Starmer's revolt drives 30-year gilts to a 1998 high while Buckingham Palace tests the state-opening calendar
UK 30-year gilt yields hit 5.797 percent on Tuesday — the highest since 1998 — and 10-year yields touched 5.116 percent as more than 50 Labour MPs demanded Keir Starmer's resignation; the pound fell roughly 0.8 percent against the dollar and the FTSE 100 lost 0.5 percent. Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should still open parliament, and Defence Minister Luke Pollard refused to resign citing national security. Defence Secretary John Healey pledged British-built uncrewed surface vessels to the UK-French-led Hormuz mission, and the Education Select Committee warned 24 English universities risk insolvency within 12 months.
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gb95UK 30-year gilt yield hits 5.797 percent, highest since 1998, as more than 50 Labour MPs demand Starmer's resignation
UK 30-year gilt yields rose to 5.797 percent on Tuesday, their highest level since 1998, and 10-year yields hit 5.116 percent near their 2008 peak, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer fought to remain in office after more than 50 of his own Labour MPs called for him to quit. The pound fell roughly 0.8 percent against the dollar and also dropped against the euro, while the FTSE 100 shed about 0.5 percent. Hargreaves Lansdown head of equity research Derren Nathan said "the potential for a fiscally looser successor may be weighing" on top of high oil prices, while Saxo UK strategist Neil Wilson said markets "dislike a lack of certainty over who runs a government".
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UK 30-year gilt yield hits 5.797 percent, highest since 1998, as more than 50 Labour MPs demand Starmer's resignation
UK 30-year gilt yields rose to 5.797 percent on Tuesday, their highest level since 1998, and 10-year yields hit 5.116 percent near their 2008 peak, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer fought to remain in office after more than 50 of his own Labour MPs called for him to quit. The pound fell roughly 0.8 percent against the dollar and also dropped against the euro, while the FTSE 100 shed about 0.5 percent. Hargreaves Lansdown head of equity research Derren Nathan said "the potential for a fiscally looser successor may be weighing" on top of high oil prices, while Saxo UK strategist Neil Wilson said markets "dislike a lack of certainty over who runs a government".
UK 30-year gilt yields rose to 5.797 percent on Tuesday, their highest level since 1998, and 10-year yields hit 5.116 percent near their 2008 peak, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer fought to remain in office after more than 50 of his own Labour MPs called for him to quit. The pound fell roughly 0.8 percent against the dollar and also dropped against the euro, while the FTSE 100 shed about 0.5 percent. Hargreaves Lansdown head of equity research Derren Nathan said "the potential for a fiscally looser successor may be weighing" on top of high oil prices, while Saxo UK strategist Neil Wilson said markets "dislike a lack of certainty over who runs a government".
gb85Buckingham Palace sought to keep King Charles out of Starmer's political crisis
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the ceremonial state opening of parliament on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a mounting leadership crisis. The king's team made clear the importance of protecting the monarch from any impression he is being used for political ends. Starmer and his allies have pointed to the ceremony as a reason to let him keep his job despite crushing local election losses.
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Buckingham Palace sought to keep King Charles out of Starmer's political crisis
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the ceremonial state opening of parliament on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a mounting leadership crisis. The king's team made clear the importance of protecting the monarch from any impression he is being used for political ends. Starmer and his allies have pointed to the ceremony as a reason to let him keep his job despite crushing local election losses.
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the ceremonial state opening of parliament on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a mounting leadership crisis. The king's team made clear the importance of protecting the monarch from any impression he is being used for political ends. Starmer and his allies have pointed to the ceremony as a reason to let him keep his job despite crushing local election losses.
gb78UK pledges autonomous vessels to Strait of Hormuz mission pending ceasefire
The U.K. on Tuesday offered autonomous surface vessels to a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a durable ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Defence Secretary John Healey made the pledge while chairing a meeting of defense ministers in London. The offer comes as Iran sent a counteroffer to the U.S. on Sunday that President Donald Trump rejected as "totally unacceptable."
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UK pledges autonomous vessels to Strait of Hormuz mission pending ceasefire
The U.K. on Tuesday offered autonomous surface vessels to a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a durable ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Defence Secretary John Healey made the pledge while chairing a meeting of defense ministers in London. The offer comes as Iran sent a counteroffer to the U.S. on Sunday that President Donald Trump rejected as "totally unacceptable."
The U.K. on Tuesday offered autonomous surface vessels to a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a durable ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Defence Secretary John Healey made the pledge while chairing a meeting of defense ministers in London. The offer comes as Iran sent a counteroffer to the U.S. on Sunday that President Donald Trump rejected as "totally unacceptable."
gb43Buckingham Palace seeks to keep King Charles out of Starmer's political crisis
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the state opening of parliament amid Prime Minister Keir Starmer's mounting leadership crisis. The Palace made clear it wants to avoid any impression the monarch is being used for political ends, as Starmer faces a revolt from Labour MPs after poor local election results. The king's team was told it is constitutionally correct for him to open parliament as planned, but the ceremony risks being awkward as the government's legislative agenda may not survive the crisis.
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Buckingham Palace seeks to keep King Charles out of Starmer's political crisis
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the state opening of parliament amid Prime Minister Keir Starmer's mounting leadership crisis. The Palace made clear it wants to avoid any impression the monarch is being used for political ends, as Starmer faces a revolt from Labour MPs after poor local election results. The king's team was told it is constitutionally correct for him to open parliament as planned, but the ceremony risks being awkward as the government's legislative agenda may not survive the crisis.
Buckingham Palace privately asked whether King Charles III should proceed with the state opening of parliament amid Prime Minister Keir Starmer's mounting leadership crisis. The Palace made clear it wants to avoid any impression the monarch is being used for political ends, as Starmer faces a revolt from Labour MPs after poor local election results. The king's team was told it is constitutionally correct for him to open parliament as planned, but the ceremony risks being awkward as the government's legislative agenda may not survive the crisis.
gb39UK pledges autonomous vessels to secure Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire hopes
The UK has pledged to provide autonomous surface vessels to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a stable ceasefire in the Middle East. Defence Secretary John Healey offered the British-built uncrewed vessels to a UK-French-led multinational mission to reassure international shipping. The offer depends on a durable ceasefire between the US and Iran, which President Trump rejected as 'unbelievably weak' after Iran sent a counteroffer. Healey backed Prime Minister Starmer amid his leadership crisis, emphasizing focus on security challenges.
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UK pledges autonomous vessels to secure Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire hopes
The UK has pledged to provide autonomous surface vessels to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a stable ceasefire in the Middle East. Defence Secretary John Healey offered the British-built uncrewed vessels to a UK-French-led multinational mission to reassure international shipping. The offer depends on a durable ceasefire between the US and Iran, which President Trump rejected as 'unbelievably weak' after Iran sent a counteroffer. Healey backed Prime Minister Starmer amid his leadership crisis, emphasizing focus on security challenges.
The UK has pledged to provide autonomous surface vessels to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a stable ceasefire in the Middle East. Defence Secretary John Healey offered the British-built uncrewed vessels to a UK-French-led multinational mission to reassure international shipping. The offer depends on a durable ceasefire between the US and Iran, which President Trump rejected as 'unbelievably weak' after Iran sent a counteroffer. Healey backed Prime Minister Starmer amid his leadership crisis, emphasizing focus on security challenges.
gb36UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels continue transiting UK waters without interception
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify analysis reveals that 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels made 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed, and a Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet now exceeds 1,100 tankers, transporting over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
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UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels continue transiting UK waters without interception
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify analysis reveals that 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels made 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed, and a Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet now exceeds 1,100 tankers, transporting over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify analysis reveals that 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels made 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed, and a Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet now exceeds 1,100 tankers, transporting over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
gb36UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tankers continue transiting UK waters with no interceptions confirmed
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify tracked 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels making 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed. A Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet, now exceeding 1,100 tankers, transports over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
Show summaryHide
UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tankers continue transiting UK waters with no interceptions confirmed
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify tracked 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels making 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed. A Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet, now exceeding 1,100 tankers, transports over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
The shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil has escalated operations, with Russian Navy vessels escorting tankers through the Baltic Sea and English Channel. Iranian shadow vessels continue to evade blockades amid the war in Iran. Coastal states have increased detentions, but Russia's military involvement and false-flag operations are undermining maritime order. BBC Verify tracked 184 UK-sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels making 238 journeys through UK waters between 25 March and 11 May, including 94 crossings into territorial waters, despite Britain's March threat to intercept them. No boardings have been publicly confirmed. A Russian frigate was observed escorting one tanker. The shadow fleet, now exceeding 1,100 tankers, transports over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports. Ukraine has resorted to direct naval drone strikes ('kinetic sanctions') where Western legal frameworks fail.
gb35UK MPs warn 24 universities at risk of insolvency within 12 months
A UK parliamentary committee warns that 24 universities in England are at risk of insolvency within 12 months, with many already cutting jobs and selling assets. The Education Select Committee calls for better government protection for students, including an early warning system and contingency plans for mergers, restructuring, or orderly closures. The report highlights financial pressures from a tuition fee freeze, declining international student enrolments due to visa changes, and underfunded research grants.
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UK MPs warn 24 universities at risk of insolvency within 12 months
A UK parliamentary committee warns that 24 universities in England are at risk of insolvency within 12 months, with many already cutting jobs and selling assets. The Education Select Committee calls for better government protection for students, including an early warning system and contingency plans for mergers, restructuring, or orderly closures. The report highlights financial pressures from a tuition fee freeze, declining international student enrolments due to visa changes, and underfunded research grants.
A UK parliamentary committee warns that 24 universities in England are at risk of insolvency within 12 months, with many already cutting jobs and selling assets. The Education Select Committee calls for better government protection for students, including an early warning system and contingency plans for mergers, restructuring, or orderly closures. The report highlights financial pressures from a tuition fee freeze, declining international student enrolments due to visa changes, and underfunded research grants.