Image source, Getty Images

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new string of ministers last night, including two who were former cabinet members during the Blair and Brown era:

Jacqui Smith is returning as an education minister - a brief she first covered 25 years ago, under then-PM Tony Blair, before later becoming the UK's first female home secretary.

She's not been elected as an MP so will be given a peerage, join the House of Lords and then re-enter government.

Douglas Alexander held several cabinet roles in the last Labour government under Gordon Brown and has now been appointed as a business minister in Starmer's cabinet, after returning to Parliament as an MP.

And Ellie Reeves, the sister of Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also been appointed as minister without portfolio, and Labour Party chair. More here.

Image source, PA Media

Sir Keir Starmer is visiting Edinburgh today as he begins a tour of the UK to meet the heads of the devolved governments. He'll then head to Northern Ireland and Wales on Monday.

The PM has promised to place Scotland "back at the beating heart" of everything the UK government does - and says he's offering the Scottish government a "genuine seat at the table" to "turn disagreement into co-operation".

He'll meet First Minister John Swinney to discuss pressing issues and areas where both governments can work together.

Starmer and Swinney spoke on the phone on Friday. The first minister said ahead of the trip he was hoping to "have constructive discussions with him on our shared priorities for the people of Scotland".

Francesca Gillett
Live reporter

I'm here in our London newsroom to restart our live coverage of all things politics, as Keir Starmer's first weekend as prime minister continues.

It's a day north of the border for him - he's heading to Edinburgh as part of a tour of the UK to meet the heads of the devolved governments.

Last night he announced a few more ministerial appointments, which you can read about here. We'll be on the lookout for more job announcements today.

We've also got Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg coming up. Guests today include Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, the new Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's mayor for Manchester Andy Burnham, and former Conservative ministers Robert Jenrick and Victoria Atkins. There will be a lot to talk about!

Now it's time to crack onpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 6 July

19:10 BST 6 July

Chris Mason
Political editor

The last time I recall a cabinet meeting on a Saturday was during the Brexit years. The time before that was due to the Falklands War. They’re rare.

Today’s was about cracking on, and being seen to crack on, with the job of government with a momentum and energy.

Sir Keir Starmer looked comfortable, even relaxed in the role of prime minister in the later news conference, the State Dining Room chosen for it in No 10 rather than the specially designed room in No 9 built by the last government and associated in particular with rows about parties during the pandemic.

Starmer claimed his government would confront challenges with what he called a “raw honesty”.

A whopping majority after offering “change” - coupled with a low turn out and a share of the vote lower than any other single party post-war government – may afford this administration little time to demonstrate, if it can, that it is capable of delivery.

Marita Moloney
Live page editor

We're going to wrap up our live coverage shortly, and take a breath after what's been a unrelenting few days of UK politics news.

Today was a day of firsts: Keir Starmer's first full day as PM and the first cabinet meeting of the new Labour government.

It was also a chance to reflect on the election results - from when the first MP (Labour's Bridget Phillipson) won her seat just before 23:30 on Thursday all the way through to the final declation for the Lib Dems' Angus MacDonald in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire just before 18:00 today.

The work has already started, the new PM said today, as he outlined pledges to tackle issues with prisons and the NHS, while adding the Rwanda scheme was "dead and buried before it started".

As for the new opposition, attention is turning to who could take over from Rishi Sunak as Tory party leader, once plans are in place to choose his successor.

Thanks for joining us today and over the last six weeks.

We've still got politics editor Chris Mason's assessment on today to bring you in a final post, and will be back tomorrow morning first thing for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Keir Starmer is continuing to hold calls with world leaders, and this afternoon he has been speaking to the German chancellor and French president.

During his conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the PM "said he believed there was opportunity to further deepen the defence and security ties between both countries, while also building greater economic co-operation", a No 10 spokeswoman said.

They also discussed the upcoming Nato conference in Washington and the importance of long-term support for Ukraine.

While during the call with French President Emmanuel Macron: “The leaders discussed the upcoming Nato and European Political Community summits, underlining the importance of these early opportunities to discuss shared priorities, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, climate, artificial intelligence, migration and the economy."

Image source, No 10 Downing Street

Some more details have emerged from this morning's cabinet meeting, during which Keir Starmer is said to have told his top team that he expects them to hold themselves and their departments to the "highest standards of integrity and honesty".

A Downing Street readout from the meeting said the prime minister told ministers "the whole country was looking to the government to deliver on their priorities".

His ministers also outlined their priorities, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighting "stability, investment and reform", and deputy PM Angela Rayner promising to "reset relationships with regional metro mayors", according to No 10.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said "the policy of the government is that the NHS is currently broken and we must return to an NHS that is there when people need it, with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers, in a fairer society where everyone lives well for longer".

While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said delivering more neighbourhood police, tackling knife crime and launching a new border security command would be "an immediate priority".

An area outside Downing Street has now been cleared by police following a pro-Palestinian march today.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences after breaching conditions requiring the protest to remain on nearby Victoria Embankment, Met Police say.

Thousands of demonstrators across central London called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as part of the first such protest since Keir Starmer's Labour government came into power.

A fifth person was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence relating to a placard.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which organised the demonstration, is also calling for arms exports from the UK to Israel to be halted, as well as for funding to be restored to the humanitarian agency UNWRA in Gaza.

Jeremy Corbyn, re-elected as an independent MP in Islington North, told the BBC that following Starmer's first cabinet meeting today it was a "great opportunity to say we will now demand a complete and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza".

Yesterday the new foreign secretary David Lammy acknowleged how people across the UK are distressed by what's been happening in Gaza.

"All of us want to see an immediate ceasefire, and I will do all I can diplomatically to support Joe Biden in bringing about that ceasefire, we also want the hostages out and we want unfettered aid to get into Gaza and in the end we must work towards that two state solution and have a clear path to progress," he said.

Image source, Reuters

A meaningful victory for the Lib Dems in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shirepublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 6 July

18:00 BST 6 July

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

This is a really meaningful victory for the Lib Dems.

There has been a deeply-held resentment about how the SNP treated former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy and the tactics used to unseat him before his death.

To win back this seat, albeit with new boundaries, is a poignant moment for them.

The count took place in the same location at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall where the former Liberal Democrat leader used the phrase “the night of the long sgian dubhs “ to describe the SNP’s astonishing victory in almost every Scottish seat in 2015.

As one activist put it: “It’s an exceptionally special day for many of us, as we return something taken.”

The Liberal Democrats have won the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency, the last seat in the UK to announce its general election result.

Candidate Angus MacDonald gained a majority of 2,160 over the SNP's Drew Hendry.

The SNP candidate had already conceded defeat after a recount delayed the result.

It means the Liberal Democrats have won 72 Westminster seats, six of which are in Scotland, meaning they have overtaken the Scottish Conservatives. The SNP won nine seats in Scotland.

Laura Kuenssberg
Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

“A face of thunder.” As opposition leader, Sir Keir Starmer would go back to his office after the Queen’s Speech deeply frustrated after witnessing the Conservatives’ plans laid out year after year. He carried the curse of the leader of the opposition – irrelevance.

He formally became prime minister at lunchtime on Friday, but for a number of months now, he has also known that the British state has been quietly preparing for his arrival in Downing Street.

“We have every hour of his first day, every day of his first week, every week of his first month, mapped out," is how one Whitehall source put it. What promise this victory holds is not going to fail because of a lack of homework or planning.

Such is the level of preparation that the Treasury, in anticipation of the arrival of the first female chancellor, has apparently boxed in the urinal that has long been a feature of the chancellor’s private bathroom. Not exactly bog standard stuff, you could say (sorry!).

Continue reading Laura's piece here.

In his farewell speech outside No 10 Downing Street yesterday, former PM Rishi Sunak said he would step down as Conservative Party leader but not until arrangements had been made to select his replacement.

While none of the 121 Tory MPs who survived the general election have confirmed if they will put their hand up to be the next leader, we've put together a shortlist of potential successors.

Could it be former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, a darling of the modern Conservative right? Or Suella Braverman, the ex-home secretary who was sacked after accusing police of political bias over pro-Palestinian marches?

Others who may throw their hat in the ring include former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick, who resigned as immigration minister last year as he felt the Rwanda scheme didn't go far enough.

One person who won't be trying to be the new leader is former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who after narrowly holding onto his seat of Godalming and Ash, has already ruled himself out.

We've just received some news from the Tories now, with Stuart Andrew announced as the party's interim chief whip.

Andrew, the MP for Daventry in Northamptonshire, will be responsible for ensuring MPs vote in Parliament in line with the party leadership's agenda.

The Tories said the move would allow them to "hold [the Labour Government] to account immediately".

"I know there will be much frustration within the party about the disappointing election results we saw this week. Our focus now more than ever must be to come together as a united party," Andrew said.

Downing Street has just released these images showing Sir Keir Starmer settling into his new home at No 10.

The prime minister is seen walking up the famous carpeted stairs past portraits of his predecessors on his first day in office.

Image source, No 10 Downing Street

Image source, No 10 Downing Street

Sir Patrick Vallance: What to expect from the science ministerpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 6 July

16:45 BST 6 July

Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent

Image source, Reuters

The prime minister cited his appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as the Minister of State for Science as a demonstration of the fact that he was "restless for change”.

So, what can we expect from our new science minister?

Vallance is best known for his televised Downing Street news conferences and was central in drawing up the scientific advice to contain Covid.

What is less well known is that, although there are several people who claim credit for the UK’s early development and delivery of the Covid vaccine strategy, it was Vallance who drove the process at an early stage and put the pieces in place to enable Britain to have ample and varied supplies when we most needed them.

This may have been what Keir Starmer meant when he was talking about Vallance being associated with delivery.

Behind the scenes, as chief scientist Vallance was an advocate for long-term thinking and stability.

His passions include achieving net zero and has already called for the rapid setting up of GB energy. The new science minister will also be a key voice in harnessing the UK’s research base to deliver the Labour government’s number one priority, growth.

Critically, as a former research head for the UK pharmaceutical giant GSK, he is well connected with businesses and understands their needs.

Image source, EPA

Earlier we heard Prime Minister Keir Starmer describe how proud he was of his new cabinet as the group reflects the "aspiration" that lies at the "heart of our country".

So who is in his top team?

The group of 22 Labour MPs and peers met for the first time this morning and includes a record 11 women, with Rachel Reeves as the UK's first female chancellor.

We've created this interactive guide to help you find out more about each cabinet member.

Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, Reuters

The new foreign secretary, David Lammy, is embarking on his first foreign trip, a day after being appointed by Keir Starmer.

Lammy will meet his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, in Berlin, this evening before travelling on to Poland and Sweden tomorrow.

Officials say the trip will set the tone for the government’s foreign policy agenda, and underline the importance of the UK’s relationships with European allies.

They say Lammy will discuss co-operation on Nato and the war in Ukraine.

Labour has said it wants to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU.

In its manifesto, it said it pledged to achieve “an ambitious new UK-EU security pact", and rebuild relationships with key European allies, including France and Germany.

The trip comes just days ahead of an important Nato summit in Washington, which will represent Keir Starmer’s first outing on the international stage since becoming prime minister.

Sean Seddon
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Since October 2023, some prisoners in England and Wales have been released early to avoid jails reaching breaking point.

The previous Conservative government introduced the policy and Sir Keir Starmer has said he will need to continue with it.

Here's how we got here:

• Last October, then Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said prisoners serving jail sentences for crimes excluding serious violence, terrorism or sex offences could be released on licence up to 18 days early - and in May, that was extended to 70 days
• A separate temporary emergency plan was put in place in May, which saw trials delayed and some suspects held in custody released on bail
• The Scottish government rolled out a similar policy in June, which means offenders with fewer than 180 days left to serve of a term of less than four years can be considered for early release. It does not apply to sex offenders or domestic abusers
• Last November, judges were urged to issue fewer short prison sentences - but a bill, external which would have seen sentences of less than 12 months automatically suspended did not become law before the election was called

Official figures , externalreleased on Friday show the prison population in England and Wales stands at 87,453, while the total usable capacity is 88,864.

In May, the Chief Inspector of Prisons - who supports early release schemes as a temporary fix - warned , external"the day we run out of places draws closer" and an "urgent conversation is needed about who we send to prison".

Soul searching begins for the Tories - but what's next?published at 15:52 British Summer Time 6 July

15:52 BST 6 July

Chris Mason
Political editor

Image source, Reuters

Here is the question that is being kicked around within the party this weekend: how long should the Tories take to find a replacement for Rishi Sunak?

Some argue they should follow the model from 2005.

Michael Howard lost the general election to Tony Blair, but he stuck around for several months to give the party space for a longer debate and discussion about its future.

David Cameron emerged in that time to beat the favourite David Davis and went on to become prime minister in 2010.

But others who suggest it needs to be a bit quicker look at 2010 to make their case. In 2010, when the now Lord Cameron became prime minister, Labour spent some time selecting a successor to Gordon Brown. Ed Miliband, now back as a cabinet minister, emerged as the winner.

But some Tories think that by then, the new government had managed to frame a narrative about Labour overspending and the need for austerity - and Ed Miliband had lost the argument before he had started, because Messrs Cameron and Osborne had stolen a march on their opponents.

Sunak isn’t going to down tools straight away. I am told he is willing to remain leader for now, including doing Prime Minister’s Questions in the coming weeks, and putting questions to Sir Keir Starmer.

• You can read more here about what happens next to the Conservatives

Image source, PA Media

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he's aiming to "build a mass movement for real change" in the run up to the next sets of elections.

Reform won 15% share of the overall vote across the UK but will only have five MPs in Parliament including Farage.

"We will do what we can with five in Parliament, what I will do for certain is provide real opposition in the country," he tells reporters at a country club in Essex.

Asked how he would sell the proportional representation (PR) voting system to the public, Farage says: "The fact that for every Reform MP there are 800,000 voters, and for every Labour MP there are 30,000 voters suggests something is very badly, fundamentally wrong.

"We have five MPs, PR would have given us 97 MPs, but we are where we are."