Politics latest: Tuition fees set to be raised - as new Tory leader makes key shadow cabinet appointment

Will universities collapse because of financial problems?

Today's expected announcement of a rise in tuition fees comes amid a major funding crisis for British universities.

It's largely driven by a drop in overseas students, after rules imposed by Rishi Sunak's government made it harder for international students, who pay higher fees, to bring their families with them to the UK.

Following A-level results day back in August, Sky's Niall Paterson spoke to Professor Jane Harrington and Professor David Maguire about the possible collapse of higher education institutions in years to come.

Tuition fees set to be raised

An increase in tuition fees, the first for eight years, is expected to be announced this afternoon.

Sky News understands the rise will come into force in England from next year.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to confirm the move in a House of Commons statement later.

The Department for Education declined to comment.

Fees are currently frozen at £9,250.

Universities have been dealing with a funding crisis, largely driven by a huge drop in overseas students.

Rules brought in by Rishi Sunak's government made it harder for international students, who pay higher fees than British ones, to bring their families with them to the UK.

Ms Phillipson has previously said universities should seek to manage their own budgets before hoping for a bailout from the taxpayer, while higher education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has refused to rule out some institutions having to close down.

No 10 criticises Labour MP's retweet about Badenoch

Labour backbench MP Dawn Butler has been criticised for sharing a post describing Kemi Badenoch as "the most prominent member of white supremacy's black collaborator class".

Ms Butler swiftly deleted her retweet of a comment from British-Nigerian author Nels Abbey, which he posted on X shortly before the Tory leadership contest result was announced.

Asked about this, Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson said the prime minister was "clear that the comments were wrong".

And asked if Sir Keir believes Ms Badenoch is a white supremacist, the spokesperson simply said: "No."

Some have called for Ms Butler to be suspended as a Labour MP, but there's been no sign of that happening.

Number 10 also confirmed Sir Keir had spoken to Ms Badenoch on the phone to congratulate her on her election win.

Laura Trott appointed shadow education secretary, Sky News understands

More appointments are trickling in from Kemi Badenoch, who is slowly putting her top team together ahead of their first meeting on Tuesday.

We don't expect the full list until then, but we understand Laura Trott has been appointed shadow education secretary.

Additionally, Neil O'Brien has been made shadow minister for education.

Both will likely be on the opposition front bench for education oral questions this afternoon.

Why illegal migration isn't being reduced

Illegal migration isn't a new problem for the UK.

Successive governments have struggled to get a grip on it, and the Starmer administration has decided to ditch the Tories' approach (a controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda) and prioritise tackling criminal people smugglers instead.

But why has it proved such a difficult issue to cope with? And what's the impact been on the UK and British politics?

Our political correspondent Liz Bates explains:

UK will 'never withdraw' from ECHR, vows PM

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the UK will "never withdraw" from the European Convention on Human Rights.

"We are proud of the role the UK played in creating that convention," the prime minister says. 

"Respecting international communities also make international cooperation easier, because it shows that the UK is a reliable partner."

It was a major talking point during the Tory leadership contest, with eventual loser Robert Jenrick having said he'd take the UK out should he ever become prime minister.

Where will extra funding go?

Sir Keir says the UK's approach to counter-terrorism - "which we know works" - will be applied to gangs "with our new Border Security Command".

He confirms an additional £75m will be given to the unit, in addition to the £75m already committed.

"This will support a new organised immigration crime intelligence unit, hundreds of new investigators and intelligence officers backed by state-of-the-art technology."

The prime minister also announces a further £58m investment in the National Crime Agency, to strengthen intelligence and data analysis.

He adds the UK's "broken asylum system" must be reformed, confirming hundreds of additional people will now work on asylum cases.

PM compares people smuggling to terrorism - as he outlines new funding

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on his feet in Glasgow, where he is addressing those at the Interpol General Assembly.

He begins by thanking those in attendance and those who serve in police, intelligence, and security services across the world.

"Too often, what you do goes unrecognised," he says, adding: "It is your work, your service that protects people from threats."

Sir Keir confirms an increase in funding for Interpol projects, investing £6m this financial year.

"This includes support for improved data sharing and faster communications capabilities," he says.

'Vile trade must be stamped out'

The PM turns to the matter of "vile people smugglers, who think human life can be trafficked, the borders can be ignored and that desperation, misery, and hope are all emotions that are right for exploitation".

He says this needs a "global response" on a scale "far beyond where we are now".

"There is nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women and children die in the Channel."

Sir Keir says this is a "vile trade" that must be "stamped out wherever it thrives".

PM compares crisis to terrorism

He adds: "I will work with anyone serious who could offer solutions on this - anyone - because without coordinated global action, it will not go away.

"And unless we bring all the powers we have to bear on this, in much the same way as we do for terrorism, then we will struggle to bring these criminals to justice."

Sir Keir says that people smuggling "should be viewed as a global security threat similar to terrorism".

"We've got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes."

PM delivers speech on illegal migration

Sir Keir Starmer is delivering a speech at the Interpol General Assembly, outlining how the government will tackle illegal migration.

It will focus on efforts to take on criminal smuggling gangs.

You can watch in the stream below or at the top of this page, and we'll bring you updates too here in the Politics Hub.

'We can turn this around in one term,' Badenoch tells Tory HQ

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been inside Conservative Party headquarters today, addressing staff for the first time in her role.

She told them to "let your creative juices flow", stressing they "don't have to do things the way they've always been done" in the party.

Ms Badenoch - who beat Robert Jenrick to the party's top job on Saturday - also insisted: "We can turn this around in one term."

She also set a plan for the first "challenge" for her party - to win back lost council seats in the May 2025 local elections.

"That means bringing in leadership of local government and listening to them, making sure the party is open to ideas from everywhere."

Ms Badenoch stressed that the Tory party "must be more open".

"We will get to policy soon, but first we need to start with principles and the things that bind us as Conservatives together."

-SKY NEWS