Lammy says rejoining EU customs union could boost UK economy

Deputy prime minister David Lammy has suggested that rejoining the European Union’s customs union could increase economic growth – as ministers increasingly hit out at the financial damage caused by Brexit.

Mr Lammy refused seven times in an interview to rule out reversing Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU badly damaged the UK economy and saying Labour should consider closer integration with Brussels.

The OBR forecasts that leaving the EU will reduce long-run productivity in Britain by 4 per cent.

Before the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves said Brexit had an even bigger impact on Britain’s economy than critics predicted.

Mr Lammy said that rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy, but that it was self-evident that other countries had seen growth after doing so.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said on Wednesday that Labour should undo “the economic damage done by Brexit”.

Baroness Shafik, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s chief economics adviser, and some senior figures close to No 10 are also reportedly pushing for closer ties with the EU.

Ms Reeves said in October: “Things like austerity, the cuts to capital spending and Brexit have had a bigger impact on our economy than even was projected back then.

“That’s why we are unashamedly rebuilding our relations with the European Union to reduce some of those costs that were, in my view, needlessly added to businesses since 2016 and since we formally left a few years ago.”

Labour’s manifesto pledged not to rejoin the single market or customs union, but pressure over the issue is mounting from MPs and advisers following poor growth forecasts.

Mr Lammy, who is also justice secretary, was asked on The News Agents podcast about the idea of being part of the customs union again, said: “That is not currently our policy. That’s not currently where we are.

“But you can see countries like Turkey with a customs union seemingly benefiting and seeing growth in their economy, and again, that’s self-evident.”

He added that his comments were “subject to collective responsibility”, implying that he should follow Sir Keir’s position.

But Darren Jones, Sir Keir’s chief secretary, rebuked Mr Lammy in the Commons, saying that Labour’s policy would be announced in parliament, not “on podcasts”.

Ashes 2025 live: Smith rallies for Australia to heap misery on England

Vital wickets from Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes after tea have boosted England after Australia fought back superbly on the second day of the second Ashes Test thanks to a 50 from Jake Weatherald and 65 from Marnus Labuschagne.

England held a slight advantage originally as a fabulous 138* from Joe Root at the Gabba steered the tourists to 334 all out in the first innings.

Root had never scored a hundred in Australiabefore yesterday’s heroics rescued England from the terrible position of 5-2 after Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were dismissed early on. He was the anchor for England’s innings with contributions also coming from Zak Crawley (76), Harry Brook (31) and Archer (38), with the latter coming as part of an exciting and bombastic 10th wicket stand with Root that brought 70 runs.

However, England’s bowling unit, led by Archer and Gus Atkinson, struggled to settle early on, with Australia motoring through with a run rate as high as six at one point. Travis Head was dropped on just three and though Brydon Carse took his wicket for 33, the bowling attack struggled before the wickets of Head and Labuschagne slowed down the hosts’ progress.

Follow all the latest updates, scores and analysis on day one at The Gabba below:

Former PM Liz Truss claims she will confront ‘deep state’ in new show

Former Conservative leader Liz Truss is promising to defend Western civilisation and spark a “Trump-style counter-revolution” against attacks on the free world – in a new show on social media

The Liz Truss Show is billed as “a bold new programme in a media landscape dominated by groupthink and timid consensus”, and “unapologetic debate, fierce defence of western values, and straight-talking discussions about the future of Britain and the free world”.

“The deep state tried to destroy me but now I’m back and excited to launch this show,” she said.

Ms Truss, who lasted just seven weeks in office before she was ousted by her own MPs in 2022, has been forced to deny being the UK’s worst prime minister.

Under her leadership, the pound fell to a 37-year low after the City was “spooked” by a massive borrowing package to fund the biggest tax cuts for half a century.

As pressure grew, Ms Truss and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng abandoned their plan to scrap the 45p rate of income tax for top earners. She quit No 10 soon afterwards.

She has repeatedly hit out at “the deep state”, last year claiming it sabotaged her efforts to cut taxes.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the US, she urged Elon Musk and his “nerd army of Muskrats” to examine the “British deep state”.

She has claimed that Britain needs its own version of Donald Trump, and called for a movement in the UK like the Maga movement, saying change had been blocked by an intransigent bureaucracy.

Her new show promises commentary about “the free speech crisis and economic stagnation”, as well as mass migration, global instability, and the “cultural battles reshaping the West”.

Producers say it “confronts the issues that others tiptoe around”.

Ms Truss said: “People in Britain, America and across the free world are tired of being talked down to. They’re tired of experts who get everything wrong, elites who refuse to listen and weak leaders who won’t stand up for Western values.

“In 2022, I was deposed as prime minister for trying to save Britain from the doom loop we are in. I was blamed for a market crisis that was not my fault … It’s time to push back, speak plainly and champion the ideas that built Britain – and can rebuild it again.”

How Trump exposes Fifa’s ‘new shame’ before World Cup 2026 draw

Donald Trump is allotted to talk for three minutes at Friday’s World Cup draw, according to sources with knowledge of the proceedings, but few expect him to actually stick to that.

Even the setting is perhaps a little preview of how the World Cup 2026 itself might function, and who it’s now about. Friday’s draw was originally intended to be in Las Vegas – just like for 1994 – until the Trump administration recommended the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Gianni Infantino’s Fifa duly acquiesced

A more august setting, maybe, but one entering a new era of its own. It has since been reported that Fifa were to be given a zero-dollar rental fee for use of the venue, but in exchange for a $2.4m donation and “sponsorship opportunities” worth $5m. This is all amid significant controversy about how Trump has announced himself as chairman of the Center’s previously bipartisan board of trustees while forcing out 19 members. There have even been comments about renaming it the “Trump Kennedy Center”.

Many artists subsequently refused to play events there, prefacing how many stars have stayed away from Friday’s draw due to the association with Trump. And this is when football has never been more popular amid Hollywood royalty. While Tom Brady will be there, it said much that Fox TV had to explain who Fifa’s perennial attraction Robbie Williams was on the day before the draw.

So that’s commercialisation, transactionalism, politicisation, a slightly make-do feel and Trump all over everything.

Welcome to the World Cup 2026 – so long as your country isn’t on the banned list, like qualifiers such as Iran and Haiti. The former are sending a very limited delegation to Washington DC.

This World Cup is also taking place in Canada and Mexico, of course, not that you’d necessarily guess that from the star attendees or the general build-up.

While previous Trump golf partner Wayne Gretzky will be “assisting” the draw as part of a much-billed “legendary multi-sport line-up”, there is no major Mexican figure.

Fifa have so far been more reluctant to reveal details of another significant part of the day: their inaugural Peace Prize.

Why spoil the surprise, after all?

There’s much more on Trump’s role, Fifa’s political theatre and the World Cup’s shifting power dynamics in the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter.

Figures within the global body have already been enthusing about how it can eventually be bigger than the Nobel Peace Prize, due to football’s power. Trump lobbied hard for that, which itself lends a greater element of obsequiousness to Fifa’s idea.

Then again, any such presentation will feel like there’s more to it than a Peace Prize, particularly given the fact that many of the conflicts Trump has credited himself with solving are still ongoing.

For their part, Infantino did attend the signing of the peace deal between the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda on the eve of the draw. One quip was that “he’ll need the colour for his speech”.

Against such jibes, Fifa insiders rail that they should be praised for encouraging peace. The counter-argument is the ostentatious proximity to divisive political figures, from Trump’s recent comments about bombing co-hosts Mexico in the drug war, to far bigger discussions that could be had about Gaza and 2034 co-hosts Saudi Arabia.

Beyond all that, though, the prize will recognise the strengthening link with Infantino’s Fifa though a flourish of garish pageantry. It may even signal who is really boss here.

As with a lot in Fifa right now, many of the body’s senior personnel had no details of the prize the night before. It was similar when Ivanka Trump was suddenly involved in the Club World Cup draw a year ago.

Sources close to the Fifa Council have told The Independent that so many decisions seem to be taken on whims, as if more influenced by the host state’s requirements rather than those of running a successful tournament. You only have to listen to Trump’s talk of moving fixtures from “trouble” cities this late in the preparation, a development that would feel a significant escalation from Qatar abruptly banning beer in stadiums.

It also feels a new level since the Gulf hosts are an autocracy, whereas the United States is a democracy.

And yet Fifa continues to look like it is pandering to a cult of personality. The “Maga World Cup”, as has been said in these pages before.

Figures within Fifa would argue that Infantino has little choice but to flatter Trump’s ego because of the potential for one erratic decision to destabilise a logistically complex World Cup. But it was Fifa’s own choice to absurdly expand this to 48 teams across three countries.

All of which provides a reminder that Friday is supposed to be about just setting up a sporting tournament.

England manager Thomas Tuchel arrived on Thursday evening, much like most of the guests.

The expanded scale means it doesn’t quite have the same exacting feel as previous draws – at least for bigger countries – since the new group stage is now more forgiving. Everyone will just want to avoid Norway in Pot Three, but the increase to 12 groups ensures the Pot Two teams don’t look as foreboding either.

If the “group of death” could include Morocco, Norway and Ghana, there are many more forgiving permutations, such as Australia, Qatar and a nation yet to qualify. There are still six empty spaces due to the expansion continuing this absurd new trend of play-offs being completed months after the main draw. It only adds to that sense of making do.

There has still been a new element of draw “finagling”, in the way Inter Miami took part in the Club World Cup. It’s been decided that the two top-ranked Fifa teams – currently Spain and Argentina – will avoid each other until the final if they finish first in their group, as with tennis.

Fans meanwhile finally get to start figuring out exactly what kind of disgraceful figure they have to spend, as expensive accommodation and huge travel distances will now be added to dynamic pricing.

That’s just one more area where it looks like Fifa is fully in tune with the economic culture of Trump’s America. There’s money to be made here.

Because, just like how the peace prize is more than a peace prize, this draw is more than mere sports administration.

It’s going to be two days of 2025 political theatre, as already billed by the little narrative detail of the accreditation centre being in, yes, the Watergate Hotel complex.

By Friday evening, you’ll be able to see this theatre in Trump’s central staging. You’ll feel it in the very surroundings. You’ll hear it in the Village People, whose much-changed line-up will play Trump favourite YMCA.

There is actually a curious piece of trivia there, since the Village People have a football legacy of their own. They did Germany’s official song for USA 94.

Otherwise, this all forms a new legacy even for Fifa. Many in football label this “a new shame”, due to this apparent willingness to allow football to be used, in a way that arguably goes against its own statutes on political neutrality.

That in itself could just be perceived as “natural evolution,” to use Arsene Wenger’s own words in Washington DC about a 48-team World Cup of an ongoing process.

And, really, this isn’t even the start.

It’s just putting everything in place. Most notably, Trump himself, right at the centre.

Zelensky’s plane ‘followed by military drones’ before Dublin visit

Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane was followed by four military-style drones before it landed at Dublin airport on Monday, according to a report.

Sources told The Journal that the drones took off from a location in the northeast of the Irish capital and flew towards the flight path of the Ukrainian president in breach of a no-fly zone.

Gardaí are investigating the incident but have not yet been able to confirm where the drones came from or who may have been controlling them.

They are trying to establish whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship, slipping past radars.

Ireland’s security services said the drones were large, military-type devices and that the incident could be deemed a hybrid attack, the Journal reports.

The drones reportedly missed Zelensky’s approach and shifted focus to LÉ William Butler Yeats, a naval vessel deployed off the coast.

The vessel was unable to disable the drones with the equipment to hand, the Journal reported.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) had implemented a no-fly zone for drones over and around Dublin to coincide with Zelensky’s visit.

The Independent contacted the Gardaí for comment.

It comes at a time of increased caution across Europe after months of warnings about drone-led hybrid attacks disrupting travel and forcing airports shut.

Zelensky’s visit this week was the first to Ireland by a Ukrainian president and came as he sought to shore up support from European leaders with US-led peace talks ongoing.

In an address to Irish parliamentarians, Zelensky received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber and urged Ireland to take “an active role” in calling for a tribunal for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has been accused of trying to undermine support for Ukraine on the continent by orchestrating so-called hybrid attacks, spooking the public and testing response times to possible threats.

Airports in Germany, Denmark and Belgium have been closed over drone incursions in recent months. Russian president Vladimir Putin has in the past laughed off accusations of interference.

On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin said that is ready to fight a war with Europe if it is provoked and accused leaders of sabotaging US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Last month, Russia and the US agreed to a 28-point plan – widely condemned by European governments – that would force Ukraine to give up land, cut its army and cease its NATO ambitions. Earlier this week, Volodymyr Zelensky revealed a reworked 20-point plan, following talks with US officials over the weekend.

The incident is not the first to affect European leaders while travelling by air.

Earlier this year, a plane carrying EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly jammed while travelling to Bulgaria on a four-day tour of EU states bordering Russia.

Bulgarian authorities initially suspected Russian interference, and Nato said it was working “day and night” to prevent further jamming.

Perfect portraits: from groups to selfies and candid pics, expert tips

Portrait photography has come a long way from the days where everyone needed to be smiling directly into the camera, as a flash bulb popped.

And in fact, following on from an era where social media sites offered very curated, sometimes heavily filtered snapshots of our lives, more natural, candid images that really show off our personalities and experiences are now very much on trend. Think authentic photos of genuine moments where no-one is really paying attention to the camera. Instead they’re focused on enjoying what’s happening and the people they are with. For example, friends around a table enjoying a drink and a chat. Families engaged in a favourite activity. Photos that look like a glimpse into someone’s normal every day.

The best way to capture these in-the-moment shots? On a mobile: our ever-present, hand-held, do-everything device that has steadily taken over photography in the 26 years since the first camera phone appeared. Samsung’s newest device, the Galaxy S25 FE offers a wealth of photography-first features, from multiple cameras, lenses and wide angle settings, to in-built AI technology that will help you take the best possible pictures, then easily edit them afterwards. And as a photographer who runs masterclasses in mobile photography I couldn’t wait to try it out.

The phone itself is slim and lightweight, which makes it so much easier to hold steady, for clear, crisp, blur-free images, and take discreet, candid snaps.

Of course, we all have friends, family members and even pets who love performing for the camera. But for those who are a bit more reluctant to step into the frame, the Galaxy S25 FE offers a whole host of easy-to-use, fun AI features that will have even the most camera-shy feeling completely confident and ready for their close-up.

Samsung’s Drawing Assist function is a prime example and was an absolute hit with my kids, transforming our Sunday afternoon walk from a litany of moaning and dragging feet into a fun-filled adventure involving a lucky escape from the shark that apparently now lives in the park pond, and flying through the air with some giant balloons.

And all it took was a few simple, if strategically positioned snaps and some quick sketches using the Sketch to Image* function when editing the photo. This works best when you have some space in the frame around your subjects so you can easily draw what you want to add. In the shark image, for example, we needed enough water to the left of my kids for the shark to emerge from.

In the photo where the children are flying with the balloons, I needed them to be high up against the sky, and I also wanted the trees visible to add some context to the story we were trying to tell. They’re on top of the boulders, but I had to crouch down on the ground to cut out the houses in the background. By using the Generative Edit** function I was then able to replace the boulders with trees and then used Sketch to Image to draw in some balloons to make it look like they were floating away.

You don’t need to be an amazing artist for Sketch to Image to work well either, just enough line and shape for the app to recognise what you want to add into your image. The only limit here is your imagination and creativity. Involving the kids in some fun photography also meant that I got to capture some real, candid moments of them in the beautiful Autumn sunshine, with none of the usual complaints.

While playing around with reality can be fun, the Galaxy S25FE’s other AI features can also be used to make more subtle adjustments to enhance your images.

Just a few minutes of work with the Generative Edit function on a day out with a friend, helped me erase two unwanted photobombers from a photo (in which she perfectly co-ordinated with the graffitied heart wall in Borough Market). While removing some distracting weedkiller from the table where my cat was basking in the sunshine ensured the perfect pic where I can really appreciate him in all his fluffy glory.

Aside from fun and helpful editing functions, the phone’s AI technology is also running in the background to give your photos a boost, whatever and whenever you are capturing them.

This is great when you’re shooting challenging lighting conditions, for example at night. Dark, grainy and blurred photos are a thing of the past, with Samsung’s Nightography feature. Tapping the yellow moon icon that appears in dim lighting will enable this clever function which captures multiple images and then uses AI to blend them together to create one sharper, brighter image.

This can take a few seconds, so you’ll need to keep very still when using this feature – if you can, brace your arms on a table and hold the phone with two hands to keep the camera as steady as possible. It also helps if your subject is still, so this is more for capturing adults and older kids than snapping a restless pet or fast-moving child.

For these trickier subjects, from youngsters to four-legged friends, the excellent autofocus on the device makes for pin-sharp portraits rendered in high definition. And if you couple that with the outstanding Samsung colour profile you get beautifully saturated, nicely contrasted images which really pop. All the colours are beautifully rendered and all skin tones (and fur tones) are true to life. No filters are needed here.

And this is not just true of portraits you take of other people. The 12 MP camera lens on the front of the phone makes for gorgeously rendered, high resolution selfies with a variety of crop options, so you can find the perfect angle or image composition.

Taking a selfie at a 1:1 square crop, as well as the standard 3:4 crop option means you can easily include a friend or family member in your photo. And there’s a lovely little feature where you can get the lens to zoom out a little by tapping the ‘two person’ icon to provide a little extra space.

The 9:16 crop option means you can opt for a more flattering, longer and thinner photo while the full frame cop allows you a more zoomed-in selfie.

And if you want to take your selfies to another level, the option to add a little skin toning and smoothing effect and iron out any wrinkles (or in my case remove evidence of a sleepless night) is one of the additional features that makes the selfie camera stand out!

The excellent battery life means you don’t need to worry about it lasting, even after a few hours of photo fun. And when your battery does run down, lightning fast charging will see you back at 60 per cent in just 30 minutes, so you don’t have to wait long until you are good to go again.

Overall, whether it is taking vibrant portraits of yourself or capturing creative, candid images of the people (and pets) in your lives, making memories you’ll want to share is easy and fun with the Galaxy S25 FE.

Kirsty Hamilton is a portrait photographer – find out more at her website and on Instagram.

To find out more about the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE visit Samsung

*Samsung account login and network connection may be required for certain AI features.

**Samsung account login is required. Requires network connection.

Hegseth orders new strike that kills four on alleged drug boat in Pacific

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S military to carry out an attack on an alleged drug boat on Thursday, killing four occupants, amid the ongoing “double tap” controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s strikes in the Caribbean.

“On Dec. 4, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization,” U.S Southern Command, which oversees the attacks, posted on social media.

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.”

Video footage posted by SouthCom shows a boat speeding across the ocean surface before becoming engulfed in flames.

The latest attack takes the total number of people killed in the Trump administration’s strikes to at least 86.

The strike came just hours after Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who leads U.S. Special Operations Command, showed House and Senate members on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees footage of the lethal strikes conducted on September 2 and answered questions.

Bradley’s appearance on Capitol Hill comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny for authorizing a second strike on an alleged drug boat on September 2. The follow-up strike — referred to by some as a double tap — was launched after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters the footage was “one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.” In contrast, Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes “righteous” and “entirely lawful.”

Defending the second strike on Tuesday, Hegseth said it took place within “the fog of war” and added that Bradley acted “within his authority and the law.” Shortly after the latest attack on Thursday, he took to social media to gloat about it.

“Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean,” Andrew Kolvett, the spokesperson for TPUSA wrote on X. Hegseth replied, “Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat.”

Thursday’s strike is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to cut off the supply of illicit drugs coming into the U.S. and to apply pressure to to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom Trump has branded a narco-terrorist.

During a press conference yesterday, Trump claimed the U.S. is at “war” with drug cartels in Venezuela amidst an unprecedented buildup of military assets in the Caribbean. He also indicated that the attacks could escalate.

“Very soon we’re going to start doing it on land too,” the president said. “Because we know every route, we know every house where they manufacture this crap. We know where they put it all together. And I think you’re going to see if very soon on land also.”

Maduro has denied he is involved in drug trafficking and has accused the Trump administration of “fabricating a new eternal war.“

More than just the double-tap controversy, the overall campaign of striking boats in the Caribbean has been subject to significant debate.

A number of Democratic lawmakers have described them as “illegal” and “reckless,” pointing out that the administration has failed to publicly provide evidence that those killed were indeed traffickers. A few GOP lawmakers have agreed.

“We don’t blow up boats off Miami because 25 percent of the time suspicion is wrong,” Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said in October. “We shouldn’t do it off Venezuela either. These are small outboards with no fentanyl and no path to Florida.”

Human rights groups and U.N. officials have also characterized the U.S. military’s offensive in Latin America as illegal under international law. Amnesty International called it “murder — plain and simple.”

Many Republicans, particularly those closely aligned with Trump, have defended the campaign. This weekend, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said Trump is “protecting the United States by being very proactive.”

In September, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged concerns surrounding the attacks, but said the rules of engagement should be akin to what they are during wartime.

“I understand the concerns about due process, I understand some of the criticisms that have been raised, but this is not a situation where we can send the Navy SEALs into these places, arrest them and give them a proper civil trial or criminal trial,” he told Politico.

A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in late November indicates the public has mixed feelings about the recent military campaign in the Caribbean.

A slim majority, 53 percent, said they support using military force to attack suspected drug boats, while 73 percent said the government needs to provide evidence the boats carried drugs. Further, 70 percent of respondents said they would oppose the U.S. taking military action in Venezuela.

Stark warning for NHS over drop in international nurses coming to UK

A crash in the numbers of international nurses and midwives coming to the UK “should sound alarm bells” with experts warning that stricter immigration rules could affect the NHS’s ability to care for patients.

An almost 50 per cent fall in the number of foreign nurses coming to work in the UK from April 1 to September has coincided with a slowing of the overall growth of the workforce, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said.

The new figures from the regulator have prompted concerns from experts and healthcare leaders who fear the number of domestic nurses joining the health service will not be able to fill the gap left by international workers.

Commentators pointed out that the health and care system has relied on international recruitment “for generations” and warned that plans to tighten visa rules and cut immigration could “deepen” workforce shortages.

Lynn Woolsey, chief nursing officer at the Royal College of Nursing, warned: “International recruitment is collapsing, even before further hostile immigration policies come in, while the number of domestic joiners continues to stall.

“At a time of already widespread nursing staff shortages, with tens of thousands of nursing jobs remaining unfilled, the dashboard is flashing red for the future of services and patient care.”

She added: “At the current rate, the number of domestic nurses joining will nowhere near make up for the collapse in overseas nursing staff coming to the UK.

“We now need to see a serious, detailed and fully funded plan to grow the domestic workforce and an end to the pursuit of hostile immigration policies.”

NMC figures show that from April 1 to September 30, some 6,321 international workers joined the register for the first time – a 49.6 per cent drop compared with the same period last year when 12,534 joined the register.

This means that only 31.1 per cent of new joiners were from outside of the UK during this period – a figure which is usually around 50 per cent, the NMC said.

Factors could include better earning potential in different countries, visa changes and a plan to increase domestic recruitment, the NMC said.

Paul Rees, NMC chief executive and registrar, said: “The high-growth era of international recruitment appears to be ending. At the same time, domestic recruitment is steady.”

Suzie Bailey, director of leadership and organisational development at The King’s Fund, said: “The dramatic fall in international nurse and midwife recruitment and retention should be sounding alarm bells for politicians, health and care leaders, and people who rely on health and care services.

“Our health and care system has relied on international recruitment for generations.

“Recent proposals to cut immigration, tighten visa rules, and even deport those living here legally risk deepening workforce shortages and putting patient safety at risk.”

She added: “These changes don’t just create workforce gaps, they can create fear and run the risk of talented and dedicated staff being made to feel unwelcome. That could lead to longer waits for patients as staff become increasingly overstretched and feel undervalued.”

Overall, the NMC said there was a record number of 860,801 nurses, midwives and nursing associates on its register.

But it pointed out a slowdown in the rate of growth between April and September compared with the same time frame last year. It added that Black, Asian or minority ethnic nurses and midwives are being “held back” by experiences of racism.

Mr Rees added: “Overall growth of the UK’s nursing and midwifery workforce has slowed sharply.

“Nonetheless, there are now more nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the register than ever. The register has also continued to become more ethnically diverse – a third of nursing and midwifery professionals are now black, Asian or minority ethnic.

“However, these professionals are often held back by their experiences of racism and other forms of discrimination that sadly appear to be growing again in our society.

“Some of our registrants see the situation as being worse now than at any time in the last 30 years, suggesting we have reached a crisis point.

“The whole health sector must do more to confront racism wherever it occurs, so that every nurse, midwife and nursing associate can feel safe, valued and able to deliver the high-quality care that we will all rely on at some point in our lives.”