Orban Touts Anti-Ukraine Survey to Boost His Flagging Campaign
Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed the result of a government survey that showed Hungarians overwhelmingly against Ukraine's European Union accession, and which critics derided as propaganda aimed at reversing his fading popularity.
Orban said 95% of Hungarians backed his opposition to Ukraine joining the EU in the government's 'national consultation.' The result followed a months-long information campaign vilifying President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, including on billboards put up across Hungary.
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Universal Credit and PIP cuts halted as Starmer announces benefits U-turn
DWP disability benefits changes will not be applied to people who currently receive the personal independence payment (Pip), after the Government made concessions to Labour rebels on controversial welfare reforms. A letter from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to MPs said adjustments to Universal Credit would also see incomes protected. The announcement comes after crisis talks with backbenchers, with some 126 MPs within the party signing an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks. Sir Keir Starmer's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it. A spokesperson for Number 10 said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. I've made it clear: I won't vote for any cuts to PIP. We should be building a system that lifts people up — not taking vital support away from those who need it most. — Imran Hussain MP (@Imran_HussainMP) June 26, 2025 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. 'Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.' The Government's original package restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. The PIP Cuts DWP Welfare Bill must be pulled. I've signed an amendment to the Bill alongside 100+ calling for a pause and rethink. The Government must #PullTheBill and #StopTheCuts to #PIP#York — 💙Rachael Maskell MP (@RachaelMaskell) June 25, 2025 Existing claimants were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. In her letter, the Work and Pensions Secretary said: 'We recognise the proposed changes have been a source of uncertainty and anxiety. 'We will ensure that all of those currently receiving PIP will stay within the current system. The new eligibility requirements will be implemented from November 2026 for new claims only. 'Secondly, we will adjust the pathway of Universal Credit payment rates to make sure all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria – have their incomes fully protected in real terms.' She said a ministerial review would ensure the benefit is 'fair and fit for the future' and will be a 'coproduction' with disabled people, organisations which represent them and MPs. 'These important reforms are rooted in Labour values, and we want to get them right,' she said. The change in Pip payments would protect some 370,000 existing claimants who were expected to lose out following reassessment. If the legislation clears its first hurdle on Tuesday, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill. The so-called 'reasoned amendment' tabled by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. She said: 'This is a good deal. It is massive changes to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected… and, crucially, involving disabled people themselves in the design of future benefit changes.' While the concessions look set to reassure some of those who had been leading the rebellion, other MPs remained opposed before the announcement. The Disability Benefit Cuts Bill has been published. On average PIP recipients will lose £4,500 a year. These are the deepest cuts to disability benefits since George Osborne - impacting 3 million people. This won't create jobs, it will create poverty. MPs must vote against. — Neil Duncan-Jordan MP (@NeilForPoole) June 18, 2025 Speaking before the concessions were revealed, Rachel Maskell said: 'As the Government is seeking to reform the system, they should protect all disabled people until they have completed their co-produced consultation and co-produced implementation. 'I cannot vote for something that will have such a significant impact … as disabled people are not involved, it is just a backroom deal.' One MP said that ministers would need to 'go back to the drawing board' to make the Bill acceptable. Another said they expected the legislation would get through second reading if the Government conceded the key sticking points relating to existing Pip claimants, the health element of universal credit and a policy consultation. 'It would need to be in the Bill, not just a commitment,' they said. Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir told MPs he wanted the reforms to reflect 'Labour values of fairness' and that discussions about the changes would continue over the coming days. He insisted there was 'consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform' of the 'broken' welfare system. 'I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I,' he said. 'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. 'That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday.' There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse,' director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said. But the MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Head of campaigns at the charity, Charlotte Gill, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' Recommended reading: Labour MPs rebel over DWP disability benefits cuts HMRC urging parents to claim £2,000 tax-free childcare Child Trust Funds worth £1.4bn in unclaimed accounts The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. 'We can't afford Labour.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Starmer makes U-turn in bid to head off Labour welfare revolt
Ministers now expect the Government's welfare legislation to pass the Commons after Sir Keir Starmer backed down in the face of a major rebellion over welfare cuts. In a late-night climbdown, the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on July 1. Rebels now believe the concessions on offer, which include protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. Asked on Friday morning whether the Government now expected the Bill to pass, health minister Stephen Kinnock told Times Radio: 'Yes.' The Government's original package had restricted eligibility for Pip, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5 billion a year by 2030. Now, the changes to Pip eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. The changes represent a major climbdown for the Prime Minister, just days after he insisted to reporters he would 'press on' with the cuts, arguing there was a 'moral case' for them. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.' Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disability people in the design of future reforms. The concessions could leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a hole in her budget come the autumn, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggesting they could reduce the projected savings by at least £1.5 billion per year. On Friday morning, Mr Kinnock declined to be drawn on how that reduction would be covered, saying it was 'very much the Chancellor's job as we move into the budget in the autumn'. He also declined to comment on whether it was fair that two people with the same condition would receive different amounts of money depending on when they started their claim. Mr Kinnock told Times Radio there were 'many different individual circumstances' and it was 'not possible to generalise'. There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. Director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse.' The MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the charity, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. We can't afford Labour.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
EU leaders seek a big boost in Ukraine military support but make little progress on Russia sanctions
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Thursday called for even greater efforts to help meet Ukraine's pressing military needs, and expressed support for the country's quest to join their ranks, but they made little headway with new sanctions against Russia. At a summit in Brussels, the leaders said it was important to deliver more 'air defense and anti-drone systems, and large-caliber ammunition, to help Ukraine, as it exercises its inherent right to self-defense, to protect its citizens and territory against Russia's intensified daily attacks.' They also underlined the need to help support Ukraine's defense industry, which can make weapons and ammunition more quickly and cheaply than its European counterparts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the meeting via videolink. Russian forces have made slow gains at some points on the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, but it has been costly in terms of troop casualties and damaged equipment. The outnumbered Ukrainian army has relied heavily on drones to keep the Russians back. Hungary's objection Months of U.S.-led international efforts to stop the more than three years of war have failed. As hostilities have ground on, the two sides have continued to swap prisoners of war. The leaders said the bloc 'remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine's path towards EU membership.' That message comes a day after NATO leaders refrained from putting a reference to Ukraine's hopes of joining the military organization in their summit statement, due in large part to U.S. resistance. The EU is working on yet another raft of sanctions against Russia, but the leaders made little headway. A key aim is to make further progress in blocking Russia's 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers and their operators from earning more revenue for Moscow's war effort. The EU has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. More than 2,400 officials and entities – usually government agencies, banks and organizations – have been hit. The statement on Ukraine was agreed by 26 of the 27 member countries. Hungary objected, as it has often done. At a NATO summit on Wednesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that 'NATO has no business in Ukraine. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, neither Russia. My job is to keep it as it is.' 'All options remain on the table' The leaders also heard from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on ongoing trade talks with the U.S. aimed at warding off President Donald Trump's threat of new tariffs, or import taxes, on European goods coming into the US. Von der Leyen said at a post-summit news conference that she and Trump had agreed at the Group of Seven summit 'to speed up the work' ahead of a July 9 deadline. Trump at first laid out a 20% tariff and then threatened to raise that to 50% after expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of talks. Those would come in addition to a 25% tariff on cars from all countries and 50% on steel from all countries, measures that would hit the EU's auto industry. Von der Leyen said that Europe had received the latest proposal from the U.S. and was analyzing it. She said the commission, which handles trade for the 27 EU member states, preferred a deal but was also preparing a list of U.S. goods that could be hit with 'rebalancing' tariffs. 'We are ready for a deal,' she said. "At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached, this is why we consulted on a rebalancing list and we will defend the European interest as needed, in short, all options remain on the table.' Trade and war Trump has rejected an EU offer of zero tariffs on both industrial goods and cars, while the EU has rejected changes in the regulation of digital companies and in its national value-added taxes, which economists say are trade neutral because they are levied on imports and domestic goods alike. French President Emmanuel Macron said he told Trump in a phone call during the EU summit that the Europeans were 'willing to find an agreement.' 'But we don't want to reach a deal at all costs,' Macron warned. U.S. tariffs would 'inevitably' lead to retaliatory measures on U.S. goods on the European market, he said. The trade issue is crucial for the EU's trade dependent economy; the commission's forecast for modest growth of 0.9% in GDP this year was based on an assumption the EU could negotiate its tariff down to Trump's 10% baseline minimum for almost all trade partners. In other developments, the EU leaders deplored 'the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation.' They called 'on Israel to fully lift its blockade.' They also said that their European Council 'takes note' of a report saying that there are signs that Israel's actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in an agreement governing EU-Israel ties. The report was debated by EU foreign ministers on Monday, but the bloc is divided over what to do about it. The ministers will discuss the issue again at their next meeting on July 15. Suspending ties, including on trade, would require a unanimous decision, which is likely impossible to obtain from staunch backers of Israel like Austria, Germany and Hungary. The head of the main Greens party group in the European Parliament, Bas Eickhout said that 'the EU is losing all credibility in light of the devastating conflicts raging in the Middle East,' and insisted that the Association Agreement must be suspended. ___ Associated Press writers Lorne Cook and Sylvie Corbet in Brussels and David McHugh in Frankfurt contributed to this report. Sam Mcneil, The Associated Press
