Sir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state, with 221 MPs signing a cross-party letter demanding he take the step.

The letter is being organised by the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who also sits as the International Development Committee chair.

They write: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine.

“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”

Explainer: What does recognising a Palestinian state mean?

Earlier this month, nearly 60 Labour MPs called on David Lammy and the Foreign Office to immediately recognise Palestine as a state in a private letter, but this new call shows how dissatisfied many still are with the government’s refusal to change its stance on the issue.

As Number 10 came under growing pressure, Sir Keir on Friday released a statement on Gaza calling the “appalling scenes” in the Strip “unrelenting”.

Israel has denied there is a food shortage in Gaza – despite earlier this week more than 100 aid agencies warning of mass starvation in Gaza – and claims it had to take control of the supply and distribution of aid because Hamas fighters have been stealing aid before it reached civilians. Hamas has denied this, as have some humanitarian groups, including USAID.

Talking about the need for a regional “lasting peace”, the prime minister said: “Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.”

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In light of a tweet by the French President Emmanuel Macron, also sent last night, declaring France would recognise a Palestinian state in September at a UN conference, a number of MPs now say Number 10’s current position is untenable.

“They had said they wanted to be in lockstep with allies, but this means that position won’t hold,” said one Labour MP.

US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House before heading to Scotland, was dismissive of Mr Macron’s statement. “What he says doesn’t matter,” he said. “He’s a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.

“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.

Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, on Friday morning defended the government’s resistance to calls for immediate UK recognition of a Palestinian state.

“We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region,” he told Sky News.

“But right now, today, we’ve got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today.”

An emergency call with Germany and France was scheduled for Friday to discuss what Sir Keir described as a “human catastrophe” which has “reached new depths”.

The Foreign Office has maintained it is committed to recognising a Palestinian state but has expressed a willingness to do so only when it will have the “most impact in support of a peace process”.

It said: “We continue to provide lifesaving aid to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority.”

Asylum seekers risk becoming homeless if they refuse accommodation under plans to end the use of expensive hotels.

Announcing the policy on Friday, the Home Office said some migrants were “gaming the system” by resisting efforts to move them into alternative housing without a valid reason.

Politics Live: Macron lays out plan for France to recognise a Palestinian state.

The new Failure to Travel policy means housing support will be removed from those who block transfer requests.

The Home Office said this will “ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it”.

They added: “Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support. It is a firm but fair approach, aimed to end abuse of asylum support and contribute towards the closure of costly hotel accommodation.

“While the government has a duty to support all asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute in appropriate accommodation, the new policy establishes clear consequences for those who game the system whilst protecting the vulnerable.”

There would be several steps before stripping someone of accommodation – with it being a last resort, Sky News understands.

It follows a week of unrest outside a hotel in Epping used to house asylum seekers.

Several demonstrations have been held outside the Bell Hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and will stand trial in August.

On Thursday Epping council unanimously voted to urge the government to shut the site.

Ministers are under pressure to restore order amid fears of further unrest, like that seen in Southport last summer.

Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels by the end of this parliament, a move chancellor Rachel Reeves has claimed will save £1bn a year.

However there is a question mark as to how this will be achieved as Channel Crossings continue to rise. Nearly 20,000 migrants made the journey to the UK in the first six months of this year, a rise of almost 50% on the number crossing in 2024 and a new record for the first half of a year.

Ministers say they inherited a “broken system”, with 400 hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers at the peak of the crisis under the Tories, costing £9 million per day.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “We inherited an asylum system on the brink of collapse – mismanaged, under strain, and costing the public a fortune. We are getting a grip.

“We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system. This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders.

“These reforms to the Failure to Travel policy are another example of this government’s action to transform the asylum accommodation system and crack down on those who abuse our system, so it operates fairly and saves the taxpayer money.”

England manager Sarina Wiegman has praised the Lionesses for using their platform, reaching a third successive final to advocate for “positive change in society” while focused on defending their Euros title.

In an interview with Sky News, she spoke about how, if the “incredible support” throughout the tournament in Switzerland is matched by an incredible performance, that can “bring us the win” against Spain on Sunday.

But while progressing, the team has called out social media abuse after defender Jess Carter faced racism online.

Players used winning their first trophy in 2022 as a springboard to lobby the government to advocate for more access to football for girls.

“I think that’s the high purpose of women’s football,” Weigman told Sky News when asked about players as campaigners while achieving sporting excellence.

“Of course it’s England and we want to win, but there’s a bigger picture too, and of course we saw that last week that we said this is enough [on racism].

“We’re just leading that, and everyone’s supporting. We need to send a message out because it’s unacceptable and disgusting.

“And that shows also that the identity of the women’s game, that yes we want to improve and we want to get the results, but that gives us a platform to hopefully make a little change, positive change in society, and that’s what we go for too.”

Comebacks

It has been a challenging tournament on the pitch defending their European crown. The opening match was lost to France before emphatic wins against the Netherlands and Wales took them into the knockout phase.

They were facing elimination against Sweden before coming back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before winning on penalties.

And they came even closer to being knocked out in the semi-final by Italy until Michelle Agyemang equalised in the 96th minute and Chloe Kelly struck the winner in extra time.

Asked about the impact of the drama on the England manager, attacking midfielder Ella Toone joked: “We’ve almost killed her twice this tournament.”

So how does Wiegman cope with the frenzied finishes?

“I’m never angry at the players because I know they give their best and they do everything to make it work,” she said in our interview at the team’s Zurich hotel.

“I’m just really proud of them. How we show up, how we step up when necessary and I just hope that we do a little bit earlier now.

“But first, the most important thing is that we play at our best because that makes the chance of winning as high as possible and we want that best outcome of course.”

The outcome in 2023 was losing the World Cup final to Spain, and Sunday’s game in Basel is a rematch.

“Spain is a very good country, they play very good football, but I think we’re really good too, so we have our tactical plan ready,” Wiegman said.

“We have to be at our best. Then if we are at our best we can win and the urgency is there to be our best to make that possible.”

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Five finals

The double European champion has unprecedented managerial experience at her five international tournaments – only reaching the finals with the Netherlands and England.

“It’s very special because playing a final is very special,” Wiegman said. “There are many teams in the competition and there is only a spot for two countries to play a final and it’s very, very hard to get through to the final.

“So I feel grateful and I’m really, really excited to play another final with England. And yes, I’ve noticed a couple of things, what it does with the country.

“Of course, I already did that after the Euros, but also after the World Cup. So I’m excited about that too, of course.”

Super-subs

She can feel vindicated by the results, however much the clamour is to make substitutions earlier.

“I don’t feel that resistance, I don’t feel that because I’m in the game and we have our bubble,” she said.

“And the only thing I’m focusing on is my bubble, everything outside I’m not focusing on and don’t pay attention to.

“Of course there’s pressure, of course when you’re down or 2-0 down or 1-0 then there’s pressure because you need to score a goal and then you make your subs and it’s incredible that the subs make a difference.”

With the team often rescued by super-subs Kelly and Agyemang, who is playing her first tournament at 19.

“She brings something different with her qualities and it’s really nice that she shows that too,” Wiegman said.

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Support

England have never won a trophy on foreign soil before – with the men and women only collecting trophies at Wembley.

Thousands of fans are expected in Basel and millions watching back home.

“I’d really like to thank everyone with the incredible support we’ve had here in Switzerland,” Wiegman said.

“England is totally overloaded with the fans, there’s so many here and we know there’s so many watching from home and supporting us.

“That feels incredible and we’re very very thankful for that and I hope we can put an incredible performance on the pitch again on Sunday and I hope that will bring us the win.”