Oil price briefly hits $120 after reports of extended Iran blockade

Chas GeigerPolitics reporter PA Sir Keir Starmer speaking during a cabinet meeting in Downing Street The prime minister has drawn a series of sharp dividing lines with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, in an attempt to begin reviving Labour’s and his own political fortunes in the new year. Sir Keir Starmer told his political cabinet he…

Laurie Watson Laurie Watson’s flight back from a sailing holiday was cancelled Airlines are paying out millions of pounds in compensation to passengers every year after initially saying no as consumer groups accuse firms of trying to put customers off making claims for severe delays or cancellations. Almost £11m was paid to passengers in the…

Paul SeddonPolitical reporter PA Media The education secretary has defended Labour’s U-turn over offering all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Instead, ministers now plan to reduce the qualifying period from the current two years to six months, in line with a deal agreed by some unions…

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