Sadiq Khan joins 120 Labour MPs rebelling against Keir Starmer's welfare cuts

Midlands council gains first Reform UK member 

Reform UK has announced Councillor Shaun Keasey as its first member of Dudley Council.

Cllr Keasey, a former member of the Conservatives, has been sitting as an independent since 2023.

He joined Reform in 2024 and has been declared as a councillor for the party over the past couple of days.

He said: "I have become frustrated with national politics, I am part of the hospitality industry, and I have watched that being pulled apart by successive governments who just don't appear to understand it.

"I believe Reform is doing their best to move in the right direction to become the representative party we desperately need."

Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer has 'got himself into a mess' with welfare bill

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir Starmer has "got himself into a mess" following a major backlash from Labour MPs to his proposed welfare bill.

Kemi Badenoch said: "It's quite clear that the Prime Minister has got himself into a mess. He has a huge majority and has hundreds of rebels.

"What I've said is if he can make a commitment at the dispatch box to meet our three conditions: reduce the welfare budget, get people into work and no tax rises, then we can support his bill."

However, the opposition leader noted that "there are a lot of problems with this bill" and "it does not meet a lot of the things we would expect to see if you were reforming welfare".

'I'm the Jordan Henderson of Government': Jonathan Reynolds compares himself to England footballer

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has compared himself to England footballer Jordan Henderson, viewing his role as "facilitating other people's success".

Reynolds said he likes to create the "best opportunities" for businesses to "put the ball into the net".

Speaking at a summit in central London, Reyonlds said: "I like to be, bear with me here, the Jordan Henderson of Government. A fellow Mackem hero.

"Dictating the pace of play, protecting the back line, making the passes forward to give businesses the best opportunity to put the ball into the net.

"That's our goal, as the Government. On the pitch, working hard, always making sure the ball goes to the right place, but fundamentally facilitating other people's success."

Sadiq Khan joins Labour MPs calls to stop welfare bill

Sadiq Khan has joined Labour MPs against the Government's welfare changes.

Khan is one of several senior figures opposing the changes, joining over 100 MPs voting against Sir Keir Starmer's decision.

The London mayor warned that the welfare bill would "destroy the financial safety net" for millions of people. He told the Government to "urgently think again".

Starmer said he will push the overhaul despite backlash from his own party, believing there is a "clear moral case" for change.

The size of the rebellion against Starmer's proposal is enough to threaten his working majority of 165 and tarnish the Government's plans if opposition MPs join.

'We are all Palestine Action': Zarah Sultana backs group following ban

Zarah Sultana has posted on X: "We are all Palestine Action," following the group's banning yesterday by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Sultana has been vocal with her support for the group, with an earlier post reading: "You can repair a plane. You can replace a broken window. But you can't bring back the dead. We must defend the right to protest. Solidarity with Palestine Action."

Her comments come after Cooper's banning of Palestine Action, proscribing it as a terror group.

Her decision followed protesters damaging two RAF aircraft at Brize Norton, Britain's largest RAF military base.

Second flight with Britons on board leaves Israel

A second flight evacuating Britons from Israel has left Tel Aviv.

The Foreign Office confirmed its departure, adding that more flights will be considered depending on demand.

Britons have been told to register their presence in Israel.

Some 63 Britons evacuated Israel yesterday, touching down at Birmingham Airport early this morning.

New polling suggests voters from across political spectrum want Pip cuts to be reversed

A new poll has suggested voters from all major parties want Labour's Pip cuts to be reversed, with 2024 Green Party voters the most vocal against the cuts.

When asked by More in Common if they supported or opposed reversing the cuts to welfare, 28 per cent of 2024 Labour voters said they "strongly supported" reversing the decision with 24 per cent saying they "somewhat supported it."

Meanwhile, 25 per cent of Green voters, 24 per cent of Liberal Democrat voters and 20 per cent of Reform UK voters strongly supported reversing the cuts.

The most in favour of the proposals were 2024 Conservative and Reform voters, with 12 per cent of both party's supporters strongly opposed to reversing the cuts.

Irish premier rejects claims Dublin authorities have not assisted the Omagh bomb inquiry

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rejected the suggestion that Irish authorities have not assisted the Omagh bomb inquiry.

Martin was asked about comments by a barrister of the families of Omagh victims , who said they were "greatly disappointed at the lack of any commitment of the authorities in the Republic of Ireland to meaningfully assist this inquiry."

The families also called for a "parallel inquiry" to be held in Ireland. Martin said: "I would reject that now. That’s not fair, that’s not fair comment.

"We’re very, very committed to co-operating fully with the inquiry and making material available to the inquiry."

Starmer denies defence spending increase is at expense of welfare

The Prime Minister has denies claims the increase in defence spending is coming out of the budget for welfare.

Starmer said: "The commitment we’ve made on defence, to go to 2.5 per cent by 27/28, it’s absolutely clear that we’ve set out where the money comes from, and it’s not coming from welfare, it’s coming from the overseas development aid.

"So, it’s a misdescription to suggest that the defence spending commitment we’ve made is at the expense of money on welfare.

"And, obviously, on the welfare front, we’ve made a huge commitment to the money we’re putting in to get people back to work."

Starmer says Israel and Iran must 'get back' to ceasefire 

Israel and Iran must "get back" to the fragile ceasefire brokered overnight, Sir Keir Starmer said, amid a fresh exchange of hostilities in the Middle East.

The two warring nations had signed up to a ceasefire deal proposed by US President Donald Trump. But Israel claimed Iran violated the deal by carrying out missile strikes after it came into force.

Iran’s military chiefs denied this, but faced a fresh onslaught ordered by the Israeli defence minister Israel Katz.

Arriving at a Nato summit in the Netherlands, Starmer told reporters: "I want the ceasefire to continue, and therefore the sooner we get back to that the better, and that’s the message that I’m discussing with other leaders today.

"We’ve got a ceasefire. We need to get back to that ceasefire, which is consistent with what I’ve been saying about de-escalation for quite some time now."

Kelvin MacKenzie demands Starmer to 'focus on Rochdale'

Kelvin MacKenzie has called on Sir Keir Starmer to "focus on Rochdale" in a scathing review.

The former editor of The Sun cited the case of Qari Abdul Rauf, 52, who was convicted of child sex offences in May 2012.

However, despite an order, he has not been deported.

Writing exclusively for GB News Members, he said: "How is this allowed to happen? How did Pakistani Qari Rauf continue to live freely in our country after being convicted of being raping and trafficking young white girls living in in Rochdale?

"Instead of wandering around the world giving his unwanted views about the Israel-Iran war, why doesn’t Keir Starmer focus on Rochdale and kick the paedophile out of the town and force Pakistan to take him back?"

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ MACKENZIE'S ANALYSIS HERE.

What's happening today in the Commons?

There are two Commons ministerial statements set to take place today.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden is set to address MPs on national security strategy at 12.30pm.

At 1.30pm Foreign Secretary David Lammy will discuss the ongoing China audit as well as the developing situation in the Middle East.

Senior Conservatives to back plans to ban phones in secondary schools

Senior Conservatives, including leader Kemi Badenoch, have backed plans from MP for Harborough, Oadby & Wigston Neil O’Brien to ban phones in secondary schools.

Badenoch wrote on social media: "Every teacher and pupil I meet says the same: ban smartphones in classrooms. They're disruptive, harm mental health, and damage learning.

"Keir Starmer says it’s not needed yet only one in 10 secondary schools are phone-free. This is so important. Please give this a watch."

Benefits cut vote will go ahead despite rebellion

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has confirmed Labour's controversial vote over welfare reforms will go ahead, despite over 100 backbench Labour MPs announcing they do not support it.

McFadden said “We will see the vote next week.

"We will keep talking to people between now and the vote, but there is no escaping the need for reform of the welfare system."

Reform UK's Britannia Card slammed as 'latest wheeze to prop up the super wealthy'

Reform UK's new Britannia Card scheme has been slammed as "Nigel Farage's latest wheeze" by the Greens.

Under the proposal, wealthy migrants can buy a 10-year residency permit for £250,000 which would exempt them from tax on their overseas income, assets and capital gains.

Funds raised by the card would be transferred annually tax-free to the bank accounts of the lowest paid 10 per cent of full-time workers.

Reacting to the announcement, Greens co-leader Adrian Ramsay said: "Nigel Farage’s latest wheeze to prop up the super wealthy, dressed up as helping the poorest, would result in an estimated loss of a whopping £34bn to the Treasury.

"Rather than enabling the super-rich to buy their way out of paying UK tax, the Green Party would tax investment income as equivalent to earned income and introduce a wealth tax based on assets.

"This is the way to fix our public services to benefit everyone. This is another reminder that Reform UK is a Party run by multi-millionaires out to look after their own and with net zero interest in the rest of us.

"There’s nothing patriotic about a 'Britannia Card' that would let the ultra-wealthy avoid paying taxes and contributing to society."

Keir Starmer vows to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP...but has no plan to raise the funds

Sir Keir Starmer is set to commit to spending five per cent of British GDP on defence by 2035, but there is currently no plan to fund it.

It comes after weeks of diplomatic pressure from Nato allies and military chiefs amid global conflicts.

Labour's pledge aligns with Nato’s new spending targets, but comes at a slower pace than key allies, including Poland.

Under the pledge, 3.5 per cent will be put towards hard defence, such as troops and weapons, with the remainder being spent on wider security, such as border protection and cyber defences.

However, a Downing Street spokesman declined to say how the full 3.5 per cent core defence uplift would be funded by 2035, saying only that it would be "reviewed" in 2029.

Senior minister defends Labour's handling of welfare cuts

Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster and key ally to the Prime Minister Pat McFadden has defended his party's handling of controversial welfare cuts amid a rebellion by Labour MPs.

When asked if Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall can hold on to her cabinet position amid such a large rebellion, McFadden told the BBC: "She has been central to the development of these reforms.

"She has argued for them, not as a difficult choice, but as the right choice, because she believes in a welfare state that should be there for people.

"Because she’s not comfortable about 1,000 people a day signing on for Pip and us just watching that number grow.

"She’s absolutely passionate about getting more help and support to long term sick and disabled people who could work if they had that extra help and support, and right now, under the unreformed system, they don’t have that."

WATCH: Dame Priti Patel rages over 'frozen' Israeli ties as she sends blunt message to Labour

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has strongly criticised the Government's approach to Israel, claiming it has "frozen relationships" with Britain's ally whilst failing to support American military action against Iran.

Speaking on GB News, Patel said: "We need a British Government which actually leverages its diplomatic clout in the world when it comes to standing alongside our allies."

She condemned the Government for spending "more time talking tough to the Israeli Government rather than actually supporting a lot of the work that helps to keep our country safe."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

RECAP: Major rebellion launched by backbench Labour MPs over welfare bill

A significant rebellion against the government’s benefit cuts has been launched by over 100 MPs with an amendment that could kill its welfare bill.

The amendment refuses to pass the government’s welfare changes and demands a pause, including for further consultation and for support to be in place before any further cuts are made.

Among those signing the bill include former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Vicky Foxcroft, who quit as a Labour whip last week.

Leading the amendment is the Treasury select committee chair and Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, Meg Hillier.

Hillier told The Guardian: "We recognise that the financial situation is difficult. As the Chancellor says governing is about choices.

"We don’t disagree that there is a need to reform welfare but it’s hard to deliver the proposed improvements in the proposed timescale. And disabled people must be protected."

David Lammy condemns attack on US base in Qatar

David Lammy said Labour stands in "solidarity" with the US over the attack on the Al Udeid airbase.

The Foreign Secretary wrote on social media: "I condemn Iran’s attack on the Al Udeid airbase yesterday and the UK stands in solidarity with the US and our ally Qatar.

"We have let Qatar know they will always have our steadfast support. Our focus must be on de-escalation and diplomacy to end this crisis."

Dame Priti Patel tells GB News the 'onus is on Iran' 

Dame Priti Patel has said she wants to see peace in the Middle East as she called on all parties to "return to the table."

The Shadow Foreign Secretary told GB News: "The onus has to be on Iran to stop firing missiles and to actually come to the table.

"We don't know if it will hold, it's only been announced in the last few hours. We all want to see peace in this part of the Middle East"

Starmer's defence spending pledge to lead to higher tax, IFS warns

Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to boost Nato defence spending to five per cent of British GDP has been torn apart by the head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The head of the UK's leading independent economics research institute warned that if the Government keeps spending, tax on working Britons will increase.

Director of the IFS, Paul Johnson, said: "Another £30billion on defence. U-turn on Winter Fuel. Rebellion on plans which just slightly slow huge increases in spending on disability benefits.

"If spending goes only one way, then so, inevitably, will tax. Historic increases already this decade. Looks like a lot more to come."

DWP under pressure as Waspi women win key legal protection

Waspi campaigners say they have secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a High Court challenge.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group is seeking a judicial review to force the Government to reconsider its refusal to offer compensation over the handling of state pension age changes that affected millions of women born in the 1950s.

On Monday, Waspi confirmed that a legal cap has been placed on their liability for the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) defence costs.

The DWP has agreed to what’s known as a costs capping order, which limits how much either side would need to pay if they lose. Waspi said this gives them the confidence to press ahead with legal proceedings.

READ MORE HERE

ANALYSIS: Will Nigel Farage's 'Robin Hood' tax make YOU richer or poorer?

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has unveiled one of his party's boldest policies yet in what is being described by some analysts as a "Robin Hood tax", directly taking aim at Chancellor Rachel Reeves's raid on non-doms.

Last year, Reeves confirmed inheritance tax (IHT) would now be levied on the foreign assets of non-doms, which critics have claimed has led to an exodus of wealth from the UK.

Amid rumours of a looming U-turn, Farage confirmed Reform's plan to launch a "Britannia Card" to entice wealthier foreigners to move to Britain.

But how does the "Britannia Card" hold up to scrutiny? GB News asked six leading finance experts to give their take on the plans.

FIND OUT WHAT THEY SAID HERE

Keir Starmer faces mega-rebellion over welfare bill

Sir Keir Starmer has been left bracing for a huge backbench rebellion over his plan to cut Britain's ballooning benefits bill by £5billion.

Almost 100 Labour MPs are believed to have signed an amendment demanding further consultation on Starmer's welfare proposals.

Rebels have claimed that the amendment, which will be published on Tuesday, does not intend to wreck Labour's welfare bill.

Treasury Select Committee chair Meg Hillier told The Guardian: “We all want the Labour Government to succeed in getting people back into work and supporting those who can’t.

"We don’t want to defeat the Government but we want the Government to think again.

“We are being asked to vote before consultation with disabled people and before impact assessments.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

How are other countries matching Nato demands?

The UK is moving a lot slower than other Nato countries in matching the five per cent commitment.

Germany, under new chancellor Friedrich Merz, has eased constitutional debt limits to fund a €500billion (£427.6billion) rearmament programme and has pledged to reach 3.5 per cent by 2029.

However, Spain, under socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has opted out entirely, striking a deal with Nato to keep its defence budget at just above two per cent.

Meanwhile, Poland and the Baltics are already spending four per cent to five per cent of their respective GDP figures.