Starmer defiant on MP suspensions over two-child benefit cap as Sultana condemns ‘macho virility test’ – live

Apsana Begum has accused the Labour Party of offering her support on domestic abuse violence if she voted with Sir Keir Starmer to back the two-child benefit bill.

The MP for Poplar and Limehouse claimed she was left “shocked” by the way she was treated by her party.

Speaking on Sky News: “That is unacceptable. That demonstrates I think the way in which that draconian stance was taken in regards to the scrapping of the two-child limit.”

Ms Begum added: “Many of my colleagues are quite surprised in the way in which the operations took place yesterday around the vote.

“I myself was quite shocked and surprised to see the way in which I was treated. I had a very difficult election. I had an election in which many people said to me ‘we are happy to support you as an individual but we find it very hard to support Labour at this time’. For a number of different reasons.

“But one of the reasons is that we don’t see a difference between the two main parties in parliament.

“I had to contend with that and with the fact I am a survivor of domestic abuse and coercive control, unfortunately I had my ex husband standing against me.”

Labour MP Emily Darlington urged Hilary Benn to “rebuild strained relations” with the European Union, warning that businesses in her local constituency have struggled to survive in the wake of Brexit.

The MP for Milton Keynes Central asked the secretary of state for Northern Ireland to engage with the Irish Government as part of an attempt to reduce barriers to trade.

Asked about his plans to repair relations with Europe, the Labour frontbencher admitted that Brexit had brought “additional costs and paperwork for businesses”.

But Mr Benn also defended the Windsor Framework, an agreement signed by the previous Conservative government to reduce trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the EU, dubbing it an “important and significant step forward”.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Eluned Morgan as Welsh Labour leader.

Ms Morgan has won support of almost all of Labour’s members in the Welsh parliament to replace Vaughan Gething.

Praising her candidacy, the PM said: “Eluned’s election as Welsh Labour leader and candidacy for first minister is fantastic news for Wales and for the Labour Party.

“Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and a track record of delivery, and as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history.

“Just three weeks ago, people across Wales voted overwhelmingly for a changed Labour Party to lead a Government in Westminster.

“We have a been given a strong mandate to deliver change for working people, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Eluned to deliver on our promises to Wales and Britain.”

Baroness Eluned Morgan has been confirmed as leader of Welsh Labour after a campaign in which only she stood in.

After her appointment was confirmed, she said: “I am truly honoured to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and to be put forward as our party’s nominee to become the next first minister of Wales.

“At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability, and unity will be my guiding principles. I want to ensure that everyone in Wales has the opportunity and ability to fulfil their potential.”

Ms Morgan added: “Through my leadership, Wales – and what is best for our country – will always come above all else.”

Keir Starmer and his chief whip have been brutal in their punishment of the Labour MPs who voted against the party line on the two-child benefit cap – brooking no dissent is a lesson learnt the hard way during the Tony Blair years, says John Rentoul:

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the Government will be pausing planned funding cuts for a number of applied general qualifications (AGQs), such as BTecs.

AGQs are Level 3 qualifications, which include BTecs, for students who want to undertake a broad study of a specific vocational area.

The Department for Education (DfE) under the previous government had planned to remove funding for a number of post-16 qualifications that “overlap” with T-levels in England – which are considered to be broadly equivalent to three A-levels.

The first T-level courses were launched in September 2020 and are being rolled out gradually.

A report by the Protect Student Choice campaign predicted that the planned reduction in the number of AGQs – combined with slow growth in the number of students taking the Government’s new flagship technical courses (T-levels) – will create “a significant gap in the qualifications landscape”.

Announcing that the Government would be taking a review into the decision, Ms Philipson told MPs: “I want to make an announcement here and now because our mission is urgent.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that the Department will undertake a short pause and review of post-16 qualification reform at level three and below, concluding before the end of the year. This means that the defunding scheduled for next week will be paused.

“The coming year will also see further developments in the rollout of new T-levels, which will ensure that young people continue to benefit from high quality technical qualifications that help them to thrive.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth has congratulated Eluned Morgan on becoming the likely next leader of Wales.

But the Plaid Cymru’s leader ha warned Welsh Labour are in “turmoil”.

In a statement, he said: “I congratulate Eluned Morgan on becoming leader of Labour in Wales. The fact that she is the third leader in three months speaks volumes about the turmoil at the heart of the governing party.

“Wales needs its First Minister to succeed, but for that to happen, decisions must be different, and outcomes must be better.

“The direct legacy of Eluned Morgan’s time in government so far is record-high waiting lists and an inability to get to grips with the significant challenges with the NHS. People are crying out for more ambitious, more competent, and more effective leadership.

“Eluned Morgan should but won’t call an election, so whilst Labour continue to fight amongst themselves, Plaid Cymru is focused on offering a real alternative that people in all parts of Wales can unite behind.”

Writing about the issue on the Money Saving Expert website, Mr Lewis said: “This is the one that is being discussed in the media. This is the one there’s all the political issues about.”

Looking to clear up confusion around the measure, Mr Lewis goes on to explain that “it means if you have more than two children, then you won’t get any additional benefit for the costs that they are incurring you (on Universal Credit and Tax Credits).”

Sir Keir Starmer is “focused on delivering the change” the public voted for, Downing Street said.

Asked what the Prime Minister’s mood was following the rebellion over the two-child benefit cap, his political spokeswoman said: “He’s been focused, like the whole party, on delivering the change that the country voted for.”