Politics LIVE: Angela Rayner confirms welfare vote to go ahead in just days as Sir Keir Starmer set for showdown with rebels

Sir Keir Starmer speaks at Nato summit

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken at the Nato summit, addressing the UK's position on defence, pledging to spend at least 4.1 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027.

This is up from the initial 2.5 per cent set out in the spring statement.

In response to threats from Russia and dangers in the Middle East, Starmer said: "I've long argued that this is the moment to unite, for Europe to make a fundamental shift in its posture and for NATO to meet this challenge head on.

"That is what we have done today. With the UK at the forefront, Nato allies have agreed a new defence spending pledge, raising defence and security spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035."

Downing Street suggests welfare rebels are taking 'immoral position'

A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters after today's Deputy Prime Minister's Questions that the reforms to welfare were "progressive and moral".

He said: "This welfare system is failing millions of people today. It traps them and it tells them the only way to get help is to declare they’ll never work again.

"That leaves them without hope, without dignity, without opportunity, and the Government doesn’t accept that.

"For too long, meaningful reform to a failing system has been ducked or delayed. We simply cannot go on ignoring a system that’s been failing on all accounts. That is not the moral or progressive thing to do."

When pushed on whether he was also arguing that those opposing the plan were taking an "immoral" stance, the spokesman replied: "As I say, leaving the system as it currently is today is not a progressive or moral thing to do, because, as I’ve set out, it does not treat people with dignity and respect.

"It does not support them into work. The system is clearly broken. That is why the Government is committed to reform."

Keir Starmer to address nation from The Hague in press conference later today

Sir Keir Starmer will give a press conference this afternoon from a Nato summit in The Hague.

It comes 24 hours after a Government dossier said Brits must "actively prepare" for war.

The Prime Minister is currently holding crunch talks with fellow Nato leaders in the Netherlands.

Jeremy Corbyn accuses former party of supplying parts for F-25 jets used by Israel in Gaza

In the final question of today's PMQs, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Labour of supplying parts for F-25 jets used by Israel in Gaza.

The Islington North MP asked about 86 people who were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, and another 56 who were shot dead while queuing for food.

Corbyn asked if Rayner would back his bill for a public inquiry into the UK’s complicity with alleged Israeli war crimes.

Rayner responded saying Israel's recent action is "appalling and counter-productive" adding says the UK strongly opposes "the expansion of military operations" and the blocking of aid into Gaza.

She said: "It's a long-standing principle that genocide is determined by competent international courts and not for governments to decide."

Nigel Farage targeted by Angela Rayner as deputy PM takes PMQs swipe at Reform UK leader

Nigel Farage was the target of Angela Rayner’s ire for a second week running at PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions) with the Deputy Prime Minister taking aim at the Reform UK leader for supporting "billions more in unfunded tax cuts for the very richest".

As she did last week, Rayner responded to a backbench Labour MP’s question about Farage.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

DUP leader calls on Rayner to condemn the recent disorder in Northern Ireland

DUP leader Gavin Robinson, called on the Deputy Prime Minister to condemn the recent disorder in Northern Ireland.

He asked if she agreed the Windsor framework is stopping the government legislation for border controls on a UK-wide basis.

Rayner responded, saying the framework addressed longstanding issues adding that Labour is appealing issues relating to immigration law.

Angela Rayner slams Richard Tice over Brize Norton tweet

Angela Rayner slammed Reform UK's Deputy Leader Richard Tice for allegedly blaming the female officer commanding RAF Brize Norton.

Rayner says the attack by Palestine Action on Brize Norton was "disgraceful."

She added the attempt by Reform UK to blame the female officer commanding the base was “even more disgraceful" and they should have been blaming the criminals, not "an accomplished woman who has served her country."

Angela Rayner takes swipe at Kemi Badenoch over PMQs absence

Angela Rayner has hit out at Kemi Badenoch over her absence at the dispatch box.

Conservative MP for Fylde Andrew Snowden went through the Labour frontbenchers who could be sacked following a potential backbencher rebellion.

In response, Rayner highlighted Badenoch's absence from the dispatch box this week and last week, adding she's delivering on her claim she's getting better and better.

Liberal Democrats demand 'cast iron guarantee' for PIP reforms

The Liberal Democrats said the bubbling Labour rebellion meant the Government may have to rely on Conservative MPs to get their welfare cuts through.

Standing in for Sir Ed Davey, deputy leader Daisy Cooper called on Rayner to make a "cast iron guarantee" that if the cuts are pursed, not a single person will lose a penny until the carers allowance scandal review is complete.

Rayner responded: "She knows that we have already been taking steps and those steps will continue on the carers’ allowance. The welfare system as she knows is failing people."

Angela Rayner calls on Tories to apologise for 'ruining the British economy'

Mel Stride and Angela Rayner clashed over the economy, with the Deputy Prime Minister saying the Tories should apologise for "the mess they left this country in."

The Shadow Chancellor asked: "Isn’t she just a little embarrassed to be defending policies she doesn’t even agree with herself?”

Rayner hit back saying: "I’m embarrassed every week that somebody comes here from their opposition who doesn’t apologise for the mess they left this country."

Mel Stride presses Angela Rayner over welfare reform rebellion

Citing the concerns cited by the Labour rebels about the welfare Bill, Mel Stride said: "Can she explain why she thinks that she is right and 122 of her own colleagues are wrong?"

The Shadow Chancellor added that rebels say that the welfare bill is "dangerously rushed" and "ill-thought through".

Rayner said the Government was "pressing ahead" with its welfare reforms.

She confirmed the vote on the controversial bill would be going ahead on July 1.

Angela Rayner slams Mel Stride as 'latest wannabe' in PMQs clash

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner accused Mel Stride of being "the latest wannabe."

Stride launched Deputy Prime Minister's Questions saying: "We have a great deal in common. We both viscerally disagree with Chancellor's tax policy."

Pointing out it was the "second week running" that Rayner had taken to the dispatch box on a Wednesday, he added that there were "many behind [her] who wish this was a permanent arrangement."

Rayner hit back, calling Stride the "latest wannabe."

PMQs to begin imminently - follow along here

Angela Rayner will be facing off at the dispatch box against Mel Stride in this week's Deputy Prime Minister's Questions.

We'll be bringing you all the updates here on our live blog.

Alternatively, you can have your say on PMQs Live on GB News with Tom and Gloria.

WATCH: Boris Johnson hails Donald Trump's Iran efforts as ex-PM urges Keir Starmer to stand with the US in Middle East

Boris Johnson has declared "America is back" following Donald Trump's actions in Iran.

Speaking to Jacob Rees-Mogg on GB News, the former Prime Minister urged ministers to stand with Israel and the United States in their efforts to stop Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

He claimed their recent actions had delivered a "vital blow" to Iranian power in the region.

Speaking to the People's Channel, Johnson said: "What’s happened has been absolutely dramatic. It’s an astonishing fact that, as we speak, Israel is in total command of the airspace over Iran."

Nearly half of 2024 Labour voters have abandoned the party - Here's why...

New polling has suggested "broken promises" as the main reason why Labour have lost nearly half of their voters from last year.

The data from YouGov suggests that 29 per cent of Labour defectors say "broken promises" are the reason why they have abandoned Keir Starmer's party.

Meanwhile, 24 per cent saying they abandoned Labour because cost of living had not improved and 22 per cent saying the party is "too right wing."

Among new Reform UK voters, a whopping 62 per cent said they left because immigration is too high, while 48 per cent of new Green Party voters sad Labour have been "too right-wing" under Sir Keir Starmer.

Elsewhere, 27 per cent of new Liberal Democrat voters said Sir Ed Davey's party was closer to their values.

Wes Streeting outlines NHS funding reforms

Wes Streeting has outlined a wide-ranging set of NHS reforms, saying he wanted to "restore the promise of the NHS, to provide first-class healthcare for everyone in our country."

It follows fury from Red Wall voters about the impact of Labour’s policies on the North of England.

Speaking at Blackpool FC home ground Bloomfield Road, Streeting said: "Last year we sent crack teams of top clinicians to hospitals in parts of the country with the highest waiting lists and levels of economic inactivity.

"It has seen waiting lists in those areas falling twice as fast as the rest of the country, helping get sick Brits back to health and back to work.

"Thanks to the reforms we’ve made to bear down on wasteful spending, we can now invest the savings in working class communities that need it most.

"Where towns have the greatest health needs and the fewest GPs, we will prioritise investment to rebuild your NHS and rebuild the health of your community."

New Jeremy Corbyn-led party would massively dent Labour's vote share, new polling suggests

A new party led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would put a massive dent in his former party's vote share, new data suggests.

Polling by More in Common suggests a "new Corbyn-led party" would win 10 per cent of the vote, reducing Labour’s share from 23 per cent to 20 per cent.

The party led by the Islington North MP, who was Labour leader from 2015 to 2020, would also storm in front among 18- to 24-year-olds on 32 per cent, reports the New Statesman.

Allies to Corbyn said they would favour an electoral pact with the Green Party with one praising leadership candidate Zack Polanski’s "energetic campaign."

It comes as Labour party insiders have suggested up to 15 MPs could defect from Sir Keir Starmer's party if Polanski wins the leadership contest.

Keir Starmer 'pushing' to bring forward Donald Trump's state visit

King Charles's wishes are said to have been overruled by Keir Starmer in bringing forward President Trump's state visit to September, despite royal concerns about the American leader's threats to Canada.

The Prime Minister is said to have prioritised strengthening UK-US relations over the Palace's preferences for a more measured approach.

Britain and the US are expected to confirm the full state visit as the Prime Minister hopes to capitalise on Trump's enduring fascination with the Royal Family.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Mel Stride confirmed to face Angela Rayner at DPMQs later today

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride will face off against Angela Rayner at Deputy Prime Minister's Questions later today.

It is the second week in a row where Rayner has been at the dispatch box, with Sir Keir Starmer attending the Nato Summit in The Hague today.

You can catch PMQs Live from 12pm today on GB News with Tom Harwood and Gloria De Piero, who will be providing all the analysis and reaction with a top panel of political experts.

Rupert Lowe brands Keir Starmer 'delusional' over defence spending

Rupert Lowe has slammed Keir Starmer, accusing the Prime Minister of being "delusional".

In a post on social media, Starmer said: "In an era of global uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted.

"My government is investing in our national security by purchasing 12 new F-35A fighter jets, supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs and opportunities for working people. Secure at home, strong abroad."

Responding, the Independent MP for Great Yarmouth made a jab related to the "surrender" of the Chagos Islands.

The former Reform UK MP said: "Didn’t you just hand away some of the most strategically important territory on the planet? Delusional at home, humiliated abroad."

John Healey admits he was not prepared for one shocking reality of top job

Defence Secretary John Healey has revealed that Britain faced 90,000 cyber attacks from hostile states including Russia over the past year, admitting he was shocked by the scale of threats facing the UK.

Speaking on GB News, Healey said: "We are under constant attack.

"I came in as Defence Secretary less than a year ago I have been quite taken aback, I have to say, to find that over the last year we've had 90,000 direct attacks on different parts of defence that we can link to hostile states, including Russia."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Majority of voters back electoral reform plans to benefit smaller parties

New research has found the majority of voters want electoral reform to allow smaller political parties to have more MPs.

A survey by British Social Attitudes found that 60 per cent of adults think the system should be changed to allow smaller parties to get their "fair share" of MPs.

Of that, 55 per cent of Labour supporters, 52 per cent of Conservatives and 56 per cent of Liberal Democrats, as well as 90 per cent of Greens and 78 per cent of Reform voters back changes to the First Past the Post system.

It comes as more than four million votes were cast for Reform at the general election, but it returned only five MPs. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats returned a party record of 71 MPs with 3.5million votes.

Kemi Badenoch backs Keir Starmer's welfare reform bill

Kemi Badenoch has said she would back Labour's welfare reform plans but added there were "conditions."

The Conservative leader wrote on social media: "As a country we are spending, borrowing and taxing too much. We need to save money by reforming welfare.

"That’s why I’ve offered to support the Prime Minister’s bill if he can meet my conditions.

"The PM should be bringing the vote forward, not delaying it to try and save face."

Wes Streeting says NHS funding will go to 'communities that need it most'

Health secretary Wes Streeting said that as part of the Government’s ten-year plan for the NHS, an extra £2.2billion will be put into the poorest areas, which will be "prioritised for investment".

Streeting is set to make a speech in Blackpool later today, which has the lowest life expectancy in England and one of the highest rates of long-term sickness.

He will say: "The truth is, those in greatest need often receive the worst quality healthcare. It flies in the face of the values the NHS was founded on.

"The circumstances of your birth shouldn’t determine your worth. A core ambition of our ten-year plan will be to restore the promise of the NHS, to provide first-class healthcare for everyone in our country and end the postcode lottery.

"Last year, we sent crack teams of top clinicians to hospitals in parts of the country with the highest waiting lists and levels of economic inactivity.

"It has seen waiting lists in those areas falling twice as fast as the rest of the country, helping get sick Brits back to health and back to work."