Shadow chancellorJeremy Hunt has accused the Labour governmento of plotting a “great tax betrayal” after Rachel Reeves accused the him of “lying” about the state of public finances.
The Tory MP claimed the Sir Keir Starmer’s government were planning to raise taxes “all along” but “they just didn’t have the courage to tell you”.
It comes as Rachel Reeves was accused of using the fierce attack that the Tories left £22bn hole in the public finances to justify tax rises.
The chancellor admitted the increases will come in the autumn Budget and insisted the government would stick to its promise not to hike national insurance, income tax or VAT, but former Tory chancellor Lord Hammond said the fierce accusations could be “preparing the pitch” for ditching Labour manifesto pledges.
Angela Rayner has removed the Tories’ beauty requirement from new planning rules for homes claiming that “beautiful means nothing really”.
The housing secretary has set up a new towns taskforce to local recommend sites will “to help decide on the right places for these new towns, delivering more homes, jobs and green spaces” as part of her radical reform to the country’s housing planning system.
Key Points
- Jeremy Hunt says Labour is plotting ‘great tax betrayal’
- Rayner defends scrapping ‘beauty’ housing rule
- Chancellor admits taxes will rise in first Labour budget
- Liz Truss mini-budget dragged into £22billion black hole row
- Labour MP investigated by standards watchdog
- Atkins warns Labour sends ‘dangerous message’ to striking doctors
Atkins warns Labour sends ‘dangerous message’ to striking doctors
15:46
Salma Ouaguira
Victoria Atkins has slammed the Labour government for settling the pay rise dispute with junior doctors.
The shadow health secretary claimed Wes Streeting’s decision to grant striking NHS staff a 22 per cent pay hike is a “dangerous message” that “strike action will work again in the future”.
Posting on X, she said: “Labour has caved into union demands with a budget-busting pay increase. They have sent the dangerous message that ‘strike action will work again in the future’.
“Labour must stand up to their union paymasters or it is the public who will pay with more strikes and higher taxes.”
It comes as the head of the British Medical Association Robert Laurenson suggested there could be fresh strikes next year despite securing the deal.
Labour has caved into union demands with a budget-busting pay increase. They have sent the dangerous message that "strike action WILL work again in the future".
— Victoria Atkins (@VictoriaAtkins) July 31, 2024
Labour must stand up to their union paymasters or it is the public who will pay with more strikes and higher taxes. https://t.co/FMikW8fVXV
Angela Rayner plays down Labour rebellion against housing plan
15:40
Salma Ouaguira
The deputy prime minister has played down a Labour backbench rebellion against the government’s housebuilding plan.
The housing secretary announced a radical reform to housing plans to lay out the foundations for 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. The minister also set out an annual target of 370,000 homes for local authorities.
But she has dismissed suggestions that she could face MPs opposing the mandatory housebuilding targets on councils if found unpopular in local areas.
Asked by reporters on Tuesday whether she was “gearing up for a fight” with Labour MPs and councils over the new plans, she replied: “Well, Labour councils and Labour MPs know that we’ve got a housing crisis and they’ve been very supportive of our manifesto pledge, which was 1.5 million homes, and knowing full well that that meant we had to really drive that.
“What we need is all areas [is] to recognise the crisis we have and then do something about it, and we’re going to help them do that by driving through these changes so that we get the houses we desperately need.”
Pressed on the issue again, she added: “I think the biggest challenge when I’ve spoken to communities is that often these houses are not for them.”
Lammy hails visit to Qatar ‘absolutely vital'
15:35
Salma Ouaguira
The UK and Qatar share a commitment to regional stability, security, defence and driving growth.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 31, 2024
Qatar plays a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so it’s absolutely vital we work together to push for peace.
I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with HH… pic.twitter.com/fenks5IOSY
Councils will be forced to release green belt land for building
15:30
Salma Ouaguira
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed local authorities may be forced to release green belt land to make space for new housing.
Mr Pennycook told Sky News: “If local authorities can’t meet their targets through previously developed brownfield land in the first instance or in co-operation with neighbouring boroughs, they should look to then release low quality greybelt land within the greenbelt. Lots of the package yesterday was focused on the targeted release of that greybelt land.
“But in certain circumstances, certain local authorities may, if they can’t through brownfield or in co-operation with neighbours or through greybelt release, need to release some elements of the greenbelt – that happens already.
“Just to be really clear, we’ve not inherited a situation where the previous government didn’t release any greenbelt land at all. They were releasing it in quantity but in a haphazard, unplanned way, and often in a way that didn’t meet local housing needs.
“So what we’re saying is there’s a smarter way to release the right bits of the greenbelt – greybelt low quality land primarily – and to ensure through our golden rules that when it is released, we get development that meets local housing needs.”
Keir Starmer calls Brazil, Nigeria and Cyprus leaders
15:27
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has called leaders of Brazil, Nigeria and Cyprus this afternoon.
Downing Street confirmed Sir Keir spoke with Brazilian president Lula da Silva to discuss “the close areas of collaboration between the UK and Brazil, including on climate and nature”.
He also talked to Nigerian president Bola Tinubu. No 10 said the PM “reflected on the important relationship between the UK and Nigeria, grounded in cooperation on trade and security as Commonwealth partners, with long-standing ties between our people”.
During his call with Cyprus’ president Nikos Christodoulides both leaders agreed to “deepen the invaluable relationship that the UK and Cyprus share, particularly on issues including regional security and migration”.
Taylor Wimpey forecasts housebuilding surge in second half of year
15:20
Salma Ouaguira
Taylor Wimpey is expecting to build up to 10,000 homes this year, at the top end of previous estimates.
The developer upgraded its annual building forecast on Wednesday, saying that it expects a bounce-back in the second half of 2024, following a slow first half.
Taylor Wimpey’s operating profit fell 22.6% to £182.3 million during the six months to June 30, while sales fell 7% and home completions dropped 7.7% to 4,728.
It said the slow period was caused by a delay in the Bank of England cutting the UK’s base interest rate which meant mortgages were more expensive.
The prospect of a likely rate, cut either this week or in September, means it will meet the “upper end” of previously announced completion guidance of 9,500 to 10,000 homes.
The number would still be lower than the 10,400 homes completed in 2023, but sounded a note of optimism amid a persistent downturn for housebuilders of late.
Experts have said the Bank’s next decision on rates is on a knife-edge ahead of a meeting on Thursday August 1.
The UK’s base rate has been held at 5.25% since August last year as part of the central bank’s task to put a lid on unruly inflation.
Taylor Wimpey also said it expects changes to the planning system by Labour to give housebuilders a boost.
Farage not voting for ‘cruel’ plan to scrap winter fuel payments
15:10
Salma Ouaguira
Nigel Farage has said he will not back Rachel Reeves’ plan to scrap winter fuel payments for pensioners labelling the Labour decision “cruel and cynical”.
The MP for Clacton told GB News: “I have to say I think it’s rather a cruel thing to do, and I certainly won’t be voting for it as and when I get the opportunity.
“There were times in the past where maybe the argument was that it wasn’t necessary and it had been given as a bribe. But it’s almost like Labour are saying, ‘well, we don’t care about the pensioners, because they’re not going to vote for us anyway’.
“That money that could have gone to pensioners has gone for massive public sector pay rises, including over 22 per cent for junior doctors. This is a very cynical thing she did.”
Foreign Office undertaking ‘concerted effort’ to reduce Israel-Hezbollah tensions
15:00
Salma Ouaguira
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said cabinet colleagues at the Foreign Office are undertaking a “concerted effort” to reduce tensions after Israel targeted a Hezbollah commander in a strike on a Beirut suburb.
Mr Pennycook told Sky News: “I know our Foreign Office ministers are engaged in a concerted effort to do what the UK can do to reduce tensions in the region. You’re right that they are at a very high level.
“We’ve advised British nationals in Lebanon to leave now on commercial flights and for British nationals not to travel to the region. It’s extremely tense.
“All the effort has to be on de-escalating the situation and getting both parties, the Israelis and the Lebanese, to engage with that US-led process on the diplomatic front and reduce tensions.”
Liz Truss minister urged to apologise for ‘next-level' £22bn overspend black hole
14:56
Salma Ouaguira
Labour MP Joe Powell has called a Treasury minister of Liz Truss’ cabinet to apologise for leaving a £22billion public spending shortfall behind.
The MP for Kensington and Bayswater has written a letter to his predecessor Felicity Buchan to “finally apologise” for the “disastrous mini-budget”.
In a tweet, he said: “We knew the public finances under the Tories were a mess, but the £22bn overspend black hole is another level. I’ve written to the former Kensington MP - a Liz Truss Treasury minister - to ask for an apology.
“And I’ve supported measures in parliament so it never happens again.”
We knew the public finances under the Tories were a mess, but the £22bn overspend black hole is another level.
— Joe Powell MP (@josephpowell) July 31, 2024
I've written to the former Kensington MP - a Liz Truss Treasury Minister - to ask for an apology.
And I've supported measures in Parliament so it never happens again. pic.twitter.com/D4r6L8mCDi
UK delays ban on some arms sales to Israel amid conflict escalation in Lebanon
14:50
Salma Ouaguira
As Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon to target Hezbollah, the UK has delayed its decision to ban some arms sales to Israel after it faces legal challenges to define arms exports used for offensive purposes, the Guardian reports.
A final decision will now be postponed for several weeks after 12 children were killed in a rocket attack in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights. In response, foreign secretary David Lammy called for an immediate deescalation and advised against all travel to Lebanon.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, he added: “We support Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international humanitarian law. They are in a tough neighbourhood threatened by those that want to annihilate it.”
It comes as Israel’s war on Palestine took a major turn after Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel in Teheran, Iran.
Home Secretary outlines ‘new approach’ to legal migration and skills shortages
14:50
Salma Ouaguira
A “new approach” to legal migration aimed at boosting the UK workforce’s skills before recruiting abroad will be taken by the incoming government, Yvette Cooper has said.
In a swipe at the previous Conservative government, the Home Secretary said rising levels of legal migration in recent years reflected a “failure over many years to tackle skills shortages and other problems in the UK labour market”.
In a ministerial statement published as MPs left Westminster for the summer, she pointed to a rise in non-EU long-term migration from 277,000 in the year to December 2022 to 423,000 in the year to December 2023.
The number of work visas in the 12 months to March 2024 was, meanwhile, 605,264, or “over three times that of 2019”, she said.
“That reflects a failure over many years to tackle skills shortages and other problems in the UK labour market, meaning too many sectors have remained reliant on international recruitment, instead of being able to source the skills they need here at home,” Ms Cooper said.
Yvette Cooper added: “This is why we are setting out a different approach – one that links migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies – so immigration is not used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems here at home.
“This approach will be important to enabling delivery of the government’s broader agenda.”
Under Labour, the Migration Advisory Council – which provides advice to the government on where skills shortages can be filled by migration – will work alongside Skills England and other bodies as part of a new “coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy”.
The agencies will also work alongside the devolved governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales towards the same end.
Government ‘working closely’ with Universal to build UK theme park
14:49
Salma Ouaguira
A NBCUniversal’s proposed theme park could be built in Bedfordshire after culture secretary confirmed the project was still going ahead.
Mohammad Yasin, the MP for the area, wrote to new Lisa Nandy to confirm whether Europe’s largest theme park was still going ahead.
In response, Ms Nandy said: “The proposed investment by NBCUniversal would be a significant boost to both tourism and creative industries and the company’s choice of the UK for its first European park is both a testament to the strength of these sectors and a demonstration that the UK is open for business.”
She added: “My officials are working closely with NBCUniversal to assess the local and national impacts and facilitate the deliverability of this project.
“Both I and the minister responsible for tourism and the creative Industries, Sir Chris Bryant, look forward to meeting representatives from NBCUniversal shortly.”
Universal Destinations & Experiences bought the piece of land in Bedford to build a 500-room hotel that could see millions of people coming every year.
Reeves faces Labour backbench rebellion over winter deaths with fuel payment cuts
14:35
Salma Ouaguira
The chancellor has been tackled by their own side over how many more elderly people will die of cold as a result of stripping 10 million pensioners of their winter fuel payments.
In response to the red-on-red criticism in Parliament, the government frontbench said it understood the “disappointment”, but insisted it was the right, if tough choice, given the state of the public finances inherited from the Tories.
The new administration was also accused of “picking” on pensioners with the move, which it was claimed would wipe out the benefits of the triple lock, which guarantees state payouts rise each year in line with inflation, earnings or by 2.5% – whichever is higher.
Challenging the government, Labour peer Lord Sikka argued the move was “taking away” £300 from pensioners by “a measure that was not in our manifesto”.
He told the upper chamber: “I have received already many messages where pensioners are very, very concerned about this.
“The government could have introduced a taper to lessen the pain to help many pensioners. Would the minister give a commitment that he would have another look at that?”
He also pointed out a document produced by the Treasury “has lots of financial numbers but there is no mention of any human whatsoever”.
Lord Sikka said: “Last year, 5,000 pensioners died because of cold and were unable to afford heating. Has the minister made any estimates of how many more will die because £300 will be taken away from them?”
Three unions confirm council waste staff in Scotland to strike in August
14:30
Salma Ouaguira
Co-ordinated strike action by council workers will prove “disruptive”, union leaders in Scotland have warned, ahead of waste and recycling staff taking part in an eight-day long protest in August.
The three unions representing local government employees, Unison, Unite and the GMB, have all now confirmed their members are to walk out for more than a week – with Edinburgh City Council staff set to strike during the Scottish capital’s busy summer festival period.
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, will also be affected by the action, which is due to start at 5am on Wednesday August 14 and last until 4.59am on Thursday August 22.
Unison, the largest local government union, confirmed staff in 13 council areas will join the protest, while the GMB and Unite trade unions plan strikes in 18 areas.
As a result of the action the GMB warned bins will not be emptied across Scotland “from the smallest villages to the biggest cities”.
While union leaders insist strike action is not yet inevitable, they warned council leaders and ministers a “significant shift” in the pay offer is needed.
It comes amid a dispute over council workers’ pay, with all three unions having previously rejected the 3.2% pay rise offered by local government body Cosla – which insists it has “very limited options available”.
Rayner: Tories’ housing target for London ‘nonsense’
14:20
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has said the London housing target set up by the previous government wa “nonsense”.
Under the Conservatives, the capital had an annual target of 100,000 but the housing minister has now set a target of 80,000.
She told the BBC: “First of all, the target that was set for London wasn’t based on any particular formula. It was a nonsense formula that they used.
“The target that I have insisted on under the new method is 80,000. London didn’t get near that last year so I will be pushing the Mayor of London and I have already met with him. We will expect more.”
Sketch: Reeves didn’t just point the finger at the Tories – she crucified them
14:10
Salma Ouaguira
The chancellor was relentless: a £22bn black hole of unfunded promises. The national reserves not just blown, but double-spent. She did not quite bellow ‘J’accuse’, but that was the gist, writes Joe Murphy:
Rayner: Labour won’t build ‘a load of ugly houses’
14:00
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has insisted Labour will not build “a load of ugly houses” after ditching a Tory requirement for new housing to be beautiful.
The housing secretary scrapped the commitment after the government found it to be “too subjective”.
Asked about removing the word beautiful from the rules, Ms Rayner told the BBC: “I think this is ridiculous. Beautiful is so subjective but actually within the planning framework there is a lot of specifications about [being] in keeping with the local area. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway.”
Ms Rayner said the housing requirement “means nothing really, it means one thing to one person and another thing to another”.
She added: “All that wording was doing was preventing and blocking development and that is why we think it is too subjective and actually the guidelines and the rules that are in place means that there has to be consultation, they have to follow the rules on what the buildings look like, the safety of the buildings, are they in keeping with the area.
“There are rules and protections in place so I don’t buy this idea that I am just going to build a load of ugly houses. That is just not true.”
Boris Johnson unveils cover for new book ‘Unleashed’
13:56
Salma Ouaguira
I’m delighted to share the cover for UNLEASHED and I’m looking forward to sharing the book with you when it is published this October.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 31, 2024
Pre-order here: https://t.co/AsjIEPvUQr pic.twitter.com/BQOppaLBma
Minister is first MP of new Parliament investigated by standards watchdog
13:56
Salma Ouaguira
A Treasury minister is being investigated by parliament’s standards watchdog, the first such inquiry since the election.
Tulip Siddiq, economic secretary to the Treasury and MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is under investigation for the late registration of interests, according to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner’s website.
The inquiry is thought to relate to Ms Siddiq’s failure to register rental income from a property in London, which a Labour spokesman said was “an administrative oversight” for which she had apologised.
The spokesman said: “Tulip will co-operate fully with the Parliamentary Commissioner on Standards on this matter.”
Ms Siddiq is the first MP of the new parliament to be placed under investigation by the Standards Commissioner.
But investigations into three former MPs which began during the last Parliament remain open.
Former Conservative MP Bob Stewart is being investigated for failing to declare an interest and an alleged lack of co-operation with the watchdog’s inquiry.
Ex-Tory and Reclaim MP Andrew Bridgen is being investigated over registration of his interests, while former Tory Sir Conor Burns is being investigated for use of information received in confidence.
During the last parliament, the Standards Commissioner opened more than 100 investigations into MPs, the majority of which were resolved by “rectification” – a procedure that allows MPs to correct minor or inadvertent breaches of Commons rules.
Comment: Angela Rayner’s ambitious housing plan may be the making of her
13:50
Salma Ouaguira
The new deputy prime minister’s first big outing in the Commons was her chance to prove that she has not been pushed to the political margins by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves – and she delivered in spades, says John Rentoul:
Pictured: John Healey and David Lammy meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha
13:49
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Rachel Reeves admits taxes will rise in first Budget
13:40
Salma Ouaguira
Universities face sanctions if they fail to address staff-student relationships
13:30
Salma Ouaguira
Universities in England could face sanctions if they fail to take steps to prevent an “abuse of power” in intimate personal relationships between university staff and students, the higher education watchdog has said.
The Office for Students (OfS) will introduce a new condition of registration which will require higher education institutions in England to set out how they are protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct.
It comes after a fifth of students who responded to an OfS survey said they had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the 2022/23 academic year.
Universities and colleges will not be able to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which forbid students from talking about incidents of harassment or sexual misconduct, under the OfS’s condition of registration.
Higher education institutions will be required to take “one or more steps to make a significant and credible difference in protecting students” from any conflict of interest or “abuse of power” in intimate staff-student relationships.
But universities will have the flexibility to develop and publish their own policies on relationships between staff and students – including the restrictions or prohibitions they consider appropriate, the watchdog has said.
The OfS said: “We have said that a ban on intimate personal relationships is a step which would be considered to meet our requirements.
“A statement, on its own, which discourages relationships between staff and students will not be considered to meet our requirements.”
Labour ‘failed another generation’ with axing of social care reforms
13:20
Salma Ouaguira
The Labour government has “failed another generation of families” with the cancellation of a series of planned social care reforms, the architect of the plans has warned.
Rachel Reeves announced the cancellation of the Dilnot reforms on Monday, alongside a swathe of other spending cuts to address a black hole in the public finances left by the previous Conservative government.
Rayner: Majority of local communities will see their housing targets increase under Labour
13:10
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has said a majority of areas across the UK will have their housing targets increase under Labour plans to build 1.5million new homes in the next five years.
Ms Rayner told the BBC: “The method that we are using, what we are consulting on, is first of all around housing stock, so what they currently have, and then it is about affordability.
“So the reason that their target will have gone up is because they are not meeting the needs locally and therefore that has to be met.
“But I will be open with your listeners, the majority of places have had an uplift in their target because year upon year the Conservatives promised that they would build 300,000 homes and they failed to meet that target, year upon year.
“And that is why I have had to set the target at what it is and it is based on what the actual need is out there to solve this housing crisis.”
How much do junior doctors earn with pay rise deal?
13:00
Salma Ouaguira
The BMA and DHSC confirmed the total pay uplift across 2023-24 and 2024-25 will be 22.3 per cent on average.
The offer consists of an additional uplift of 4.05 per cent for the pay year 2023/24 on top of the average 8.8 per cent already awarded. This will be backdated to April 2023.
For 2024-25 the government have offered junior doctors an average increase of 8 per cent.
The BMA and DHSC have also agreed to change the name of “junior doctors” to “resident doctors” from September of this year.
Ministers entered formal negotiations with the BMA’s junior doctors’ committee days ago. The breakthrough comes after more than a year of strikes and deadlocks between the previous government and junior doctors.
The deal would mean a doctor starting foundation training in the NHS will see their base pay increase to £36,600, compared to around £32,400.
Tory leadership race: Lord Frost endorses Robert Jenrick
12:50
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has been backed by former Brexit minister Lord Frost in the Tory leadership race.
The Conservative peer said he is endorsing the former immigration minister over the Rwanda scheme.
Writing for the Telegraph, he said: “Anyone can talk. It takes courage to act. I know that. I gave up my ministerial career on principle in December 2021 by resigning in protest against yet another Covid lockdown. So, too, Robert resigned last year in protest at the government’s migration policy, and was one of the small group who refused to back the Rwanda Bill unless it freed us from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“If we had taken a different course then, and the boats had slowed or even stopped – who knows what the story of this election might have been? More firm stands on points of principle might have changed the outcome, at least in part. Instead, we continued full on to disaster. Only a few, like Robert, stood by their beliefs. To me, that makes a difference.
“That ability to see the big picture, and to stand on principle to deliver it, is why I support Robert Jenrick as leader of our party. I hope others will look at what he is saying – and then do the same.”
Braverman blasts ‘the beginning of the end of Brexit’ as Labour axes EU committee
12:40
Salma Ouaguira
Suella Braverman has slammed Labour’s decision to scrap the European Scrutiny Committee as the government seeks reset of ties with EU.
On Tuesday evening, MPs agreed to scrap the European Scrutiny Committee which was previously tasked with assessing the legal or political importance of EU documents and directives lodged with the Westminster Parliament pre and post-Brexit.
Reacting to the move, former home secretary said: “Anti-democratic, lacking transparency and a disservice to the millions of British people who voted to deliver Brexit in 2016 and 2019. This is the beginning of the end of Brexit.”
Anti-democratic, lacking transparency and a disservice to the millions of British people who voted to deliver Brexit in 2016 and 2019.
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) July 31, 2024
This is the beginning of the end of Brexit. https://t.co/D4XF7RJKk6
Exclusive: Peer accused of Islamophobia over ‘disgusting’ House of Lords speech
12:30
Salma Ouaguira
A peer has been accused of Islamophobia after giving a “disgusting and outrageous” speech in the House of Lords.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch claimed “radicals” plan to “take us over through the power of the womb and the ballot box” after discussing government plans to improve counterterrorism measures at public venues following the King’s Speech.
“The sharia allows Muslim men to have four wives at a time, most of whom are having at least two children, so the Muslim population is going up 10 times faster than our national average,” he told the House of Lords last Thursday.
Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full story:
Pensioners can still get winter fuel payments by claiming benefits
12:26
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has called pensioners at risk of missing out on winter fuel payments to check whether they are eligible for pension credit.
The advice comes after chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the policy, which is currently worth up £300 to all pensioners, would be scrapped and become means-tested.
The deputy prime minister told ITV: “There’s thousands of people that are eligible for pension credit that are not currently receiving it.
“So my plea to people who are listening to this is check out whether you’re available for pension credit because there’s so many people that won’t, and those people will continue to get the winter fuel payment.”
Council waste workers set for eight-day strike in August, union confirms
12:19
Salma Ouaguira
Council waste workers in Scotland are to walk out on strike next month, with union leaders warning the action will be “disruptive”.
Leaders of the GMB confirmed its members will take action over eight days in August, with staff at Edinburgh City Council walking out during the capital’s busy summer festival period.
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, will also be affected by the action, which is due to start at 5am on Wednesday August 14 and last until 4.59am on Thursday August 22.
GMB members in 18 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas will strike, and the union said the action will mean bins are not emptied “from the smallest villages to the biggest cities”.
It comes amid a dispute over council workers’ pay, with the three unions involved – Unison, Unite and the GMB – having all rejected a 3.2% pay rise offered by local government body Cosla.
While talks between the unions, Cosla leaders and Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison took place on Tuesday, a deal to end the dispute has not yet been reached.
Union chiefs have already warned of the prospect of a “stinking summer” as rubbish builds up uncollected, and the GMB has now confirmed the strike dates for its members, which it said will go ahead unless councils and ministers “urgently identify the money needed to make a fair and acceptable offer”.
A similar dispute, which saw rubbish pile up on the streets of Edinburgh during the festival season in 2022, only ended when the Scottish government provided extra funds to councils for workers’ pay.
Hunt accuses Labour of plotting a ‘great tax betrayal’
12:08
Salma Ouaguira
Jeremy Hunt has accused Labour of plotting a “great tax betrayal” after Rachel Reeves accused the former chancellor of “lying” about the state of public finances.
Mr Hunt claimed the Sir Keir Starmer’s government were planning to raise taxes “all along” but “they just didn’t have the courage to tell you”.
Writing for the Conservative Home, he said: “The statement by the Chancellor on Monday was an exercise designed to cover up the great tax betrayal coming in the Autumn Budget.
“This week they revealed how they are planning to get away with it. We will not let them.”
It comes as the chancellor announced brutal saving measures to plug the £22billion black hole in public spending. Ms Reeves also confirmed she will have to raise taxes in the Budget in October.
How Labour could raise taxes as Reeves confirms changes coming in budget
11:59
Salma Ouaguira
Rachel Reeves has confirmed that Labour’s first autumn Budget will bring fresh tax rises as she says more needs to be done to fill the government’s shortfall in public finances.
Her statement comes after she recently announced a slate of cost-cutting measures to grapple with the issue. These included scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners, alongside halting several in-progress infrastructure projects.
With it now confirmed that the government will look to new ways to raise revenue, here are some of the key measures they could implement in the October Budget:
Rayner defends controversial decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners
11:49
Salma Ouaguira
Angela Rayner has defended the government’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners as growth and GB Energy will “bring people’s bills down”.
Asked about the impact of the means-tested payment, she told ITV’s This Morning: “The frustration is what we inherited. It was horrendous when the Chancellor looked at the books.”
The deputy prime minister added: “So there was some really difficult choices and what the Chancellor set out with the winter fuel payments was about people on pension credit. Now there’s thousands of people that are eligible for pension credit that are not currently receiving it.
“So my plea to people who are listening to this is check out whether you’re available for pension credit because there’s so many people that won’t and those people will continue to get the winter fuel payment.”
Ms Rayner said: “That’s why we’ve put growth central as well because we’ve got to pay for our public services, bring people’s bills down.
“So Great British Energy, and the work we’re doing there will eventually mean that we will have our own energy efficiency, security, so we’re not at the mercy of dictators like Putin.”
Planners will need to ‘release elements’ of green belt to meet housing targets
11:40
Salma Ouaguira
Local authorities may need to “release some elements” of green belt land to meet housing targets, housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said.
Mr Pennycook also revealed that local plans are expected to be in place next year, or the government will put in place plans to “ensure targets are met” in its bid to meet Labour’s manifesto commitment of 1.5 million new homes over this Parliament.
It comes as the government announced that an expert taskforce has been launched to spearhead plans for a fresh generation of new towns.
The towns, which the Labour says will create communities of at least 10,000 homes each, are billed as a part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war period.
Deputy prime minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has asked two experts – Sir Michael Lyons and Dame Kate Barker – to lead the independent New Towns Taskforce.
Mr Pennycook said new housing will be prioritised on brownfield or greyfield sites but that some green belt may need to be “released”.
Kemi Badenoch dismisses accusations she bullied civil service staff
11:29
Salma Ouaguira
Kemi Badenoch has dismissed accusations that she bullied civil service staff while serving as business secretary as “smears”.
The Conservative MP, now shadow communities secretary, is alleged to have created an intimidating atmosphere at the Department of Business and Trade in a report by the Guardian newspaper.
