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By Josh Gafson, politics producer

Bullying and sexual misconduct complaints in parliament have risen by over a third in the last year, new figures show.

The annual report by the parliamentary Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) shows a total of 69 complaint cases relating to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct were opened in the last year - an increase of 35% compared to the previous year.

Of these complaints, the report showed 40% were made by MPs' staff 鈥� which were nearly all related to bullying and harassment.

The ICGS covers all individuals who work across the House of Commons 鈥� including the Commons, Lords, and all other parliamentary staff.

Alcohol 'notably prevalent'

One reason the report gives for the rise in these complaints is related to alcohol 鈥� which the watchdog say was a factor in almost one out of every five complaints investigated between April 2023 and March 2025.

Alcohol was also cited as "notably prevalent" in complaints relating specifically to sexual misconduct, with individuals accused of inappropriate and unwanted touching within the parliamentary estate.

The ICGS director said due to the "notable increase" in the number of people contacting them, the timeframe of cases being investigated has increased - meaning longer wait times for the complainants.

Despite an independent review of the ICGS finding the watchdog is "making a difference", the rapid rise in these reports will be seen as worrying for those trying to raise standards within parliament, and improve its workplace culture.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has today announced a national investigation into maternity care, to be delivered by Christmas.

Our health correspondent Ashish Joshi described it as a "powerful speech", with Streeting "clearly troubled by the scandalous state of maternity services in this country".

Ashish writes:

Streeting has spent the past year meeting bereaved families who have been failed by the NHS. 

He said he "was kept up at night" after listening to their harrowing testimonies. 

This review is modelled on the Darzi report into the NHS, commissioned by the health secretary almost as soon as he came into office. 

It will be "rapid". The terms of reference for the investigation will be known by July; the report is expected to be published by Christmas. 

Streeting accepts this is an ambitious timeline but is driven by the fear that mothers and babies are still being failed, and he does not want "any deaths on his watch". 

And he has not ruled out a future public inquiry, which is what the bereaved families have been demanding. 

Could this have been done sooner?

The biggest challenge for the health secretary will be to change the culture within maternity units. This has been identified as one of the biggest issues in previous reports by Bill Kirkup and Donna Ockenden. 

It's why, Streeting said, he chose to make his announcement today at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' World Congress Day. 

What he said would have made for uncomfortable listening for some delegates, but he needs them on board to deliver on his promise to make maternity and neon natal care safe. 

The health secretary clearly has empathy. He has listened to the families torn apart by maternity failings. 

But if there is any criticism of his action, it is that it could have been taken sooner - up to six months ago. The failures across maternity services up and down the country have been known about for a long time.

Downing Street has denied the prime minister was blindsided by US President Donald Trump's decision to enter the conflict in Iran.

Number 10 was asked if Sir Keir Starmer had any idea what the US president planned to do next after his assessment that Trump wanted to push for de-escalation was proved wrong.

Starmer's spokesman said: "He acknowledges it is a very fast-moving situation, he has an excellent relationship with President Trump, as detailed at the G7 last week when the president spoke about the strength of that relationship, but it is a fast-moving situation.

"The prime minister has been consistent that de-escalation and diplomacy for him is the order of the day."

But does the government believe Iran would listen to the UK's calls to de-escalate?

"I think our message to Iran has been very clear, which is that it is absolutely necessary for Iran to take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks, and we would urge them to do so."

Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is a "good thing" for the UK, Downing Street has said.

A Number 10 spokesman said: "We're clear that the prevention of Iran getting nuclear weapons is a good thing for this country.

"But our focus is on diplomacy. 

"That is the priority and that is what every member of this government is working towards and that's been the focus of the calls with international partners over the weekend."

He added: "Iran should take the opportunity presented by the US to re-enter talks."

The Politics Hub is today balancing the government's efforts at international diplomacy and some good old-fashioned debate around policy proposals - here are the main things you need to know:

• The chancellor and foreign secretary are calling for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, after the latter saw three of its nuclear sites targeted by US strikes:

• Keir Starmer has another conflict at the front of his mind today - he's hosting Ukraine's Volodymyr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y for talks in London as Russia continues its military campaign there;
• And after Palestine Action protesters broke into an RAF base and damaged several planes in opposition to the government's support for Israel, the group's expected to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation:

• On the domestic front, Nigel Farage has unveiled the "Britannia Card" - a new tax policy that would give wealthy foreigners a 10-year residence permit for a one-time 拢250,000 fee;
• Rachel Reeves said this would amount to a "tax cut for foreign billionaires", with public service cuts needed to fund it;
• And the health secretary has announced a national investigation into maternity safety.

That's all for now - stay with us for more updates, including a Commons statement from the government on the situation in the Middle East.

Volodymyr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y will discuss Ukraine's defences with Sir Keir Starmer when the leaders meet for talks on Monday.

The Ukrainian president said he expected to discuss new ways to increase pressure on Russia ahead of a NATO summit that starts on Tuesday.

His arrival in the UK follows reports that Russia fired 352 drones and 16 missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 10 civilians including seven in Kyiv.

ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y said preliminary reports indicated Russia had used North Korean missiles to attack Kyiv and described those two countries, and Iran, as a "coalition of murderers".

His visit to London comes the day before NATO leaders are set to meet in The Hague for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda.

ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y has been invited to the summit but will not take part in its main discussions, and it is still unclear whether he will attend at all.

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Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump about the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table after Tehran's warning of "everlasting consequences" for the US bombing raid on their nuclear sites.

On this episode, Sam and Anne discuss the key questions facing the UK government after the military action, including what escalation could look like and whether Britain is ready for the economic blowback.

Plus, they also discuss the government's new industrial strategy, with eight industries singled out for support and a promise to help lower energy prices from 2027 for certain companies, though not for others. 

Sam and Anne discuss how it will be paid for.

Former minister Tulip Siddiq has accused the leader of Bangladesh of conducting an "orchestrated campaign" to damage her reputation and "interfere with UK politics", according to a new legal letter seen by Sky News.

The Labour MP also said comments made by Professor Muhammad Yunus in a Sky News interview have prejudiced her right to a fair investigation, meaning the ongoing corruption inquiries into her should be dropped.

In March, the chief adviser - who is effectively the country's interim leader - told Sky News that Siddiq "has so many (sic) wealth left behind here" and "should be made responsible".

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened several investigations into Siddiq alleging corruption in connection with the government of her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as the country's prime minister last year.

In the new correspondence sent today to Professor Yunus and the ACC, lawyers for the former minister write: "The time has now come for the chief adviser and the ACC to abandon their wholly misconceived and unlawful campaign to smear Siddiq's reputation and interfere with her public service."

Sky News has approached the chief adviser and the ACC for comment.

Rachel Reeves has condemned activity by the group Palestine Action as "unacceptable" after campaigners damaged planes at an RAF base.

Sky News understands the home secretary will take steps to proscribe the Palestine Action Group on Monday.

Reeves said: "Whatever your views are about what's happening in the Middle East, these actions are unacceptable, and the home secretary will be making a statement to parliament later today."

Watch: What's happening to Palestine Action?

Reeves was also asked about plans by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to grant wealthy foreigners a 10-year residence permit and tax benefits in exchange for a one-time fee of 拢250,000.

Reeves said: "Let's be really clear what Reform have set out today. A tax cut for foreign billionaires. 

"That would mean taxes of ordinary working people would have to go up to compensate for those lack of revenues."

It would also mean cuts to public services like the NHS, she added.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reiterated that de-escalation is needed in the Middle East after the US targeted three nuclear sites in Iran.

She said the UK agrees with Donald Trump that Iran "should never be able to develop a nuclear weapon".

"That's why the US took the action that it took," she said.

"The prime minister spoke to President Donald Trump on the phone last night to discuss next steps."

She added the US and UK agree that "Iran needs to get back to the negotiating table", and "we want to see a de-escalation because an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is in no one's interests".

UK ready to 'defend our allies'

Asked if the US attack on Iran is illegal, Reeves said: "It's up to the US鈥� we weren't involved in those actions".

"We believe very strongly that Iran should never be able to develop a nuclear weapon," she said. "But what is needed now is a return to the negotiating table, to reduce that threat." 

Reeves added that the UK has moved "assets to the region, including fighter jets, to defend our personnel, our bases".

This is also to "defend our allies", she said.