1 hour ago Keir Starmer faces humiliating threat to his authority as Labour MPs revolt on flagship benefits cuts with 120 vowing to sink the bill

Labour MPs brushed aside pressure from Downing Street and threats from party whips to demand that plans to trim £5billion from the welfare budget are dumped before a crunch vote next Tuesday.

Events

10 h. ago Welfare rebellion not a confidence vote, PM says as he remains defiant over cuts

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will ‘press on’ despite the backbench rebellion.

Politics

12 h. ago Could Starmer lose the welfare vote — and what happens if he does?

Enough Labour MPs have signalled their opposition to potentially defeat the government’s plans

Politics

16 h. ago Minister defends Liz Kendall’s handling of welfare reform brief despite major rebellion before vote – UK politics live

Pat McFadden insists welfare reform change vote will go ahead as planned but says party will ‘engage with’ rebelsLabour MPs launch major rebellion to stop welfare billA senior minister in the UK government has said the country is “not starting from zero” when it comes to raising defence spending to 5% of GDP.Speaking on the BBC, Pat McFadden said one of the earliest actions of his party, which came to power of 2024, was to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP over the next couple of years.She has been central to the development of these reforms.She has argued for them, not as a difficult choice, but as the right choice, because she believes in a welfare state that should be there for people. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Labour MPs ready to rebel against welfare reforms despite deselection threat

MPs claim that they have been threatened with suspension from the party and even deselection ahead of crunch welfare vote next week

Politics

5 d. ago Starmer faces benefits showdown with Labour rebels on July 1 as they vow to vote against reforms despite spiralling cost of handouts

A crunch vote on the government's new welfare legislation - seen as a test of strength for the PM - has been slated for July 1.

Politics

9 d. ago Starmer’s PIP disability cuts could see claimants lose £10,000 a year, MPs warn

More than 100 Labour MPs could vote against Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare cuts

Events

1 week ago Ministers 'on resignation watch' in Labour benefits revolt as desperate Starmer 'says disability claimants can keep payments for an extra three months'

The transitional arrangements for proposed curbs to handouts look set to be extended from four weeks.

Politics

1 week ago Private schools lose High Court battle against Starmer’s VAT raid on fees

Around 11,000 pupils have already left private schooling since the policy came into force in January

Events

1 week ago Private schools lose High Court battle against Starmer’s VAT raid

Around 11,000 pupils have already left private schooling since the policy came into force in January

Events

1 week ago Claimants set to lose disability benefits 'will get payments for an extra three months' as Keir Starmer desperately tries to quell Labour revolt

The transitional arrangements for proposed curbs to handouts look set to be extended from four weeks.

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer's muddled politics are reaching their limit. It's time for him to make a choice | Andy Beckett

Veer left or double down on the right? Either way, the prime minister needs to commit and sell it to an impatient electorateAfter less than a year in power, Labour has reached a familiar place. Keir Starmer’s troubled government is at a fork in the road, wondering which direction to follow. With the delivery of its spending review next week after several acrimonious delays, and a Commons vote on its divisive welfare cuts expected later this month, the government’s unity and morale are fragile. The public finances are severely strained, with ever more competing demands, such as for extra defence spending. Though much more energetic than its Tory predecessor, this government often seems opaque, unable to explain its purpose in a compelling way.Many voters and journalists – even more impatient than usual after years of manic politics – are already considering what might replace Starmer’s administration. At barely 20% in the polls, Labour is as unpopular as in its most disliked days und...

Politics

3 w. ago Ministers consider tweaks to soften welfare cuts before key vote

Government looking at changes to disability benefit assessment rules, after backlash from many Labour MPsMinisters are considering tweaks to soften their controversial welfare cuts before a crunch vote in parliament next month.The government is examining a potential change that could allow up to 200,000 people to keep their disability benefits by tweaking assessment rules. Continue reading...

Politics