UK Politics

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentForeign Secretary David Lammy has warned the security of Europe is at stake as optimism grows in Ukraine that it will get the green light to fire long-range missiles into Russia. In what would be a major shift in tactics, Western countries are considering lifting restrictions despite fears over how Putin might retaliate.On a visit to Kyiv with his US counterpart, Mr Lammy blasted Russia’s “fascism” and “imperialism”. And he said the West was “listening carefully and … having discussions on a range of issues including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win.”Mr Lammy also said Iran’s delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia “clearly changes the debate” as they would allow Moscow “to have further penetration into Ukraine”.Foreign secretary David Lammy during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ukraine More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentWatch as Sir Keir Starmer faced Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 11 September, following MPs’ approval of cuts to winter fuel payments.Labour has been accused of punishing pensioners after MPs voted to cut the allowance for millions across the country.On Tuesday, a Conservative motion aimed at blocking the policy was rejected with a majority of 120.The plan cleared the Commons with just one Labour rebel voting against it but dozens of MPs on the Government benches were missing in action.The government insisted the proposed changes are needed to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances left behind by previous Conservative governments.Labour’s decision means that only those on Pension Credit or some other benefits in England and Wales will receive the payment, saving the Exchequer around £1.5 billion a year.Rachel Reeves insisted it is “absolutely right” to means-test the benefit, worth up to £300, in order to address the “black hole” in the public finances. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentLabour MPs claimed more than £400,000 of taxpayers’ money to heat their own homes over the last five years, as the party voted to cut Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners this month. Official figures reveal how much members who claim expenses for their London accommodation have been awarded over time, with some taking thousands.Rachel Reeves, who announced the controversial cut to Winter Fuel Payments in July, has claimed £4,400 since she was elected an MP in 2010. In the last five years alone, the figure was £3,700, analysis from The Telegraph shows.As MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, Ms Reeves is expected to hold a residence in both her constituency and London, so that she is able to attend to parliamentary business. All expenses for this second accommodation are paid for with taxpayer money, as is the case with all members who do the same.Taken from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the figures reveal that 162 Labour MPs have claimed £425,000 in expenses for energy bills in accommodation. This is reportedly £83,000 more than the average amount a similar number of households would have spent over the same time period.The chancellor has defended her expenses, telling GB News: “Being a constituency MP means that you have to have a house in London as well as, of course, living in the constituency, and that’s the same for all MPs. Those are long-standing rules.”Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to Winter Fuel Payments in July More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentNigel Farage has declared last night’s big US presidential debate “a score draw” after his friend Donald Trump was mocked for his claims about immigrants in the US eating domestic pets.The muted response from the Reform UK leader, who has been the leading cheerleader for Mr Trump in Britain, comes amid disquiet among many supporters of the former president, who believe the debate was actually won by Kamala Harris.Former Tory prime minister Liz Truss has also been an outspoken supporter of the Republican candidate against Vice President Harris – but she has been unwilling to comment on the debate, during which Trump had to be fact-checked multiple times.A source close to Ms Truss said: “She is [still supporting Trump] but don’t expect her to say anything new right now.”Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the debate a score draw (Tejas Sandhu/PA) More

MPs groan at Nigel Farage’s ‘two-tier policing’ remarks in House of CommonsYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefRishi Sunak has accused the prime minister of “repeatedly refusing to admit or to publish the consequences of his decision” to means-test winter fuel payments for pensioners.In a fiery clash at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir’s predecessor in No 10 called on the Labour government to publish an impact assessment of the move, which will take the payment from all but the poorest pensioners.Labour was hit by criticism over cuts to winter fuel payments, and as MPs voted to cut the allowance, 52 of their own memberss abstained from yesterday’s Commons vote on withdrawal of the blanket benefit. Ahead of the vote, The Independent revealed that an assessment had been conducted of how many people would be pushed into fuel poverty.The government has been accused of punishing pensioners but it insisted the proposed changes are needed to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances left behind by previous Conservative governments.Chancellor Racher Reeves said the government would not water down the decision, despite the revolt by Labour MPs and warnings about the effect on the elderly.Show latest update 1726065912Poll: NHS waiting lists outweigh economic stability in public A new YouGov poll has revealed that voters overwhelmingly prioritise cutting NHS waiting times over economic stability, with only 10 per cent believing the government should focus on the economy. Conducted between September 9-10, the survey shows that 39 per cent of respondents see reducing NHS backlogs as the top issue, while 18 per cent rank the launch of the Border Security Command as their second priority. Salma Ouaguira11 September 2024 15:451726065312Baroness Altmann warns winter fuel payment cuts threaten pensioner wellbeing Slashing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners poses a “significant risk” to the health and wellbeing of many on low incomes, it has been warned in the Lords.Tory former pensions minister Baroness Altmann is attempting to block the move in the unelected chamber.The Conservative peer has tabled a so-called “motion to annul”, which would scupper the planned cut, if agreed to.It is calling for the regulations to “be annulled because they would significantly reduce state support for pensioners without sufficient warning and without a proper impact assessment, and because they present a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of many pensioners on low incomes”.Two regret motions, criticising the plans, have also been proposed by peers.Baroness Altmann (Jonathan Brady/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentSir Keir Starmer has refused three times to say whether he will publish an impact assessment of his decision to withdraw winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.It came as the prime minister also failed to give a guarantee on continued support for pensioner discounts for council tax, telling MPs they will have to wait for the Budget on 30 October. During PMQs he refused to guarantee bus passes and discretionary travel would be protected but a spokesperson later confirmed they are safe.Sir Keir came under pressure at PMQs over his decision to means test the payment, worth up to £300, removing it from all but the poorest pensioners.Ahead of a crunch vote on the decision, The Independent revealed that the government has assessed how many additional pensioners will be driven into fuel poverty by the move. But ministers have so far refused to publish the assessment, promising only that it will be made public “in due course”.Labour has so far failed to publish an impact assessment on the fuel cuts More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentRachel Reeves has been warned that expected tax rises in October’s Budget could damage growth, after suprise new figures showed the economy flatlining. Economists said there could be further misery ahead as a result of the chancellor’s decisions and higher energy bills this winter. In May, the chief economist at the Office for National Statistics described the economy as “going gangbusters”. But the latest figures unexpectedly showed growth has stalled for the second month in a row.Rachel Reeves warned change will not happen ‘overnight’ (PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentLandlords have warned they may raise rents as a result of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is aimed at giving tenants more power when renting.The proposals could include legislation to allow tenants to walk away from deals just two months after moving in, as well as introducing a ban on so-called no-fault evictions in the coming week.Previously, tenants generally had to wait for six months before they could leave a rental agreement. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents over 110,000 landlords, warned that, if the policy is introduced, it could lead to an increase in rent prices particularly in city centres and tourist hotspots.It said its members are considering adjusting prices to mitigate the risk to incomes posed by added flexibility for renters.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said renters have been let down for ‘too long’ (Chris Furlong/PA) More