Pippa Crerar

Net migration to the UK fell by nearly 50% to 171,000 last year, according to official figures released on Thursday. The number of nationals from outside the EU arriving for work-related reasons fell by 47% in 2025. Emigration fell slightly. theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/m…

ANALYSIS: Kemi Badenoch says Labour ‘just want a better salesman’. It would be a good start - by @rowenamason theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

We are 🅻🅸🆅🅴 on YouTube at 9PM👇 youtube.com/live/mC-iACmdo… Joining @Peston and @PippaCrerar tonight: 💼@patmcfaddenmp 🌹Jess Phillips MP ➡️@TiceRichard 🗣️@MrLeeCain #Peston

EXCL: Andy Burnham is backing Shabana Mahmood’s controversial changes to the immigration system, his allies have said, in a blow to those in Labour who hope to soften them. The Greater Manchester mayor is understood to be keen to reframe the changes - but is supportive of home secretary’s attempts to limit legal and illegal migration. Burnham faces tough fight to return to Westminster against Reform UK, which has already called him “open-borders Andy”. But those close to his campaign say he will not seek to dilute the government’s curbs on migration - which have been criticised by some senior Labour MPs as un-British and mimicking Trump. Big story from @jessicaelgot & @kiranstacey theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

NEW: Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office says it is seeking clarification from Downing Street on UK sanction decision @lukeharding1968 reports. Ukraine’s president hasn't yet commented on decision to issue new licence for imports of diesel and jet fuel made from sanctioned Russian oil. UK has also permitted maritime transport of Russian LNG. Zelenskyy has previously urged Western partners to maintain tough sanctions regime against Russian oil exports, pointing out that Moscow uses cash from hydrocarbon sales to fund its war against Ukraine. “There is currently very active communication between our diplomats and the Office [of the President] and the British side to clarify the details,” an aide said.

NEW: Keir Starmer says claims that government has eased sanctions on Russia is “misrepresenting” facts “This is a new package of sanctions. None of the existing sanctions are being lifted in any way. So this is not less pressure on Russia, it is more pressure on Russia,” he says. Kemi Badenoch had accused him of “now choosing to buy dirty Russian oil” at #PMQs. “That money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers. Isn't he ashamed?”

NEW: Keir Starmer confirms that government is extending the freeze on fuel duty this year. The 5p fuel duty rise planned for September will be scrapped. “We are backing drivers by extending the freeze in fuel duty for the rest of the year,” PM tells MPs. “We're now extending the freeze because of events in the Middle East.”

V interesting polling from YouGov - only 26% of Labour Party members want to adopt a more liberal immigration policy. The poll finds 44% would like to see Shabana Mahmood’s current approach continued...

UK government has relaxed strict sanctions on Russian crude oil, allowing for import of jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries amid surging costs. Emily Thornberry, chair of foreign affairs committee, said it was the wrong time to relax sanctions and Ukrainians would feel very let down. “I’ve heard from people in Ukraine overnight and I know that they are very disappointed and have been asking me why it is that Britain is doing this." theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

Ministers accused of cover-up after admitting they withheld information from Intelligence & Security Committee relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment 👇 theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

NEW - Andy Burnaham is the candidate for Makerfield. After all that, the NEC didn't shortlist anyone else. It's done.

NEW - YouGov Labour members polling If there is a leadership contest, your first preference: Burnham 47% Starmer 31% Rayner 8% Streeting 4% Miliband 3% Cooper 3% Mahmood 1% Carns 0% Head to heads: Burnham 59% v Starmer 37% Burnham 80% v Streeting 10% Miliband 58% v Streeting 28% Rayner 70% v Streeting 19% On Keir Starmer, should he: Take party into next election 28% Remain as leader until closer to GE 33% Step down no / in months 33% YouGov polled 706 Labour members, May 14-18

Tuesday’s @guardian front page: Burnham: Labour must change to regain trust theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

It's a bit odd that Andy Burnham's remark today that he's not proposing the UK rejoins the EU *right now* is being characterised as some kind of u-turn. In his interview with me and @kiranstacey last year he said: "I want to rejoin... I hope *in my lifetime* we see this country rejoin the EU". In the same podcast, he also told us: "I don't think there's any prospect of rejoining any time soon." x.com/kiranstacey/st…

The Makerfield byelection is bigger than Andy Burnham It is the essential proof of concept that Labour still has a chance of beating Reform. My analysis on an electoral test like no other 👇 theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

Monday’s @guardian front page: Burnham facing ‘perilous’ race in crunch byelection theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

NEW: Wes Streeting has confirmed he would stand for Labour leadership if a race is triggered, saying there needs to be a “proper contest” (rather than a coronation). theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

NEW: Wes Streeting says the UK should rejoin the EU: “Leaving the EU was a catastrophic mistake.”

Come on the Jambos! @JamTarts theguardian.com/football/2026/…

Elon Musk has today updated the formula that decides if you see this tweet. Each tweet is scored. S=Σ (probability of reaction × value of reaction) A like = 0.5 points. A reply = 13.5. A full argument? 75+ That’s why outrage travels faster than facts. thetimes.com/comment/column…