Latest news with #DowningStreet
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells cabinet to prepare for more unrest
The British Prime Minister told his cabinet to prepare for many more fiery protests over migrant crime in English towns, if "social cohesion" isn't mended. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned his cabinet that more anti-illegal migration protests lie ahead if social cohesion isn't mended, as his government struggles with an influx of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel. Mr Starmer is reported to have said to his ministers that more protest will follow if the government does not deliver on its promise to cut immigration and stop illegal boat crossings in the English Channel. Meanwhile, Downing Street's executive director of policy and delivery Liz Lloyd warned that social cohesion was "fraying at the edges." It comes after a series of protests against migrant hotels - recently in the Essex town of Epping in the southeast of England, and in the Norfolk town of Diss in the east of England. Speaking on GB News, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said there was a risk of a summer of civil disobedience on a grand scale. — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 22, 2025 "Don't underestimate the simmering anger and disgust there is in this country," he warned, highlighting weekly arrivals of "many hundreds of undocumented young males". Mr Farage also said most people attending the anti-immigration protests are concerned families who are worried about social cohesion. "Do I understand how people in Epping feel? You bet your life I do." In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner - who is also the UK housing minister - said immigration and deprivation was fraying social cohesion. Presenting the UK's Plan for Neighbourhoods, Ms Rayner said 17 of 18 neighbourhoods that experienced rioting last year were among the most deprived in England. "While Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish," she warned. She said it was 'incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people's lives and their communities.' Opinion polling in the UK suggests that if a general election was held today Reform UK would most likely be the largest party, with the governing Labour party - which swept to power after 14 years of Conservative governments - reduced to the opposition.
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Epping is a warning to complacent Britain
While Britain's ship of state drifts serenely towards the rocks, the captain and crew are arguing about the precise order of the deckchairs. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman have both said that the Government must address 'concerns' over migration, without specifying how. Away from Downing Street, the mood is febrile. Protests outside asylum hotels by locals furious at the sudden imposition of large numbers of young men in their towns have been exploited by far-Right agitators, leading to clashes with the police. The observation from one MP that the country is a 'tinderbox' seems close to the mark. Yet beyond a vague sense that something isn't quite right, the Government carries on as normal. Ms Rayner is continuing her project on social cohesion; the people smugglers continue their trade across the Channel; borrowing continues to rise as the population shoulders the burden of the new arrivals. There is no sense of urgency, and no sense of a plan ready to be put into action. Nor is there any real willingness to discuss the precise issues in question. Ms Rayner's comments still appeared to focus on economic insecurity as a primary factor in explaining dissatisfaction, instead of finding solutions to the primary issue of uncontrolled immigration. There is an echo of the political correctness that silenced conversation in the towns where grooming gangs operated. Nor does there seem to be much prospect of imminent change. The potential fiasco of a Tommy Robinson-led demonstration in Epping may well grab headlines should it come to pass, and indeed may be welcomed by those desperate to pretend that the only issues are those created by troublemakers; it will do nothing to address local unease at the changes imposed on the area. Nor will it do so in places experiencing similar shifts. The decision to disperse asylum seekers into hotels around the country remains a baffling one, and it is almost certain that a detention estate separate from the general population would see far fewer potential flashpoints for unrest. So, too, is the unwillingness to slap down judges undermining our borders, or to speak frankly about the long-term costs of our asylum policy. Instead, the ship drifts. There is no indication that anyone in Government has any plan for regaining control over our borders or addressing the concerns of the population. And there is no indication, either, that one is on the way.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Immigration and deprivation reasons UK public losing faith in politicians, says Rayner
Immigration and deprivation are the key factors causing public disenchantment with politicians and the government that has led to social unrest and rioting, Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, has warned. According to an official summary of Tuesday's meeting of the cabinet, Rayner, who is leading a wider government project on improving social cohesion, also highlighted the increasing amount of people spending time alone and online as a driver of disturbances. Asked if Rayner specifically saw increased migration as a particular reason for both the riots which took place across England last summer and recent disturbances at hotels which house asylum seekers, Downing Street said it was among 'concerns that people have about whether government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests'. Ministers are concerned about a potential renewed wave of migration and race-based disturbances, as the anniversary approaches of the murder of three children at a dance class in Southport that led to riots last summer, with many encouraged by false far-right claims about the attack. Rayner told ministerial colleagues that 'economic insecurity, the rapid pace of de-industrialisation, immigration and the impacts on local communities and public services, technological change and the amount of time people were spending alone online, and declining trust in institutions was having a profound impact on society', according to a No 10 readout of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning. Emphasising the role of deprivation and poverty, Rayner said 17 of the 18 places around England which had the worst trouble last summer were among the country's most-deprived areas. 'While Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish,' Rayner added. Asked about the role of immigration, Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said 'high levels of immigration over the last 10 years, including illegal immigration' was among a series of factors, including the cost of living and the pace of technological change that 'have had an impact on our social fabric and social cohesion'. Questioned about Rayner's comments on people spending more time online and alone, the spokesperson said adults now averaged four hours of online time a day, 'and that has changed the way in which people interact with other people'. While Rayner's project on social cohesion is aimed at the longer term, with no date set as to when it will present any conclusions, ministers are very mindful of the more immediate worry of a repeat of last summer's disorder, after which there were more than 1,800 arrests and nearly 1,100 charges, with hundreds of people jailed. One potential flashpoint could be an asylum hotel in Epping, Essex, which has been the target for a series of protests in recent days, and where police were attacked. The far-right agitator Tommy Robinson has promised on social media to bring 'thousands' of people to join a mass protest at the hotel on Sunday. Similar demonstrations have also taken place at a hotel in Diss, Norfolk. There is an additional political impetus for ministers to take seriously the possibility of wider disorder given the likelihood it would be exploited by Nigel Farage, who used a speech about crime on Monday to say much of the UK was experiencing 'nothing short of societal collapse'. He told an event: 'I don't think anybody in London can understand just how close we are to civil disobedience on a vast scale in this country.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
No plans for England tourism tax, No 10 insists, after claims Rayner backed one
There are 'no plans' to introduce a tourism tax in England, Downing Street said, amid claims that Angela Rayner's efforts to bring one in were rebuffed by the Treasury. The Deputy Prime Minister has been pushing for councils to be allowed to introduce a tax on tourism in their areas as part of the Government's devolution agenda, according to several media reports. Rachel Reeves, however, is said to have blocked the move for fear it would reduce revenues for businesses struggling with higher national insurance contributions and a rise in the minimum wage already brought in by the Government. The Prime Minister's official spokesman would not be drawn into saying whether there were plans for such a tax. 'We have previously said there's no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England,' the spokesman said. He added: 'Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector, using the accommodation Business Improvement District model. 'Tourism obviously plays an important role in the UK's economy. Inbound tourism is the UK's third largest service export. 'The UK is the seventh most-visited country in the world, and we're committed to continuing to support the sector.' Pressed again whether a tourism tax had been shelved after an intervention from the Treasury, the spokesman said: 'Well, there's no plans to introduce it.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier sidestepped a question about Ms Rayner's call for a tourist tax. Asked for her response, Ms Reeves said she had made decisions on tax in last year's 'once-in-a-generation budget' which was intended to 'fix the mess' left by the Conservatives. She added: 'We'll have another budget later this year, and I'll be setting out our tax policy there.' A similar levy already exists in Scotland, and the Welsh Government is also in the process of introducing a tourism tax. Tourists staying in countries across Europe are required to pay local taxes aimed at offsetting the impact of large numbers of visitors.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
No plans for England tourism tax, No 10 insists, after claims Rayner backed one
There are 'no plans' to introduce a tourism tax in England, Downing Street said, amid claims that Angela Rayner's efforts to bring one in were rebuffed by the Treasury. The Deputy Prime Minister has been pushing for councils to be allowed to introduce a tax on tourism in their areas as part of the Government's devolution agenda, according to several media reports. Rachel Reeves, however, is said to have blocked the move for fear it would reduce revenues for businesses struggling with higher national insurance contributions and a rise in the minimum wage already brought in by the Government. The Prime Minister's official spokesman would not be drawn into saying whether there were plans for such a tax. 'We have previously said there's no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England,' the spokesman said. He added: 'Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector, using the accommodation Business Improvement District model. 'Tourism obviously plays an important role in the UK's economy. Inbound tourism is the UK's third largest service export. 'The UK is the seventh most-visited country in the world, and we're committed to continuing to support the sector.' Pressed again whether a tourism tax had been shelved after an intervention from the Treasury, the spokesman said: 'Well, there's no plans to introduce it.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier sidestepped a question about Ms Rayner's call for a tourist tax. Asked for her response, Ms Reeves said she had made decisions on tax in last year's 'once-in-a-generation budget' which was intended to 'fix the mess' left by the Conservatives. She added: 'We'll have another budget later this year, and I'll be setting out our tax policy there.' A similar levy already exists in Scotland, and the Welsh Government is also in the process of introducing a tourism tax. Tourists staying in countries across Europe are required to pay local taxes aimed at offsetting the impact of large numbers of visitors.
