More Labour MPs join benefit revolt despite ministers’ appeals

More Labour MPs join benefit revolt despite ministers’ appeals A growing number of Labour MPs are supporting a bid to block the government’s planned welfare changes, despite ministers phoning backbenchers to persuade them to back down. More than 130 MPs, including 122 Labour MPs, have signed an amendment that would give them the opportunity to… Continue reading More Labour MPs join benefit revolt despite ministers’ appeals

PM vows to press on with welfare cuts as rebellion grows

PM vows to press on with welfare cuts as rebellion grows 24 minutes ago Sam Francis Political reporter PA Media Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to “press ahead” with the government’s planned welfare changes, despite a growing rebellion from Labour backbench MPs. More than 120 Labour MPs have signed up to an effort to block… Continue reading PM vows to press on with welfare cuts as rebellion grows

Iran still has an off-ramp for diplomacy, says Lammy

Iran still has an off-ramp for diplomacy, says Lammy Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged Iran to take “the off-ramp” and return to the negotiating table. Iran has vowed there will be “everlasting consequences” following US strikes at the weekend, intended to take out the country’s nuclear programme. Lammy said he had told Iran that… Continue reading Iran still has an off-ramp for diplomacy, says Lammy

Starmer calls for Iran to return to negotiating table

Starmer calls for Iran to return to negotiating table Sir Keir Starmer has called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table” after the US bombed nuclear sites in the country overnight. In a statement, the UK prime minister said stability in the region was a priority, describing Iran’s nuclear programme as “a grave threat… Continue reading Starmer calls for Iran to return to negotiating table

Government whip quits over disability benefit cuts

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

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

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

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