Starmer REFUSES to deny new pensioner raid - just hours after Reeves's pledge to GB News

Labour slapped down in the Lords over 'bonkers' Winter Fuel Payment

Labour have been handed their first parliamentary defeat since the General Election with the Winter Fuel Payment row making its way to the House of Lords.

On Wednesday night, peers backed a Tory-tabled "regret motion" by 164 votes to 132 - with senior critics condemning the Labour Government's so-called "betrayal" of Britain's pensioners.

The 164 peers voiced their "regret" that pensioners would be "worse off in winter", that "above-inflation pay rises for unionised public sector professionals" were prioritised "over the needs of the elderly", and over the "lack of transparency on these policy decisions during the election period".

Though Conservative backbenchers in the unelected chamber had tried to cut the cuts earlier today, their motion was cast aside by 138 votes to 30.

Tory former pensions minister Baroness Altmann, who ultimately failed in her attempt to derail the plan, said: "I would support this measure if it were dated 2025 instead of 2024, giving time to put in place some mitigation and protection for these poorest pensioners.

"Those on pension credit are not the poorest, they are getting extra help.

"Those just a few pounds a week above the limit [for pension credit] or those eligible who don't claim and receive it - they are the poorest, and there is nothing in these regulations that will ensure they receive the money they were expecting and has been withdrawn from them with no warning, no time for them to economise in time for the cold weather this winter."

While Tory frontbencher Baroness Stedman-Scott branded changes to the winter fuel payment a "betrayal on a shocking scale".

She said: "If the public finances were so tight, as the Chancellor would have us believe, ministers would be showing pay restraint across the board... In fact, the truth is quite the opposite."

Former Brexit Party MEP Baroness Fox of Buckley said the row over the payments had led to "boomer bashing" - while ex-Ulster Unionist leader Lord Empey labelled the policy plan "bonkers".

Jeremy Miles returns to Welsh First Minister’s top team just months after ousting Vaughan Gething from office

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan has re-shuffled her top team for the first time since her election last month, with Jeremy Miles making a return to the front benches as Health Secretary.

Miles was one of two ministers to resign from Vaughan Gething’s cabinet in the summer forcing an end to Gething’s short reign in office.

Julie James - the other minister to resign from Gething’s cabinet in the summer - will now be Counsel General in Eluned Morgan’s team.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

‘Brexit derangement syndrome!’ London council sparks fury after blaming leaving EU for ‘closing’ primary schools

A Remain-supporting London council has sparked fury after blaming Brexit for proposed plans to close a number of local primary schools.

Lambeth Council, which is home to the highest proportion of pro-EU voters in the UK, is formally consulting residents and school communities amid concern about falling primary school pupil numbers.

There has been a drastic drop in children starting primary schools in Lambeth over the past decade, with an almost 30 per cent drop recorded in January 2024.

More than 500 vacancies have now been opened up in reception classes alone, the equivalent of 18 empty classrooms.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Environment Secretaries past and present lock horns as Steve Barclay claims Steve Reed 'doesn't understand the countryside'

Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has lashed out at his Labour counterpart for "not understanding the countryside" - because he represents a London constituency.

Barclay - MP for North East Cambridgeshire - took aim at namesake Steve Reed and his party for already having let down farmers, despite coming to power only a little more than two months ago.

Writing in The Telegraph, Barclay said: "The truth is Labour don’t understand rural communities, and they never will.

"This is the party that chose Steve Reed, the member for Croydon North and the former Lambeth Council leader, to make decisions about the future of our countryside.

"Labour's last three leaders have come from the same square mile of north London... Of course there is nothing wrong with living and representing a city or major town, but you cannot pretend to understand the unique set of challenges that rural people face."

The scathing remarks follow a suggestion earlier this year by Reed himself that party leaders past - including Jeremy Corbyn - had not appropriately engaged with rural voters.

Back then, the now-Environment Secretary said he was "working very, very hard" to get to grips with rural communities - and promised Labour would respect them going forward.

EXCLUSIVE: Pensioners in seat which voted Labour for first time EVER in 2024 despair at Winter Fuel Payment cuts - 'How can they do that to a human being?'

Pensioners who will now miss out on Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) fear their health may suffer as a result of Labour’s “wicked” decision to scrap the allowance.

The decision has prompted outcry from charities, poverty campaigners and politicians alike - but GB News went to one constituency which voted Labour for the very first time in 2024 to see how some of Britain's vulnerable are feeling as winter draws near.

In Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire - in the newly-turned Labour seat of Hertford and Stortford which voted red for the first time in its history, despite decades of Conservative rule - residents were keen to share their views on yesterday’s controversial vote.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Britain and US ring-fence £600MILLION for supporting Ukraine

David Lammy has confirmed the UK and US will be handing Ukraine some £600million in support funding as the country heads into winter.

As part of his aforementioned visit to Kyiv with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lammy confirmed £242million would be heading Ukraine's way from the UK, with an additional $484million (£372million) in World Bank loan guarantees before the end of the year.

A Foreign Office statement took aim at Vladimir Putin's "illegal invasion" of his neighbour to the west, while the Foreign Secretary highlighted parallels between Ukraine's "fight for freedom" and Britain's security in the face of growing Russian threats.

He said: "The UK's support to Ukraine is unwavering. Our commitment of over £600million worth of support is the latest installment in our enduring support to Ukraine.

"This will provide vital support to Ukrainians as they continue to endure relentless Russian attacks.

"It is a privilege to be one of the first to meet my new counterparts. The bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people is inspiring.

"Alongside the United States, we are committed to giving Ukraine what it needs to resist Russia's illegal invasion.

"Their fight for freedom, liberty and democracy is also a fight for British security, European security, and global security. With the US, we stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes."

Lammy vows the West is 'listening carefully' to Ukraine as No10 warns 'winter is coming'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has vowed the West is "listening carefully" to Ukraine's concerns following his arrival in Kyiv.

Lammy, in the embattled country's capital alongside his American and Ukrainian counterparts, said the Western duo had come to "listen to Ukraine, to speak to President Zelensky, to hear and understand the strategy".

High on the agenda was a potential British sign-off on Ukraine using the UK's long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia - but despite Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal's pleas, the Foreign Secretary remained coy.

He told reporters: "We're here to listen, to understand the plan, to understand the strategy and understand the needs across a whole range of fronts.

"Yes, of course, equipment but of course energy that has been sabotaged, the support that's needed on the humanitarian front over these next few months and how we continue to mobilise the international community on Ukraine's behalf.

"So we are listening carefully and, of course, we are having discussions on a range of issues including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win."

While back in London, Downing Street insisted there had been "no change in our position" on the use of Storm Shadow missiles in Russia, and added that the Government was always attuned to Ukrainian concerns.

A No10 spokeswoman said: "We are at a critical juncture in Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression as we head into the winter" - a warning echoed by the Foreign Secretary on the ground in Kyiv.

Lammy said: "We're seeing Russia amplify its work with its friends and we've seen this horrendous transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia over the last few days.

"We've sanctioned further the Russian Shadow Fleet today, and my colleague John Healey has announced more ammunition, more armoured vehicles, more support to Ukraine's victory effort at this time. We're here to listen.

"That's why I'm here with Tony Blinken - a US Secretary of State and a UK Foreign Secretary travelling together. We haven't seen that for well over a decade in our system.

"Travelling here to listen to Ukraine, to speak to President Zelensky, to hear and understand the strategy because we are determined to see Ukraine win in their efforts over the coming months and over this period."

Starmer refuses to apologise to 'shivering pensioners' over 'chilling' decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments

Sir Keir Starmer has opted not to apologise to "shivering" pensioners who will now miss out on Winter Fuel Payments.

Tory MP Dame Harriet Baldwin asked whether the Prime Minister would apologise for taking away the pensioner perk from "frail" OAPs.

The ex-Treasury Minister said: “I thought that socialism was about taxing those with the broadest shoulders in order to help the most vulnerable.

“But it appears that Starmer socialism involves scaring those with the broadest shoulders out of the country while taking the winter fuel allowance off frail, 90-year-olds living in draughty homes.

“Will the Prime Minister apologise to my shivering constituents for his personal choice and will he reverse this chilling decision?”

Responding to her request to apologise, Starmer said: "My choice is to stabilise the economy after 14 years of failure."

Sunak pokes fun at Starmer over Thatcher painting row

Rishi Sunak has poked fun at Sir Keir Starmer over the Prime Minister's decision to remove a picture of Margaret Thatcher from No10.

The Leader of the Opposition said: "Farmers also do great work to preserve the beauty of the British countryside and something I am sure that the Prime Minister will appreciate given his new found preference for landscapes over political portraiture.

"But when it comes to land use there are currently protections in place to ensure that the most productive farmland is used for food production rather than alternatives like solar.

"Does he agree that it is not appropriate or right that developers with a vested interest grade the quality of that farmland themselves and will he look at making that process independent?"

The Prime Minister replied: "Rural communities were neglected under the last government. Confidence was at an all-time low and thousands of food and farming businesses have been forced out of business.

"Of course we will work with them, of course we will get the balance right."

Farage clashes with Starmer over 'two-tier justice system' as prisoners celebrate early release

Nigel Farage has clashed with Sir Keir Starmer over the Labour Government's decision to accelerate the early release of prisoners to free up more jail spaces.

The Reform UK leader warned the Prime Minister that the public are starting to fear about "two-tier policing" as rioters look set to fill the spaces freed-up by "in some cases serious career criminals".

Farage said: “Does the Prime Minister understand there is a growing feeling of anger in this country that we are living through two-tier policing and a two-tier justice system?”

The Prime Minister replied: “I am angry to be put in a position of having to release people who should be in prison because the last government broke the prison system.”

Starmer STILL dodging questions on Winter Fuel Payments amid fears millions of pensioners at risk

Sir Keir Starmer has dodged Rishi Sunak's request for the Government to publish an impact assessment on his plan to cut Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

The Leader of the Opposition asked the Prime Minister whether he would publish such information several times during their heated 10-minute exchange in the House of Commons.

Sunak asked: Will he now publish the impact assessment before the House rises?"

However, Starmer instead attempted to point the blame at the Tories after leaving a £22billion blackhole in public finances.

Starmer replied: "Before he complains about us clearing up his mess, perhaps he would like to apoloigise for the £22billion black hole?"

Attempting to clarify the potential result of a impact assessment, Sunak again asked: "We know why he is hiding the impact assessment. The Labour Party's own previous analysis claimed that this policy could cause 3,850 deaths. So are the numbers in his impact assessment higher or lower than that?"

Dodging the question again, the Prime Minister said: "We are taking this decision to stabilise the economy.

"That means we can commit to the triple lock, by committing to the triple lock we can make sure that payments of state pension are higher and therefore there is more money in the pocket of pensioners, notwithstanding the tough action that we need to take."

Sunak concluded the exchange by warning the Prime Minister that the Tories will “continue holding him to account for that”.

PMQs is just minutes away

Sir Keir Starmer will to lock horns with Rishi Sunak after Labour MPs voted to push ahead with measures to cut Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

The Leader of the Opposition is expected to quiz the Prime Minister on the decision, with the Tories ramping up efforts to turn the screw against Labour MPs for supporting the plan.

Anderson vows to 'name and shame' Labour MPs as Reform set to savage Starmer over 'pernicious' Winter Fuel Payment vote

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson has vowed to "name and shame" Labour MPs after 348 voted in favour of scrapping the Winter Fuel Allowance for 10 million pensioners.

Anderson, who served as a Labour Councillor before switching to the Tories and later Reform UK, appeared to suggest the populist party would look to savage Sir Keir Starmer ahead of next year's local elections.

Reform UK's five MPs joined a rainbow coalition of Tories, Liberal Democrats, SNP and Green MPs to oppose the Prime Minister's proposal.

Speaking about how Reform UK will respond to Labour's push, Anderson told GB News: "Next year we've got the county elections in Nottinghamshire, and I'm telling you now, this will be on every single leaflet.

“I will name and shame every single Labour MP in Nottinghamshire that voted for this pernicious, cruel Act of Parliament."

The Tory Party is also ramping up efforts to exert pressure on Labour MPs who voted for Starmer’s plan.

Labour MPs were named with the number of local pensioners who could lose Winter Fuel Payments also being tallied.

A rebellion against Starmer's plan failed to materialise, with John Trickett leading a one man revolt against the Prime Minister.

However, 53 Labour MPs abstained as the seven Corbynistas who lost the whip after supporting an SNP motion to end the two-child benefit cap voted against the measure to means-test Winter Fuel Payments.

'I'll make it to the members!' Cleverly makes bold leadership prediction 

'...that's what will get me to the final two and ultimately on to the leadership or the party.'

Shadow Home Secretary, James Cleverly, explains why he believes he will make the final two in the race for Conservative Party leader, despite not gaining any votes yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ot5EzmN5aV

— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 11, 2024

Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly has made a bold prediction about his chances after receiving 21 votes in yesterday's second ballot.

The former Home Secretary was level with ex-Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, as Kemi Badenoch obtained 28 votes and Robert Jenrick cemented his pole position on 32.

However, Cleverly is now confident he will make it to the final two as MPs prepare to head to the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham later this month.

Labour MPs don't credit Starmer for landslide victory, ANALYSIS BY OLIVIA UTLEY

GB News' political correspondent Olivia Utley has shed some insight on why 53 Labour MPs abstained on axing Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners yesterday.

Olivia argued the Prime Minister's majority does not reflect the atmosphere among Labour MPs, with many not crediting Starmer for their victories on July 4.

She also highlighted how Starmer's personal approval rating was much lower than the likes of Tony Blair, instead pointing out it was much closer to Jeremy Corbyn's.

Olivia said:

These MPs don't feel as though Keir Starmer has won them their seats. The Labour Party was popular in the election, particularly because the Conservatives were so unpopular.

Keir Starmer himself never polled particularly impressively. He polled lower at some points than Jeremy Corbyn who was seen as a disaster.

This means that he doesn't quite have the same authority as someone like Tony Blair even though he pretty much has the same size majority.

WATCH NOW: Rachel Reeves defends Winter Fuel Payments plan

David Lammy and Antony Blinken arrive in Kyiv

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The pair will meet Ukrainian leaders to discuss providing assistance to the ex-Soviet state against Russia's ongoing onslaught.

Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly takes aim at Labour over early release prisoners

Former Home Secretary James Cleverly has taken aim at Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government after ex-prisoners were filmed celebrating outside of jail yesterday.

Cleverly, who is running to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, told GB News: "The fact is Labour have bowed to pressure. They've taken what they thought was the easy option and we are now living with the consequences. This is about poor decision-making by the Labour Party."

The Braintree MP made the comments shortly before Chancellor Rachel Reeves blamed the Tories for the state of overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales.

'It makes me really angry!' Rachel Reeves admits she was FURIOUS at prisoners popping champagne after early release

Rachel Reeves has admitted she was "really angry" after prisoners were seen popping champagne following their early release from jail under Labour's plans to curb overcrowding.

Inmates who were part of the first 1,750 early-release criminals were snapped celebrating outside a number of prisons across the UK, with GB News even witnessing a group of people smoking cannabis while an unmarked police car watched on.

Reeves joined the growing number of MPs to voice concern about the situation witnessed yesterday.

However, the Chancellor appeared more keen to take aim at the previous Tory Government over its handling of prisons.

Speaking to GB News' political editor Christopher Hope at Silverstone UTC, the Chancellor said: "It makes me really angry.

"It makes me really angry the inheritance that the previous Government left whether its the £22billion blackhole in public finances or failing to build the prison places that are necessary to keep criminals locked up.

"We will make sure that we those prison places are available but we have had to make the tough decisions to clear up the awful mess the previous Government left for us."

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Labour set to scrap fuel duty freeze and hike rates piling on misery for petrol and diesel drivers

A leading think tank has indicated that Labour will look to increase the rate of fuel duty in the upcoming Autumn Statement, potentially acting as a hammer blow for petrol and diesel drivers.

tHE new report from the Resolution Foundation has identified fuel duty, Stamp Duty and business rates relief for retail and hospitality would be potential headaches for Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Labour Government.

The Revenue and Reform report suggested that the loss of fuel duty due to vehicle electrification will be an "£8billion problem" by 2029-2030 and grow further every year after.

Labour will unveil its first Budget on October 30, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves looking to make cuts that will fill the £22billion funding black hole left by the previous Conservative Government.

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Reeves under 'no illusion' about challenges facing UK after pushing through Winter Fuel Payments

I am under no illusion about the scale of the challenge we face after fourteen years of low economic growth.

That’s why we are taking the long-term decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy, so we can rebuild
Britain and make every part of the country better off.

— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 11, 2024

'Trans women are women' say BOTH Labour MPs fighting to head up influential women and equalities committee

Both Labour MPs who are fighting to head up the Women & Equalities Committee believe transgender women are women.

Luton North MP Sarah Owen and Jarrow & Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne will today seek election to head up one of the most influential Commons groups.

However, the pair have previously argued trans women are women in comments that have raised eyebrows among women's rights campaigners.

In a tweet marking Transgender Awareness Week in November 2020, Owen said: “Trans rights are human rights. Trans men are men. Trans women are women.”

Osborne, who is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, separately said: “Yes, some women have a penis. It’s clear that Tory allies will help with their war on woke."

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY

WATCH NOW: Lee Anderson's warning to Labour MPs in full

Tories launch attack ads against 348 Labour MPs who backed 'pickpocketing pensioners'

The Tory Party has launched a fresh set of attack adverts after 348 Labour MPs voted to end Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

Despite Labour MPs reportedly being reduced to floods of tears after the vote, the Conservatives were quick to pounce on their woes.

An example of the advert seen by GB News shows Stretford & Urmston MP Andrew Western being pictured with the number of local pensioners expected to miss out on the seasonal cash boost also tallied below.

Labour will not 'water down' controversial Winter Fuel Payment cut

Labour will not "water down" its decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners, a Government Minister has insisted.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook ruled out making changes to the policy amid widespread concern about the impact on pensioners.

He told Sky News: “We are not going to water down that policy. We think it is the right decision to make.

“It is a decision we took with a heavy heart, none of us expected to do it.

“As you know, on taking office we discovered £22billion of unfunded spending commitments. Those in year unfunded spending pressures, they are real.”

Rachel Reeves speaks out after economy stalls

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said "change will not happen overnight" as the UK economy flatlined in July.

In a statement issued by the Treasury, Reeves said: "I am under no illusion about the scale of the challenge we face and I will be honest with the British people that change will not happen overnight.

"Two quarters of positive economic growth does not make up for fourteen years of stagnation.

"That is why we are taking the long-term decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy, including today’s announcement of £8billion of new investment from Amazon Web Services, that will help rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off."