Kemi Badenoch has torn into Sir Keir Starmer's Winter Fuel Payment U-turn after his own MPs began laughing at his walk-back.
“This is a Prime Minister who says he’s taking measures. The jobs tax is killing jobs, inflation is up, business confidence is down. Everyone is worried. He promised to cut bills, but today we see they are rising because of his policies," she said.
Badenoch added: “He promised to protect pensioners, but his winter fuel cut has driven thousands into hardship. His MPs hate this. He can’t see them, but they all look sick just hearing what it is he’s going to do. They’re laughing.”
After Speaker Lindsay Hoyle called for order from Labour MPs, Badenoch added: “They are laughing, just as they laughed at the Budget.
"Hands up, who here wanted winter fuel cuts? Hands up. Not a single one of them. Not a single one of them.
“The fact of the matter is this Prime Minister is destroying them. They need to look at what they are doing to the country. The truth is, we all know, it is this Prime Minister, this Labour Government and their policies that are shafting the country, isn’t it?”
Turning to look at the back benches, Starmer replied: “They look in pretty good form to me, and there’s lots of them!"
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
David Davis and Hilary Benn butt heads in fiery 'two-tier justice' row over Northern Ireland veterans
PICTURED: Veterans who served in the British Army during the Northern Ireland troubles take part in a protest organised by the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement against the repealing of the Legacy ActPATory MP David Davis and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have butted heads over a ban on British soldiers supporting NI veterans in public.
Army chiefs have imposed a ban on troops publicly supporting veterans after several regiments came out to oppose changes to legislation protecting former NI servicemen from investigations.
Davis said: "722 British soldiers were killed by paramilitary murderers during The Troubles... Not one of those deaths will be revisited."
They now face a slew of "politically motivated trials", Davis said. "I can think of no better example of two-tier justice."
The ex-Brexit Secretary then called on Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn to move to protect them - to which Benn replied: "I agree with what the Defence Secretary said in 2019... The British Army upholds British values, which is the rule of law - and that is what we stand for."
Benn also warned Davis against using the phrase "politically motivated" prosecutions.
That prompted the Tory ex-Minister to write on social media afterwards: "A non-answer from Hillary Benn on protecting veterans.
"As for 'politically motivated' prosecutions, what else do you call it when, for political reasons, you pardon known murderers and allow the prosecution of soldiers for simply doing their duty in defence of the realm?"
'The devil's in the detail!' Age UK urges caution on Keir Starmer's U-turn as Winter Fuel Payment set to return in part
Age UK said the “devil is always in the detail” as it cautiously welcomed the winter fuel payments announcement.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director, said: “We will judge the success of any new policy proposals the Government brings forward by the extent to which they help vulnerable older people and those on low and modest incomes to be able to heat their homes adequately next winter.
“A social tariff for energy may be a big part of the longer term answer but in the short term, the Government must act quickly to support pensioners next winter – which may feel a long way off but is really only six months away.
“As always, Age UK stands ready to help and to advise ministers, drawing on what we hear from older people and from our community-based local Age UKs, and on our own analysis of what would make the most difference.”
Downing Street scrambles to provide details on Winter Fuel Payment U-turn
Downing Street has failed to say how many more pensioners would receive winter fuel payments - or whether the reforms would be in place this winter - following the Prime Minister's U-turn at PMQs.
Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said the PM wanted the changes to be introduced "as quickly as possible".
The U-turn will only be enforced at a "fiscal event", with Rachel Reeves's autumn budget the first such opportunity unless the Government breaks with its schedule.
"We obviously want to deliver this as quickly as possible, but the Prime Minister was very clear in the House that this has to be done in an affordable way, in a funded way, and that's why those decisions will be taken at a future fiscal event," the spokesman said.
Keir Starmer branded 'pathetic' after PM DEFENDS Lucy Connolly sentencing
Sir Keir Starmer has been branded "pathetic" after he defended a 31-month jail sentence for Lucy Connolly, the mother who was imprisoned for a social media post after Axel Rudakubana's Southport murders.
The PM had been probed by Rupert Lowe on whether jailing Connolly was an "efficient or fair use of prison", to which he replied: "Sentencing is a matter for our courts.
"I celebrate the fact that we have independent courts in this country. I am strongly in favour of free speech. We've had free speech in this country for a very long time, and we protect it fiercely.
"But I'm equally against incitement to violence against other people, and I will always support the action taken by our police and courts to keep our streets and people safe."
Then, writing on social media, Lowe blasted "His answer was quite frankly pathetic."
Reform UK MPs burst into laughter after Keir Starmer's 'e-gates' jab at Nigel Farage
Reform UK MPs burst into laughter after Sir Keir Starmer levelled a jibe at an absent Nigel Farage.
Lee Anderson had laid into Labour's deportation record - before the Prime Minister accused Reform of "voting against [the Border Security Bill] because they don't want to fix the problem".
"It benefits them not to fix it," Starmer added. "Party before country".
The PM added: "It's good [Lee Anderson] is standing here before [Nigel Farage]... he was the first through the e-gates somewhere in the South of France... Nice work if you can get it!"
'He's lost control of his Cabinet!' Keir Starmer REFUSES to rule out more tax rises for working Britons as Badenoch fumes at 'manoeuvring' Angela Rayner
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out more tax rises for working Britons later this year after Kemi Badenoch attacked him on Angela Rayner's "manoeuvres".
Badenoch urged the Prime Minister to "stop whining about what the last Government did" as she skewered Rayner for being "on manoeuvres" following the Deputy Prime Minister's "secret memo".
"He has lost control of the economy. He has lost control of his Cabinet. She is sitting there staring at me. She knew exactly what she was doing when she briefed that into the papers," Badenoch said.
"She is demanding eight new tax rises as if we haven’t suffered enough. People out there are struggling, businesses are struggling... we cannot have more tax rises."
"Will the Prime Minister rule out new tax rises this year?"
Starmer replied: "She has not learnt or changed. They lost the election because of their appalling record on the NHS, on health, on prisons, you name it.
"She wants to talk about the Deputy Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister is working with the Chancellor, building 1.5 million new homes, reforming our planning system, putting £7billion into our economy and bringing forward our employment rights Bill which is the single biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation."
'It's Labour's Budget driving up inflation!' Kemi Badenoch rips into Rachel Reeves after damning CPI figures - as Chancellor ABSENT from frontbench
Kemi Badenoch has torn into Labour for driving up inflation following today's damning CPI figures.
"When will [Sir Keir Starmer] recognise that it is Labour's Budget driving up inflation?" she asked.
Starmer replied: "I think what she forgot to say was it was over 11 per cent on their watch - and she didn't say a word. I am confident those numbers will come down."
But as Badenoch mounted her attack, the Budget's biggest backer, Rachel Reeves, was notably absent from the Labour frontbench.
Earlier, she had branded the jump in inflation "no surprise" - and said it was "the inevitable result of Labour's disastrous decisions and economic mismanagement".
"Now, hardworking families are paying the price: soaring energy bills, higher council tax, rising water, broadband and phone costs," she said.
Keir Starmer U-TURNS on Winter Fuel Payment
Sir Keir Starmer said: "I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis including pensioners and as the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward.
"That is why we want to ensure that - as we go forward - more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.
"As you would expect we will only make decisions we will afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event."
PMQs underway - as Keir Starmer starts with migration pot-shots against Tories
PMQs is now underway - and Sir Keir Starmer has begun by fending off attacks from the Tories on migration.
The Prime Minister, replying to Tory MP Lewis Cocking, laid into the opposition for voting against Labour's Border Security Bill.
UPDATE: Jeremy Corbyn withdraws signature from Rupert Lowe's bid to free Lucy Connolly
Jeremy Corbyn has now withdrawn his signature from an early day motion by Rupert Lowe to condemn the imprisonment of non-violent offenders like Lucy Connolly.
Scottish outlet The National reports the signature was an "administrative error".
PMQs just minutes away - follow live
PMQs is just a few minutes away.
GB News readers will be able to watch as Sir Keir Starmer faces down MPs from midday on the live stream above - and we'll bring you all the top lines in our blog here.
Rupert Lowe's bid to free Lucy Connolly backed by... JEREMY CORBYN
Jeremy Corbyn has backed early day motion by Rupert Lowe to condemn the imprisonment of non-violent offenders like Lucy Connolly
PA
An early day motion by Rupert Lowe to condemn the imprisonment of non-violent offenders like Lucy Connolly has found an unexpected backer: Jeremy Corbyn.
Lowe's motion "calls on the Government to urgently review sentencing practices, expand the use of community-based alternatives, and ensure that limited prison space is prioritised for dangerous and violent offenders".
It has now been backed by the disgraced ex-Labour leader - earning the praise of the former Reform UK MP.
Lowe said: "Thank you to the first supporter of my parliamentary motion about Lucy Connolly... Jeremy Corbyn.
"This is an issue that goes beyond usual political differences. Thank you.
"Lucy Connolly should not be in prison. Please ask your MP to sign our motion."
The motion has now also been backed by Tory ex-Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
Liz Kendall scrambles to downplay Labour civil war - 'The entire Cabinet backs Rachel!'
Liz Kendall has claimed that the 'entire Cabinet' backs Rachel Reeves
PAWork & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has claimed that the "entire Cabinet" backs Rachel Reeves despite the news of a "secret memo" tabled to the Chancellor by Angela Rayner.
Kendall said: "You wouldn’t expect me to comment on leaks, but I would just say this:
"The entire Cabinet backs Rachel's economic strategy to grow the economy, drive up living standards, increase jobs.
"Some of you may have forgotten, [but] we actually have raised taxes on some of the richest in this country.
"We have got rid of the non-dom tax status, we've closed private equity loopholes, we have taken action to make sure those with the broadest shoulders bear the biggest burden.
"Ultimately, the key to getting out of the mess that we inherited is we have to grow the economy."
Kemi Badenoch twists the knife in 'disastrous' Labour after inflation figures
Kemi Badenoch has also reacted to this morning's inflation figures.
The Tory leader branded the data "no surprise" - and said it was "the inevitable result of Labour's disastrous decisions and economic mismanagement".
"Now, hardworking families are paying the price: soaring energy bills, higher council tax, rising water, broadband and phone costs," she said.
'Absolutely!' Labour MP cheerily urges Rachel Reeves to tax hard-working British savers
A senior Labour MP has told Rachel Reeves she should "absolutely" tax hard-working British savers - rather than cutting benefits.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, asked whether the Chancellor should consider Angela Rayner's "secret memo" recommendations, told the BBC: "Absolutely.
"There is a very healthy debate inside the Labour Party at the moment about how we should be raising additional funds rather than cutting benefits and there is a menu, I think, of options that we should be using and these are just some of those."
WATCH IN FULL: Environment Secretary Steve Reed speaks to GB News Breakfast
WATCH IN FULL: Shadow Education Minister Neil O'Brien speaks to GB News Breakfast
IN FULL: List of MPs posing questions at PMQs today - Keir Starmer to face Labour left, Lee Anderson and Rupert Lowe
Sir Keir Starmer will face questions at noon today
HOUSE OF COMMONS
The list of MPs posing questions to Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs today has just been released.
They are as follows:
- Lewis Cocking (Conservative)
- Sarah Owen (Labour)
- Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat)
- Louise Jones (Labour)
- Anneliese Midgley (Labour)
- Andrew Pakes (Labour)
- Neil Hudson (Conservative)
- Julia Buckley (Labour)
- Lee Anderson (Reform UK)
- Andy MacNae (Labour)
- Kirsteen Sullivan (Labour)
- Kirsty Blackman (SNP)
- Cat Eccles (Labour)
- Rupert Lowe (independent)
- Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat)
Top Tory peer: 'Labour is turning on the people who have tried to do the right thing!'
Top Tory peer Lord Hannan has unleashed a devastating attack on Angela Rayner as the fallout over her plot to tax hard-working British savers continues.
Hannan, responding to reports of Rayner's controversial "secret memo" to the Chancellor, blasted: "The last stage in a nation's decline is when it turns on the people who have tried to do the right thing."
Keir Starmer opens door to 100,000 extra migrants every year - but EU wants MORE
Labour is looking to open Britain’s doors to 100,000 people as part of a controversial youth mobility scheme still being hammered out with the EU.
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "proud" of the scheme - which he claims would be "good for young people both here and in Europe" in the face of serious concerns over a return to freedom of movement.
But he has faced severe criticism from “Red Wall” MPs in his own party.
One, Labour's Bassetlaw MP Jo White, asked him "how young people in my area will also benefit" as she vowed that "the scheme must not just benefit middle-class kids on their gap year".
In a bid to cool their outrage, he told the Commons yesterday that "it will be a capped scheme of limited duration and with visas" which "does not cross our red lines".
Despite the PM’s youth mobility push, Brussels is demanding that Britain take in even more migrants - which could imperil Labour's own plans to cut migration.
EU bigwigs have pushed for a "pro rata" cap on continental youths arriving in the UK - and with the bloc boasting 450 million people across its 27 member states, this could mean a limit of half a million or more.
One Brussels official, lashing out at a scheme already in place with staunch UK ally Australia, said: "Are Australians better than Europeans?
"If the same model applies, then the numbers would have to be much higher or it would be hurtful," the official, who is the father of teenagers, told The Times. "What is the British problem with our young people, our children?"
'She's addicted to spending YOUR money!' Priti Patel savages Angela Rayner after 'secret memo' comes to light
The Deputy Prime Minister urged Rachel Reeves to hit hard-working Britons with a tax raid on their savings
PA
Priti Patel has launched into an attack on Angela Rayner following the news the Deputy Prime Minister urged Rachel Reeves to hit hard-working Britons with a tax raid on their savings in a "secret memo".
The Shadow Foreign Secretary said: "Angela Rayner is addicted to spending your money and wants to come after your savings.
"Her secret memo is a plan for another Labour tax raid, punishing those who have worked hard and saved responsibly.
"This entire Labour Government continues to assault those who work hard, while Rayner and ministers just splurge your money on their own self promotion."
RECAP: Chagos Islands surrender deal 'to be signed with Mauritius THIS WEEK' despite backlash fears
Britain will sign a deal to give away the Chagos Islands to Mauritius this week, Government sources have told GB News.
Under the upcoming agreement, Mauritius will gain sovereignty of the islands from Britain, but the UK-US military base will remain on Diego Garcia on a 99-year lease, which will be paid for by the British taxpayer.
The cost of the deal is still yet to be formally confirmed, but reports suggest it could start at £90million a year.
And last night, Government sources told Britain's News Channel that they were confident that the deal with Mauritius would be signed virtually on Thursday...
Steve Reed and Neil O'Brien to speak to GB News Breakfast
Labour's Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Tory Shadow Education Minister Neil O'Brien will be speaking to the People's Channel in just a few minutes' time.
The outspoken pair are expected on GB News Breakfast at 9am and 8am respectively - and you'll be able to watch their interviews live HERE, or in full on our live blog shortly afterwards.
'Families are paying the price for Labour's choices!' Mel Stride launches inflationary attack on Rachel Reeves
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has also spoken out following this morning's inflation data.
He said: "This morning's news that inflation is up - and now well above the 2 per cent target - is worrying for families.
"We left Labour with inflation bang on target, but Labour's economic mismanagement is pushing up the cost of living for families - on top of the £3,500 hit to households from the Chancellor's damaging jobs tax.
"Higher inflation could also mean interest rates stay higher for longer, hitting family finances hard.
"Families are paying the price for the Labour Chancellor's choices."
Rachel Reeves speaks out on 'disappointing' inflation data - but can't resist swipe at Tories
'I'm determined that we go further and faster to put more money in people's pockets,' the Chancellor pledged
PA
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "I am disappointed with these figures because I know cost of living pressures are still weighing down on working people.
"We are a long way from the double-digit inflation we saw under the previous administration, but I'm determined that we go further and faster to put more money in people's pockets.
"That's why we have increased the minimum wage for millions of working people, frozen fuel duty to protect commuters and struck three trade deals in the past two weeks that will go towards cutting bills."
UK inflation soars to 3.5% in blow to Rachel Reeves as April price hikes add pressure to household costs
UK inflation has increased to its highest level in over a year, hitting 3.5 per cent in April in a hammer blow to Rachel Reeves.
Many firms are thought to have responded to last month's National Insurance hike and minimum wage increase by raising prices to offset higher costs, contributing to the rise in inflation.
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