The government has been warned that its wide-ranging reforms designed to tackle economic inactivity in the UK and get people back to work could be hampered by the rise in National Insurance for employers.
Earlier today, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary told MPs that the Get Britain Working white paper will bring forward “the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation”.
Ms Kendall said the UK was experiencing “an economic, but above all, social crisis” and that the benefits bill for sickness and disability “is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament”.
Responding to the annoucement, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that rising taxes and employment costs could hamper Labour’s efforts to get millions of people back into work.
Matthew Percival, work and skills director at the CBI, said: “Employers have a key role to play in supporting the delivery of the government’s objectives.
“There’s no doubt that rising taxes and employment costs will make it more difficult for them to do so.”
Key points
- Rising taxes and employment costs could hamper Labour’s efforts to get people back to work, say CBI
- ‘If you can work you must work’ , says minister as she announces new jobs plan
- Starmer declares Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill
- Some benefit claimants have ‘stolen from the state’, employment minister says
- Starmer could tax Levi’s jeans and Jack Daniel’s whiskey in retaliation against Trump tariffs
Comment: There’s one word for Starmer’s welfare reform when you’re disabled...
16:11 , Joe Middleton...’frightening’, writes James Moore. The government’s review on disability benefit has been kicked into next year. The question on everybody’s lips is: will Labour sell us all out?
There’s one word for Starmer’s welfare reform when you’re disabled...
Labour's ‘Youth Guarantee’ must go further says charity
15:45 , Albert TothThe government’s newly announced ‘Youth Guarantee’ has been welcomed by young persons EveryYouth, but it says more must be done.
Under the Labour plan, all 18- 21-year-olds will be ensured apprenticeship, training, or education opportunities to help them find work.
But EveryYouth CEO Nick Connolly says the government must also “explain how training will be made affordable” for disadvantaged young people.
“Young apprentices are being paid as little as £6.40 an hour on the current National Minimum Wage rate, and this will only increase to £7.55 in April 2025,” he points out.
“That’s tragically low for someone who does not have family support to pay their rent or bills.”The charity boss calls on Liz Kendall to consult with youth charities and raise the minimum wage for youth apprentices.
Rising taxes and employment costs could hamper their efforts to get people back to work, say CBI
15:26 , Joe MiddletonMinisters have been warned that rising taxes and employment costs could hamper their efforts to get people back into work, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said.
Matthew Percival, work and skills director at the CBI, said the government “deserves credit” for seeking to grip the “critical challenge” of long-term sickness preventing people from returning to work.
He added: “Employers have a key role to play in supporting the delivery of the government’s objectives. There’s no doubt that rising taxes and employment costs will make it more difficult for them to do so.
“That’s why it’s so important business and Government work together to join the dots across the policy landscape in order for policy intent to translate into long-term impact.
“The Government can make it easier for businesses to invest in employee health by taking a pragmatic approach to the Employment Rights Bill and expanding tax-free occupational health support.
“CBI analysis shows 49% of businesses would reinvest tax savings into further employee health support, with an additional 26% investing more.
“This could boost the economy by £8.57bn by 2030 and prevent 34,000 people annually from leaving the workforce due to ill health. Businesses are ready to partner with the Government to create a healthier, more productive workforce.”
Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs have chance to vote
15:03 , Joe MiddletonThe assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment which could stop it in its tracks.
MPs are scheduled to vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill on Friday, which would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults if passed.
But a cross-party group of MPs, made up of Conservative MP Ben Spencer, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and Labour’s Anna Dixon, have co-sponsored a so-called “wrecking amendment”, which would scupper the bill if enough MPs support it.
It comes after some MPs expressed fears that the legislation has been rushed.
Millie Cooke reports
Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs have chance to vote
Tory shadow minister defends previous government’s record on welfare
14:39 , Joe MiddletonShadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said Liz Kendall has “dodged tough decisions” on welfare as she defended the previous Tory government’s record on employment and welfare.
Ms Whately said the new Labour administration was “rebranding” some of their ideas, also telling the Commons: “Economic inactivity is a problem for our economy and for each and every individual who risks being written off to a life on benefits.
“Knowing that, I am disappointed in the substance of what she is announcing today because far from matching her rhetoric, this appears to be little more than a pot of money for local councils, some disparaging language about the work of Job Centres and a consultation which will be launched in the spring. Given that they’ve had 14 years to prepare for this moment, is that it?
“Where are the reforms to benefits that would actually make material savings to the taxpayer, like the £12 billion we committed to save in our manifesto? Where are the reforms to fit notes, which we had handed over all ready to go? Where is her plan for reforming the workplace capability assessment?”
She added: “The fact is the Secretary of State has dodged tough decisions. Every day she kicks the can down the road costs the taxpayer millions of pounds, at this rate rising to £100 billion on sickness benefits by the end of this Parliament.”
Ms Kendall, in her reply, said: “The only people who dodged difficult decisions on welfare were the party opposite.”
From Jobcentres to disability benefits: Labour’s DWP changes explained
14:37 , Joe MiddletonLabour announced a sweeping range of employment reforms on Tuesday, labelled the “biggest in a generation.” Prime minister Keir Starmer says the plans will tackle “the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity,” promising to “unlock growth and make people better off.”
Chief among the measures is a plan “overhaul” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentres, guarantee opportunites for young people, and prevent long-term sickness through NHS funding.
The government promises that the changes will mark a move away from the ‘tick box’ culture of the past and allow for a more personalised service for jobseekers.
The measures come as part of Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working Again’ white paper, published on Tuesday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.
Albert Toth reports
Labour’s DWP plans explained – from Jobcentres to disability benefits
‘New plan to drive down economic inactivity’ - Kendall
14:12 , Joe MiddletonThe final major reform announced by Ms Kendall is the plan to drive down economic inactivity due to ill health.
She said: “The health secretary (Wes Streeting) is already taking action to get people back to health and back to work with extra support to drive down waiting lists in the 20 NHS Trusts with the highest levels of economic activity”.
‘New youth guarantee’ - Kendall
13:53 , Joe MiddletonThe work and pensions secretary said the second major reform is the new youth guarantee.
It will “bring together all the support for 18 to 21 year olds under the leadership of majors and local areas” so that all young people have access to training and education.
‘If you can work you must work’ - Kendall
13:50 , Joe MiddletonMs Kendall thunders that “under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work”.
Unveiling a Youth Guarantee, Ms Kendall told the Commons: “This comes alongside our commitment to provide mental health support in every school, our work experience and careers advice offer, and our plans to reform the last government’s failed apprenticeship levy to give more young people the opportunities they deserve.
“But our new Youth Guarantee will go further, bringing together all the support for 18 to 21-year-olds under the leadership of mayors and local areas so all young people have access to education, training and employment opportunities, and so that no young person misses out.”
The minister announced eight Youth Guarantee “trailblazers” in the Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Tees Valley, East Midlands, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, and two areas in Greater London, backed by £45 million.
She continued: “I can also announce a new national partnership to provide exciting opportunities for young people in sports, arts and culture, starting with some of Britain’s most iconic cultural and sporting organisations including the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Channel 4, building on the brilliant work they already do to inspire and engage the younger generation and get them on the pathway to success.”
Ms Kendall later said: “In return for these new opportunities, you have a responsibility to take them up, because being unemployed or lacking basic qualifications when you’re young can harm your job prospects and wages for the rest of your life, and that is not good enough for young people or for our country.”
‘Benefits bill to rise by 26bn by end of Parliament’ - Kendall
13:48 , Joe MiddletonMs Kendall said the “benefits bill for sickness and disability is set to rise by £26bn by the end of this Parliament.
She said the Tories have failed “to create good jobs” or deliver on the NHS or reform welfare.
‘Fundamental reform is needed’ - Kendall
13:45 , Joe MiddletonMs Kendall told MPs that “nothing short of fundamental reform” is needed and that the employment rate has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, unlike our G7 counterparts.
She said a near 2.8 million people are out of work on long term sickness and almost 1 million young people not in education, employment or training.
Liz Kendall is here
13:42 , Joe MiddletonThe work and pensions secretary is now announcing the wide-ranging reforms designed to tackle economic inactivity and deliver the government’s promise to bring more than two million people back into work.
Irish leader’s gaffe blows election wide open and leaves Starmer facing Brexit reset setback
13:37 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer risks a blow to his pledge to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit amid fears one of his key allies could be ousted in Friday’s elections in Ireland.
The Labour prime minister has built a strong personal rapport with the Irish leader Simon Harris since his election in July.
But a new poll for the Irish Times suggests Mr Harris’ Fine Gael has slumped from first to third place – after a gaffe which has been compared to Gordon Brown’s 2010 ‘bigoted woman’ comments.
Kate Devlin reports
Irish leader’s gaffe blows election wide open as Starmer faces Brexit reset setback
Greater powers to be given to local mayors under Labour work plan
13:23 , Albert TothWorking with the 12 metro mayors, Labour has pledged to invest £15 million and devolve power to local areas to create work plans tailored to local needs.
The government says this will deliver “real employment opportunities for people who know their communities best.”Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Devolution is already making a huge difference to people’s lives in the Liverpool City Region.
“We’ve helped thousands of people into work, created opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, and supported adults to gain the skills they need to thrive.
“That’s why I welcome the government’s plans to give Mayors more of the tools and resources we need to break down the barriers keeping people out of work.”
The Independent View: The government is right to move from tender to tough on welfare reform
13:15 , Joe MiddletonEditorial: The already unpopular Starmer government will doubtless make more enemies during this process. But it needs to bite this bullet
The government is right to move from tender to tough on welfare reform
Russia expels UK diplomat
13:00 , Joe MiddletonRussia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of espionage, the Interfax news agency cited Russia’s FSB security service as saying on Tuesday.
The TASS news agency cited Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying that the ministry had summoned the British ambassador.
According to the FSB, the British diplomat was a replacement for one of six UK diplomats expelled in August, also on espionage charges. It said the diplomat had provided false information on his documents and carried out espionage and sabotage activities.
There was no immediate comment from Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The British embassy in Moscow did not respond to a request for comment.
Read our Ukraine blog for the latest
Ukraine war latest: Russia expels British diplomat for ‘spying’ as new row erupts
UK’s highest court set to rule on definition of a woman
12:45 , Joe MiddletonWhat is Labour’s ‘Youth Guarantee Scheme’?
12:22 , Albert TothUnder Labour’s new plans, every 18- 21-year-old in England will be ensured access to an apprenticeship, training or education opportunities to boost their chance of securing work. This is what the party calls the ‘Youth Guarantee,’ a measure that was included in their manifesto.
The scheme comes as the most recent statistics show that 869,000 people aged 18 to 21 are not in education, employment or training. This represents 15 per cent of people in this age bracket, and the highest the figure has reached since the Covid pandemic.
As part of the guarantee scheme, partnerships with cultural or sporting organisations have been established to offer work or learning opportunities to young people. So far, these include the Premier League, Channel 4 and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Alongside this, £45 million will be invested into eight youth “trailblazer” areas across the country to identify young people at risk of becoming inactive and providing them with opportunities.
But “in return for those new opportunities”, the DWP says, “young people will be expected to engage with training or work that’s on offer.”
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has confirmed that this means those who don’t take up training or work opportunities will see their benefits sanctioned, including possibly losing them entirely.
Last asylum seekers living on the Bibby Stockholm set to leave
12:17 , Joe MiddletonThe last asylum seekers living on the Bibby Stockholm are set to leave the barge.
A group of eight remaining men will leave the accommodation moored in Portland, Dorset, today, according to a support group.
A spokesperson for Portland Global Friendship Group told the PA news agency: “We held our last community drop-in yesterday. We have been saying goodbye to the men for months as there has been a continual movement since the men first arrived in August last year.
“We continue to support many asylum seekers nationwide from the Bibby Stockholm remotely as they navigate the complex asylum process.
“Portland Global Friendship Group has created a meaningful community here on Portland, at its essence is friendship, kindness and compassion. We are considering how this energy can continue going into the future.”
Hundreds of residents have departed from the barge after the government said it would not renew its contract which expires in January.
The Bibby Stockholm, which can house up to 500 people, has faced a series of setbacks since it was commissioned in April 2023.
British Chamber of Commerce react to Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working’ plans
12:08 , Joe MiddletonThe British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has said the government’s plans to get more people back to work and improve employment support “has the potential to make a real difference for employers, employees and local economies.”
Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the BCC said: “Bringing more people back into the workforce is essential to tackle skills shortages and boost economic growth. Government and business need to work together to remove barriers for people who want to work.
“Today’s White Paper – with its emphasis on improving access to health, skills and employment support – has the potential to make a real difference for employers, employees and local economies.
“Our research shows only 1 in 10 SMEs are using Job Centres and this is a lost opportunity. It’s crucial to modernise the service to better connect businesses and job seekers.
“The high number of working age people who are economically inactive though ill health is a particular concern for employers. We look forward to engaging with the review into how employers can be supported to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. Tax reforms would make it easier for employers to take a proactive role.
“Healthy staff make healthy businesses, but delivery is key. It is important changes are made quickly and effectively, to help firms develop thriving workforces in the years to come.”
Labour: We will ‘fix' the NHS to tackle long-term sickness
11:52 , Albert TothLabour’s new plan comes at a time when a record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness – seven per cent of the working population. Many experts attribute this to the combined effects of long-term NHS spending cuts and the Covid pandemic.
To address this, the government has pledged that extra NHS capacity will be deployed to 20 areas across England where levels of economic inactivity are highest.
The paper also takes the opportunity to restate Labour’s manifesto pledges for the NHS. It highlights the plans to provide an extra £22.6 billion in 2025/26 to support the delivery of 40,000 additional appointments, lower waiting times and 8,500 mental health staff.
Alongside this, the government will invest £125 million in eight areas across England and Wales to improve local work, health and skills support. These will be: West Yorkshire, the North East, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, plus two areas in London and one in Wales.
Watch live: Foreign Office grilled on Ukraine war efforts and assistance for Middle East humanitarian situation
11:40 , Joe MiddletonWatch live as the Foreign Office is questioned on the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and assistance with the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
Ministers are likely to be asked what diplomatic steps they are taking with international counterparts to help secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and what they are doing to help improve the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
Live: Foreign Office grilled on Ukraine war and Middle East humanitarian situation
‘No one has grappled with the detail’ of assisted dying bill, says former Lord Chief Justice
11:33 , Joe MiddletonA former Lord Chief Justice has said that “no-one has grappled with the detail” of the impact that assisted dying legislation could have on the court system.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, who held the role in England and Wales between 2013 and 2017, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme “the process and the impact on the court system is really something about which there should be information before we decide in principle to proceed” with the plans.
MPs will vote on the proposed legislation on Friday following a debate in the House of Commons.
According to the plans laid out earlier this month, the legislation will mean that the process of assisted dying must involve two independent doctors being satisfied that the person is eligible. A person must be terminally ill and expected to die within six months.
Further to this, a High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors regarding the application, and can also ask questions of the person who is dying as well as anybody else they consider to be appropriate.
Lord Thomas told the BBC programme on Tuesday: “It seems to me that the one really difficult question that hasn’t been addressed in this is how is the judge to proceed, as it cannot possibly be a rubber-stamping exercise.
“There has to be a process, by which the evidence is put before the judge, and the judge will need help - will need either the official solicitor or some other body that can bring the evidence before him.”
He added: “What is not possible is to assess from the Bill the impact this has.”
The judicial process is an “integral part of the process, in working out precisely how it’s to be done”, Lord Thomas said.
“As far as I can see, no-one has grappled with the detail. And of course, as it’s an integral part of the Bill, you can’t say, ‘well, look, this is to be sorted out later’. It seems to me it needs to be grappled with now.”
Ed Davey challenges Keir Starmer to FIFA match in bizarre TikTok video
11:24 , Joe MiddletonSir Ed Davey challenged Sir Keir Starmer to a “1v1” FIFA match in a bizarre TikTok dancing video filmed outside the Houses of Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats leader posted a series of videos asking the prime minister to face him.
The first clip was captioned that it would be for charity.
In a third video, Sir Ed danced next to images of Mr Bean and Shrek.
It received mixed reactions on social media, with one viewer commenting: “Currently in one of the darkest economic and social periods of British history and this is what politicians are doing.”
The Independent has reached out to the Liberal Democrats for comment.
Watch: Ed Davey challenges Keir Starmer to FIFA match in bizarre TikTok video
Labour’s plans for Jobcentres, explained
11:08 , Albert TothAs part of their new plan, Labour says the Jobcentre system will be “transformed” into the new national jobs and careers service, pledging £55 million of investment.
This means that 600 Jobcentre Plus locations will be merged with the existing national careers service to create a more centralised public service.
It will be radically different to how Jobcentres work at the moment, the paper promises. Instead of focusing on just monitoring and managing benefit claims, there will be a renewed focus on skills and careers.
This will be supported by a trial of the latest technologies to support DWP workers. Labour says AI will free up work coach time to “provide up-to date information” on jobs, skills and other support.
This will give them the flexibility to offer a more personalised service to jobseekers, bringing an end to “tick box culture.”
The trial will also look at how the DWP can bring services like CV advice and job adverts online, and make them easier to access.
Pictured: Ministers arriving for Cabinet
11:02 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer chaired Cabinet at Downing Street this morning, with a number of familiar faces turning up to No 10, including deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall.
Who are the 2 million people demanding a general election? Crunching the numbers behind the viral petition
10:57 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer has ruled out calling a general election after a petition calling for another vote was signed by more than two million people.
“I would like there to be another general election,” the petition reads.
“I believe the current Labour government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead-up to the last election.”
Asked about the petition on ITV’s This Morning programme on Monday, Sir Keir dismissed calls for an election by saying that it is “not how our system works”.
The petition comes amid growing backlash over Labour’s budget, which has sparked controversy for hikes to national insurance and extension of inheritance tax to include farms, among other unpopular proposals which aim to fill the spending black hole.
Among the famous faces to have shared the petition are billionaire Trump-ally Elon Musk, who has repeatedly criticised Sir Keir since he came to power, and British actor Michael Caine.
Who are the 2 million demanding a general election? Crunching viral petition numbers
Blaming people for mental health issues is not ‘the right approach’, says minister
10:48 , Joe MiddletonEmployment minister Alison McGovern has said that it is a “good thing” that people are “able to be more open about mental health” at work and that blaming people for their mental health conditions is not “the right approach”.
She told Times Radio: “I think that it’s a good thing that people are able to be more open about mental health conditions in work, and that we understand more about how people’s mental ill health can affect them in work.
“I don’t think having a go at people and blaming them is the right approach.”
She said that she thinks there should be “a culture where we understand people’s mental health challenges and think about the things that we can do to improve our mental health” at work such as good management and flexibility when somebody experiences a personal life event.
“Those are the things that can help tackle mental ill health, and then we will be able to improve our productivity, which will be good for individuals and good for the economy,” she said.
Keir Starmer criticised for lack of action over Elon Musk’s ‘outlandish’ comments
10:32 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer has been criticised for failing to hit back at Elon Musk’s persistent attacks on the UK government.
The owner of X, previously Twitter, has described Sir Keir’s administration of going “full Stalin” over inheritance tax proposals for farmers.
He was also outspoken during the summer riots and shared the right-wing “two-tier” policing conspiracy theory.
Carla Denyer MP, co-leader of the Green Party, told HuffPost UK it was a “no brainer” and in the UK’s interests for the prime minister to respond to Mr Musk.
She said: “Elon Musk’s ramblings are getting more outlandish and alarming by the day.
“And he will no doubt be demanding his reward for helping Trump back into the White House.
“The lack of criticism from the UK government over both Trump’s and Musk’s recent comments suggest Starmer may be hedging his bets on which way to turn - across the pond to the White House, or over the channel to Brussels.
“This should be a no-brainer.
“Our economic interests, our core values and ethics, not to mention our joint commitment to tackle the climate and nature crises, mean we must distance ourself from the Trump-Musk axis and strengthen our relationship with our European partners.”
Labour is dodging tough decisions on welfare, say Tories
10:16 , Joe MiddletonThe Conservatives have criticised the government’s plan to cut the welfare bill and said they are dodging difficult decisions on sickness benefits.
Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: “This latest announcement shows that Labour are not prepared to take the tough but necessary choices to bring down the benefits bill.
There is no attempt to match the £12bn in welfare savings we promised in our manifesto. They have even dodged the difficult decisions on sickness benefits, which are needed to make the welfare system sustainable in the long term.
To get people off benefits you also need jobs for them to go to. But Labour’s disastrous anti-growth budget is already making businesses think twice about taking people on.”
Some benefit claimants have ‘stolen from the state’, employment minister says
09:57 , Joe MiddletonEmployment minister Alison McGovern has been on the media round this morning talking about the government’s plans to slash the welfare bill and get Britain back to work.
Sky’s Kay Burley pressed the minister on if people who cheat the benefits system are criminals. Ms McGovern responded that there was some “dreadful criminal activity” while the Tories were in power, including theft by groups of organised criminals.
Asked about the public more generally, she said that nobody should be signing themselves off sick from work if they are not unwell.
She told the broadcaster: “Unfortunately, people have stolen from the state, and we’re bringing forward proposals to deal with that.”
Employment minister squirms when confronted with Starmer’s comments on benefits fraudsters
09:35 , Joe MiddletonAn employment minister squirmed live on television as she was confronted with Sir Keir Starmer‘s comments on benefits fraudsters.
In an article for the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister wrote that the public would see the government “get to grips with the bulging benefits bill blighting our society” and pledged to “crack down hard on anyone who tries to game the system, to tackle fraud so we can take cash straight from the banks of fraudsters.”
When questioned if she considers people who sign themselves off work to be criminals, Alison McGovern asked if the question was quoted from Sir Keir and did not say whether she considers this to be criminal activity.
Employment minister squirms when confronted with Starmer’s comments on benefits fraud
Starmer could tax Levi’s jeans and Jack Daniel’s whiskey in retaliation against Trump tariffs
09:10 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer could hike taxes on American staples including Harley Davidsons, Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Levi’s jeans if Donald Trump targets the UK with tariffs.
The prime minister has been urged to “Trump-proof” Britain after the president-elect overnight threatened to unilaterally impose massive levies on imports to the US on his first day in office.
“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 per cent Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Archie Mitchell reports
Starmer could tax Levi’s jeans and Jack Daniel’s whiskey in response to Trump tariffs
Is assisted dying a compassionate step forward or a dangerous precedent? Join The Independent Debate
09:00 , Joe MiddletonThe debate on assisted dying pits advocates of compassionate choice for the terminally ill against concerns over ethical risks and potential misuse of the proposed law. Where do you stand?
Compassionate step forward or dangerous precedent: Have your say on assisted dying
UK is not sending troops to Ukraine, foreign secretary confirms
08:51 , Joe MiddletonThe foreign secretary has said the UK is not sending troops into Ukraine, after a news report suggested that Britain and France are discussing the option.
Tensions between Russia and the West have significantly escalated in recent days after US President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range missiles to attack targets inside Russia.
Le Monde reported on Monday that France and the UK are “not ruling out” sending troops and private defence companies to Ukraine, citing unnamed sources.
But when he was asked about the report in an interview, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK’s longstanding position not to send troops on the ground in Ukraine had not changed.
“We are very clear that we stand ready and continue to support the Ukrainians with training particularly, but there has been a longstanding position that we are not committing UK troops to the theatre of action,” he told newspapers La Repubblica, Le Monde and Die Welt at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Italy.
“That is certainly the UK position, and remains the UK position at this time.”
Asked if that included contractors, he said: “We are not committing UK troops on the ground to Ukraine, but we continue to support Ukraine with training and military assistance, and we have been absolutely clear that we will continue to do that for as long as is required and is needed.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said there are “no plans” to send troops to Ukraine.
Rachel Reeves accused of making Britain uninvestable as she insists there is no alternative to tax hikes
08:46 , Joe MiddletonRachel Reeves has been accused by business chiefs of making it hard to invest in Britain, prompting her to insist there was no alternative.
Directly facing her critics at the CBI conference after weeks of negativity about her autumn Budget, a defensive chancellor pledged that businesses in the UK will not have to suffer another one like it before the next election.
Squaring up to her detractors, she told them: “I have heard a lot of feedback about my Budget but not any alternative suggestions.”
Our political editor David Maddox reports
Rachel Reeves accused of making Britain uninvestable as she defends tax hikes
Young people were ‘failed’ in the pandemic, says minister
08:45 , Joe MiddletonEmployment minister Alison McGovern has said that the pandemic generation of young people were “failed”.
Asked what would happen if people did not take up offers of employment or other help, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “When good help is offered, it is taken up, that is normally what happens. Of course, people will always think of that small minority [...] people who are not interested, they don’t want to do it.”
She added: “There are rules in the system. Those rules have got to be made to work to make sure that if you take out in the form of social security, you have to do your part of the bargain.”
Pushed further on what would happen if young people did not take up offers, she added: “My worry about this conversation is that we know that young people have a responsibility to take up support. The government under the Tories completely failed in its responsibility to actually help young people, the pandemic generation were failed.”
Ms McGovern also said it must be ensured that job centres “actually serve employers”, telling the programme that “only one in six of our employers really thinks about using a job centre, that is not OK because it means that the public employment service that’s supposed to be there to support our businesses is failing”.
Starmer declares Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill
08:37 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer has declared Britain “simply isn’t working” as he unveiled plans to bring more people into work and slash the country’s spiralling benefits bill.
The prime minister is planning to replace the network of Jobcentres with a new National Jobs and Careers Service, while more NHS staff will be sent to areas with higher rates of joblessness.
Young people will be offered additional employment and training opportunities, including with the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel Four, while extra powers will be handed to mayors to develop their own employment plans.
Albet Toth and Archie Mitchell report
Starmer says Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill
Post-pandemic recovery in employment numbers did not happen, minister says
08:35 , Joe MiddletonEmployment minister Alison McGovern has said that post-pandemic recovery in employment numbers “didn’t happen in Britain”.
She told Times Radio that a “one-size fits all” approach to the issue will not help because “problems are so different depending on where you live”.
Ms McGovern told the station: “If you look at those international statistics, what you see is that post-pandemic almost all of the countries around the world except us recovered in employment terms. The employment rate did increase, people did go back to work.
“That didn’t happen in Britain, something is different, and the level of sickness that we’re experiencing as a country is really high.”
She also said there are other issues such as “really bad” waiting lists in the NHS and “long-term differences in our economy depending on where you live”.
“Some places in our country just have significantly higher rates of inactivity and unemployment, and that’s why we know that we need to change the system, because one size fits all won’t help our country when our problems are so different, depending on where you live,” she added.
Minister declines to say how much will be cut from welfare bill
08:30 , Joe MiddletonEmployment minister Alison McGovern declined to put a figure on how much the government will reduce the welfare bill by.
Speaking to Times Radio on Tuesday morning, she said that “I’m not going to put a figure on it”.
She added: “Today we’re publishing the framework for reforms in this White Paper, we now need to do a lot of work to bring forward those reforms.”
Welcome
07:59 , Tom BarnesGood morning and welcome to our live politics coverage for Tuesday November 26.
Keir Starmer has declared Britain “simply isn’t working” as he unveiled plans to bring more people into work and slash the country’s spiralling benefits bill.
The prime minister is planning to replace the network of Jobcentres with a new National Jobs and Careers Service, while more NHS staff will be sent to areas with higher rates of joblessness.
Young people will be offered additional employment and training opportunities, including with the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel Four, while extra powers will be handed to mayors to develop their own employment plans.
The reforms, to be unveiled by work and pensions sectretary Liz Kendall today, will also see an expansion of mental health support and efforts to tackle obesity.
You can read our full story on what measures are set to be announced here:
Starmer says Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill
