Latest news with #Labour
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Badenoch attacks Starmer and Farage over welfare
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of indulging in "fantasy economics" over their approaches to welfare policies. Writing in the Daily Mail, Badenoch says both leaders believe in getting struggling taxpayers to "fund unlimited child support for others". Her commentary comes after the Labour government indicated that it was looking at the possibility of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Farage said earlier this week that his party would also get rid of the policy and back more generous tax breaks for married people. Badenoch added the country could not "afford their fantasy economics" and that Britain deserved leaders who did not "treat economics like a branch of showbiz". "This week we have seen Labour and Reform in a race to the bottom to scrap the two-child benefit cap," she wrote. "Starmer and Farage now believe in getting taxpayers - many of whom are struggling to raise their own children or choosing not to have them in the first place - to fund unlimited child support for others." The Conservatives have said the policy - which they introduced - of limiting means-tested benefits to just two children in most families should not be scrapped. Reform UK have pledged to remove the cap if they win power, but have not detailed how they would fund the billions it, and all their other pledges, would cost. In a speech this week, Farage said he wanted to lift the cap "not because we support a benefits culture" but because it would ease the burden on lower-paid workers. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the government is looking at scrapping the two-child benefit cap but warned it would "cost a lot of money". Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show last week, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner refused to confirm whether the government would remove the policy. Pressure has also grown from Labour backbenchers over the issue since the party's poor performance at the local elections earlier this year. Badenoch's attack comes after Farage said this week the Conservatives had become an "irrelevance". For his part, Sir Keir said the Conservatives had "run out of road", were in "decline" and "sliding into the abyss". Badenoch argued her party was now "the only major political party to take a serious look at the welfare state". First minister calls for end to two-child benefit cap Rayner refuses to confirm if two-child benefit cap will be abolished
The Herald Scotland
42 minutes ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish food and drink exports six times England per head
English exports of food and drink totalled £12.1 billion, which is equivalent to £212 per person. While highlighting the strength of Scottish food and drink exports, the SNP claimed Brexit and Labour's trade policy had thrown up 'unnecessary barriers' and were stopping the sector from achieving its full potential. Read more Scottish firms exported food and drink to a total of 107 countries in 2024, the research shows. Scotch whisky exports account for a large part of the nation's overseas sales of food and drink. The SNP, declaring the per head of population comparison showed 'Scotland's world-leading position in quality and reputation', said: 'The figures highlight the huge international demand for Scottish produce, from our world-famous whisky and seafood to meat and dairy.' However, it added that 'decisions made by successive UK governments - including Brexit and Labour's trade policy - are placing unnecessary barriers in front of this success and preventing the industry from reaching its full potential'. SNP MSP Emma Harper said: 'These figures are a huge credit to Scotland's food and drink producers, who continue to punch well above their weight internationally. 'Our whisky, seafood, meat and dairy products are world famous and clearly still in high demand around the globe.' She added: 'Instead of being held back by Westminster's Brexit blunders and one-size-fits-all trade deals, an independent Scotland could negotiate on our own terms, rejoin the EU single market, and support our exporters directly. 'Scotland's food and drink sector is thriving despite the barriers put in its way. With independence, we could remove those barriers and truly unleash our global potential.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Angela Rayner accuses Reform of 'politics of hatred' as she insists Labour can win bitter Holyrood by-election
EXCLUSIVE: The Deputy Prime Minister launched an attack on Reform and dismissed claims the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election is a two-horse race between the SNP and Nigel Farage's right wing party. Angela Rayner has accused Nigel Farage 's Reform of the 'politics of hatred' as she insisted Labour will win a bitter Holyrood by-election. Labour's deputy prime minister accused Reform of running a 'disgusting' campaign and blasted critics of party candidate Davy Russell as 'classist'. Rayner, who left school at 16 after becoming pregnant, compared criticism of him to the snobs who mocked her when she entered Parliament: 'People underestimated me. People are underestimating Davy.' Voters will elect a new MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on June 5th after one of the ugliest campaigns in living memory. The contest has been dominated by a Reform UK advert which claimed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will 'prioritise' Pakistani communities. First Minister John Swinney even declared this week that the by-election is now a two horse race between the SNP and Reform after writing off Labour. In an interview with the Record, Rayner said of the Swinney claim: 'I think that's rubbish. I think we are really close here and it's only Labour that can win this seat.' 'I have been out on the doors. [People] are incredibly enthusiastic.' She said of the Reform ad that Sarwar said was 'blatantly' racist: 'I find it disgusting but I think the Scottish people will make that decision as well and I think they will reject it because that's not the way we are in Scotland. That's certainly not been my experience. 'People pull together in times of difficulties and we don't have nastiness and vileness in that way. That's not the way to run a campaign and it's certainly not the way to win in Scotland.' Rayner, who is to the Left of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said of Reform's politics: 'It's politics of hatred. They try and latch on to people's fears and then try and make people feel like there is a simple solution. There isn't a simple solution to some of the problems we face.' She also pointed out that Reform 's by-election hopeful, Ross Lambie, used to be a Tory: 'The Reform candidate here is a Tory but with a different rosette.' Rayner dismissed Farage, tipped to become the next Prime Minister, as a 'snake oil salesman' and added: 'We have got a person that will say anything to hope they can get into power.' She contrasted Labour trying to sort out the country's problems with claims Reform have made uncontested promises worth billions of pounds: ' Reform want to divide the country. Their economic policy is pretty much Liz Truss policy, which will blow the economy. 'We have started to see some of the benefits. Four interest rate cuts already since Labour took power. We gave a record amount of funding to Scotland.' 'I say to people - stick with Labour. We want to tackle child poverty. We want to improve people's lives. We are doing that through our employment rights bill and we want to deliver for the people of Scotland and the only way to do that is to vote for Labour.' The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government also defended Russell over criticism he has been hiding from the media amid fears he will perform poorly. Critics have accused him of being a 'donkey' who cannot 'string a handful of words together'. Rayner, who grew up in a family on benefits, hit back: 'It's absolutely classist. People under-estimated me and look at what I am delivering. We are already making reforms to housing. We are already bringing our employment rights bill forward.' 'He's a hard grafter and he doesn't deserve to be treated in that way, in a classist way, but I am sure he is going to prove them all wrong.' 'It's just a very outdated view of people from a working class background. I come from a working class background. People work really hard and they over-compensate sometimes for feeling like they are not as good as someone who possibly went to a private school. 'Working class people under promise and over deliver and I'm pretty certain that's where Davy 's going to be.' She also appeared to confirm speculation Labour is considering scrapping the two child benefit cap. 'Any measure that we can provide to bring down child poverty, we will do it,' she said, before adding that the move is not a ' silver bullet '. She promised Record readers the Labour Government will take child poverty as seriously as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown: 'That is the mission of the Labour Government. That is our values. That's what got me into the Labour party in the first place. I will not be the deputy prime minister that doesn't tackle child poverty.' Thomas Kerr, speaking on behalf of Reform said: "We're glad that Angela Rayner's chauffeur has managed to punch Hamilton into Google Maps, just a shame her visit was a disaster from start to finish." "These repeated attacks on Reform UK are nothing more than a deflection tactics from a Labour Party that is having a disastrous campaign. The candidate is in hiding, the Deputy Prime Minister was heckled away, Anas Sarwar can't remember his candidates name and their polling has fallen through the floor." "Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have a choice next week - chaos with SNP and Labour or a fresh start with Reform UK." An SNP Spokesperson said: "It's unclear how the Deputy Prime Minister draws her mistaken conclusion based on a five minute trip to Hamilton. 'And taking her lead from their invisible candidate, she did all she could to avoid speaking to the media altogether. "It's been very obvious for some time that the Labour Party has all but given up in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. "The Labour Party is all over the place and even they know this by-election is now a two horse race between the SNP and Reform. Only the SNP can stop Farage on 5th June."
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to Editor: hospital, Winston Peters and job satisfaction
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including the new hospital, Winston Peters and getting people into jobs they love. I sympathise but turn your eyes to the north While I certainly sympathise with Dr Mac Gardner's frustration at the current government's total lack of progress on the new Dunedin hospital build (ODT 28.5.25), I do take issue with his suggestion that all the previous government contributed is a 'field of piles'. I would invite Dr Gardner to stand on the footpath adjacent to said piles and gaze northward. There he will see the finishing touches being put on the new hospital inpatient building - a testament to Labour's commitment, and always planned as stage 1 of the overall hospital campus development. The 'field of piles' on the other had, is both a factual and metaphorical testament to 18 months of the current government's complete (and costly) inaction. Max Reid Mornington Exhibit leadership Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has, in his capacity as deputy prime minister, just days to exhibit leadership and convince his coalition colleagues to take a stronger and principled approach to the Gaza-Israel war. Having signed the 23-nation letter condemning the refusal of Israel to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza while over 14,000 babies and children face imminent death from starvation, New Zealand must continue to step forward and apply boycotts, sanctions and divest from Israeli companies. The genocide in Gaza is being televised. We are all witnesses. Our government must not continue to contract out of humanity and speak with a muffled voice. Gina Browne Caversham What to do Re Gaza, I have come to realise that I no longer know what to do with my outrage. Pete Hodgson Dunedin Extraordinary amounts Re the Otago Daily Times article on Winston Peters (21.5.25). I was disappointed that Mike Houlahan's piece failed to address Winston Peters' association with fringe groups and the anti-vaccination movement. Furthermore, there was no mention of his adoption of a divisive, Trumpian-style of politics. It seems Mr Peters is highly skilled at adapting his political stance to maintain relevance and garner votes. On a lighter note, I couldn't help but notice the similarity in colour between apple juice, reportedly his preferred drink on long flights, and whisky. Ann James Abbotsford Application pending In relation to Winston Peters' recent difference of opinion with an individual in Wellington, you quote employment law specialist Jennifer Mills asserting that a sacking offence had occurred. As a former union delegate for 20 years I would suggest that she remember the saying that ''it is better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.'' She has done the employer no favours by prejudging the situation, thus making it impossible for that employer to conduct the unbiased investigation to which the employee is absolutely entitled. As advocate for him I would challenge any claim from the company that it was not influenced by her unsolicited comments and this would permanently taint its case should it choose to act on her advice. I feel an application to the Employment Tribunal coming on. Barry Salter Invercargill Life in the Soviet republic of New Zealand A sanction is the penalty for disobeying a law or rule. When we hear that word, we naturally think about the sanctions that are placed on Russia right now. Well, Russia, and New Zealanders on a government benefit. The obligations of a job seeker is that you are expected to work at least 30 hours a week, but say yes to any job of any number of hours anyway. You have to go to job interviews for jobs that Winz told you to go to, seminars about how to get a job and then update Winz as reasonably as they require, about your progress. You may also be told to do volunteer work or work experience. You also must make sure you do not neglect to care for your children while you are working or volunteering. You must meet all of these obligations, despite the 5.1% unemployment rate which is now up at the Covid 2020 levels. But if you do decide to not meet these obligations, we will put half of your money to make ends meet on to a payment card. The card will likely show anyone who sees it, your name, and the title of being someone who has been sanctioned. You know, like Russia. When you see someone with one of these cards, don't look directly at them, they're clearly the bottom of society's barrel. Alternatively, we could treat everyone like valued human beings and pursue opportunities to not only help people into a job but a job they love and are passionate about. Vickie Cross Mosgiel Train please Would you please do one good deed for us Southeners? We need our train service reinstated. It is so missed, and so much more comfortable for us of a good age. And will clear the crowded roads, which is a real bonus. Pauline Watts Forbury Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
KEMI BADENOCH: This country deserves a leader who doesn't treat economics like showbiz
Labour promised voters 'change' – but still don't know how they'll pay for it. Now Nigel Farage is trying the same trick. In their first ten months, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have hiked taxes on jobs, farms and family businesses, and snatched winter fuel support from vulnerable pensioners. All this despite promising not to raise taxes on working people. And guess what? It's not working. Every Labour government has left unemployment higher than when it took office. Sure enough, unemployment is up 10 per cent since last July and inflation is steadily rising. Starmer made big promises that he couldn't deliver, now we're all paying the price. This week, Reform's leader is pledging tax breaks and welfare giveaways like it's Christmas, but his sums aren't adding up. Jeremy Corbyn 's 'magic money tree' is back, and this time it has a Reform UK sticker on it. It's easy in opposition to promise voters everything they want, and provide only vague ideas as to how to pay for it. Keir Starmer did it and is getting found out. Now Nigel Farage is doing it. I won't. I won't make empty promises to chase popularity. Our most successful leader – Lady Thatcher – once said: 'The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.' After years of economic shocks – Covid, war, inflation – Britain can't afford the fantasy economics of Starmer and Farage. We need a proper plan for economic growth, underpinned by our principles. A plan built around robust private enterprise – because Conservatives understand that it's not government that creates growth, it's business. Conservatives believe in lower taxes – not just as a slogan, but as a moral choice. We get that your money belongs to you, and every penny the Government takes should be justified. We believe that a smaller, smarter state allows individuals and communities to flourish. Working families have been hit hard by the cost of living. We risk making the current environment of low-pay and precarious work permanent, unless we find a sustainable way to allow private enterprise and jobs to flourish. People who have put in the hard graft to support their families should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Working from January to June just to pay the Government is not an acceptable situation. Conservatives reject the mindset that taking money from a population and giving it back to them is generous, while letting them keep it in the first place is selfish. With an ageing population, the tax burden is just going to keep increasing. Only by taking some difficult decisions, while making the case for why lower taxes and less spending are necessary, can we hope to live in a Britain where society is bigger, and government smaller. I saw how previous Conservative governments lost sight of these principles and learned a hard lesson about trying to have our cake and eat it. It's why I am also clear that under my leadership, if the Conservatives are to keep taxes low, we must cut waste and end the inherent unfairness where some work ever harder for smaller rewards – to pay for others' benefits. We're now the only major political party prepared to take a serious look at the welfare state. Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, and welfare as a safety net rather than as a way of life. This week we have seen Labour and Reform in a race to the bottom to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Apparently, Starmer and Farage now believe in getting taxpayers – many of whom are struggling to raise their own children or choosing not to have them in the first place – to fund unlimited child support for others. That's not fair, it's not sustainable and it's not even compassionate. Welfare traps people, builds dependency and it drives up costs for everyone. While Labour and Reform are content to make promises they can't keep, I won't. The Conservatives are going to be the party of sound money and fiscal responsibility once again. Keir Starmer can't tell you what he stands for. Nigel Farage can't tell you how he'll pay for anything. I can tell you this: I believe in lower taxes, personal responsibility – and a leaner, better-run state. Britain deserves party leaders who don't treat economics like a branch of showbiz, an announcement for a nice headline and forget about the deficit. The Conservatives are now the only party of sound money. It's not an easy position to hold in the age of instant gratification, but it's the right one if we want our children to inherit anything except our debts.
