Sir Keir Stamer and Rachel Reeves could water down their planned raid on nom-doms amid fears the move would fail to raise any money, according to reports.
The chancellor had hoped to raise about £1bn a year by cracking down on the tax perk available to wealthy UK residents.
But government officials said Ms Reeves could overhaul the plan ahead of her 30 October Budget if the numbers did not add up, the Financial Times reported.
A government official told the newspaper: “We will be pragmatic, not ideological. We won’t press on regardless, but we are not going to abandon this completely.”
A Treasury spokesperson called the report “speculation” and pledged to remove “the outdated non-dom tax regime”.
It comes as Labour MP Emily Thornberry said the government should not “pull our punches” if they disagree with the American president.
Sir Keir met Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump for the first time as the two sat down for a two-hour dinner meeting in New York.
Key Points
- Starmer admits mangling his words over ‘sausages’ blunder
- Donald Trump ‘needs to be called out’ on ‘racist’ comments, Labour MP says
- Rachel Reeves could scrap non-dom tax raid, reports suggest
- Starmer meets Donald Trump for first time at dinner meeting in New York
- Starmer to hold post-Brexit ‘reset’ talks with EU chiefs
Tories promoted ‘racism that poisoned the public discourse’, Baroness Warsi says
15:58
Jabed Ahmed
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has said the Conservatives have promoted “racism that poisoned the public discourse”, a day after she left the party.
ICYMI, former cabinet minister Baroness Warsi resigned the Conservative whip last night, saying the party had moved too far to the right from when she was in government.
Writing on X, she said: “Thank you to colleagues from across Parliament who have reached out with kind messages and solidarity.
Thank you also to the likes of James (Cleverly) and others who are providing me with an opportunity to revisit the last ten years of inaction, acquiescence, tolerance and promotion of racism that poisoned the public discourse leading to violence on our streets.
“Damaged our country and destroyed our party. I kept the receipts and look forward to publishing them,” she added.
What to expect from Tory conference
15:39
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent
The 2024 Conservative Party Conference will be a drastically different affair from last year’s gathering in Manchester, when Rishi Sunak’s government was in its dying days.
Back then, ministers announced a slew of eye-catching policies that would reshape the future of the country in a desperate last few roles of the dice - Alex Chalk promising to offshore prisoners, Jeremy Hunt planning to slash the number of civil servants and Rishi Sunak scrapping HS2.
This year, Mr Sunak is a lame duck Tory leader and all eyes will be far from the diminished former prime minister.Instead it will be a four-day battle for the future leadership of the party, with the four remaining contenders thrashing it out to try to win over Tory members.
James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat will be put to the test in a series of hustings and speeches, as well as taking part in intense lobbying and networking behind the scenes in Birmingham with MPs and the party rank and file.
On offer elsewhere will be former Tory MPs, ousted by the public in July’s general election, setting out where they think the party went wrong and what it needs to do next.
High profile names expected to appear are ex-PM Liz Truss, former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and incoming Spectator Editor Michael Gove.
The Independent will be bringing the latest updates and analysis from the conference.
What is non-dom tax status and is Labour still going to change it?
15:19
Jabed Ahmed
My colleague Albert Toth explains:
Government responds to increase in pension credit claims
15:01
Jabed Ahmed
A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their state pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take-up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.
“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
Independent readers say Keir Starmer needs ‘time and space to clean out the Tories’ from government
14:40
Jabed Ahmed
Your Labour Party conference questions answered by John Rentoul as Keir Starmer pledges to ‘face the storm’
14:19
Jabed Ahmed
Our chief political commentator John Rentoul has been responding to readers questions following a significant week for Labour, as they held their first conference in government in over a decade.
Here are six questions from Independent readers – and his answers from the “Ask Me Anything” event.
Read below:
Who is Russell Findlay? The new leader of the Scottish Conservatives
14:01
Jabed Ahmed
Russell Findlay has billed himself as someone who is “not a career politician”.
For decades, Mr Findlay was an investigative reporter in Scotland, covering organised crime and justice for the likes of STV and the Scottish Sun.
It was his work investigating some of the country’s biggest criminals that led to him being attacked with acid at his home, narrowly avoiding serious injury.
Mr Findlay went on to become – to the surprise of many colleagues – the head of communications for the Scottish Conservatives in 2020, and later announced his intention to run for Holyrood.
Topping the Tories’ West Scotland list, he was elected in 2021 – after coming third in the Paisley constituency – and quickly rose to become the party’s justice spokesman.
Throughout his four years at Holyrood, the former reporter has become a fierce critic of the Scottish Government, particularly around the controversial gender reforms blocked by the UK government early last year.
He was also seen by some as the continuity candidate in the Tory leadership race, with reports suggesting his predecessor Douglas Ross wanted him to take over the top job last year.
Mr Findlay will now be tasked with bringing together a party which has been struggling in recent months.
Full report: Russell Findlay elected as leader of the Scottish Conservatives following bitter contest
13:38
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report from my colleague Alex Croft below:
Badenoch doubles down on claim she became working class after working in McDonald's
13:19
Jabed Ahmed
Kemi Badenoch has doubled down on her claim that she "became working class" when she got a job at McDonald's.
The Tory leadership hopeful said she came to the UK “with no money, no friends, no parents”.
She told LBC at that point in her life she was working class as she “had to work to eat”.
“I grew up in a middle class family but coming here I became working class - my dad gave me his last £100, he said ‘you know this is all we have’ because all our money was gone and this is one of the things that people don’t understand,” Ms Badenoch said.
Watch her original comments below:
Pension credit claims hit almost 75,000 since winter fuel payment slimdown
13:01
Jabed Ahmed
Pension credit claims have hit almost 75,000 amid Government efforts to boost benefits take-up.
Department for Work and Pensions figures released on Friday showed the Government received around 74,400 pension credit claims in the eight weeks since 29 July, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced means testing for the winter fuel payment.
This is up from 29,500 claims in the eight weeks before the announcement.
But in the seven days beginning on 16 September, the department received 11,800 claims, down from 13,400 the week before.
The vast majority (92 per cent) of claims made in the week beginning 16 September were made online.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously urged pensioners to check if they are eligible for the benefit, which would unlock winter fuel payments of up to £300.
Unite union says it welcomes government move to borrow to invest in UK infrastructure
12:38
Jabed Ahmed
Unite, the UK’s biggest union, has said it welcomes reports that the treasury is set to change its fiscal rules in order to allow the government to borrow.
The change is set to be announced in next month’s budget.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It seems that the government has listened and will now reform its fiscal rules to allow borrowing to invest. This is a move we have been calling on Labour to make for a long time.
“If this government is going to achieve its aim of making the UK a fairer society that delivers for workers and their communities then it needs make serious investment in infrastructure and new job creating industries.”
Defence Secretary watching Israeli ground invasion rumours ‘really carefully’
12:33
Jabed Ahmed
Defence Secretary John Healey is looking at a rumoured Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon “really carefully”.
Mr Healey said on Friday airstrikes and rocket fire exchanged between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah present a “risk that this escalates into something that is much wider and much more serious”.
Defence Secretary John Healey is looking at a rumoured Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon “really carefully”.
Mr Healey said on Friday airstrikes and rocket fire exchanged between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah present a “risk that this escalates into something that is much wider and much more serious”.
Asked about the rumoured ground invasion, Mr Healey replied: “We’re watching this really carefully. That will be a matter for the Israelis.
“At the moment, it’s airstrikes. At the moment, there are missiles from the Lebanese Hezbollah directed at Israel. This conflict serves no one.”
Defence chiefs acquire chips factory after closure fears
12:19
Jabed Ahmed
UK defence chiefs have taken on a semiconductor factory near Darlington after fears its closure could leave projects in the lurch.
Defence Secretary John Healey visited the site on Friday, which the Ministry of Defence has said is the only secure facility with the capability to produce gallium arsenide chips, used in electronic devices.
“Semiconductors are at the forefront of the technology we rely upon today, and will be crucial in securing our military’s capabilities for tomorrow,” Mr Healey said.
“This acquisition is a clear signal that our Government will back British defence production.
“We’ll protect and grow our UK Defence supply chain, supporting North East jobs, safeguarding crucial tech for our Armed Forces and boosting our national security.”
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it would name the factory, at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, Octric Semiconductors UK, and that the acquisition would secure up to 100 roles.
Exclusive: Starmer saved by Tory leadership chaos in Labour poll slide over freebies row
12:00
Jabed Ahmed
Scottish Conservatives must come together after a bruising period, says new party leader
11:39
Jabed Ahmed
The Scottish Conservatives must come together after a bruising period, the party’s new leader Russell Findlay has said.
Speaking immediately after his win was announced, Mr Findlay said: “Everyone must come together as one united team.
“Let us start the hard work right now to win back public trust.
“I want to deliver the message to people across Scotland who do not feel that anyone represents them, who are scunnered by the divisiveness and fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament who feel let down and failed by politicians of every single party, including ours, who think politicians are all the same.
“I feel that way – I get it, but I’m not the same.”
Revealed: Starmer’s ‘three pillar’ blueprint to rebuild EU ties with youth mobility a negotiating chip
11:20
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report from our political editor David Maddox:
Boris Johnson tried to persuade Harry to stay in UK with ‘manly pep talk’
11:01
Jabed Ahmed
Boris Johnson had a “manly pep talk” with the Duke of Sussex to try to persuade him not to leave the UK and move to the United States.
According to the then-prime minister, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace asked him to talk to Harry in January 2020, hours after his speech announcing that he and his wife Meghan planned to step away from royal life.
Mr Johnson writes in his forthcoming memoir that there was “a ridiculous business … when they made me try to persuade Harry to stay. Kind of manly pep talk. Totally hopeless”, The Daily Mail reported, ahead of a serialisation of the book.
The men met for 20 minutes on the sidelines of a UK-Africa investment summit in London’s Docklands, according to the newspaper.
Rachel Reeves could scrap non-dom tax raid, reports suggest
10:39
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report below:
Cleverly hits back at Baroness Warsi comments
10:19
Jabed Ahmed
James Cleverly has hit back at Baroness Warsi after the party had launched an investigation into the peer as a result of tweets about a court case where a protester had held a sign using derogatory languages about Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman, suggesting they were “coconuts”.
For context, the former cabinet minister Sayeeda Warsi resigned the Conservative whip last night, saying the party had moved too far to the right from when she was in government.
In a post on X, Mr Cleverly said: ”You’re not properly black if you’re a Tory’ is a particularly pernicious attack.
“I’ve been called a coconut too many times to laugh it off. It hasn’t held me back or brought me down, but a Conservative peer not recognising the abuse of other black colleagues is unacceptable.”
Russell Findlay elected as leader of the Scottish Conservatives
10:09
Jabed Ahmed
Russell Findlay has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives, beating Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher.
The new leader won 2,565 votes, the party’s returning officer Leonard Wallace announced on Friday, with Murdo Fraser coming second with 1,187 votes and Meghan Gallacher in third with 403 votes.
The turnout was 60%, with Mr Wallace announcing the party has just shy of 7,000 members, 4,155 of whom voted in the leadership contest.
New leader of Scottish Conservatives to be announced
09:59
Jabed Ahmed
The leader of the Scottish Conservatives will be announced on Friday.
Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher are on the ballot paper, with one of the three set to take over from Douglas Ross in Holyrood.
The field narrowed from six to three after Brian Whittle, Jamie Greene and Liam Kerr dropped their bid for the top job.
Polls closed for Scottish Tory members – of which there are believed to be around 7,000 – at noon on Thursday, with the result due to be announced at around 10am on Friday.
Full report: Trump heaps praise on ‘very popular’ Keir Starmer as pair meet in New York
09:39
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report from my colleague Alexander Butler below:
Ground invasion by Israel could favour Hezbollah, Foreign Affairs Committee chair warns
09:21
Jabed Ahmed
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman has warned a ground invasion by Israel into Lebanon could favour Hezbollah and its legitimacy.
Asked about escalating conflict in the Middle East, Emily Thornberry told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think that we need to be aware that we have perhaps more clout than we have done recently, and I think we’re in a fairly unique position, so… we are in a position to be able to pull people together.
“I think that the UN General Assembly meeting at this time means that I think that many other nations can be pulled behind the declaration that has been made, and that will make it stronger.
“We don’t know whether or not Israel is bluffing about a ground war. We do know that in 2006 that they got very bogged down, that at the moment they may be ahead because they’re using air power and surprise, but a ground war may well be different.
“And actually, the poor Lebanese, who you know many of whom do not want Hezbollah in the bottom of their country, certainly don’t want to have the Israelis. And Hezbollah may well end up with more legitimacy as a result of that ground invasion.”
Starmer admits mangling his words over ‘sausages’ blunder
09:01
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has said he was prepared to be mocked over the “sausages” gaffe in his Labour conference speech.
The prime minister butchered a call for Hamas to release the hostages in Gaza, instead demanding “the return of the sausages” before swiftly correcting himself.
Asked about the mistake he told reporters: “I just mangled the beginning of the word.”
He added: “These things are there to give you all the opportunity to rib me.”
The blunder in his conference speech on Tuesday was swiftly picked up on social media.
The Conservatives posted on X: “Keir Starmer uses his first big speech as Prime Minister to call for the return of the sausages.”
US president hopeful Donald Trump ‘needs to be called out’ on ‘racist’ comments, Labour MP says
08:46
Jabed Ahmed
US president hopeful Donald Trump “needs to be called out” if he starts “caging Mexican children”, should he win the stateside election in November, Emily Thornberry has said.
Asked about remarks Ms Thornberry made in 2019, when she alleged Mr Trump had “grabbed women and boasted about it” and “tried to close borders with Muslim-majority countries”, the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman replied: “If he’s president and he starts caging Mexican children, then that needs to be called out.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Thornberry earlier said: “We are actually in a really strong position now, in that if you think about all the other G7 countries, we are a country that we have just had an election, we have a progressive Government with a large majority and stability in front of us – a good five years of the same leader.
“And if you look at the other G7 countries, they don’t necessarily have that.”
On whether Mr Trump should be labelled a “racist”, Ms Thornberry said: “It depends how he is behaving. I mean, he seems – he styles it out somewhat, doesn’t he, these allegations? I mean, you know, we hear about the dogs and cats and so on just a few weeks ago.”
In a reference to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with Mr Trump, she added: “If I was at dinner with someone who said things like that, then I would call it out. But I don’t imagine that the conversation moved on to things like that at that dinner.”
UK leaders ‘shouldn’t pull our punches’ if they disagree with the US president, MP says
08:29
Jabed Ahmed
UK leaders “shouldn’t pull our punches” if they disagree with the American president, Emily Thornberry has said after Sir Keir Starmer met with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Ms Thornberry, House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Donald Trump may be the president of the United States in a couple of months’ time so of course, it’s important to have meetings with him and to build a relationship with him.
“Whatever criticisms one may have of Donald Trump, the point is that the office of president is one that needs to be properly respected and the Americans are very close friends of ours.”
The Labour politician added: “I think that this is an initial meeting, so there needs to be a certain amount of relationship building and we take it from there.
“I do think that if there are things the American president does or says that we disagree with, then we shouldn’t pull our punches.”
First Minister to lobby chancellor over lack of funding for railways in Wales
07:00
Salma Ouaguira
Wales has been “short-changed” when it comes to funding for railways, the First Minister said, as she pledged to beat a path to the chancellor’s door.
Eluned Morgan said she had discussed consequential funding for the HS2 project with Rachel Reeves during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, adding that the chancellor was in “listening mode”.
The HS2 project has caused tensions in Wales since it was first announced, largely due to the fact it was designated an England and Wales project despite the scheme not including any Welsh territory.
Plaid Cymru has called for Wales to receive £4 billion in consequential funding, in line with the proportional funding that both Scotland and Northern Ireland received as a result of the project.
Ms Morgan said: “Well it’s definitely an issue that we haven’t given up on, an issue that I raised with the chancellor.
“I think it is important for there to be recognition that when it comes to rail infrastructure we do feel that Wales has been short-changed, and it’ll be interesting to see how that conversation develops.
“But already the UK government has made massive commitments to better infrastructure, rail developments in particular, in North Wales. So again, that’s UK Labour helping out directly, in a way that didn’t happen under the Tories.”
Windrush report slams failure to address decades of racist policy
06:30
Salma Ouaguira
The Windrush scandal had its origins in laws that were specifically designed to strip Black and Asian people of their rights to live in the UK, according to a new report.
The Conservative government refused to publish the report in 2022 but, following a decision by a tribunal judge last year, the Labour administration today published it in full.
Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full story:
Two million older people in England have unmet social care needs, says Age UK
06:00
Salma Ouaguira
Some two million older people in England are living without the social care help they need, according to estimates a charity has branded “deeply worrying”.
Many are likely to be struggling with things including getting out of bed and washing, Age UK said, warning that not getting help with these basic tasks increases their risk of falls and serious injury.
The charity said its analysis of data from the latest English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Office for National Statistics (ONS) population figures had led it to an estimate of two million people aged 65 and over who are living with unmet needs for care and support.
This is up from its previous estimate of 1.6 million last year.
The latest figure includes hundreds of thousands of people who are unable to complete basic self-care tasks and are getting either no help or help that does not meet their needs, Age UK said.
The charity’s analysis also suggested that, of the approximately 11 million people aged 65 and over in England, around 10 per cent have difficulty dressing, and six per cent have difficulty getting in and out of bed.
It said while the number of people aged over 75 has grown by almost a fifth since 2017, fewer older people have been receiving long-term care through their local authority over this period.
A major review of the health service published this month described the state of social care as “dire” and noted the “profound human cost and economic consequences” of a long under-resourced area of healthcare.
The report by independent peer Lord Darzi was focused on the NHS but said a growing gap between people’s needs and those getting publicly funded social care in England is placing “an increasingly large burden on families and on the NHS”.
Watch: Kemi Badenoch explains why she feels ‘sympathy’ for Labour MPs
05:30
Salma Ouaguira
COMMENT | What does the future of The Spectator look like with ‘arch schemer’ Gove at the helm?
05:00
Salma Ouaguira
If he resists the temptation to simply preach the gospel of his friend and proprietor Sir Paul Marshall, the former Tory minister may find that he thrives in the role, writes Alan Rusbridger:
Watch: Who will be the next leader of the Conservatives?
04:30
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer and Palestinian president urge immediate ceasefire in Middle East
04:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has been busy meeting world leaders at the annual United Nations General Assembly ahead of his keynote speech today.
He held bilateral talks last night with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas as Israel’s war on Gaza continues.
Both leaders have condemned the attacks of 7 October and agreed on the need of an immediate ceasefire across the Middle East.
In a read out, No 10 said: “He also highlighted the civilian death toll in Gaza since then, with 41,000 killed and 100,000 injured, plus 70 per cent of infrastructure devastated.
“The prime minister agreed that the loss of civilian life had been intolerable.”
Downing Street added: “The president and prime minister also condemned the increase in settler violence and settlement activity there has been on the West Bank.”
What was announced in Starmer’s Labour conference speech?
03:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer’s address to the 2024 Labour Party Conference saw him promise to rebuild Britain “brick by brick” after fourteen years of Tory government, telling conference delegates his government will create a “Britain that belongs to you”.
But what exactly was announced? We look at the key developments from the prime minister’s speech below.
Starmer wraps up 2-hour dinner with Donald Trump
03:00
Graeme Massie
Sir Keir Starmer has finished a two-hour dinner meeting with Donald Trump in New York, according to reports.
The PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with the former president before flying back to the UK.
Topics discussed included the importance of retaining the close partnership between the UK & US, according to Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU.
03:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer will visit Brussels as he steps up efforts to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union.
The Prime Minister wants to repair the damage caused by years of Brexit wrangling in an effort to boost trade and security co-operation.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen revealed that Sir Keir would visit Brussels next week after the pair met in New York.
Sir Keir has met a string of EU leaders since taking office and has spoken about his “ambitious” plans for a new relationship.
Sir Keir said: “I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people.”
He said he was “looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions” with the commission president.
I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 25, 2024
Looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions with @vonderleyen. pic.twitter.com/WZ2TQWZato
Tory leadership candidate Labour most fears revealed
02:30
Salma Ouaguira
Senior aids have revealed that Labour wants to “avoid” James Cleverly as future Tory leader.
According to the i newspaper, Downing Street officials said it was the former home secretary who they would least like to win the contest.
A Labour party figure said: “I think Cleverly could be a problem. He sounds quite reasonable,” a No 10 aide added: “James Cleverly – that’s who we want to avoid.”
Another government aide said Kemi Badenoch does not represent a threat as the party is “not sure she’d take our votes”.
£10bn data centre investment shows UK ‘open for business’, says Starmer
02:00
Salma Ouaguira
A £10 billion US investment in a new artificial intelligence data centre will create 4,000 jobs in the UK, the government has announced.
The deal with private equity giant Blackstone will create Europe’s biggest AI data centre in Blyth, Northumberland.
You can read the full story below:
POLITICS EXPLAINED | Can Starmer ignore his Labour conference defeat on fuel payments?
01:30
Salma Ouaguira
Rank-and-file members at conference – Labour’s supreme policy-making body – have voted against the government’s decision to means-test pensioners’ winter fuel payments.
John Rentoul explains why the cuts will go ahead regardless:
Starmer’s Covid broadcast urging work from home recorded in donor’s £18m penthouse
01:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer recorded a Covid-era broadcast urging the public to work from home from a Labour donor’s £18 million penthouse.
The Christmas message, broadcast in December 2021, was reportedly filmed at a flat belonging to Lord Waheed Alli - a donor who has handed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Labour Party over the last two decades.
It came five days after the previous Conservative government presided over new guidance to limit the spread of a new Covid-19 variant, including recommendations to work from home when possible.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
Fewer pupils out of school at start of academic year as absence fines rise
Friday 27 September 2024 00:30
Salma Ouaguira
The number of pupils in England off school without permission at the start of the academic year has fallen slightly compared with last year, figures suggest.
Data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the unauthorised absence rate across all schools in England was 2.0% in the week ending September 13, compared with 2.1% in the equivalent week in 2023.
It comes as parents in England face higher fines if they take their children out of class without permission this academic year as part of a government drive to boost attendance since the Covid-19 pandemic.
School absence fines have increased from £60 to £80 under the changes, and a parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine.
The DfE has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.
In the last week of the summer term – the week ending July 19 – the unauthorised absence rate was 5.0%, which was lower than at the end of the academic year in 2023 when the rate was 5.6%.
Pensioners in legal action against governments over winter fuel payment cut
Friday 27 September 2024 00:00
Salma Ouaguira
Two pensioners are seeking to take the Scottish and UK governments to court over the cut to the winter fuel payment.
Peter and Florence Fanning, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, have raised proceedings with the help of the Govan Law Centre against the Scottish government and the UK Work and Pensions Secretary over the policy.
Following Labour’s election win, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel payment – which had previously been universal – will only be available to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits this year due to financial woes.
The decision led to the Scottish government – which was due to take control over a similar payment through the devolved Social Security Scotland but has since announced a delay – to follow suit.
The judicial review – which has been raised at the Court of Session – now requires a judge’s approval to move to a hearing on the merits, with the Govan Law Centre seeking to expedite both the case and its application for legal aid to ensure a decision can be handed down before the winter.
The case asks the court to rule on whether the decision was unlawful, which would then allow the petitioners to ask the court to, in effect, set aside the policy and restore the winter fuel payment to all.
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, Mr Fanning, 73, said: “We intend to sue both the London and Scottish governments, since both are guilty through action and inaction, of damaging the welfare of pensioners.
“We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome – I believe this is one such battle.”
‘I have to be nice’ Donald Trump ahead of New York meeting with Sir Keir
Thursday 26 September 2024 23:46
Barney Davis
Asked by GB News what he thought of Sir Keir Starmer, Trump replied: “Well I’m going to see him in about an hour so I have to be nice.”
“I actually think he’s very nice. He ran a great race, he did very well, it’s very early he’s very popular.”
Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir told reporters: “I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”
‘Gaza shames us all' Sir Keir tells world leaders
Thursday 26 September 2024 22:52
Barney Davis
The Prime Minister used his UN address to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
He said: “We need to see an immediate ceasefire to provide space for a diplomatic settlement, and we are working with all partners to that end.
“Further escalation serves no one. It offers nothing but more suffering of innocent people on all sides and the prospect of a wider war that no-one can control and consequences none of us can foresee.
“It shames us all the suffering in Gaza continues to grow. The answer is diplomacy, the release of all the hostages and the unfettered flow of aid to those in need - it is the only way to break the devastating cycle of violence.
He called for a two state solution as well as peace in Sudan calling it the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world today”.
He adds: “The world cannot look away”
Sir Keir will meet Trump but not Kamala Harris
Thursday 26 September 2024 22:44
Barney Davis
Ahead of his meeting with the Republican presidential candidate at Trump Tower, Sir Keir told reporters: “I’ve said a number of times, I want to meet both candidates.
“We’ve now got the opportunity to meet Trump, which is good.
“Obviously, I still want to speak to Harris as well.
“But you know, the usual diary challenges, but it’s good that this one now has been fixed.
“I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”
He said the UK embassy team, led by ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, “has got good relations with both camps and has had for a long time”.
Asked whether he would be prepared to stand up to Mr Trump on issues such as support for Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “The first thing I think is important to say in relation to this is we’ve obviously had a special relationship with”
Sir Keir Starmer says UN must move fast to tackle global conflict
Thursday 26 September 2024 22:41
Barney Davis
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, the PM told world leaders: “Conflict touches more countries now than ever in UN history.
“War is one of the main reasons that progress has stalled. That is a catastrophe made by human hands.
“We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. I think the international system can be better, we need it to be better.
“People talk about instability and a fear of fatalism has taken hold. We won’t accept this slide into greater conflict
“This is the moment to reassert fundamental principles to recommit to the UN and rule of law.
“So we are ready to step up.”
Sir Keir Starmer looking forward to getting to know Donald Trump ‘face-to-face’
Thursday 26 September 2024 22:04
Barney Davis
The Prime Minister is visiting the Republican presidential candidate’s Trump Tower for talks ahead of November’s US election.
Sir Keir said he wanted to meet Mr Trump face to face because “I’m a great believer in personal relationships on the world stage”.
Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir told reporters: “I’ve said a number of times, I want to meet both candidates.
“We’ve now got the opportunity to meet Trump, which is good.
“Obviously, I still want to speak to Harris as well.
“But you know, the usual diary challenges, but it’s good that this one now has been fixed.
“It’ll be really to establish a relationship between the two of us.
“I’m a great believer in personal relations on the international stage.
“I think it really matters that you know who your counterpart is in any given country, and know them personally, get to know them face to face.”
Baroness Warsi quits Tories claiming party attempting to gag her
Thursday 26 September 2024 21:38
Barney Davis
Former Tory chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has quit the Conservatives in a furious row just as the party is preparing to gather for a crucial conference on its future in Birmingham.
The Muslim peer was brought in as chair by David Cameron in 2010 to help detoxify the party’s brand and bring it into the 21st century.
But since leaving government in 2014 Warsi has had a difficult relationship with the Tory leadership consistently calling out racism and islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
David Maddox reports:
