Skip to content

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

The PM has said boat crossings across the English Channel are down by a third thanks to government actions.

Rishi Sunak added that the progress made so far showed that its achievement showed "tackling this issue is meaningful".

17 November 2023

English Channel

Refugees and asylum seekers

Explore More

Split screen showing woman wearing pink shirt and man wearing blue suit.

Migrants changed this small town. Locals can’t agree if that’s good or bad

Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

Sunak on Budget: Broken promise after broken promise

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Starmer thanks Sunak for hard work, commitment and decency

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

Keir Starmer an PMQs

PMQs heats up as leaders clash over winter fuel payments

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

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer's first PMQs as prime minister... in 90 seconds

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer's first PMQs question from Sunak as prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer calls Sunak 'prime minister' in Commons slip-up

Men wearing ceremonial hats in Lords

New Parliament, old traditions... watch the opening day in 55 seconds

Sunak

Watch: Sunak apologises to former Tory MPs for election losses

Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street

One PM out and another in... the day in 60 seconds

Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street

Watch: Sunak's resignation speech in full

Rishi Sunak outside Downing Street

Sunak leaves No 10: I take responsibility for this loss

Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour supporters

The story of election night in Scotland

Scotland Politics

Rishi Sunak speaking during constituency declaration in Richmond

Sunak - 'I take responsibility for the loss'

Composite picture of Starmer holding hands with wife and Sunak holding hands with wife

Watch party leaders casting their votes

Sudanese pupils at a refugee camp in Chad

The school bringing hope to children fleeing Sudan's war

Rishi Sunak

Sunak has 'absolutely not' given up on election result

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.