UK politics live: Half of Labour voters ‘let down’ by Starmer, Jenrick vows he won’t return Tories to centre
YouGov poll reveals public’s mood as Labour government nears 100 days in office
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Sir Keir Starmer‘s popularity has hit a new low after a new poll revealed that nearly 60 per cent of the public disapproves of the government’s performance so far.
As Labour approaches its 100th day in power, the government is facing a rocky start. A YouGov survey found 59 per cent of voters feel unimpressed with the new government with only 18 per cent expressing approval.
Adding to the prime minister’s challenges, another recent poll found a concerning decline in the party’s support.
The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed voters aged 55 and over have abandoned Sir Keir’s party, with a dramatic slide to less than 30 per cent.
It comes as the prime minister chaired his inaugural devolved government summit today, but his new envoy, Sue Gray, was absent.
Defending his colleague, cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said Ms Gray has “been through quite a lot” in recent weeks, explaining her career break.
In the Tory leadership race, Robert Jenrick has admitted regret over his decision to order the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters from a children’s asylum centre. Speaking on LBC, he reflected on his time as immigration minister and claimed “lessons have been learned”.
Breaking: UK economy grew by 0.2% in August
The UK economy saw a boost in August, growing by 0.2 per cent after flatlining in June and July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The growth is a welcome sign for chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the upcoming autumn Budget.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “All main sectors of the economy grew in August, but the broader picture is one of slowing growth in recent months, compared to the first half of the year.
“In August, accountancy, retail and many manufacturers had strong months while construction also recovered from July’s contraction.
“These were partially offset by falls in wholesaling and oil extraction.”
Good morning
Welcome back to the politics blog.
It’s a clam Friday in Westminster, with limited action as the political week winds down.
Here’s a quick round of what’s happening:
- Sir Keir Starmer is on the move today. The prime minister is in Scotland for a meeting of the Council of Nations, where leaders of the UK’s devolved administration will discuss spending plans and economic growth.
- Sue Gray, Sir Keir’s former chief of staff and now in a liaison role for the nations and regions, won’t be attending.
Sue Gray will skip major summit chaired by Keir Starmer to ‘take short break’
Sue Gray, Starmer’s new envoy for nations and regions, will skip his first major summit for devolved leaders of the nations and regions as she takes a holiday after stepping down as chief of staff
- Meanwhile, Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, prepares to give the morning media rounds.
- In the background, we are still following the Tory leadership race between Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch.
- But there’s already speculation that the winner may not last long in the role. Baroness Ruth Davidson, a Conservative peer, told Sky News that there’s a “good chance” of another contest within two years due to the candidates’ propensity for making “mistakes”.
Stay tuned for all the updates and analysis throughout the day.
Row over claims Rachel Reeves could hike capital gains tax as high as 39%
Rachel Reeves is being warned that a massive hike in capital gains tax could endanger her hopes of creating economic growth.
It comes as a row has broken out over claims that the chancellor has asked Treasury officials to model capital gains tax rates of 39 per cent and 33 per cent, well above the second home rate of 24 per cent.
While sources close to Ms Reeves have tried to dismiss Budget speculation and allegations of disarray, the concerns have dropped at a time of intense pressure for the chancellor and Sir Keir Starmer.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:
Row over claims Rachel Reeves could hike capital gains tax as high as 39%
Chancellor has dismissed Budget speculation but fears are rising over a massive tax hike to fill a £25bn black hole in her plans
Sue Gray to miss key meeting in new role to take ‘short break’
Sir Keir Starmer’s embattled former chief of staff Sue Gray is set to miss a meeting seen as key to her new role to take a break before returning to work, it is understood.
The Prime Minister will on Friday convene metro mayors and representatives of devolved administrations for the first gathering of his Council of the Nations and Regions in Scotland.
However, Ms Gray, whose new position as “envoy to the nations and regions” was confirmed on Sunday after weeks of turmoil behind the scenes in Number 10, will be a notable absence as she takes a brief hiatus before changing jobs.
Questions about the details of her role as envoy have mounted this week, with further information expected to be set out by the Cabinet Office shortly.
Cabinet ministers have insisted there is a strong team inside Downing Street despite Ms Gray being replaced by former campaign manager Morgan McSweeney after weeks of leaks and hostile briefings against her.
Ms Gray, a former senior civil servant with decades of Whitehall experience, cited “intense commentary about my position” that risked becoming a “distraction” when she stood down.
Watch: Robert Jenrick asked if he is attacking Kemi Badenoch over 'needless drama'
King to join PM at reception for UK’s international investment summit
The King will join Sir Keir Starmer in meeting business leaders from across the world at a reception linked to the Labour Government’s first major investment summit.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles’ attendance at the event, which will take place on Monday evening at St Paul’s Cathedral following the summit.
Alongside the Prime Minister, he will meet guests from sectors including technology, energy and the performing arts.
The reception will be held after around 300 industry leaders gather in London for the Government’s flagship investment summit, at which Sir Keir will pitch the UK as “open for business” as part of his bid to drive growth into the country.
Confirmed speakers include Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer at Alphabet and Google, Alex Kendall, chief executive of AI firm Wayve, and Bruce Flatt, head of Brookfield Asset Management.
It is not the first time Charles has attended such an event, having hosted former premier Rishi Sunak at a similar reception at Buckingham Palace last year to conclude 2023’s UK Global Investment Summit.
Ministers accused of ‘poor leadership’ after Bill to axe climate target backed
Ministers have been accused of years of “poor leadership” and inaction after MSPs voted for the general principles of a Bill that would axe a key emissions target.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill passed at stage one following a debate in Holyrood.
In the vote on Thursday, 94 backed the general principles of the Bill, none voted against and seven abstained.
The legislation was introduced after ministers announced they had abandoned a target of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030.
The Government accepted in April the goal was “out of reach”, but because it was included in climate change legislation, ministers have had to bring forward a Bill to amend it.
Scottish Labour said the scrapping of the target follows years of failure on the environment.
Speaking during a Holyrood debate, Sarah Boyack said: “We are hugely disappointed that we have ended up needing this Bill.
“We put it down to the fact that we have had poor environmental leadership over 17 years of the SNP’s time in government which has meant we have lost the opportunity to be a world leader on climate change.”
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