Labour set for ‘annihilation’ in northern heartlands after local elections U-turn

'DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!' - President Trump warns against Chagos Islands deal

President Donald Trump has addressed Sir Keir Starmer on Truth Social just minutes ago, warning him against the UK's proposed deal with hand back the Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius.

He wrote: " Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before.

"Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease.

"This land should not be taken away from the U.K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally.

"We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them.

"DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!"

This comes after the First Minister of the Chagos Islands, Misley Mandarin, told GB News, he has been served papers of a removal order meaning he has to leave the atoll, his homeland, or he faces 3 years prison time or a £3,000 fine.

Robert Jenrick would 'love' to reduce taxes

Robert Jenrick wants Britain to "make more things" as he flagged the UK is particularly exposed to the influx of AI technologies on its job market due to being a predominantly service-based economy.

He told Christopher Hope, GB News' political editor: "We should also try and re-industrialise our country and salvage industries such as car making, steel.

"We are going to scrap all the mad net zero policies that the other parties have indulged in for too long."

Mr Jenrick also said he we "love" to bring down taxes for people in the UK, but he isn't going to make "false promises".

He said: "I want to ensure that everything Reform says is serious, rigorous and fully costed."

Reform UK’s Shadow Chancellor says public can 'trust' party with their money 

Robert Jenrick speaking to GB News said: “We believe in fiscal responsibility.”

They aim to stop spending money on asylum hotels and more broadly, foreigners accessing the UK’s benefits system.

He said: “It’s the national health service, not the international health service.”

The newly titled "Shadow Chancellor" of Reform said the party, if they came to power, would stop spending money on foreign aid.

'We can't afford it' - Robert Jenrick justifies Reform UK's two-child benefit cap U-turn 

Robert Jenrick, speaking on GB News said Reform UK will be reinstating the two-child benefit cap because “we can’t afford it”.

He continued to justify the decision by saying the party has to “restore discipline” and that they are “not a party of welfare”.

This decision is a U-turn as leader of the party, Nigel Farage initially wanted to keep the two-child benefit cap as a “desire to help families," Mr Jenrick said.

However, he assured this move will “restore fairness”.

John Curtice: The postponed council areas are not where Labour faces an electoral wipeout in May. Reform eyes another prize

Labour has unsurprisingly come in for considerable criticism following the reversal of its original decision to postpone local elections for 30 councils in May.

The reason for the postponement was supposedly that the local councils in question could not cope with holding elections while preparing for local government reorganisation. Yet now they are being expected to run an election anyway, despite having had their preparations put on hold.

There was also a curious feature to the postponements. Labour-led councils found the opportunity to delay their next appointment with the electorate much more attractive than did those being run by the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats.

This inevitably led some to the conclusion that, given its dire position in the polls, the party was taking the opportunity to avoid some seemingly inevitable, serious electoral losses.

Read the full story here.

Shadow Business Secretary criticises Labour minister having 'no business experience' following inflation drop 

Andrew Griffith, Shadow Business Secretary wrote on X in response to Mike Tapp, Labour minister for Migration and Citizenship: "This Labour MP literally doesn’t understand that rates are falling because of the anaemic growth and rising unemployment he and his socialist friends have caused: higher youth unemployment than the EU and lower growth than Albania."

Mr Griffith ended the post by writing that whilst Mr Tapp served in the military, he is "better than most", he still has "no business experience".

Mr Tapp's original post was celebrating the announcement today that inflation has dropped to 3 per cent, to which he also outlined there have been six interest rate falls under this Labour government.

He ended his post on X by saying, "We are heading in the right direction!"

Nigel Farage blames Equality Act for middle aged white men for losing jobs

Middle-aged white men are losing jobs because of the Equality Act, Nigel Farage has claimed.

During an event in the City of London, the Reform UK leader was asked whether he could guarantee nobody would lose a job because of their sex, ethnicity or disability under his party’s plans to scrap the Equality Act.

Mr Farage said: “Well, people are losing their jobs now, particularly if they are white, and male and middle-aged, and that’s the problem, that actually something that was designed to stop discrimination becomes in itself discriminatory.

"The protections you’re talking about were in law way before the 2010 Equalities Act."

Tories blast 'one man band' Reform UK for making 'even Keir Starmer look consistent' 

Conservative Party Chair Kevin Hollinrake said: "One week Nigel Farage says Robert Jenrick is a fraud, next week he’s Reform’s economic guru. You cannot trust a word he says.

"Reform’s economic policy changes by the week. Just two weeks ago, Rob Jenrick voted to lift the two-child benefit cap.

"Today he claims he would reinstate it. They make even Keir Starmer look consistent.

"Within Reform, no one agrees on anything. Danny Kruger wants to scrap the two-child cap. Richard Tice wants to scrap the OBR. Suella Braverman wants to pursue 'socialist' policies.

"But none of it really matters. Reform is a one-man band. The only view that counts is Nigel Farage’s and he wants more welfare."

Robert Jenrick promises HISTORIC tax changes as Reform UK vows to 'defuse benefits bomb'

Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick has promised to conduct a review of Britain’s tax code in a major overhaul not seen since Nigel Lawson’s stint as Chancellor in the 1980s.

Mr Jenrick, who was unveiled as Reform UK’s Shadow Chancellor yesterday, made the pitch during a keynote speech at the LCW Plaisterers' Hall in the City of London.

Despite Reform UK previously pledging to cut taxes by £90billion, the Newark MP is now promising a "fully costed" plan to lower rates for millions of workers.

He said: "We want a simpler, fairer tax system that incentivises work, saving and investment. That means fixing the absurd marginal tax rates many face today.

"So we intend to review the tax code in a programme not seen since the landmark reforms of Nigel Lawson.

“But we also understand that we can’t make tax cuts while running a huge deficit in the vain hope that the Laffer curve alone will do the hard work for us."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Former Reform UK councillors join Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain

Seven former Reform UK councillors have joined Rupert Lowe’s new political party, Restore Britain, and will form a new group at Kent County Council.

The former members, six of whom had been kicked out of Reform, have joined the party led by the Independent MP for Great Yarmouth.

A Reform UK source said Restore are "welcome to our dregs", adding: "Let’s not forget that six of these councillors were expelled from Reform.

"If this is Restore’s bar for councillors then it must be very low indeed."

The new Restore Britain group members are Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw and Brian Black, who have been sitting as the Independent Group, Robert Ford and Isabella Kemp from the current Independent Reformers Group, and independent-sitting councillors Maxine Fothergill and Dean Burns.

Mr Lowe, who is also a former Reform UK MP, posted the defection announcement on X and wrote "there will be many more to come."

Keir Starmer brands Robert Jenrick 'shameful' as he tears into Reform's Shadow Chancellor

Sir Keir Starmer has branded Robert Jenrick's announcement that Reform will reinstate the two child benefit cap as "shameful".

He said: "I'm incredibly proud that this Government has scrapped the cruel two-child limit.

"Reform wants to push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty."

Keir Starmer says Labour has 'followed the legal advice' over local elections u-turn

Put to him during a visit to South Wales that the reversal had left local councils scrambling to organise polls at short notice, the Prime Minister said: "Well, I think it’s important to remind ourselves that the decision to cancel was a locally-led decision in the sense that each authority could decide.

"Yes, Labour authorities came forward to say, 'please delay'. But so did Tory authorities, so did Lib Dem authorities.

"In relation to the position, we took further legal advice, and as you would expect as a Government, having got further legal advice, we followed that legal advice."

Labour Chair slams Robert Jenrick's plan to keep the two child benefit cap

The Chair of the Labour Party has said working people and children will "pay the price" under a Reform government.

Anna Turley said: "Robert Jenrick has united the right behind a cruel child poverty pact that would see nearly half a million kids pushed into poverty.

"Farage’s party is stuffed full of former failed Tories who are now hell bent on continuing their damaging legacy, with working people and their children set to pay the price.

"Labour chooses the other road, lifting almost half a million kids out of child poverty, and that’s what we’re doing this year. It’s the right thing to do for them, their families and our economy.

"It’s appalling that Reform and the Tories would undo that change and leave a lost generation of kids in every corner of Britain."

Taxpayers' Alliance warns 'words are far easier than actions' 

Responding to Mr Jenrick's remarks at Reform UK's press conference on the economy, John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Robert Jenrick's gets a lot right in his diagnosis of the economic and fiscal problems Britain faces, but words are far easier than actions.

"Committing to dealing with the national debt, clamping down on welfarism, even reversing Reform's policy on lifting the two-child benefit cap, and reforming the tax system are welcome commitments, but some taxpayers will worry that it could be too good to be true.

"If Reform is to gain the trust of sceptical Brits, they need to develop a clear, fully costed and serious plan on how they will implement the promises made today."

Sir Keir Starmer says inflation coming down is 'not just a statistic'

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is in South Wales with First Minister Eluned Morgan.

The Prime Minister told a press conference that inflation coming down is "not just a statistic" but something that will affect everyone.

He said: "You may have seen this morning that inflation has come down again now to three per cent and it’s scheduled to come down further. That will affect all of you, because that’s not just a statistic.

"That is how much it costs to do things, when you’re in the supermarket, when you’re filling up with petrol. All of these things are affected by inflation, and as we’re bringing it down, it eases the burden on people.”

He said he was "deeply conscious" that most people in Wales will cite the cost of living as their main concern.

Robert Jenrick cites Robert Peel as he wraps speech

Reform's Shadow Chancellor said: "No-one in Reform is pretending that this will be easy. The task of changing course after 30 years of failed policies is daunting.

"It requires deftness, care and plenty of planning. We will be in the words of Disraeli, conservative to preserve all that is good; radical to remove all that is bad.

"Admittedly, Disraeli was not a very successful Chancellor, it has to be said. My inspiration is another Robert, also from the outskirts of the Black Country. Robert Peel.

"The architect of the Victorian age of stability and prosperity. He was, as we will be, a reassuring revolutionary.

"If we get it right, we will see the benefits in real, immediate 'catch-up' economic growth with more jobs, higher wages and lower bills."

Robert Jenrick slams 'chaos' under Liz Truss 

Robert Jenrick said: "We will only cut taxes when we have generated the fiscal headroom necessary to make tax cuts sustainable.

"To those who question our approach, I say this. We have seen what happens when this economic rule is ignored and fiscal discipline is thrown out the window.

"Liz Truss went down the path of wild spending splurges alongside big tax cuts. The result was chaos. Mortgage payments soared...Working people suffered.

"Today, I give you my word that a Reform Government will never play fast and loose with your savings."

Robert Jenrick says he believes 'the opposite' to Andy Burnham

Robert Jenrick has said he believes "the opposite" to Andy Burnham when the Greater Manchester mayor said the Government should not be “in hock” to the bond markets.

Reform UK’s new Treasury spokesman said: "If you need to borrow money to fund your spending, then you need to convince the lender that you have the wherewithal to repay it.

"I say to the bond markets that I respect you, that bond markets force the Government to face up to difficult trade-offs."

Mr Jenrick accused successive governments of changing and breaking their fiscal rules, which he said had previously gone "out the window."

Robert Jenrick calls for 'simpler, fairer tax system'

Robert Jenrick said: "The state is taking more of their money than ever before. Reform believes the tax burden is far too high...and that cutting it is a crucial part of generating economic growth.

"We see the value in doing so wholesale, where tax disincentivises work and investment and in a targeted manner to spur investment in the growth sectors of the future, like the biotech industry.

"We’ve already set out how we will save businesses like pubs and farms from taxes that make their business model impossible.

"We want a simpler, fairer tax system that incentivises work, saving and investment."

Reform UK pledges to reinstall the two-child benefit cap

Robert Jenrick has confirmed Reform UK will restore the two-child benefit cap in full if it forms the next Government.

He said: "We want to help working families have more children. But right now, we just cannot afford to do so with welfare. So it has to go.

"As Reform’s shadow chancellor, I’m ending it. A Reform Government will restore the cap in full.

"We are the party of alarm clock Britain, a party for workers and not welfare."

Robert Jenrick says Reform will 'bring Britain back from the brink'

Robert Jenrick said Reform will "bring Britain back from the brink of a debt crisis by cutting wasteful spending. "

Reform's Shadow Chancellor said: "The root of many of our problems is that successive Governments have taken more and more of people and businesses’ money, and wasted it.

"They’ve sprayed it around, with no regard for how hard they worked for it or their priorities. They say your money is needed for the NHS, our armed forces, the police. Those in need.

"But, more and more often now, it’s not going to them. It’s going to those who don’t need it or shouldn’t be getting it. Council houses for migrants. Foreign aid to rich countries. Billions in welfare for foreign citizens.

"Expensive new cars for those with anxiety. Colossal payouts to fat cat executives of utility companies that have increased, not cut, people’s energy and water bills. Reform will get rid of this endemic waste."

Robert Jenrick says 'everyone is feeling hard up' as he says Labour has 'betrayed' british people

The Newark MP said: "Everyone is feeling hard up. An economy no longer serving working people - held hostage by a trade union orthodoxy that we thought we’d banished decades ago.

"The British people have been betrayed once again. They voted for change, but instead got more decline.

"They feel cheated, and have every right to be. What Britain needs is to change course, and forge a new political economy.

"What Britain needs is Reform."

Robert Jenrick slams 'defeatist' attitude to economy in first speech as Reform's Shadow Chancellor

Robert Jenrick told a press conference: "In 1997, our people’s living standards were closing the gap with America. Today, incomes are closer to Romania’s than the US. And why is that?

"They spent money we didn’t have, more than doubling our debt and increasing taxes to record levels. They failed to reform a public sector where productivity has barely risen in 30 years.

"They blindly pursued Net Zero, driving industrial electricity prices to the highest level in the developed world, and killing British manufacturing in the process.

"They eviscerated the tax base. Today we have just 80,000 companies with a turnover of over £5m; a quarter fewer per capita than the United States.

"The recent succession of Prime Ministers in my old party and now in Labour, lacked the vision for what we could do to arrest our decline.

"Defeatist. Each in turn, defeated."

Nigel Farage issues update on Chagossians

Nigel Farage has waded in on the row after a British patrol has ordered a group of Chagossians who attempted to set up a settlement on the atoll to leave the island.

The Reform leader said: "This attempt by a group to claim national self determination have been threatened by the British Government.

"What about their human rights? We are looking right now at every possible legal avenue."

Labour announces seven new railway stations across Wales

Labour has confirmed seven new railway stations are set to open across Wales in what Sir Keir Starmer called an "investment for the long term."

The new railway stations are:

• Magor and Undy
• Llanwern
• Cardiff East
• Newport West
• Somerton
• Cardiff Parkway
• Deeside Industrial Park

The Prime Minister said: "For too long, Wales has been let down by a UK Government unwilling to do the hard yards and build the future they deserve.

"This Government is turning the page on historic dither and delay with seven new stations, thousands of jobs, and a generational commitment to build a rail network fit for Wales’ future.

"This isn’t tinkering nor sticking plasters. This is investment for the long term and change communities will feel. This is putting Wales on the front foot and getting Britain building again."

Rachel Reeves urges Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to 'come forward' over Epstein links

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor "owes it to the victims" of Jeffrey Epstein to come forward and speak about what he knows.

She said: "The former prince has got a lot of questions to answer on a whole range of issues.

"I think he owes it to the victims of Epstein and his associates to come forward and give much more information about what he knew around the treatment of young women and girls."

Former Labour council leader defects to the Greens

An former leader of Southwark Labour and current borough cabinet member has joined Zack Polanski's Green Party as he issued a scathing outlook of Sir Keir Starmer's party.

James McAsh, who represents the Goose Green ward, blamed Labour becoming "intolerant of anyone pushing for progressive change" for his defection.

He said: "I grew up in a Labour household and I’ve devoted much of my adult life to the party. I’m proud of the work I’ve done in Southwark, but Labour is no longer the vehicle for social justice I once thought it was.

"My trade union and political life has been defined by fighting austerity. I cannot in good conscience tell residents to vote Labour, knowing the harm that Labour’s cuts will do."

Labour fights to defend three seats from Reform UK in key by-election battles across Britain

Labour is looking to defend three seats in by-election battles in wards located in Caerphilly, Leicester and Redcar and Cleveland tomorrow, amid ongoing troubles in No10.

In Caerphilly, Labour is defending its seat in the Van ward, with the party hoping to hold onto seats over in the Leicester ward on Stoneygate, and Zetland ward in Redcar and Cleveland.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE.

Labour minister dismisses claims Labour will delay plans to raise minimum wage

A Labour minister has dismissed claims the Government may delay plans to raise the minimum wage for young people.

Wales Secretary Jo Stevens has said the reports are based on anonymous briefings and that Labour's position remains unchanged.

She rejected concerns from groups such as the Federation of Small Businesses that higher wages would increase youth unemployment, citing the Low Pay Commission’s view that there is no direct link between minimum wage rises and youth unemployment.

She told Sky News: "There's no evidence to suggest a direct correlation between rises in the national minimum wage and youth unemployment."

Shadow Commons leader dismisses Reform UK's claims they are the 'true opposition'

A Conservative MP has dismissed Reform UK's claim they are the "true opposition" as Nigel Farage revealed his party's "Shadow Cabinet".

The Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman told GB News: "I'm not going to get drawn on this. The constitution has a perfectly clear role for the official opposition. That's the Conservative Party.

"The Cabinet of the Opposition is the Shadow Cabinet. There's no ambiguity about that. That's how it always has been.

"We've had a number of Members of Parliament who, for career reasons, have decided to change their party and we wish them well but that's not anything I am focused about."

Welsh Secretary insists Eluned Morgan is a 'busy woman' amid Labour civil war

The First Minister of Wales "is a busy woman", the Welsh Secretary has insisted, after a delay in offering support for Sir Keir Starmer.

Jo Stevens faced questions on why Baroness Eluned Morgan had not immediately offered her support for the Prime Minister after Anas Sarwar called for him to resign.

The Welsh Secretary told Times Radio: "I don’t think she could have been any clearer.

"She’s a busy woman, she’s the First Minister of Wales, she’s not going to be able to do stuff, you know, seconds after Anas Sarwar does his press conference.

"But she was very clear backing the Prime Minister."

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump hold overnight crunch talks

Sir Keir Starmer held an overnight call with President Donald Trump where both agreed to condemn Vladimir Putin and called for more humanitarian aid for Gaza.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, last night.

"The Prime Minister reiterated his condemnation of Putin’s barbaric attacks on innocent civilians in Ukraine, and the leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations to deliver a just and lasting peace.

"Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Prime Minister reflected on the current situation in the region and the importance of securing further access for humanitarian aid.

"He set out his support for the ongoing work to deliver the US-led peace plan.

"The two leaders confirmed their joint commitment to promoting stability and peace in the Middle East. They discussed the ongoing talks between the US and Iran taking place in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear programme.

"Both agreed that Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and they reiterated the need to work closely amongst allies and partners to improve regional security."

Mel Stride says families are still 'feeling the pinch' 

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: "Inflation remains above target thanks to Labour’s choices. Families are still feeling the pinch because of Labour’s economic mismanagement.

"This comes after the Office for National Statistics confirmed unemployment has risen to a five-year high, with youth unemployment now above the European average, and GDP per capita falling.

"Wes Streeting was right that Labour have no growth strategy.

"Britain is not being governed, the economy is weaker and working people are paying the price.

"Only the Conservatives have a plan for a stronger economy, and a leader with the backbone to deliver that plan and get Britain working again."

Rachel Reeves insists Labour's economic plan is 'the right one' as inflation eases

Rachel Reeves has insisted Labour's economic plan is "the right one" as UK inflation eased to its lowest since March last year.

The Chancellor said: "Cutting the cost of living is my number one priority.

"Thanks to the choices we made at the budget we are bringing inflation down, with £150 off energy bills, a freeze in rail fares for the first time in 30 years and prescription fees frozen again.

"Our economic plan is the right one, to cut the cost of living, cut the national debt and create the conditions for growth and investment in every part of the country."

Liberal Democrats say businesses are feeling 'bleak' about the economy under Labour

A senior Liberal Democrat has said businesses in her Shropshire constituency are feeling "bleak" under Labour.

Reacting to this morning's drop in inflation, the party's health spokeswoman Helen Morgan told GB News: "It's good news but long overdue.

"I spent yesterday in my constituency with businesses they felt quite bleak about the future.

"They felt the jobs tax has caused a lot of problems, they're struggling to recruit in some circumstances.

"I think there's a lot of gloom about the economy so this will be a slither of good news but we need to see the Chancellor do better."

Inflation drops to 3% with Bank of England interest rate cut on the cards

The consumer price index (CPI) rate of inflation fell sharply to three per cent in the 12 months to January.

The fall is in line with the predictions of many economists, with easing pressures across airfares, food, and energy being cited as key factors.

The fall is a ten month-low reading for inflation, and will be seen as a positive step towards the Bank of England's two per cent inflation target.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Keir Starmer to make first public appearance since cancelling elections U-turn as PM rushes to key Reform battleground

Sir Keir Starmer is set to make his first public appearance since abandoning plans to cancel local elections for 4.5 million Britons.

The Prime Minister will travel to Wales today and meet First Minister Eluned Morgan ahead of a crunch showdown with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK on May 7.

However, Sir Keir's decision to reinstate thirty English council polls, originally delayed to assist local authorities with a major reorganisation programme, came after Reform UK mounted a legal challenge.

Legal advice prompted the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to abandon the postponement on Monday.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Not serious!' Mel Stride blasts Robert Jenrick over 'back-of-a-fag-packet' plan for economy

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride MP has taken aim at his Reform counterpart Robert Jenrick over his plan to shake-up the City of London.

Speaking ahead of Mr Jenrick's first speech since being unveiled as Reform UK's pick for No11, Sir Mel said: "Reform are not serious on the economy. Jenrick claims Reform are happy to have their homework marked, yet they still haven’t explained the £10.5billion black hole in their pubs plan, and when challenged on it they said they were ‘not interested in the numbers’.

"Make no mistake - Reform’s back-of-a-fag-packet numbers would not withstand contact with OBR scrutiny. Their recklessness would leave our economy weaker.

"Reform’s plans for the OBR are in chaos. Just last month Farage was saying he was looking at abolishing the OBR. It’s the same old story with Reform - say one thing, then row back as soon as questions are asked. They have no plan and no principles.

"Only the Conservatives have a leader with a backbone, the plan and the team to get Britain working again and build a stronger economy."

Labour's damning verdict on Robert Jenrick ahead of 'Shadow Chancellor's speech

A top member of Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet has spoken out ahead of Robert Jenrick's speech in the City of London today.

Dan Tomlinson MP, Labour’s Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Robert Jenrick is trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes but he can’t hide from his appalling record in Government.

“Reform’s new cosplay 'Shadow Chancellor' has long lambasted the OBR, he backed Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-Budget which triggered an economic meltdown, and his new party has already made billions of pounds in unfunded spending commitments.

"Jenrick and his former Tory Party smashed family finances, and he’d do the same again through Reform.

“While Reform and their Tory defectors have talked down and trashed our economy, this Labour Government has made the fair choices to fix our economy.

"Our action has seen inflation and interest rates falling, the economy growing, and wages rising – putting money back in people’s pockets.”