4 h. ago Reeves expected to freeze income tax thresholds to raise funds after welfare U

Government’s concessions over welfare cuts leave chancellor with a growing hole in her budgetRachel Reeves is expected to extend a freeze on income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds after the government’s U-turn on welfare cuts left her with a growing budget hole.The chancellor was already facing pressure to backtrack on pledges not to increase taxes further as she attempted to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules. Continue reading...

Economics

4 h. ago Starmer ‘must hike taxes’ to plug £4.5bn black hole after welfare U

Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turn now leaves the government with a choice between raising taxes or cutting spending elsewhere

Economics

5 h. 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

7 h. ago Scots charity says Labour welfare cuts will 'rip gaping holes' in support for vulnerable

Citizens Advice Scotland has criticised the welfare reforms as well as the last minute changes to the bill

Politics

7 h. ago Reeves expected to freeze income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds

Government’s U-turn on welfare cuts leaves chancellor with a growing hole in her budgetBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is expected to extend a freeze on income tax thresholds to raise fresh funds after the government’s U-turn on welfare cuts left her with a growing budget hole.The chancellor was already facing pressure to backtrack on pledges not to increase taxes further as she attempted to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules. Continue reading...

Economics

7 h. ago Starmer’s ‘cruel’ welfare cuts must be voted down despite concessions, say charities

‘We urge MPs to stand firm against a bill that continues to discriminate, harm, and marginalise’, said Amnesty International

Politics

9 h. ago Voices: Starmer’s welfare humiliation is a turning point for his government

The prime minister had no choice but to give in to Labour rebels on disability benefits – but this rebellion has been handled particularly badly, and I doubt he will see out this parliament, says John Rentoul

Politics

14 h. ago Keir Starmer caves in to Labour rebels with huge welfare cuts climbdown to avert humiliating Commons vote defeat

In a letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall revealed personal independence payments will be protected

Politics

15 h. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

15 h. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t truly listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

16 h. ago How Starmer averted ‘civil war’ with Labour MPs after diluting welfare cuts

Downing Street counts the political and financial cost after initial response fanned flames of unrest

Events

19 h. ago Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climbdown by Labour welfare army

The Prime Minister is said to have handed them 'massive concessions' in a bid to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on benefit cuts next week.

Politics

20 h. ago Starmer caves in to Labour rebels on welfare cuts with £2bn concessions sparking tax rise fears

Prime minister has offered major concessions on his controversial welfare bill after a tense day of talks with rebel Labour MPs, The Independent understands

Economics

22 h. ago LIZZY BUCHAN: 'Keir Starmer underestimated opposition to DWP disability benefit cuts'

Concessions on welfare cuts will be some relief to disabled people afraid of losing lifeline benefits - but it's a blow to Keir Starmer's authority so early on in his premiership

Politics

23 h. ago Starmer makes costly concessions to rebel MPs as he nears deal on welfare cuts

PM tries to fend off uprising by more than 120 Labour MPs over ‘brutal’ cuts

Economics

23 h. ago Starmer ‘agrees’ concessions with welfare cut rebels as he faces huge revolt

Economists warn tax rises could be needed to fund a U-Turn on Sir Keir Starmer’s £5bn welfare reforms as PM opens door to concessions

Politics

24 h. ago Keir Starmer in talks with Labour rebels over welfare cuts concessions

Overnight, six more Labour MPs added their names to the rebel amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks

Politics

24 h. ago Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climb

The Prime Minister is said to have handed them 'massive concessions' in a bid to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on benefit cuts next week.

Politics

24 h. ago Starmer gives rebel MPs costly concessions as he nears deal on welfare cuts

PM tries to fend off uprising by more than 120 Labour MPs over ‘brutal’ cuts

Economics

25 h. ago Starmer nears deal on welfare cuts after offering concessions to rebel MPs

PM tries to fend off uprising by more than 120 Labour MPs over ‘brutal’ cuts

Economics