Latest news with #PoliticsNorth
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour MP says government must change course
A Labour MP has said the government "absolutely has to" change course following sweeping gains for Reform UK in England's local elections. Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, said policies introduced by the government which had not been in its manifesto had forced voters "to look elsewhere". Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, took control of 10 councils and won mayoral contests in Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. In Scarborough, the party won a landslide victory in a town council election. Following the results, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government needed to "go further and faster on the change people want to see". Speaking on the BBC's Politics North show earlier, Maskell said: "Policies that have been introduced since July that weren't in our manifesto – the cuts to winter fuel, not honouring the Waspi women [and] taking away the vital lifeline of support for disabled people – of course people are confused. "If we are not there serving people as they expect us to and as is our duty, then of course they are going to look elsewhere." In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out planned cuts to benefits, including disability payments, aimed at reducing the growing amount the UK spends on welfare. The government said the measures would save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030 and get more people into work. Maskell said Labour was still the party of the working class, but called on the leadership to ensure that the "connection" with voters was "remade". The proposed cuts to social security would have a "massive impact on people, leaving" them in poverty" and "forcing many people into poorer mental health", she said. "We absolutely need to stop these reforms, which Labour are trying to progress, and ensure that we now reflect on the real things that are going to make a difference." The Department for Work and Pensions previously said it was creating a "sustainable welfare system" which would help support sick and disabled people, "break down barriers and unlock work". Maskell said getting people back into work was "a good thing", but "vital protection" had to be provided for those who could not work. "They're the kind of policies that Number 10 and Number 11 now need to pursue, as opposed to taking the pennies out of the pockets of the poorest," she added. Maskell said Labour was doing some "brilliant things", including "providing more secure employment", bringing the railways back into national ownership and getting rid of "waste in the system". But she warned: "We mustn't ruin it with all of these poor decisions that are being made." Speaking after the results of Thursday's elections were announced, Sir Keir said his party had been elected in to "deliver change" and had "started that change", with waiting lists down, wages up and interests rates down. Writing in The Times, he insisted there was "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction", although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was. "I am acutely aware that people aren't yet feeling the benefits," he added. "Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Reform UK wins landslide town council victory 'Not Labour enough': MPs' despair at voters' verdict on government At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up What is the row about women's pensions? Politics North Rachael Maskell MP
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Labour MP Rachael Maskell says government 'must change course'
A Labour MP has said the government "absolutely has to" change course following sweeping gains for Reform UK in England's local Maskell, the MP for York Central, said policies introduced by the government which had not been in its manifesto had forced voters "to look elsewhere".Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, took control of 10 councils and won mayoral contests in Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. In Scarborough, the party won a landslide victory in a town council the results, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government needed to "go further and faster on the change people want to see". Speaking on the BBC's Politics North show earlier, Maskell said: "Policies that have been introduced since July that weren't in our manifesto – the cuts to winter fuel, not honouring the Waspi women [and] taking away the vital lifeline of support for disabled people – of course people are confused."If we are not there serving people as they expect us to and as is our duty, then of course they are going to look elsewhere." In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out planned cuts to benefits, including disability payments, aimed at reducing the growing amount the UK spends on government said the measures would save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030 and get more people into said Labour was still the party of the working class, but called on the leadership to ensure that the "connection" with voters was "remade".The proposed cuts to social security would have a "massive impact on people, leaving" them in poverty" and "forcing many people into poorer mental health", she said."We absolutely need to stop these reforms, which Labour are trying to progress, and ensure that we now reflect on the real things that are going to make a difference." The Department for Work and Pensions previously said it was creating a "sustainable welfare system" which would help support sick and disabled people, "break down barriers and unlock work". Maskell said getting people back into work was "a good thing", but "vital protection" had to be provided for those who could not work. "They're the kind of policies that Number 10 and Number 11 now need to pursue, as opposed to taking the pennies out of the pockets of the poorest," she added. 'Poor decisions' Maskell said Labour was doing some "brilliant things", including "providing more secure employment", bringing the railways back into national ownership and getting rid of "waste in the system". But she warned: "We mustn't ruin it with all of these poor decisions that are being made."Speaking after the results of Thursday's elections were announced, Sir Keir said his party had been elected in to "deliver change" and had "started that change", with waiting lists down, wages up and interests rates in The Times, he insisted there was "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction", although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was."I am acutely aware that people aren't yet feeling the benefits," he added. "Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jenkyns: fracking would save money for taxpayers
The new mayor of Lincolnshire has said she will be meeting with a fracking company to discuss a business case to extract gas from underground in the county. Dame Andrea Jenkyns said the move would "really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers". She was speaking on the BBC's Politics North show after winning the contest to become the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday. Her party, Reform UK, will also take over the running of the county council from the Conservatives. In response, the government said it planned to ban fracking to protect current and future generations and "the biggest risk" to energy security was "staying dependent on fossil fuel markets". Dame Andrea was questioned about her position regarding Reform UK's plans to scrap the country's net zero target and impose a windfall tax on green energy companies. Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, put it to the mayor that this could cost jobs around the Humber estuary. Dame Andrea said the three main parties had a "homogenized view" on net zero, and that there had been no scrutiny of the plans. "I will be meeting with a fracking company after the gas find, and put a business argument [forward]," she added. "We should be doing that. That will really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers." In February, a company claimed there was enough gas under an area near Gainsborough to supply the country's energy needs for seven years. However, opponents insist fracking – a technique used to capture a type of gas found deep underground in shale rock – risks water, air and noise pollution. A government spokesperson told the BBC that it intended to "ban fracking for good and make Britain a clean energy superpower". "Only by sprinting to clean power by 2030 can the UK take back control of its energy and protect consumers from spiralling energy costs," the spokesperson added. The Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire has also warned that the net zero agenda should not be "thrown out with the bathwater" because it offered "enormous economic opportunity" in the county. Keane Duncan, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for north Yorkshire, and Rachel Maskel, the Labour MP for York, appeared on the programme alongside Dame Andrea. Duncan said a windfall tax on energy would cost jobs and sacrifice investment. "It will also mean that people's energy bills are going to be higher," he added. Maskel said it was time to "wake up to the climate challenges" and argued that "the real investment in growth and opportunity for our region sits in the energy sector". Dame Andrea was also asked on the programme about Reform UK's pledge to scrap diversity officers from local authorities. Nigel Farage, the leader of the party, has said getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officers is at the top of their agenda. However, when asked by the BBC about such roles, Lincolnshire County Council said it did not have any staff doing those kinds of jobs. Dame Andrea claimed the diversity roles had been "rebranded now as mentors". "I think there's lots of these hidden roles, diversity hidden roles, which we need to uncover," she said. "I'm a meritocrat, and I think this diversity extreme inclusion, it can actually divide people more. "I'm neurodiverse myself, My son is, it's about creating the right conditions to make sure that people are attracted to these jobs. "I just want competent people. So I think that we need to do away with roles like this." Councillor Judith Matthews, of North Lincolnshire Council, appeared live on the programme. She was asked what she wanted Jenkyns to achieve in her role. The Labour councillor said: "She needs to help the disabled people get back into work that have a lot of skills. And that can be done by working in collaboration with disability groups so that everybody has a fair chance at a good job." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Reform's Andrea Jenkyns elected Lincolnshire mayor Why Lincolnshire turned a lighter shade of blue Gas field discovery 'very exciting', MP says Energy boss backs gas field to lower bills Politics North (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Andrea Jenkyns: fracking would save Lincolnshire taxpayers money
The new mayor of Lincolnshire has said she will be meeting with a fracking company to discuss a business case to extract gas from underground in the Andrea Jenkyns said the move would "really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers".She was speaking on the BBC's Politics North show after winning the contest to become the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday. Her party, Reform UK, will also take over the running of the county council from the government has previously said it plans to ban fracking and make Britain "a clean energy superpower to protect current and future generations". Dame Andrea was questioned about her position regarding Reform UK's plans to scrap the country's net zero target and impose a windfall tax on green energy companies. Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, put it to the mayor that this could cost jobs around the Humber Andrea said the three main parties had a "homogenized view" on net zero, and that there had been no scrutiny of the plans. "I will be meeting with a fracking company after the gas find, and put a business argument [forward]," she added. "We should be doing that. That will really save money for the Lincolnshire taxpayers."In February, a company claimed there was enough gas under an area near Gainsborough to supply the country's energy needs for seven years. However, opponents insist fracking – a technique used to capture a type of gas found deep underground in shale rock – risks water, air and noise the time, a government spokesperson said there were plans "to ban fracking for good" and "seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition". The Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire has also warned that the net zero agenda should not be "thrown out with the bathwater" because it offered "enormous economic opportunity" in the Duncan, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for north Yorkshire, and Rachel Maskel, the Labour MP for York, appeared on the programme alongside Dame Andrea. Duncan said a windfall tax on energy would cost jobs and sacrifice investment. "It will also mean that people's energy bills are going to be higher," he said it was time to "wake up to the climate challenges" and argued that "the real investment in growth and opportunity for our region sits in the energy sector". 'Hidden roles' Dame Andrea was also asked on the programme about Reform UK's pledge to scrap diversity officers from local Farage, the leader of the party, has said getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officers is at the top of their when asked by the BBC about such roles, Lincolnshire County Council said it did not have any staff doing those kinds of Andrea claimed the diversity roles had been "rebranded now as mentors"."I think there's lots of these hidden roles, diversity hidden roles, which we need to uncover," she said."I'm a meritocrat, and I think this diversity extreme inclusion, it can actually divide people more. "I'm neurodiverse myself, My son is, it's about creating the right conditions to make sure that people are attracted to these jobs."I just want competent people. So I think that we need to do away with roles like this."Councillor Judith Matthews, of North Lincolnshire Council, appeared live on the programme. She was asked what she wanted Jenkyns to achieve in her Labour councillor said: "She needs to help the disabled people get back into work that have a lot of skills. And that can be done by working in collaboration with disability groups so that everybody has a fair chance at a good job."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Nigel Farage DEI comments disgusting, Durham Lib Dem says
An outgoing council leader has attacked comments by Reform UK's Nigel Farage regarding diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), after his party took control of the authority. Reform UK won a landslide victory on Durham County Council, winning 65 seats to take overall other pledges, Farage told the BBC on Friday: "If you're a DEI officer I suggest you look for another job." Amanda Hopgood, Durham's Liberal Democrat leader said "I thought it was absolutely disgusting", but Sunderland Reform campaigner Chris Eynon described DEI roles as "complete nonsense not-jobs". The Lib Dems increased their number of Durham councillors, but collapses in other parties combined with huge Reform gains to shift who previously led the council in coalition, told BBC Politics North: "I thought it was a dreadful way to take victory and speak about the staff who are going to have to deliver your priorities, because - believe it or not - the county councillors set the strategy, the officers and the staff deliver the services on the ground. "What he has done in one fell swoop is alienate almost all of the staff at county hall."If that's the way that leadership is set to look for the future then I am worried about the future, of not just our county but of this country." Also appearing on BBC Politics North, Eynon reiterated his leader's comments. He said: "She [Hopgood] is absolutely right, we do want to get rid of diversity, equality and inclusion jobs, these complete nonsense not-jobs. "I think the voters want more bin men, they want more people cleaning the streets, more actual front-line council workers, not these DEI managers working from home and 100 grand a year."The voters have said that they don't want this anymore."We surely can't do a worse job than what's already been done previously."They [voters] like the fact that we want to cut city hall waste, put more money into front-line services and just stop all the colossal increase in council tax we're getting every year in the North East." Hopgood hit back at the claims, saying the DEI jobs referenced by Eynon "don't exist"."They dabbled in local issues but without actually looking at any of the detail, so I look forward to the auditors coming in that they claim to be sending."Believe it or not we do get audited to death as local authorities, you would expect that." BBC Politics North airs Sundays at 10am. Catch up now on the BBC BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
