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Labour MP suspended after rebelling on farm tax plan A Labour MP has been suspended after voting against the government’s plan to tax inherited farmland from April next year. Markus Campbell-Savours, who represents the rural Cumbrian seat of Penrith and Solway, rebelled in an initial vote on the plans on Tuesday evening. Dozens of the… Continue reading Labour MP suspended after rebelling on farm tax plan

MPs warn China spy trial failures could happen again 9 hours ago Sam FrancisPolitical reporter PA Media Systemic failures that led to the collapse of a China spy trial could be repeated without major reforms, a committee of MPs and Lords has warned. A report by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy said… Continue reading MPs warn China spy trial failures could happen again

Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years Jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years will be scrapped, the justice secretary has announced. The reforms to the justice system include creating “swift courts” under the government’s plan to tackle unprecedented… Continue reading Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years

Starmer says he is proud of Budget as he denies misleading public 1 hour ago Becky MortonPolitical reporter Sir Keir Starmer has denied his chancellor misled the public about the nation’s finances ahead of last week’s Budget. The Conservatives have accused Rachel Reeves of giving an overly pessimistic impression as a “smokescreen” to raise taxes,… Continue reading Starmer says he is proud of Budget as he denies misleading public

Reeves denies she misled public over UK’s finances in run-up to Budget 39 minutes ago Jennifer McKiernanPolitical reporter Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rejected claims she misled the public about the nation’s finances in the run-up to her Budget. Reeves was challenged on the BBC to explain why she had repeatedly warned about a downgrade to… Continue reading Reeves denies she misled public over UK’s finances in run-up to Budget

Minister defends ‘pragmatic’ U-turn on workers’ rights 1 hour ago Paul SeddonPolitical reporter PA Media The education secretary has defended Labour’s U-turn over offering all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Instead, ministers now plan to reduce the qualifying period from the current two years to six… Continue reading Minister defends ‘pragmatic’ U-turn on workers’ rights

Chris Mason: Starmer could have scrapped child benefit cap last year – why did he wait? I can’t remember when I last heard Sir Keir Starmer sounding so passionate. The prime minister’s critics regularly lambast him for what they see as robotic or emotion-free communication, but you could not accuse him of that as we… Continue reading Chris Mason: Starmer could have scrapped child benefit cap last year – why did he wait?