52 h. ago Miliband vows to ban fracking, labels Reform ‘ideological extremists’ and tells Musk to ‘get the hell out of our politics’ – live

Environmental groups have welcomed the energy secretary’s fracking announcementAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So ...

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53 h. ago Ed Miliband vows to ban fracking and warns Reform would ‘trash our climate commitments’ – UK politics live

There is currently no permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumAt the Labour conference Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has just started his speech.Responding to the news that he will announce a total ban on fracking (see 9.19am), Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:By providing a clear vision for our energy future based on helping people, not on ignoring the science, the energy secretary has sent an important message that the government is listening to communities.Fracking is and always has been unpopular, both with people facing it off locally and the wider public. The government must now translate its plans to ban fracking permanently into policy, alongside closing a loophole in planning law that still allows it to happen by the backdoor.Andy Burnham is doing a fantastic job as the mayor of Manchester. I actually worked closely with him. We’ve reset that relationship between Westminster and our mayors, and we’re working well together. So I’ve got...

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54 h. ago Ed Miliband to announce total ban on fracking – UK politics live

There is not currently a permanent ban in law, just a temporary moratoriumSome people have argued that it is a mistake for Keir Starmer and Labour to talk about Nigel Farage and Reform UK as much as they have. There is a case for saying that this just shores up the credibility of a party with only five MPs, and it switches the news agenda towards immigration and small boats (issues where Reform UK polls well) and away from “Labour issues” like health.And art of this argument is that, by calling the Reform UK migration policy racist, Labour is also making it easier for Farage to leverage grievance (which, as Starmer himself argued in his speech yesterday, is part of what lies behind Reform UK’s electoral support.I think it’s a mistake to pretend this isn’t the fight of our times.If it is the fight of our times, we’ve got to recognise that, and we’ve got to be in it. I think simply ignoring it is a mistake, a political mistake.No, not at all. There is a political fight that has to be ...

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55 h. ago PM brands Channel crossings ‘Farage boats’ because Brexit has hampered returns – UK politics live

PM also says he does not believe Nigel Farage or Reform voters are racistHelena Horton is a Guardian environment reporter.Ed Miliband is due to take to the stage to deliver his speech today, and he is set to announce a “total ban” on fracking.I am about to announce something you have been calling for and campaigning on, which is to ban fracking for good. You called for it, I’m going to do it, thank you for your campaigning.What an amazing result for our environment, our local communities, and the thousands of committed people and groups right across the country who’ve spent years fighting for fracking to be banned for good – including the many who signed 38 Degrees supporter Geoff’s recent petition. Not long ago, it felt like fracking might make a comeback, with Reform UK pushing to put it back on the agenda. But thousands of us stood up, demanded a permanent ban, and made our voices impossible to ignore. Continue reading...

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2 d. ago Now David Lammy is forced to apologise for hysterically accusing Nigel Farage of 'flirting with the Hitler Youth' in new low for Labour's 'racism' row with Reform

The Deputy Prime Minister went on live television to lash out at Mr Farage, after PM Keir Starmer used his main conference speech to hammer the opposition party.

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2 d. ago Now David Lammy hysterically accuses Nigel Farage of 'flirting with the Hitler Youth' in new low for Labour's 'racism' row with Reform

The Deputy Prime Minister went on live television to lash out at Mr Farage, after PM Keir Starmer used his main conference speech to hammer the opposition party.

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3 d. ago Nigel Farage hits back after Keir Starmer claims Reform leader 'doesn't like Britain'

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the latest developments from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool where Sir Keir Starmer will make his keynote address as he bids to boost his ailing premiership.

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3 d. ago Labour conference: Sir Keir Starmer says Nigel Farage 'doesn't like Britain' as he warns country faces choice of 'decency or division'

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the latest developments from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool where Sir Keir Starmer will make his keynote address as he bids to boost his ailing premiership.

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3 d. ago LIVE: Keir Starmer to speak at Labour conference amid 'battle for soul' of the nation

The Prime Minister is set to announce several major changes at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

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3 d. ago LIVE: Keir Starmer speaking at Labour conference amid 'battle for soul' of the nation

The Prime Minister is delivering several major changes at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

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3 d. ago Labour conference: Wes Streeting brands Nigel Farage a 'snake oil salesman' and vows to send Reform leader 'packing' at next election

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the latest developments from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool where Sir Keir Starmer will make his keynote address as he bids to boost his ailing premiership.

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3 d. ago Labour conference: Keir Starmer will say he is fighting for Britain's 'soul' in new attack on Nigel Farage as PM aims to boost ailing premiership

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the latest developments from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool where Sir Keir Starmer will make his keynote address as he bids to boost his ailing premiership.

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4 d. ago Rachel Reeves to announce new benefits sanctions in major speech at Labour conference

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves will today announce a new scheme as she demands that benefits and Universal Credit should not be viewed as an alternative to employment

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4 d. ago Rachel Reeves to announce huge changes to benefits today in major speech

In a major speech at Labour party conference in Liverpool, the Chancellor will unveil the scheme, along with the threat of benefits sanctions for those who turn it down

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5 d. ago Petition saying no to Keir Starmer's digital ID card plan hits 2MILLION

The Prime Minister announced Labour's plans on Friday to impose the mandatory cards on all adults by the end of this Parliament.

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7 d. ago Starmer says government will introduce digital IDs to ensure Britain’s ‘borders are more secure’ – UK politics live

Prime minister says the UK is facing a choice between patriotic renewal and toxic divideDeputy prime minister David Lammy has called the conflict in Gaza “inhumane” and “utterly unjustifiable”.Addressing the United Nations general assembly in New York, Lammy said:What is happening in Gaza is indefensible, it is inhumane, it is utterly unjustifiable and it must end now.Better than the horrific acts by Hamas on 7 October that left children without their parents and parents without their children.Better than the torment of families waiting desperately for the return of their loved ones from the most barbaric captivity. Better than the fanatical rule by Hamas, a vile, pitiless terrorist organisation that must have no future in Gaza. Continue reading...

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7 d. ago UK politics live: Starmer set to unveil digital ID card plan as spiralling migration sees UK population soar

More than 500,000 people have signed a petition against the ID cards

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7 d. ago Fury in Scotland and Northern Ireland over Keir Starmer's compulsory 'Brit Card' ID plan

Scottish First Minister John Swinney claimed that by 'calling it Brit Card, the Prime Minister seems to be attempting to force every Scot to declare ourselves British'.

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7 d. ago Keir Starmer LIVE: Digital ID card plan to be announced in major speech

The UK Prime Minister argues that digital IDs are needed to prevent a shadow economy from continuing in the country where people can carry on working illegally

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7 d. ago Keir Starmer says digital ID cards are an ‘enormous opportunity’ and will make it tougher to work illegally

Prime minister says plans for a new digital ID held on people’s phones will become mandatory to prove the right to workDeputy prime minister David Lammy has called the conflict in Gaza “inhumane” and “utterly unjustifiable”.Addressing the United Nations general assembly in New York, Lammy said:What is happening in Gaza is indefensible, it is inhumane, it is utterly unjustifiable and it must end now.Better than the horrific acts by Hamas on 7 October that left children without their parents and parents without their children.Better than the torment of families waiting desperately for the return of their loved ones from the most barbaric captivity. Better than the fanatical rule by Hamas, a vile, pitiless terrorist organisation that must have no future in Gaza. Continue reading...

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