Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sunak laments missing time with daughters as prime minister

He shared his concerns about not being able to find as much time as he would like to focus on his daughters Krishna, 12, and Anoushka, 11

Sunak laments missing time with daughters as prime minister

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has admitted it is a hard balance for him to strike as the father of two young children and holding the top job of leading the country through various crises.

In a friendly podcast interview for The Times with former Tory leader William Hague, the 43-year-old British Indian leader was asked about some of the challenges of taking charge at 10 Downing Street in the wake of intense political turmoil.


He shared his concerns about not being able to find as much time as he would like to focus on his daughters Krishna, 12, and Anoushka, 11.

“I’ve got two young girls who mean the world to me and it’s hard to balance being a good dad and doing the job well,” said Sunak.

“You have to prioritise this job because it’s an important job and you’re doing it on behalf of the whole country. So not being there for them as much as any dad would like to be is a challenge. There are particular moments where you feel that acutely because there’s something very difficult going on. That’s tough, but that’s the job."

Further, on a personal note about his Indian heritage, Sunak said he would like to “understand a bit more about” his grandparents who migrated from East Africa via India.

“My grandparents largely went from India to east Africa and then my parents and grandparents came from east Africa to the UK as immigrants and when my grandmother made that journey, I think it was probably one of the first times she had been on a plane. I think she didn’t know when she was going to see her family again,” he said.

Southampton-born Sunak pointed out that while his grandmother had come to the UK “not quite knowing how that would all work”, within a couple of generations he was sitting in former prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s study in Downing Street for the newspaper's The Story podcast.

“That is an incredible journey. I’m inspired by that, and that’s something that speaks to our country’s story of openness and tolerance. I think there are very few countries in the world where my story would be possible… my family’s story is one of hard work, loving family and service to a community; those were the values I was raised with and I would like to understand where all that came from,” he said.

Hague, a Tory veteran and Sunak’s predecessor as the member of Parliament for the Richmond Yorks constituency in North Yorkshire probed his young successor on the difficult scenario in which he had taken over as prime minister in October 2022.

While acknowledging he had been handed the “worst hospital pass” in the wake of the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss, Sunak insisted that he feels optimistic that there are better times ahead.

“I think someone described it as the worst hospital pass for any incoming Prime Minister in however many decades. There’s lots of frustration, we’ve been through a lot as a country over the past few years, which people are understandably frustrated about. It makes the environment trickier but I am entirely confident that there are better times ahead,” he said.

“All the things that I have been working hard on for the last year I think you can start to see are making a difference, that change is starting to become more apparent in people’s lives and that is what gives me optimism about the future."

(PTI)

More For You

starmer-immigration

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

UK returns 24,000 illegal migrants since July, highest in eight years

THE UK government has returned over 24,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the country since July, marking the highest rate of removals in eight years, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

Commonwealth secretary general Baroness Patricia Scotlan speaks at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London (Photo: The Ismaili National Council for the United Kingdom)

'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

COMMONWEALTH chief has paid tribute to the late Prince Karim Aga Khan, describing him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to service, peace, and pluralism has left a lasting impact on the world.

Speaking at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London last Wednesday (26), Commonwealth secretary general Baroness Patricia Scotland reflected on her personal connection with the Aga Khan, recalling their meetings during Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Myanmar-quake-rescue-Reuters

Rescuers carry the body of a victim during search and rescue operations, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30. (Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 1,700, UK pledges £10m in aid

RESCUE efforts continued in Myanmar as residents searched for survivors in collapsed buildings in Mandalay, two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The disaster has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar and 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

The quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The tremors caused widespread destruction, damaging buildings, bridges, and roads in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Tate Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Brianna Stern Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Tate’s attorney, Joseph McBride, has dismissed the lawsuit

Getty

Andrew Tate faces sexual assault lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Brianna Stern

Social media personality Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who has accused him of sexual assault, battery, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, details allegations of abuse and an incident that allegedly took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel on 11 March 2025.

Allegations in the lawsuit

According to the legal complaint, Stern claims that Tate initially appeared as a "dream come true" but later became emotionally and physically abusive. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter at the hotel, where she alleges Tate physically assaulted and threatened her.

Keep ReadingShow less