Starmer says he does not need ‘lessons' from Farage on working people
Sir Keir Starmer said he does not need 'lessons' from Nigel Farage on what life is like for working people as he took aim at the Reform UK leader and dodged questions about the two-child benefit cap.
The Prime Minister launched a series of attacks on Mr Farage, saying that he wanted to 'protect' working people from what his party would do after they set out policy plans earlier this week.
Sir Keir said Mr Farage's plans to spend 'billions upon billions upon billions, tens of billions of pounds, in an unfunded way' was an 'exact repeat of what Liz Truss did'.
Speaking during a visit to a glass factory in the North West, the Prime Minister said the Clacton MP would not have protected jobs in industries subject to tariffs from the US.
'Can you trust him? Can you trust him with your future? Can you trust him with your jobs? Can you trust him with your mortgages, your pensions, your bills? And he gave the answer on Tuesday. A resounding no,' he said.
Mr Farage had pitched Reform UK as the 'the party of working people' rather than Labour, and accused Sir Keir of having no connection to the working class.
Sir Keir rejected this, saying: 'I know what it means to work 10 hours a day in a factory five days a week, and I know that because that is what my dad did every single working day of his life, and that's what I grew up with.
'So I don't need lessons from Nigel Farage about the issues that matter most to working people in this country.'
Sir Keir dodged questions about whether he would like to get rid of the two-child benefit cap, saying he was looking at 'all options' to drive down child poverty.
It came after Mr Farage had confirmed his party's support for scrapping the two-child benefit cap and fully reversing the winter fuel payment cuts.
Asked why he was focusing so much on Reform UK, the Prime Minister said the Conservative Party has 'run out of road'.
He said the choice for voters was now between Labour and Reform UK as he sought to draw comparisons between Mr Farage's economic proposals and the mini-budget from short-lived Tory prime minister Ms Truss that spooked the financial markets in 2022 and led to a spike in mortgage rates.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said Reform UK's pledge to increase the income tax personal allowance to £20,000 a year could cost between £50 billion and £80 billion a year.
The IFS's deputy director Helen Miller said the announcements on winter fuel payments and the two-child benefit cap were 'dwarfed' by the change to income tax personal allowance.
Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow local government secretary, said the Prime Minister has 'problems wherever he looks'.
He told Sky News: 'The public's lost interest in Labour. I mean, I don't think they were ever popular at the despatch box – we were just unpopular, and we've got a big job to do on that particular score, but I believe we can do it.
'But also Reform, the 'red wall' as we call it, the working class voters, have completely lost faith in Keir Starmer and (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves and others, not least because of the disgraceful stripping away of the winter fuel allowance.'
Sir Keir is also facing danger from dissatisfied backbenchers, he said.
'So I can understand, he's trying to basically aim his fire all around him. It'll end up in a circular firing squad, I think, and it looks very bad for the Prime Minister right now.'
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The Sun
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Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash
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Meanwhile, some pensioner households who are eligible for Council Tax Support but not the Winter Fuel Payment will receive £150. The £300 benefit was previously available to everyone aged 66 but cuts made by Labour now mean only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit get the help. Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, - however the PM was sparse on details about when the changes might take place. Cash for Care Leeds council said those who are eligbile for the support will recieve the payment in the autumn and winter. The council also said it would be in direct contact with those who meet the criteria. A qualifying date for when you need to have been in receipt of Council Tax Support to be eligible for the support has not yet been set. So if you think you may be eligible for the support it might be worth submitting an application. You can find out more by vising, APPLY FOR A COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax. Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live. Also it does not matter whether you own your home or rent, anyone who is struggling financially can apply. You need to apply for a reduction via your local councils website. To make a claim, will need to provide the council with information on your earnings and what pensions, benefits, allowances and tax credits you receive. To find where your local council is visit In some instances your bill could be reduced by 100%, meaning you don't have to pay anything. You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost. Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount. If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings. And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too. Again, to claim this, you will need to contact your local council. WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN LEEDS The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. For example, North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Meanwhile, Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund is worth £200. Hartlepool council is also distributing £100 food vouchers to all children eligible for free school meals aged between two and 19. But even if you don't live in these areas but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible.
