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Government whip quits over disability benefit cuts BBC Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a whip over the government’s plans to cut disability benefits. In a letter to the prime minister, Foxcroft said she understood the need to address “the ever-increasing welfare bill” but said cuts to personal independence payments and universal credit should… Continue reading Government whip quits over disability benefit cuts

Starmer urges diplomacy as Trump considers Iran attack Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged further negotiations rather than an escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. His latest call comes as President Donald Trump considers whether to join Israeli strikes, with the BBC’s US partner CBS reporting he has approved attack plans but has not made… Continue reading Starmer urges diplomacy as Trump considers Iran attack

Foreign criminals should expect to be deported, minister says 6 hours ago Becky Morton Political reporter Reuters Human rights law should not prevent foreign criminals from being deported, the justice secretary has said. In a speech Shabana Mahmood said that too often the law “protects those who break the rules”, and the government was “clarifying”… Continue reading Foreign criminals should expect to be deported, minister says

MP once on benefits calls cuts ‘brutal’ – but colleague says ‘moral’ case for reform 11 hours ago Iain Watson Political correspondent Christina McSorley Political producer BBC Britain’s welfare system is broken. Just about every Labour MP – maybe every member of Parliament – agrees with this. But fixing the system is proving to be… Continue reading MP once on benefits calls cuts ‘brutal’ – but colleague says ‘moral’ case for reform

Casey wants ‘national reset’ on grooming gangs 8 minutes ago Brian Wheeler Political reporter House of Commons Dame Louise Casey has called for a newly-announced inquiry into grooming gangs to be used as a “moment to have a national reset” on the issue. The crossbench peer’s report into the nature and scale of group-based child… Continue reading Casey wants ‘national reset’ on grooming gangs

Ethnicity of grooming gangs ‘shied away from’, Casey report says 1 hour ago Anna Lamche BBC News The ethnicity of people involved in grooming gangs has been “shied away from” by authorities, according to a new report by Baroness Louise Casey. The finding comes after the peer was tasked with producing an audit on the… Continue reading Ethnicity of grooming gangs ‘shied away from’, Casey report says

Grooming victims’ concerns not dismissed, says Reeves Rachel Reeves has insisted ministers “never dismissed the concerns of victims” of grooming gangs, as she defended the decision to launch a national inquiry after months of pressure. The chancellor said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was focused on victims “and not grandstanding”. Sir Keir has faced criticism… Continue reading Grooming victims’ concerns not dismissed, says Reeves

Starmer heads to Canada for talks on security and trade Sir Keir Starmer flies to Canada later to meet Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England who became his country’s prime minister in March. The two men will get together in the Canadian capital Ottawa on Saturday evening, ahead of the G7… Continue reading Starmer heads to Canada for talks on security and trade