Overview
- Starmer announced on Tuesday that Britain and the EU will hold their second UK–EU summit in Brussels on July 22 as the centrepiece of his plan to ‘reset’ relations with the bloc.
- At the G7 in Évian‑les‑Bains Starmer described his informal contacts with President Donald Trump as “very productive” while noting no formal bilateral was on the summit diary.
- Defence minister John Healey resigned saying the settlement ‘fell well short,’ and the new defence secretary Dan Jarvis is reviewing where the existing £13.5 billion will be spent with no extra cash committed so far.
- Starmer unveiled a package of 70 new UK sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, supply chains and illicit finance and said G7 leaders showed renewed unity over supporting Ukraine’s recent gains.
- The UK is preparing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz with plans for demining and vessel protection discussed with France, and Starmer faces pressing domestic tests including the Makerfield by‑election that could shape his mandate before the July summit.