A senior minister has refused to rule out Andy Burnham taking the UK back into the European Union without a second Brexit referendum.
The prime minister said on Wednesday he would look at the “pros and cons” of all options surrounding the UK’s future relationship with Brussels and said he could go “all the way” and rejoin the European Union.
And, asked whether he would guarantee the UK would only rejoin the EU with another referendum, work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden refused to rule out rejoining without a referendum.
Mr McFadden said: "I don't want to preempt what [Andy Burnham] is going to say later in the year. So I don't want to start ruling things in and ruling things out."
In his first Labour Party conference speech as leader on Tuesday, the prime minister said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and promised to set out the options to the country around the time of a UK-EU summit later this year.
Mr Burnham used his Labour conference speech to vow to deliver a “new Britain” with plans to scrap the pensions triple lock, build a new social care service and overhaul the voting system.
Read MoreBurnham says he could go ‘all the way’ and rejoin European Union in Brexit warning
What is the state pension triple lock and how much would pensioners lose if its scrapped?
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Key points
- Burnham says he could go 'all the way' and rejoin EU
- Cabinet minister won't rule out UK rejoining EU without second referendum
- Every major policy announcement from PM's Labour conference speech
- What's on at Labour conference today?
- Analysis: Burnham has delivered the most revolutionary vision for Britain since Thatcher
Lisa Nandy warns against ‘violent indifference’ to online harms
14:17 , Tom BarnesLisa Nandy warned there has been a “violent indifference” to the harms caused to women and children online.
The culture secretary suggested those in power should be “ashamed” that the current situation has led to an upcoming ban on social media for under-16s.
In her speech at Labour Party conference, she issued a “collective call to arms” to the technology sector, saying: “Let this country pioneer technology as an unequivocal force for good.”
She said: “Our online spaces live in the palm of our hands and the cables that run under our feet – they’re a civic space, like any town hall or high street.
“So let’s insist that they’re not just safe, but they’re thriving, they’re inclusive, and they’re empowering, where people can trust what they see and find common ground and connection.
“Let us be the leaders of this new age and the light on the hill for the rest of the world.”
Analysis: Burnham’s Brexit pledge means an early election is now far more likely
13:51 , Sian ElvinThe prime minister’s pledge to stick to the restrictive red lines of Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto is simply not sustainable until 2029 – however strongly Mr Burnham denies there will be an early general election, writes political editor David Maddox:
Burnham’s Brexit pledge means an early election is now far more likely
Recap: Andy Burnham said he could go 'all the way' and propose rejoining EU
13:28 , Sian ElvinAndy Burnham has said he is open to reversing Brexit, insisting he could go “all the way” in proposing to rejoin the European Union.
The prime minister, who has blamed Brexit for a decade of drift and division, declared it was “not good enough” simply to leave the issue “hanging”.
Asked whether he wanted the UK to rejoin the bloc, he told the BBC’s Today programme he wanted to look at the “pros and cons” of all options regarding the UK’s future relationship with Brussels.
In pictures: Andy Burnham on the final day of the Labour conference
13:12 , Sian Elvin
Osborne’s interview persuaded Burnham to re-consider customs union
12:55 , Sian ElvinAndy Burnham’s drive to forge closer links with the European Union – including opening the door to reversing Brexit – has partly been inspired by a major interview that The Independent carried out with former chancellor George Osborne.
As first revealed by this publication earlier this week, the prime minister is looking at a number of options about reversing Brexit, including fully rejoining the EU.
How Osborne interview persuaded Burnham to reconsider customs union
Victory for The Independent! The PM has broken the spell on Europe
12:39 , Sian ElvinBy saying that all options for Britain’s future with the EU are back on the table – including rejoining – the prime minister has supercharged the Brexit debate, says John Rentoul. Read more here:
Victory for The Independent! The PM has broken the spell on Europe
Watch: Osborne tells The Independent UK should rejoin Customs Union
12:07 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham has said the government could consider rejoining the EU Customs Union – referencing a call made by George Osborne on an interview with The Independent earlier this month.
Nandy vows to 'bring back youth work'
11:52 , Tom BarnesCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy has pledged to “bring back youth work” as she committed to recruit 1,000 youth workers.
She told the Labour Party conference: “Starting today, we are going to fund and recruit 1,000 youth workers – the biggest investment into youth work in a generation.
“We won’t stop there, we will rebuild youth services, we will bring back youth work, we will ensure that every young person in this country has someone who cares.
“No young person forgotten. No young person written off. We will reclaim youth.”
She said: “We’ll step up for a generation that needs us, we’ll dare to dream, and we will never rest until we transform this country into a place where every young person has the chance to live the lives that they deserve.
“No more standing by, no more looking away.”
Opinion: Andy Burnham’s feelgood speech is already unravelling
11:42 , Tom BarnesWith his rousing conference address, the prime minister raised hopes for a better future for Britain, but mostly after the 2029 general election – as we head towards winter and a new energy crisis, what good is that now, asks Sean O’Grady:
Andy Burnham’s feelgood speech is already unravelling
Ministers will start laying the foundations for national care service, Cooper says
11:02 , Millie CookeMinisters will start laying the foundations for Andy Burnham’s national care service, Yvette Cooper said.
Praising the prime minister's emotional conference speech on Tuesday afternoon following the death of his father earlier this month, Ms Cooper said: "Didn’t he do his dad proud?"
Ms Cooper continued: “At the heart of that powerful and personal speech yesterday was our new task, to finish the work that [former secretary for social services] Barbara Castle started 50 years ago, to bring together health and social care.
“Therefore everyone who needs it, when they need it, a national care service alongside our National Health Service, with dignity and decency for all... We will build a national care service over time. But there are foundations that we can start to build now, because there’s one thing we already know.
“Care starts with people, with the unpaid workers, the overstretched care workers who care for us when we can no longer care for ourselves. So we will appoint a new champion for unpaid carers to make sure the voice of that hidden army is always heard in government.”
Care workers will get a new pension scheme, health secretary announces
11:01 , Millie CookeThe government will introduce a new pension scheme for care workers, health secretary Yvette Cooper has announced in her address to the Labour conference.
“It is just wrong that the people who work hardest to help others maintain dignity and respect in old age too often get nothing back for retirement themselves", she said.
“So I can announce today we will introduce the first-ever national collective pension scheme for workers in the care system. Fair pay, fair terms and conditions, and now a proper pension scheme to give our care workers the respect that they deserve.”
Cooper announces return of Sure Start scheme supporting new parents
10:45 , Tom BarnesYvette Cooper has announced the revival of the New Labour-era Sure Start scheme, with new parents getting support with their babies at more than 1,000 centres across England by 2028.
The health secretary told Labour’s conference in Liverpool the expansion of the Healthy Babies programme to all local authority areas to revive the Sure Start principle of an integrated approach to supporting families.
The plan – dubbed “Sure Start 2.0” by aides – will see parents get enhanced infant feeding and mental health support, help to form strong relationships with their babies along with contact with health visitors and midwives.
Labour has been setting up new family hubs, however more than half of local authorities in England currently do not have health services in the centres, unlike the original Sure Start scheme.
Ms Cooper said: “Since the election, Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell have been working to rebuild family hubs across the country, bringing back support for parents and for young children.
“But something is missing. Compared to the last time round, half of our councils are missing the healthy babies services – mental health support for mums and dad, the feeding and bonding support for your new baby.
“That changes now. I can announce we will bring back those Sure Start health services into every family centre. Reaching up to 1,000 hubs over the next two years.
“One of the party’s greatest achievements restored to families throughout the land.”
Yvette Cooper giving conference speech
10:30 , Tom BarnesThe health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has started her speech to the Labour conference.
Labour won't adjust triple lock before next election, minister insists
10:23 , Tom BarnesThe cabinet minister responsible for pensions has denied laying the ground to adjust the triple lock before the next election would amount to a breach of Labour’s manifesto.
Pat McFadden told Sky News that changes to the triple lock on state pensions “would only come in after 2030”.
Asked whether Labour would “only legislate for any changes after” a future election, the work and pensions secretary replied: “Well, we’ll legislate before the changes come in.
“We obviously have to do that.”
Asked whether that would “be a breach of” the 2024 manifesto, Mr McFadden replied: “No, we’re keeping to our promise, which was to maintain the triple lock for the duration of this Parliament.
“And in the future, pensioners should know that their pension will continue to rise every year either by prices or by 2.5% whichever is the greater.
“And there’ll also be an additional peg, which is why this is an adjusted triple lock, whereby we will take the proportion of the pension in relation to average earnings in 2030 and lock those gains in for the future.”
Majority of Reform UK voters back Burnham's stance on EU – poll
10:02 , Tom BarnesMore than half of Reform UK voters back Andy Burnham’s plans for closer post-Brexit ties with the EU, a new poll has found.
The survey of more than 2,000 British adults, carried out by Public First on behalf of Politico, found seven in 10 voters want the government to foster a closer relationship with Europe.
However, the poll said 51 per cent of voters backing Nigel Farage’s party also believe the UK’s current ties with Brussels are too distant.
Opinion: Did Andy Burnham’s Labour conference speech just make history?
09:27 , Tom BarnesOur writers deliver their verdicts on Andy Burnham’s first Labour party conference speech:
Did Andy Burnham’s Labour conference speech just make history? Plus, have your say
I'm not targeting pensioners, Burnham insists over plan to scrap triple lock
09:18 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham has rejected the suggestion that he was picking on pensioners with the pensions triple lock change as “completely wrong”.
Asked why he was targeting pensioners, the prime minister told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think you’ve got it completely wrong really, if you don’t mind me saying, to put it like that, because I have put out today a vision for a national care service.
“There are pensioners out there who watch your programme who are paying for care costs from their basic state pension. Now, is that right or fair?
“We have to fix this system. But what I’m saying about the triple lock enables a better support, better care for people in their homes. No care charges.
“So, please let me just make that point that people need to see these things in the round. It’s a better deal for older people going forward.”
Burnham says £4.7bn defence spending gap will be found
09:16 , Tom BarnesMoney to plug a £4.7 billion gap in the defence investment plan will be found, Andy Burnham has promised.
The Prime Minister told Times Radio defence was “a major priority” for him.
He continued: “Of course it is, given where the world is right now. I said as soon as I came in that we would fully fund the defence investment plan.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on that and it will be fully funded.
“There was a shortfall, there won’t be.”
Mr Burnham also told the broadcaster: “What I was putting out there (on Tuesday) was quite a big argument about how Britain can change over the next decade – change the way we support young people, build more council homes.
“Both of those things will bring the welfare bill down in the next few years, and certainly in the second half of the next decade, and that opens up the opportunity for us to meet our commitments on defence.”
Burnham cites The Independent's interview with George Osborne as he outlines Brexit plans
09:16 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has cited The Independent's interview with former Conservative chancellor George Osborne as he outlined his plans to tackle the problems posed by Brexit.
Asked whether he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, the prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wanted to “look at the options”.
“We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” he told the programme.
“We could look at what George Osborne has said about a customs union, we could look at what the Liberal Democrats said at their conference about the single market or we could go all the way", he said.
It comes after Mr Osborne told The Independent's editor-in-chief Geordie Greig that Britain’s economy has “fallen off a cliff” since Brexit and the only way to recover is by rejoining the Brussels-run customs union.
“Brexit has been a mess. Britain has basically gone off a cliff. It has had a huge impact on the British economy. It is clearly poorer than it would otherwise be", he said.
McFadden refuses to rule out rejoining EU without second referendum
08:26 , Millie CookePat McFadden has refused to rule out rejoining the EU without a second referendum.
Asked whether he would guarantee today that we'd only rejoin the EU with another referendum, the work and pensions secretary said: "I don't want to preempt what [Andy Burnham] is going to say later in the year. So I don't want to start ruling things in and ruling things out."
He said he will say more about this later in the year, and he will."
Cabinet minister hits back at suggestions Burnham is breaching manifesto pledge on triple lock
08:25 , Millie CookeA Cabinet minister has hit back at suggestions that Labour is breaching its manifesto promise to keep the triple lock for the duration of this parliament.
Pat McFadden told Sky News: "I've got to push back against the suggestion that we are breaching any manifesto promise here.
"We said we would keep the triple lock for the duration of this parliament. We will keep that promise. The prime minister was absolutely clear about that in his speech yesterday, and it's really important that pensioners know that. And that's line one of this discussion on the triple lock."
Burnham 'knows what he believes in', McFadden says
08:16 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham is someone "who knows what he believes in" - and that is something that has been missing from politics "for some time", a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking about the prime minister's speech yesterday, work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden told Sky News: "He laid out in a very personal way the direction in which he wants to lead the country and the way in which he wants to change the country.
"And as he said himself at the end of the speech, whether or not people agree with everything in it, they know that this is someone who knows what he believes in, knows where he wants to lead the country, and I think perhaps people have been missing that from politics for some time."
He added: "What I really liked about the speech was the combination of short-term things and long-term things in the speech, and his confidence in himself as a leader, because it's a very tough job.
"I've seen leadership up close. I've worked closely with all, really, all the Labour prime ministers in recent memory, and I know how tough that is. And you need a strong sense of yourself to do it successfully. And Andy Burnham showed that in spades yesterday."
Burnham says 'detail to come' on National Care Service plans
08:06 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham said he has presented his “big vision” for a national care service at the Labour party conference in Liverpool this week, with the detail to come “next year”.
Speaking to Times Radio, the prime minister also said there was a “timing question” about when the service would be rolled out.
He told the broadcaster: “What I’ve announced at Labour party conference is the big vision – a national care service that can work to NHS principles because then you can have a system that works from home to hospital and back again, a more efficient way of providing care rather than two systems – and the big enabling decision that unlocks a national care service, which is the adjustment to the triple lock.”
Mr Burnham vowed when the service is rolled out “it will be fully funded”, adding: “We’ll obviously make those proposals next year.”
He said “there are options” to fully fund the scheme, saying: “You could obviously, if you wanted, put the time back, the date back, by which the service comes in.
“Because the triple lock decision will release the billions, more money will release as we go through the next decade, so there’s obviously a timing question there.”
He said he did not think he could introduce the service as late as 2040 “because the pressure on the NHS by that point – it’s already intolerable”.
Labour building case to put rejoin in its next manifesto
08:05 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham’s comments this morning on how he could seek to rejoin the EU follow on from The Independent’s exclusive report earlier this week that the prime minister would make the case for the UK to reverse Brexit.
Ministers have told The Independent that Mr Burnham is building the case to put rejoin in the Labour manifesto at the next election. They have said it is now a question of “how it is expressed in the manifesto, rather than if”.
Read more:
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Analysis: Burnham has delivered the most revolutionary vision of any PM since Thatcher
07:56 , Tom BarnesThe Independent’s political editor, David Maddox, says Andy Burnham used his Labour conference speech to lay out an agenda more radical and revolutionary than anything seen since Margaret Thatcher tore up the post-war consensus in the 1980s.
Read more:
Burnham has just delivered the most revolutionary vision of any PM since Thatcher
What's on at Labour conference today?
07:51 , Tom BarnesThe prime minister may have delivered his keynote speech yesterday, but there is still plenty happening at Labour’s party conference in Liverpool today.
There are speeches from four cabinet ministers on the stage:
- 9:45am: Angela Eagle, environment secretary
- 10:15 Yvette Cooper, health secretary
- 11am Lisa Nandy, culture secretary
- 12pm Lucy Powell, education secretary
Every major policy announcement in Burnham’s Labour conference speech
07:43 , Tom BarnesMiss Andy Burnham’s first speech to Labour conference as prime minister yesterday? Here’s a rundown of every major policy announcement he made:
All the major policy announcements in Burnham’s Labour conference speech
Burnham considering 'every possible measure' to cut cost of fuel
07:37 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham has said he is considering “every possible measure” to cut the cost of driving as he faced questions about whether he will stop a planned fuel duty rise next year.
The Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast: “I’m considering everything that might help people in very difficult times and I will be honest and say every possible measure is being looked at.
“The question I’ve got is, ‘how many can I afford?’
“‘What can we do given the state of the public finances?’
“And people wouldn’t thank me for making unfunded payments that then cause pressure on mortgages – and we’ve seen that in the past and we’re not going back there.”
Mr Burnham later added: “We will work hard to take that pressure off people’s shoulders.
“But I would be the first to say it’s hard – and the long-term answer is to put water under stronger public control – energy, housing reform, those are the long-term answers.”
Treasury does not have 'huge room for manoeuvre', Burnham warns
07:32 , Tom BarnesThe Treasury does not have “huge room for manoeuvre” as chancellor John Healey draws up his first Budget, the prime minister has warned.
Asked whether people should “expect to be better-off” after next month’s Budget, Andy Burnham told BBC Breakfast: “We’re thinking all of the time, ‘how do we take a bit of pressure off people, give them some breathing space?’
“It’s why one of the first decisions I took as prime minister was to remove VAT off electricity bills, and that will happen on Thursday.”
Mr Burnham said the measure was “something, it’s not everything”.
He continued: “We’ll do something to help people with bus fares next year, the £2 cap for the whole of the year, and then in the Budget we will consider further measures.
“It’s important for me to say that we don’t have huge room for manoeuvre.
“I think people can see that when they look at the financial picture, but within that we will do our best, and we’ll also try to support people who are struggling with the cost of doing business ’cause it’s hard to run a business right now as well.”
Burnham says he could go ‘all the way’ and rejoin EU
07:30 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham has said he could go “all the way” in proposing to rejoin the European Union.
The prime minister, who has blamed Brexit for a decade of drift and division, said he would look at the “pros and cons” of all options and is considering the UK’s future relationship with Brussels.
Asked whether he wanted the UK to rejoin the bloc, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he wanted to “look at the options”.
“We could stay as we are. That’s definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay,” he said.
Burnham says he could go ‘all the way’ and rejoin European Union in Brexit warning
