Latest news with #UK-level
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Edinburgh MP Christine Jardine sacked from Lib Dem frontbenches over rebellion in memory of late husband
Lib Dem MPs had been told to abstain from the vote, which aimed to cut benefits for 'less severe' mental health conditions. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh MP Christine Jardine has been sacked from the Lib Dem frontbenches after voting against a Conservative proposal to slash some mental health benefits. Ms Jardine lost her position as Lib Dem spokeswoman for women and equalities and spokeswoman for Scotland on Wednesday night after breaking the party whip. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Conservative amendment to the UK government's welfare reform Bill would have lowered Universal Credit payments for those with 'less severe' mental health conditions, and blocked some foreign nationals from certain benefits. Christine Jardine MP in the House of Commons Chamber Lib Dem MPs had been whipped into abstaining from the vote, but nine voted against it. The amendment was voted down by 416 votes to 103. Ms Jardine, who has been the Edinburgh West MP since 2017, said she rebelled against the whip because of her late husband Calum Macdonald, who had bipolar disorder. She said: 'Calum had bipolar disorder. Several people around me have mental health conditions the amendment dismissed as 'minor'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's the first time in eight years I have not gone with the whip, but it was personal and something I had to do. I fully appreciate that having gone against the whip, my position on the frontbench was untenable for the party. 'I continue to support [Lib Dems leader] Ed [Davey] and the party, everything we do and everything that we strive to achieve. I'm disappointed, but to not oppose that amendment would have been, to me, unpalatable.' Mr Macdonald died of a heart attack just weeks before Ms Jardine was first elected in 2017. They had been married for 30 years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A party spokesperson said MPs were to abstain as 'a vote against was effectively a vote to implement this shambolic Bill in full'. The spokesperson added: "Instead Liberal Democrats voted to oppose the welfare Bill altogether. Christine decided to take a different view and therefore is no longer on the front bench.' The government's welfare reform legislation managed to clear the Commons on Wednesday night after being heavily watered down. The original Bill had aimed to cut the eligibility criteria for personal independence payments. This benefit is devolved as the adult disability payment in Scotland, but any cuts at a UK-level would affect how much money the Scottish Government received for this payment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More than 120 Labour backbenchers planned to rebel on this, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer U-turning to confirm the proposals would instead only apply to new claimants. Dozens of backbenchers continued to oppose the idea. The proposed cuts ended up being dropped completely. This means the reforms will save the government no money.
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Tax rises likely after Sir Keir Starmer's U-turn on disability cuts, economists warn
The Prime Minister was forced to offer his backbenchers more concessions at the 11th hour to avoid a humiliating defeat. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tax rises are now 'increasingly likely' after the Prime Minister was forced to offer his rebel backbenchers further concessions on his welfare reforms. Sir Keir Starmer won the crunch vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday night by 335 votes to 260, but only after a further climbdown that all but wiped out the savings the Chancellor was hoping to make. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Economists are now warning the UK government's fiscal credibility is at risk and are questioning Downing Street's ability to reform the economy. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. | Jacob King/Press Association The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the 11th-hour concessions mean there will be no 'net savings' by 2029/30. Initially the Chancellor estimated the cuts would save £5 billion a year. Helen Miller, deputy director of the institute, said: 'Since departmental spending plans are now effectively locked in, and the government has already had to row back on planned cuts to pensioner benefits and working-age benefits, tax rises would look increasingly likely.' Senior government minister Pat McFadden has since admitted the U-turn will 'have a financial consequence', but said the UK government would not increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT in response to Tuesday night's vote. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: 'I'm not going to speculate on the budget. We will keep to the tax promises that we made in our manifesto when we fought the election last year.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden. | Press Association The initial proposals were to cut the eligibility criteria for personal independence payments and the health element of Universal Credit. Personal independence payments are devolved in Scotland as the adult disability benefit, but any cuts at UK-level would affect how much funding goes to the Scottish Government to pay for this benefit. The UK government's own research suggested it would push 250,000 people into relative poverty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, more than 120 Labour MPs signed an amendment to try and block the welfare Bill from progressing through Parliament, including several Scottish MPs, such as Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman. The Prime Minister was forced to U-turn on the initial plans. His new proposals, which were estimated to save £2.5 million, but push 150,000 people into poverty, would mean the cuts would only affect new claimants. However, a second rebellion began to brew and at the last minute the Prime Minister and Chancellor were forced to U-turn again, meaning there will now be no cuts to personal independence payments.
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Disability benefit cuts: Sir Keir Starmer forced to make late concession in biggest Labour rebellion
Sir Keir Starmer was forced to abandon a key plank of his welfare reform agenda to get the legislation through its first Commons test. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In a late climbdown as MPs prepared to vote, the UK government shelved plans last night to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), with any changes now only coming after a review of the benefit. The move will cause a headache for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has seen a forecast £4.8 billion saving from the welfare budget whittled away through a series of concessions, leaving her to seek extra money through spending cuts, tax hikes or borrowing to balance the books. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The decision to remove the Pip changes from the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was announced just 90 minutes before MPs voted. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a reception for public sector workers, at 10 Downing Street, London. Picture: Carl Court/PA Wire The legislation cleared its first hurdle by 335 votes to 260 – a majority of just 75. Despite the late concession, there were 49 Labour rebels in what was the largest revolt so far of Sir Keir's premiership. Labour's Brian Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth who was among the rebels, said ministers should still withdraw the Bill despite the legislation passing its second reading. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish MP had also voted in favour of a cross-party amendment that would have stopped the Bill before its second reading. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a reception for public sector workers, at 10 Downing Street, London. Picture: Carl Court/PA Wire He said: 'Today was a prime example in how not to legislate. A shambolic afternoon with policy being made up off the cuff and on the notion of promises to come. 'The government should do the honourable and decent thing and withdraw this dreadful Bill.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall insisted the Labour Party was '100 per cent' behind the Prime Minister, but acknowledged there were 'lessons to be learned' after the rebellion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She also appeared to express regret over the handling of the issue, saying: 'I wish we had got to this point in a different way.' The decision to remove key parts of the Bill is remarkable for a government with a working majority of 165 and after just under a year in office. This personal independence payments is devolved in Scotland as the adult disability benefit. But any cuts at UK-level would affect how much money the Scottish Government receives from the Treasury for the payments. Other Scottish Labour MPs who had opposed the original Bill had included Patricia Ferguson, Tracy Gilbert, Dr Scott Arthur, Kirsteen Sullivan, Richard Baker, Euan Stainbank, Lillian Jones, Elaine Stewart, Martin Rhodes and Irene Campbell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused ministers of 'utter capitulation' and said the legislation was now 'pointless'. She said: 'They should bin it, do their homework, and come back with something serious. Starmer cannot govern.' SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: "From start to finish, Labour's disability cuts Bill has been a shambles – and it defines their chaotic first year in office. "The cause of that chaos, and the blame for it, falls directly at the doors of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves. Tonight, the Labour Party owe an apology to disabled people. Their daily lives have been subjected to a cruel Westminster political game. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "The final U-turn they deserve tonight is an apology from the Prime Minister and for this shambolic Bill to be scrapped. "The only option left for the Labour Party is to stop their attack on disabled people, remove the threat of a two-tier disability system and for them to finally scrap this bill." The government's concessions mean it will not make any savings as a result of its welfare reforms by 2029/30, but could in the longer term, think-tank Resolution Foundation said. The organisation's chief executive Ruth Curtice said: 'The government originally hoped to save £4.8bn from its welfare reforms in the crucial year of 29/30. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The upshot of all the concessions this week is it will now not make any net savings in that year. The changes to universal credit are nonetheless important for recipients and their work incentives, and are expected to save money in the longer term.' Earlier, a Labour rebel attempt to halt the legislation was defeated by 179 votes. A total of 44 Labour MPs including two tellers backed the bid by rebel ringleader Rachael Maskell, who described the Bill as 'unravelling' and 'a complete farce'. A previous effort to kill the Bill had attracted more than 120 Labour supporters, but was dropped after the first partial U-turn on the legislation last week, which restricted the Pip changes to new claimants from November 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That date has now been abandoned in the latest climbdown, with any changes now only coming after disability minister Sir Stephen Timms' review of the Pip assessment process. Sir Stephen announced the climbdown in the middle of the debate on the legislation. He acknowledged 'concerns that the changes to Pip are coming ahead of the conclusions of the review of the assessment that I will be leading'. He said the government would now 'only make changes to Pip eligibility activities and descriptors following that review', which is due to conclude in the autumn of 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The concession came after frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations in Westminster involving the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and wavering Labour MPs. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns and public affairs at the MS Society, said: 'We thought last week's so-called concessions were last minute. But these panicked 11th hour changes still don't fix a rushed, poorly thought-out Bill.' But Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said: 'The last-minute change relating to the review Sir Stephen Timms is leading sounds positive and we are pleased that the Government has listened.' He added: 'Disabled people should not have to pay to fix black holes in the public finances.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The government's concessions have gutted the reforms, leaving only parts of the current Bill still on the table. Proposals to cut the health element of universal credit by almost 50 per cent for most new claimants from April 2026 remain in place, along with an above-inflation increase in the benefit's standard allowance.
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Disability benefits cuts: The Scottish MPs who will vote to try and block Keir Starmer's welfare cuts
Sir Keir Starmer is set to face his biggest rebellion since taking office over his proposals to cut disability benefits. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sir Keir Starmer is set to face his biggest rebellion since taking office as several Scottish MPs look set to try and block his proposed disability cuts. Around 50 MPs are expected to reject the Prime Minister's welfare reform Bill, which could see 150,000 people pushed into poverty within five years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Initially the UK government had wanted to cut the eligibility for personal independence payments to save the Treasury £5 billion a year by 2030. Prime Minister Keir Starmer This benefit is devolved in Scotland as the adult disability benefit. But any cuts at UK-level would affect how much money the Scottish Government receives from the Treasury to pay for this. However, more than 120 MPs signed what is known as a reasoned amendment to stop the Bill progressing through parliament. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Prime Minister was forced to U-turn on the initial proposals and has now conceded the cuts will only apply to new claimants from November 2026. Despite several backbenchers being placated by this climbdown, a second amendment to reject the Bill has been put forward by Rachael Maskell MP. Less than half of the original rebels have signed amendment. So far 39 Labour backbenchers are supporting Ms Maskell's amendment, including Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman and Glasgow North East MP Maureen Burke. Brian Leishman MP | Submitted So far all the other Scottish Labour MPs who had opposed the original Bill have not signed the new amendment, including Patricia Ferguson, Tracy Gilbert, Dr Scott Arthur, Kirsteen Sullivan, Richard Baker, Euan Stainbank, Lillian Jones, Elaine Stewart, Martin Rhodes and Irene Campbell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Maskell said there were 'loads more' who had not signed her amendment, but were planning to vote against the government. A further 24 MPs from other political parties have backed Ms Maskell's amendment, including all nine SNP MPs. Others from the SDLP, Alliance Party, Greens, Plaid Cymru and a number of independents are also supporting the amendment.
The National
04-06-2025
- General
- The National
John Swinney in final message to voters ahead of Hamilton by-election
The First Minister urged people to vote for the SNP "to stop [Nigel] Farage", as he warned of the "concerning rise" of the Reform UK leader. Both Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar are expected to visit the constituency on Wednesday, for the final day of campaigning before the polls open. READ MORE: Nigel Farage's Scottish conspiracy theories fit Reform's agenda. Don't fall for it It comes after the Reform UK leader's visit to the constituency on Monday, where he hid from the public and the press after protesters tracked down where he was due to speak to the media. Swinney said on Wednesday: 'Tomorrow, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have an opportunity to chart a different course for Scotland. 'This campaign has made it crystal clear that the SNP is the only party listening to people and taking action on what matters to them; from bringing back the Winter Fuel Payment to investing record sums in our NHS." Swinney (above) said that the Labour Party "has lost its way" as he continued: "Keir Starmer's abject failure to deliver on his promises has led to the concerning rise of Nigel Farage across the UK – something that will worry many across Scotland. 'Farage does not care about Scotland, and he also poses a threat to many of the things that we hold dear: our NHS, our parliament and transformative policies like free tuition. 'This by-election is an opportunity to reject the politics of Farage and make sure Scotland's interests are front and centre, and only a vote for the SNP will do that." READ MORE: The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, explained The SNP leader added: 'On Thursday, vote Katy Loudon – for an MSP that is on your side and to stop Nigel Farage.' Loudon, the SNP's by-election candidate, said local communities have been "let down" by Labour, while the "extreme language" of Reform UK has served only as a distraction. She said: 'The Labour-run council cut school bus provision from 8000 pupils and at UK-level they took away the Winter Fuel Payment from 36,000 South Lanarkshire pensioners. 'And now Farage has appeared, churning out extreme language in the hopes that people won't see it for what it is – a distraction. 'The people of this community deserve better. They deserve an MSP who is always on their side. 'That is what I hope to be. I will always stand up for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and against those who are letting down Scotland.' Meanwhile, Scottish Labour, which has put forward Davy Russell as their candidate, said that Reform UK were a "convenient distraction" for the SNP as they insisted that Thursday's by-election is "a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP". READ MORE: Scottish Labour by-election candidate flounders after dodging question 11 times The party's deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said that Thursday's poll gives voters 'the chance to put this incompetent SNP Government on notice and chart a new direction for the whole of Scotland'. She stated: 'The SNP's woeful record is plain to see here – chaos in local NHS services, high streets in decline, and a generation of young people let down. 'The SNP Government has failed this community and Katy Loudon has made it clear she will toe the party line no matter what – but Davy Russell will be a tireless champion for the community he calls home.' The by-election on June 5 is being held following the death of MSP and SNP Government minister Christina McKelvie. The polls will open at 7am on Thursday and will close at 10pm.
