7 h. ago Kirstie Allsopp: Mansion tax is just a 'chunk of meat' for Labour's MPs

The TV property guru described Rachel Reeves' proposal as 'performative' and a 'nice chunk of meat' for the Labour backbenchers.

Politics

10 h. ago Reeves asks banks to praise her plans as they escape Budget tax raid

Chancellor is under pressure from some Labour MPs to raise levies on business this week

Economics

11 h. ago Reeves calls for unity and support from Labour MPs ahead of Budget

The Chancellor called for unity as she spoke in front of restive backbenchers in Monday night ahead of the Budget, and insisted she was proud of it.

Politics

32 h. ago Reeves to launch crackdown on benefit fraud alongside lifting two

Move aims to bring in extra £1.2bn of savings as government seeks to head off criticism over welfare spendingYou be the chancellor: play our budget gameRachel Reeves will launch a fresh crackdown on benefit fraud at the same time as lifting the two-child limit for universal credit at a cost of £3bn, as ministers seek to head off criticism over rising welfare spending in the budget.The chancellor has made the decision to scrap the two-child limit in full, a move that will be welcomed by Labour MPs who have long highlighted its effect on increasing child poverty.Freezing income tax thresholds for an extra two years to 2030, bringing more people into higher tax bands as wages rise.Making salary sacrifice schemes less generous, including those for pension contributions.A pay-per-mile scheme on electric cars to help fill the tax gap from petrol duty as more people opt for green vehicles.Bringing in higher tax on the most expensive properties, including a surcharge on the highest-value ho...

Politics

53 h. ago Labour MPs say Starmer will quit in the New Year before he's forced to face a leadership challenge... and only NINE percent of voters think he'll still be Prime Minister after the next election

At the start of a crunch week for the PM, with one of the most anticipated Budgets of modern times taking place against the backdrop of plots against him, MPs are suspicious of his 'new zen-like mood'.

Politics

56 h. ago Labour MPs say Starmer will quit in the New Year... before he's forced to face a leadership challenge

Despite Labour languishing at 18 percent in the polls - and Cabinet colleagues openly jostling for his job, one backbencher who met him recently said: 'He was very chilled.

Politics

3 d. ago Labour MPs face a serious dilemma on asylum seekers – but this is not the way out of it | Polly Toynbee

The party sees its harsh policies as politically necessary. But what happened to talking up the value of migrants for a thriving economy and society?This is how Labour MPs see it. They face brutal dilemmas and miserable choices. How to manage our asylum system is one of the worst. Through their constituency work, they will have met refugees with tragic stories of war and fear, of terrifying journeys across the world, of gangsters on night-time beaches. But MPs’ experience of hearing those heart-rending stories clash head-on with what they see as political necessity, demanding they block their ears and harden their hearts. A life in politics is not for the squeamish.Wes Streeting, a practising Christian, yesterday writhed while answering questions on LBC radio about the home secretary’s tough plans for deterring small boat arrivals. The flavour of his reply reflected how many on Labour’s benches feel. Confronted with the government’s intention to deport more families with children – ...

Events

4 d. ago Labour plot to oust Starmer gathers pace: Andy Burnham refuses to rule out challenging PM and thanks rebel for offer to QUIT so he can make Commons comeback

Andy Burnham is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat.

Events

4 d. ago Labour plot to oust Starmer gathers pace as Andy Burnham refuses to rule out challenging PM and thanks rebel for offer to QUIT so he can challenge struggling PM

Andy Burnham is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat.

Events

4 d. ago Andy Burnham dodges on Labour MP's offer to QUIT so he can challenge struggling Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat.

Events

5 d. ago What does the left want? A wealth tax. What will that accomplish? Very little | Aditya Chakrabortty

Imposing a 1% levy on the super-rich isn’t a policy, it’s pantomime. Tackling inequality in Britain will require much more far-reaching changesBy this time next week you will be digesting the budget, you lucky thing. Yet even before Rachel Reeves has commended a single damn thing to the house, her efforts have been written off as a “shambles”, from a “chaotic” government that is Labour in name alone. Which begs the question: what is the leftwing alternative?Because there is one, on which agreement stretches from Labour backbenchers to many of their opponent MPs and far beyond. Whether you listen to Zack Polanski or Zarah Sultana, the TUC or the YouTubers, they all call for a wealth tax – stinging the rich to pay for schools and hospitals. Who could be against such a thing?Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves under pressure to scale back Budget raid on expensive homes

Labour MPs warn chancellor that a possible £1.5mn threshold for new levy would be too low

Events

5 d. ago Reeves under pressure to scale back Budget raid on expensive homes

Labour MPs warn chancellor that a possible £1.5mn threshold for the new levy would be too low

Events

5 d. ago Labour ‘planning council tax hike of 10% for millions’ avoiding referendum as some regions in UK set to reap more cash

LABOUR MPs are looking at hiking council tax by 10 per cent for millions of Brits in regions of the UK without a referendum, The i Paper reports. This will mean local authorities in London could raise their council tax rates above the 5 per cent cap that is currently set without public vote. The...

Economics

5 d. ago 'Mansion tax' on way, say Labour MPs after talk with Rachel Reeves on Budget which will hit London hard

'Mansion tax' on way, say Labour MPs after talk with Rachel Reeves on Budget which will hit London hard  London Evening Standard

Economics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves 'privately declares war on the rich' as she reveals her mansion tax plan behind closed doors and urges MPs to 'celebrate' Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves talked up a war on the 'rich' as she wooed restive backbenchers ahead of the crucial fiscal statement next week.

Economics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves urges Labour MPs to celebrate 'wealthy' getting hammered in Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves talked up a war on the 'rich' as she wooed restive backbenchers ahead of the crucial fiscal statement next week.

Economics

5 d. ago 'Mansion tax' on way, say Labour MPs after talk with Reeves on Budget set to hit London hard

The Chancellor reportedly told Labour MPs to highlight how the wealthy would be impacted by her Budget

Economics

6 d. ago Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr

The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offerThe mood among Labour MPs these days follows Edgar’s law. This states that the scale of any misfortune can only be measured against unknown future disasters. As Shakespeare has the banished son of the blinded Earl of Gloucester say in King Lear: “The worst is not, so long as we can say ‘this is the worst’.”According to Edgar’s law, there is no opinion poll so gloomy for Labour that it can’t be followed by one even bleaker; no fiscal forecast so bad that the Treasury can’t aggravate it with contradictory signals on tax; no misgivings about Keir Starmer that can’t be amplified by malevolent briefing about a leadership challenge; no social policy so nauseating to the party faithful that it can’t be made grosser still with a relish of cruelty.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago The UK used to be a world leader on climate – does it still count?

With aid cuts and the forthcoming Budget hanging over the UK, many groups have been disappointed at the country’s apparently lacklustre performance at Cop30. Even Labour MPs at the conference are worried the country is losing the argument. Nick Ferris reports from Belém, Brazil

Politics