Sir Keir Starmer is facing backlash for removing a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”.
The portrait controvercy has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs, who branded his decision as “petty” and an act of disrespect.
Tory MP Greg Smith accused Sir Keir of a lack of disrespect for historical figures, while other Conservatives suggested it reflected Starmer’s insecurity when compared to Thatcher’s achievements.
It comes as the prime minister hinted at a potential smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens.
Speaking in Paris, he confirmed changes to smoking laws are under consideration, with details to be revealed soon. But the move has sparked concern among hospitality groups over potential negative impacts on the sector.
The potential new Tobacco and Vapes Bill also caused cabinet tensions with Business Department officials warning that the move could create financial challenges for the industry.
Key Points
- Starmer removes Thatcher portrait from No 10 sparking Tory backlash
- ‘Disgraceful:’ Public fury as Tory MP uses Holocaust poem to attack smoking ban
- PM doesn't deny plans for potential outdoor smoking ban
- Plan to ban smoking in pub gardens sparks cabinet tensions
- Free childcare rollout not ‘plain sailing’ for parents, says Education Secretary
Nurseries should provide options to parents - Education minister
08:16
Salma Ouaguira
Nurseries will have to provide options to parents rather than charge for additional provisions such as food or nappies during Government-funded childcare hours, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said.
She told Sky News: “What we’ve been very clear about in our guidance is where providers feel that they they need to charge for food, for example, or for nappies within the government-funded childcare hours, that has to be something that is optional, so parents need to be able to provide their own nappies or provide the lunch themselves.
“But I do take the point that there is a real challenge for early years providers in delivering this big ramping up of provision.
“It is a very good thing, it’s a very good thing for children, and it’s a very good thing for parents in terms of their work choices, but it is something where we need to continue working very hard alongside the providers, and we will do over the next year to make sure that we’ve got those 85,000 extra places and the 40,000 extra staff that will be necessary in order to enable us to get at least close to that to that entitlement next year.”
Free childcare rollout not ‘plain sailing’ for parents, says Education Secretary
08:08
Salma Ouaguira
government-funded childcare support may not be “plain sailing” for working parents, the Education Secretary has warned.
Bridget Phillipson said early years support is her “number one priority” in government, but her department claimed it must find around 85,000 more childcare places by September 2025 compared with 2023, to expand its free childcare offer.
The government will fund 15 hours per week of free childcare for eligible working parents whose children are between nine months and two years old from Monday 2 September, in addition to an existing similar offer to parents of two-year-olds and 30 hours of free childcare already offered to parents of children aged three and four.
From September 2025, the Department for Education has committed to funding 30 hours of free childcare for most working parents of children between nine months and school age, in line with commitments made by the former Conservative administration.
“This inherited plan comes with significant delivery challenges,” Ms Phillipson said.
“I must warn that for some parents it will not be plain sailing, and while I am excited to see children starting nursery for the first time, or parents being able to increase their working hours, the work for government starts now.”
Education minister defends smoking ban and warns more unhealthy behaviours crackdown to come
08:05
Salma Ouaguira
Public health interventions, like the government’s proposal to ban outdoor smoking, is “the type of thing that perhaps you would expect a government” to implement, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said.
Asked if the government would be taking further action against other unhealthy behaviours such as tackling obesity, Lady Smith told Times Radio: “Actually, what this is, is it’s support for people to be able to live healthy lives.
“It’s support for people to be able to get into the workplace.”
She added: “We want the economy to be growing. We want healthy people able to go into the workplace.
“That strikes me as being the type of thing that perhaps you would expect a government to be doing and I’m pleased that those are the things that we are in the very early days of our government putting into place.”
COMMENT | Doesn’t the prime minister realise smoking outside pubs is the best thing about Britain?
07:50
Salma Ouaguira
I’m not somebody who cries ‘nanny state!’ every time a new rule is introduced, writes Ryan Coogan. But if Keir Starmer can ban us from sparking up in beer gardens, then where does it end?
House prices fall by 0.2% in August
07:40
Salma Ouaguira
UK house prices fell by 0.2 per cent month-on-month in August, Nationwide Building Society said.
But the annual rate of house price growth was 2.4 per cent, marking the fastest pace since December 2022.
The average UK house price in August is £265,375.
Farage says he will never go to a pub again if outdoor smoking banned
07:30
Salma Ouaguira
Nigel Farage has said he will “never go to the pub again” if Labour’s mulled outdoor smoking ban comes to pass.
Writing in The Telegraph, the Reform UK leader claimed “the Puritans are on the march” after details emerged of the leaked plans, which suggest the government is considering banning smoking in outdoor areas including pub gardens.
Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday that he is considering tougher rules on smoking, telling reporters on a trip to Paris: “yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed.”
The proposed ban would see smoking banned in some outdoor spaces, extending to nightclubs, sports venues and small parks. Perhaps most controversially, the new rules would also ban smoking outside of pubs, even if they have private gardens.
Read the full story below:
Starmer removes Thatcher portrait from No 10 sparking Tory backlash
07:29
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has removes a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No 10 Downing Street, according to biographer Tom Baldwin.
The portrait, commissioned by Gordon Brown in 2009, was displayed in the room once used by Ms Thatcher, now known as the Thatcher room.
Baldwin revealed that Sir keir found the portrait “unsettling” and agreed to remove it when asked.
The decision has drawn criticism from Conservative MPs, who accused him of “pettiness” and a lack of respect for historical figures.
The painting, created by Richard Stone and costing £100,000 was the first of a former prime minister to be commissioned in No 10.
Some Tories viewed the removal as a slight against Thatcher’s legacy, with MP Greg Smith calling it a sign of disrespect.
Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory leadership candidate, also said: “It seems like a churlish move, but perhaps Sir Keir Starmer was intimidated by the gaze of a world-renowned leader whose achievements he will never come close to matching.”
Despite the controversy, the PM recently acknowledged Thatcher’s role in bringing “meaninful change” to Britain.
Starmer’s outdoor smoking ban plan has pubs and clubs fuming
07:15
Salma Ouaguira
The government is considering a ban on outdoor smoking in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressure on the NHS.
The proposal would affect small parks, pub gardens, and areas outside hospitals, nightclubs and sports venues.
Sir Keir Starmer said action is needed “to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer”.
But the hospitality industry warned it would cause serious economic harm to venues already struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic, and questioned whether the move is in the public interest.
Read the full story below:
‘Disgraceful:’ Public fury as Tory MP uses Holocaust poem to attack smoking ban
07:09
Salma Ouaguira
A social media post by Conservative MP Esther McVey has been branded as “repugnant” by the Board of Deputies of British Jews for likening the Labour government’s proposed smoking ban to the Holocaust.
The MP for Tatton took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share Martin Niemoller’s 1946 poem “First They Came”.
The poem includes the lines: “Then they came for the Jews. And I did not speak out.”
However, the former cabinet minister for common sense ended her version with a twist: “Pertinent words re Starmer’s smoking ban.”
In response, the Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the Tory MP for her choice of words, and dubbed her social media stunt as “repugnant” and “breathtakingly thoughtless”.
The Board said in a statement: “The use of Martin Niemoller’s poem about the horrors of the Nazis to describe a potential smoking ban is an ill-considered and repugnant action.
“We would strongly encourage the MP for Tatton to delete her tweet and apologise for this breathtakingly thoughtless comparison.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded to Ms McVey with: “No, I do not think the postwar confessional of Martin Niemoller about the silent complicity of the German intelligentsia and clergy in the Nazi rise to power is pertinent to a Smoking Bill that was in your manifesto and ours to tackle one of the biggest killers.”
He added: “Get a grip.
Rabbi David Mason, executive director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, said: “Tasteless. Utterly tasteless. How can you not see that?”
Does the PM realise he’s overdone it with ‘things can only get worse’?
07:00
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister dropped the phrase ‘rubble and ruin’ from his speech and tried to emphasise the things he is doing to fix the problems, writes John Rentoul – but will it work?
UK Government cuts put my ability to serve Scotland under threat – Swinney
06:00
Salma Ouaguira
First Minister John Swinney has warned cuts by the UK government will leave his ability to serve Scotland “under real threat”.
Speaking ahead of his first conference as party leader in almost two decades, Mr Swinney urged Scots to rally against any potential spending cuts at a UK level, which would impact on the funding provided to Scotland.
Both the UK and Scottish governments find themselves fighting against dire financial outlooks, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing a more than £20 billion black hole in public finances, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Budget expected in October will be “painful”.
North of the border, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said “tough decisions” will be needed, as experts suggested a combination of high spending and uncertainty around funding from the UK government could see Scotland struggle to balance its budget.
Ahead of the first SNP conference of John Swinney’s tenure as leader – after he succeeded Humza Yousaf earlier this year – the First Minister said: “The Prime Minister’s speech on Tuesday has made clear that Scotland is facing years of austerity under Labour, which will have profound consequences for public services and living standards.
“Be in no doubt – our ability to serve the people of Scotland is under real threat by the sweeping spending cuts that the Labour government are introducing – cuts that, only a few months ago, they were denying would take place.
“The SNP, and indeed Scotland as a whole, must come together to stand up against Labour’s cuts.
“My belief that Scotland will be better as an independent country has never been stronger – and I know that we will win our independence when we show the people of Scotland that the powers of independence are central to improving their living standards, their local services and their communities.
“Under my leadership, the SNP will work harder than ever for the country that we are so privileged to lead.
“What people in Scotland need right now is hope and ambition for a better future – and that is what the SNP will offer.”
Government drops legal defence for Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields
05:00
Salma Ouaguira
The government has said it will not challenge judicial reviews brought against developments for the Rosebank and Jackdaw offshore oil and gas fields in the North Sea, in order to “save the taxpayer money”.
The move has been welcomed by climate action groups, despite the licences for drilling at the sites not being withdrawn.
Greenpeace and Uplift jointly brought judicial reviews to stop the development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields.
If the judicial review backs the environmental groups, operators would need to resubmit environmental assessments, adding costs to the projects.
Rosebank is owned by Equinor and Ithaca Energy, and Jackdaw is owned by Shell.
The Rosebank oil field was approved by the previous government in September 2023. Located 80 miles west of Shetland, it is the UK’s largest untapped oil field and is estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels of oil.
The Jackdaw gas condensate field is being developed 155 miles east of Aberdeen and is expected to start production in 2025.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed prior to the election that Labour would respect the Conservative government’s decision to approve the fields and would uphold existing oil and gas licences, whilst banning any new ones.
Conservative leadership candidate Tugendhat pledges net migration cap
04:00
Salma Ouaguira
Conservative leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has pledged that the party will commit to a policy of an annual net migration cap of 100,000 if he becomes party leader.
In a speech in central London on Thursday, he also said that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is “already losing control of pay across the public sector” and warned that it could lead to rising inflation.
Mr Tugendhat said that “an honest and open conversation about population size is the only way to have a country that is happy with itself”.
Pointing to ideas such as reforms of visa policies and welfare, he said that “the pressure on housing, on infrastructure and on services is just one reason why the Conservative Party, under my leadership, will commit to a legally binding annual cap on non-British annual net migration of 100,000”.
Polling of Conservative party members from YouGov released earlier this week suggested that more than half of party members would “support” a policy of “a freeze in all migration coming into Britain for the next five years”.
REVIEW: ‘She came, she saw, she crashed’: New Truss book could keep Tories out of power for decades
03:30
Salma Ouaguira
The blunt subtitle of Sir Anthony Seldon’s account of our shortest-serving prime minister’s brief time in office says it all, writes Simon Walters – ‘How Not to Be Prime Minister’:
Pub bosses slam potential outdoor smoking ban as ‘bonkers’ and ‘nuts’
03:00
Salma Ouaguira
Pub industry bosses and brewers have criticised reported plans to ban smoking in beer gardens, as part of a drive to improve public health.
Chris Jowsey, chief executive of Admiral Taverns, told the PA news agency: “I’m no fan of smoking, but I just can’t see how this will improve health outcomes if you move people from smoking in a pub garden to smoking at home.
“It doesn’t really make any sense to me. It feels really ill-thought through.”
Mr Jowsey, whose company runs more than 1,600 pubs across the UK, added: “It would also reduce footfall and revenue into pubs.
“A pub is the last community asset left standing in many communities. Anything that undermines their ability to survive and grow their business is a bad thing, not just for the pub, but for the community.
“What are we going to do? Will we have to employ people now to just patrol the gardens to make sure nobody’s smoking? It seems a bit nuts.”
According to leaked proposals seen by The Sun newspaper, the indoor smoking ban could be extended to cover other locations including small parks, outdoor restaurants and hospitals.
Starmer made the Partygate garden at No 10 feel more like a cemetery
02:30
Salma Ouaguira
‘Remember the photos of the wine and the cheese just over there,’ cried Starmer, his arm sweeping over the patio in a rare moment of animation. ‘Well, this garden and this building are now back in your service.’ Shame it felt more like a funeral service, writes Joe Murphy
Starmer accused of lacking ambition as he launches Brexit reset in Germany
02:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised for lacking ambition in wanting to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU after he rejected free movement for under-30s even before talks got underway.
The prime minister made it clear he was not open to a deal on making it easier for young people from the UK and EU to travel when he held a joint press conference with German chancellor Olaf Scholz today.
Despite describing the renegotiation as “a once in a generation opportunity” there were concerns that he was not willing to be flexible on a proposal which is strongly supported in the EU.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:
Starmer: hopes for reset with EU do not mean ‘reversing Brexit’
01:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer insisted he was not “reversing Brexit” as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany as part of a wider “reset” of relations with the European Union.
The prime minister, who agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, said it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
Mr Scholz said the UK and germany were “good friends, close partners and trusted allies” as Sir Keir promised a “bright new future” for the countries’ relationship.
Sir Keir said the new UK-Germany treaty would result in “deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, culture” and “a boost to our trading relations”.
A new defence agreement will build on the “already formidable” co-operation between the two countries, Sir Keir said.
He said the treaty was a “once-in-a-generation chance to deliver for working people in Britain and in Germany”.
“Britain can advance its interests much more effectively when we work with friends and partners.
“This treaty is part of a wider reset, grounded in a new spirit of cooperation with our shared understanding that this will be developed at pace, and that we hope to have agreed it by the end of the year.”
Sir Keir’s hopes for the “wider reset” with the European Union would not amount to undoing the Brexit decision, he insisted.
“I’m absolutely clear that we do want a reset. I have been able to repeat that here today, a reset with Europe, a reset with the EU.
“That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union, but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges, but we do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme.”
Exclusive: Rayner told to end scandal of unsafe buildings after Dagenham inferno
Friday 30 August 2024 00:30
Salma Ouaguira
Fire Brigade Union general secretary Matt Wrack has described a blaze which destroyed a block of flats in Dagenham, east London, as a national scandal which should not be able to happen.
Mr Wrack spoke to The Independent after touring the site of the disaster in Freshwater Road, Dagenham, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:
Pictured: Keir Starmer meets ParalympicsGB team members
Friday 30 August 2024 00:00
Salma Ouaguira
Trade union in Scotland suspends bin strikes after members accept pay offer
Thursday 29 August 2024 23:00
Salma Ouaguira
A trade union in Scotland has scrapped plans for refuse workers to strike after members accepted a new offer.
GMB Scotland said 78% of members voted to accept the offer from Cosla, which will see a minimum increase of 3.6% for staff.
Unite the union and Unison also announced they would suspend planned strikes to ballot members on the new offer, but are yet to announce a decision, with Unison recommending members reject the offer.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland’s senior organiser for public services, was critical of the Scottish Government and local authorities.
“Council leaders’ lack of urgency and stubborn refusal to ask the Scottish Government for support meant negotiations and uncertainty went on far longer than necessary,” he said.
“It should not take imminent strike action to deliver a fair offer but, while it came too late, the deal was above inflation for all staff and weighted to benefit frontline workers most.
“That was what the unions had asked for and, given that, it is no surprise our members accepted it.”
Concerns raised over ‘misconceptions’ among professionals assessing for dyslexia
Thursday 29 August 2024 22:00
Salma Ouaguira
Children risk being misdiagnosed for dyslexia as professionals believe common myths about the learning difficulty, researchers have warned.
There is “significant variability” in the methods used by professionals for identifying dyslexia, according to a study led by Durham University.
A survey of 275 UK professionals involved in assessing students for dyslexia – including educational psychologists and specialists – was carried out to investigate their assessment methods and what they believed to be indicators of dyslexia, which mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.
It found that almost half of dyslexia professionals who were surveyed believed at least one unproven indicator for dyslexia.
More than three in five (61%) specialists believed that people with dyslexia read letters in reverse order, while 33% believed that letters jumping around was a key feature of dyslexia.
But researchers from Durham University and National Taiwan Normal University said these were “common misconceptions” about the learning difficulty and that there was currently no evidence to show that either of these were reliable indicators of dyslexia.
The study, funded by the British Educational Research Association (Bera), warned that the misconceptions could influence assessors’ judgments and lead to “identification errors”.
It uncovered a general lack of consensus among assessors about the process of identifying someone with dyslexia.
Labour Party repeatedly failed to meet data protection obligations – watchdog
Thursday 29 August 2024 21:30
Salma Ouaguira
The UK’s data protection watchdog has taken action against the Labour Party for repeatedly failing to respond to people who asked what personal information the organisation held on them.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued a formal reprimand after it was revealed that the party had not complied with its legal obligations.
Under data protection law, anyone can ask an organisation for a copy of the personal information it is using or storing on them, known as subject access requests (SAR). You also have the right to check if your personal information is accurate, or for it to be updated or deleted.
Read the full story below:
Editorial: Painful times lie ahead for Britain – and for Keir Starmer
Thursday 29 August 2024 21:00
Salma Ouaguira
Editorial: Gritty, glum, realistic – the prime minister’s keynote speech in the rose garden of No 10 held few surprises (and very little joy)
Starmer discusses ‘reset’ of relations with France with Macron
Thursday 29 August 2024 20:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has said he discussed resetting relations during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The prime minister told journalists after the meeting: “I had a bilateral with the president whilst I’m here to discuss a number of issues – obviously the foreign policy issues which are pressing.
“We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as you would expect, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security, but also the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general.
“They were the topics that we discussed as part of the reset, rebuild and making sure that our number one mission, which is growing the economy, is absolutely central to everything that we do.”
Former Labour leader John Smith’s daughter made Advocate General for Scotland
Thursday 29 August 2024 20:00
Salma Ouaguira
The youngest daughter of the late Labour leader John Smith has said it is a “great honour” to become a legal adviser to the UK Government.
It was announced that the King had approved the appointment of Catherine Smith KC as Advocate General for Scotland.
The King also intends to give her a life peerage, which will see her join the House of Lords.
The Advocate General for Scotland provides legal advice to the UK Government on matters relating to Scots law.
Ms Smith said: “It is a great honour to be appointed the Advocate General for Scotland and join the team of UK Government law officers.
“I look forward to playing my part in protecting and promoting the rule of law and contributing to this government’s commitment to public service.”
Ms Smith takes up the post after a legal career which has seen her specialise in personal injury, clinical negligence and judicial review cases – as well as sitting part-time as a sheriff.
The lawyer, who is the youngest of John Smith’s three daughters, is also currently involved in the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry.
She is chair of the John Smith Centre for Public Service at the University of Glasgow, which was set up to promote a positive vision of politics, and is vice chair of Justice Scotland, which is part of a London-based organisation working for a “better and fairer justice system”.
UK to join efforts with France to tackle small boat crossings
Thursday 29 August 2024 19:30
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has welcomed the joint action between the UK and France to tackle small boat crossings.
Sir Keir Starmer and the Emmanuel Macron agreed to do more together to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream and increase intelligence sharing, the spokesperson said.
The PM and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in the French capital on Wednesday evening.
His visit to Paris follows talks in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a sign of his desire to seek closer relations with key figures in the EU.
On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not “reversing Brexit” as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany – including “deeper links” in several areas.
Sir Keir agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with Mr Scholz and also noted it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
The two countries also agreed to develop a “joint action plan to tackle illegal migration”.
Could Labour’s potential smoking ban plan reshape public spaces?
Thursday 29 August 2024 19:00
Salma Ouaguira
Amid growing speculation, Sir Keir Starmer has not denied reports that Labour might introduce a smoking ban in certain outdoor areas, including pub gardens and small parks.
The prime minister emphasized the need to alleviate pressure on the NHS and reduce taxpayer burdens, hinting at stricter public health measures.
Currently, smoking is banned in encolsed public spaces and workplaces across the UK since 2007, with Scotland leading the charge a year earlier. violations can result in fines of up to £200 for individuals, while businesses face penalites of up to £2,500 for non-compliance.
This proposed expansion of smoking restrictions builds on the unfinished agenda of Rishi Sunak, whose “smoke-free generation” bill aimed to make the UK one of the toughest anti-smoking nations globally.
Although Labour supported the Tory initiative, it never materialised before the end of the last parliament.
The potential Labour-led smoking ban could target various outdoor venues, marking a significant shift in public health policy.
However, specific details remain unclear as the government deliberates on how to implement these changes if they ever happen.
Farage and Tories slam Starmer’s proposal for outdoor smoking ban
Thursday 29 August 2024 18:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer’s potential move to ban smoking in outdoor areas like pub gardens has sparked sharp criticism from Nigel Farage and the Conservatives.
The Reform UK leader claimed the proposal could “close the last of the British pubs” and push cigarette sales into the black market, framing it as an issue of “social control” rather than public health.
The opposition within the Tories has also echoed Mr Farage’s concerns.
Robert Jenrick questioned the prime minister’s priorities, claiming that the UK faces “huge challenges” and that focusing on an outdoor smoking ban is “nonsense”.
This debate emerges against the backdrop of the Conservatives’ own proposal to create one of the world’s strictest smoking laws, which would prevent anyone who is 14 years old from ever legally purchasing cigarettes.
More prisons will be built following changes to planning system, says Starmer
Thursday 29 August 2024 18:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer said more prisons will be built to manage overcrowding once the Government gets its “hands on the planning laws”.
Speaking to broadcasters in Berlin, the prime minister said the lack of prisons being built is one of the reasons for the current capacity crisis in jails across the UK.
During the general election campaign, one of Labour’s key pledges was to unblock the planning system to allow developers to build on the “grey belt”.
Sir Keir said: “We’ve got to change the planning regulation so we can build the prisons we need, because they’re taking far too long, it’s far too slow, and that’s amongst the reasons we’re in the position we are.
“And, as you’d expect from an ex-chief prosecutor, people do need to go to prison, and they need to know that the law is effective.”
Asked if he agrees with prisons minister James Timpson that the UK puts too many people in jail, Sir Keir replied: “I think (Mr Timpson) has got unparalleled experience in rehabilitation, and particularly those coming out of prison.
“I mean, he does employ a huge amount of people who come out of prison. His reason for doing that is to help them turn around their lives so they don’t go back straight into prison.
“Do I agree with him that, insofar as is possible, people come out of prison, we should give them the chance not to go back into prison? Yes, I do, and the more we can do on that, the better.
“I don’t think anybody would disagree with that, because the route back to prison involves another offence, which means another victim. If we can find a different approach for people, then all well and good. But, look, we need to build those prisons, and we will get our hands on the planning laws in order to do so.”
Tugendhat pledges 100,000 cap on net migration in Tory leadership bid
Thursday 29 August 2024 17:30
Salma Ouaguira
Tom Tugendhat has said that, if he becomes Tory leader, the Conservative Party will commit to a cap on net migration of 100,000 per year.
During a campaign speech, he said: “An honest and open conversation about population size is the only way to have a country that is happy with itself, where everyone of all colours, creeds and backgrounds knows that they can speak and be heard.
“What we decide will have to recognise that we cannot build … the first-class public services we need without taking numbers into account.
“It will take reform to visa policies, to welfare, to workforce planning, skills and training policies and university finances, but the pressure on housing, on infrastructure and on services is just one reason why the Conservative Party, under my leadership, will commit to a legally binding annual cap on non-British annual net migration of 100,000.
“We cannot sustain the hundreds of thousands it is today.”
COMMENT | Starmer’s making me hate myself for smoking more than I do already
Thursday 29 August 2024 17:00
Salma Ouaguira
I’m not somebody who cries ‘nanny state!’ every time a new rule is introduced, writes Ryan Coogan.
But if Keir Starmer can ban us from sparking up in beer gardens, then where does it end?
Eastwood says ‘great privilege’ to lead SDLP and tips Hanna as successor
Thursday 29 August 2024 16:40
Salma Ouaguira
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it has been a “great privilege” to lead the party and tipped fellow MP Claire Hanna as his successor.
Mr Eastwood is set to resign at the party’s conference in October after nine years at the helm of the party he joined as a teenager.
Speaking at a press conference in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr Eastwood said he wants to become a voice for change and developing a new Ireland, describing the post-Brexit environment as a “moment of opportunity”.
He insisted it had been his decision to resign as SDLP leader.
“This is absolutely my decision. I have taken time to make that decision, I have spoken to others about it,” Mr Eastwood said.
Government sets up dedicated team tasked with speeding up housing delivery
Thursday 29 August 2024 16:20
Salma Ouaguira
A dedicated team tasked with speeding up the delivery of housing has been established by the government, as part of its commitment to overhaul the planning system and build 1.5 million homes.
The New Homes Accelerator will “support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground”, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said.
As part of the scheme, planning experts will be deployed to potential housing sites to work through blockages and local issues.
There are 200 sites across England with outline or detailed planning permission for up to 300,000 new homes, which are yet to be built, according to government analysis.
Ms Rayner said: “For far too long, the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes has been held back by a failure to make sure the development system is working as it should.
“This Government has a moral obligation to do everything within our power to build the homes that people desperately need and we won’t hesitate to intervene where we need to.
“Our New Homes Accelerator will quickly identify blockages, fix problems and support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground.”
Tughendat rules out Tory merger with Reform
Thursday 29 August 2024 16:00
Salma Ouaguira
Tom Tugendhat has rejected a merger with Reform UK, saying the Conservatives lost the election because their voters “just stayed at home”.
Responding to polling suggesting that four in 10 Conservative Party members support a merger with Reform, Mr Tugendhat said: “What Conservative Party members want to do is to win the next general election.
“And the way that we’re going to win the next general election is by winning back voters from wherever they happen to go. Now it’s true many went to Reform, it’s absolutely true, and we need to win back voters from Reform. It’s also true they went to many other parties too.”
He added: “We need to recognise that actually most people who voted Conservative and chose not to support us this time actually just stayed at home.”
Starmer continues push for closer EU ties in meeting with Macron
Thursday 29 August 2024 15:51
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has said he discussed his plans to reset relations with France and the European Union as a whole during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The Prime Minister held talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace after meeting some of Team GB’s Paralympic athletes this morning.
Sir Keir said of his meeting with the French president: “We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as you would expect, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security, but also the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general.
“They were the topics that we discussed as part of the reset, rebuild and making sure that our number one mission, which is growing the economy, is absolutely central to everything that we do.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The leaders reflected on the success of the European Political Community meeting, held at Blenheim Palace last month, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months.”
The real story behind Starmer, Reeves and a very painful Budget...
Thursday 29 August 2024 15:45
Salma Ouaguira
Although they wouldn’t admit it, the model for the PM and his chancellor is less Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – and more David Cameron and George Osborne, writes Andrew Grice:
