More stories

  • in

    Sunak jokes he has ‘seen enough Snickers bars for a while’ during warehouse visit

    Rishi Sunak joked he had “seen enough Snickers bars for a while” after being surrounded by confectionary at a warehouse.The prime minister visited a DHL distribution centre at the London Gateway port in Essex on Monday 29 April, when he sat down to chat with staff after being shown around the enormous facility by a young apprentice.“I have to ask, if you’re surrounded by chocolate all day long, does it make you want it more or less?” Mr Sunak asked.“For the first five minutes, I was like ‘God, I really want a Snickers bar or something’. Then by the end of it, I think maybe I’ve seen enough Snickers bars for a while.” More

  • in

    Tory MP makes tearful call for ministers to support sufferers of anxiety amid benefit reforms

    A Conservative MP made a tearful call in the House of Commons to support those who suffer from anxiety.People suffering from depression or anxiety could lose access to sickness benefits as part of the government’s major welfare reforms.The plans, which will be consulted on over the coming months, also include proposals to “move away from a fixed cash benefit system” meaning people with some conditions will no longer receive regular payments but rather improved access to treatment if their condition does not involve extra costs.“Before I was elected, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder,” Ruth Edwards told colleagues on Monday 29 April.“I was extremely ill with it and I couldn’t work for several months.” More

  • in

    Sunak ‘not interested’ in asylum seeker return scheme with Ireland

    Rishi Sunak is “not interested in pursuing a deal with Ireland on returning asylum seekers to the UK.Downing Street has said the UK government has said it will not take back those who cross into Ireland until EU asylum rules change.The UK prime minister told ITV News: “We’re not interested in that. We’re not going to accept returns from the EU via Ireland when the EU doesn’t accept returns back to France where illegal migrants are coming from.”It comes after Ireland announced legislation to return a rising number of asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland. More

  • in

    Asparagus fortune teller predicts when next general election will be – and it doesn’t look good for Starmer

    A woman who uses asparagus to predict the future has shared when she thinks the next general election will be held – and it doesn’t look good for Sir Keir Starmer.Jemima Packington, the world’s only “asparamancer” and who foresaw Queen Elizabeth’s death and Brexit, claims she can peer into the future by throwing a handful of spears in the air and interpreting how they land.Ms Packington appeared on This Morning on Monday (29 April) and not only predicted a date for the next general election but also claimed the Labour leader will not be in charge. More

  • in

    Disability benefit clampdown: Some people just struggle with ‘ups and downs of everyday life’, says Tory minister

    Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride appeared to suggest some people who were labelled as having “serious mental health conditions” were simply struggling with the “ups and downs of life” during a live interview on Monday (29 April).Mr Stride’s comments come after prime minister Rishi Sunak announced a clampdown on “sicknote culture” last week, with changes to the way people are signed off sick.Mr Stride told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We all have challenges in our life“Work being right at the centre of people’s lives is something that is really good for mental health.” More

  • in

    John Swinney ‘considering’ standing for SNP leader after Humza Yousaf resignation

    John Swinney has said that he is giving “very active consideration” to being SNP leader after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation on Monday, 29 April.The first minister’s statement came after days of political turmoil following his decision to end the Scottish government’s powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens last week.Mr Yousaf quit his position in an emotional speech to avoid being ousted by his opposition in a vote of no confidence.Former deputy first minister Mr Swinney said his decision would be based on doing “the right thing by his family and his party.” More

  • in

    Humza Yousaf ‘bizarre’ for resigning and not working to survive no-confidence vote, says Alba MSP Ash Regan

    Humza Yousaf’s decision to resign as Scotland’s first minister is “bizarre”, Alba Party’s Ash Regan MSP hs said.Ms Regan told Sky News is “bizarre” Mr Yousaf has quit, rather than working with her and her party to survive a potential no-confidence vote.Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, at midday today (29 April), just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.As he choked up, the 39-year-old thanked his “wonderful” wife and “beautiful” children for supporting him throughout his time in office. More

  • in

    Humza Yousaf resigns: Scottish people ‘being fundamentally let down’, says Starmer

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the Scottish people are “being fundamentally let down” as he called for a general election to end the “chaos”.Humza Yousaf quit as Scottish first minister on Monday (29 April) in an emotional speech to avoid being ousted by his opposition in a no confidence vote.Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, at midday today, just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.Speaking to Sky News today, Sir Keir said: “It’s absolute chaos from the Scottish Parliament and SNP.” More