we should proceed to do no matter it takes to assist Ukraine and guarantee aggressors like Putin don’t win”.

The spokesman added: “The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s latest feedback on establishing nearer relationships with our European counterparts, in addition to the UK’s dedication to Aukus.”

Rachel Reeves has reacted to this morning’s information that the UK GDP grew quicker than anticipated in Might – by 0.4 per cent.

The chancellor mentioned: “Delivering financial development is our nationwide mission, and we don’t have a minute to waste.

“That’s the reason this week I’ve already taken the pressing motion obligatory to repair the foundations of our financial system to rebuild Britain and make each a part of Britain higher off.

“A decade of nationwide renewal has begun, and we’re simply getting began.”

The expansion passed off earlier than the brand new Labour cupboard got here into energy.

The UK financial system grew faster than anticipated in Might as extra consumers returned to excessive streets and building work recovered, in keeping with official information.

The Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) reported a gross home product of 0.4% in comparison with a zero development throughout April when damp climate hit shopper spending.

Economists had predicted that GDP would improve by 0.2% in Might. ONS director of financial statistics Liz McKeown mentioned: “The financial system grew strongly in Might, with all the primary sectors seeing will increase.

“Many retailers and wholesalers had a very good month, with each bouncing again from a weak April.

“Development grew at its quickest fee in virtually a 12 months after latest weak spot, with housebuilding and infrastructure tasks boosting the trade.”

Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden met within the White Home as a part of their first face-to-face for the reason that UK common election.

Throughout a personal dialog on the Oval Workplace, the 2 leaders mentioned the Nato alliance and their nations’ “particular relationship”.

A authorities spokesperson mentioned: “The Prime Minister congratulated President Biden for internet hosting a superb Nato summit to date. Each leaders agreed that in its seventy fifth 12 months, Nato is stronger and extra united than ever.

“They mirrored on the significance of the Nato alliance and the particular relationship within the context of present geopolitical challenges, together with the continuing struggle in Ukraine. They agreed we should proceed to do no matter it takes to assist Ukraine and guarantee aggressors like Putin don’t win.

“Shifting on to debate the scenario in Israel and Gaza, they mentioned their shared ambition for a direct ceasefire to get hostages out, get humanitarian assist in and make progress in the direction of a two-state resolution.

“The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s latest feedback on establishing nearer relationships with our European counterparts, in addition to the UK’s dedication to AUKUS. They mirrored that at a time once we face rising challenges the world over, we’re at our strongest once we unite and work collectively.”

At simply 0.5 factors above 2001’s low of 59.4 per cent, this 12 months’s election risked falling to a brand new file, and was among the many lowest turnouts in a century.

From 1924 to the 12 months 2000, turnout didn’t dip under 70 per cent. Actually, the best turnout within the final 100 years was when 83.9 per cent of eligible voters forged their ballots in 1950, when Clement Attlee’s Labour noticed its majority shrink from 146 to five.

However for the reason that flip of the millennium, Britons within the twenty first century haven’t been displaying as much as vote in such excessive numbers, and this may increasingly simply be the brand new regular.

Our information correspondent Alicja Hagopian has the complete evaluation:

Rwandan president Paul Kagame is predicted to cruise to a fourth time period in workplace in an election on Monday in opposition to two opposition candidates who had been cleared to run in opposition to him however have solely modest expectations.

Mr Kagame, 66, helped lead the insurgent motion that ended the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and has served as president since 2000. He faces solely two rivals as a result of six different potential candidates weren’t cleared to run by the state-run electoral fee.

Mr Kagame gained practically 99 per cent of the vote within the final election in 2017, which adopted a constitutional change eradicating time period limits that might have barred him from standing once more.

Mr Kagame’s authorities has been accused by Western nations and rights activists of muzzling the media, assassinating opponents, and backing insurgent teams in neighbouring Congo.

Worldwide scrutiny was intensified by the migration deal Rwanda struck in 2022 to obtain 1000’s of asylum seekers from Britain.

Newly elected British prime minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday he would scrap the settlement.

Rwanda’s authorities has denied all of the accusations in opposition to it, and whereas campaigning, Kagame promised continued growth and stability.

“With you, there’s nothing our nation won’t obtain, as a result of as we speak you have got leaders who usually are not silly and you aren’t silly,” he advised younger supporters at a rally final week in Jap Province.

The pilot – which can even take a look at different versatile working insurance policies resembling compressed hours and a shorter working week – will report its findings to the federal government in the summertime subsequent 12 months.

Reform UK chairman Richard Tice has dismissed claims his occasion may merge with the Tories in a right-wing alliance.

Mr Tice claimed he would “compete” with them and claimed each Labour and the Conservatives “symbolize some type of socialism”.

Requested if he would be part of forces with the Tories, Mr Tice advised ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme: “We aren’t within the Tories. We’re Reform, we’re rising, we stood in each seat attainable within the election and that’s what we’re going to proceed to do.

“I wish to compete. That’s what we wish to do. We wish to put ahead a totally totally different agenda to socialism.”

Downing Avenue has introduced an inventory of recent parliamentary appointments. The 13 Commons, who usually are not ministers however whips, will work with Labour MPs to make sure they’re absolutely knowledgeable.

Mark Tami MP as Treasurer of HM Family (Commons Deputy Chief Whip);Samantha Dixon MP as Vice-Chamberlain of HM Family (Authorities Whip);Chris Elmore MP as Comptroller of HM Family (Authorities Whip);Nic Dakin MP as a Junior Lord of the Treasury (Authorities Whip);Vicky Foxcroft MP as a Junior Lord of the Treasury (Authorities Whip);Jeff Smith MP as a Junior Lord of the Treasury (Authorities Whip);Anna Turley MP as a Junior Lord of the Treasury (Authorities Whip);Taiwo Owatemi MP as a Junior Lord of the Treasury (Authorities Whip);Christian Wakeford MP as an Assistant Whip, Home of Commons;Gen Kitchen MP as an Assistant Whip, Home of Commons;Keir Mather MP as an Assistant Whip, Home of Commons;Gerald Jones MP as an Assistant Whip, Home of Commons;Anna McMorrin MP as an Assistant Whip, Home of Commons.

The prime minister has additionally appointed three whips within the Home of Lords:

Lord Kennedy of Southwark as Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentleman at Arms (Lords Chief Whip);Baroness Wheeler MBE as Captain of The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard (Lords Deputy Chief Whip).