10 h. ago Labour MPs rail at 'Dickensian' benefits curbs and accuse Starmer of reneging on promises as PM faces his biggest revolt in Commons vote TONIGHT

Dozens of MPs are vowing to defy the PM in the Commons this evening despite him already having humiliatingly weakened the package of benefits curbs.

Politics

69 h. ago Starmer’s promised ethics commission may repackage existing regulators

Government sources say ‘umbrella’ structure now more likely after plans for independent body found to be too complexKeir Starmer’s flagship new ethics and integrity commission may be a rebrand of existing watchdogs brought together under a new “umbrella” rather than creating an entirely fresh regulator, government sources have said.A year after Labour made its manifesto promise, ministers are mulling the idea of a new oversight structure above current regulators to avoid the need for starting from scratch. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Starmer seeks to win round welfare rebels with promise of ‘fairness’

Sir Keir Starmer was challenged in the Commons about the looming squeeze on sickness and incapacity benefits.

Politics

5 d. ago Keir Starmer admits government has ‘asked a lot’ of business, and defends employment rights bill – business live

PM tells BCC conference businesses have made a ‘huge difference’, following the tax rises in the last budgetFull story: Shell has ‘no intention’ of making offer to buy BP after £60bn takeover rumoursStarmer then tells the BCC conference that the spending review earlier this month is a “clear shift” towards investing in the future of the UK, not simply tackling the promises it inherited.Starmer says his administration have “wiped the slate clean”, stabilized the economy, and can now move onto building a fairer Britain, with change and renewal.‘I fully acknowledge that this year, as we’ve had to fix the foundations of our country, [and] deal with the unprecedented mess that we inherited, we’ve asked a lot of you.I understand that, and I want to acknowledge that.They are all vital for the long-term growth of our country. But none of that would have been possible without your contribution. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Police leaders say they will struggle to fulfil Labour’s promise to recruit 13,000 officers

Projected £1.2bn police funding shortfall expected to grow after spending review outlined fall in Home Office spending powerPolice forces will struggle to fulfil Keir Starmer’s promise to recruit an additional 13,000 officers and the public will “pay the price”, police leaders have warned, after the chancellor outlined a decline in Home Office spending power on Wednesday.The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it would be incredibly difficult to deliver the prime minister’s election pledge within the lifetime of this parliament, with a projected £1.2bn shortfall in police funding expected to grow. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Why did Starmer and Reeves change tack on winter fuel payments? Every Labour U

The Independent looks at all the times Sir Keir Starmer has let voters down or outright U-turned on his promises on the journey from Labour leader to prime minister

Politics

3 w. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves is undermined by a ‘spend now, pay later’ prime minister

John Rentoul says Keir Starmer is guilty of Trussonomics, albeit on a smaller scale, making promises without knowing how to pay for them – hoping that the chancellor can sort it out later

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer promises Donald Trump trade deal will be in force in 'very short time'

The PM insisted the government is "working on it" to bring steel tariffs down to zero - as he promised when the deal was announced last month

Politics

3 w. ago Watchdog assessing complaints about FOUR South Ayrshire councillors' conduct

The Ethical Standards Commissioner revealed that four members were subject of complaints.

Politics

4 w. ago Defending Britain with the magic money tree? Starmer warned he faces hiking taxes to get the country 'war

Keir Starmer has heralded a strategic review of the UK's military, promising investment in new submarines, munitions and personnel.

Events

4 w. ago Starmer claims he's making Britain ready for WAR as UK faces 'new nuclear risks' and 'Russian aggression'... but he won't say how he will pay for it

Keir Starmer is heralding a strategic review of the UK's military, promising investment in new submarines, munitions and personnel.

Events