Latest news with #Minister's
ITV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Farage pledges to scrap two-child benefit cap and reverse winter fuel cut in pitch to Labour voters
Nigel Farage has pledged to reverse the winter fuel cut and scrap the two child benefit cap, as he tries to position Reform UK as the main opposition to Labour. The Reform UK leader accused Sir Keir Starmer of "betrayal" in a major speech on Tuesday, declaring "this prime minister has no connection with working people". Flanked by council leaders, mayors and Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin, Farage said "lifting the two child cap is the right thing to do", and "we would reverse the taking away of the winter fuel allowance". In the speech he also promised tax breaks for married couples to encourage them to have bigger families, telling the audience in London "we've lost our sense of focus of just how important family is". Reform had huge success in the recent local elections, winning the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, taking control of six councils and winning two major mayoral contests. Labour defended Starmer the son of a toolmaker, against the privately-educated 'stockbroker and career politician'. Farage dubbed the PM a "globalist" who "bows down to the concept of international law", criticising his deal with the EU announced last week and his deal with the Chagos Islands. After coming under increasing pressure to change course on a number of controversial policies in recent weeks, last week the prime minister announced a partial U-turn on winter fuel. Starmer told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday his government wants "to ensure more pensioners are eligible" for winter fuel payments. There had been suggestions the government would raise the threshold at which people are no longer eligible for the payments, but reports now indicate the Treasury is considering restoring the allowance to all but the very richest pensioners. The Observer newspaper also reported on Sunday that the PM wants to scrap the two-child benefit cap and has ordered the Treasury to find money to fund it. The announcement is expected to be made as part of the government's child poverty strategy which is due to be published in the Autumn. While Reform UK's new plans announced today are aimed at targeting Labour voters, many of their other policies are much more right-wing. They have pledged to scrap inheritance tax for estates under £2 million, and said they will "re-examine" the NHS funding model. Their election manifesto also promised to raise the minimum income tax threshold to £20,000 a year, scrap the net zero target, put tax breaks on private school fees, and leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Farage accepted his plans "are expensive", but insisted "we can pay for it". He said his party is "going to make big savings", by "scrap[ping] the DEI agenda", closing all asylum hotels, and getting rid of the net zero target. The Reform leader was also asked about a campaign video labelled "racist" by Labour and the SNP. Reform have come under fire over the Facebook video which claims the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar leader will 'prioritise' the Pakistani community in Scotland. Playing the video to journalists at the press conference, Farage accused Sarwar of "introduc[ing] sectarianism into Scottish politics". Responding to the speech, Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves said: 'Nigel Farage, a private-educated stockbroker and career politician, has only ever cared about his own self-interest and personal ambition, never about what is good for working people in this country. 'Farage wants to abolish the NHS, praised Liz Truss' disastrous mini-budget, opposed Labour's landmark employment reforms and said Jaguar Land Rover, a huge employer, deserves to go bust. 'His Reform manifesto included billions of pounds worth of unfunded spending pledges but did not commit to the triple lock. Farage must urgently clarify whether he will cut the state pension to pay for his reckless tax cuts."
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Swinney to visit Busby school targeted in 'sectarian' attacks
First Minister John Swinney has offered to visit a primary school after it was targeted in a number of sectarian Joseph's Primary School in Busby, East Renfrewshire, was sprayed with offensive and discriminatory graffiti and there were two fires in children's play have confirmed that they are investigating a number of incidents and have urged anyone with information to contact attacks were raised at First Minister's Questions by Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, who said the school community had been left "stupefied and distressed". Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Carlaw said he had been "appalled" by "an unprecedented series of sectarian attacks" targeting the school which is in his Eastwood constituency."The buildings were sprayed with offensive and sectarian discriminatory graffiti and the outdoor play area was set on fire," he said. "This past weekend, there was a further arson attack on a children's area. The school community has been left stupefied and, naturally, distressed." Carlaw highlighted the fact that the school had received a glowing report from Education Scotland earlier this month for the "exemplary standard of education that the school is providing". He asked the first minister to show solidarity with the school community and make it clear that "here in Scotland, faith will not be used as a force for division but that, together, all faiths and those of none must work and come together in order to create the community in which we all want Scotland to live?"In his response, Swinney said the school has been acknowledged by Education Scotland and His Majesty's chief inspector of education to be added: "The outside of the school has been targeted by utterly unacceptable behaviour, which never had any place in Scottish society and certainly does not have any place in Scottish society in 2025."Perhaps the best way through this is if Mr Carlaw and I visit St Joseph's school. We could have a question-and-answer session to see how we both get on at the school in front of the pupils."The visit would be an indication of my warm appreciation of the strength of the school and what it does for the children of that community." 'Mindless vandalism' An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "It is extremely disappointing that this mindless vandalism has taken place."We're pleased that it has been swiftly dealt with and cleared by our staff, and we'll continue to work closely with police colleagues, our community wardens and the CCTV control room to tackle these types of issues, which are so upsetting and disheartening for the pupils, staff and wider school community.'Ch Insp Gillian Faulds said: "We are investigating a number of recent incidents concerning damage at school premises in the Busby area."I'd like to reassure the public we're doing everything we can to trace those responsible and have increased patrols as a deterrent and for community reassurance."We are also working closely with our partner agencies to explore all lines of investigation."
