Day Headlines in Politics News: 2026-06-18
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Brexit cost 6% of UK economy, Bank of England company data suggests (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 23:05:05)
Analysis showed how much the UK could have grown if it had not exited the EU.
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MP Cameron Thomas suspended amid police investigation (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 18:45:24)
It is understood the MP was arrested by Gloucestershire Police on Wednesday.
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Jarvis 'working round clock' to finalise defence plan (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 17:38:54)
The UK's new defence secretary is under pressure to publish the blueprint after repeated delays.
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Jury in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial to continue deliberations on Friday (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 15:56:34)
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.
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Heathrow's 'critical' expansion blueprint released (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 15:07:21)
A consultation is launched on the Heathrow expansion, outlining conditions for the project to go ahead.
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Promised June meeting between first minister and Starmer not taking place (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 14:01:48)
Starmer had promised meeting with first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland this month.
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Interest rates held as Bank warns of impact of high energy prices (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 12:50:33)
The Bank last cut interest rates in December but upheaval in the Middle East has stalled any further reductions.
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Zack Polanski cleared over houseboat tax row (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 12:45:38)
Polanski was registered to vote at an east London marina but was not paying council tax.
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Reform MS's comments spark Senedd walkout (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 12:41:19)
A speech by a Reform MS mocking Welsh students for being unable to read sparked a Senedd walkout.
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Interest rates kept on hold at 3.75% (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 11:09:25)
The Bank last cut interest rates in December but upheaval in the Middle East has stalled any further reductions.
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New UK defence secretary meets Nato allies without investment plan in place (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 09:35:52)
Nato members have been urged to present "clear, concrete and credible plans" for raising defence spending.
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Number of job vacancies hits five year-low (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 08:44:12)
Latest figures suggest companies are becoming more cautious about taking on new staff.
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'Scared to go to work': Shop assistant tells of customer abuse (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 08:19:57)
Finnola Tzagorakis shared her story as MPs debated tackling abuse against people in customer facing roles.
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People starting new jobs at lowest level in five years (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 07:30:57)
The Office for National Statistics says some areas of the jobs market are weakening, as vacancies continue to fall.
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Voters head to the polls for Makerfield by-election (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 06:08:21)
There are 14 candidates vying to be the Greater Manchester constituency's new MP.
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Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 05:17:07)
Residents in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry are choosing new members of parliament.
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Make sex education mandatory, says Labour MP (BBC News - Politics 2026-06-18 04:58:05)
The Labour MP's draft legislation will be debated during Friday sittings in Parliament.