UK politics live: Starmer says only viable option in Middle East is two-state solution
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to the ‘living nightmare’ Palestinians are enduring
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that a two-state solution is “the only viable long-term route through” the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as he said Britain’s thoughts are with the Jewish people on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
In a speech to the House of Commons, the prime minister called for an end to the “living nightmare” Palestinians are enduring, and vowed to use the “power of diplomacy” to try to minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.
He took aim at Iran, saying the launching of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last week “exposes, once again, Iran’s malign role in the region”.
His speech comes as David Lammy sought to reassure MPs the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are “not up for negotiation” amid backlash over his decision to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.
The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.”
Sir Keir Starmer shuffles Number 10 team after Sue Gray quits as chief of staff
Who is Sue Gray? ‘Partygate’ civil servant takes up new Labour government role
Who is Morgan McSweeney? The Labour election guru replacing Sue Gray as chief of staff
Why Starmer’s reshuffle of his inner circle will help put No 10 back on track
PM: We stand with all communities against hatred
Sir Keir Starmer has declared his commitment to “stand against hatred” towards religious communities in the UK.
He told the Commons: “We stand with all communities here in the United Kingdom against hatred of Jews and Muslims.
“Because any attack on a minority is an attack on our pride values of tolerance and respect and we will not stand for it.”
Pictured: Theresa May attends Women of the Year Lunch
Sir Keir Starmer speaks at the House of Commons
The prime minister has started his statement by marking the first anniversary of the attacks on 7 October.
“Our thoughts today are with the Jewish people around the world and those in the United Kingdom,” he said.
“The human toll among innocent civilians in Gaza is truly devastating. Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, tens of thousands orphaned, almost two million displaced facing disease starvation and desperation without proper care.”
He added: “We stand with all innocent victims in Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon and beyond.”
Watch live: Starmer says UK must ‘stand with Jewish community’ as he marks October 7 anniversary
Watch live: Starmer says UK must ‘stand with Jewish community’ as he marks October 7
Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Liz Kendall unveils 31 DWP reports that were ‘sat on’ by the Tories
The work and pensions secretary has just announced that her department has revealed 31 reports she says were commissioned under the Tories’ administration.
The minister told the Commons that the results were “sat on” because Rishi Sunak’s government did not want to release them to the public.
You can find a list of all the reports out on the website of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Tories claim Labour’s winter fuel cuts will lead to ‘premature deaths’
Means testing the winter fuel allowance could lead to premature deaths, shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride has suggested.
The former minister told the House of Commons: “In the general election the party opposite promised that it had no plans to means test the winter fuel allowance and yet we learn that millions of pensioners (are) to be affected.
“Indeed, in 2017 her own party produced an analysis suggesting that around 4,000 pensioners would die prematurely, were this policy to be brought into effect. Does (Ms Kendall) standby that figure of around 4,000, if not, how many premature deaths does she believe will occur as a result of this policy?”
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall replied: “In 2017 his party’s manifesto promised to means test winter fuel payments.
“So I would just say to (Mr Stride) until party members opposite know that they have to apologise to the British people for the 200,000 extra pensioners in poverty over the last 14 years, and for a £22 billion black hole in the public finances, which we are now putting right, which has put the public finances at risk, they will remain on those seats and we will remain on these.”
Mr Stride then disputed the claim that 200,000 more pensioners are in poverty, with Ms Kendall responding: “There are 200,000 more pensioners in poverty and I am happy to put those figures in the public debate, to set the record straight on that.”
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, the number of poor pensioners fell from 18 per cent in 2019 to 16 per cent in 2022. But the proportion of pensioners unable to afford key material items rose from six per cent to eight per cent over the same period.
Those who could not afford to heat their homes rose from two per cent to five per cent under the Tories over the same years.
Farage U-turns on claim he was told not to hold face-to-face surgeries over security concerns
Nigel Farage has U-turned on his claim that he was told not to hold the face-to-face meetings with voters as a result of security concerns in his Essex constituency.
The Reform UK leader found himself at the centre of a row after parliamentary sources disputed the suggestion he was given such advice from security teams, given it would interfere with his democratic duties.
When asked on Monday, “which one of you is lying” - in reference to conflicting claims from himself and parliamentary sources - the Reform UK leader responded: “The Speaker’s Office is always right.”
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:
Farage U-turns on claim he was told not to hold face-to-face surgeries
Mr Farage was asked if he had lied about not being allowed to hold face-to-face constituency surgeries
Labour MP ‘really worried’ about winter fuel cuts impact on pensioners
A Labour MP has said she is “really worried” about pensioners as the government ploughs ahead with its plans to means-test the winter fuel allowance.
Speaking in the Commons, Rachael Maskell for York Central said: “We are really, really worried now, as winter is approaching, about the impact this is going to have, particularly on the health of older people.
“Will she look at the work that has been done by Energy Systems Catapult and NHS Gloucestershire in social prescribing to ensure that people can receive energy payments that way?”
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall replied: “I am determined to bring forward the merger of housing benefit and pension credit, which the former government delayed for years.
“And I very much agree with the need to bring together social prescribing, help from the household support fund, and other areas, to make sure pensioners get all the help they need.”
Who is Morgan McSweeney? The Labour election guru replacing Sue Gray as chief of staff
Labour election guru Morgan McSweeney will take over as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff after Sue Gray quit.
McSweeney is the creative intelligence behind Starmer’s success, first in winning the leadership of the Labour Party and then in winning a huge election victory in the country. It makes sense to have him at the top of the political side of No 10, writes Jabed Ahmed.
Who is Morgan McSweeney? The Labour election guru replacing Sue Gray
Sue Gray’s departure has triggered a wider reshuffle of Number 10, and Morgan McSweeney is set to take over her role
Coming up: Keir Starmer and David Lammy to deliver statements in parliament
MPs are currently putting questions to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall, who is being quizzed over Labour’s plan to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.
Her statement will be followed by a statement from Sir Keir Starmer on the 7 October anniversary and the conflicts in the Middle East.
We will then hear from the foreign secretary David Lammy, who will be grilled over the recent Chagos Island deal with Mauritius.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments