UK Politics

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested Wednesday that a hugely unpopular measure which deprived millions of retirees an annual winter fuel subsidy will be changed, a striking reversal in policy.Starmer said he wanted to help people with the cost of living and added that he wanted more retirees to be eligible for the so-called winter fuel payments. He spoke during his weekly questioning in the House of Commons after figures were released showing inflation was up at its highest level in over a year. “As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements,” he said. “That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.”Soon after Labour came to power last July, Treasury chief Rachel Reeves removed the winter fuel allowance, worth between 200 and 300 pounds ($266 and $399) a year, from all but the poorest retirees, arguing that the measure was needed because of the dire state of the public finances left by the previous Conservative government.The move has arguably contributed to a swift decline in popularity for Starmer’s government since it was elected. In local elections in England earlier this month, Labour fared poorly, with many party representatives blaming the removal of the winter fuel payment.Since then, there’s been growing speculation that the government will change tack by either scrapping the measure or increasing the level at which the allowance is paid.Starmer told lawmakers that the decision will be made “as part of a fiscal event.” It’s unclear whether that would be on June 11 when Reeves will outline her spending plans for government departments over the coming three years, or in her next budget in the fall. During Wednesday’s exchanges in the House of Commons, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, asked how the public could “ever trust” Starmer after the “inevitable U-turn” on winter fuel payments.Starmer appeared to justify the change on economic grounds and said that higher than expected first quarter U.K. growth, lower borrowing costs and trio of trade deals with the European Union, India and the United States give the government room for maneuver.“It’s only because of the measures we’ve taken that the economy is improving, growth at the highest rate in the G7, four interest rate cuts, three trade deals because countries want to trade with this country because of the decisions that we’ve made,” Starmer said. More

Older people with bad backs and joint pain will be the worst affected by the government’s disability benefit cuts, the government has accepted.Figures reveal that more than three-quarters of those claiming personal independence payments (PIPs) for conditions including arthritis and back pain will lose their benefits in the cost-cutting drive. Meanwhile, less than half of those claiming for depression and anxiety will be affected, while just a fifth of those claiming for ADHD will be hit. The two categories are those which are growing the quickest.Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will double down on the plans More

Keir Starmer is on the verge of sanctioning senior members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the crisis in Gaza amid calls from MPs for tougher action against Israel. The sanctions are being considered as alarm grows over the fate of thousands of Palestinians as the Israeli Defence Force steps up military operations and supplies continue to struggle to get through.Top of the list are understood to be Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as others. It comes a day after Britain issued fresh sanctions against Israel and suspended trade talks over its “morally unjustifiable” escalation of violence in Gaza, with foreign secretary David Lammy blasting Netanyahu’s actions as “wholly disproportionate”.Israel’s security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir More

Angela Rayner sent a memo to Rachel Reeves suggesting an increase in taxes for savers, reports have claimed.The deputy prime minister was said to have suggested reinstating the pensions lifetime allowance and changing dividend taxes to raise revenue ahead of the spring statement, The Telegraph reported.The lifetime pensions allowance limited how much savers could put in their pension pot before incurring a higher tax charge and was abolished under the Tories.The deputy prime minister reportedly sent the suggestions in a memo titled “alternative proposals for raising revenue”, which estimated the changes could raise £3 billion to £4 billion a year.The chancellor has been adamant she will not turn to tax rises as part of the government’s efforts to fund its policies. But there have been reports that Ms Rayner has been pushing back against spending cuts behind the scenes.Angela Rayner sent a memo to Rachel Reeves suggesting an increase on taxes for savers, reports have claimed More

Frustration spilled over in the Commons on Tuesday – from Labour MPs and others – over the time it has taken for Keir Starmer’s government to step up and take action against Israel over the Gaza crisis.As the UN warned that 14,000 babies risked death from malnutrition by Thursday without urgent aid, there was a sense that, by the time foreign secretary David Lammy got to his feet, it was already too late and not enough.He announced a largely symbolic move of suspending trade talks with Israel and sanctions against some extremists in Israel connected to settlers. But there was no full suspension of arms sales nor sanctions against ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.But the question was why had it taken so long for the UK government to act even in this limited way? Why was it only now that they were tightening the screw?David Lammy addresses the Commons More

Senior government figures are in talks about whether to U-turn on the chancellor’s winter fuel cuts within weeks, it has emerged. The cuts, which will strip millions of pensioners of payments worth up to £300, could reportedly be partially reversed or scrapped altogether.Ongoing discussions have covered all options, including the government sticking with its existing policy, the BBC reported. Rachel Reeves announced the cuts in July More

The UK has slapped Israel with further sanctions and suspended trade talks with the country in response to violence against Palestinians in Gaza. David Lammy blasted Israel for a “morally unjustifiable” escalation in violence as he announced fresh measures to pile pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, just hours after the UK, Canada and France on Monday warned they will take “concrete actions” against the Middle Eastern nation. The foreign secretary also announced that Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely has been summoned to the Foreign Office, where government minister Hamish Falconer said he would tell her “the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible”. It came amid growing alarm over warnings that 14,000 Palestinian babies could die in the next 48 hours if action is not taken amid allegations the Israeli government is committing genocide. Already Keir Starmer had joined French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney had issued a statement warning of substantive action if the Israeli government continues to block aid getting into Gaza.But MPs from five political parties – Labour, the Tories, Lib Dems, Greens and SNP – told Mr Lammy that the government needs to go further and faster including suspending arms sales to Israel.Labour MP Melanie Ward, a parliamentary private secretary, asked the foreign secretary: “What is the red line? Gaza is out of time.”David Lammy said the Middle East is entering a ‘dark new phase in this conflict’ More

Starmer strikes UK-EU deal ahead of major summitSir Keir Starmer has defended his “win-win” UK-EU reset deal as he hit out at Reform leader Nigel Farage and the Tories in the Commons.Sir Keir said the agreement, announced during a major summit in London with EU leaders on Monday, would “cut the price of the weekly shop” and “put money back in people’s pockets.”But Conservative former minister Esther McVey argued the EU youth mobility scheme was “a bitter betrayal of British youth”, as she called for a cap on the numbers, to specifically protect “white working class boys”.The prime minister also slammed Nigel Farage, who was not at the debate, for showing that his Reform party “simply does not care” about Britain’s relationship with the European Union.The deal sparked backlash from the fishing industry and Brexiteers by striking a deal for EU fisherman to access British waters for 12 years, far longer than had been expected.Israel hits back at ‘unjustifiable’ sanctions on settlersResponding to David Lammy’s announcement suspending trade deal talks with Israel and sanctioning West Bank settlers, Israel’s Foreign Ministry hit back on X.They said: “Following the UK’s announcement that it will suspend free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and impose sanctions on settlers: Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government. “More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries. If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative. “The sanctions against residents of Judea and Samaria are unjustified, and regrettable, especially at a time when Israel is mourning yet another victim of Palestinian terror — Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room.“Doctors continue fighting for her newborn’s life in hospital. The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.”Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:50Keir Starmer vows to get Brits to the beach soonerSir Keir Starmer has hailed his agreement with the EU which gives UK tourists in Europe easier access to passport e-gates.The prime minister posted on X: “You know how it goes: all you want to do is start your holiday, but you get off the plane to never-ending queues at passport control. “My deal with the EU means more Brits will be able to sail through the e-Gates instead. Getting you to the beach sooner.”Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:44Prime Minister apologises for ‘overly rude’ comment that MP ‘talks rubbish’Sir Keir Starmer has said his comment that the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader “talks rubbish” was “overly rude”.The Prime Minister apologised to Liz Saville Roberts at the despatch box on Tuesday, as he took questions about the UK agreement with the European Union.Ms Saville Roberts told the Commons: “The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, ‘we should retain the benefits of the single market’.“Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?”Sir Keir replied: “I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise.“I do respect the honourable member.”Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described “red lines” on the single market in Labour’s 2024 manifesto and added the Government had “kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal”.Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:22UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceUK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceBarney Davis20 May 2025 15:13UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceThe UK has slapped Israel with further sanctions and suspended trade talks with the country in response to violence against Palestinians in Gaza.My colleague Political Correspondent Millie Cooke with the latest: Barney Davis20 May 2025 14:52Science minister hails potential of mRNA cancer vaccines amid £1bn BioNTech dealThe British government will today sign a £1billion-pound deal with Covid-vaccine maker BioNTech to advance mRNA technology which could prevent cancers from developing.BioNTech is looking to set up three “centres of excellence” in the Britain which will use AI to develop new drugs.Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the Mirror: “There are two totally transformative technologies coming together – mRNA as a tool for vaccines plus artificial intelligence. We as a country can be not just a leading force, but the superpower that the world needs when it comes to treating disease.”“The Holy Grail is always stopping people getting cancer in the first place and mRNA treatments are preventative. We are in the foothills of the age where we could be treated for diseases that are not currently present in our bodies and actually the technology is leading in that direction faster than people realise. This is something that this government wants to be at the forefront of so it is British people who benefit first, while we also contribute to the global good.”( More