1 hour ago Macron state visit live: King to warn French president of ‘complex threats’ facing UK and France

Macron and Sir Keir to hold a Franco-British summit during state visit

Events

2 h. ago Macron state visit live: Starmer to push French president for ‘one in, one out’ migrant return deal

Macron and Sir Keir to hold a Franco-British summit during state visit

Politics

4 h. ago UK politics live: Starmer to push Macron during state visit for ‘one in, one out’ migrant return deal

Macron and Sir Keir to hold a Franco-British summit during state visit

Politics

20 h. ago France and UK expected to announce joint plan on small boat crossings

Starmer and Macron could set out plans for a ‘one in, one out’ returns scheme for asylum seekersUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce plans for French police to do more to block small boats crossing the Channel at a summit in London this week, but a wider deal on returning asylum seekers is still up in the air.While details remain limited, with French officials still believed to be finalising what action the country can take with boats that are already in shallow waters, an announcement on new plans is expected on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Nigel Farage says flaws in Reform UK’s candidate vetting process were not his fault – UK politics live

Farage says any errors in the runup to the 2024 general election cannot be laid at his door as he was not party leader at the timeThe Conservatives will try to change the government’s welfare Bill to tighten up access to personal independence payments (Pip) and universal credit, PA Media reports. PA says:Kemi Badenoch will pledge that the Tories are “now the only party committed to serious welfare reform” after Keir Starmer shelved plans to restrict eligibility for Pip in the face of a backbench revolt this week.The Tories will look to lay amendments to the legislation – set to be renamed the universal credit bill – and party leader Badenoch is due to deliver a speech on welfare on Thursday. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Minister won’t rule out support cuts for children with EHCPs amid Send overhaul – UK politics live

Stephen Morgan, the early education minister, would not confirm every child who has an EHCP would continue to keep the same provisionsThe Conservatives will try to change the government’s welfare Bill to tighten up access to personal independence payments (Pip) and universal credit, PA Media reports. PA says:Kemi Badenoch will pledge that the Tories are “now the only party committed to serious welfare reform” after Keir Starmer shelved plans to restrict eligibility for Pip in the face of a backbench revolt this week.The Tories will look to lay amendments to the legislation – set to be renamed the universal credit bill – and party leader Badenoch is due to deliver a speech on welfare on Thursday. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. 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

4 d. 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

4 d. 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

5 d. 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

5 d. 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

5 d. 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

5 d. ago Starmer fails to guarantee chancellor’s future and does not rule out tax rises to fund welfare concessions – UK politics live

Kemi Badenoch tells PM the welfare bill is a ‘pointless waste of time’ after climbdown heads off Labour revoltWelfare bill climbdown will have ‘a cost’ at budget, says ministerOn Wednesday, Angela Rayner sought to reassure people who had been “scared” about the proposed benefits changes, reports the PA news agency.Speaking to ITV’s Lorraine, the deputy prime minister said:Anyone listening to your show today, they know that there will be no changes to their welfare.I want to make sure that people are reassured by that, because a lot of people have been scared about what’s going to happen. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Watch live: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs after Labour’s welfare bill passes second reading

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs on Wednesday (2 July), hours after MPs voted to pass the prime minister’s watered-down welfare bill.

Economics

6 d. ago Starmer set to offer Labour MPs further welfare bill concession

PM to make final attempt to get bill over the line with dozens of backbenchers still planning to vote against itUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is set to offer Labour backbenchers a further concession over disability benefits in a last-ditch attempt to limit the largest rebellion of his premiership and get his controversial welfare bill over the line.The Guardian understands the existing eligibility threshold due to be introduced for disability benefits under the new plans could now remain in place until after the completion of a review into the criteria used to assess people. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago No 10 considers further concessions on welfare bill just hours before vote – UK politics live

Guardian deputy political editor Jessica Elgot says another concession to rebels MPs is possible Compass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of the process. That is too litt...

Politics

6 d. ago Labour rebel criticises ‘Dickensian’ welfare cuts as MPs debate bill ahead of vote – UK politics live

MPs are debating the universal credit and Pip bill as Lindsay Hoyle says he has selected amendment tabled by Rachael MaskellCompass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of th...

Politics

7 d. ago Liz Kendall ignores call from Labour MP for welfare bill to be withdrawn – UK politics live

Andy McDonald says MPs are being asked to vote without vital evidence but work and pensions secretary says employment support programmes are being improvedThe Department for Work and Pensions has just published an analysis saying that, allowing for the concesssions announced last week, the welfare cuts will still push an extra 150,000 people into relative poverty.Here is the key chart from the document. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Liz Kendall makes statement to MPs about welfare bill concessions – UK politics live

Work and pensions secretary speaks to parliament as No 10 disputes figures showing benefit cuts to push 150,000 more into povertyThe Department for Work and Pensions has just published an analysis saying that, allowing for the concesssions announced last week, the welfare cuts will still push an extra 150,000 people into relative poverty.Here is the key chart from the document. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago No 10 disputes figures showing benefit cuts to push 150,000 more into poverty – UK politics live

No 10 spokesperson says ‘poverty modelling is subject to uncertainty’ and cites investment in health and care systemThe Department for Work and Pensions has just published an analysis saying that, allowing for the concesssions announced last week, the welfare cuts will still push an extra 150,000 people into relative poverty.Here is the key chart from the document. Continue reading...

Politics