Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour MPs must “make their own mind up” on whether to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying, as he avoided expressing his own view.
When asked if he is going to vote in favour of the legislation and whether he has any concerns about potential coercion, he said: “Obviously a lot will depend on the detail and we need to get the balance right but I’ve always argued there will need to be proper safeguards in place.”
The prime minister has previously supported assisted dying but has been careful not to express a view since the Bill was introduced.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband has voiced his support of the Bill alongside culture secretary Lisa Nandy, while Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has voices his fears about coercion and said he would vote against it.
It comes as Downing Street confirmed the prime minister has “no plans” to meet the Taliban at Cop29.
The militant group will be attending the conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, following a year of devastating weather extremes and record heat waves.
This comes despite the UN not recognising the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate leaders.
Key Points
- Starmer says MPs must make own minds up on assisted dying Bill
- No plans for Starmer to meet Taliban at Cop29, says No10
- No10 decline to say if Starmer believes Ukraine to be safe under Trump
- Government bureaucracy has delayed redress for subpostmasters - Badenoch
- Starmer and Macron discuss Ukraine, Gaza conflict and small boat crossings
Cabinet split emerges as Streeting opposes assisted dying Bill
08:20
Holly Evans
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has already said he intends to vote against the Bill, voicing his fears about coercion and people feeling a “duty to die”, while the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has warned of legalisation leading to a “slippery slope” in terms of who is eligible.
High-profile supporters of a change in the law include Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and revealed in December that she had joined Dignitas due to the current law.
Meanwhile, energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he intends to back the Bill.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “For my part, I know there are people who are in the late stages of terminal illnesses, and I think the current situation is rather cruel actually.
“I think people having control over their own life and their own death is something that is the right thing to do.”
Starmer announces £1bn wind turbine contract
08:13
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a £1 billion contract for wind turbine blades to be made in Hull.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters at Cop29 in Azerbaijan: “I think it’s very important for the United Kingdom to show leadership on the climate challenge. It’s a very important challenge of our time.
“It’s also, I’ve long believed, the single biggest opportunity for the next generation of jobs.
“And that’s demonstrated in the fact that this morning, here at Cop, I’m announcing a £1 billion order for blades for offshore wind, which would be jobs in Hull.”
Starmer says MPs must make own minds up on assisted dying Bill
08:09
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour MPs must “make their own mind up” on whether to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, from Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, was published late on Monday and runs to almost 40 pages, with a further 20 pages of explanatory notes.
Sir Keir was asked if he is going to vote in favour of the legislation and whether he has any concerns about potential coercion or issues raised by disability charities.
The Prime Minister said: “Look, it’s going to be a free vote and I mean that. It will be for every MP to decide for themselves how they want to vote.
“I’m not going to be putting any pressure whatsoever on Labour MPs. They will make their own mind up, as I will be.
“Obviously a lot will depend on the detail and we need to get the balance right but I’ve always argued there will need to be proper safeguards in place.”
Sir Keir has previously supported assisted dying, but said the Government will remain neutral on the issue. He has been careful not to express a view since the Bill was introduced.
Work and pensions secretary says figures are ‘holding economy back'
07:39
Holly Evans
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “2.8 million people – a near record number are locked out of work due to poor health. This is bad for people, bad for businesses and it’s holding our economy back.
“That’s why our Get Britain Working plan will bring forward the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, backed by an additional £240 million of investment.
“While it’s encouraging to see real pay growth this month, more needs to be done to improve living standards too.
“So, from April next year, over three million of the lowest-paid workers will benefit from our increase to the national living wage, delivering a £1,400-a-year pay rise for a full-time worker.”
Wage growth slows further as unemployment rises
07:37
Holly Evans
Wage growth has fallen to its lowest level in more than two years while Britain’s jobless rate jumped by more than expected, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said average regular earnings growth eased back to 4.8 per cent in the three months to September, down from 4.9 per cent in the previous three months.
This marked the lowest level since the three months to June 2022.
Earnings growth continues to outstrip inflation, however, as pay increased by 2.7 per cent in the three months to September with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation taken into account.
The ONS said the rate of UK unemployment rose to 4.3 per cent in the three months to September, up from 4 per cent in the previous three months
This was the highest level since the three months to May, although the ONS said the estimate should be treated with caution given ongoing low response rates to its jobs survey.
Downing Street respond to potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine
07:00
Alex Croft
Downing Street said “no war was ever won by a single weapon” when asked whether the UK was speaking to Joe Biden about the potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine within Russia before Donald Trump enters the White House.
Asked whether Britain was in talks with the outgoing US President, following suggestions that Mr Biden could be asked about giving permission for the weapons to be used, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Our position on Storm Shadow hasn’t changed.
“We’ve always aid that where we discuss our support for Ukraine, we do so in terms of broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position going forwards, particularly in the winter, and we’ve also been clear that no war was ever won by a single weapon.”
Starmer expected to travel from Paris to Azerbaijan for Cop29 talks
06:00
Alex Croft
The latest UN climate talks kick off this week against a backdrop of devastating weather extremes, record heat and Donald Trump’s re-election as US President.
World leaders including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are heading to the opening summit of Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they face pressure over delivering finance for poor countries to cope with climate change, and increasing their ambitions on emissions cuts.
The meeting is being held in the wake of the latest deadly weather events including floods in Valencia and Hurricane Helene in the US, which scientific analyses show were made more likely and intense by rising temperatures.
This year is on course to break temperature records once again and, as countries prepare to submit new plans for climate action by early next year, the UN has warned that existing policies are falling so far short the world is on track for a “catastrophic” 3.1C of warming.
Countries will also be grappling with Mr Trump’s return to the White House, in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year.
ICYMI: UN climate talks start as experts warn 2024 is heading for record heat
05:00
Alex Croft
The latest round of international climate talks have kicked off in Azerbaijan as the UN warns 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record.
Sir Keir Starmer, whose Labour Government has made clean energy a key plank of its plans for the UK, has headed to the Cop29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, although many leaders including the US and Chinese presidents and European heads of state are not attending the talks.
While the Taliban are among the delegations who are attending the conference, Downing Street said the Prime Minister had no plans to meet with them.
As the conference kicked off, the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation issued a “red alert” over the speed of climate change in a single generation, as it warned this year would break 2023’s record temperatures.
The WMO said the global average temperature for January to September 2024 was 1.54C above pre-industrial levels, based on analysis from six global datasets.
Read more:
Watch: Defence secretary dismisses suggestion Farage could help government with Trump
04:00
Holly Patrick
Report: Assisted dying unites Kemi Badenoch and Diane Abbott in fears over safeguards
03:00
David Maddox, Political Editor
Opposition to a bill attempting to legalise assisted dying appears to be growing despite promises that it will include the toughest safeguards anywhere in the world by its proposer Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has already indicated he will oppose the legislation, which is a free conscience vote in parliament, and now he could be joined by an improbable alliance of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Labour leftwing veteran Diane Abbott.
Our political editor David Maddox reports exclusively:
Starmer and Macron vow to put Ukraine ‘in strongest possible position’ before Trump becomes president
02:00
Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have vowed to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position” going into winter, in a boost in support before Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office.
In a show of European solidarity days after Trump’s election win, the two leaders held talks in Paris to mark Armistice Day and consider how best to continue supporting the wartorn country.
It comes amid suggestions that the UK and France could seek to persuade Joe Biden to grant Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike into Russia before he leaves the White House.
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
Report: Trump’s tariff plan ‘doomsday scenario’ for UK economy, senior Labour figure warns
01:00
Kate Devlin, Whitehall Correspondent
Donald Trump’s plans to impose huge tariffs on imports are a “doomsday scenario” for the UK economy, a senior Labour figure has warned.
The move would hurt growth and lead to higher inflation and interest rates, Liam Byrne, the Labour chair of the Commons business committee predicted.
Experts have warned of a looming trade war after Mr Trump himself said: “Tariff is my favourite word”.
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Surprising alliance of Donald Trump, Viktor Orban and Pope Francis that could derail support for Ukraine
00:00
David Maddox, Political Editor
A surprising trinity of Donald Trump, Hungary’s right-wing prime minister Viktor Orban and Pope Francis could spell the end to hopes for continued support for Ukraine in fighting the war against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The Independent has spoken to Hungary’s ambassador to the Vatican, Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, who has been critical in attempting to create an international coalition to find a “peace deal” to end the war.
He has spoken about how Pope Francis has played an important role in supporting a deal that will probably see Mr Trump push for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to cede territory to Russia.
Our political editor David Maddox reports:
Full report: Kemi Badenoch says ministers let bureaucracy hold up payments to wronged subpostmasters
Monday 11 November 2024 23:05
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent
The government let bureaucracy get in the way of redress for wronged subpostmasters, Kemi Badenoch has told the inquiry into the Post Office scandal.
The new Tory leader said that during her time as business secretary, she and former postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake “wanted to get the money out there“ but were constantly given reasons why they could not by officials.
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Is the latest assisted dying bill likely to be made law?
Monday 11 November 2024 22:14
Sean O’Grady
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be brought before the Commons in its entirety in the coming days, with a debate in the chamber scheduled for the end of the month. As it comes from the elected chamber, it will probably be similar to – but supersede and render redundant – an equivalent bill that is currently in the House of Lords, introduced by Charlie Falconer, a former lord chancellor.
The Commons version is a private member’s bill led by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley. There will obviously be much focus on the details and safeguards in the bill, but there are increasing signs that the way the issue is being discussed may hamper its progress...
Sean O’Grady writes:
Who are the key candidates to be the UK’s ambassador to the US as Donald Trump returns to the White House?
Monday 11 November 2024 21:33
Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
Britain’s next ambassador to the US is set to be decided within days in what will be one of the most important diplomatic decisions of Sir Keir Starmer’s first year in No 10.
The appointment will be key to shaping the UK-US relationship once Donald Trump returns to the White House, with the future of Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and trade tariffs among the key areas where the prime minister and the president-elect differ in opinion.
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Gas boiler ban for new homes ‘by 2027’
Monday 11 November 2024 20:44
Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
Gas boilers will reportedly be banned in most new homes by 2027, as part of legislation to slash carbon emissions across households.
The Future Homes Standard, being brought forward by the government, will mean developers must ensure that new-builds are only fitted out with electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives.
It aims to ensure the carbon emissions of new homes are 75 per cent lower than under current standards.
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
In pictures: Badenoch speaks at Post Office scandal inquiry
Monday 11 November 2024 19:59
Alex Croft
Rachel Reeves accused of business ‘betrayal’ as top bank warns tax hikes will hit living standards
Monday 11 November 2024 19:18
Alex Croft
Rachel Reeves’s increase in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) will hit workers’ living standards, Barclays has warned, amid growing backlash over the tax hike.
It comes as leaders of Britain’s biggest business organisations accused the Labour government of “betrayal”.
Economists at the bank said the policy would cause real incomes to take a hit, as companies pass on the cost of the levy through lower pay rises and higher prices. This, they said, will leave people feeling poorer as prices rise faster than wages.
Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Government refuses deadling for Post Office redress payments
Monday 11 November 2024 18:38
Alex Croft
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has reiterated the government’s position that they will not set a deadline for redress payments for subpostmasters affected by the Post Office scandal.
It comes after lead campaigner Sir Alan Bates requested a deadline of March for redress payments for claimants who took the Post Office to the High Court from 2017 to 2019.
Mr Reynolds was asked if the government would commit to this deadline.
He said: “The position I’m in is I’m trying to make sure people get redress for a horrendous scandal… at a minimum, I don’t want to do anything that makes that injustice even worse.
“And the worry about a deadline – can you imagine a situation where, for whatever reason, a claim has not come in?
“I think it will be unconscionable to say that that is not going to be considered.”
“If my frustration at those claims not arriving in the department meant that I felt that was the only way to speed those up, and I felt that wasn’t going to prejudice any individual claim… it will be something that I will consider.”
He also told the inquiry he accepts “ultimate responsibility” for the provision of full and fair redress for subpostmasters.
Corporate culture is at the root of Post Office scandal, says Reynolds
Monday 11 November 2024 17:59
Alex Croft
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds also spoke earlier today at the Horizon IT inquiry.
In his witness statement, Mr Reynolds said it is clear that the “Post Office’s corporate culture is at the root of this scandal”.
He added: “I want to make sure the system works for subpostmasters. I am supportive of a reform agenda which seeks to turn this ambition into reality.”
‘Why can’t we just give them the money?’ asked Badenoch
Monday 11 November 2024 17:19
Alex Croft
Kemi Badenoch was asked by Jason Beer KC, counsel to the inquiry, who allowed for bureaucracy to get in the way of redress for subpostmasters.
“Well, the government machine,” Ms Badenoch said.
“I think I remember asking a question like: ‘Why can’t we just give them the money?’”
“Then I’d be told ‘there could be a judicial review, and the Treasury has these value for money requirements, if you don’t meet them then you might end up having to go to court’ – so I just kept trying to find a way through.”
Government bureaucracy has delayed redress for subpostmasters - Badenoch
Monday 11 November 2024 17:01
Alex Croft
Conservative leader of the opposition and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch has been speaking at the Horizon IT inquiry today.
She told the inquiry that the government allowed “bureaucracy to get in the way of redress” for the wronged subpostmasters.
“Kevin [Hollinrake, former postal affairs minister] and I wanted to get the money out there, and we were always given a reason why we couldn’t.”
“I feel that there is often too much bureaucracy in the way of getting things done, because people are worried about process,” she continued.
“They are worried about: if things go wrong, they’ll be on the hook for that.
“So they carry out lots of checks and balances well beyond what I think is required in order to deliver the right outcome.”
Prime Minister ‘honoured’ to join Macron for Armistice Day
Monday 11 November 2024 16:36
Alex Croft
Sir Keir Starmer has spent the day commemorating Armistice Day with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
“I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President @EmmanuelMacron in tribute to the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today,” he wrote on X.
I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President @EmmanuelMacron in tribute to the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. pic.twitter.com/L7AgLvOtc1
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 11, 2024
Report: Keir Starmer to snub Taliban as brutal Afghan regime flocks to global climate summit
Monday 11 November 2024 16:06
Arpan Rai, Archie Mitchell
Sir Keir Starmer will snub the Taliban as a group of officials from the brutal Afghan regime flock to the UN climate summit in in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.
The prime minister will not meet with the group at the Cop29 conference, which started on Monday, in what will be its first appearance at the forum since its forceful takeover of Afghanistan.
Asked what Sir Keir thought of the militant group attending the talks, and whether he had any plans to come face to face with delegates, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “No plans to meet with them.”
Read the full report:
People left ‘humiliated’ by process of applying for personal independence payments
Monday 11 November 2024 15:24
Holly Evans
A Labour MP has said that many people are left “humiliated” by the process of applying for personal independence payments (Pip).
Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee, told the Commons: “Yesterday it was reported in the Sunday papers that a blind woman with additional complex needs had her Pip assessment over the phone, which was approved, but then she was sent a letter to confirm that.
“Sense have said that over half of people that they have surveyed feel humiliated by the process. I know (Sir Stephen Timms) wants to get this right and is very keen, but can he expand a little bit more on the type of things that they’re changing?”
Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the Government will “continue to look at” the assessment process, adding: “Clearly, it is absolutely vital that this process should be accessible to people with sight impairments or other impairments as well, and I completely agree with her.”
Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome (North Devon) asked: “Can the Secretary of State tell me why Pip reassessments are being scheduled for people with incurable disabilities and terminal illnesses?”
Sir Stephen replied: “It is of course important that we keep the awards under review, because sometimes they go up, as well as down, and we want to make sure that the support that’s provided is appropriate for the claimant.”
UN climate talks start as experts warn 2024 is heading for record heat
Monday 11 November 2024 14:56
Holly Evans
The latest round of international climate talks have kicked off in Azerbaijan as the UN warns 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record.
Sir Keir Starmer, whose Labour Government has made clean energy a key plank of its plans for the UK, has headed to the Cop29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, although many leaders including the US and Chinese presidents and European heads of state are not attending the talks.
While the Taliban are among the delegations who are attending the conference, Downing Street said the Prime Minister had no plans to meet with them.
As the conference kicked off, the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation issued a “red alert” over the speed of climate change in a single generation, as it warned this year would break 2023’s record temperatures.
The WMO said the global average temperature for January to September 2024 was 1.54C above pre-industrial levels, based on analysis from six global datasets.
Macron’s office says leaders discussed ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine
Monday 11 November 2024 14:40
Holly Evans
Macron’s office said the French president and Sir Keir Starmer had discussed the Ukraine situation on the sidelines of Monday’s ceremony to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day, which ended World War One in 1918.
“Concerning the situation in Ukraine, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate closely, stressing their determination to support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” they said in a statement.
Assisted dying unites Kemi Badenoch and Diane Abbott in fears over safeguards
Monday 11 November 2024 14:20
Holly Evans
Opposition to a bill attempting to legalise assisted dying appears to be growing despite promises that it will include the toughest safeguards anywhere in the world by its proposer Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has already indicated he will oppose the legislation, which is a free conscience vote in parliament, and now he could be joined by an improbable alliance of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Labour leftwing veteran Diane Abbott.
This comes as an open letter from thousands of doctors and nurses opposing the Bill has been published today warning that safeguards cannot be strong enough.
Read the full article here:
John Healey defiant over US support for Ukraine after Trump re-election
Monday 11 November 2024 14:00
Holly Evans
The defence secretary has struck a defiant tone on US support for Ukraine amid fears Donald Trump will force Volodymyr Zelensky to do a deal with Russia.
John Healey said he expects the Americans to stand with Ukraine for “as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion”.
He said that the former president, who will return to the White House in January after a sweeping election win, “recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do”. And Mr Healey stressed that America’s determination to support Ukraine in its campaign against Russia is “just as strong” as before voters in the US went to the polls.
Read the full article here:
Downing Street respond to potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine
Monday 11 November 2024 13:40
Holly Evans
Downing Street said “no war was ever won by a single weapon” when asked whether the UK was speaking to Joe Biden about the potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine within Russia before Donald Trump enters the White House.
Asked whether Britain was in talks with the outgoing US President, following suggestions that Mr Biden could be asked about giving permission for the weapons to be used, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Our position on Storm Shadow hasn’t changed.
“We’ve always aid that where we discuss our support for Ukraine, we do so in terms of broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position going forwards, particularly in the winter, and we’ve also been clear that no war was ever won by a single weapon.”
As America falters, Cop29 is post-Brexit Britain’s chance to lead on climate
Monday 11 November 2024 13:21
Holly Evans
It can be argued that the auguries for this year’s international climate change conference already looked dark, even before Donald Trump’s election victory last week. That the returning US president is an unapologetic climate sceptic, however, will hardly lighten the mood when Cop29 opens in Baku on Monday.
One of Trump’s signal acts in his first presidential term was to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, and he is fully expected to do the same again, four years after Joe Biden took the US back in.
Such back and forth is no good for any political process. But it makes for particular difficulties when the country concerned is the richest in the world, and the hoped-for agreement is about not just good intentions but money – specifically, the transfer of as much as $1 trillion from the rich world to help underwrite climate efforts in poorer countries.
Read the full article here:
No plans for Starmer to meet Taliban at Cop29, says No10
Monday 11 November 2024 13:07
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer has no plans to meet the Taliban at Cop29, Downing Street has said.
Asked what the Prime Minister thought of the militant group attending the talks, and whether he had any plans to come face to face with delegates, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “No plans to meet with them.
“I think attendance is a matter for the organisers, but more broadly the summit I think is bringing together 96 different delegations from across the world and the objective is obviously to strengthen global climate action and engagement on that issue.
“It is obviously vital that we approach the talks and the event with that common purpose (at the) forefront of our mind.”
Starmer and Macron discussed Ukraine, Gaza conflict and small boat crossings
Monday 11 November 2024 12:47
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed how to put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position going into the winter” as the two leaders met ahead of Armistice Day commemorations in Paris, Number 10 said.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Prime Minister Keir Starmer met France’s President Emmanuel Macron this morning ahead of the Armistice Day commemorations in Paris.
“The Prime Minister thanked the President for the personal invitation, noting he was the first UK leader to attend in 80 years.
“The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter.
“Turning to the Middle East, both underscored their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank.
“Reflecting on the situation in the Channel, the Prime Minister set out his mission to disrupt and deter smuggling gangs across Europe, and the leaders strongly agreed on the importance of bearing down on illegal migration at every stage of a migrant’s journey.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.”
Downing Street say ‘no change’ in supplying weapons to Ukraine
Monday 11 November 2024 12:43
