Latest news with #BirminghamLadywood
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Health secretary Wes Streeting could lose seat to pro-Gaza rival under Labour plans to reduce the voting age to 16
Controversial plans to allow votes at 16 could see four ministers lose their seats to pro-Gaza independents, analysis has shown. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood are among a string of senior Labour figures at risk from a potential surge in support for independent candidates running on a pro-Palestine platform. Labour has been accused of trying to 'rig the political system' by giving the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, who have traditionally been seen as being more Left-wing. But analysis by the polling organisation More In Common suggests the big winners could be hard-Left figures such as the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and pro-Gaza independents, who stunned the party by winning four seats at last year's election. The research found there are seven Labour seats where the number of 16 and 17-year-olds is bigger than the sitting MP's majority over a pro-Palestine independent at last year's election. They include Ilford North, where Mr Streeting clung on by just 528 votes, and Birmingham Ladywood, where Ms Mahmood saw her majority slashed to less than 3,500 following a 40 per cent collapse in Labour's vote share. Mr Streeting, who is tipped as a potential future Labour leader, has been urged by allies to seek a safer seat before the next election – known at Westminster as 'doing a chicken run'. But he appeared to rule out the move earlier this year, insisting he does not believe in 'cutting and running'. Ms Mahmood said her local campaign had been 'sullied by harassment and intimidation', with some opponents trying to 'deny' her Muslim faith. Also possibly at risk is the seat of outspoken Home Office minister Jess Phillips, whose majority last year was cut to just 693 following a vigorous campaign by a local pro-Gaza candidate. Ironically, elections minister Rushanara Ali, who is responsible for introducing the change in the law, could also be ousted. Ms Ali held on in Bethnal Green and Stepney by just 1,689 votes last year. Mr Corbyn has already formed a loose 'Independent Alliance' at Westminster with the four pro-Gaza MPs. They are now in talks with former Labour MP Zarah Sultana about creating a new party to fight the next election. The More In Common analysis found that a party led by Mr Corbyn would top the poll with Gen Z voters. The study found that the overall impact of extending the franchise to 16-year-olds was likely to be limited. But it added: 'It is likely that independent candidates running on pro-Gaza tickets could do very well out of this change.' The findings will fuel concerns among some Labour strategists that the rule change could backfire. Election experts have suggested the Greens, Lib Dems and Reforms could do well among the new electorate. Nigel Farage, who has a large youth following on TikTok, accused Labour of an 'attempt to rig the political system', but said: 'We intend to give them a nasty surprise'.
Western Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Calls to scrap two-child benefit cap over child poverty link
At least one in four children is in poverty in two-thirds of the UK's constituencies, the annual analysis from Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition found. 'Bold action' is needed, the campaign said ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review this month, as they called for the cap to be scrapped as soon as possible. The policy means parents only receive support for up to two children through the universal credit system. Analysis of the child poverty rate and the proportion of children affected by the two-child limit found that the two are 'extremely highly correlated', adding to evidence that the cap is a 'major driver of child poverty across the UK'. In the North East, West Midlands and Wales, around nine out of 10 constituencies were found to have a child poverty rate higher than one in four. Birmingham Ladywood, Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford West were among those with the highest rates. Sir Keir Starmer and the Chancellor are under pressure to respond to mounting calls for the two-child benefit cap to be axed at a cost of around £3.5 billion. Ministers have reportedly been considering scrapping it as part of their child poverty strategy, which was due to be published in the spring but is now set to come out in the autumn so it can be aligned with the Chancellor's budget. Dan Paskins, vice-chairman of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the data presents a 'bleak picture of life' for the UK's children. 'A record number are now in poverty and this is under the noses of our MPs, particularly Cabinet members. 80% of Keir Starmer's Cabinet represent constituencies with higher-than-average child poverty rates. 'The time for action is now, and the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming child poverty strategy should involve bold action. 'Due to the analysis's finding (of) a strong correlation between child poverty rates in local areas and the number of children impacted by the two-child limit to universal credit, it is essential this policy is scrapped as soon as possible.' A Government spokesperson said: 'This Government is determined to bring down child poverty. 'We've already expanded free breakfast clubs, introduced a cap on the cost of school uniforms, increased the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes, uprated benefits in April and supported 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully-funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
Glasgow Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Calls to scrap two-child benefit cap over child poverty link
At least one in four children is in poverty in two-thirds of the UK's constituencies, the annual analysis from Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition found. 'Bold action' is needed, the campaign said ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review this month, as they called for the cap to be scrapped as soon as possible. The policy means parents only receive support for up to two children through the universal credit system. Analysis of the child poverty rate and the proportion of children affected by the two-child limit found that the two are 'extremely highly correlated', adding to evidence that the cap is a 'major driver of child poverty across the UK'. In the North East, West Midlands and Wales, around nine out of 10 constituencies were found to have a child poverty rate higher than one in four. Birmingham Ladywood, Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford West were among those with the highest rates. Sir Keir Starmer and the Chancellor are under pressure to respond to mounting calls for the two-child benefit cap to be axed at a cost of around £3.5 billion. Ministers have reportedly been considering scrapping it as part of their child poverty strategy, which was due to be published in the spring but is now set to come out in the autumn so it can be aligned with the Chancellor's budget. Dan Paskins, vice-chairman of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the data presents a 'bleak picture of life' for the UK's children. 'A record number are now in poverty and this is under the noses of our MPs, particularly Cabinet members. 80% of Keir Starmer's Cabinet represent constituencies with higher-than-average child poverty rates. 'The time for action is now, and the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming child poverty strategy should involve bold action. 'Due to the analysis's finding (of) a strong correlation between child poverty rates in local areas and the number of children impacted by the two-child limit to universal credit, it is essential this policy is scrapped as soon as possible.' A Government spokesperson said: 'This Government is determined to bring down child poverty. 'We've already expanded free breakfast clubs, introduced a cap on the cost of school uniforms, increased the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes, uprated benefits in April and supported 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully-funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
Rhyl Journal
02-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Calls to scrap two-child benefit cap over child poverty link
At least one in four children is in poverty in two-thirds of the UK's constituencies, the annual analysis from Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition found. 'Bold action' is needed, the campaign said ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review this month, as they called for the cap to be scrapped as soon as possible. The policy means parents only receive support for up to two children through the universal credit system. Analysis of the child poverty rate and the proportion of children affected by the two-child limit found that the two are 'extremely highly correlated', adding to evidence that the cap is a 'major driver of child poverty across the UK'. In the North East, West Midlands and Wales, around nine out of 10 constituencies were found to have a child poverty rate higher than one in four. Birmingham Ladywood, Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford West were among those with the highest rates. Sir Keir Starmer and the Chancellor are under pressure to respond to mounting calls for the two-child benefit cap to be axed at a cost of around £3.5 billion. Ministers have reportedly been considering scrapping it as part of their child poverty strategy, which was due to be published in the spring but is now set to come out in the autumn so it can be aligned with the Chancellor's budget. Dan Paskins, vice-chairman of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the data presents a 'bleak picture of life' for the UK's children. 'A record number are now in poverty and this is under the noses of our MPs, particularly Cabinet members. 80% of Keir Starmer's Cabinet represent constituencies with higher-than-average child poverty rates. 'The time for action is now, and the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming child poverty strategy should involve bold action. 'Due to the analysis's finding (of) a strong correlation between child poverty rates in local areas and the number of children impacted by the two-child limit to universal credit, it is essential this policy is scrapped as soon as possible.' A Government spokesperson said: 'This Government is determined to bring down child poverty. 'We've already expanded free breakfast clubs, introduced a cap on the cost of school uniforms, increased the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes, uprated benefits in April and supported 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully-funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
South Wales Guardian
02-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Calls to scrap two-child benefit cap over child poverty link
At least one in four children is in poverty in two-thirds of the UK's constituencies, the annual analysis from Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition found. 'Bold action' is needed, the campaign said ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review this month, as they called for the cap to be scrapped as soon as possible. The policy means parents only receive support for up to two children through the universal credit system. Analysis of the child poverty rate and the proportion of children affected by the two-child limit found that the two are 'extremely highly correlated', adding to evidence that the cap is a 'major driver of child poverty across the UK'. In the North East, West Midlands and Wales, around nine out of 10 constituencies were found to have a child poverty rate higher than one in four. Birmingham Ladywood, Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford West were among those with the highest rates. Sir Keir Starmer and the Chancellor are under pressure to respond to mounting calls for the two-child benefit cap to be axed at a cost of around £3.5 billion. Ministers have reportedly been considering scrapping it as part of their child poverty strategy, which was due to be published in the spring but is now set to come out in the autumn so it can be aligned with the Chancellor's budget. Dan Paskins, vice-chairman of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the data presents a 'bleak picture of life' for the UK's children. 'A record number are now in poverty and this is under the noses of our MPs, particularly Cabinet members. 80% of Keir Starmer's Cabinet represent constituencies with higher-than-average child poverty rates. 'The time for action is now, and the Comprehensive Spending Review and forthcoming child poverty strategy should involve bold action. 'Due to the analysis's finding (of) a strong correlation between child poverty rates in local areas and the number of children impacted by the two-child limit to universal credit, it is essential this policy is scrapped as soon as possible.' A Government spokesperson said: 'This Government is determined to bring down child poverty. 'We've already expanded free breakfast clubs, introduced a cap on the cost of school uniforms, increased the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes, uprated benefits in April and supported 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully-funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
