Keir Starmer sees off Labour rebellion as MPs vote to cut jury trials

'Scrapping jury trials is not the answer,' says Labour MP who voted against bill

Labour MP Richard Burgon says "scrapping jury trials is not the answer," after revealing he voted against the motion.

"I just voted against the Government’s plans to abolish juries in huge numbers of criminal trials," the MP for Leeds East said on X.

"The right to be tried by your peers is a cornerstone of our justice system. Scrapping jury trials is not the answer to the huge backlog in our courts - and wasn’t in the manifesto."

Independant MP Adnan Hussain, a solicitor by trade who quit Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party in November, also confessed he voted against the notion.

The Blackburn MP said: "I've just voted against plans to scale back jury trials in thousands of criminal cases. Trial by jury has protected liberty for centuries.

"The right to be judged by your peers is one of the most important safeguards in our justice system. This won’t solve the court backlog."

Some 100 Labour MPs fail to back David Lammy's controversial Bill

An astonishing 100 Labour MPs failed to back David Lammy's controversial Courts and Tribunals Bill this evening.

That figure includes 10 MPs who voted against, and 90 who had no vote recorded.

Seven Labour MPs, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, voted in favour of a Conservative amendment to reject the Bill, which was defeated.

It comes as little surprise given the lack of support the Bill had even from within Labour.

Earlier today, Labour rebel MP Karl Turner said the reforms were "unworkable, unjust, unpopular and unnecessary," while his colleague Charlotte Nichols accused the Justice Secretary of "weaponising" victims in the debate.

Reform UK blast 'shameful' Courts and Tribunals Bill  

Reform UK has slammed the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which was passed by a majority of 101 on Tuesday evening, as "shameful".

Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, said on X: "Tonight Labour voted to scrap jury trials.

"They’re trashing ancient rights rather than getting the courts sitting round the clock. It’s shameful."

The Bill, which aims to replace juries in England and Wales, was voted in favour by 304 to 203 this evening.

Rachel Reeves dismisses using public money to tackle oil price spike: 'Not the solution!'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested that using taxpayer money to help households struggling with soaring heating oil costs is "not the solution".

Instead, the Chancellor has instructed the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine heating oil prices alongside petrol station costs amid concerns that some suppliers may be exploiting the current crisis.

Ms Reeves made clear she would not offer financial relief to affected customers through public funds, arguing that tackling the underlying causes of the price surge represents a more effective strategy than direct Government spending.

Approximately 1.5 million properties across the UK rely on heating oil to keep warm, representing roughly five per cent of all homes.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

'Shameful!' - reaction as HMS Dragon finally sets sail

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has said the delays in HMS Dragon's voyage to the eastern Mediterranean are "shameful".

He told GB News: "I send my best wishes to her crew and am pleased she is finally underway - but this should have happened weeks ago.

"The fact is (John) Healey failed to answer any of my questions in Parliament yesterday, so I’ve written to him to ask the same questions (just posted on Twitter).

"Ultimately, it’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that, until (Keir) Starmer U-turned, he was denying the US the use of our bases whilst telling on their naval destroyers to guard ours. Shameful."

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey told the People's Channel: "I have only praise for our Royal Navy personnel and civilian teams who have worked flat out to prepare HMS Dragon for deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.

"What is normally six weeks of work was completed in just six days - a remarkable effort delivered around the clock. They are the very best of Britain in action."

Nigel Farage: 'HMS Dragon delays are a wake-up call'

Nigel Farage has said the delays in getting HMS Dragon to set sail - around a week after Keir Starmer said the vessel would be deployed after an RAF base in Cyprus was attacked by drones - is a "wake-up call".

"It has taken Labour two weeks to send a single naval vessel from Portsmouth behind me to defend our British base in Cyprus," the Reform UK leader said in a post on X.

"The depleted state of our armed forces is making the rest of the world lose respect for us.

"This is a wake-up call."

Labour MP accuses David Lammy of 'weaponising' victims in courts debate

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols has accused David Lammy of "weaponising" victims during this afternoons courts debate.

The Warrington North MP revealed to the Chamber that she had PTSD "after being raped after attending an event".

"I waited 1,088 days to go to court," she said. "Experiences like mine feel like they are being weaponised in this debate."

She argued accused the Justice Secretary for using rape victims as a "cudgel" in order to drive through his changes to the jury system, and that a fresh approach and different measures are needed to help rape victims get justice.

WATCH: HMS Dragon FINALLY leaves Portsmouth and sets sail for Cyprus amid escalating war

HMS Dragon has finally left Portsmouth and has started its journey towards the eastern Mediterranean to defend RAF Akrotiri.

READ THE ARTICLE AND WATCH THE FULL CLIP HERE.

BREAKING: HMS Dragon sets sail from Portsmouth

HMS Dragon, which has been docked at Portsmouth for days, has finally left port and headed for the eastern Mediterranean. It is expected to take several days to reach its destination.

RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was attacked by kamikaze drones more than one week ago. It is believed the attack was launched by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced about a dozen naval vessels, including its aircraft carrier strike group, will be stationed in the region

Jury changes 'unworkable, unjust, unpopular and unnecessary,' says Labour MP

A Labour MP has branded the proposed jury changes "unworkable, unjust, unpopular and unnecessary".

Justice Secretary David Lammy said earlier today that his proposed changes to jury trials will create a justice system "fit for the 21st century" - but it has instead caused uproar, even from within his own party.

Labour rebel MP Karl Turner said: "There are parts of this Bill which are, though, I’m afraid to say, unworkable, unjust, unpopular and unnecessary.

"Jury trial curtailment, the extended powers for sentencing in the magistrates, the removal of the right to elect jury trial for less than three years’ tariff, doing away with the automatic right, which is essentially what it is for appeal from the magistrates, is concerning."

He added: "I am more confident now than ever I was that the worst parts of this Bill, will be defeated at amendment stage, and I ask sincerely to my honourable and right honourable friends to let this have a second reading today, and let us make progress to get rid of the bits of this bill which are completely unworkable, unpopular, unjust and unnecessary.”

Digital ID could save 'tens of billions of pounds' and lead to future tax cuts

Digital ID could save "tens of billions of pounds" and lead to future tax cuts, according to Darren Jones.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister told a press conference in Downing Street: "There have been estimates already done by Government that says that if we’re able to digitise lots of these customer services, we can save tens and tends of billions of pounds every year.

"Tens of billions of pounds a year that is currently going on very unproductive call centres, lots of paper shuffling, slow processes.

"If we can just automate that and make it more digital, you free up taxpayers’ money, either to go on other priorities like the front line in the NHS, or quite frankly to give it back to taxpayers in the years ahead, because we’ve made public services cheaper to run."

BREAKING: UK inflation to miss 2% target and hit 3% by end of year if energy prices hold, OBR warns

UK inflation could end the year higher than previously expected if energy prices remain elevated amid tensions in the Middle East, Britain’s fiscal watchdog has warned.

The Office for Budget Responsibility said inflation could finish the year closer to three per cent rather than the two per cent currently forecast.

The change in outlook depends on whether oil and gas prices remain at their current levels following the recent escalation in the region.

Professor David Miles, a member of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR’s) budget responsibility committee, said the impact of the conflict on UK prices could be "significant" and "completely unwelcome".

READ THE FULL BREAKING STORY HERE.

Digital ID will be free to access for 'anybody who wants to use it,' says Labour

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, gave a speech this afternoon on Digital ID.

He says the digitalisation of Government processes will be "more efficient" and "cheaper to run".

Digital ID will be free to access for "anybody who wants to use it", Mr Jones adds.

He concludes by revealing three core principles: it must be "useful" , "secure," and "for everyone".

MP's lose faith in David Lammy's jury trial reform Bill on second reading

Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, suggested she could not support the Government’s jury trial reform Bill as she did not believe magistrates’ courts have capacity for cases that will no longer be heard by crown courts.

Intervening on Justice Secretary David Lammy in the Commons during the opening of the Courts and Tribunals Bill second reading, she said victims are owed a “debt of truth”.

She said: “The concern that the Institute for Government report highlights is that magistrates’ courts will struggle to absorb such a large increase in demand, so we may not see the faster justice that he is promising under these proposals.

“Will he recognise that for those of us who cannot support this legislation as it stands, it is that concern to look at the data, and look at whether juries are a red herring when it comes to the investment that we so sorely need because of the damage done by the previous government".

Mr Lammy replied that the Government has uncapped sitting days for magistrates and said he wanted to increase the number of magistrates.

He said: “She’s right. We will have to invest, we’ll have to increase our magistrates. But I hope because of her long-standing record working with victims particularly, that she will look hard on this Bill as it makes its passages and I hope she will feel able to support it ultimately".

Jury trial reform will create a justice system 'fit for the 21st century', says David Lammy

David Lammy said his proposed changes to jury trials will create a justice system “fit for the 21st century” as part of his package of reforms.

The Justice Secretary said there was a “silence” in courts caused by backlogs, which he said could reach 200,000 by the end of the decade.

The Courts and Tribunals Bill, which is getting its second reading in the Commons, will remove jury trials for cases with a likely sentence of under three years.

Mr Lammy acknowledged this had provoked “fierce” debate.

He referred to research which said it would reduce trial times by at least 20 per cent, and that it would free up thousands of hearing days for other cases.

Mr Lammy said: “This Bill is not just about juries, this is a whole package and that’s why just a few weeks ago I set out that investment was key, and this is £2.78 billion worth of investment and as Sir Brian (Leveson) told us in part two of his reforms, modernisation and dealing with efficiencies in the system is also fundamental.

“Victims are currently worn down, people simply give up, cases collapse and offenders remain free. Free to roam the streets, free to commit more crimes, free to create more victims.

“To restore swift and fair justice we are pulling every lever available, investment is essential, modernisation is essential, and reform".

Digital ID scheme rendered 'useless' after U-turn on mandatory enforcement, MP says

Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said the Government’s U-turn on whether digital ID's would be mandatory had rendered the scheme useless.

Responding to Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones’ statement in the Commons, Mr Wood said: “For months his department has insisted that digital ID was absolutely essential, and until a few weeks ago it had to be mandatory, even for babies.

“But after months of insisting the scheme was indispensable, the Government is now asking the public to tell them just what it is indispensable for.

“There was a time when this was supposed to be the magic bullet to tackle illegal migration. Now the Cabinet Office seems to be suggesting it might just help reduce hold time on Government call centres".

He compared the scheme to cashless shops as he warned after it is introduced it could later creep to becoming mandatory.

He said it could end up being “expensive, dangerous and intrusive” if opponents’ worst fears are realised.

Mr Jones replied: “When the public are doing their online banking and shopping in a quick and convenient way, the fact Government is saying you should be able to access public services in that way will seem perfectly sensible".

How much would the Digital ID scheme cost? - 'We have no idea' says Chief Secretary to PM

Asked how much the scheme would cost, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told MPs “we do not know the answer”, adding: “I look forward to coming back to the House with updated figures after the consultation".

He said: “People too often dread their interactions with public services. Endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and having to tell your story multiple times to different parts of Government.

“I want to change that and make public services work for you. The new digital ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely.

“Supermarkets, banks and shops have all chosen to move their services online because it delivers a better customer experience and value for money, and other countries like Estonia fully digitised public services years ago. We need to catch up.

“We’re launching a public consultation to let you have your say about how we use digital ID to make public services work for you. We want to build a system that works for everyone. Now is your chance".

Announcing the plans in the Commons, Mr Jones insisted the Government “will not leave people behind” with the rollout, and promised it would “help those who are less confident in technology or don’t have other forms of ID, like a passport”.

Public asked to advise on digital ID rollout amid push for ‘Government by app’

The British public will be asked to “have their say” on the scope of Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial plans for digital IDs, in a push to create a system of “Government by app”.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones warned public services need to “catch up” with those offered by the private sector, such as online banking.

Ministers previously signalled wide-reaching ambitions to make the digital ID scheme the “bedrock of the modern state”, but faced criticism earlier this year for appearing to water down the mandatory element of proposals for right-to-work checks.

The Cabinet Office confirmed that anyone starting a new job “will be able” to use the new digital proof of identity for digital right-to-work checks, which will be required by the end of the current Parliament.

But they will also be able to do a digital check of other documents such as a passport or eVisa if they prefer, officials said.

As part of the consultation, citizens will answer questions including on what age they believe people should be able to get a digital ID, after ministers indicated children as young as 13 could be included in the rollout.

Labour point blame at Reform and Tories 'blocking budgets' causing problems facing motorists at the pump

The Labour Party has slammed Reform UK following Nigel Farage's news conference at a petrol station this morning.

A Labour spokesperson said: "Reform wanted the UK to go to war in Iran and are now trying to cover up the consequences for British families, including higher fuel prices".

Mr Farage originally said the UK should join in on strikes on Iran, and today insisted the UK should have "never, ever, ever have said no to the Americans", when the US asked for permission to use UK bases to launch strikes on Iran.

The Labour spokesperson added: "Reform and the Conservatives have repeatedly tried to block Labour's budgets which have frozen fuel duty, which is saving money for motorists at the pump.

"This Labour government is focused on easing the cost of living for families. We've frozen rail fares and prescription charges - and we're taking action to support families with their energy bills".

Rachel Reeves is set to increase fuel duty in September for the first time in fifteen years, ending a 5p per litre cut introduced as a temporary cut in 2022.

Chancellor announces raise on tax-free milage claims to counter 'significant' costs

Rachel Reeves has indicated she will raise the tax-free amount drivers can claim back in expenses for mileage as she said costs had increased “significantly”.

The Chancellor was asked by Labour former minister Jim McMahon whether the figure would be changed.

The current 45p a mile rate was put in place in 2011 - Mr McMahon said current costs of running a car worked out at about 67p a mile.

Ms Reeves replied: “Whilst the approved mileage allowance payment rates have not changed since 2011, I recognise that motoring costs have evolved significantly and it’s an important issue for many people who claim motoring expenses.

“We’re therefore looking at the issue and will consider the matter further in the usual way as part of a future fiscal event".

She said the Government was already freezing fuel duty, which benefited all drivers rather than those who claimed the approved-mileage payment.

MSP declares assisted dying Bill would be the 'most heavily safeguarded law of its kind'

A proposal to allow terminally ill Scots to seek help to end their life would be the “most heavily safeguarded assisted dying law anywhere”, the MSP behind the legislation has said.

Liam McArthur insisted his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is the “right Bill at the right time”.

The legislation, which faces three days of debate on amendments at Holyrood before a final vote on Tuesday March 17, would allow those with a terminal illness to seek help to end their life.

There would be “serious, serious consequences” if the Bill is defeated in next week’s vote, the Liberal Democrat MSP added.

Mr McArthur said he is “confident that the majority of MSP colleagues recognise that the current ban on assisted dying is failing too many dying Scots, who are enduring pretty horrendous decisions at the end of life”.

Kemi Badenoch doubles down on criticism of PM's response to Iran conflict

Kemi Badenoch has hit back at suggestions she should apologise for claiming British forces are “just hanging around” in the Middle East.

Asked if she felt she needed to apologise for the remarks made over the weekend, the Conservative leader said: “I’ve been asked this several times. I was criticising the Government, that they’re not doing enough, and they are the ones hanging around.

“HMS Dragon is still in Portsmouth well over a week after it should have left. France has sent about 10 ships to the Mediterranean. The French president is in Cyprus.

"We are the ones who have a base in Cyprus. What is our Prime Minister doing? And instead, what he’s trying to do is use the soldiers as a human shield so that he’s not being criticised. I think that’s absolutely disgusting.

“The Prime Minister knows that I’m criticising him and his actions, and claiming that it’s the military that are being criticised when it’s them means that they actually do not care about getting this right.

“All they care about is covering themselves and I think that that is a disgrace".

Reform UK slammed for 'backtracking' on Middle East stance as fuel prices soar

The UK should “not get ourselves involved in another foreign war”, Nigel Farage has said.

Reform UK has faced criticism for its inconsistent position on whether Britain should back the US’s military action against Iran, with Nadhim Zahawi saying the UK should join the bombing.

Asked about his stance, Mr Farage said: “Given that we can’t even send a Royal Navy vessel to defend British sovereign territory and an RAF base, we certainly don’t have the capability to offer anything of any value to the Americans or the Israelis.

“There are differing opinions as to whether we should physically join the attacks. I, as leader, am saying to you, if we can’t even defend Cyprus, let’s not get ourselves involved in another foreign war".

Pressed on how he would respond to a potential US request for help from UK troops, Mr Farage also said: “We don’t have the soldiers anyway. Even if we did, I would say it’s no to boots on the ground".

A Labour source told GB News: “Nigel Farage and Reform spent the past week saying they would bomb Iran.

"Now they’re backtracking as petrol prices rise, leaving their foreign policy in chaos. That’s not serious leadership, that’s panic".

'We will fight fuel duty hike and make cuts if we win power', Robert Jenrick declares

Robert Jenrick has also vowed to fight any fuel duty increase and suggested Rachel Reeves could be forced to make yet another U-turn.

He said: "We're going to fight it every step of the way, we're going to put as much pressure as we possibly can for her to U-turn and for this to be the 18th? 19th?"

The Newark MP committed to cutting fuel duty in Reform UK's first Budget.

Mr Jenrick added: "If she doesn't do it we're being very clear that, if there's a Reform Government, our first Budget will bring down the cost of fuel by taking at least 5p off the cost of fuel every time you fill up."

Robert Jenrick: Rachel Reeves is hammering hard-working Britons at the worst possible moment

Reform UK's economic spokesman Robert Jenrick has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves is "hammering" hard-working Britons at the "worst possible time".

Speaking alongside Nigel Farage in Derbyshire, the Newark MP said: “Rachel Reeves is delivering a brutal blow to hardworking people.

"They’re already being hammered by the cost-of-living crisis, and now she's raising petrol prices at the worst possible moment.

“Reform UK stands squarely with alarm clock Britain: the people who get up, fill the tank, drive to work, and keep this country running.

"We will always stand up for working people and help lower household costs for families.”

Nigel Farage labels net zero 'idiotic' as Reform commits to cutting fuel duty

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has blasted net zero as "idiotic" as he joins Robert Jenrick to set out plans to slash energy bills and fuel duty.

Speaking in Derbyshire, Mr Farage said: "The idiotic policies started by the Conservatives are now being made even worse by Ed Miliband and Rachel Reeves are hurting ordinary people."

Al Quds marchers have 'no place on the streets of London' says Courts Minister

Courts Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP has called for “robust action” against people showing support for the Tehran regime ahead of a pro-Palestinian march this weekend.

The annual Al Quds Day march is due to take place in London on Sunday, with organisers the Islamic Human Rights Commission insisting it is a peaceful event.

The IHRC described Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni as a martyr and a “rare role model” following his death in the US-Israeli strikes.

Ms Sackman told GB News: “Those expressing support for the malign regime in Iran and the IRGC and its proxies have no place on the streets of London".

UK preparing second warship 'as precaution', MoD confirms

The UK is preparing a second ship for deployment to the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

It had already been announced that HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, is being readied for deployment to defend British base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Now the MoD says RFA Lyme Bay, a landing ship, is being prepared for deployment "for maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean".

It follows junior minister Sarah Sackman playing down suggestions that one of the Royal Navy's two aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, would be sent to the region this morning.

The MoD said: "As part of prudent planning, we have taken the decision to bring RFA Lyme Bay to heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean".

Conviction rate for sexual violence against women and girls 'still far too low', says Courts Minister

Sarah Sackman KC MP, Courts Minister, spoke with GB News Breakfast this morning regarding Operation Soteria - a government scheme ensuring rape cases focus on suspects and not victims.

She admitted conviction rates for rape and serious sexual violence are far too low, creeping up to nine per cent under the Labour Government, which she says is "still far too low".

She cited the "epidemic of violence against women and girls" in the UK and detailed the implementation of new, independent legal advisors to support rape victims through the court process.

She said: "We're also announcing this new pilot study of Operation Soteria, extending those principles that have been so successful in galvanising and strengthening police investigations into the court room.

"This is all part of our plan to half violence against women and girls, and it's extremely important".

Government's jury trial reform plans are 'misguided', expert says

Marcus Johnstone, Managing Director of PCD Solicitors and specialist in criminal defence for those accused of sexual offences, said the Government’s jury trail reforms are misguided, and will not succeed in resolving backlogs, but instead might eventually result in the abolition of jury trials altogether.

He said: "There is something very democratic about having justice meted out by 12 peers rather than vesting that power in a single judge.

"Supplanting hundreds of years of English justice with an inquisitorial, judge led European-style judicial system will in my view create a myriad of other problems - not least because it will increase conviction rates".

He claimed there are only few sexual offences that can be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, and every other offence, of which there are many, is eligible for jury trial.

However, with the changes proposed by Deputy PM David Lammy, the vast majority of sexual offences would be ineligible for jury trial, likely leading to more convictions.

Mr Johnstone added: "The result will be even more pressure on our prisons estate, which is in an even worse condition than our courts.

"The government's solution is an expansion of community sentences, with a great many more offenders spared prison and let large on the streets - with all the risks to public safety that entails".

Reform UK vows to scrap heat pump grants in push for tax cuts

Reform UK will unveil plans on Wednesday to abolish the Government's £7,500 heat pump grant scheme alongside subsidies for carbon capture technology.

Robert Jenrick, serving as the party's economy spokesman, is set to deliver the policy announcement at an event in Derbyshire.

The proposal would terminate the boiler upgrade scheme, which currently provides households with financial support towards installing heat pumps.

Reform argues the savings should instead fund reductions in taxation and lower household energy costs through cutting green levies.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

 'In complete tatters' - Shadow Justice Secretary slams authority of PM

Nick Timothy MP, Shadow Justice Secretary told GB News Breakfast he believes the authority of Sir Keir Starmer is "in complete tatters" when asked about the digital ID scheme.

"The cabinet is not only defying him against digital ID's, they have defied him over his policy towards Iran - he is completely weak, his colleagues know he has no backbone, and he will roll over for whatever they demand".

He slammed the Governments approach to an optional, opt-in digital ID, which he says will have no impact in tackling illegal immigration, as migrants are "unlikely to partake in an optional scheme".

Extent of Iranian influence in UK should be 'properly investigated', says Shadow Justice Secretary

Nick Timothy MP, Shadow Justice Secretary, spoke with GB News breakfast this morning, where he said the extent of Iranian influence in Britain should be "properly investigated".

He said: "All of these organisations that are sponsored by the Iranian regime should be closed down, and in some cases people be thrown out of the country.

He mentioned an upcoming Al Quds march in London, something he says has been encouraged for years by the Iranian state and it's sponsors in the UK, which he said: "shouldn't go ahead".

Labour rebellion brews as MPs fight to extend porn ban

Ministers are scrambling to resolve a dispute over prohibiting step-incest depictions in online pornography following a narrow victory for campaigners in the upper chamber.

Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin secured backing for her amendment by just a single vote, with 144 Lords supporting the measure against 143 opposed.

The proposal emerged from a broader review into tackling harmful pornographic material on the internet.

Government officials maintain that enforcement presents a fundamental obstacle, given that sexual relationships between adult step-relatives remain lawful.

This legal distinction, ministers argue, creates practical difficulties in policing such content online, prompting ongoing discussions to identify a workable compromise.

A substantial group of female Labour MPs have signalled their readiness to defy the whip should ministers fail to support the prohibition, according to reports.

One senior backbencher accused the government of "losing the plot" by focusing on technical details rather than the underlying principle.

"No one wants to go through the lobby and vote for step-incest porn," the MP told Sky News, adding that the government's reasoning "doesn't pass the sniff test" given that step-parents are responsible for half of all child sexual abuse cases.

The MP warned that should the Conservatives choose to support Baroness Bertin's amendment, only modest Labour rebellion numbers would be required to inflict a government defeat.

Reform to abolish £7.5k heat-pump subsidy to lower energy bills

Reform UK will today pledge to abolish a £7,500 heat-pump subsidy as part of its push to cut energy bills.

Speaking in Derbyshire later today, Reform UK's economics spokesman Robert Jenrick will pledge to scrap the scheme and use the money to reduce energy bills by reducing green levies, which pay for the subsidies.

He is expected to also promise to axe subsidies for carbon capture, usage and storage.

Labour accused of appeasing 'sectarian voting bloc' as new 'anti-Muslim hostility' definition formally unveiled

Labour has been accused of appeasing the "sectarian voting bloc" after the Government formally unveiled its "anti-Muslim hostility" definition on Monday.

Alongside the official definition, the Government also announced the creation of a dedicated "tsar" for tackling the "hostility" to the country's Muslim population.

The new definition has defined anti-Muslim hostility as "intentionally engaging in, assisting or encouraging criminal acts... that are directed at Muslims because of their religion or at those who are perceived to be Muslim."

But critics have tabled some serious accusations at Sir Keir Starmer's door...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE