Plans to reform Britain’s soaring disability bill has been shelved, after a Government-led review was told it did not need to identify any savings.
The review had been ordered by Sir Keir Starmer to appease Labour backbenchers rebelling over the plan to save up to £5billion by limiting access to personal independence payments (Pip).
While the reforms were scrapped anyway, the review, led by Welfare Minister Sir Stephen Timms, is not expected to find any savings from the ever-rising costs of Pip, reports The Times.
A government source told The Times the review set an “outer limit” on the amount Pip spending could rise by and that savings could be made within that, adding that ministers had always been clear that the purpose of the review was not to save money.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated last year that Pip spending would hit £34billion by the end of the decade.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have said they need to make welfare savings.
“But now we see the terms of reference for their review of sickness benefits, and the truth is plain to see: Labour are too weak to make tough decisions.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions told The Times: “We want a welfare state that is there for those who need it and supports people into work, while delivering fairness to the taxpayer.
“And that’s why we’re launching the Timms review to make sure Pip is fair and fit for the future.
“We’re shifting our focus from welfare to work, skills and opportunities so more people can move out of poverty and into good, secure jobs as part of the plan for change.”
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WATCH: Conservative Party Chairman criticises Rachel Reeves for ‘changing her story’ on the rental scandal
SNP says decision to strip Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of title was ‘the right decision’
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has welcomed King Charles’ decision to strip his younger brother Andrew of his “Princ”e title.
The party’s leader in Westminster and MP for Aberdeen South Stephen Flynn said: “The right decision and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.
“I hope all those who were elected to Parliament and chose to defend inaction rather than speak out now regret the choice they made.
“As an aside Keir Starmer, is Peter Mandelson still a Lord? It was emotional listening live to those who knew Virginia Giuffre tonight. Their collective courage has changed history.
“He is no longer Prince Andrew. He is Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. To his horror, he is now just one of us.”
Labour minister insists ‘nobody acted in bad faith’ over ‘inadvertent’ failure by Rachel Reeves to obtain rental licence
Sir Chris Bryant has defended Rachel Reeves
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GB NEWS
A Labour minister has insisted “nobody acted in bad faith” after her “inadvertent” failure to obtain a rental licence for her south London family home.
Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant told GB News: “The fair process here is we have an independent advisor on ministerial interests. Obviously its regrettable she did not have a licence.
“Ignorance is not a defence, but the point is here the letting agency said they were going to do it and they didn’t.”
Charity boss claims ‘there is no immigration crisis’ amid new polling
A charity boss has claimed “there is no immigration crisis” following new polling found only 26 per cent of people said immigration and asylum was one of the three most important issues facing their community.
This was half the 52 per cent who said it was one of the biggest issues facing the country as a whole, and put immigration seventh on the list of important local problems behind the cost of living, health, crime and housing.
Saeema Syeda, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) said the poll “proves what we’ve been saying all along – there is no immigration crisis.”
She said: “It’s a manufactured panic, pushed by some politicians and parts of the media to distract from what actually matters to people.
“Across our communities, we share the same priorities – making ends meet, accessing healthcare, decent schools and secure homes. We need to end scapegoating and look for solutions.”
Civil servants who refuse to work with Nigel Farage as PM should get another job, says top union leader
Civil servants who do not want to work with a Reform Government after the next election should find another job, the leader of one of the top public sector unions has said.
Dave Penman, the general secretary of the First Division Association, which represents top officials, said that civil servants would have to work with Nigel Farage’s Reform MPs if the party wins power.
Mr Penman told Chopper’s Political Podcast that Whitehall must work to deliver Reform’s programme of government if elected.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Plaid Cymru set to back four-day week if they win Senedd election
Plaid Cymru is set to back a pilot of a four-day working week scheme if they win next year’s Senedd election.
Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party, which won the recent Caerphilly by-election, has previously supported the scheme but indicated it would be rolled out in parts of Wales after next spring’s elections, if they formed a majority.
A spokesman from the party told The Telegraph: “Plaid Cymru has long supported exploring new ideas to improve wellbeing and productivity in Wales, including ways of achieving a better work-life balance.
“Our focus is on delivering a stronger and fairer economy, helping Welsh businesses grow through re-establishing a Welsh Development Agency, tackling child poverty through our proposed child payment pilot and expanding access to free childcare.”
“Growing the Welsh economy and raising living standards are our immediate priorities. Further policy proposals, including on the world of work, will be outlined in our manifesto ahead of the Senedd election.”
Tory chair tells GB News the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor story is ‘not over’
Conservative Chairman Kevin Hollinrake backed the King’s decision to strip Andrew of his titles
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GB News
Conservative Chairman Kevin Hollinrake has told GB News the story is “not over” as he backed the King’s decision to strip his younger brother of his royal titles.
Mr Hollinrake said: “This is a very sorry tale and humiliating for the man formerly known as Prince Andrew.
“As well as his relationship with Epstein and the story on that changing all the time, there is a police investigation ongoing. This story is not over but the King has made some difficult decisions and we support him in making those decisions.
“I think that is the right thing to do but this is not the end of the story.”
Labour branch forced to apologise after branding migrant protesters ‘Neanderthals’
A Labour Party branch has been forced to apologise after appearing to brand migrant hotel protests as Neanderthals.
The Kingswinford and South Staffordshire Labour Party posted a picture to social media showing a number of human skulls with captions written underneath, such as “man”, “woman”, “gay”, “straight”, “poor” and “ugly”.
The last skull in the image showed what appeared to be a Neanderthal skull with the caption “paints roundabouts, shouts at hotels”.
The post has since been removed from the group’s Facebook page.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Nigel Farage ‘disappointed’ after constituency area once again named the most deprived neighbourhood in England
Nigel Farage, MP for Clacton, said he was ‘disappointed’
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PA
Nigel Farage said he is “sad” to see an area of his constituency once again named the most deprived neighbourhood in England, describing parts of it as “very depressed.”
The latest official data shows that an area of the coastal village of Jaywick, close to the town of Clacton-on-Sea in the authority of Tendring in Essex, has been classed the most deprived neighbourhood for the fourth time in a row.
Reform UK’s leader and Clacton MP said: “I’m obviously sad that things aren’t improving more quickly, and I’m worried with the Budget coming up that the situation might get worse.
“Clacton itself, its main income of course is tourism.
“We’ve got piers, we’ve got pavilions, we’ve got all that stuff and I’m very worried about the proposed betting tax because of the slot machines and all the pier amusement arcades. I’m worried about that.
“I do everything I can to encourage small business and local business. But everybody just feels very, very burdened these days.”
Probe launched into alleged racial abuse of Green Deputy Leader
An investigation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police after Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali said he was “racially abused” and told he “should be deported.”
Mr Ali said a “racist thug” threatened to “smash my head in” at Earl’s Court Station.
He told the BBC: “This was not random. His words echoed the racist abuse I see online every day. British men are being radicalised by extremists, politicians, parts of the media and oligarchs.”
The Met Police said it had launched an investigation into “allegations of racial abuse” and was reviewing footage from Ali and station CCTV. No arrests have been made.
WATCH: Claire Pearsall criticises Rachel Reeves for sending out a ‘bad’ message of being ‘too busy’ to organise the renting licence for her South London property
Chris Hope says rise of ‘five party politics’ could provide lifeline for the Tories
Christopher Hope has said “five party politics” could provide an opportunity for the Conservatives.
It comes as a recent YouGov poll had Reform UK on 27 points, with Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats within just two points of each other.
GB News’ Political Editor said the situation was “extraordinary, and appears to present an opportunity to the Conservatives.”
GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ CHOPPER’S ANALYSIS HERE.
Zarah Sultana says Your Party wants to ‘run Government’
The Your Party co-leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have reconciled
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PA
Zarah Sultana has said Your Party is a “a 10, 20, 30-year project” as she claimed the party wanted to “run the Government” after early divisions with her co-leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
The Coventry South MP said the party was a “socialist, democratic and member-led” group ahead of its inaugural conference in November.
She told the BBC: “I’m in politics because of a desire to change people’s lives for the better, and that means winning state power, that means actually running government.
“We’re building a party of the left that can win power and deliver justice.”
