Category: UK Politics

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

Labour MPs press Kendall on rollout of benefit changes 5 minutes ago Kate Whannel Politics reporter House of Commons Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has faced repeated questions from Labour MPs over the rollout of changes to the benefit system, as the government attempts to defuse a backbench rebellion. As part of a U-turn… Continue reading Labour MPs press Kendall on rollout of benefit changes

Welfare reforms U-turn means we’re in ‘better position’, says Streeting Major concessions have put the government in a “better position” to pass welfare reforms, the health secretary said, as he admitted Labour’s leadership mishandled the rollout of its flagship bill. Wes Streeting said Labour MPs had raised “substantial” concerns about planned welfare cuts, and the… Continue reading Welfare reforms U-turn means we’re in ‘better position’, says Streeting

We’ve got the right balance, says PM after benefits U-turn 24 minutes ago Kate Whannel Political reporter Jack Fenwick Political correspondent PA Media Sir Keir Starmer has said his welfare reforms strike “the right balance” after making concessions to his own backbench MPs. The government’s initial plans, aimed at bringing down the welfare bill, would… Continue reading We’ve got the right balance, says PM after benefits U-turn

PM ‘agrees’ welfare changes deal with Labour rebels The government is expected to announce a deal shortly with Labour rebels on its planned benefits changes. Multiple sources tell the BBC existing claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal… Continue reading PM ‘agrees’ welfare changes deal with Labour rebels

Government in talks with Labour MPs on welfare reforms, No 10 says The government is in talks with Labour MPs about possible changes to its welfare policies, Downing Street has confirmed. In a notable softening of tone, No 10 said that they “want” to go ahead with a scheduled vote on Tuesday, and admitted that… Continue reading Government in talks with Labour MPs on welfare reforms, No 10 says

PM defends leadership amid growing welfare rebellion Sir Keir Starmer has defended his leadership as he confirmed the government will push ahead with a vote on welfare reforms, in spite of a large number of Labour MPs opposing the measures. Despite efforts to stop a growing rebellion, more than 120 Labour backbenchers have signed an… Continue reading PM defends leadership amid growing welfare rebellion