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Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
At least one in four children in poverty in two-thirds of UK areas
Overall, 42% of constituencies in the UK have a child poverty rate higher than the national average of 31%, according to new analysis by Loughborough University At least a quarter of children are in poverty in two-thirds of areas across the UK, grim analysis shows today. Overall, 42% of constituencies in the UK have a child poverty rate higher than the national average of 31%, according to new analysis by Loughborough University. That includes Keir Starmer 's London constituency Holborn and St Pancras, which has a child poverty rate of 47%. Some 80% of the PM's Cabinet represent constituencies with higher than average rates. Constituencies with the highest child poverty rates in the UK include Birmingham Ladywood, Dewsbury and Batley and Bradford West. In the North East, West Midlands and in Wales, around nine out of ten constituencies have a child poverty rate higher than one in four. Experts found an 'extremely high' correlation between child poverty and the two-child benefit limit. The End Child Poverty Coalition, which is made up of over 135 organisations including child welfare groups, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others, has today called for the policy to be scrapped in full. It piles more pressure on Mr Starmer, who is facing demands to scrap the Tory-era policy to lift thousands of kids out of poverty. Experts have said ditching the policy, which restricts parents from claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits for any children beyond their first two, would be the most effective way to live around 350,000 kids out of poverty. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is co-chairing the government's Child Poverty Taskforce, last month said scrapping the controversial two-child benefit limit is an option "on the table'. The annual analysis by Loughborough University uses DWP figures and looks at poverty rates after housing costs, which is seen as a more accurate assessment of family income. Dan Paskins, of Save the Children and the End Child Poverty Coalition, said: 'Each year this data presents a bleak picture of life for the UK's children. A record number are now in poverty and this is under the noses of our MPs, particularly Cabinet members. 'The time for action is now, and the Comprehensive Spending Review, and forthcoming child poverty strategy should involve bold action." Liv, 21, from Liverpool, who is an End Child Poverty Coalition Ambassador, said: 'Growing up in poverty is relentless, and it's never just about money - it is about isolation, shame, and missed opportunities. 'A proper government strategy on child poverty could give us hope. It shows that our experience is heard, and that there's a commitment to building a fairer society where no child has to grow up feeling less than others just because of their circumstances.' Full list of local authorities' child poverty rates (after housing costs): Region Local authority
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour Minister Refuses 5 Times To Say If She Wants To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap
A Labour minister refused five times to say whether she was personally in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Catherine McKinnell was quizzed on LBC as Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves ponder whether to end the Tory-era policy. The prime minister has already announced a U-turn on the deeply unpopular decision to take winter fuel payments off 10 million pensioners. It is understood that ending the two-child cap could form part of the government's child poverty strategy, which is being announced in the summer. McKinnell, who is an education minister, was asked by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari: 'Would you support conceding ground on the two-child benefit cap?' The minister replied: 'I'm working really hard along with many other ministers across departments to really develop our child poverty taskforce strategy. There's a whole raft of measures that we need to look at, from cost of living, cost of energy, cost of water ...' Ferrari then interrupted her to ask: 'But would you keep the child benefit cap is my question.' McKinnell said she was 'not going to speculate', prompting the presenter to ask again: 'Which way do you feel about it?' The minister said: 'I'm absolutely determined to tackle child poverty.' After Ferrari asked about lifting the cap again, she said: 'I've always said that I think it's important that we look in the round at what is driving child poverty.' Asking a fifth time, Ferrari said: 'But would you keep the cap?' Avoiding the question again, McKinnell said: 'We haven't made a decision. We're coming up with a strategy as to how we drive down child poverty. Whatever achieves that, I will support.' 'Would you keep the two child benefit cap? That's my question.'School Standards Minister Catherine McKinnell is unable to answer @NickFerrariLBC's query - again. — LBC (@LBC) May 30, 2025 Robert Jenrick Suggests Nigel Farage Is On Drugs For Wanting To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap Cabinet Minister Confirms That Labour Wants To Scrap The Two-Child Benefit Cap Is Starmer Really Looking To Lift The Two-Child Benefit Cap? Here's What We Know
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour Minister Refuses 5 Times To Say If She Wants To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap
A Labour minister refused five times to say whether she was personally in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Catherine McKinnell was quizzed on LBC as Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves ponder whether to end the Tory-era policy. The prime minister has already announced a U-turn on the deeply unpopular decision to take winter fuel payments off 10 million pensioners. It is understood that ending the two-child cap could form part of the government's child poverty strategy, which is being announced in the summer. McKinnell, who is an education minister, was asked by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari: 'Would you support conceding ground on the two-child benefit cap?' The minister replied: 'I'm working really hard along with many other ministers across departments to really develop our child poverty taskforce strategy. There's a whole raft of measures that we need to look at, from cost of living, cost of energy, cost of water ...' Ferrari then interrupted her to ask: 'But would you keep the child benefit cap is my question.' McKinnell said she was 'not going to speculate', prompting the presenter to ask again: 'Which way do you feel about it?' The minister said: 'I'm absolutely determined to tackle child poverty.' After Ferrari asked about lifting the cap again, she said: 'I've always said that I think it's important that we look in the round at what is driving child poverty.' Asking a fifth time, Ferrari said: 'But would you keep the cap?' Avoiding the question again, McKinnell said: 'We haven't made a decision. We're coming up with a strategy as to how we drive down child poverty. Whatever achieves that, I will support.' 'Would you keep the two child benefit cap? That's my question.'School Standards Minister Catherine McKinnell is unable to answer @NickFerrariLBC's query - again. — LBC (@LBC) May 30, 2025 Robert Jenrick Suggests Nigel Farage Is On Drugs For Wanting To Scrap Two-Child Benefit Cap Cabinet Minister Confirms That Labour Wants To Scrap The Two-Child Benefit Cap Is Starmer Really Looking To Lift The Two-Child Benefit Cap? Here's What We Know
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Nigel Farage savaged with brutal comment over his maths skills
Nigel Farage's maths skills were questioned after newly release figures on diversity, equality and inclusion programmes suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up Nigel Farage has been savaged over his maths skills after newly release figures suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up. The outspoken politician earlier this week announced a raft of eye-catching policies, which he said in part would be paid for by scrapping diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies in the public sector. Reform UK said scrapping 'the DEI agenda' would save taxpayers £7billion. But the Cabinet Office last night published the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion review, commissioned by the previous Tory government, which told a different story. It found that EDI spending across the Civil Service was just £27.1million in 2022/23. A Cabinet Office source said: 'Maths is clearly not his strong suit. It's terrifying to think what he'd do to the family finances of working people if he ever got near power.' Reform UK said it had sent thousands of freedom of information requests and insisted billions in savings could be made. It said the £7bn figure was not just from government departments or the civil service, but across public bodies including universities, school boards, emergency services and the Armed Forces. It comes after Keir Starmer yesterday launched a ferocious attack on Mr Farage - branding him " Liz Truss 2.0". The Prime Minister turned his fire on the Reform UK leader in a speech in the north west, accusing him of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. He compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Tory disaster Liz Truss, who triggered market chaos and sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. The PM was reacting to a major speech by Mr Farage on Tuesday where he announced a series of headline-grabbing plans. Among them, the right-wing politician tried to outflank Labour by committing to fully reinstating the winter fuel payments and reversing the two-child benefit limit. It comes after the PM announced at least a partial U-turn on winter fuel cuts, while ditching the Tory-era two-child benefit policy is 'on the table' for the Government. The Reform leader also said his 'biggest aspiration' was for Brits to avoid paying tax on any earnings up to £20,000 (a plan that could cost up to £80billion). Labour analysis suggests the policy could lead to increased mortgage payments of £5,500 for the average family because it could require billions of pounds of additional borrowing every year. Mr Farage said he'd pay for announcements by scrapping plans to reach net zero carbon emissions, closing asylum hotels and ditching diversity programmes - but he gave little detail on how any of this would work. A furious Mr Starmer said the Reform UK leader is doing a 'Liz Truss 2.0' and wants to 'blow up the economy'. 'We're once again fighting the same fantasy, this time from Farage,' he said. 'The same bet in the same casino: That you could spend tens of billions of pounds on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for them. Using your monthly finances, your mortgage, your bills as the gambling chip on this mad experiment.' A Reform UK spokesman said: 'Under a Reform government DEI spending in the civil service and across public sector bodies will drop to zero. DEI agendas are divisive and inconsistent with British values. We believe in a meritocracy where privileges are given out based on merit rather than skin colour or gender.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'I watched Keir Starmer attack Nigel Farage - and it reminded me of one thing'
At Keir Starmer's speech today, I was transported back to the general election campaign. Political journalists received an email from Labour last night saying the PM would be doing a speech the next morning to warn voters that Nigel Farage's 'fantasy economics would see a return to Liz Truss's economic meltdown'. Even the venue, Glass Futures in Warrington, only found out about the event in the evening. Those working overnight in the factory had a busy shift cleaning up the place ready for the Prime Minister, of all people, to make an appearance the next day. It had all the air of chaos of an election campaign. (It was only exacerbated by rail delays this morning that meant all the reporters had to flee a train stuck in Crewe and get an almost hour-long taxi to the site. I made it to the speech with seconds to spare before the PM started.) As I stood on a factory floor watching Mr Starmer attack an opposition leader with insults, anger and passion, it felt like the Labour leader was back in campaign mode. Yet clearly, this is not an election campaign. In fact, the next election will likely not be for another four years. He's the Prime Minister - with a more than 400-seat Labour majority. So what was the trigger for this hastily arranged press conference? Well it definitely wasn't anything to do with the Tories, who the PM only briefly mentioned to say they were 'sliding into the abyss'. It was entirely to do with a press conference held by Nigel Farage on Tuesday. For a party with just five MPs, Reform UK has certainly triggered concern among the top ranks in government. If an election was held tomorrow, Reform would win 29% of the vote, while Labour would get 22% and the Tories just 17%. The Lib Dems would bag 16% and the Greens would take 10%. But it was Mr Farage announcing a series of eye-catching policies that has really riled up Downing Street. Among them, the right-wing politician tried to outflank Labour by committing to fully reinstating the winter fuel payments and reversing the two-child benefit limit. It comes after the PM announced at least a partial U-turn on winter fuel cuts, while ditching the Tory-era two-child benefit policy is 'on the table' for the Government. The Reform leader also said his 'biggest aspiration' was for Brits to avoid paying tax on any earnings up to £20,000 (a plan that could cost up to £80billion). Labour analysis suggests the policy could lead to increased mortgage payments of £5,500 for the average family because it could require billions of pounds of additional borrowing every year. Mr Farage said he'd pay for announcements by scrapping plans to reach net zero carbon emissions, closing asylum hotels and ditching diversity programmes - but he gave little detail on how any of this would work. A furious Mr Starmer said the Reform UK leader is doing a 'Liz Truss 2.0' and wants to 'blow up the economy'. 'We're once again fighting the same fantasy, this time from Farage,' he said. 'The same bet in the same casino: That you could spend tens of billions of pounds on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for them. Using your monthly finances, your mortgage, your bills as the gambling chip on this mad experiment.' Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday. The PM added: 'I feel very strongly it's my responsibility to protect working people from being put through that ever again.' Labour has been ramping up its attacks on Mr Farage in recent weeks, branding him a 'private-educated stockbroker and career politician'. And the PM said today he does not need "lessons" from the Reform UK leader, as he actually grew up working class with a dad who worked 10-hour days in a factory. But the bottom line is after a bruising set of local elections, which also saw the party lose the northern safe seat of Runcorn and Helsby by six votes, Labour MPs are concerned. It is hard to appreciate how quickly things have changed since Labour's 2024 election victory. I was in the room and remember the scenes of jubilation as Mr Starmer declared 'we did it!' to Labour activists at 5am on election night in July. The room was overflowing with excitement, hope and belief in a new Labour government. Now after almost a year in power - with the reality of governing settling in - they have perhaps realised the campaigning never stops. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
