Politics LIVE: Starmer clashes with Sunak over national security at PMQs as assisted dying bill introduced
Labour government will allow free vote by MPs on controversial assisted dying bill
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Sir Keir Starmer was involved in a tense exchange with Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) over national security.
Mr Sunak said the PM has halted the implementation of the foreign agents registration scheme. Mr Starmer simply replied “that is not correct”, before sitting down to cheers from Labour backbench MPs.
The foreign agents registration scheme would ensure that those working for a foreign power declare their lobbying activities with the UK government.
At PMQs, Mr Starmer also revealed that the government is considering sanctioning two Israeli ministers over their support for blocking aid from entering the Gaza Strip.
Shortly after PMQs the private members bill on assisted dying was formally introduced to the House of Commons.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who is bringing forward the proposals, has said that disabled and vulnerable people will not be at risk from the legislation as it will apply only to terminally ill adults.
She said the end of life bill will have “stringent” criteria and the legislation was about giving “autonomy” to people at the end of their lives.
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Ex-Bank of England chief Mervyn King urges Rachel Reeves to raise national insurance in Budget
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
Exclusive: In a dramatic intervention, the former governor of the Bank of England tells the chancellor she must be ruthlessly honest with the public
Watch: Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising national insurance contributions
Unemployed to be given weight-loss jab to help them back into work
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
The new trial aims to gather evidence of the effects of the drug tirzepatide – sold by pharmaceutical company Lily under brand name Mounjaro
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