Welfare U-turn makes spending decisions harder, minister says 15 hours ago Joshua Nevett Political reporter Spending decisions have been made “harder” by the government’s U-turn on welfare changes, the education secretary has said, as she did not commit to scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Bridget Phillipson told BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that… Continue reading Welfare U-turn makes spending decisions harder, minister says

Discussions ongoing about new party, says Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn has said “discussions are ongoing” after ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana announced she was quitting the party to co-found a new left-wing party with him. The ex-Labour leader congratulated Sultana on her “principled decision” to leave and said he was “delighted that she will help us build… Continue reading Discussions ongoing about new party, says Corbyn

I understand what Trump cares about, says Starmer Sir Keir Starmer has said he “understands what anchors” US President Donald Trump, having built a relationship on shared family values. Despite “different political backgrounds” the prime minister said he found common ground with Trump, and that their “good personal relationship” helped land a vital US tariff… Continue reading I understand what Trump cares about, says Starmer

Rachel Reeves makes surprise appearance after Commons tears Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made a surprise appearance alongside Sir Keir Starmer, one day after she was seen crying at Prime Minister’s Questions. Helping to unveil the government’s 10-year plan for the NHS, she was smiling and embraced the prime minister as they jointly set out the… Continue reading Rachel Reeves makes surprise appearance after Commons tears

Starmer seeks to end speculation about Reeves’ future 42 minutes ago Sam Francis Political reporter Brian Wheeler Political reporter Sir Keir Starmer has sought to calm the markets and end speculation about Rachel Reeves’ future after the chancellor was seen crying in the House of Commons. The pound plummeted and government borrowing costs rose after… Continue reading Starmer seeks to end speculation about Reeves’ future

No 10 backs Reeves after tearful Commons appearance Downing Street has said Chancellor Rachel Reeves is “going nowhere” after Sir Keir Starmer was asked to guarantee that she would keep her job, at Prime Minister’s Questions. Reeves was visibly upset from the beginning of the session as Kemi Badenoch laid into the PM’s latest U-turn… Continue reading No 10 backs Reeves after tearful Commons appearance

Humiliation for Starmer as he loses control of Commons The extraordinary thing about Tuesday’s welfare reform vote is it felt, albeit perhaps just fleetingly, like the fraught and chaotic parliamentary rows about Brexit. Or even the bumpy moments for Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. It is extraordinary to say that because the parallel seems absurd:… Continue reading Humiliation for Starmer as he loses control of Commons

Government wins welfare bill vote after big concessions to rebels The government has won a vote on its benefits bill by 75 votes, but only after offering last-minute concessions to Labour rebels. Ministers had already watered down their plans once by reversing cuts to universal credit and protecting current claimants of personal independence payment (Pip)… Continue reading Government wins welfare bill vote after big concessions to rebels