8 h. ago Benefits better way to get people out of poverty than work, research says

It comes as the Government is considering scrapping a child benefit cap

Politics

15 h. ago Over 100 groups call for Labour to fully scrap two child benefit cap: ‘Do the right thing’

‘Abolishing the two-child limit in full will set millions of children’s lives on a path to a brighter future’, major organisations say

Politics

27 h. ago Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer

PM attacks ‘toxic division of Reform’ and gives strongest signal yet that two-child benefit cap will be liftedUK politics live – latest updatesDecades-old racism is returning to British politics, and “it makes people feel very scared” Keir Starmer has said, warning that divisive hard-right politics was “tearing our country apart”.Speaking to the GP and TV personality Amir Khan, the prime minister accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK of overseeing a return of the racist and divisive politics “that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago”. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Minister suggests BBC should apologise to Trump over documentary as president threatens $1bn lawsuit – UK politics live

Alison McGovern speaks to media about BBC crisis as culture secretary due to address MPs in attempt to contain falloutYesterday Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, gave an interview that indicated very strongly that she will get rid of the two-child benefit cap in full in the budget. It had been reported that the government was only going to partially remove it (by replacing the cap with a softer version, like a three-child benefit cap), but Reeves signalled that the cap will go in its entirety.If anyone did not get the message, Keir Starmer has signalled exactly the same intention – only even more strongly. In an interview with Amir Khan, a doctor and ITV broadcaster, the PM said he was determined to drive child poverty down. In the clip, recorded yesterday but broadcast this morning, Starmer said:I can tell you in no uncertain terms I’m determined to drive child poverty down. It is what the last Labour government did. And it’s one of the things we were proudest of. I am personally dete...

Politics

47 h. ago Reeves signals she will break manifesto pledge with Budget tax rises

Chancellor hopes to win support from Labour MPs by lifting two-child benefit cap

Economics

47 h. ago Rachel Reeves drops strongest hint she will raise income tax and scrap two child benefit cap

The Chancellor said sticking to manifesto commitments on tax would lead to deep cuts.

Politics

47 h. ago Rachel Reeves gives biggest hint yet that manifesto pledge on taxes will be broken at Budget

The chancellor also hinted that there could be movement on the two-child benefit cap

Economics

48 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves drops two major Budget hints on tax and benefits

Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated the government will scrap the cruel two-child benefit limit at the Budget on November 26 to lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty

Economics

52 h. ago Mutinous Labour MPs warn Rachel Reeves of electoral meltdown if she breaks manifesto pledge with 2p tax hike

Rachel Reeves has been dropping heavy hints that income tax could go up in the package on November 26 - despite the move being explicitly ruled out in the manifesto.

Events

5 d. ago Labour’s new deputy leader warns Rachel Reeves not to break manifesto pledge and raise taxes

Keir Starmer’s new deputy, who replaced Angela Rayner, also demanded urgent action on the controversial two child benefit cap in the Budget

Events

5 d. ago Lucy Powell says Labour must stand by promise not to raise key taxes

New deputy leader also calls on government to lift two-child benefit cap urgently and in full• UK politics live – latest updatesLucy Powell, Labour’s new deputy leader, has said the government should stand by its manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, amid signs that it may be preparing to break that promise.Powell, who left Keir Starmer’s cabinet in the reshuffle before being elected deputy leader last month, said the budget needed to be about putting more money, not less, into ordinary people’s pockets. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Labour civil war as new deputy leader warns manifesto vow not to hike income tax MUST be kept

Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer have been dropping heavy hints that the pledge not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT might be jettisoned at the Budget .

Events

6 d. ago Gordon Brown to issue warning on ‘shameful epidemic’ of child poverty in Britain

The ex-Labour leader will also call for Rachel Reeves to raise taxes on gambling firms to cover the cost of lifting the two-child benefit cap

Events

9 d. ago Labour says Farage would revive austerity as he prepares to set out economic vision in speech – UK politics live

Reform UK leader expected to promise deregulation and spending cuts as Labour and Conservatives attack policiesThe Tories claim Reform UK are “leftwing” partly on the basis of Nigel Farage’s welfare policies. In particular, in their briefing overnight (see 9.34am), the Tories backed this up by saying that they would cut welfare spending by £23bn, when Reform’s plans (so far) only add up to £9bn, and that Farage would abolish the two-child benefit cap (but only for British parents working full-time, Politico reports).The “leftwing” description is even harder to sustain in the light of this report for Politico by Dan Bloom about Reform’s economic plans.Let’s be clear, we’ve said we don’t guarantee it. Everything’s up for review, because nothing’s affordable if we keep spending more than we’re earning. And we’ve said that consistently if we the country go bust, which is the direction of travel we’re heading, one way or the other, nothing’s affordable.You’re not asking about the much, m...

Politics

1 week ago Labour's favourite think tank urges Rachel Reeves to go the whole hog and scrap the two

The Resolution Foundation has urged the Chancellor to find an extra £3.5billion a year to ditch the whole limit as it warned that 'half measures' won't suffice.

Events

1 week ago Reeves warned she must end child benefit cap altogether or face rise in poverty

A report by the Resolution Foundation will fuel demands from Labour MPs for the chancellor to find another £3.5bn to tackle end the two child benefit cap

Events

1 week ago This terrible government policy pushes 109 children into poverty every day. It must stop

Labour must lift the two-child benefit cap as part of efforts to ensure no child goes to bed hungry

Events

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves drops biggest hint yet on tax rises and spending cuts in Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said 'of course, we're looking at tax and spending' as she scrambles to plug a black hole in the public finances estimated to be at around £50billion

Economics