Lord Hermer's ‘Nazi jibe' shows his naivety
Amid talk of a summer reshuffle, I recently asked a senior member of the Labour party if he thought the Attorney-General was likely for the chop. He paused and reflected. 'No', he eventually replied. 'But he's going the right way about it.' Similar sentiments will no doubt be expressed in Downing Street today as they pore over the morning papers. 'Law chief in Nazi jibe at Tories and Reform', screams the splash headline of today's Times: Richard Hermer KC has done it again.
The cause of the headline is a speech which Hermer made to the RUSI think tank yesterday on the government's commitment to international law. The Labour peer made a thoughtful, lucid speech critiquing Bismarckian notions of realpolitik and offering a reasoned defence of the rules-based order – including Britain's commitment to the European Court of Human Rights. But one section of the speech leaps out from the page:
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Why is it that Britain cannot get anything done?
When elected to power, Labour promised to be the party of the builders, not the blockers, and committed itself to unleashing a housebuilding and infrastructure boom. Nearly a year into government, and the legislation that is supposed to make this happen, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, is slowly wending its way through Parliament, having not yet been submitted to the House of Lords for scrutiny. The intention is to cut planning restrictions, but whether it also delivers in reducing the spiralling costs and interminable delays of development in the UK is anyone's guess. There are good reasons for scepticism. Meanwhile, the endless sorrow of HS2, the most expensive piece of infrastructure ever built in Britain, continues apace. According to a recent report in Rail magazine, which has not been denied, the London to Birmingham route is now likely to be pushed back a further six years, and may not be complete until 2039. Estimated costs have also further escalated to a jaw dropping £100bn, this despite the fact that the northern leg has been scrapped and that initially at least, the line will terminate not as planned at Euston but at Old Oak on the outskirts of London. Just to add a touch of the surreal to this towering example of ill-spent taxpayer pounds, the spanking new Birmingham terminal at Curzon Street is likely to be completed years before the line itself, and will therefore stand empty, its seven platforms gathering tumble weed in the long wait for their first passengers. In any case, the travails of HS2 have become a symbol of Britain's seemingly stultifying inability to get anything done. Somewhat misleadingly so, as it happens. The largest part of the problem with HS2 is not the planning constraints, or even the ruinous project management, but that it should never have been attempted in the first place, an admission disarmingly made by Peter Mandelson, now Britain's ambassador to Washington, more than 12 years ago. The previous Labour government only went ahead with the project, he admitted, because it was afraid of being upstaged by the Tories in creating a high-speed, north-south link. The economic case for it was always 'flimsy', he further conceded. Back then, it should be pointed out, the line was expected to cost 'only' £35bn before rolling stock, and include stage two branch lines to Manchester, Leeds and Wigan. The whole thing should have been axed there and then, but the Coalition government was terrified of the stick it would get from northern lobbies and voters for cancelling a project seen as totemic in any levelling up agenda. What's more, so much time, effort and money had by then already been expended that it was considered too big a write off to be politically palatable. So on it went, but the main explanation for its mounting costs was already obvious. Planning restrictions, constantly changing specifications, outlandish environmental demands such as the notorious £100m 'bat tunnel', were admittedly a part of it. Yet the contrast with HS1, which came in roughly on time and on budget, could scarcely have been greater. HS1, which links the channel tunnel and London, actually had a purpose and an economic rationale. Furthermore, it had a responsible minister, John Prescott, who after taunts from the French to the effect that the British couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, was determined to grip the project and push it through. HS2 has never commanded a similar consensus or a convincing commercial justification, making it an ongoing object of bitterness, compromise and delay. Oppressive planning rules and environmental impact studies can no longer be used as an excuse; for HS2, these have all been put to bed, but still the costs keep rising. Shockingly, according to a report by the National Audit Office, simply cancelling the second phase of the project linking Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds is in itself likely to consume £100m. Why? Apparently it's to do with 'safely and efficiently' when closing down Phase 2 construction sites, insignificant though these are. Losses on land already compulsorily purchased but no longer needed further up the ante. And they wonder why the country is going bust. The Department for Transport, the authority responsible for overseeing and funding the project, might seem a particularly egregious example of Britain's inability to get anything done, but sadly these failings are not confined to the public sector. The other standout example is the privately funded Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset. 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A McKinsey study of more than 500 global infrastructure projects found that only 5pc of them were completed within their original budget and schedule. The average project ran 37pc over budget and 53pc over schedule. Separate research by Oxford's Saïd Business School found that of more than 3000 infrastructure projects studied, only 0.2pc were completed on time and to budget. All the same, the situation appears to be notably worse in the UK than elsewhere. According to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (Nista), the cost of construction in Britain has risen by nearly a third more than GDP per capita since 2007. That often asked question – why is it that we seem to be getting ever fewer bangs for our bucks in terms of public services and state-backed infrastructure – is partly answered by phenomena such as this. 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The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Union boss warns Starmer over ‘echoing the right' on immigration
Britain's top union boss has issued a warning to Keir Starmer and the entire left of politics that they need to reclaim the narrative on the immigration debate in the face of the threat from Nigel Farage and Reform. Writing in the Independent, Paul Nowak, the secretary general of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), appears to both chide Sir Keir for his controversial speech on migration earlier this month, warning that the left 'should not be echoing the right'. In a week where the gloves have come off in the fight between Reform and Labour, Mr Nowak has urged the prime minister to confront the 'dangerous and false' claims of Farage. But, crucially, with chancellor Rachel Reeves trying to squeeze public finances in her spending review set to be published on 11 June, the union boss demanded that she finds the cash to properly fund the Fair Pay Agreement in social care and the Fair Work Agency which he believes are at the heart of part of the problems with immigration. His piece comes just days after Mr Farage gave a speech overtly targeting Labour and leftwing voters, claiming Reform is 'the party of the workers'. That speech was followed two days later by one from Sir Keir, accusing Reform of having economic plans which would cause 'a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown'. With battlelines drawn Mr Nowak, whose unions are Labour's biggest donors, has decided that the TUC needs to make its first intervention on the migration debate at the heart of Mr Farage's message to working class people. But in the piece the TUC official pointedly refers to care workers three times, a category that the prime minister has banned from getting work visas. But he also noted that the left should 'not compromise its values' and 'should treat everyone with dignity', saying the left 'should not be echoing the right'. It comes after the prime minister faced criticism for quoting the late rightwing Tory MP Enoch Powell's infamous 'rivers of blood' speech when he referred to ' an island of strangers'. An ally close to Mr Nowak insisted that his words were more aimed at 'offering leadership' rather than attacking the government. But the TUC secretary general's fiercest criticism for Mr Farage and Reform while not naming them directly. He said: 'The populist right has wasted no time in exploiting frustration —spreading baseless myths that blame migrant workers and asylum seekers for everything from cuts to the winter fuel allowance and disability support to the cost of living crisis. 'These claims are dangerous and false. But if the left doesn't offer serious, workable solutions, those lies will continue to fill the vacuum.' Mr Farage himself claimed that the attacks on him and his party were because they took a nine point lead in the polls this week and appeared to be on course to winning potentially the next general election. He said: 'They are in a state of blind panic. They don't know what to do.' However, Mr Nowak insisted that the British people 'are not anti-immigration, they are anti-chaos.' 'The British public hasn't turned its back on friends, co-workers, and neighbours from overseas— or on our proud tradition of offering sanctuary to people fleeing war and persecution,' he wrote. 'What they're rejecting is a system that often feels chaotic, unfair, and out of control. 'A system where those seeking asylum wait years in limbo while hotel costs spiral. Where rogue employers exploit migrant workers with impunity. And where local services—schools, hospitals, housing—have been so underinvested in that communities feel abandoned.' Instead the TUC secretary general wants to see proper funding for the Fair Work Agency which can end exploitative companies taking advantage of migrant labour. He said: 'Ministers must fully fund and properly empower the new Fair Work Agency. This body must have the teeth necessary to hold exploitative employers to account—particularly those who undercut wages and erode national labour standards by mistreating migrant workers.' He also called for a more 'humane' asylum system and said that those waiting to have their cases considered 'should be allowed to work and contribute to the economy.' He said: 'Keeping people trapped in poverty helps no one. Letting people work would allow them to contribute, pay taxes, and start to rebuild their lives. It would reduce pressure on public services and allow us too to benefit from the skills that those fleeing persecution can bring. 'A fair system doesn't mean gimmicks or cruel policies like the failed Rwanda plan. 'It means serious solutions like trialling humanitarian visas which would allow people to apply for asylum legally from abroad.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
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Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash
Read below for more councils providing financial support CASH IN Hard-up households to get up to £150 in free cost of living cash HARD-UP households can get up to £150 in free cost of living cash. Cash-strapped households can get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 1 The household support fund gives cash grants to struggling households The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Eligible households in Leeds will get payments of up to £150 to help. How much you will be given depends on factors like if you are a pensioner or if you have dependent children. All claimants must also be in receipt of Council Tax Support, a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill. The payment will be £125 to households with dependent children and £50 to all households without. 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.
