54 m. ago ALEX BRUMMER: Chancellor's emotional rollercoaster set to continue

The U-turns on welfare and winter fuel, together with likely revisions to OBR growth assumptions, suggest the opening of a £20billion to £30billion funding chasm to be closed in the autumn.

Politics

6 h. ago Full list of DWP Winter Fuel Allowance eligibility requirements as millions to receive up to £300

Everything you need to know about DWP Winter Fuel Allowance eligibility requirements, including dates, if you live alone and if you live in a care home

Economics

12 h. ago DWP issues new Winter Fuel Payment claims warning to all pensioners

Around nine million pensioners will receive between £100 and £300 to help with winter energy bills.

Events

33 h. ago Rachel Reeves says she is ‘cracking on with the job’ after Commons tears

Chancellor unexpectedly joins NHS plan launch and tells media her upset was caused by a personal issueAnalysis: The challenge of balancing backbenchers and bond marketsUK politics live – latest updatesRachel Reeves has said she is “cracking on with the job” of chancellor, after a very public show of unity from Keir Starmer after her visible distress in the Commons.In her first comments since her tearful appearance at Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions, Reeves said she had been upset about a personal matter, and that the only real difference to someone else having a bad day at work was that she then had to be seen on television. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago ‘Clearly I was upset,’ says Reeves as she responds to questions about tears at PMQs – UK politics live

Chancellor says tears due to ‘a personal issue’ but it was her job to be at PMQs supporting Keir StarmerStreeting says he has to go to the Commons to make a statement to MPs.But first he introduces Rachel Reeves, saying that she has put an extra £29bn into the NHS.It is thanks to her leadership that we’ve seen interest rates in our country fall four times. It’s thanks to her leadership that we see wages finally rising faster than the cost of living. And it’s thanks to her leadership we have the fastest growing economy in the G7.If Australia can effectively serve communities living in the remote outback, we can meet the needs of people living in rural England.If community health teams can go door to door to prevent ill health in Brazil, we can do the same in Bradford. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago UK politics live: Rachel Reeves says she was ‘clearly upset’ but it was her job to support government at PMQs

Reeves rejected suggestions that her tears at PMQs were related to a conversation with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Politics

34 h. ago Starmer defends Reeves but refuses to rule out tax rises as he announces 10

PM says only possible to transform the NHS due to decisions taken by chancellor, and denies the pressure is too much for herStreeting says he has to go to the Commons to make a statement to MPs.But first he introduces Rachel Reeves, saying that she has put an extra £29bn into the NHS.It is thanks to her leadership that we’ve seen interest rates in our country fall four times. It’s thanks to her leadership that we see wages finally rising faster than the cost of living. And it’s thanks to her leadership we have the fastest growing economy in the G7.If Australia can effectively serve communities living in the remote outback, we can meet the needs of people living in rural England.If community health teams can go door to door to prevent ill health in Brazil, we can do the same in Bradford. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago DWP Winter Fuel Payment key dates as millions of pensioners to get up to £300

Pensioners will qualify for the payments if they earn less than £35,000 a year

Economics

35 h. ago DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment schedule for 9 million in England and Wales

The DWP has confirmed that the Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to eligible pensioners in November or December. Find out if you're eligible and how much you will get.

Economics

35 h. ago UK politics live: Rachel Reeves breaks cover after crying in Commons during PMQs

Starmer cheered Reeves on her way to the podium to speak about the NHS 10-year-plan

Politics

37 h. ago PM shoulders blame for welfare fiasco and says No 10 ‘didn’t get process right’

Keir Starmer says Downing Street should have engaged more with Labour MPs and repeats support for Rachel ReevesUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has admitted No 10 “didn’t get the process right” in handling the government’s controversial welfare bill and says he shoulders the blame.Looking to repair some of the damage done by Labour’s 11th hour climbdown on the central plank of its welfare changes, Starmer said the government would reflect on its mistakes. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago £203 heating bill help for people in Scotland aged between 66 and 79 due before winter

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces Winter Fuel Payment from DWP.

Economics

38 h. ago Keir Starmer LIVE: PM to give major speech after Rachel Reeves seen crying

Keir Starmer has admitted that the last few days have been tough after he was forced to tear up welfare reforms and Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen crying in the Commons at PMQs

Politics

39 h. ago Tax expert shares simple ways to get Winter Fuel Payment with a retirement income over £35,000

Pensioners with an income above £35,000 can either opt-out of the Winter Fuel Payment or repay it through PAYE or Self Assessment.

Economics

56 h. ago Reeves has Starmer’s full backing, says No 10 after chancellor’s tears in Commons

Downing Street says there will be no reshuffle, after Kemi Badenoch claims Labour MPs regard Reeves as ‘toast’UK politics live – latest updatesDowning Street has insisted Rachel Reeves will stay in post and has not offered her resignation, after the chancellor was in tears at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday.Reeves wiped away a tear after a series of questions from the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, who said Labour MPs had said she was “toast”. Badenoch suggested Keir Starmer had failed to confirm Reeves would stay in post until the election. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Rachel Reeves will stay as chancellor, says No 10 after her tears in Commons

Reeves appears upset in parliament, but has PM’s ‘full backing’, as her spokesperson says it is a personal matterUK politics live – latest updatesDowning Street has insisted Rachel Reeves will stay in post and has not offered her resignation, after the chancellor was in tears at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday.Reeves wiped away a tear after a series of questions from the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, who said Labour MPs had said she was “toast”. Badenoch suggested Keir Starmer had failed to confirm Reeves would stay in post until the election. Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago Exact date pensioners need to opt out of Winter Fuel Payment to avoid HMRC clawback

Around two million pensioners with an income over £35,000 are due to receive this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.

Economics

3 d. ago DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment dates and amounts for every pensioner household

The DWP has also published the process for opting out of this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.

Economics

7 d. ago When will Brits discover if they face Rachel Reeves tax rises after DWP and PIP u

After partially reversing the cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and then agreeing to an inquiry into the grooming gangs having previously said there was no need, Keir Starmer pulls a third U-turn

Politics

7 d. 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