Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit in Ankara where NATO allies finalised a £37 billion funding commitment for a collaborative missile defence initiative. The programme aims to enhance regional security capabilities.
Sir Keir Starmer is accused of undermining the civil service after the dismissal of Sir Olly Robbins from the Foreign Office. Dave Penman of the FDA trade union states the prime minister risks alienating civil servants, while Lord Sedwill calls for Sir Olly's reinstatement.
Scottish National Party (SNP) minister Mairi McAllan has indicated support for increased North Sea drilling, conditional on adherence to climate targets and demonstrable necessity for energy security. This position emerged during a broadcast appearance in Aberdeen, weeks after First Minister John Swinney signalled a potential shift in the SNP's 2023 stance against new offshore fossil fuel licences. The statement follows recent spikes in UK oil prices, attributed to geopolitical tensions and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
