3 d. ago No prospect of universal winter fuel payment, says pensions minister

Torsten Bell said he thinks most people agree ‘it’s not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires’.

Politics

5 d. ago Inquiry launched into appointment of football regulator chairman

David Kogan, a media rights expert, was named as the Government’s preferred candidate.

Politics

5 d. ago Defence review plans will make army ‘10 times more lethal’, says John Healey – politics live

Defence secretary says ‘the world is more dangerous’ as he addresses MPs about strategic defence reviewHere is the clip of Keir Starmer in his Today programme interview refusing to say when the government will raise defence spending to 3% of GDP.In an interview with the Times published on Saturday John Healey, the defence secretary, said that he had “no doubt” that Britain would reach the 3% target by 2034 – ie, before the end of the next parliament. Yesterday he described this as an “ambition”. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Starmer defies Labour clamour for tax hikes to fund more welfare as he hints at winter fuel allowance move soon

Keir Starmer poured cold water on left-wing demands for 'wealth taxes' to fund spending on benefits and service, arguing that the burden is already 'high'.

Economics

1 week ago Labour is taking the Pip – and disabled people have had enough | Cherylee Houston

I am in tears reading the stories of what might happen if these further cuts go ahead, which is why I’ve joined forces with others to demand actionDisabled celebrities urge Keir Starmer to scrap ‘inhumane’ benefit cutsWhy have so many deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent public figures pulled together to launch the campaign #TakingThePIP?Every area of life as a disabled person is difficult – employment, social situations, healthcare, education, transport and by far the most pervasive and arduous: other people’s attitudes. Everything is a fight, but this feels like a fight too far. If Labour goes ahead with its proposed benefits cuts to tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) and reduce or lose the health element of universal credit, many people in my community don’t know how they will survive. Make no bones about it: this could be a matter of life and death for some people. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Disabled celebrities urge Keir Starmer to scrap ‘inhumane’ benefit cuts

Exclusive: More than 100 people including Liz Carr and Rosie Jones sign letter criticising Pip and universal credit changesMore than 100 of the UK’s most high-profile disabled people, including Liz Carr, Rosie Jones, Ruth Madeley and Cherylee Houston, have called on the prime minister to abandon “inhumane and catastrophic plans to cut disability benefits”.In an open letter to Keir Starmer before a planned Commons vote next month, they argue that the government’s plan to reduce eligibility to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health component of universal credit is a matter of “survival” and “basic human rights”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Anas Sarwar losing Holyrood election could spark Labour rebellion to oust Keir Starmer

Labour MPs are reportedly giving Keir Starmer 12 months to turn things around - with the outcome of next year’s Holyrood election a potential trigger to oust him from office.

Politics

1 week ago Farage ‘backs scrapping child benefit cap and restoring winter fuel payments’

His Reform UK party is riding high in the opinion polls.

Politics

2 w. ago Some Tories privately support PM’s stance on Israel and Gaza, Conservative says

Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin, said he believed Sir Keir Starmer was on the ‘right side of history’.

Politics

2 w. ago Cabinet in ‘open warfare’ over tax and MPs can’t trust Starmer, says Badenoch

The Tory leader said deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is ‘on manoeuvres’ and asked how MPs could ever trust Sir Keir after a U-turn on fuel cuts.

Economics

2 w. ago Starmer defends prison sentence given to Lucy Connolly over hate tweet

The Prime Minister told MPs he is against ‘incitement to violence’ when pressed on the issue, and says he supports courts and police.

Events

2 w. ago Starmer urged to ‘deploy every tool’ to free jailed British activist

MPs and peers have pressed for the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has been on hunger strike for more than 80 days.

Events

2 w. ago UK suspends trade talks with Israel as Lammy condemns Gaza escalation as 'monstrous'

Sir Keir Starmer tells MPs he is ‘horrified’ by Israel’s military escalation in Gaza

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves hints at winter fuel allowance shift saying she is 'listening' to mounting disquiet from Labour MPs

Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested she is considering the threshold at which the benefit is removed after the cut was seen as a factor in dire local election results.

Politics

2 w. ago UK suspends Israel trade talks and summons ambassador over 'intolerable' Gaza offensive

Sir Keir Starmer tells MPs he is ‘horrified’ by Israel’s military escalation in Gaza

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer says Brits are 'tired' of Brexit rows as he faces backlash over 'blank cheque' EU deal

Making a statement to MPs, Keir Starmer argued that the package he unveiled alongside beaming EU commission chief Ursula von der Leyen would 'drive down bills and drive up jobs'.

Economics

2 w. ago BREAKING: Keir Starmer gives major statement to MPs after huge Brexit reboot

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will give a major statement to MPs in the Commons today after signing a deal with the EU to reset Brexit - but he is facing criticism from some parties

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer warns rebellious Labour MPs that Reform is now their 'main rival' and they have a 'moral duty' to stop Nigel Farage becoming PM

The Prime Minister lashed out at the Reform leader as 'a state-slashing, NHS-privatising Putin apologist' as faced the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Events

2 w. ago Starmer faces Labour MPs amid brewing disquiet over benefits cuts

The Prime Minister is said to have ‘acknowledged that MPs were having to face incredibly tough decisions’ as he met backbenchers.

Politics

2 w. ago MPs warn ‘secretive’ approach may have harmed EU ‘reset’ efforts

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said public backing for closer relations with the EU mean the Government has to be ‘bold in its offer’.

Events