Politics LIVE: Ed Miliband orders IMMEDIATE ban on new North Sea oil risking wave of legal action

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That's all for today's politics blog.

We'll be back with all the updates tomorrow morning.

Starmer 'beyond frustrated' at prison overcrowding, blaming previous government

Speaking at the Nato summit in Washington, Sir Keir told LBC: "I can’t tell you how shocked I am to be in this position. It’s a basic function of government to have enough prison places for those that the courts are sending to prison.

“And that function was a complete failure under the last government, which they didn’t deal with, they didn’t address. It’s worse than I thought it was.

"We’ll have to immediately put in place measures and then talk about the longer term strategy,

"But I’m beyond frustrated to have been put in this position so soon into a new administration, for a problem the last government knew was there, they knew they weren’t addressing it, they were simply leaving it for somebody else to pick up the pieces. That is not good enough."

Miliband orders immediate ban on new North Sea oil risking wave of legal action 

Ed Miliband has overruled his officials to order an immediate ban on new drilling in the North Sea.

The move risks triggering a wave of legal action because companies will have wasted millions of pounds preparing their bids for licences, which were expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The decision followed crisis talks yesterday between Miliband and his aides.

On Wednesday afternoon the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) said applications for licenses were still being considered despite the new Labour government.

A spokesperson said: "Further consideration is being given to a small number of remaining applications and a few more may be offered at a later date."

But in a statement yesterday, a spokesperson for the Environment Secretary told the Telegraph: “We will not issue new licences to explore new fields, and will not revoke existing oil and gas licences. We will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.”

Keir Starmer hints he could grant new Bank Holiday this summer

New Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out a new bank holiday for England.

The Labour leader was coy when asked about the possibility of a day off if the England football team emerge victorious in their European Championships final on Sunday.

The Three Lions surged to the final last night after a dramatic late winner by Ollie Watkins.

Gareth Southgate’s side will now face Spain on Sunday as they bid to make history, and England fans will undoubtedly be keen for a day off on Monday to celebrate if they emerge victorious.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Tory voters who ABANDONED party at General Election have clear favourite for Conservative leadership

Conservative voters who abandoned the party at the General Election think that Nigel Farage would be the best choice to take over from Rishi Sunak as party leader.

The polling saw 25 per cent of former Tory voters say they'd back the Reform leader to take over from Sunak.

The survey, conducted by People Polling for GB News, spoke to 2,077 people who voted Conservative in 2019 but not again in 2024.

In second place was Boris Johnson, with 11 per cent of respondents saying he was their top choice.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Senior Reform UK politician hints he could QUIT as he takes furious swipe at Farage

Ben Habib has taken a swipe at Nigel Farage over his recent announcement about the leadership of Reform UK, suggesting he could quit the party.

The former deputy leader of the party said he has "long-held concerns" about the party's "decision-making process", adding that he will "consider" his position.

Today, Farage unveiled a new leadership team for the party, with a spokesperson saying Reform aims to become the "only real opposition in British politics".

Richard Tice was moved from the role of Chairman to become Deputy Leader, replacing Habib.

In a scathing tweet, He said: "I have just been informed by Nigel Farage that Richard Tice is taking over as deputy leader of the party. Consequently I no longer hold that position.

"I am considering my position more generally in light of this change. I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision-making processes.

"I will reflect on all of this. The key for me is that Reform UK stays true to the promises made to the British people. The movement we have created does not belong to us, it belongs to the people. We are obliged and indebted to the British people."

Joe Biden urges Britain to 'get closer with Europe' as Starmer eyes fresh EU deal

Joe Biden has urged Britain to get "closer with Europe" during bilateral talks with Sir Keir Starmer.

Speaking to the new Prime Minister, the US President said the UK is the "transatlantic knot" binding the two continents together.

Starmer travelled to Washington for the Nato summit, last night meeting with Biden in the White House.

Before winning the election, he vowed to renegotiate the UK's Brexit deal.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Dan Jarvis: UK's commitment to Nato is 'unshakeable' 

The UK's commitment to Nato is "unshakeable", Security Minister Dan Jarvis has said, while admitting that the strength of the economy is “fundamental” to the process of increasing defence spending.

Asked whether the Government would raise defence spending even if growth is not forthcoming, Dan Jarvis told LBC: “Well, I think we do need to increase military spending.

“There’s a cast-iron guarantee that we’ll get to that 2.5 per cent figure… clearly, in the end, the strength of the economy is fundamental to all of this.

“We’ve had positive news this morning, but our commitment to Nato is unshakeable. Our commitment to 2.5 per cent of GDP is absolutely cast iron, and we will get to the point as quickly as we possibly can but it needs to be informed by the process of review that will be initiated very shortly.”

UK must 'guard against' retaliation from Russia, Security Minister says

Security minister Dan Jarvis said the UK must be "incredibly careful” and “guard against” retaliation from Russia, after it was suggested British weapons could potentially be fired from Ukraine.

Asked how concerned the UK should be about Moscow’s reaction, Jarvis told Sky: “Well of course, we’ve got to guard against that.

“And of course, we’ve got to be incredibly careful.

“But what’s most important is that in concert with our Nato allies, we work together to make sure that President Zelensky and Ukraine have got the material support they need to defend themselves against Russia.

“It is an illegal invasion, the consequences of which are massive for the whole world.”

Starmer admits migrant crisis could get WORSE before it gets better 

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that the small boats crisis could get worse before it gets better.

Admitting that the numbers are going up, he refused to put an "arbitrary" target for boat crossings.

Speaking in Washington for the Nato summit, Starmer was asked whether his ambition is to stop the boats but he did not respond.

Asked again, the Prime Minister said: "Nobody but nobody should be making these crossings. The numbers are going up, not down.

"That is why we want to smash the gangs to stop those crossings. What I’m not going to do is pick an arbitrary date, an arbitrary number because that hasn’t worked in the past.

"But I do want to be clear that my intention is to break down the gangs that are running this vile trade putting people into boats on the coast of France. Nobody but nobody should be making that crossing."

Asked whether the situation could get worse before it improves, he said: "It can’t be changed overnight. What we can do is set up our first steps straight away."