Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer shakes up Downing Street with new economic team as pressure ramps up on Rachel Reeves

WATCH: Richard Tice addresses a Reform UK press conference on council pensions

Richard Tice announces plans to reform public pensions on Reform-controlled councils

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice told a press conference they would "dig in" as the party revealed plans to overhaul public pension funds.

The Boston and Skegness MP said: "When we won those 10 councils we said we would dig in and get some savings."

WATCH: Former Labour advisor Matthew Torbitt openly attacks Starmer and Reeves over Labour chaos: 'Clear the decks, somebody else in'

More reshuffling as Keir Starmer announces new Principal Private Secretary 

Daniel York-Smith has been appointed to be the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary.

He replaces Nin Pandit who departed the role last week, although she remains in Downing Street.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's current deputy Chief of Staff Vidhya Alakeson will take on extra responsibilities.

Alakeson will now have overall oversight of policy and delivery within Downing Street.

Keir Starmer brings in new economic advisor as Downing Street looks to steady ship ahead of Autumn Budget

The Prime Minister has hired a new chief economic advisor as Downing Street is looking to reassure concerned voters ahead of Autumn's budget.

Former Bank of England deputy governor Minouche Shafik will step into the role, with a Downing Street spokesman telling GB News she will be in charge of "driving economic growth and raising living standards for all."

There's also a shakeup in Downing Street comms as Tim Allan, a former adviser to Tony Blair, is coming in as Executive Director of Government Communications.

Meanwhile, long-serving aide to Sir Keir, Stuart Ingham, will leave the Downing Street policy unit to work in chief of staff Morgan McSweeney’s team.

He is believed to be taking on a more political role, reports The Guardian.

Reshuffle continues as Darren Jones wins senior Downing Street role

Chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones is moving to a senior Downing Street role as he takes on a new job in charge of "day-to-day delivery" of the Prime Minister's priorities.

Mr Jones, the MP for Bristol North West, will be replaced by James Murray who has been promoted from Exchequer Secretary.

In turn, his role will be taken by Labour MP for Chipping Barnet Dan Tomlinson.

While there is not expected to be a wider reshuffle of the junior ministerial ranks at this point despite some reports, Mr Jones and Mr Murray will both attend Cabinet.

Downing Street reshuffle begins as Keir Starmer hit with double departure

Downing Street is undergoing a personell shakeup as two senior figures have departed Sir Keir Starmer's top team.

James Lyons, the current Director of Communications (strategy), is leaving after just a year in the job.

Mr Lyons said: "It was an honour to be asked to come in. I’m proud to have helped to get a grip on Whitehall comms after what was a difficult few first months for the Government. It wasn’t just filling the grid.

"Launching the Plan for Change brought focus and direction. But I gave up a lot to come in and this was never intended as a long haul.

"When I came back from the summer break I told colleagues I was looking to leave by the end of the year. I’ve brought this forward to be part of the other changes."

The Labour leader will now have to appoint his fourth director of communications in five years, reports The Times.

Meanwhile, Director of Policy Delivery and Innovation Liz Lloyd is also leaving Downing Street, however is expected to move into a new role in Government.

WATCH: Olivia Utley provides her analysis ahead of today's asylum reform announcement from Yvette Cooper

Labour minister slams 'rank hypocrisy' from Chris Philp 

A Labour minister has slammed "rank hypocrisy" from the Conservatives over the asylum system.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of "tinkering round the edges" ahead of today's announcement from Yvette Cooper.

Respond to Philp's comment, Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan told The People's Channel: "The rank hypocrisy of the Shadow Home Secretary will not go unnoticed by GB News viewers.

"We're working hard to bring change British public voted for last year."

Keir Starmer launches blistering attack on Reform and Tories - 'Scaremongering from the sidelines'

Sir Keir Starmer has taken aim at Reform and Tories as he launched the Government's new childcare policy.

From today, eligible working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours a week of free childcare for children older than nine months under the full rollout of the scheme.

However, researchers warned nurseries may not have enough staff to deliver the expansion.

Writing about the policy in The Mirror, the Prime Minister said: "Reform and the Tories talk down the country at every turn, we’re doing the work to make people’s lives better.

"I’m not interested in scaremongering from the sidelines. I’m rolling up my sleeves to deliver change that makes a difference to you and your family."

Local shops axe jobs and cut investment amid surging costs

UK convenience stores have cut 2,000 jobs over the past year as rising labour costs and intense price competition from supermarkets continue to pile pressure on local retailers.

New industry data reveals that employment, sales and investment across the sector have all declined, prompting calls for urgent government support.

According to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the sector has faced an “extremely challenging year” as the cost of doing business rises sharply while consumer demand remains flat.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

RECAP: Keir Starmer's plan to 'rig votes for 16-year-olds comes back to bite him' as Jeremy Corbyn surge hands boost to Nigel Farage

Sir Keir Starmer's plan to lower the voting age to 16 could backfire as a new poll suggests young voters are surging to Reform UK and Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party.

More than one in five 16 and 17-year-olds would vote for a party led by Mr Corbyn and Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana.

The study by More in Common would take six percentage points off Labour’s share among 16-17 year olds.

It leaves Sir Keir's party on 24 per cent, Nigel Farage’s Reform on 23 per cent and Mr Corbyn’s new party on 21 per cent.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Kemi Badenoch takes aim at 'Rachel Thieves' in attack on Chancellor

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Rachel Reeves of trying to get "your hard-earned money."

She wrote on social media: "Rachel Thieves doesn’t care who she steals from, just as long as she can get her hands on your hard-earned money."

Ms Badenoch published a link to a website reading: "[Reeves] is scrambling for cash before the Autumn Budget, and we’ll all pay the price."

Yvette Cooper to unveil plans to close major asylum loophole in five-point address to MPs

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to outline a number of reforms to Britain's asylum system as MPs return to Westminster following the summer recess.

The Home Secretary will tell the House of Commons on Monday that changes to the "broken" system will help wind down the use of asylum hotels, which the Government has pledged to end by 2029.

The outlined proposals will include an overhaul to the refugee family reunion process, which Ms Cooper claims will give the system "greater fairness and balance."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

WATCH: Former Tory advisor Lauren McEvatt says it's hard to see if tightening of migration rules will work

Downing Street insiders deny any rumours of potential cabinet reshuffle

Labour MPs have been told not to expect a reshuffle this week as Parliament returns from recess today.

A government official familiar with the plans told Politico late last night that a reshuffle at Cabinet or junior ministerial level is "definitely, 100 percent, not happening" this week.

While some sources had suggested Sir Keir Starmer was preparing a reshuffle of junior ministerial ranks, the Prime Minister seems to have put the plans "on ice" reports The Telegraph.

Chris Philp tells GB News Labour is just 'tweaking around the edges'

Chris Philp said Labour are just "tinkering round the edges" as he took aim at proposed reforms on asylum seekers.

Yvette Cooper is expected announce a tightening of the rules for people granted asylum to bring their families to the UK as Parliament returns from Recess later today.

The Shadow Home Secretary told GB News: "These are tweaks around the edges. Our view is anyone crossing channel on small boat, whether or not they're claiming asylum should be removed immediately or taken to a safe third country.

"They should not be bringing any family members over. What the Government are doing today is tinkering round the edges. We have a full blown migration crisis on our hands.

"The only way to fix the problem is to remove everyone who has arrived on a small boat as soon as their feet touch dry ground."

New poll suggests more than half of voters want Rachel Reeves replaced

A damning new poll has suggested over half of voters think Keir Starmer should sack Rachel Reeves.

The poll, by YouGov for The Times, found 55 per cent said Sir Keir should sack Ms Reeves and only 16 per cent said she should remain in the job.

In a further blow, a majority of Labour voters want Ms Reeves replaced as chancellor, 41 per cent saying she should be sacked and just 30 per cent saying she should remain in post.

A whopping 82 per cent of Reform voters and 80 per cent of Tory voters think Mrs Reeves should be booted from 11 Downing Street.