Trade union leaders warn that worsening cost-of-living pressures, including widespread meal-skipping, are driving some workers away from Labour and toward Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
At the final PMQs of the year, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Keir Starmer over unemployment figures, tax changes and new resident doctors’ strike action, while Starmer defended the government’s record and Budget. BBC Verify said Badenoch’s claim that unemployment had risen every month since Labour took office was inaccurate. Starmer also said the UK is issuing a licence to transfer £2.5bn in frozen Chelsea FC sale proceeds to Ukraine, warning Roman Abramovich of possible court act
Resident doctors across England began a five-day strike running from 7am on 17 December to 7am on 22 December, affecting NHS hospitals and some community services. NHS England said delays are expected and trusts may postpone non-urgent care while prioritising emergency treatment amid high flu and winter admissions. The BMA said pay has fallen in real terms and raised training bottlenecks, while the government said pay has already risen and criticised the strike timing.
The Electoral Commission said it is assessing a Labour complaint alleging Nigel Farage’s Reform UK campaign in Clacton breached election spending rules. Labour alleges the campaign overspent by about £9,000 above the £20,660 constituency limit, citing claims by former Reform councillor Richard Everett. Essex Police said it is also assessing allegations of misreported spending after a referral from the Metropolitan Police, while Reform UK denied any breach.
The US has paused the £31bn UK-US “Tech Prosperity Deal” agreed during Donald Trump’s September visit, a move UK officials said was communicated last week during meetings in Washington. US officials have raised concerns about UK “non-tariff barriers”, including the 2% digital services tax and food safety rules restricting some imports. UK ministers say talks will continue into the new year.
