£15bn transport boost for English regions; Labour's planning bill threatens 5,000 nature sites

Political News
Total 1113 words · 5 mins read

Key Takeaways

  • Rachel Reeves announced £15 billion for transport projects outside London.
  • Labour's planning bill threatens over 5,000 English nature sites.
  • UK police warn of 'stark choices' amid potential budget cuts.
  • Trump administration proposes Iran uranium enrichment arrangement.
  • Bulgaria to adopt the euro after EU approval.

Top Stories

Rachel Reeves announces £15bn for transport outside London

On June 4, 2025, Rachel Reeves announced a £15 billion investment in transport projects outside London, focusing on trams, trains, and buses. The package includes allocations for the West Midlands (£2.4bn), West Yorkshire (£2.1bn), Greater Manchester (£2.5bn), South Yorkshire (£1.5bn), and the East Midlands (£2bn).

Labour's planning bill threatens 5,000+ English nature sites

On June 3, 2025, reports highlighted that Labour's new planning bill puts over 5,000 English nature sites at risk, prompting wildlife charities to call for its removal. Legal opinions and the Office for Environmental Protection suggest the bill weakens environmental protections, allowing developers to sidestep obligations by paying into a restoration fund.

UK police warn of 'stark choices' amid potential budget cuts

On June 4, 2025, Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, along with other senior officers including Gavin Stephens and Graeme Biggar, warned the Prime Minister about potential cuts. They expressed concerns that they would face “stark choices” regarding which crimes to investigate if the Treasury proceeds with the cuts.

Trump administration proposes Iran uranium enrichment arrangement

On June 3, 2025, the Trump administration proposed allowing Iran to continue low-level uranium enrichment. The U.S. would facilitate building nuclear power reactors and enrichment facilities managed by a regional consortium, contingent on Iran halting all enrichment once benefits are received; Tehran's response is expected in several days.

Bulgaria to adopt the euro after EU approval

On June 3 and 4, 2025, it was announced that Bulgaria will adopt the euro after receiving the green light from the ECB and the European Commission.

Global Stage

Liberal Lee Jae-myung wins South Korea's presidential election

Israel to attend high-profile Brussels meeting

On June 4, 2025, it was reported that Israel is set to participate in a high-profile meeting in Brussels, despite strained relations with the EU.

South Korea's new president vows North Korea talks restart

Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary passes quietly in Hong Kong

On June 4, 2025, the 36th anniversary of China's Tiananmen Square crackdown passed quietly in Hong Kong. Police officers set up road blockers in the Causeway Bay area.

Olmert: Netanyahu's government committing war crimes in Gaza

On June 4, 2025, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehoud Olmert accused Benyamin Netanyahu's government of waging war for personal gain and committing war crimes in Gaza. He argued that the government's actions, including illegitimate military interventions, harm Israel's interests and cause a humanitarian catastrophe, though he clarified that no official ordered indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

Euronews targeted by anti-Moldova disinformation campaign

UK Politics

UK to fast-track removal of migrants from 'safe' countries

On June 3, 2025, the UK government announced plans to fast-track the removal of migrants arriving from 'safe' countries. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated she would legislate to speed up the processing, appeals, and deportation of these individuals.

Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs

On June 4, 2025, Keir Starmer is scheduled to face Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).

Corbyn proposes inquiry into UK's role in Gaza operations

On June 4, 2025, Jeremy Corbyn proposed a bill calling for a public inquiry into “UK involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza”.

UK ministers holding out on key decisions

On June 4, 2025, reports indicated that UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner are holding out on certain decisions.

Anas Sarwar campaigns in Hamilton byelection

On June 4, 2025, Anas Sarwar was reported to be campaigning in Hamilton ahead of the Scottish parliamentary byelection.

SXSW London accused of 'artwashing' with Blair, Cameron panels

On June 3, 2025, SXSW London faced accusations of ‘artwashing’ for hosting unannounced panels featuring Tony Blair and David Cameron.

Ukraine War

Meloni, Macron, and Fico discuss Ukraine war

On June 3, 2025, Meloni met with Macron and Fico, with the war in Ukraine topping the talks agenda.

Rutte: Russia's ammunition production surpasses NATO's

German Chancellor Merz echoes Trump, discusses Ukraine weapon deliveries

On June 4, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mimicked Donald Trump's praise for Chicago and discussed potential long-range missile deliveries to Ukraine. He suggested destroying the Kerch Bridge would aid Ukraine and stated there would be no range restrictions on weapons supplied, allowing Ukraine to attack military positions inside Russia.

John Healey holds press conference with German, Ukrainian counterparts

UK demands Abramovich's Chelsea sale funds for Ukraine victims

On June 3, 2025, the UK government demanded that funds from the sale of Abramovich's Chelsea football club be allocated to victims of the war in Ukraine.

European Politics

Motion of censure against French government likely to fail

On June 4, 2025, a motion of censure against François Bayrou's government was examined at the National Assembly, supported by La France insoumise and ecologists. The motion, signed by 56 LFI deputies and 2 ecologists, is the seventh against the government and is expected to be rejected.

Poland: Nationalist Karol Nawrocki's election shifts political landscape

On June 3 and 4, 2025, supporters of Karol Nawrocki gathered in Warsaw, following his election as president. Sylvie Kauffmann reports that Poland is completing a revolutionary cycle, potentially aligning with figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Les Républicains shift conservative under Bruno Retailleau

On June 4, 2025, it was reported that since Bruno Retailleau's election as president, the Les Républicains (LR) party is presented as more conservative. The question remains whether he can broaden the LR electoral base to include Macron supporters, despite this image.

French proposal on A69 construction project rejected unanimously

On June 2, 2025, a law proposal regarding the A69 construction project was rejected in France. The motion, filed by LFI, received a unanimous vote against it, including from those who initially defended the project.

France recognizes nation towards repatriated from Indochina

On June 4, 2025, the French parliament unanimously voted to recognize the nation towards those repatriated from Indochina on June 3. The 231 parliamentarians adopted a bill.

Key figure avoids jail in Germany's largest tax fraud

On June 3, 2025, it was reported that a key figure in the largest tax fraud case in Germany's history avoided jail time.

White House Updates

Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 50%

Elon Musk calls Trump's bill 'disgusting abomination'

On June 4, 2025, Elon Musk criticized Trump's flagship 'Big Beautiful Bill,' calling it a 'disgusting abomination'.

Trump's associations with alt-right figures spark controversy

On June 3, 2025, Donald Trump faced criticism for associating with controversial figures. This included posting an image with the alt-right mascot Pepe the Frog, dining with a Holocaust denier, hosting events at his golf club featuring a Nazi sympathizer, and appointing individuals with records of advancing antisemitic tropes.

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