UK | DD News

July 10, 2026 5:22 PM

Andy Burnham poised to become Britain’s next PM after most Labour lawmakers support him

Andy Burnham is on the brink of becoming Britain's next prime minister after an overwhelming show of support from Labour lawmakers left him all but certain to replace Keir Starmer. Burnham said he had received nominations from 322 out of the 403 Labour members of parliament on the first day of nominations on Thursday, leaving him one short of ensuring he can be the only candidate. "It's all starting to feel very real," Burnham said in a short video clip announcing he had nominated himself. Th...

July 5, 2026 10:24 AM

US VP Vance says Britain has been failed by leaders, hopes next PM delivers change

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Britain had been "failed by its leadership for a long time," adding that he hoped the country's next prime minister could deliver the structural change voters were seeking after years of political turmoil. In an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper, Vance said frequent changes of government pointed to deeper problems in British politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced last month he would step down after two years in office, paving the way for Britai...

June 22, 2026 12:07 PM

Ten years on, Brexit disputes still hold back Britain’s reconciliation with EU

Ten years on from Britain's shock vote to leave the European Union, much of the rancour and vitriol between London and Brussels has gone. But the tensions that drove the historic rupture - over immigration and ideology - remain. Compounding that, the sides are now limited in how far they can go in rebuilding ties due to the advance of populist and far-right parties in Britain, France and Germany, despite the much more volatile world that confronts them today. Britain finally left the world's b...

June 2, 2026 9:27 PM

India, UK discuss advancing shared business priorities and economic ties: Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said he had “great conversations” with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle on charting the next phase of India-UK economic engagement, advancing shared business priorities and further strengthening the “robust and forward-looking partnership” between the two countries. In a post on social media platform X, Goyal said he was delighted to welcome Peter Kyle and his delegation to India. “Delighted to welcom...

April 22, 2026 5:25 PM

UK lawmakers approve lifetime smoking ban for today’s under-18s

Children in Britain who are 17 or younger, and anyone born in the future, will never be able to legally buy cigarettes after lawmakers approved new stricter restrictions on smoking. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill raises the legal age for buying tobacco by one year, every year, starting with people born on or after January 1, 2009, meaning affected age groups face a lifetime ban. The law, which is due to receive royal assent next week, also tightens controls on vaping, including banning sales of ...

April 13, 2026 2:40 PM

UK will not back blockade of Strait of Hormuz, PM Starmer says

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into the Iran war nor be involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "We're not supporting the blockade," he told BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that it was vital to get the Strait reopened. "It is, in my view, vital that we get the Strait open and fully open, and that's where we've put all of our efforts in the last few and we'll continue to do so," Starmer said. Britain had minesweepers...

March 13, 2026 5:08 PM

India exports GI-tagged Joha rice from Assam to UK and Italy for the first time

India has exported its first consignment of GI-tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy, marking a significant step in promoting indigenous agricultural products in international markets. The 25-metric-tonne consignment was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and was dispatched on March 12 in collaboration with the Assam government’s agriculture department. Joha rice, a...

March 3, 2026 8:04 PM

UK’s Reeves promises stability against backdrop of Middle East conflict

British finance minister Rachel Reeves said she would provide stability for the economy in a budget update speech on Tuesday that contained no big policy surprises and was overshadowed by alarm among investors over the conflict in the Middle East. Reeves said fresh forecasts showed inflation and borrowing would be lower than previously thought by Britain's fiscal watchdog, although its economic growth projection for this year was cut to 1.1% from a previous estimate of 1.4%. Those forecasts ma...

February 18, 2026 3:07 PM

India, UK launch offshore wind taskforce under Vision 2035

India and the United Kingdom on Wednesday launched the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce, aimed at accelerating cooperation in offshore wind development as part of their broader clean energy partnership under Vision 2035. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi addressed the launch event in the presence of UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron. Describing the initiative as a “Trustforce”, Joshi said the Taskforce reflec...

February 18, 2026 9:55 AM

Spain, Finland, Sweden, UK leaders arrive in Delhi for AI Impact Summit

Several global leaders and senior dignitaries have begun arriving in New Delhi to attend the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, currently under way at Bharat Mandapam. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of Spain, on his arrival in the national capital. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary. In a post on X, MEA said President Sánchez’s visit will add momentum to the ong...