Starmer urged to stick to manifesto pledge amid reports of delay to youth minimum wage rise – UK politics live

GMB union tells Labour delaying or halting equalisation to adult rates would be unacceptableThe US state department has confirmed that it still backs Britain’s deal with Mauritius handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, in return for an agreement allowing the UK and the US to carry on using the Diego Garcia airbase for at least another 99 years. Last month Donald Trump described the deal, which he had previously backed, as “an act of great stupidity”. But yesterday a state department spokesperson said:The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago.Starmer must urgently clarify whether the UK will be represented at these US-Mauritius discussions and if not, tell us why. It is vital for our defence and security interests that the US Government does not conclude any agreement about British territory without our input. The Conservatives have led the charge against the Chagos Surrender and we will continue to fight it every step of the way.The prime minister reiterated his condemnation of Putin’s barbaric attacks on innocent civilians in Ukraine, and the leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations to deliver a just and lasting peace.Turning to the situation in Gaza, the prime minister reflected on the current situation in the region and the importance of securing further access for humanitarian aid. He set out his support for the ongoing work to deliver the US-led peace plan. Continue reading...