Boris Johnson comeback bid scuppered as ex-PM fails to win over Reform UK voters

Education union branded 'appalling' after 'supporting training to fight AGAINST Prevent counter-terror scheme'

The National Education Union has been branded "appalling" by furious Tories after appearing to back a "training" session teaching Britons to fight against the Prevent counter-terror scheme.

The session, organised by a London-based pro-Palestine group, was backed by the NEU's regional branch - and hails how it can teach attendees to "overcome the repressive effects of Prevent".

That prompted Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott to blast: "The same Prevent that stops radicalisation and protects children from extremism.

"When did safeguarding become something to 'overcome'?

"I doubt all NEU members support undermining counter-terrorism in schools.

"The Education Secretary must step in and stop this appalling behaviour."

A spokesman for the NEU told GB News: "This was not an event organised by the national NEU, but one supported by the Wandsworth branch of the union.

"NEU members are aware of the legal obligations and professional expectations on teachers to maintain impartiality when teaching or engaging with students.

"The duties around Prevent are generally well-understood and regularly discussed in schools. Schools and colleges are obliged to consider the Prevent duty alongside their safeguarding duties and also alongside the requirements to avoid discrimination and to actively promote equality.

"Schools are under all these obligations and need to make sensible professional judgements about the best course of action, given any individual situation."

PMQs RECAP: 'It's chaos, chaos, chaos!' PMQs turns bitter as Kemi Badenoch left RAGING at Keir Starmer

Kemi Badenoch ripped into Sir Keir Starmer over the "chaos" his Labour Party has left in its wake in a bitter, personal attack during PMQs.

The Tory leader blasted Starmer, claiming everything he said is "nonsense" and accused the PM of "not having any answers."

Badenoch said: "I asked him, Mr Speaker, about the two-child benefit cap... He’s talking about the Kremlin!

"He’s saying everything he can to distract from the mess he is making of our economy.”

Badenoch said that the Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed there is no £22billion deficit, in a direct counter Labour’s claim that the Tories left it with a so-called "black hole".

Badenoch then turned on Starmer's failure to stabilise the economy and surging borrowing costs.

"It's nothing but chaos," she spat.

The Tory chief continued: "Two weeks ago, he was crowing about his historic trade deal and how he got zero per cent tariffs on steel.

"Now, the steel industry will face 25 per cent tariffs unless he does exactly what President Trump tells him to.

"It is chaos, chaos, chaos. And isn’t the root of the chaos... this Prime Minister, his decisions and his judgement?"

Starmer replied: "She gets up on a Wednesday morning, scrolls through social media...

"We are the only country in the world that isn’t paying the 50 per cent tax on steel."

Labour CANCELS small business summit with Rachel Reeves over 'low demand'

Labour has been forced to cancel a summit between Rachel Reeves and small business leaders over low demand.

The Chancellor had been expected to address executives and lobbyists at the £5,000-per-head event in central London in three weeks' time.

It had been billed as a "unique opportunity" for businesses to "engage with Labour's plan to kick-start economic growth".

But now, Labour has called it off.

Several firms decided to skip it, the Financial Times revealed, with leaders put off - in part, by the cost.

In response, the Tories jabbed that charging firms for access while hiking their taxes did not amount to a "great sales pitch".

But a Labour spokesman said: "The Labour Party regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders and events are frequently scheduled throughout the year, which receive a high level of interest."

'Make it make sense!' Tories twist knife as Rachel Reeves's 'Labournomics' blamed for employment slump

The Conservatives have poured scorn on Rachel Reeves after she was blamed for a record employment slump.

Fresh figures from the S&P Global UK Services PMI show that employment levels in the services sector have fallen for eight months in a row.

Firms have stopped replacing leaving staff, the data revealed - triggering a "sustained downturn" in headcount across the industry.

Rising wages following Labour's employer National Insurance hikes have been blamed - with S&P Global's Tim Moore warning that "aside from the pandemic, the current eight-month period of falling employment numbers is the longest streak since 2008-10."

A Tory spokesman then jabbed: "Labournomics: Make it make sense."

IN DEPTH: Boris Johnson vs Nigel Farage polling - how do the pair compare?

Our top story this afternoon covers how YouGov data has revealed that just 15 per cent of Reform supporters think Johnson would be a better pick for Prime Minister than Nigel Farage.

Pollster have just released in-depth graphics of how the pair compare - which you can read in full above.

Keir Starmer on collision course with Israel AGAIN after laying into 'intolerable' Benjamin Netanyahu

Sir Keir Starmer and Labour could risk reigniting an Anglo-Israeli war of words after the Prime Minister attacked Benjamin Netanyahu's "intolerable" actions in Gaza.

Claire Hanna, the leader of Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party, had said that "these are very dark days and Gaza is a stain on the soul of humanity".

That prompted Starmer to reply: "She's absolutely right to describe this as dark days. Israel's recent action is appalling and in my view counterproductive and intolerable.

"We have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid."

It comes mere days after Netanyahu branded the PM "on the wrong side of humanity" and claimed he "wants Hamas in power" in an extraordinary televised attack on Britain.

READ THE FULL STORY ON NETANYAHU'S ANTI-STARMER RANT HERE

RECAP: Boris Johnson's comeback plot faces 'Nigel Farage problem' as Reform insiders write off 'irrelevant' ex-PM's chances

Today's YouGov polling comes less than a week after allies of Boris Johnson told GB News that a "comeback plot" faces a severe "Nigel Farage problem".

Swathes of top Tories told the People's Channel that Johnson would face an uphill battle to return to power - with a surging Reform effectively wiping out the very idea of Tory safe seats across Britain.

"Boris is an election winner," one said. "I doubt he would want to break his winning streak."

READ THE FULL GB NEWS EXCLUSIVE HERE

Funding drive to halt Keir Starmer's Chagos 'sell-out' edges closer to target

A crowd-funding drive to raise money for a judicial review into Sir Keir Starmer's "sell-out" of the Chagos Islands is just over £1,000 away from its target.

The fundraiser, set up by ex-Reform deputy leader Ben Habib and his Great British PAC, seeks to back Misley Mandarin, a British Chagossian, in taking legal action against the Government.

The review is set to be filed "in the coming days" and will argue that Labour's "surrender" deal is unlawful "on multiple grounds".

It's looking to raise £20,000 - with public donations backed pound-for-pound.

Israel’s newly introduced measures for aid delivery in Gaza 'endangers civilians', says minister

Britain has said Israel’s newly introduced measures for aid delivery in Gaza are "inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians."

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told the House of Commons: "We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza.

"Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families.

"We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events for the perpetrators to be held to account."

Chris Philp confirms he does not support a ban on the burqa

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has told GB News he does not support a ban on the burqa.

The Croydon South MP was speaking after Reform MP Sarah Pochin questioned about banning the burqa at PMQs.

Philp adds he opposes the burqa in cases of coercion, but believes in freedom and tolerance and that it "must be a two way street."

SNP demand answers from Keir Starmer as to whether there is a genocide taking place in Gaza

The SNP pressed Starmer on if he would repeat the position put forward by Government lawyers that there is not a genocide taking place in Gaza.

Brendan O’Hara, MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, said: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly told this House that it is not for him or his Government to determine what is and what is not a genocide.

"But that position is no longer tenable, because at the High Court recently the Prime Minister instructed his lawyers to argue that in Gaza, and I quote 'no genocide has occurred, or is occurring'. So the truth is, his Government has made a determination.

"The question is, does he have the courage of his convictions and will he repeat from that despatch box what he told his lawyers to argue in the high court?"

The Prime Minister responded: "I’ve said that we are strongly opposed and appalled by Israel’s recent actions, and have been absolutely clear in condemning them and calling them out, whether that’s the expansion of military operations, settler violence, or the dreadful blocking of aid, is completely unacceptable.

"We must see a ceasefire, hostages must be released, and there must be aid into Gaza."

Sir Lindsay Hoyle takes veiled swipe at Prime Minister over PMQs

The Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle appeared to take a swipe at the Prime Minister suggesting he had not answered questions put to him during PMQs.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer dodged a question about whether the government would scrap the two-child benefit cap and also declined to say who would be eligible for winter fuel payments under proposed changes.

While MPs were jeering the Prime Minister, Hoyle said during PMQs: "Let's listen to the answer, even if you don't believe you're getting one."

James Cleverly says Keir Starmer's response to Reform question was 'unacceptable'

Former Home Secretary James Cleverly has slammed Sir Keir Starmer's response to Reform MP Sarah Pochin's question about banning the burqa.

The MP for Braintree wrote on social media: "Unacceptable behaviour from Keir Starmer at PMQs.

"After failing to answer any of Kemi’s questions he basically said to Sarah Pochin that he didn’t like her question, so 'wasn’t going to engage with it.'

"Refusing to answer MP’s questions isn’t an option as a government minister."

Belfast MP says war in Gaza is a 'stain on the soul of humanity'

A Belfast MP has said the war in Gaza is a "stain on the soul of humanity" as she called on the government to recognise the state of Palestine.

Claire Hanna, the SDLP MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, said: "After tens of thousands of deaths, after a generation of Gazans stunted by hunger and trauma, when will [the government] be ready for peace?

"When will [the government] help to stop this genocide? When will [the government] hold the Israeli government to account? And when will [the government] recognise the state of Palestine?"

The Prime Minister replied that she is "absolutely right to describe this as 'dark days'".

Starmer added: "Israel's recent action is appalling and, in my view, counterproductive and intolerable.

"And we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence, and the blocking of humanitarian aid."

Sarah Pochin demands Keir Starmer 'ban the Burqa' in first PMQs question

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has called to "ban the Burqa" in the "interest of public safety".

Addressing the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions, the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby questioned the Labour leader on whether he would follow in the footsteps of other European nations.

Asking Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly, Pochin asked: "Given Prime Minister's desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he ban the burqa?"

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Starmer says he is 'very confident' steel tariff issue with Washington can be resolved

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey launched an attack on the President saying nothing will stop "Trump messing the UK around."

Davey said: "The Prime Minister thought he had secured nought percent tariffs for British steel but now Trump is threatening us with 50 per cent unless we comply with his new five-week deadline.

“This is classic Trump, changing the terms of a deal he had already agreed. Does the Prime Minister share my fear that nothing will stop Trump messing the UK around, short of bunging a few hundred million pounds into his Trump coin.”

Sir Keir said: “We have a deal and we are implementing it and within a very short time I am very confident we will get those tariffs down in accordance with the deal.”

Sir Ed Davey says US-Israeli aid programme is 'failing'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said that the aid programme in Gaza is "failing" and called on the Prime Minister to push the UN Security Council for humanitarian corridor.

The Prime Minister said he is working with allies "at pace" on this issue.

He called it an "intolerable and appalling" situation.

Sir Keir Starmer accuses Kemi Badenoch of 'echoing Kremlin talking points'

The Prime Minister has accused Kemi Badenoch of parroting "Kremlin talking points".

Starmer said: "There's only one leader who's been praised this week by the Russian embassy.

"And if she carries on echoing Kremlin talking points like this, Reform are going to be sending her an application form for membership."

Sir Keir Starmer said Labour took the 'right decision' over budget

The Prime Minister has demanded Kemi Badenoch "apologise" over the previous government's actions.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "We took the right decisions at the Budget because we needed to stabilise the economy.

"She needs to apologise for the fact that they left the economy in a terrible state."

Sir Keir Starmer refuses to respond to direct question about two-child benefit cap

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asked Keir Starmer if Labour were is planning to scrap the two-child cap on benefits.

Starmer says he is "determined to drive down child poverty" and added Labour has a child poverty strategy, which will be set out "in due course."

He said: "I am absolutely determined that we will drive down child poverty. That is one of the proudest things of the last Labour government.

"That’s why we have got a taskforce, that’s why we have got a strategy and we will set out that strategy in due course."

Kemi Badenoch presses Sir Keir Starmer over winter fuel payments

Kemi Badenoch opened her questions at PMQs by asking Keir Starmer for clarity about how many pensioners will get the winter fuel allowance back this year.

The Prime Minister responded: "I'm glad to see she's catching up with what happened two weeks ago."

He said Labour had taken the "right decision" on scrapping winter fuel payments.

PMQs about to start - watch live on GB News

Sir Keir Starmer is set to go head to head with Kemi Badenoch at this week's PMQs.

Gloria De Piero and Tom Harwood will be here with PMQs Live on GB News providing commentary and analysis.

WATCH LIVE AND HAVE YOUR SAY HERE.

Winter fuel payments stance slammed as a 'debalce' as Lib Dems demand apology

The Liberal Democrats said that Labour’s handling of the about-turn on winter fuel payments has been a “debacle”.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "This whole debacle has caused needless misery for millions of pensioners.

"We will look at the details of the changes at the Spending Review next week.

"In the meantime the Chancellor should apologise to all those pensioners who had to freeze this winter because of this senseless policy."

Labour says there is 'no prospect' of returning to universal fuel payment

Pensions minister Torsten Bell has said there is no prospect of returning to a universal winter fuel payment.

Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Bell said: "Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment, the answer is no.

"The principle I think most people, 95 per cent of people agree, that it’s not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we’re not going to be continuing with that.

"But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible."

Chancellor 'scrambling to salvage her failing economic plan', says Tories

The Conservatives have accused Rachel Reeves of "scrambling to salvage her failing economic plan."

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said: "Rachel Reeves is scrambling to salvage her failing economic plan after the Prime Minister has made U-turn after U-turn, punching holes in her credibility.

"She needed to do better than copying and pasting announcements made by the previous Conservative government. The country is not falling for their lies anymore; Britain deserves better.

"Only the Conservatives believe in sound money, low tax and the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs."

What has been announced today? 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves today announced £15.6bn in transport investment across the UK. Here's some of the biggest projects announced:

• A new tram link for West Yorkshire

The first phase of the £2.5bn mass transit programme is expected to see the creation of two tram lines in West Yorkshire.

A Leeds line will run from St James's University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose Centre, while a Bradford Line will connect Bradford and Leeds city centres.

• Extension of Birmingham’s tram network

• Enhancing Greater Manchester’s tram network

New Metrolink stops will be opened in Bury and Oldham, and the line will be extended to Stockport.

Also, the city’s public transport Bee Network will become fully electric by 2030, including through the purchase of 1,000 new electric buses.

• Extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro

• A new mass transit system to connect Derby and Nottingham

Rachel Reeves says announcement will make regional cities 'more like London'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed £15.6bn in transport investment which she says will make regional cities "more like London."

She told the event in Rochdale: "Connectivity is an absolutely critical factor in unlocking the potential of towns and cities outside of London.

"one of the areas in which previous governments have promised most but delivered least, and that will now change.

"Modern growth rests on dynamic, connected city regions, creating clusters of activity so that people can get around, communicate, share ideas, commute, find good work and earn wages that flow back into strong local economies.

"The stronger transport links within cities and the towns around them create opportunity by connecting labour markets and making it easier for firms to buy and sell goods and services in different places to different people."

WATCH: Rachel Reeves takes aim at Nigel Farage and Reform

Rachel Reeves says not every department will get what they wanted in spending review

The Chancellor has admitted that not every department in Whitehall would get what it had requested for terms of funding.

Rachel Reeves said she "had to say no" to things which she wanted to do because the public finances simply would not allow them. However, she said "we will not be balancing the books by cutting investment."

Reeves criticised the Tories and Reform and said: "Where they offer more of the same, we offer change.

"I came into politics because I wanted to make a difference to the lives of working people."

"Every person should the same opportunities as others to survive and succeed, no matter what their parents do, no matter where they grow up."

Rachel Reeves sparks fears of tax hikes in just MONTHS as she refuses to alter 'fiscal rules'

Rachel Reeves has refused to alter her fiscal rules, sparking fears that tax hikes are on the horizon in the Autumn Budget.

Speaking in Manchester today, the Chancellor announced a sweeping £15.6 billion investment in transport infrastructure across England, targeting regions outside London ahead of next week’s Government spending review.

She said: "The decisions we made in October mean for the first time the Treasury takes into account the benefits of investment and together the fiscal rules mean unlike our predecessor we will not be balancing the book by cutting investment."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Nigel Farage will repeat 'exact same experiment' as Liz Truss, says Rachel Reeves

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Nigel Farage will repeat the "exact same experiment" as Liz Truss.

She said: "No one should need to be told about the dangers of reckless borrowing.When Liz Truss crashed market confidence in our British economy, it was working people who paid the price.

"Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage and Reform are itching to repeat that exact same experiment.

"The results, they would be the same. Market instability, interests rates rising, with soaring rents and thousands of pounds extra on families’ mortgages."

Rachel Reeves says Britain has 'lagged behind' other countries

Rachel Reeves has said "under investment" has held back Britain as she unveiled a mass transport plan.

Speaking at a launch event in Rochdale, the Chancellor said: "The central barrier to economic growth has been under investment.

"For too long, Britain has lagged behind every other G7 economy when it comes to business investment as a share of GDP.

"One of the consequences was that the last parliament was the worst on record for living standards."

Andy Burnham praises 'best news of the day' ahead of Chancellor's speech

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the £2.5bn for transport projects in Manchester is the "best news of the day."

Speaking ahead of a speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he said: "good transport powers good growth."

He added: "The levelling up that was once promised is now happening here."

Former Tory cabinet minster accuses Labour of 'reheating' Rishi Sunak's pledges

A former Conservative cabinet minister accused Labour of "reheating" Rishi Sunak's promises over infrastructure.

Sir Simon Clarke, who was chief secretary to the Treasury under Boris Johnson, said it was "ridiculous" it had taken Labour "so long" to give the green light to billions of pounds of infrastructure investment.

Clarke, who lost his Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seat at last year's general election, posted on social media: "Today’s transport announcement is just a reheating of the one made by Rishi Sunak in late 2023, *finally* being recommitted to by Labour after a year of pointless delay."

Senior police chiefs warn 'some crimes must be ignored' if police cuts go ahead

Britain's top police chiefs have warned Labour some crimes will be "ignored" if police cuts go ahead in the spending review.

Head of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley has issued a dire warning to Keir Starmer saying police cuts will have "far-reaching consequences."

Rowley was one of six police chiefs who publicly warned that promises on crime would be broken without more money from the Treasury..

Robert Jenrick takes aim at Lord Hermer for being 'handpicked' by Keir Starmer: 'He doesn't like Britain'

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has launched a scathing attack on Attorney General Lord Hermer, claiming he has "built his entire career defending people who hate our country".

Speaking to GB News, Jenrick told host Patrick Christys that Hermer was "handpicked" by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and is someone who "doesn't like" Britain.

Taking to social media, Jenrick posted a scathing video online to call out Hermer's past work as a human rights lawyer, highlighting how he represented "Gerry Adams, five terrorists linked to Al Qaeda, Shamima Begum and an Eritrean man who was here illegally who claimed to be 16, who was actually 26."

READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE.

UK Steel welcomes President Trump's steel tariff decision but demands 'rocket boosters' over deal  

UK Steel has welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to keep tariffs at 25 per cent on imports of British steel and aluminium for now, but said that “uncertainty remains” over the final rate.

Last night, Trump announced he would keep tariffs at 25 per cent on British steel and aluminium for now, despite doubling tariffs on imports from the rest of the world to 50 per cent.

UK Steel director general Gareth Stace told the BBC: "We need the UK Government to apply rocket boosters to those negotiations with the US administration to get that deal over the line and remove tariffs altogether on our imports and exports to the US market, which is our second biggest export market."

New frontrunners for first recipient of Reform's Musk-style Doge audit team emerge

A new frontrunner for the first council to receive a visit from Reform UK's Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has emerged.

West Northamptonshire Council could be the first to get a visit from the party's new audit team, including software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors.

The council swung from Conservative to Reform in May's local elections as Nigel Farage's party picked up 42 of the 76 seats.

Councillor Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Since forming the Council's new political administration we have been working closely with senior officers, building good relationships and meeting regularly as we start to shape our future priorities for communities across West Northants."

Rachel Reeves set to announce £15bn for trams, trains and buses outside London

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £15billion investment in transport outside London later today.

The package for mayoral authorities is expected to include funding to extend the metros in Tyne and Wear, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, along with a renewed tram network in South Yorkshire and a new mass transit systems in West Yorkshire.

Writing in the Manchester Evening News, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the announcement was "about pushing power out of Westminster and putting it back in the hands of communities who know what they need."

WATCH: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander clashes with Ellie over migration numbers - 'I don't accept that at all!'

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was grilled over record migrant crossings as the weekend saw the highest number of small boat arrivals.

She said: "If the previous Government had been so confident the Rwanda was such a effective deterrent then why did Rishi Sunak call an early general election.

"We are taking this issue very seriously."