Starmer says ‘fairness' will anchor welfare cuts in bid to cool Labour rebellion
Keir Starmer is in talks with Labour rebels to gain support for the government's welfare reform package, the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, ahead of its Commons vote.
The proposed legislation aims to restrict access to sickness and incapacity benefits, with the government arguing it wants to get more people into work and save billions of pounds annually.
Over 126 Labour MPs, alongside other parties, publicly oppose the bill, arguing it will cause significant harm to disabled people and that no concessions can make it acceptable.
Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) projects that the reforms will lead to 800,000 fewer working-age people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by 2029–30, with most losing £3,850 annually.
Public polling indicates low support for the reforms, with only 27 per cent in favour.
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Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Fury at plans to turn Canterbury Cathedral entrance into Airbnb
Canterbury Cathedral's historic entrance could be transformed into an Airbnb-style holiday let, prompting criticism of the 'Church's continued commercialisation'. Christ Church Gate, built in the early 16th century, serves as the main entrance to Canterbury Cathedral and is one of the most photographed Christian landmarks in the country. However, church authorities have proposed to convert the historic tower into 'unrivalled' Airbnb-style accommodation featuring a one-bedroom apartment featuring an open-plan kitchen and living room, a biofuel fire, a breakfast bar and two lavatories. The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury described the accommodation, which would replace office space on the first and second floors, as 'high quality' and said that it would provide a long-term use for the building. However, the plans to transform the Grade-I-listed gate, which is the main entrance to the cathedral and believed to have been built between 1504 and 1521, have divided Christians as well as members of the local community. Dr Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who has since converted to Catholicism, described this as the 'continued commercialisation' of the Church. Dr Ashenden, who was a choral scholar at King's Canterbury, said: 'As The Church of England continues its meltdown, it's no surprise that they have to go to ever increasing links to raise money. 'To give credit where it is due, at least turning this famous cathedral gateway into an Airbnb doesn't involve the degree of blasphemy and irresponsibility that some of the other money making ventures like turning the cathedral into a nightclub involved. Perhaps local residents should be grateful. It's just Airbnb rather than a casino.' Hilary Brian, chair of the Canterbury Society, branded the idea 'outrageous' and urged Cathedral authorities to change their minds. 'The gate is such an important piece of Canterbury's history, and it should be preserved,' she told Kent Online. 'It seems such a shame to see one of the city's biggest landmarks disregarded in this way.' 'Centuries-old practice of hospitality' A Canterbury Cathedral spokesperson said: 'The best long-term way to care for our historic buildings, and ensure that they are maintained for future generations, is for them to be used and loved by residents and visitors. 'The rooms in the Gate remain unrefurbished and, in their current condition, are of limited use. 'As we consider how these rooms could be used, the Cathedral is working closely with historic building specialists, conservation architects and planners to bring them into use. 'This will help us continue our centuries-old practice of hospitality and welcome as we seek to serve the wider community, both here in Canterbury, and across the world. We are looking to share more information as plans unfold.' Purcell Architects, the company which would transform the historic building, said in documents submitted to the council: 'It is clear from the layout and fixtures, including the large fireplaces and windows originally with shutters, that they were designed for domestic use.' This is not the first time that cathedrals have been accused of becoming increasingly secularised and commercialised. In 2019 Southwark Cathedral was accused of promoting the ' antithesis of the Christian gospel ' by allowing its nave to be used as a catwalk to sell clothes by fashion designer, Julien MacDonald. Norwich Cathedral also faced criticism for 'treating God like a tourist attraction' after it installed a 55-ft helter skelter in its nave.
Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Telegraph
James Heale
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Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
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Outrage as pro-Palestine protester dresses as Holocaust victim at demo but is allowed to continue by police
A pro-Palestine protester has caused outrage by dressing up as a Holocaust victim at a protest in London 's Trafalgar Square. Activist Maria Gallastegui was seen wearing a striped uniform that hearkens back to those worn by the tragic victims of the Holocaust at concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Europe. But instead of the Star of David, Gallastegui placed a star and crescent, a symbol often associated with Islam. She also held a sign referring to Palestine Action, which was designated a terror group following a stunt at an RAF airbase that saw its members While 13 people were arrested and seven people were charged following Monday's protest in solidarity with Palestine Action in the heart of London, Gallastegui was not one of them. According to the Telegraph, 66-year-old Gallastegui is a full-time protester who left her life as a coach driver behind nearly 20 years ago. Over the past two decades, she has reportedly been arrested several times - including once during a demonstration for the right to protest in August 2005. She became infamous for living in a tent in Parliament Square for six years after joining a campaign against proposals to restrict protests in front of the Houses of Parliament. Gallastegui was also interviewed by the BBC in 2021 over a live-in protest that saw her sleep in a 150-year-old tree in Hackney that was set to be felled to make way for a 600-home development. She said at the time: 'We are passionate people. Any campaign that we can think of doesn't start overnight. There are a lot of underlying issues that the system is not dealing with.' Monday's protest saw Palestine Action activists clash with police in ugly scenes during a mass protest in London as the Government moves to proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation. Hundreds of protesters waving Palestinian flags and holding placards gathered at Trafalgar Square as the group's leaders called for an 'emergency mobilisation' in response to the Government's plans. The Palestine Action protest came just days after two of its members broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military planes in a stunt condemned by MPs including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. It is feared one engine of a plane targeted at Britain's largest RAF base is damaged beyond repair and could cost £25million to replace. The group, whose Brize Norton ambush is being treated by counter-terrorism police, have conducted 356 attacks on sites across the UK in the last five years - with Ms Cooper revealing the damage caused is 'running into the millions of pounds'. Monday's demonstration was initially due to be staged outside Parliament but protesters were forced to descend on Trafalgar Square instead after the Metropolitan Police imposed an exclusion zone. Monday's protest saw Palestine Action activists clash with police in ugly scenes during a mass protest in London Protesters, some wearing black face coverings or Palestinian keffiyehs, were seen scuffling with police and shouting up close into their faces, with officers forced to drag activists out of the crowds. Officers were seen surging into the crowd to detain masked protesters, prompting activists to respond by pushing back, throwing water and chanting at police. Pro-Palestine protesters also clashed with a small group of pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators who were swiftly escorted out to the sound of jeers.
