The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned of a “slippery slope” ahead of an assisted dying bill being officially introduced to Parliament.
Justin Welby told the BBC on Tuesday: “I think this approach is both dangerous and sets us in a direction which is even more dangerous, and in every other place where it’s been done, has led to a slippery slope.”
A private members bill is due to be formally introduced to the House of Commons on Wednesday described as offering choice at the end of life.
It will be brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has said that any change in the law would be “potentially one of the most important changes in legislation that we will ever see in this country”.
Speaking to BBC’s Newsnight on Tuesday, the MP for Spen Valley said: “There has to be a change in the law, I’m very clear about that, but we’ve got to get the detail right.”
It comes as Downing Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer received free Taylor Swift tickets as a “thank you” after she was given taxpayer-funded police security while performing in London.
Key Points
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Welby warns of ‘slippery slope’ ahead of assisted dying bill
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Dame Esther Rantzen urges people to write to their MPs over assisted dying legislation
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No 10 rejects suggestion Starmer got free Taylor Swift tickets as ‘thank you’ for taxpayer-funded security
Baroness Grey-Thompson ‘worried’ about assisted dying bill
09:21 , Joe Middleton
Crossbencher Baroness Grey-Thompson is one of a number of people concerned about the proposed legislation being presented in the House of Commons today.
The former paralympic champion is particularly exercised about the safeguards that would allow terminally ill adults who had six months to live to be assisted to end their life.
She told Prospect: “The reality is there’s many conditions of disability that could fit into those six months,”
“People have said to me, ‘if my life was like yours, I’d end it’. And I have a massive amount of privilege. If you think that about my life, what do you think of other disabled people as well? So, I am really worried.”
What is happening at Westminster?
09:08 , Joe Middleton
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had said he was “committed” to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying should his party win the general election, and now one of his MPs is bringing forward a bill.
On Wednesday, Kim Leadbeater will formally introduce her bill to give choice at the end of life for the terminally ill.
A debate and first vote are expected to take place on November 29.
If the bill – the formal title of which will be announced on Wednesday – passes the first stage in the Commons, it will go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments, before facing further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Welby warns of ‘slippery slope’ ahead of assisted dying bill
08:51 , Joe Middleton
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned of a “slippery slope” ahead of an assisted dying bill being officially introduced to Parliament.
Justin Welby told the BBC on Tuesday: “I think this approach is both dangerous and sets us in a direction which is even more dangerous, and in every other place where it’s been done, has led to a slippery slope.”
A private members bill is due to be formally introduced to the House of Commons on Wednesday described as offering choice at the end of life.
It will be brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has said that any change in the law would be “potentially one of the most important changes in legislation that we will ever see in this country”.
Speaking to BBC’s Newsnight on Tuesday, the MP for Spen Valley said: “There has to be a change in the law, I’m very clear about that, but we’ve got to get the detail right.”
What is the current law in relation to assisted dying?
08:50 , Joe Middleton
Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences.
What is assisted dying?
08:45 , Joe Middleton
This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask.
Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying say that assisted dying allows a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable.
They argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death.
But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia”, and argues that the focus should be on “promoting more and better palliative care” rather than any law change.
They say legalising assisted dying could “place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others” and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk.
Dame Esther Rantzen urges people to write to their MPs over assisted dying legislation
08:32 , Joe Middleton
Assisted dying can be “carefully legalised”, Dame Esther Rantzen has said as she urged people to write to their MP as proposed legislation is brought before the Commons for the first time in almost a decade.
The Childline founder said she is writing to her own representative in Parliament to make her case for a change in the law, telling her story of terminal illness and a wish to have a choice over the end of her life.
Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, has been outspoken on the issue since revealing last December that she had joined Dignitas due to her fears around a drawn-out, painful death.
Dame Esther urged people to make their feelings known to their MPs, who will likely have a first vote on the issue at the end of November.
She said: “Please write to your MP and explain your reasons why this time they should vote for change and assisted dying should be carefully legalised.
“Tell them your story. I am writing to mine. Explain this is a life and death issue and all we are asking is the right to choose, not to shorten our lives, but to shorten our deaths.
“Your words may just make the difference. If so, thanks to you we may all, for the first time, be able to look forward with hope and confidence to a good death.”
Kemi Badenoch claims Tory Party could cease to exist if Robert Jenrick wins leadership race
08:05 , Joe Middleton
Kemi Badenoch has warned the Conservative Party could cease to exist if her opponent Robert Jenrick wins the Tory leadership contest.
The former business secretary has said the Tories have “one chance” to pick the right candidate to succeed Rishi Sunak, adding that the rise of Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats is “existential” for the party.
Addressing Tories who do not support either of the right-wingers vying for the leadership, Ms Badenoch voiced concern at speculation they could hold another contest before the next election.
Kemi Badenoch claims Tory Party could cease to exist if she loses leadership race
Inflation falls below 2% target for first time in three years
07:57 , Joe Middleton
UK inflation has decreased to below the 2 per cent target for the first time in over three years.
The consumer price index (CPI) has dropped to 1.7 per cent, down from 2.2. per cent in August, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The figure has beaten expert predictions, which largely estimated a more modest drop to 1.9 per cent.
It’s expected the drop will empower policymakers at the Bank of England to slightly cut interest rates in November to 4.75 per cent.
Albert Toth reports
Inflation falls below 2% target for first time in three years
Watch: Former Tory MP warns of side effects after stopping weight-loss jabs
07:00 , Joe Middleton
Could ‘jabs for jobs’ be the miracle drug Wes Streeting needs to fix the NHS?
06:00 , Joe Middleton
These are still early days, but weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro could dramatically reduce demands on the health service, writes John Rentoul
Could ‘jabs for jobs’ be the miracle drug Wes Streeting needs to fix the NHS?
Watch: David Cameron hits back at Boris Johnson Brexit claim
05:00 , Joe Middleton
‘We do not pay reparations’: Starmer rejects slavery atonement bid ahead of Commonwealth summit
04:00 , Joe Middleton
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out the prospect of Britain paying slavery reparations as he prepares for a major Commonwealth summit – with the issue “not on the agenda”, according to Downing Street.
Asked for the Prime Minister’s view on paying compensation relating to Britain’s colonial past, a Downing Street spokesperson said on Monday: “We do not pay reparations.”
The question was put forward ahead of Sir Keir meeting the Commonwealth heads of government in Samoa on 21 October.
Starmer rejects slavery reparations bid ahead of Commonwealth summit
Watch: Health secretary Wes Streeting denies using weight loss jabs
03:00 , Joe Middleton
EU entry-exit system would have been ‘complete and utter carnage’, says Dover council leader
02:00 , Joe Middleton
The planned 10 November introduction of the EU’s now-postponed entry-exit system “would have been complete and utter carnage” according to the leader of Dover District Council.
Councillor Kevin Mills was speaking at a special session of the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee, following last week’s postponement of the entry-exit system (EES).
With a month to go, interior ministers decided to postpone the introduction of the EES indefinitely and apply a staged approach.
Dover council leader says EU entry-exit system ‘would have been complete carnage’
Alex Salmond died as he opened bottle of ketchup, witness claims
01:00 , Joe Middleton
Former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond died as he opened a bottle of ketchup, a witness has claimed.
The Alba Party leader died suddenly in North Macedonia on Saturday aged 69.
He had made a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the city of Ohrid before collapsing at lunch in a crowded room.
Alex Salmond died as he opened bottle of ketchup, witness claims
British Army set to shrink to smallest size since before Napoleonic wars
Tuesday 15 October 2024 23:59 , Joe Middleton
Defence secretary John Healey has shocked MPs after he admitted that the army is on course to fall to its lowest number of personnel for more than 230 years.
Answering questions from in parliament, the minister confirmed that the size of the army will fall below 70,000 for the first time since 1793.
Back then, the British Army had around 40,000 soldiers but was rapidly increased to fight the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
British Army set to shrink to smallest size since before Napoleonic wars
Watch: Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributions
Tuesday 15 October 2024 23:00 , Joe Middleton
David Cameron reveals Tories planned to sanction two Israeli ministers
Tuesday 15 October 2024 22:00 , Joe Middleton
The previous Tory government was preparing to sanction two Israeli ministers over comments encouraging blocking aid to Gaza, David Cameron has said.
Piling pressure on Labour to revive his plans, Lord Cameron said that before the general election he was “working up” sanctions on Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gevir as a way of putting “pressure on Netanyahu“ to act within international law.
Mr Smotrich was recently criticised for appearing to suggest it might be “just and moral” to withhold food aid from Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has backed the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
David Cameron reveals Tories planned to sanction two Israeli ministers
Voters don’t believe Boris Johnson’s most controversial claims in new book, poll finds
Tuesday 15 October 2024 21:00 , Joe Middleton
Voters do not believe a raft of key claims in Boris Johnson’s new memoir, covering everything from Prince Harry to Covid, according to a new poll.
Mr Johnson was found to have lied to parliament over “Partygate” late-night bashes in Downing Street while the rest of the country was under Covid restrictions.
And since the release of his new book Unleashed key passages have been disputed.
Poll shows voters don’t believe Boris Johnson’s most controversial claims in new book
Bishops’ automatic seats in House of Lords must be abolished, MPs tell Starmer
Tuesday 15 October 2024 20:00 , Joe Middleton
Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to go further with reform of the House of Lords, with MPs calling for him to abolish Bishops’ automatic seats in the chamber.
It comes as the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill moves a step closer to becoming law with its Second Reading in the Commons taking place on Tuesday.
The landmark legislation, introduced last month, will remove the right of the remaining 92 hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords and is the largest constitutional reform to Parliament in a quarter of a century.
Bishops’ seats in House of Lords must be abolished, MPs tell Starmer
Watch: David Cameron reveals plan to sanction two Israeli ministers over Gaza war
Tuesday 15 October 2024 19:00 , Joe Middleton
I was Rachel Reeves’s boss at the Bank of England – here’s what she should do now
Tuesday 15 October 2024 18:00 , Joe Middleton
In an open letter, former governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King shares his advice for the chancellor ahead of her first-ever Budget
I was Rachel Reeves’s boss at the Bank of England – here’s what she should do now
Ex-Bank of England chief Mervyn King urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Tuesday 15 October 2024 17:00 , Joe Middleton
Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King has made a dramatic intervention warning Rachel Reeves that she must raise national insurance in her Budget on 30 October.
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), the chancellor has an estimated £25bn black hole to fill in order to meet Labour’s spending commitments.
But in an open letter published in The Independent, Lord King warns her against higher borrowing.
Lord King, who was once the chancellor’s boss at the Bank of England, has told her: “Keep it simple and be ruthlessly honest with the public.”
Ex-Bank of England chief urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Could ‘jabs for jobs’ be the miracle drug Wes Streeting needs to fix the NHS?
Tuesday 15 October 2024 16:43 , Joe Middleton
These are still early days, but weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro could dramatically reduce demands on the health service, writes John Rentoul
Could ‘jabs for jobs’ be the miracle drug Wes Streeting needs to fix the NHS?
UK government announces fresh wave of sanctions on Israeli settlers
Tuesday 15 October 2024 16:15 , Joe Middleton
Foreign secretary David Lammy criticised the “inaction of the Israeli government” for allowing “impunity to flourish” among extremist settlers in the West Bank as the UK announced a fresh wave of sanctions in response to continued violence.
The measures target three outposts and four organisations that have supported and perpetrated “heinous abuses of human rights” against Palestinian communities in the occupied territory, the Cabinet minister said.
Tirzah Valley Farm Outpost, Meitarim Outpost and Shuvi Eretz Outpost are the three settlements targeted in the latest restrictions.
The four organisations sanctioned are Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, a religious school known to promote violence against non-Jewish people; Hashomer Yosh, a group which provides volunteers for illegal outposts; Torat Lechima, a registered charity which provides financial support to the settlements; and construction company Amana.
There has been a huge rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording more than 1,400 attacks by the illegal settlers since October 2023.
Mr Lammy said: “When I went to the West Bank earlier this year, on one of my first trips as Foreign Secretary, I met with Palestinians whose communities have suffered horrific violence at the hands of Israeli settlers.
“The inaction of the Israeli government has allowed an environment of impunity to flourish where settler violence has been allowed to increase unchecked. Settlers have shockingly even targeted schools and families with young children.”
He said the latest measures will “help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated such heinous abuses of human rights”.
He added: “The Israeli government must crack down on settler violence and stop settler expansion on Palestinian land. As long as violent extremists remain unaccountable, the UK and the international community will continue to act.”
Watch: Lord Cameron hits back at Boris Johnson claim about Brexit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 16:02 , Joe Middleton
No 10 rejects suggestion Starmer got free Taylor Swift tickets as ‘thank you’ for taxpayer-funded security
Tuesday 15 October 2024 15:20 , Joe Middleton
Downing Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer received Taylor Swift tickets as a “thank you” after she was given taxpayer-funded police security while performing in London.
No 10 would not say whether the prime minister was confident that perceptions of a conflict of interest had been avoided but insisted “operational decisions” were “ultimately” up to Scotland Yard and not the Government.
Last week it emerged that London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were involved in talks around the security for Swift‘s sell-out summer shows at Wembley before the singer was granted a blue-light escort.
The Sun reported that she was given the motorbike convoy on the way to the stadium despite initial police reservations, with her mother Andrea Swift also negotiating arrangements directly with Number 10 aide Sue Gray.
Asked on Tuesday whether it was the Prime Minister’s view that there was no perception of a conflict of interest, his official spokesman said: “Operational decisions are for the Met (Metropolitan Police). That’s the bottom line.”
Downing Street cited the terror threat faced by Swift in Vienna, which had forced her to cancel gigs on the Austria leg of her Eras tour, as one of the reasons the government was involved in security talks round her London shows.
Reeves warns there will be ‘difficult decisions’ on spending in Budget
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:55 , Joe Middleton
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Budget and spending review would be an “opportunity to put the country on a firmer footing”, but warned there would be “difficult decisions” on spending.
The chancellor told a meeting of Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet on Tuesday that a £22bn black hole in the public finances left by the Conservatives needs to be filled just to “keep public services standing still”.
She added that “the scale of inheritance meant there would have to be difficult decisions on spending, welfare and tax – and that the long-term priority had to be unlocking private sector investment to drive economic growth”.
She warned that the government would be unable to “turn around 14 years of decline in one year or one Budget” but that it would deliver on priorities to “protect working people, fix the NHS and rebuild Britain”.
Watch: Health secretary Wes Streeting denies using weight loss jabs
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:34 , Joe Middleton
Starmer warned that employer national insurance increases could lower wages for workers
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:12 , Joe Middleton
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that any increase to employers’ national insurance contributions in the upcoming Budget could mean lower wages for workers.
Helen Miller, deputy director and head of tax at the IFS said that any increase to employers’ national insurance contributions could be passed onto workers.
She said: “Lots of questions about Employer NICs today. They are a tax on the earnings of working people. In the long run, expect the majority of a rise in employer NICs to be passed on to workers in the form of lower wages.”
David Cameron hits back at claim he threatened Boris Johnson over Brexit backing
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:00 , Joe Middleton
David Cameron has hit back at the claim he threatened to “f***” Boris Johnson up forever if he backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, saying he finds it “hard to believe”.
Lord Cameron channelled the late Queen Elizabeth II in saying “recollections differ” after Mr Johnson had claimed those were his “exact words”.
Speaking out for the first time since Mr Johnson made the explosive claim, Lord Cameron said: “I find that hard to believe.”
Cameron hits back at claim he threatened Boris Johnson over Brexit backing
Ex-Bank of England chief Mervyn King urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Tuesday 15 October 2024 13:45 , Joe Middleton
Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King has made a dramatic intervention warning Rachel Reeves that she must raise national insurance in her Budget on 30 October.
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), the chancellor has an estimated £25bn black hole to fill in order to meet Labour’s spending commitments.
But in an open letter published in The Independent, Lord King warns her against higher borrowing.
Our political editor David Maddox reports
Ex-Bank of England chief urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Watch: Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributions
Tuesday 15 October 2024 13:30 , Joe Middleton
Unemployed to be given weight-loss jab to help them back into work
Tuesday 15 October 2024 13:14 , Joe Middleton
Unemployed people will be given weight-loss jabs to assist them back into work in a trial.
The UK’s life sciences sector will receive £279 million from drugs giant Eli Lilly, to invest in developing new medicines and ways to deliver treatment.
Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of the NHS praised weight-loss drugs as “game-changers” in supporting people to reduce their risk of life-threatening conditions.
Jabed Ahmed reports
Unemployed to be given weight-loss jab to help them back into work, government says
Hospitals programme will be delivered on ‘credible’ timetable, says health secretary
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:47 , Joe Middleton
Health secretary Wes Streeting has said the new hospitals programme will be delivered on a “credible” timetable.
The government announced in July that all projects within the programme promised by the previous Conservative administration would be placed under a spending review, with 25 schemes still under consideration.
Mr Streeting noted a proposed redevelopment is “desperately” needed for Whipps Cross Hospital, in east London, which serves his Ilford North constituency.
He told Tory former minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith: “That is why, in common with so many Members right across the House, I am absolutely furious that the previous government had a new hospitals programme whose timetable was a work of fiction and where the money runs out in March.
“The assurance I can give him, his constituents, my constituents and the constituents of every other MP across the House whose constituents are waiting for news on the new hospitals programme, is we will deliver that programme, we will deliver it on a timetable that is credible and a programme that is funded, giving our constituents the clarity that they deserve, the consistency that they deserve and also rebuilding faith in government amongst our construction industry and supply chain.”
Analysis: Reeves will need lawyer’s language to break national insurance pledge
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:22 , David Maddox
During the election Labour made a clear promise “not to raise taxes on working people”. This specifically included income tax, VAT and national insurance contributions.
The problem Rachel Reeves has as her first Budget approaches on 30 October is that somehow she has to pay for an estimated £25bn in spending commitments and encourage economic growth with little room for manoeuvre.
Her former Bank of England mentor Lord Mervyn King has warned her against extra borrowing even by rewriting the fiscals and suggested she raises national insurance instead to invest.
It is clear from the prime minister’s words this morning that national insurance rises on employer contributions is now a strong possibility. But does this mean a breach in the manifesto promises from just over 100 days ago?
The Tories say yes – they would – but so does the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson.
It appears that Labour are planning on using a lawyer’s way out – appropriate for the prime minister – to emphasise that their pledge was “for working people” not employers.
No 10 rules out scrapping voter ID
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:16 , Joe Middleton
Downing Street has ruled out scrapping voter ID before the May local elections next year.
Asked whether there was any prospect of the rules being abandoned soon, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “Not ahead of the May local elections.”
Number 10 acknowledged “inconsistencies” in some voter ID rules after being asked whether it would be adding any kind of cards that young people can use.
Asked whether the government was committed to the principle of voter ID, he said: “There is a review of voter ID under way to address some of the inconsistencies in voter ID rules.”
In an earlier post today we reported that the government have changed the rules so that veterans’ ID cards will be a valid form of identification for upcoming elections.
I was Rachel Reeves’s boss at the Bank of England – here’s what she should do now
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:03 , Joe Middleton
In an open letter, former governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King shares his advice for the chancellor ahead of her first ever Budget
I was Rachel Reeves’s boss at the Bank of England – here’s what she should do now
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Bank of England chief Mervyn King urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:58 , Joe Middleton
Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King has made a dramatic intervention warning Rachel Reeves that she must raise national insurance in her Budget on 30 October.
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), the chancellor has an estimated £25bn black hole to fill in order to meet Labour’s spending commitments.
But in an open letter published in The Independent, Lord King warns her against higher borrowing.
Our political editor David Maddox reports
Ex-Bank of England chief urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
Veterans’ ID cards will be accepted for voting in elections, ministers announce
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:24 , Joe Middleton
Veterans’ ID cards will be a valid form of identification for upcoming elections, ministers have announced.
The government is also undertaking a wider review of the voter ID policy, which was introduced by the Tories and has been tested at local elections and this summer’s general election.
Under the rules, voters have to present an acceptable form of ID to be able to cast their ballot.
These include passports, driving licences, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (Pass) cards, Blue Badges and some concessionary travel cards.
In May’s local elections, some veterans were dismayed that their ex-forces ID cards were not included in the list of acceptable forms of identification, which led to an apology from then-veterans minister Johnny Mercer.
On Tuesday, the government brought forward changes to the law in Parliament via a statutory instrument, which will add the veterans’ card to the list of acceptable ID.
The news was welcomed by the Royal British Legion, which said veterans had “found it frustrating that they were unable to use their Armed Forces Veteran Card as voter identification”.
David Cameron hits back at claim he threatened Boris Johnson over Brexit backing
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:12 , Joe Middleton
David Cameron has hit back at the claim he threatened to “f***” Boris Johnson up forever if he backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, saying he finds it “hard to believe”.
Lord Cameron channelled the late Queen Elizabeth II in saying “recollections differ” after Mr Johnson had claimed those were his “exact words”.
Speaking out for the first time since Mr Johnson made the explosive claim, Lord Cameron said: “I find that hard to believe.”
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports
Cameron hits back at claim he threatened Boris Johnson over Brexit backing
Liberal Democrats urge Reeves to ‘think again’ over rumoured NI hike
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:00 , Joe Middleton
The Liberal Democrats urged the chancellor to “think again” over the rumoured increase to employer national insurance contributions in the Budget
Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “The burden of this budget should fall on the likes of big banks, social media giants and oil and gas firms, instead of our local community businesses. The Chancellor should be protecting these smaller businesses, who are the backbone of our economy and the heartbeat of our communities.
“Now is not the time to raise national insurance rates on our high streets, local businesses and dynamic entrepreneurs.
“The Conservative government has left our economy on life support. Now is the time to boost growth by backing small businesses and repairing our crumbling public services.”
What would you like to see announced in Rachel Reeves’ budget? Join The Independent Debate
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:37 , Joe Middleton
As chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver Labour’s first Budget in 14 years, there is significant interest in the potential fiscal changes on the horizon.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has highlighted that the focus will be on “making people better off,” outlining three key priorities: improving living standards, strengthening the NHS, and rebuilding the country, particularly in terms of housing.
We would like to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see introduced in Reeves’ Budget. Should she focus on measures to support homeowners, such as the Freedom to Buy scheme? Or would you prefer a focus on closing tax loopholes, such as abolishing non-dom status, to ensure a fairer tax system?
Click on the link below to share your comments
Tell us what you’d like to see announced in Labour’s first budget
David Cameron reveals Tories planned to sanction two Israeli ministers
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:28 , Joe Middleton
The previous Tory government was preparing to sanction two Israeli ministers over comments encouraging blocking aid to Gaza, David Cameron has said.
Piling pressure on Labour to revive his plans, Lord Cameron said that before the general election he was “working up” sanctions on Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gevir as a way of putting “pressure on Netanyahu“ to act within international law.
Mr Smotrich was recently criticised for appearing to suggest it might be “just and moral” to withhold food aid from Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has backed the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports
David Cameron reveals Tories planned to sanction two Israeli ministers
Watch: Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributions
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:14 , Joe Middleton
‘We do not pay reparations’: Starmer rejects slavery atonement bid ahead of Commonwealth summit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:00 , Joe Middleton
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out the prospect of Britain paying slavery reparations as he prepares for a major Commonwealth summit – with the issue “not on the agenda”, according to Downing Street.
Asked for the Prime Minister’s view on paying compensation relating to Britain’s colonial past, a Downing Street spokesperson said on Monday: “We do not pay reparations.”
The question was put forward ahead of Sir Keir meeting the Commonwealth heads of government in Samoa on 21 October.
The matter of reparations has recently come into focus with Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley reiterating calls for Britain to atone for its past atrocities.
Our race correspondent Nadine White reports
Starmer rejects slavery reparations bid ahead of Commonwealth summit
Business chiefs urge Reeves to back Scotch whisky
Tuesday 15 October 2024 09:44 , Joe Middleton
Business leaders across Scotland are calling on Rachel Reeves to “back Scotch whisky” and cut alcohol duty.
Rachel Reeves has been urged to lower the duty placed on spirits after the previous government raised it by 10.1 per cent last year.
In a letter sent to the Treasury, the chancellor was told that last summer’s tax increase had a “damaging impact” on Scotland’s national drink.
It was signed by business leaders from organisations including the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scotland Food and Drink, UK Hospitality Scotland and the Institute of Directors and Prosper.
The group said a reduction on alcohol duty for Scottish whisky would “signal that Scotland is a competitive place to invest, would recognise the benefits of the sustainable employment for which the Scotch Whisky industry is renowned and would boost a central part of Labour’s ‘Brand Scotland’ vision”.
The government has been approached for comment.
What is the Labour national insurance row about?
Tuesday 15 October 2024 09:29 , Joe Middleton
Labour’s manifesto included a promise not to raise taxes on “working people”, including income tax, VAT and national insurance.
But the government has faced questions on whether the commitment not to raise national insurance covered employers’ contributions as well as those by employees.
At Monday’s investment summit chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to rule out hiking employers’ contributions in the October 30 Budget.
And today Sir Keir Starmer said Labour’s manifesto pledge only covered taxes on working people, further fueling speculation of a rise in national insurance contributions for employers.
Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson saying a hike in employer NI contributions would be a “straightforward breach” of the Labour manifesto.
Jeremy Hunt, the shadow chancellor, posted on X: “It’s obvious to most people that raising national insurance would breach Labour’s manifesto pledge to … not raise national insurance!”
It’s obvious to most people that raising National Insurance would breach Labour’s manifesto pledge to…not raise National Insurance! https://t.co/KFj67bduPD
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) October 14, 2024
PM says £550 million homes investment will help more people get on housing ladder
Tuesday 15 October 2024 09:14 , Joe Middleton
Sir Keir Starmer said £550 million of investment to build new homes would enable more people to get on the housing ladder.
Schroders, Man Group and Resonance announced new impact investment funds on Tuesday which will go into housebuilding.
“We’ve said as a government we’re going to fix the foundations, rebuild our country, and expressly saying ‘now is the time to back us’,” he told the BBC.
“Companies and investors are coming in today saying ‘here’s half a billion pounds’. We want to raise that, by the way, I want that to be up over £1 billion before too long.”
The money would fund construction across the country because “too many people”, especially the young, “want to get on the housing ladder because they know that owning your own home is sort of base camp for their aspirations in life”.
“They haven’t had that for many years because the last government failed.
