Labour MPs split on Angela Rayner's future amid leadership speculation

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party has claimed to have surpassed Labour in membership numbers, positioning itself as the largest political party in the UK. This assertion comes amid a significant rise in support for the party, particularly as it prepares for upcoming elections.

The Labour government is facing criticism from leading organizations regarding its approach to developing a strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, with accusations of a chaotic and haphazard process that some claim is worse than the previous Conservative administration. Ministers are preparing for a series of policy announcements ahead of the long-awaited plan's release next week.

Reform UK has announced that it has surpassed Labour in membership numbers, claiming over 268,000 members compared to Labour's reported decline below 250,000. This assertion positions Reform UK as the largest political party in Britain, reflecting a significant shift in the political landscape.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that attempting to rejoin the EU customs union would serve as 'complete fuel for Reform,' indicating significant political resistance to this idea. This warning comes amid ongoing discussions about the UK's post-Brexit trade relationships and the implications of such a move.

The homelessness minister, Alison McGovern, has committed to ending the use of bed and breakfasts as emergency housing by the end of the current parliamentary term, despite recent data indicating a rise in homelessness since the Labour party took office.