Watch: Rachel Reeves outlines ‘tough decisions’ Labour face in major party conference speech
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Watch as Rachel Reeves addressed the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool on Monday, 23 September.
In her first party conference speech as chancellor, she insisted that “tough decisions” are needed with public finances and attempted to persuade her critics that there will be “no return to austerity”.
However, Labour's decision to take away winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners is likely to be the focus on Monday.
Boos were heard in the conference hall as complaints were raised about a debate on union calls for the winter fuel allowance cuts to be reversed not taking place today.
Lynne Morris, who chairs the conference arrangements committee (CAC), was heckled by some delegates as she said: “This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I’m going to take this back straight to CAC and I’ll come back to you with an answer ASAP.”
Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as the government pushes on with plans to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit.
Ms Reeves has said the change is amongst several cost-cutting measures designed to plug the £22bn “black hole” in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments