UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseThe majority of parents say fines for unauthorised absences would not deter them from taking their children out of school for a holiday, a survey has found.Half of parents are opposed to the policy in England where fines are considered if a child misses five days of school without permission, according to a poll by Parentkind charity.The survey, of nearly 5,500 parents from across the UK, found that nearly three in five (57%) parents have or would consider their child missing school for a day or more for a term-time holiday.The same proportion (57%) of parents said the risk of receiving a fine for an unauthorised term-time holiday would have no impact on their decision to take their child out of school.The poll was carried out by YouGov in April and May ahead of higher fines for unauthorised pupil absences coming into effect in England.Many parents are struggling to make ends meet and get children away from their screens, it is no wonder they are tempted by a term-time holidayJason Elsom, chief executive of ParentkindSchool absence fines have now increased from £60 to £80 this academic year as part of a Government drive to boost attendance since the  pandemic.A parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine under the changes.The Department for Education (DfE) has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.Nearly one in five (18%) parents surveyed said it was harder to get their child to attend school compared to before the pandemic, while 31% said they were “more relaxed” about their child’s attendance since Covid-19.The poll also found that one in seven parents (14%) said their child spends seven hours or more a day on electronic devices outside school on a typical week day.Around one in 10 parents of primary school age children said their child spends at least seven hours a day on their phone, tablet or games consoles outside school on a typical week day.The charity is calling on the Government to publish the evidence on smartphone harm and introduce a Bill to ban smartphones for children.The plea comes as Labour MP Josh MacAlister is introducing a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) in Parliament this week on protecting children from harms caused by excessive screen time.The charity is also calling for the Government to review the marketing and pricing of “rip-off” family holidays, and to include the cost of school in any strategy for reducing poverty.We urgently need the government’s child poverty taskforce to come up with solutions, and we need much tougher regulation of smartphonesPepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of ASCLMore than one in three (34%) parents are struggling with their finances, according to the poll.The cost of uniforms and school trips are a concern for many families, the report has suggested.More than one in five (21%) have struggled to afford costs associated with sending their child to school – and 11% said they had taken out a loan or taken on debt to pay for these costs.Some parents reported skipping meals and rationing heating to cope with financial pressures.Amelia Beeston, an administrator from London with two young children, said: “We were aware that having children would require extra costs but there are many things we need to purchase that seem excessive.“This means not much money left to enjoy family time together which is so very important.”Jason Elsom, chief executive of Parentkind, said: “Many parents are struggling to make ends meet and get children away from their screens, it is no wonder they are tempted by a term-time holiday.”He added: “We’re calling for a big commitment from ministers to listen to what parents are saying when it comes to making family life cheaper, clamping down on rip-off holiday costs and banning smartphones for children.”Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the survey reveals how the “twin scourges of financial hardship and addictive digital technology” are affecting families.He said: “We urgently need the Government’s child poverty taskforce to come up with solutions, and we need much tougher regulation of smartphones.“We also wholeheartedly agree with Parentkind’s call for a Government review of rip-off family holidays.”Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Ultimately, fines are a blunt tool. Many teachers and leaders are already doing a huge amount to help support children back into school, and attendance figures have started to improve.“The best way for the Government to tackle the causes behind persistent absence is to fund those services that support both families and schools – which faced devastating cuts under the austerity of the last government.”A government spokesperson said: “Absence rates have risen in recent years which is a major challenge we have inherited, but strong foundations of learning are grounded in attendance in the classroom.“Tackling absence is everyone’s responsibility. Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure their child is in school, while government is committed to tackling the causes of absence through mental health support in secondary schools, breakfast clubs in all primary schools and inclusive SEND support“We will also put an end to rip-off uniforms costing families hundreds of pounds, and our child poverty taskforce is looking at longer-term actions to tackle the challenges felt by those living in poverty.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreClosePrime minister Sir Keir Starmer met with pop star Taylor Swift at one of her London concerts to discuss the Southport attack.It is understood that Sir Keir and his family spoke to the Shake if Off singer and her mother after he was invited to attend the Wembley gig on 20 August. This comes amid questions over government intervention in talks over the security for the concerts after Swift was given a taxpayer-funded police escort.Last week, it was claimed the Metropolitan Police’s special escort group had initially been reluctant to give the pop star a blue-light escort to her performances – protection usually reserved for royalty and politicians – but was pressured by senior politicians to provide the extra measures. The singer concluded the final leg of her globe-trotting Eras Tour with three nights at Wembley Stadium in August.The Independent understands Yvette Cooper and Sadiq Khan discussed security arrangements for Ms Swift to ensure the safety of concert goers following a foiled terrorist attack on an Era’s tour performance in Vienna, Austria. A spokesperson for Mr Khan previously said the mayor does not interfere in operational decisions by the Met Police.Keir Starmer and wife Victoria at Taylor Swift concert on 20 August More

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseLiz Truss’ think tank Popular Conservatism has publicly shamed Kemi Badenoch for failing to answer 12 questions it sent to her and Tory leadership rival Robert Jenrick.With Tory members set to choose the replacement for Rishi Sunak, the think tank also known as Popcon and launched by Ms Truss last year, put out the replies it got for each question.For each question under Ms Badenoch they put: “No response received”.Director Mark Littlewood told The Independent: “I’m perplexed, to be honest. We really wanted her content. The PopCon database is split about equally between her and Robert. We were pretty flexible on deadlines but felt we had to get answers/non-answers out before ballot papers arrived.”Liz Truss founded Popcon to revive popular Conservatism in the UK More

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseBritain has imposed fresh sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, as the United States warned Israel it must boost aid into Gaza within 30 days or risk losing its supply of cash for weapons.Foreign secretary David Lammy accused Israel of allowing “impunity to flourish” among extremist settlers, as he announced new measures targeting three outposts and four organisations that have supported and perpetrated “heinous abuses of human rights” against Palestinian communities in the occupied territory.There has been a huge rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording more than 1,400 attacks by the illegal settlers since October 2023.It came just hours after Mr Lammy’s predecessor, David Cameron, revealed he had been preparing to sanction two Israeli ministers over comments encouraging blocking aid to Gaza.Cameron said he pushed for sanctions on Israeli ministers as foreign secretary More

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseSir Keir Starmer is under pressure to go further with reform of the House of Lords, with MPs calling for him to abolish bishops’ automatic seats in the chamber.It comes as the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill moves a step closer to becoming law with its second reading in the Commons taking place on Tuesday.The landmark legislation, introduced last month, will remove the right of the remaining 92 hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords and is the largest constitutional reform to parliament in a quarter of a century.But Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael urged the government to go further, telling The Independent that removing bishops would “help build momentum for proper reform”.Bishops in the House of Lords More

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseDefence secretary John Healey has shocked MPs after he admitted that the army is on course to fall to its lowest number of personnel for more than 230 years.Answering questions from in parliament, the minister confirmed that the size of the army will fall below 70,000 for the first time since 1793.Back then, the British Army had around 40,000 soldiers but was rapidly increased to fight the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.Answering a question from Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, the defence secretary said: “I am really angry about the state of defence after the last Government: there are billion-pound black holes in defence plans; service morale is at record lows; and Army numbers are set to fall below 70,000 next year. Defence Secretary John Healey (Yui Mok/PA) More

Starmer refuses to rule out national insurance rise at PMQsYour support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseRachel Reeves will announce Labour’s first Budget in 15 years later this month, leading one of the most highly-anticipated fiscal events in over a decade.As the chancellor looks to fill the £22bn “black hole” in public spending she announced in late July, speculation has mounted about what measures will be included on 30 October.During the Labour’s first few months in power, ministers have warned that “tough decisions” will be required to balance the books. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the event is going to be “painful” but that there is “no other choice given the situation that we’re in”.This likely means tax rises and spending cuts can be expected. The government has already come under fire for its decision to cut back winter fuel payments for millions of pensions, sparking a row which has hung over its first 100 days in power.In their manifesto, Labour pledged not to increase “taxes on working people,” ruling out changes to national insurance contributions (NICs), income tax or VAT. This has given them “little room for manoeuvre” says Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson, as the top three sources of Treasury revenue are sealed off.However, experts are now criticising Ms Reeves after she and the prime minister refused to rule out an increase in employer NICs, which could raise £17bn a year.Officials have indicated that they do not believe the measure would represent a tax rise for working people. However, Mr Johnson has said the hike would be a “straightforward breach” of Labour’s manifesto.We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates ahead of the big event on 30 October here, on The Independent’s liveblog.Show latest update 1728997212Budget 2024: Latest news as proposed national insurance hike sparks rowHello and welcome to The Independent’s Budget 2024 live coverage where we’ll be bringing you the latest updates ahead of Labour’s fiscal event on 30 October.Labour has been criticised in recent days for refusing to rule out an increase to employer national insurance contributions (NICs). Some experts say the measure would break their pledge to not raise taxes on working people – but officials have indicated that the government does not agree.Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson said the measure would be a “straightforward breach” of the Labour manifesto, but added that Ms Reeves will “almost certainly” need to break a manifesto commitment to meet her spending targets.He says that a 1p hike in employer NICs would “probably not” be very damaging to jobs and could raise up to £17bn a year.Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said: “In 2021, the chancellor said increasing employer national insurance was a tax on ‘workers’. That’s why even in her own words it breaks Labour’s manifesto promise not to increase tax on working people.”However, it has been pointed out that Ms Trott and her party had criticised Labour for not ruling out the measure in the run-up to the general election, implying they did not believe the manifesto had done so.Albert Toth15 October 2024 14:00 More

Culture secretary defends Starmer taking ‘free tickets’ for Taylor Swift concertYour support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreCloseDowning Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer received free Taylor Swift tickets as a “thank you” after she was given taxpayer-funded police security while performing in London.No 10 would not say whether the prime minister was confident that perceptions of a conflict of interest had been avoided but insisted “operational decisions” were “ultimately” up to Scotland Yard and not the government.Last week it emerged that London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were involved in talks around the security for Swift‘s sell-out summer shows at Wembley before the singer was granted a blue-light escort.The Sun reported that she was given the motorbike convoy on the way to the stadium despite initial police reservations, with her mother Andrea Swift also negotiating arrangements directly with Number 10 aide Sue Gray.Asked on Tuesday whether it was the prime minister’s view that there was no perception of a conflict of interest, his official spokesman said: “Operational decisions are for the Met (Metropolitan Police). That’s the bottom line.”Downing Street cited the terror threat faced by Swift in Vienna, which had forced her to cancel gigs on the Austria leg of her Eras tour, as one of the reasons the government was involved in security talks round her London shows.Show latest update 1729002002No 10 rejects suggestion Starmer got free Taylor Swift tickets as ‘thank you’ for taxpayer-funded securityDowning Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer received Taylor Swift tickets as a “thank you” after she was given taxpayer-funded police security while performing in London.No 10 would not say whether the prime minister was confident that perceptions of a conflict of interest had been avoided but insisted “operational decisions” were “ultimately” up to Scotland Yard and not the Government.Last week it emerged that London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were involved in talks around the security for Swift‘s sell-out summer shows at Wembley before the singer was granted a blue-light escort.The Sun reported that she was given the motorbike convoy on the way to the stadium despite initial police reservations, with her mother Andrea Swift also negotiating arrangements directly with Number 10 aide Sue Gray.Asked on Tuesday whether it was the Prime Minister’s view that there was no perception of a conflict of interest, his official spokesman said: “Operational decisions are for the Met (Metropolitan Police). That’s the bottom line.”Downing Street cited the terror threat faced by Swift in Vienna, which had forced her to cancel gigs on the Austria leg of her Eras tour, as one of the reasons the government was involved in security talks round her London shows.Joe Middleton15 October 2024 15:201729000525Reeves warns there will be ‘difficult decisions’ on spending in BudgetChancellor Rachel Reeves said the Budget and spending review would be an “opportunity to put the country on a firmer footing”, but warned there would be “difficult decisions” on spending.The chancellor told a meeting of Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet on Tuesday that a £22bn black hole in the public finances left by the Conservatives needs to be filled just to “keep public services standing still”.She added that “the scale of inheritance meant there would have to be difficult decisions on spending, welfare and tax – and that the long-term priority had to be unlocking private sector investment to drive economic growth”.She warned that the government would be unable to “turn around 14 years of decline in one year or one Budget” but that it would deliver on priorities to “protect working people, fix the NHS and rebuild Britain”.Joe Middleton15 October 2024 14:551728999252Watch: Health secretary Wes Streeting denies using weight loss jabsHealth secretary Wes Streeting denies using weight loss jabsJoe Middleton15 October 2024 14:341728997931Starmer warned that employer national insurance increases could lower wages for workersSir Keir Starmer has been warned that any increase to employers’ national insurance contributions in the upcoming Budget could mean lower wages for workers.Helen Miller, deputy director and head of tax at the IFS said that any increase to employers’ national insurance contributions could be passed onto workers.She said: “Lots of questions about Employer NICs today. They are a tax on the earnings of working people. In the long run, expect the majority of a rise in employer NICs to be passed on to workers in the form of lower wages.”Joe Middleton15 October 2024 14:121728997226David Cameron hits back at claim he threatened Boris Johnson over Brexit backingDavid Cameron has hit back at the claim he threatened to “f***” Boris Johnson up forever if he backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, saying he finds it “hard to believe”.Lord Cameron channelled the late Queen Elizabeth II in saying “recollections differ” after Mr Johnson had claimed those were his “exact words”.Speaking out for the first time since Mr Johnson made the explosive claim, Lord Cameron said: “I find that hard to believe.”Joe Middleton15 October 2024 14:001728996326Ex-Bank of England chief Mervyn King urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in BudgetFormer Bank of England governor Mervyn King has made a dramatic intervention warning Rachel Reeves that she must raise national insurance in her Budget on 30 October.Our political editor David Maddox reportsJoe Middleton15 October 2024 13:451728995426Watch: Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributionsKeir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributionsJoe Middleton15 October 2024 13:301728994466Unemployed to be given weight-loss jab to help them back into workUnemployed people will be given weight-loss jabs to assist them back into work in a trial.The UK’s life sciences sector will receive £279 million from drugs giant Eli Lilly, to invest in developing new medicines and ways to deliver treatment.Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of the NHS praised weight-loss drugs as “game-changers” in supporting people to reduce their risk of life-threatening conditions.Jabed Ahmed reportsJoe Middleton15 October 2024 13:141728992846Hospitals programme will be delivered on ‘credible’ timetable, says health secretaryHealth secretary Wes Streeting has said the new hospitals programme will be delivered on a “credible” timetable.The government announced in July that all projects within the programme promised by the previous Conservative administration would be placed under a spending review, with 25 schemes still under consideration.Mr Streeting noted a proposed redevelopment is “desperately” needed for Whipps Cross Hospital, in east London, which serves his Ilford North constituency.He told Tory former minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith: “That is why, in common with so many Members right across the House, I am absolutely furious that the previous government had a new hospitals programme whose timetable was a work of fiction and where the money runs out in March.“The assurance I can give him, his constituents, my constituents and the constituents of every other MP across the House whose constituents are waiting for news on the new hospitals programme, is we will deliver that programme, we will deliver it on a timetable that is credible and a programme that is funded, giving our constituents the clarity that they deserve, the consistency that they deserve and also rebuilding faith in government amongst our construction industry and supply chain.”Joe Middleton15 October 2024 12:471728991358Analysis: Reeves will need lawyer’s language to break national insurance pledgeDuring the election Labour made a clear promise “not to raise taxes on working people”. This specifically included income tax, VAT and national insurance contributions.The problem Rachel Reeves has as her first Budget approaches on 30 October is that somehow she has to pay for an estimated £25bn in spending commitments and encourage economic growth with little room for manoeuvre.Her former Bank of England mentor Lord Mervyn King has warned her against extra borrowing even by rewriting the fiscals and suggested she raises national insurance instead to invest.It is clear from the prime minister’s words this morning that national insurance rises on employer contributions is now a strong possibility. But does this mean a breach in the manifesto promises from just over 100 days ago?The Tories say yes – they would – but so does the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson.It appears that Labour are planning on using a lawyer’s way out – appropriate for the prime minister – to emphasise that their pledge was “for working people” not employers.David Maddox15 October 2024 12:22 More