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I'll have failed if Afghans sleep rough, says minister

Cabinet Office Minister Jonny Mercer says he will have failed if any Afghan refugees in the UK are forced to sleep on the streets after leaving hotels.

"That has not happened. And that is not going to happen," he told the BBC.

Thousands are still living in temporary government-funded hotel accommodation - but are now beginning to be moved out over the summer.Afghan refugees moved out of hotels facing homelessness

4 August 2023

Afghan refugees

Refugees and asylum seekers

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Still where police is cuffing Parslow on the floor

Moment man who stabbed asylum seeker is arrested

Hereford & Worcester

A group of migrants, a number of whom are wearing life jackets, can be seen crowded into the boat.

Crowded boat attempts Channel journey a day after fatalities

A riotous crowd gathered around a police van, with several members of the group pushing up against the van making it wobble, taken from inside the Rotherham Holiday Inn Express on 4 August

Watch: Footage shows panic inside Rotherham asylum hotel during riot

South Yorkshire

Sudanese pupils at a refugee camp in Chad

The school bringing hope to children fleeing Sudan's war

Keyframe #1

'I could not protect her. I will never forgive myself'

Peter Saull

What’s next after Sunak wins Rwanda vote?

Rwanda's President Kagame speaks to the BBC at Davos

Rwanda: We'll give cash back if refugees don't arrive

Ione Wells

Watch: Why Sunak’s Rwanda bill battle isn’t over

Dan Johnson and asylum seekers

Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers speak to the BBC

Rishi Sunak

My patience with Rwanda plan delay has worn thin - Sunak

Suella Braverman

Braverman warns of 'electoral oblivion' over migration

Rishi Sunak

Sunak to 'work night and day' to allow Rwanda flights

Keyframe #1

'You cannot imagine how I felt when I heard my children were leaving Gaza'

Northern Ireland

James Cleverly.

Rajan quizzes Cleverly on Rwanda: 'I can get a cup of tea'

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer quizzes PM on small boats 'magical thinking'

Rishi Sunak

UK working on new Rwanda asylum treaty - Sunak

Lord Reed

Supreme Court rules Rwanda return scheme is unlawful

James Cleverly

Cleverly: I'm absolutely committed to stopping the boats

ASHA in Stoke-on-Trent

'You just can't turn people away'

Stoke & Staffordshire

Bulldozer knocks down walls of Afghan houses in Islamabad

Bulldozers raze Afghans' houses in Pakistan

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.