Last week’s US midterms handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, giving them new leverage over Donald Trump’s final two years in office. Trump says he expects to work with Democratic lawmakers, who are already preparing investigations into his administration and challenges to his spending plans. Within Trump’s own party, the war with Iran presents a more immediate test for two Republicans positioning themselves to succeed him in 2028. Vice President JD Vance has blamed the war for the party’s defeat and is making the case for military restraint. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the decision to go to war, though his allies expect him to distance himself from the conflict ahead of a possible bid. Trump ruled out a return to major strikes before polling day and is now weighing fresh attacks. A new offensive would test whether either man is prepared to oppose it while still serving in Trump’s administration.
Reparations were a point of contention at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda. The UK agreed to enter structured, time-bound talks with affected parties about the harms of the transatlantic slave trade. King Charles expressed his sorrow over Britain’s role, and Burnham said he was open to a formal apology while ruling out financial reparations. The Prime Minister also proposed action on sovereign debt and announced £40 million over three years for Caribbean infrastructure, including green energy.
At the G20, the UK and US have taken different positions on Russia’s participation. Burnham said on Thursday that Vladimir Putin would not attend next November’s Manchester summit, citing UK sanctions. Washington has invited Putin to its own leaders’ summit in Miami on 14–15 December. Russia’s war in Ukraine had already divided delegations at the 30–31 October foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta. The US issued a chair’s statement covering energy security, freedom of navigation and critical mineral supply chains after ministers failed to agree a joint communiqué.
At home, MPs approved the Budget resolutions on Tuesday and the Finance Bill was introduced. Two days later, the Bank of England raised Bank Rate by a quarter point to 4% and projected that inflation could reach around 5% by the middle of next year, largely because of higher energy prices. The Government’s Energy Independence Bill, introduced on Wednesday, includes stronger consumer protections and would require developers to offer communities a stake in new renewable projects. Its impact on bills will take time, while households face the effects of higher energy costs and interest rates now.
King Charles laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, where Andy Burnham took part for the first time as Prime Minister. On Wednesday, the UK will mark Armistice Day with a two-minute silence at 11am, the hour the armistice took effect in 1918.
This week, the Commons returns on Tuesday, and Thursday’s first estimate of third-quarter GDP will show how much momentum the economy had before the Budget. COP31 opens today in Antalya, with leaders gathering on Wednesday and Thursday. After Commonwealth leaders called for easier access to climate finance, small island states will be looking for proposals that cut the time and cost of securing funding.
Headlines
- Does Andy Burnham’s pivot from press to social media put scrutiny at risk? – The Guardian
- Tories v Reform: the bust-up you won’t be able to look away from – The Times
- Burnham’s 10-year plan morphs into ‘high-level’ blueprint – Financial Times
What's On in Parliament
- House of Lords – Health Bill, committee stage, days three and four – 9 and 11 November.
- House of Commons Education Committee – The use of artificial intelligence and EdTech in education, oral evidence – 10 November.
- House of Commons – Financial Services and Markets Bill, second reading – 10 November.
Consultations
- Technical consultation on the Alternative Transitional Registration model for UK REACH – Closes 10 November.
- FCA guidance on decentralised finance – Closes 18 November.
- ICO call for evidence on agentic AI – Closes 20 November.
Statistics
- Business population estimates for the UK and regions, 2026 – 5 November.
- Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators – 5 November.
- Public service productivity, UK, April to June 2026 – 6 November.