UK politics - live: Labour winter fuel vote rebels to face action as Starmer accused of hiding impact of cuts
Sir Keir faces calls to publish assessment amid anger at Labour’s decision to cut benefit for pensioners
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Labour will take action against those MPs who broke the whip by not backing the government’s cuts to the winter fuel payment, it’s been reported.
One MP, Jon Trickett, voted with the Conservative motion, while 12 additional members had unauthorised absences; in all 52 Labour MPs abstained from yesterday’s Commons vote on withdrawal of the universal benefit.
Those who failed to support the change will face action, Sky News reported.
Earlier, Rishi Sunak accused the prime minister of “repeatedly refusing to admit or to publish the consequences of his decision” to means-test the payments for pensioners.
In a fiery clash at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir’s predecessor in No 10 called on the Labour government to publish an impact assessment of the move, which will take the payment from all but the poorest pensioners.
The government has been accused of punishing pensioners but it insisted the proposed changes are needed to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances left behind by previous Conservative governments.
Chancellor Racher Reeves said the government would not water down the decision, despite the revolt by Labour MPs and warnings about the effect on the elderly.
Landlords warn they could increase rents in response to Labour’s renters’ rights bill
Landlords have warned they may raise rents as a result of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is aimed at giving tenants more power when renting.
The proposals could include legislation to allow tenants to walk away from deals just two months after moving in, as well as introducing a ban on so-called no-fault evictions in the coming week.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents over 110,000 landlords, warned that, if the policy is introduced, it could lead to an increase in rent prices particularly in city centres and tourist hotspots.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
Landlords warn they could raise rents over renters’ rights bill
National Residential Landlords Association claims bill could turn rental sector into ‘Airbnb lite’
Reeves hints at possible cuts in upcoming October Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested that the 30 October Budget could see additional cuts to benefits, following the government’s decision to proceed with reductions in winter fuel payments.
The move came after the government defeated opposition MPs efforts to reverse the policy.
When asked about the potential for further austerity measures, the chancellor siad that the Budget will involve “difficult decisions” on taxes, spending and welfare.
She said: “I have been really clear that the Budget on October 30 will require difficult decisions on tax, on spending and on welfare.
“But the prize if we can bring stability back to our economy, if we can bring investment back to Britain, is economic growth, good jobs paying decent wages in all parts of our country to realise the huge potential that we have.
“I am in this job to make Britain better off and we are just getting started on what is needed to turn our economy around.”
Ministers due to make a statement in the Commons today
- Secretary of State for Business and Trade: Statement from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
- Secretary of State for Education: Education and Skills Funding Agency.
- Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Government Response to the Office for Environmental Protection Report on the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive Regulations and River Basin Management Planning in England.
- Secretary of State for the Home Department: Publication of the Independent Review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster.
- Secretary of State for Justice: Government response to the Law Commission’s report on Digital Assets.
Labour MP urges ministers to adjust winter fuel payment threshold
A Labour MP has urged ministers to adjust the winter fuel payment threshold ahead of the 30 October Budget.
The MP for Blackpool South, who abstained from yesterday’s vote on removing the payments for 10 million pensioners, called ministers to assess the issue.
In a lengthy statement on X, he said: “I genuinely believe that adjusting the winter fuel allowance to be means-tested is essential, especially as we face a daunting £22 billion black hole this year.
“What truly weighed on my heart and decision not to support the government was the thought of pensioners potentially facing hardship this Christmas due to a threshold that feels too low and lack of time to get those eligible onto pension credit in time.
“It’s a reality that could push some into poverty, and I cannot stand by without advocating for those who are vulnerable in my hometown.
“I’ve just learned that the threshold is now under review for the upcoming budget, which gives me a glimmer of hope.”
Union leaders raise concerns over nuclear industry
Union leaders have raised “significant concerns” with the government about its policy on nuclear energy.
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the general secretaries of the GMB union and Prospect said new nuclear development has a key role to play in achieving net zero, underpinning a green industrial strategy and providing good, clean jobs in communities that most need them.
Gary Smith (GMB) and Mike Clancy (Prospect) called on the Chancellor to guarantee the resources the nuclear industry needs to thrive.
They highlighted “worrying” potential cuts by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, saying: “We understand that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is facing severe budgetary pressures, which would result in cuts to high hazard and safety-related activities across the nuclear estate including at Dounreay and Sellafield Ltd. We fear that jobs will be impacted at Sellafield in particular.
“The consequent reduction in the volume of work that can be undertaken will inevitably reduce plant maintenance, accelerating the degradation of assets and bringing cuts to the skilled workforce. As demonstrated in the phase two report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, any dilution of the safety culture must be a red flag.”
Watch: Farage heckled while accusing Keir Starmer of presiding over ‘two-tier policing’
Farage heckled while accusing Starmer of presiding over ‘two-tier policing’
Nigel Farage faced shouts from MPs in the House of Commons after he accused Sir Keir Starmer of presiding over a “two-tier policing and a two-tier justice system” in the UK following the release of hundreds of inmates from prisons to ease overcrowding. The Reform UK MP said serious career criminals were released to make way for rioters and “those who’ve said unpleasant things on Facebook and elsewhere in social media.” The prime minister replied that he was angry “to be put in a position to release people who should be in prison because the last government broke the prison system.”
Government says it will not U-turn on winter fuel payment squeeze
Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will not “water down” the decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners despite a revolt by Labour MPs and warnings about the impact it will have on the elderly.
Chancellor Ms Reeves insisted it is “absolutely right” to means-test the benefit, worth up to £300, in order to address the “black hole” in the public finances.
Despite the opposition to the measure, housing minister Matthew Pennycook said there are no plans to scale back the policy.
The plan cleared the Commons on Tuesday with just one Labour rebel voting against it but dozens of MPs on the government benches were missing in action.
The decision means that only those on Pension Credit or some other benefits in England and Wales will receive the payment, saving the Exchequer around £1.5 billion a year.
Mr Pennycook said there will be no U-turn on the policy despite the opposition from campaigners and some in his own party.
The housing minister told Sky News that “all of us took that decision with an extremely heavy heart” but “we’re not going to water down that policy”.
“We think it’s the right decision to make,” he said.
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