7 d. ago Benefits rebellion LIVE: Liz Kendall to face MPs ahead of major PIP welfare vote

In a dramatic climbdown last week after a major revolt by over 100 Labour MPs, Keir Starmer agreed to protect all existing claimants from losing Personal Independence Payments

Politics

1 week ago Starmer says welfare concessions are ‘common sense’ but dodges funding question – UK politics live

No 10 has offered significant concessions to the rebels amid fears over Tuesday’s voteNo 10 climbs down over welfare billStephen Kinnock, the care minister, was the government voice on the airwaves this morning. Here are the main points he made about the welfare bill U-turn.Kinnock rejected claims that the U-turn was a sign of weakness. When it was put to him on the Today programme that this move, coming after the U-turns on winter fuel payments and a national inquiry into grooming gangs, showed that if Keir Starmer was pushed, he would give in, Kinnock replied:I think if you talk to people out there in the country, they respond very positively to politicians listening, engaging, recognising that you don’t get everything right from day one every time, and making the adjustments and the changes that are needed.And this prime minister will always put the country first. He puts country before party, and he does the right thing for the country.He defended having a “staggered” approach t...

Politics

1 week ago Government expected to unveil welfare Bill concessions after talks with rebels

Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have agreed to water down some reforms in a move to save the Bill.

Politics

1 week ago Why Keir Starmer will pledge 5% defence spending as Israel and Iran agree to Donald Trump ceasefire

Numerous Nato allies are to pledge increased spending on national security, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Politics

2 w. ago The conversation with Andy Burnham that led to the grooming gangs U

The government announced this week that a national inquiry into grooming gangs will go ahead. This is why

Events

2 w. ago Grooming gang survivors make plea to ‘put politics aside’ ahead of new inquiry

Exclusive: Telford survivors say people are ‘exploiting the exploited’ and push for women to shape investigationThe political “tug-of-war with vulnerable women” abused by grooming gangs must stop ahead of a new national inquiry into the crimes, survivors have told the Guardian.Holly Archer and Scarlett Jones, two survivors who played a key role in a “gold-standard” local inquiry into the crime in Telford, have urged politicians and those without experience of abuse to allow women to shape the investigation. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Labour MP who was groomed as teenager shares powerful message over Tory 'point scoring'

Natalie Fleet delivered a powerful message to Kemi Badenoch as she said 'I do not know how she dare' after the Tory leader claimed victory when a national inquiry into the grooming gang scandal was announced

Politics

2 w. ago What the national grooming gang inquiry means for Oldham's local investigation

The government will need to discuss with the council how to proceed

Events

3 w. ago DAN HODGES: Starmer has known about the appalling abuse for a decade. Yet he opposed a national rape inquiry because he knew it would damage Labour

The Prime Minister had no need to wait for Baroness Casey's findings. He already knew the truth about the rape gangs. And now - to Sir Keir's eternal shame - so does the country...

Events

3 w. ago Cooper says law on rape being tightened so adults cannot use consent as defence against charge of raping child under 16 – UK politics live

Yvette Cooper tells parliament that Louise Casey audit found some cases were downgraded from rape to lesser charges ‘because 13- to 15-year-old is perceived to have consented’Starmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn his interview on the Sky News this morning Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said that Keir Starmer should apologise for saying in January that those calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs were jumping on a far-right bandwagon. Kemi Badenoch, his party leader, is also quoted today in an Daily Express splash story saying Starmer should apologise, but she is saying he should apologise for not agreeing to hold a national inquiry earlier.At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the No 10 spokesperson was asked if Starmer still thought that people who backed a national inquiry in January were joining a far-right bandwagon. In response, the spokesperson defended the phrase, and insisted that it only applied to Tories who were now demanding...

Society

3 w. ago Grooming gangs scandal: Damning key findings from the Casey review

The Government has now ordered a new national inquiry into grooming gangs after the shocking findings

Events

3 w. ago Authorities were in denial over Asian grooming gangs for fear of appearing racist, damning report finds as Yvette Coper apologises to victims... and FINALLY orders national inquiry

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that those who had suffered 'despicable crimes' had been 'let down' by the authorities.

Events

3 w. ago Audit found ‘clear evidence of representation’ of Asian and Pakistani men in grooming gang cases in local data, MPs told – UK politics live

Yvette Cooper tells parliament that Louise Casey audit found ‘organisations avoided topic for fear of appearing racist or raising community tensions’Starmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn his interview on the Sky News this morning Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said that Keir Starmer should apologise for saying in January that those calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs were jumping on a far-right bandwagon. Kemi Badenoch, his party leader, is also quoted today in an Daily Express splash story saying Starmer should apologise, but she is saying he should apologise for not agreeing to hold a national inquiry earlier.At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the No 10 spokesperson was asked if Starmer still thought that people who backed a national inquiry in January were joining a far-right bandwagon. In response, the spokesperson defended the phrase, and insisted that it only applied to Tories who were now demanding an inquiry they never set...

Politics

3 w. ago Grooming gangs have 'nowhere to hide' Yvette Cooper vows as damning report published

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has told MPs the Government supports Baroness Louise Casey's call for a full national inquiry into grooming gangs to ensure lessons are learned

Events

3 w. ago No 10 says Starmer stands by claim Tories were jumping on far

Prime minister’s comments were about ‘ministers from previous government who sat in office for years and did nothing’, says No 10 spokespersonStarmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn his interview on the Sky News this morning Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said that Keir Starmer should apologise for saying in January that those calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs were jumping on a far-right bandwagon. Kemi Badenoch, his party leader, is also quoted today in an Daily Express splash story saying Starmer should apologise, but she is saying he should apologise for not agreeing to hold a national inquiry earlier.At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the No 10 spokesperson was asked if Starmer still thought that people who backed a national inquiry in January were joining a far-right bandwagon. In response, the spokesperson defended the phrase, and insisted that it only applied to Tories who were now demanding an inquiry they never set up whe...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Hundreds of people’ could deserve jail over grooming gangs cover

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, says there was deliberate action by some police, council leaders, social workers and prosecutors to hide abuseStarmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn a recent report the Commons defence committee said that the armed forces covenant, a legal promise to veterans saying that they should not lose out when accessing government services because of their service in the military, should be extended. It said:While some people had positive experiences to share, a worrying number [of veterans] felt that the covenant had been ineffective—or worse yet, had been disregarded—when they had cited it. As a result, many continued to face disadvantages as a result of their service in areas like healthcare, education, employment and welfare .We welcome the government’s intention to extend the covenant legal duty, which currently requires some public service providers to give due regard to the covenant’s principles when providing certain housing, health...

Events

3 w. ago 'How could so many people turn a blind eye?': The question UK must answer after grooming gangs inquiry U

Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to a new national inquiry after a review by Baroness Louise Casey

Events

3 w. ago Keir Starmer bows to pressure to launch new grooming gangs investigation

New probe and statutory public inquiry will be a means to get ‘truth and justice’, home secretary saysKeir Starmer has launched a sweeping national operation to investigate grooming gangs and a statutory inquiry into institutional failure, marking a significant reversal after months of pressure on Labour to act.The National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK’s top investigative body, has been tasked with leading a coordinated national push to reopen historic group-based child sexual abuse cases and identify offenders who slipped through the cracks of previous police efforts. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Oldham council leader speaks out after national grooming gangs inquiry announced

The local Labour group had previously rejected calls for a national probe

Politics

3 w. ago 'We need a people's inquiry': Keir Starmer warned not to water down national grooming gangs probe after his humiliating U

Keir Starmer dramatically announced last night that he is ordering a statutory inquiry into the scandal despite previously insisting it would take too long and local reviews were enough.

Events