UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment which could stop it in its tracks. MPs are scheduled to vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill on Friday, which would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults if passed. But a cross-party group of MPs, made up of Conservative MP Ben Spencer, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and Labour’s Anna Dixon, have co-sponsored a so-called “wrecking amendment”, which would scupper the bill if enough MPs support it. It comes after some MPs expressed fears that the legislation has been rushed.MPs are set to vote on Ms Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill on Friday More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreLabour announced a sweeping range of employment reforms on Tuesday, labelled the “biggest in a generation.” Prime minister Keir Starmer says the plans will tackle “the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity,” promising to “unlock growth and make people better off.”Chief among the measures is a plan “overhaul” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentres, guarantee opportunites for young people, and prevent long-term sickness through NHS funding.The government promises that the changes will mark a move away from the ‘tick box’ culture of the past and allow for a more personalised service for jobseekers.The measures come as part of Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper, published on Tuesday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.DWP secretary Liz Kendall and Sir Keir Starmer More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreWatch live as Liz Kendall is questioned on Labour’s “Get Britain Working Again” employment reform plans on Tuesday, 26 November.The white paper is part of a government pledge to bring more than two million people back into work.Sir Keir Starmer has declared Britain “simply isn’t working” as he unveiled plans to bring more people into work and slash the country’s spiralling benefits bill.The prime minister is planning to replace the network of Jobcentres with a new National Jobs and Careers Service, while more NHS staff will be sent to areas with higher rates of joblessness.Earlier on this live feed, the Foreign Office was questioned on the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and assistance with the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has warned that displaced people in Gaza will “die shivering” as temperatures drop in the winter with “no safe shelters, blankets or warm clothes for people to seek some respite.”Ministers also faced questions on UK efforts to aid Ukraine as the conflict with Russia continues. More

Minister squirms when confronted with Starmer’s comments on benefits fraudYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreLiz Kendall has announced wide-ranging reforms designed to tackle economic inactivity in the UK and warned that “under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work”.The work and pensions secretary told MPs that the Get Britain Working white paper will bring forward “the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation”.Ms Kendall said the UK was experiencing “an economic, but above all, social crisis” and that the paid for in the life chances “benefits bill for sickness and disability that is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament”.She said the Tories had failed “to create good jobs” or deliver on the NHS and reform welfare.Tory counterpart Helen Whately defended the previous Conservative government and said they “drove down unemployment and economic inactivity year after year”.Earlier today, employment minister Alison McGovern said that some benefits claimants are “stealing from the state”.Ms McGovern was on the media round discussing the government’s plans and said nobody should be claiming sickness benefit if they are not unwell.She told Sky: “Unfortunately, people have stolen from the state, and we’re bringing forward proposals to deal with that.”Tory shadow minister defends previous government’s record on welfareShadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said Liz Kendall has “dodged tough decisions” on welfare as she defended the previous Tory government’s record on employment and welfare.Ms Whately said the new Labour administration was “rebranding” some of their ideas, also telling the Commons: “Economic inactivity is a problem for our economy and for each and every individual who risks being written off to a life on benefits.“Knowing that, I am disappointed in the substance of what she is announcing today because far from matching her rhetoric, this appears to be little more than a pot of money for local councils, some disparaging language about the work of Job Centres and a consultation which will be launched in the spring. Given that they’ve had 14 years to prepare for this moment, is that it?“Where are the reforms to benefits that would actually make material savings to the taxpayer, like the £12 billion we committed to save in our manifesto? Where are the reforms to fit notes, which we had handed over all ready to go? Where is her plan for reforming the workplace capability assessment?”She added: “The fact is the Secretary of State has dodged tough decisions. Every day she kicks the can down the road costs the taxpayer millions of pounds, at this rate rising to £100 billion on sickness benefits by the end of this Parliament.”Ms Kendall, in her reply, said: “The only people who dodged difficult decisions on welfare were the party opposite.”Joe Middleton26 November 2024 14:39From Jobcentres to disability benefits: Labour’s DWP changes explainedLabour announced a sweeping range of employment reforms on Tuesday, labelled the “biggest in a generation.” Prime minister Keir Starmer says the plans will tackle “the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity,” promising to “unlock growth and make people better off.”Chief among the measures is a plan “overhaul” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentres, guarantee opportunites for young people, and prevent long-term sickness through NHS funding.The government promises that the changes will mark a move away from the ‘tick box’ culture of the past and allow for a more personalised service for jobseekers.The measures come as part of Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper, published on Tuesday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.Albert Toth reportsJoe Middleton26 November 2024 14:37‘New plan to drive down economic inactivity’ – KendallThe final major reform announced by Ms Kendall is the plan to drive down economic inactivity due to ill health.She said: “The health secretary (Wes Streeting) is already taking action to get people back to health and back to work with extra support to drive down waiting lists in the 20 NHS Trusts with the highest levels of economic activity”.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 14:12‘New youth guarantee’ – KendallThe work and pensions secretary said the second major reform is the new youth guarantee.It will “bring together all the support for 18 to 21 year olds under the leadership of majors and local areas” so that all young people have access to training and education.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:53‘If you can work you must work’ – KendallMs Kendall thunders that “under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work”. Unveiling a Youth Guarantee, Ms Kendall told the Commons: “This comes alongside our commitment to provide mental health support in every school, our work experience and careers advice offer, and our plans to reform the last government’s failed apprenticeship levy to give more young people the opportunities they deserve.“But our new Youth Guarantee will go further, bringing together all the support for 18 to 21-year-olds under the leadership of mayors and local areas so all young people have access to education, training and employment opportunities, and so that no young person misses out.”The minister announced eight Youth Guarantee “trailblazers” in the Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Tees Valley, East Midlands, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, and two areas in Greater London, backed by £45 million.She continued: “I can also announce a new national partnership to provide exciting opportunities for young people in sports, arts and culture, starting with some of Britain’s most iconic cultural and sporting organisations including the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Channel 4, building on the brilliant work they already do to inspire and engage the younger generation and get them on the pathway to success.”Ms Kendall later said: “In return for these new opportunities, you have a responsibility to take them up, because being unemployed or lacking basic qualifications when you’re young can harm your job prospects and wages for the rest of your life, and that is not good enough for young people or for our country.”Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:50‘Benefits bill to rise by 26bn by end of Parliament’ – KendallMs Kendall said the “benefits bill for sickness and disability is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament.She said the Tories have failed “to create good jobs” or deliver on the NHS or reform welfare.Joe Middleton26 November 2024 13:48‘Fundamental reform is needed’ – KendallMs Kendall told MPs that “nothing short of fundamental reform” is needed and that the employment rate has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, unlike our G7 counterparts.She said a near 2.8 million people are out of work on long term sickness and almost 1 million young people not in education, employment or training.( More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer risks a blow to his pledge to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit amid fears one of his key allies could be ousted in Friday’s elections in Ireland.The Labour prime minister has built a strong personal rapport with the Irish leader Simon Harris since his election in July.But a new poll for the Irish Times suggests Mr Harris’ Fine Gael has slumped from first to third place – after a gaffe which has been compared to Gordon Brown’s 2010 ‘bigoted woman’ comments.Mr Harris walked away from disability care worker Charlotte Fallon when she tried to ask him about low pay in her job sector. She responded “keep shaking hands and pretending you’re a good man” in an exchange that has since racked up millions of views online. At the end of the last Labour government, then prime minister Mr Brown’s election campaign was thrown into turmoil after he was caught on a live mic calling a Labour supporter a “bigoted woman”. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer swapped personalised jerseys (Peter Morrison/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe pub landlord behind the viral petition calling for a general election has revealed why he decided to start it.Michael Westwood launched the petition – which has now gained over 2.5 million signatures – last week after growing “fed up” with Sir Keir Starmer just four months after Labour won the general election in a landslide.“I just thought they were being so negative all the time,” he told the MailOnline.“They were putting the fear of God into people that everything was so bad. They had also gone back on their manifesto promises. I was just frustrated at what I was seeing and hearing it all the time and it really annoyed me.“I just typed into Google ‘how to change the prime minister’ and it came back with start a petition. So that’s what I did.”Michael Westwood launched the petition – which has now gained 2.5 million signatures – last week after growing “fed up” with Sir Keir Starmer More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe debate over assisted dying has reignited, with Parliament gearing up for a historic vote on Friday. If passed, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow those with less than six months to live to end their lives with medical assistance, under strict safeguards requiring approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.Supporters argue the bill represents compassion and choice for those facing unbearable suffering. Proponents, including prominent ministers such as Lisa Nandy and Ed Miliband, call it the most robust assisted dying law in the world, designed to prevent coercion with severe penalties for abuse.However, the proposal has faced significant backlash. Opponents, including faith leaders, former prime minister Gordon Brown, and MPs like Shabana Mahmood, worry it could lead to a “slippery slope” and potential misuse. The debate has also sparked controversy within the Labour Party, with accusations of discrimination over comments about religious motivations in opposing the bill.The issue is divisive, raising profound ethical, religious, and societal questions: and now we want to know where you stand. Is assisted dying a compassionate step forward or a dangerous precedent? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the most compelling responses.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreJacob Rees-Mogg has hinted at a dramatic return to politics on the back of his fly-on-the-wall family documentary dubbed the “British Kardashians”.Less than five months after spectacularly losing his North East Somerset seat, the former Tory minister, who once reportedly considered a bid to become party leader, will appear in the Discovery+ reality show, Meet The Rees-Moggs.It marks a stark change in direction for the arch-Brexiteer who invited cameras into his 17th-century Somerset mansion, Gourney Court, to document family life with his wife, Helena, and their six children in the run-up to the general election.Yet despite the first step into reality television and the end to his 14-year stint as a Tory MP, the divisive figure has still revealed he would like to return to Parliament.Speaking during a cosy sit-down interview with comedian Matt Forde ahead of the show on Monday night, the GB News presenter discussed everything from abuse on the campaign trail to his fondness for Greggs’ cream buns.Jacob Rees-Mogg said he’d love to return to politics when questioned during a premiere of ‘Meet the Rees-Moggs’ More