3 d. ago SNP Government names date for abolition of two child benefit cap in Scotland

EXCLUSIVE: Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville provided more details of a policy that was the centrepiece of the SNP Government's Budget.

Politics

8 d. ago Jonathan Reynolds mocks Nigel Farage’s coal mines plan as an ‘absolute parody’

Nigel Farage fails to understand ‘the pride in where we’re from and what we represent’, the business secretary said

Politics

1 week ago The Guardian view on Labour’s tough choices: they are costing the government dearly | Editorial

Austerity-era scepticism runs deep – and Labour’s abstract promises are falling flat as Nigel Farage rises in the pollsThe Labour government’s abrupt U-turn on winter fuel payments – restoring the benefit to more than three-quarters of pensioners – reveals less a change of heart than a sobering realisation in Westminster: after years of austerity, the public no longer gives politicians the benefit of the doubt. The irony is hard to miss. Labour set out to prove that “grown-up” economics means difficult decisions – only to find that once trust is lost, voters won’t accept vague promises without tangible results.It turns out many are sceptical that sacrifices will produce better results for society. That’s why ministers are struggling to justify cuts to disability benefits as a way to “fund” public services – or to convince the public that Britain can’t afford to lift the two-child benefit cap even as ministers claim they will reduce child poverty. There may be more conspicuous retrea...

Politics

1 week ago People on New State Pension could be due up to £971 each month from next April

The annual uprating will be announced at the Autumn Budget but pensioners can start calculating the Triple Lock uplift now.

Economics

1 week ago Children in most deprived areas more likely to visit A&E and be obese – Unicef

The organisation has called on the Government to lift its two-child benefit cap after its report on deprivation in England.

Politics

1 week ago LORD ASHCROFT: 'We can sniff Starmer's fear of Farage' say voters as they back winter fuel U

Voters have been wondering what it was about Reform's surge in local elections that prompted Starmer to tighten his immigration policy and row back the winter fuel allowance cuts.

Politics

2 w. ago Farage's Reform storms into Scottish politics as SNP flops, Tories fail and Labour pulls off shock win

Commentary: Reform shows it can compete north of the border too

Events

2 w. ago Nigel Farage's Reform storms into Scottish politics as SNP flops, Tories fail and Labour pulls off shock win

Commentary: Reform shows it can compete north of the border too

Events

2 w. ago Charities welcome free school meals change but warn ‘more is needed’

Charities and school leaders welcomed the change but urged the Government to reconsider the two-child benefit cap to ease poverty levels.

Events

2 w. ago The spirit of Liz Truss, ridiculous but relentless, stalks British politics | Rafael Behr

Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have much more in common with the failed Tory leader than either cares to admitWe need to talk about Liz Truss, although there are reasons not to bother. The prime minister who failed faster than any previous holder of the office has much to say about her dismal record, but nothing insightful. She cuts a pitiful spectacle padding out the schedule at rightwing conferences, chasing attention and relevance with an addict’s fervour.Last week, Truss was at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, sharing the big lesson she learned in government. It was that British institutions have been captured by a leftist doctrine and that they “hate western civilisation”. She couldn’t possibly counter this threat from No 10 because supposedly the real power was wielded by a well-financed “globalist network”, operating through such engines of anti-democratic subterfuge as the International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organization.Rafael Be...

Politics

2 w. ago The spirit of Liz Truss, ridiculous but relentless, still stalks British politics | Rafael Behr

Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have much more in common with the failed Tory leader than either cares to admitWe need to talk about Liz Truss, although there are reasons not to bother. The prime minister who failed faster than any previous holder of the office has much to say about her dismal record, but nothing insightful. She cuts a pitiful spectacle padding out the schedule at rightwing conferences, chasing attention and relevance with an addict’s fervour.Last week, Truss was at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, sharing the big lesson she learned in government. It was that British institutions have been captured by a leftist doctrine and that they “hate western civilisation”. She couldn’t possibly counter this threat from No 10 because supposedly the real power was wielded by a well-financed “globalist network”, operating through such engines of anti-democratic subterfuge as the International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organization.Rafael Be...

Politics

2 w. ago People on Universal Credit with health issues could be due up to £1,130 every month

Disability benefits such as PIP or ADP do not count towards the benefit cap.

Economics

2 w. ago Voices: With families facing impossible choices, Labour’s should be easy

Editorial: New figures shared with The Independent show the extent to which families are relying on baby banks. The government’s plans to tackle child poverty should start immediately

Politics

2 w. ago Thousands of Britain's biggest jobless families in line for taxpayer

Labour and Reform are both pushing to ditch the policy brought in by the Tories in 2017 despite the £3.5billion cost it would incur.

Society

3 w. ago Starmer and Farage in ‘race to the bottom’ on child benefit cap, says Badenoch

Campaigners say the cap exacerbates child poverty and has had a minimal impact on birth rate or family size.

Politics

3 w. ago Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer for 'race to the bottom' over welfare handouts as Tory leader accuses rivals of asking taxpayers to 'fund unlimited child support for others'

In a feisty attack on the Reform and Labour leaders, Mrs Badenoch said the pair believed in getting taxpayers to fund 'unlimited child support for others' by scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Economics

3 w. ago BBC Question Time audience snigger at guest's 'saucy' remark amid benefit showdown

Question Time, held in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on Thursday, saw the panel discuss the two-child benefit cap, which Keir Starmer has this week hinted at easing

Events

3 w. ago 'Political incompetence': Labour veteran John McDonnell calls for grassroots challenge to Keir Starmer's government

John McDonnell, who was suspended from the party last year for voting to scrap the two child benefit cap, accused the Prime Minister of ‘callousness and political incompetence’

Politics

3 w. ago Sums behind Nigel Farage's vow to spend £85billion if he wins the next election 'are implausible', experts say

Nigel Farage unveiled a string of policies in a major speech, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, reinstating winter fuel payments and raising the tax-free income allowance to £20,000.

Economics

3 w. ago Is Rachel Reeves planning a 'stealth' tax raid on pensions? HMRC explores shake

The Chancellor is under growing pressure to raise billions of pounds to fund extra spending commitments and rising borrowing costs ahead of her autumn Budget .

Economics