Latest news with #Commons
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP Winter Fuel Payment won't be reinstated for one group despite U-turn
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer signalled a potential U-turn on the controversial policy to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment One group of pensioners will not have their Winter Fuel Payment reinstated this year if Labour pushes ahead with its U-turn a government minister has confirmed. In an interview this week, a government minister confirmed that the Winter Fuel Payment would not be given to "millionaire" pensioners and would onyl go to those who "that need it the most". Last week, Sir Keir Starmer signalled a potential U-turn on the controversial policy to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment. During PMQ's, the Prime Minister told the Commons that the government wanted to ensure that more pensioners would be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment going forward. Keir Starmer said the decision on this, however, was "as part of a fiscal event" so any changes would only come after a Spending Review. He told the Commons: "I recognise people are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis including pensioners, and as the economy improves we want to make sure people feel those improvements as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments. As you would expect we will only make sure we make decisions we can afford." The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payment is worth £300 and is paid to pensioner households between October and March. The aim of the money is to help with the extra costs of heating the home over the winter months. Speaking to Sky News on Thursday evening, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones was asked about Reform UK's commitments on fully reinstating the Winter Fuel Payment. He said: "All of those things cost money. It's right that we set out the detail and how we're going to pay for those in a proper and orderly way.' "We're sticking to the principle that millionaires shouldn't be getting subsidy for their energy bills from the government, so Winter Fuel Payments will still be targeted to those that need it the most.' It is believed that the Government is considering a rethink of the £11,500 cut-off for the allowance, which would allow more people to get the money. Last year, the Labour government means-tested the Winter Fuel Payment. This meant that only certain pensioners over the age of 66 would receive the money, rather than all pensioners. The move saw over nine million pensioners in the UK lose the extra cash last winter. Labour faced severe backlash at the time, which has continued to follow them. Legal challenges have been raised against the government for the move, with charities warning that it would push more older Brits into poverty. Research conducted by Unite Union found that over two-thirds of its retired members had to turn their heating down last winter, a third were taking fewer baths or showers, and 16% had to cut back on hot meals due to the increased costs of trying to stay warm. The axing of the benefit was also linked to the rise in Reform Councillors in the recent elections.
New Statesman
a day ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Kemi Badenoch is in a hole – and she keeps digging
Photo byLabour MPs have a lot to be depressed about. The euphoria as more than 400 of them swept into parliament in July dissipated at a speed as historic as their election win. Not only has the party dropped into the polls to levels of public support not seen since before the 2019 election, but MPs who entered parliament full of ideals and optimism have had to stomach an endless string of policy announcements – from scrapping the winter fuel allowance to disability benefit cuts to the tightening of migration rules – that feel fundamentally at odds with what they went into politics to achieve. (These two things, one Labour MP wryly suggested, might in fact be connected.) But there is one thing that keeping Labour spirits from collapsing entirely. And that is the Leader of the Opposition. 'She cheers us up every week,' one Labour MP said of Kemi Badenoch's sparring matches against Keir Starmer at PMQs. Another pointed out how visibly more relaxed the Prime Minister seems in his weekly Commons performances, loosening up enough to tell jokes that actually land and at times looking like he even enjoys the experience. The list of frustrations Conservative MPs have with their leader is growing – but right at the top are her efforts at PMQs. Badenoch frequently chooses to ignore the headline issue of the day to focus either on pet projects inspired by the right-wing Twittersphere (the details of which sometimes come back to haunt her), or on areas where justifiable criticism of Labour opens her up to counter-attacks about the Tories' own record. She seems incapable of taking advantage of moments where Starmer is obviously under pressure from his own MPs, and – as last week's reaction (or lack thereof) to the announcement of a U-turn on winter fuel cuts showed – has an uncanny ability to miss open goals. Tories – even those critical to Badenoch – are quick to point out the impossibility of her situation, attempting to rebuild a party from the ashes when there is an insurgent challenger on the right consuming all the airtime. There is general consensus that no one in that position would be doing well at this stage in a parliament, and that the party needs time to recover. But at the same time, Badenoch is making a bad situation worse – from interviews where the main takeaway is that she hates sandwiches to the recent row over use of a private car and driver as when she was trade secretary. (The fact Badenoch is reported to once again be unhappy about the car arrangements provided to her as opposition leader is, one Tory source despaired, an unforced error of 'galactic proportions'.) Overall, the mood is one of dismay that, the 'box office' firebrand who was meant to terrify Starmer has proved such a disappointment. Labour figures, however, had a very different perception of Badenoch before she became leader. Contrary to what was breathlessly written in Telegraph columns, the candidate they really feared was James Cleverly, who was considered 'the most dangerous opponent' for a variety of reasons: his likeability within the party and ability to unite the Tories and boost morale after a defeat; his skill at media; and his pitch to bring the Conservatives towards the centre ground, rather than chasing Reform. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe One Labour MP recalls a 'palpable sense of elation' in the Commons tearoom when the shock announcement came that Cleverly had been knocked out of the contest (thanks to a vote-swapping debacle), leaving Badenoch to face Robert Jenrick in a head-to-head of Conservative members. The relief was felt among both Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs that the biggest threat to them had been eliminated. Jenrick is viewed as the de facto successor if Badenoch is ousted – a point Starmer made at PMQs recently by congratulating those who had run the London marathon and joking that the shadow justice secretary was 'still running'. Labour MPs have mixed views of Jenrick's chances of reviving the official opposition. One suggested he might be a bit 'slicker' on TV, and Jenrick's work ethic was mentioned (he's been all over the country since the election, doing hundreds of events with Conservative groups while Badenoch's reputation for being 'lazy' is only growing). But no one thought this would be enough to solve the Tories' problems. That's in part because the biggest problem for the Conservatives is Reform – and another leader attempting to be 'Farage-lite' will do nothing to neutralise that threat. And it's a threat, of course, that applies to Labour too. Labour MPs began noticing the shift in Starmer's attitude even before the Prime Minister said he considered Reform to be the government's main opposition. Planted questions at PMQs have enabled Starmer to take aim at Farage, on issues ranging from workers' rights to green jobs, and he rarely misses an opportunity to connect Reform to the economic calamity of Liz Truss. The Prime Minister gave an entire speech on that subject on Thursday, accusing Farage of 'the same fantasy' as Truss after the Reform leader announced a slate of policies earlier in the week that would add tens of billions to government spending. Farage, Starmer argued, was 'Truss 2.0'. The Lib Dems have gone for the even catchier line 'Trussonomics on steroids'. Where does all this leave Badenoch? As effectively irrelevant, I was told by a Labour source – which could be both a blessing and a curse. 'We're torn between wanting her to stay because of how bad she is, and hoping the Conservatives improve because that might put some pressure on Reform.' It's unclear what form such improvement could take. It's hard to see who on the opposition benches could be a leader who takes the Tories back into government (the names being floated – by both Labour and Tory figures – have only been in parliament a matter of months). There was doubt among Labour MPs that Cleverly would ever make it in a vote among the Tory membership (speculation that might not be accurate, I was told by a Reform source, who wondered whether the exodus of Conservative members to Nigel Farage's party might have changed the membership so radically Cleverly would have a much better chance now than in October). The suggestion of a Boris Johnson comeback was greeted with laughter ('Good luck to him'). But even with the lack of options, Labour figures said they expected the Tories to get frustrated and find a way to oust Badenoch, if not by the end of the year then around the time of next May's local elections. However bad the polls are for Labour, they are worse for the Conservatives, one MP pointed out, flagging the 'extinction-level' poll that put the Tories in fourth place. 'Kemi is getting nowhere.' [See also: Inside the Conservative Party's existential spiral] Related
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Police could destroy anti-social e-scooters within 48 hours
The UK Government has proposed stronger powers to seize and destroy vehicles used in anti-social driving. Currently, police have to wait 14 days before they can dispose of a vehicle, which makes it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and continue offending. The new measures will allow police to fast-track the disposal of vehicles, and give them stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour without issuing a warning. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools, said: "These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. "Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence." The news comes as Wales is set to benefit from over 150 new neighbourhood police officers by April 2026, with every neighbourhood having named, contactable officers from July next year. The four police forces in Wales will receive additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs within the next 12 months. Jessica Morden, Member of Parliament for Newport East, said: "I know today's measures will be welcome news for Wales and my constituents in Newport East, who regularly share their thoughts on the use of e-scooters with me – often a source of great anxiety in the city." "I introduced the E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill to the Commons in November last year, making the case that our legislation on the vehicles lags behind other countries, so today is a great step forward in ensuring legislation across the UK is keeping up."
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Second Lib Dem MP withdraws support for England and Wales assisted dying bill
A second Liberal Democrat MP has said they have changed their mind over the assisted dying bill and will vote against it at the next Commons stage, in another sign of a wider, if so far slight, ebbing away of support for the measure. In an email to constituents, Brian Mathew, the Melksham and Devizes MP, said that while he had backed the bill at its second reading vote, in April, scrutiny of the plans had left 'several concerns I feel have been inadequately answered'. His announcement follows comments last week by Steve Darling, the Torbay MP who is also the Lib Democrat work and pensions spokesperson. Darling said that while he had backed the bill in April he was now 'marginally against' it, but had not yet decided whether he would vote against it or abstain. About eight other MPs who either supported the private member's bill, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, at its second reading or did not vote have said they will now oppose it. However, at least two who abstained in April are now supporters, while the Runcorn and Helsby byelection earlier in May resulted in a Labour MP who opposed the plan replaced by a Reform UK one who backs it. Given the second reading of the bill was passed with a majority of 55, the numbers thus far indicate it should also get through the third reading, scheduled for 20 June. A week before, on 13 June, MPs will debate amendments to the bill for a second day. The first day of debates on amendments drawn up during a lengthy committee stage resulted in some changes being agreed, including an opt-out for all healthcare workers from being involved in assisted dying, extending the exemption from just doctors. That debate also featured angry complaints from some MPs opposed to assisted dying after the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen argued many in their camp were fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views. In his message to constituents, Mathew said he had heard 'eloquent and challenging viewpoints' from all sides, and he changed his stance over the bill following the recent weeks of debates. 'I share the concerns of many constituents that individuals facing terminal illness will take the decision based on concerns that they have become a burden upon their family,' he wrote. 'This is a serious concern for me; I worry that in someone's final days, this question will loom heavy when it does not need to.' This was all the more the case, Mathew said, when the palliative care system as it stood was so bad. Speaking ahead of the first day of debates about amendments, Leadbeater warned that if MPs voted down her bill at third reading then 'the conversation ends' on the subject, with dreadful consequences for many terminally ill people. She dismissed the idea that if the bill was defeated, the subject could return as government legislation or a royal commission, noting the long gap between the last time assisted dying was debated in the Commons, in 2015, and her efforts. 'What worries me is, if the bill doesn't pass, the conversation ends, and that would be really dreadful for so many people, for so many reasons,' she said.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
PM's constituency lit up with messages over DWP cuts - 'Tax super rich instead'
One of the messages on the clocktower at St Pancras Station in Keir Starmer's constituency said 'Tax The Super Rich Instead' while another added 'Being Sick Or Disabled Isn't A Choice' Campaigners against planned disability cuts have projected messages on a key landmark in Keir Starmer's London constituency. One of them on the clocktower at St Pancras Station said "Tax The Super Rich Instead" while another added "Being Sick Or Disabled Isn't A Choice". The campaign group 38 Degrees, who organised the stunt on Wednesday evening, said it was sending the Prime Minister a message he cannot ignore. It comes after the government unveiled around £5billion in cuts to disability benefits in March - largely by restricting eligibility to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Charities have expressed alarm at the changes which could lose to hundreds of thousands of people losing eligibility to the key disability benefit. CEO of the campaign group 38 Degrees, Matthew McGregor, described the cuts as "heartless" and said sick and disabled people across the country "are terrified". "None of us know when we might need a safety net, so it's no wonder that hundreds of thousands of people have spoken out against these plans, and thousands more have chipped in to bring a message to Holborn and St Pancras that Keir Starmer can't ignore: stop these cruel cuts, protect the sick and vulnerable, and tax the super rich instead," he said. The PM is also facing the biggest revolt of his premiership so far when the reforms to PIP are voted on in the Commons in June. Over 100 Labour MPs have written to the Chief Whip saying they cannot support the measures and have urged the government to pause. They have expressed concern over an official government analysis suggesting the reforms could result in extra 250,000 - including 50,000 kids - falling into poverty. And just last week the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee - led by the senior Labour MP Debbie Abrahams - also wrote to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall urging her to delay the reforms. They said MPs are being asked to vote on the changes "without the benefit of a full impact assessment" and costing from the economic watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility. But speaking to The Mirror, Ms Kendall said: "I understand people's concern and I understand people are anxious. But we are consulting with disabled people and the organisations that represent them on our PIP review, to look at the assessment process. I believe the task of helping people who can work, get work, is urgent." She added: "I am listening. I have great respect for Debbie Abrahams and members of the Committee. I am talking in detail with MPs... we want to get this right. I think the task of overhauling the system that has written off and denied people support for too long - there has been failure of the last government to deal with these problems - and I want to make a start."
