13 h. ago Spending more on benefits would be ‘wrong approach’, Jackie Baillie says

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader defended the UK Government’s welfare cuts as she said the rise in the benefit bill is ‘unsustainable’.

Politics

32 h. ago Blind people set to lose thousands in benefits still cannot read details of Labour’s welfare reform plans

Lib Dem MP Steve Darling, who is registered blind, said the delay was ‘nothing short of a disgrace’

Politics

32 h. ago UK commitment to free trade will be tested by US tariffs, senior MP warns

Dame Meg Hillier also said there had been ‘unrest’ among the Labour rank and file following welfare cuts announced by ministers in recent weeks.

Events

46 h. ago ‘I believe everything Nigel says’ Community alienated by welfare cuts turns to Reform

With Labour making far-reaching changes to welfare people in one of Wales' most challenged estates are frustrated

Politics

56 h. ago First Minister's awkward response when probed about letter backing welfare cuts

Eluned Morgan said she was yet to receive a reply from the UK Government after seeking clarity on the impact in Wales

Politics

60 h. ago ‘Was this new age austerity always coming?’ Your spring statement questions answered by Andrew Grice

In this exclusive Q&A session, The Independent’s political commentator Andrew Grice tackles welfare cuts, taxation, and the economic challenges facing the UK

Politics

67 h. ago Readers' letters: Rachel Reeves has declared war on the most vulnerable in society

A reader brands Rachel Reeves’ welfare cuts immoral and depraved

Events

2 d. ago Labour's betrayal of unpaid carers: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing 'mother of all rebellions' as one in ten people looking after loved ones lose lifeline benefits

An estimated 150,000 unpaid carers looking after loved ones will have their weekly allowances taken away under the Chancellor's controversial welfare cuts.

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves' visit to Wales: Handshakes, hugs, and a lesson in devolution

The chancellor spent a large chunk of her day trying to defend welfare cuts following her Spring Statement on Wednesday, March 26

Politics

3 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves refuses to accept welfare cuts will push children into poverty

The UK Government chancellor visited Wales for the first time since her party's election successes in 2024 and a day after her Spring Statement

Politics

3 d. ago No evidence Labour welfare cuts will get more people into work, OBR says

The spending watchdog’s says it was not provided with an analysis of how the reforms could boost employment

Economics

3 d. ago All the Labour MPs who have said they are opposing Rachel Reeves's welfare cuts

Government faces challenge from its own benches amid controversy surrounding benefits cuts

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves says welfare cuts won't push people into poverty, despite government figures saying otherwise

An impact assessment warned that a quarter of a million could fall into financial hardship as a result of the cutbacks.

Politics

3 d. ago Welfare cuts will be managed in ‘compassionate way’, says minister

Sir Stephen Timms was seeking to reassure MPs who continue to express concerns over the impact of the welfare cuts on tens of thousands of people.

Politics

3 d. ago These groups now worse off in DWP, PIP and Universal Credit cuts but four will gain

The Labour Party chancellor confirmed welfare cuts of £4.8bn, but insisted the government's priority was to restore stability to the public finances in the face of rising global borrowing costs

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves 'certain' benefits cuts won't push people into hardship amid growing Labour unrest

The Chancellor was also forced to defend Treasury minister Darren Jones who compared the benefits cuts to taking pocket money away from his children

Politics

3 d. ago Reeves denies welfare cuts will increase poverty amid warning poorest set to be £500 a year worse off – UK politics live

The Resolution Foundation says the UK’s poorest will be £500 a year worse off by the end of the parliament due to the spring statementIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move ...

Events

3 d. ago Reeves ‘absolutely certain’ welfare cuts will not push people into poverty

The Chancellor denied there will be further tax rises or spending cuts at the autumn budget in order to balance the books.

Politics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves defends benefit cuts and denies further tax rises likely in autumn – UK politics live

Chancellor confirmed welfare cuts of £4.8bn in spring statement, but insisted the priority was to restore stability to the public finances Nick Robinson is interviewing Rachel Reeves on the Today programme now.Q: You promised just one budget a year, but yesterday you had to announce drastic cuts. What’s gone wrong?We’re not at the moment at a position where we want to do anything to escalate these trade wars.Trade wars are no good for anyone. It will end up with higher prices for consumers, pushing up inflation after we’ve worked so hard to get a grip of inflation, and at the same time will make it harder for British companies to export. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Labour minister apologises for comparing disability benefit cuts to children’s pocket money

A Labour minister has apologised for comparing disability benefit cuts to children’s pocket money.

Politics