Labour will take action against those MPs who broke the whip by not backing the government’s cuts to the winter fuel payment, it’s been reported.
One MP, Jon Trickett, voted with the Conservative motion, while 12 additional members had unauthorised absences; in all 52 Labour MPs abstained from yesterday’s Commons vote on withdrawal of the universal benefit.
Those who failed to support the change will face action, Sky News reported.
Earlier, Rishi Sunak accused the prime minister of “repeatedly refusing to admit or to publish the consequences of his decision” to means-test the payments for pensioners.
In a fiery clash at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir’s predecessor in No 10 called on the Labour government to publish an impact assessment of the move, which will take the payment from all but the poorest pensioners.
The government has been accused of punishing pensioners but it insisted the proposed changes are needed to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances left behind by previous Conservative governments.
Chancellor Racher Reeves said the government would not water down the decision, despite the revolt by Labour MPs and warnings about the effect on the elderly.
Key Points
- Sunak urges Starmer to publish impact assessment on winter fuel payments
- PM told pensioners will choose between ‘eating or heating'
- Sunak accuses Starmer of ‘hiding’ winter fuel raid impact assessment
- Farage doubles down on ‘two-tier policing’ claims during far-right riots
- Reeves says it will not U-turn on winter fuel payment squeeze
Labour MP slams lack of accountability for Grenfell construction firms
16:00
Salma Ouaguira
Labour MP Clive Betts argued that construction product manufacturers have not been held to account for their involvement in the Grenfell disaster.
He told the Commons: “In all the costs of Grenfell, developers are being held to account to some degree. Not one construction product manufacturers have been asked to pay a single penny towards the cost of building remediation – yet we know that many of them are clearly responsible for some of the problems – why?”
Mr Betts, former chair of the housing, communities and local government committee, also said he was “really pleased” that the Grenfell report recommended that “building control should always be appointed by an independent third party”.
“The developer shouldn’t be choosing their own friends, in some cases, to go on and sign off a building,” he added.
The MP for Sheffield South East went on to say: “For a long time, we’ve had the attitude that this is poor housing for poor people and they don’t really matter. We’ve got to actually challenge that, they do matter.”
Poll: NHS waiting lists outweigh economic stability in public
15:45
Salma Ouaguira
A new YouGov poll has revealed that voters overwhelmingly prioritise cutting NHS waiting times over economic stability, with only 10 per cent believing the government should focus on the economy.
Conducted between September 9-10, the survey shows that 39 per cent of respondents see reducing NHS backlogs as the top issue, while 18 per cent rank the launch of the Border Security Command as their second priority.
Labour have said they were elected 'first and foremost' to sort out public finances, but only 13% of Britons agree, instead tending to see NHS as top priority
— YouGov (@YouGov) September 11, 2024
% saying should be first and foremost priority:
Cut NHS waiting times: 39%
Launch Border Security Command: 18%
Tough… pic.twitter.com/SWUNQHKfK6
Baroness Altmann warns winter fuel payment cuts threaten pensioner wellbeing
15:35
Salma Ouaguira
Slashing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners poses a “significant risk” to the health and wellbeing of many on low incomes, it has been warned in the Lords.
Tory former pensions minister Baroness Altmann is attempting to block the move in the unelected chamber.
The Conservative peer has tabled a so-called “motion to annul”, which would scupper the planned cut, if agreed to.
It is calling for the regulations to “be annulled because they would significantly reduce state support for pensioners without sufficient warning and without a proper impact assessment, and because they present a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of many pensioners on low incomes”.
Two regret motions, criticising the plans, have also been proposed by peers.
Labour rebels could face disciplinary action over winter fuel vote
15:25
Salma Ouaguira
Labour MPs who defied the party line by opposing changes to the winter fuel payment will face action, Sky News reports.
Jon Trickett was the only Labour MP to vote with the Conservatives in a failed attempt to block the changes, while 12 others were absent without authorisation.
The Tory motion was defeated by 348 to 228, with Labour maintaining a majority of 120.
Despite 52 Labour MPs not voting, it’s unclear how many abstained or had prior approval to miss the vote.
Labour leadership is expected to take action against those who broke the whip.
Rent hikes limited to once a year under Labour’s rent reforms
15:15
Salma Ouaguira
Labour has unveiled sweeping rent reforms, limiting landlords to raising rents just once a year and only to the market rate.
The upcoming legislation, set to take effect by next summer, will ban in-tenancy rent increases from being written into contracts.
Currently, landlords can raise rent through contract clauses or by issuing a Section 13 notice.
Under the new rules, tenants will have stronger protections, with the ability to challenge increases before enforcement.
Labour also confirmed plans to ban rental bidding wars and prevent landlords from discriminating against housing benefit claimants or parents, practices that are already illegal.
Time to do what the previous Tory government would not and level decisively the playing field between landlord and tenant pic.twitter.com/85M0C4x2QQ
— Matthew Pennycook MP (@mtpennycook) September 11, 2024
Former bishop offers government help with Hillsborough Law
15:05
Salma Ouaguira
The former bishop of Liverpool has said he has offered to help the government with the introduction of a Hillsborough Law, which he believes should be shaped by families’ experiences.
The Right Reverend James Jones, who chaired the Hillsborough Independent Panel, said he had contacted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after the government committed to the legislation, which would incorporate a legal duty of candour, in the King’s Speech earlier this year.
He said: “We’re aware of other public inquiries, we’re aware of millions of words being written about various public tragedies and the families’ feeling is there’s got to be more than words, there’s got to be action and it’s got to lead to change – a change in culture and a change in law.
“So, the Hillsborough families are reassured that in the King’s Speech the new government has promised to put on statute the Hillsborough Law.
“I’ve written to the Prime Minister offering my help, having been involved with the families, and I look forward to the government reaching out to those of us, especially the families, who have experienced these tragedies so that future legislation can be shaped by the families’ own experiences.
“It would be sad if a Hillsborough Law was produced and the families and survivors looked at it and said ‘well that wouldn’t have made any difference’.
“Let’s listen to the families of the Grenfell Tower scandal, of the infected blood scandal, of the Covid pandemic, of the Post Office scandal. Let’s listen to the people that have been badly treated, learn from their experience and change what needs to be changed.”
The former bishop spoke after meeting Hillsborough families as a review of the forensic pathology which followed the 1989 disaster was published.
Pictured: Lammy and Blinken meet Ukrainian foreign minister
14:55
Salma Ouaguira
David Lammy, Antony Blinken and the new Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha have met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv.
It marks the first time Mr Sybiha has met with the pair in person since he was appointed as part of a reshuffle earlier this month.
Minister: Nothing can be done to “erase the deep pain that was caused” during Troubles
14:45
Salma Ouaguira
MPs can do “nothing” to “erase the deep pain that was caused” during the Troubles, the Northern Ireland secretary has said, but they can “help provide answers to families”.
At the despatch box, Hilary Benn said: “Many of us in this House remember the savage brutality of the Troubles, a truly terrible time in our history, and we must never forget that most of the deaths and injuries were the responsibility of paramilitaries including the Ulster Defence Association, the Provisional IRA and others.
“We should also always pay tribute to the work during that time of the armed forces, the police, the security services, the vast majority of whom served with distinction and honour, and so many of whom sacrificed their lives in protecting others.
“It is very hard for any of us to understand fully the trauma of those who lost loved ones – sons and daughters, spouses and partners, fathers and mothers – and what they have been through, and there is of course nothing that any of us can do to bring them back or to erase the deep pain that was caused.
“What we can do is to seek transparency, to help provide answers to families and to work together for a better future for Northern Ireland, which has made so much progress since these terrible events.”
No 10 refuses to comment on review of effect of curbing fuel payments
14:35
Jane Dalton
Downing Street has declined to comment on whether the government will publish an assessment of the effect of restricting winter fuel payments.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “Ministers will receive advice on the development of all policies but we don’t routinely provide a running commentary on the advice that they receive.”
She added: “We have spoken to the necessity of setting out the plans promptly, given the need to lay the regulations to come into effect in September.
“The chancellor was very clear upon receiving the results of the audit in setting out the steps that she needed to take to address the £22 billion black hole in the public finances and that also enabled us to set out the plans and ensure that we could encourage people to apply for pension credit.
“That work is ongoing. We have seen a 115% increase in the claims but that work is still ongoing and we encourage people to apply and payments will be backdated.”
Reeves defends claiming energy expenses on second home
14:15
Jane Dalton
Rachel Reeves has defended claiming expenses for energy bills at her second home after the government’s plans to scale back winter fuel payments for pensioners cleared the Commons.
Records of the chancellor’s energy bill claims show that she claimed back more than £3,000 over five years.
“Being a constituency MP means that you have to have a house in London as well as, of course, living in the constituency, and that’s the same for all MPs. Those are long-standing rules,” she told GB News after being asked whether it was fair for taxpayers to pick up the bill to heat her second home.
The chancellor was also asked whether the savings from the cut to winter fuel payment would be wiped out if all 800,000 pensioners who have not yet signed up for the pension credit did so.
She did not dispute that full take-up could negate the savings, replying: “I would prefer the poorest pensioners to get the support that they’re entitled to, I would rather pay money to the poorest pensioners than to continue with a universal winter fuel payment, which meant that some people who didn’t need the money, were getting it and weren’t using it to pay their energy bills.”
Minister met Finucane family before inquiry announcement
14:04
Jane Dalton
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn met the family of Pat Finucane the day before announcing a public inquiry into his murder:
Robert Jenrick praises Mel Stride after losing contest
13:45
Salma Ouaguira
Robert Jenrick has praised Mel Stride following his exit from the Tory leadership race.
Mr Stride, who came fifth in the second round of voting with backing from 16 Conservative MPs, could now pay a key rolw in shaping the outcome of the contest if his supporters unite behind one of the remaining candidates.
Mr Jenrick, who topped the voting for the second time, acknowledged Mr Stride’s contribution.
He tweeted: “Mel has showcased the best of the Conservative Party. As Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel enacted reforms that made our welfare system fairer and meant we could cut taxes responsibly.
“In opposition we must reclaim our reputation for fiscal responsibility which has inspired the confidence of voters for decades.”
Northern Ireland secretary announces Finucane murder public inquiry
13:39
Jane Dalton
The government will launch a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989, MPs have been told.
Mr Finucane, 39, was shot 14 times in his family home in north Belfast by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found by a series of probes to have involved collusion with the state.
His widow Geraldine and the couple’s three children have been campaigning for decades for a public inquiry to establish the extent of security force involvement.
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn said it is was hard to understand fully the trauma of those who lost loved ones, and what they had been through.
He told the Commons: “But what we can do is to seek transparency, to help provide answers to families and to work together for a better future for Northern Ireland, which has made so much progress since these terrible events. I hope that this inquiry will finally provide the information that the Finucane family has sought for so long.”
In full: Starmer refuses to rule out scrapping pensioner council tax discount after winter fuel axe
13:35
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has refused three times to say whether he will publish an impact assessment of his decision to withdraw winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.
It came as the prime minister also failed to give a guarantee on continued support for pensioner discounts for council tax, telling MPs they will have to wait for the Budget on 30 October.
During PMQs he refused to guarantee bus passes and discretionary travel would be protected but a spokesperson later confirmed they are safe.
Sir Keir came under pressure at PMQs over his decision to means test the payment, worth up to £300, removing it from all but the poorest pensioners.
Our politics team has the full story:
No 10 refuses to comment on calls to publish winter fuel impact assessment
13:23
Salma Ouaguira
Downing Street declined to comment on whether the government would publish any assessment of the impact of restricting winter fuel payments.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Ministers will receive advice on the development of all policies but we don’t routinely provide a running commentary on the advice that they receive.”
She added: “We have spoken to the necessity of setting out the plans promptly, given the need to lay the regulations to come into effect in September.
“The Chancellor was very clear upon receiving the results of the audit in setting out the steps that she needed to take to address the £22 billion black hole in the public finances and that also enabled us to set out the plans and ensure that we could encourage people to apply for pension credit.
“That work is ongoing. We have seen a 115 per cent increase in the claims but that work is still ongoing and we encourage people to apply and payments will be backdated.”
Downing Street denies claims Labour not transparent over winter fuel impact
13:13
Salma Ouaguira
Labour has denied that the government has broken its promise to be transparent by refusing to publish the impact assessment for restricting winter fuel payments.
The prime minister’s press secretary said: “The government’s operated with openness and transparency on this particular advice that’s being referred to.”
She added: “The prime minister has levelled with the public on the challenge that we’re facing and action that needs to be taken and the mitigations that have been put in place to support vulnerable pensioners.”
Exclusive: Government-backed knife crime campaigner wins Met Police payout over wrongful strip-search
13:10
Salma Ouaguira
A government-backed anti-knife crime campaigner has won damages from the Met Police after being strip-searched by officers, The Independent can reveal.
Faron Paul was paid £9,000 following his ordeal where he was subjected to a cavity search by six white, male officers at Charing Cross police station after being arrested during a traffic stop in October 2021.
News of the payout came in the same week the 38 year-old met with Sir Keir Starmer and actor Idris Elba in Downing Street for a summit on the government’s new knife crime campaign.
Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full story:
Starmer refuses to rule out scrapping free pensioner bus passes
13:01
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out scrapping free pensioner bus passes after axing winter fuel payments.
Tory MP Louie French asked during prime minister’s questions: “Following Labour’s disgraceful political decision to scrap winter fuel payments with little notice to millions of pensioners, will the Prime Minister today rule out scrapping concessionary travel fares and council tax discounts which also help millions of pensioners across the UK? Yes or no?”
Sir Keir replied: “As he knows very well, I am not going to preempt the Budget. It will all be set out in due course.”
Tata Steel deal ‘falls short’ but offers hope for jobs, says business secretary
12:54
Salma Ouaguira
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has addressed the Commons to claim that the Tata Steel deal for Port Talbot “falls short” of his ideal.
But he added it represents progress after years of inaction by the previous Tory government.
He said: “They decided to leave them for us to deal with. This was a dereliction of duty.”
While apologising to Port Talbot workers for past failures, he confirmed a settlement with Tata Steel and announced a process to explore new investment opportunitites to secure long-term jobs.
Mr Reynolds urged tata to minimise redundancies and focus on retraining staff.
The deal would include a 11-month paid training program for affected employees, offering £27,000 annually with full pay for the final month.
He added: “As well as that, Tata are agreeing to offer a comprehensive training programme for any employee as an alternative to those at risk of compulsory redundancy.”
Starmer urged to apologise over ‘chilling’ winter fuel cuts
12:46
Salma Ouaguira
A veteran Tory MP has told the prime minister to apologise over his “chilling” cut to winter fuel payments to pensioners.
Former Treasury minister Harriett Baldwin said during PMQs: “I thought that socialism was about taxing those with the broadest shoulders in order to help the most vulnerable.
“But it appears that Starmer socialism involves scaring those with the broadest shoulders out of the country while taking the winter fuel allowance off frail 90-year-olds living in draughty homes.
“Will the prime minister apologise to my shivering constituents for his personal choice and will he reverse this chilling decision?”
Sir Keir Starmer responded: “My choice is to stabilise the economy after 14 years of failure.”
PMQs has now concluded giving way to ministerial statements
12:38
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer slammed over ‘poor pensioners’ choosing between heating or eating
12:35
Salma Ouaguira
Conservative MP Blake Stephenson has asked Sir Keir Starmer whether a poor pensioner missing out on the winter fuel payment should prioritise heating or eating.
Sir Keir insisted that the government is having to take tough decisions.
The prime minister added Labour is doing that so it can “guarantee the triple lock” and that the “increase in the state pension will be higher than the winter fuel payment loss”.
12:31
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak has made fun of Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to remove a picture of Margaret Thatcher in No 10.
The Tory leader said: “Farmers also do great work to preserve the beauty of the British countryside and something I am sure that the Prime Minister will appreciate given his new found preference for landscapes over political portraiture.
“But when it comes to land use there are currently protections in place to ensure that the most productive farmland is used for food production rather than alternatives like solar.
“Does he agree that it is not appropriate or right that developers with a vested interest grade the quality of that farmland themselves and will he look at making that process independent?”
Sir Keir replied: “Rural communities were neglected under the last government. Confidence was at an all-time low and thousands of food and farming businesses have been forced out of business.
“Of course we will work with them, of course we will get the balance right.”
Nigel Farage doubles down on ‘two-tier policing’ during far-right riots
12:27
Salma Ouaguira
Nigel Farage has asked Sir Keir Starmer about his early prison release scheme.
The Clacton MP asked the prime minister why some people are being let out of jail early, while other people have been jailed over Facebook posts during recent far-right riots.
The Reform UK leader then faces groans from across MPs when he suggests that there is an impression of “two-tier policing” in the UK.
The accusation has been repeatedly dismissed by police chiefs.
In response, Sir Keir claimed he had to release prisoners early because the Tories “broke the prison system”.
Ed Davey urges Labour to reverse tax cuts for ‘big banks'
12:24
Salma Ouaguira
The Liberal Democrat leader has asked Sir Keir Starmer about changes to the winter fuel payment. He asked whether the prime minister will instead reverse tax cuts for “big banks”.
Ed Davey added: “So that we can afford to support millions of struggling pensioners through this very hard winter.”
In response, the prime minister again refers to the £22bn black hole in public finances, adding: “We’re taking the tough decisions because I’m absolutely convinced that’s the only way we can start rebuilding our country, investing in public services and making sure everyone is better off.”
Lib Dems urge Starmer to boost cancer treatments
12:21
Salma Ouaguira
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has asked the PM to provide guarantees that every cancer patient can start treatment within 62 days.
Sir Keir Starmer said the report from Lord Darzi, released tomorrow, will cover the issue and vowed to put more scanners in to address a “very serious failure” by the last Conservative government.
Sunak claims Starmer ‘refuses to admit’ impact of winter fuel raid
12:17
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “repeatedly refusing to admit or to publish the consequences of his decision” on winter fuel.
The Tory leader said his party will “continue holding him to account for that”.
Sunak accuses Starmer of ‘hiding’ winter fuel raid impact assessment
12:15
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak told Sir Keir Starmer: “We know why he is hiding the impact assessment. The Labour Party’s own previous analysis claimed that this policy could cause 3,850 deaths.
“So are the numbers in his impact assessment higher or lower than that?”
Sir Keir replied: “We are taking this decision to stabilise the economy. That means we can commit to the triple lock. By committing to the triple lock we can make sure that payments of state pension are higher and therefore there is more money in the pocket of pensioners, notwithstanding the tough action that we need to take.”
Sunak urges Starmer to publish impact assessment on winter fuel payments
12:11
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak reminded MPs that Rachel Reeves said this morning she would “prefer it if this policy raised no money”.
The opposition leader asked the prime minister again whether the impact assessment for the winter fuel payments cut will be published.
In response, Sir Keir Starmer said he remembers when the Tories used to care about balancing the books.
He also claimed Kemi Badenoch used to “back means-testing the winter fuel payments”.
Rishi Sunak: ‘Will he publish the impact assessment of his winter fuel cuts?’
12:08
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak has piled pressure on the prime minister to publish an impact assessment of his decision to cut winter fuel payments, Archie Mitchell writes.
Ahead of a crunch vote on the move, which will take the payment from all but the poorest pensioners, The Independent revealed that an assessment had been conducted of how many would be pushed into fuel poverty by the move.
You can read The Independent’s exclusive story below:
Sunak takes aim at Starmer over winter fuel payments cut
12:07
Salma Ouaguira
Rishi Sunak has begun his round of questions on the winter fuel payment, which was voted on yesterday.
Mr Sunak asked: “Will he now publish the impact assessment before the House rises?”
Sir Keir Starmer hit back: “Before he complains about us clearing up his mess, perhaps he would like to apologise for the £22bn black hole.”
Keir Starmer to unveil Renters Reform Bill
12:03
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has started PMQs by sending his “best wishes” to the Princess of Wales who is recovering from cancer treatment.
The prime minister announces his government will use the session to unveil the new Renters Reform Bill.
He also told the House of Commons that he will travel to the US for talks with Joe Biden this week.
Pictured: Starmer and cabinet ministers ready for PMQs showdown
12:01
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer marks Black British Farming Day
11:55
Salma Ouaguira
British farmers contribute immensely to our economy, countryside and food.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 11, 2024
My government will boost rural economic growth and strengthen our food security, to restore stability in this vital sector.
I am proud to #BackBritishFarming
PMQs: Who will ask a question?
11:51
Salma Ouaguira
In pictures: Starmer leaving Downing Street
11:50
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has been spotted stepping out of Number 10 ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions.
The session will take place in the House of Commons in 10 minutes.
Pictured: MPs ready to attend fiery PMQs
11:45
Salma Ouaguira
Government warned of ‘massive own goal’ if it fails to deliver on farming budget
11:42
Salma Ouaguira
It would be a “massive own goal” for the government to fail to match its ambition on green goals and food security with the funding needed to deliver them, it has been warned.
National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw marked Back British Farming Day with a call for an increased annual agriculture budget to the tune of £5.6 billion UK-wide, with £4 billion in England.
He said a budget of that order is essential to give farmers the confidence to invest in the future, produce sustainable and affordable food and deliver for nature, energy security and climate-friendly farming.
And Mr Bradshaw warned that the biggest risk with trying to deliver on all those fronts with a squeezed budget was that it would “fail on everything”.
At a reception in Parliament to mark Back British Farming Day, Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted the new Labour government was on the sector’s side in dealing with challenges including climate extremes, disease, supply chains, access to labour and rising costs.
He said the agricultural budget would be decided as part of the wider government spending review.
Mr Reed added: “But I’m making the case to Treasury to maximise support for farmers.
“I will fight your corner in the process.”
Pictured: Starmer leaves Downing Street to face PMQs
11:40
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has left Downing Street to attend PMQs in the House of Commons.
Labour is facing fierce criticism over the decision to cut winter fuel payments with the Tories accusing the party of punishing pensioners after MPs voted to cut the allowance for millions across the country.
Leaving No 10, Sir Keir was faced with questions from journalists, with one asking: “Did you sleep warm tonight prime minister?”
Agency responsible for £75bn of funding for schools and colleges to close
11:34
Salma Ouaguira
An executive agency of the government which manages the delivery of £75 billion of public funding to tens of thousands of education and skills providers is set to close next year, the education secretary has announced.
Bridget Phillipson said the functions of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will be fully integrated into the core Department for Education (DfE) by the end of March 2025.
In a written ministerial statement, the education secretary said she hoped the closure of the executive agency of the DfE will “bring benefits” to education organisations as well as the taxpayer.
She said: “It will enable a single, joined-up approach to funding and regulation to improve accountability.”
The functions of the ESFA – which allocates funding to 25,000 early years settings, schools and further education providers in England – will be integrated into the DfE in two stages.
From October, the agency’s Schools Financial Support and Oversight functions will transfer over to the DfE to provide a “single seamless voice to schools”, the Education Secretary said.
It is hoped the move – which comes ahead of the launch of Regional Improvement Teams by January 2025 – will ensure financial improvement is central to school improvement.
In a statement released today, Ms Phillipson said the government will then centralise their funding and assurance functions into the DfE alongside the closure of the ESFA on 31 March.
She said: “Moving the agency functions back into the department will bring benefits to the individuals and organisations we support as well as to the taxpayer.”
Winter fuel payment a matter of life and death, says Jon Trickett
11:33
Salma Ouaguira
Jon Trickett was the only Labour MP to vote against the government’s plan to cut winter fuel payments yesterday.
The MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, who served in the shadow cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn, expressed strong disapproval on social media.
In a tweet, he warned that removing winter fuel payment would exacerbate poverty among pensioners and criticised energy companies for “obscene profiteering”.
Mr Trickett said: “We know that the consequences of pensioner poverty are devastating. It can even be a matter of life and death.”
How did your MP vote yesterday?
11:25
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has seen off a backbench rebellion over plans to cut the winter fuel allowance but the Government’s majority on the matter fell to 120.
MPs voted 348 to 228 to axe the payment for all but the country’s poorest pensioners, rejecting a Tory bid for the controversial policy to be blocked. The Government’s usual working majority is 167.
The division list has shown Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, Jon Trickett, supported the Conservation motion while no vote was recorded for 53 Labour MPs, although this does not automatically equate to an abstention for each MP as they may have received permission to miss a vote.
The map below shows how your local MP voted for the Conservative motion to keep the universal winter fuel allowance:
Pictured: Rachel Reeves visits Silverstone University Technical College
11:16
Salma Ouaguira
Landlords warn they could increase rents in response to Labour’s renters’ rights bill
11:15
Salma Ouaguira
Landlords have warned they may raise rents as a result of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is aimed at giving tenants more power when renting.
The proposals could include legislation to allow tenants to walk away from deals just two months after moving in, as well as introducing a ban on so-called no-fault evictions in the coming week.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents over 110,000 landlords, warned that, if the policy is introduced, it could lead to an increase in rent prices particularly in city centres and tourist hotspots.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
Reeves hints at possible cuts in upcoming October Budget
11:02
Salma Ouaguira
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested that the 30 October Budget could see additional cuts to benefits, following the government’s decision to proceed with reductions in winter fuel payments.
The move came after the government defeated opposition MPs efforts to reverse the policy.
When asked about the potential for further austerity measures, the chancellor siad that the Budget will involve “difficult decisions” on taxes, spending and welfare.
She said: “I have been really clear that the Budget on October 30 will require difficult decisions on tax, on spending and on welfare.
“But the prize if we can bring stability back to our economy, if we can bring investment back to Britain, is economic growth, good jobs paying decent wages in all parts of our country to realise the huge potential that we have.
“I am in this job to make Britain better off and we are just getting started on what is needed to turn our economy around.”
Ministers due to make a statement in the Commons today
10:51
Salma Ouaguira
- Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Statement from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
- Secretary of State for Education: Education and Skills Funding Agency.
- Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Government Response to the Office for Environmental Protection Report on the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive Regulations and River Basin Management Planning in England.
- Secretary of State for the Home Department: Publication of the Independent Review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster.
- Secretary of State for Justice: Government response to the Law Commission’s report on Digital Assets.
