Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer caves in to Labour rebels as he refuses to reform benefits system
Keir Starmer has caved to Labour rebels and ruled out reforming Britain’s welfare system.
The Department for Work and Pensions has been told it will not be allocated parliamentary time to introduce any new changes to the benefits system until at least next year.
This would make it increasingly unlikely that any contentious welfare reforms will be implemented before the next general election, currently expected in 2029.
Two major reviews into the welfare state, which ministers hope will eventually curb the rising cost of the benefits bill, are due to report later this year. However, both are expected to require primary legislation to take effect, now unlikely to be forthcoming.
A review into disability benefits, launched after a Labour backbench rebellion derailed plans to make £5 billion in savings, is due to report in the autumn.
Separately, Alan Milburn, the Government’s work tsar, is examining how changes to the benefits system could reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training.
Another proposal set to be dropped is a plan for so-called “unemployment insurance”, unveiled as part of a package of welfare reforms last March. The scheme would have increased payments for people recently leaving work, while reducing long-term support for some claimants with health conditions.
Downing Street is now drawing up plans for the King’s Speech, due in May, which will set out the Government’s legislative agenda for the next session of Parliament, expected to run until at least mid-2027.
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Matt Vickers hits out at Keir Starmer ‘kowtowing’ to China
Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Matt Vickers has hit out at Keir Starmer for “kowtowing” to China while speaking with GB News.
The Shadow Policing Minister rubbished the Prime Minister's assurance that pursuing closer ties with Beijing would help address the cost-of-living crisis.
“A lot of the problems that we face in this country were created in down industry, those increases in business rates that jobs tax, the changes to the employment right bill, and what they mean for businesses across the country,” Mr Vickers began.
“This government is not on the side of people who are working hard, who are doing the right thing, who are creating economic growth, creating jobs.
“Going over to China and kowtowing to people who pose a threat to our national security is not the way to solve this country's economic woes.”
Earlier, the Prime Minister said his trip to China was about “opening up access to business opportunities, seizing those opportunities which then get reflected in better businesses, in jobs and price reductions at home, really, really matter.”
Prime Minister lauds relationship with China as being in a ‘good place’
Keir Starmer has declared the UK’s relationship with China was in a “good place” while speaking with reporters during his trip to Beijing.
He praised his accord with President Xi Jinping and officials as a “very good, constructive meeting with real outcomes."
The relationship is in a good place, a strong place," the Prime Minister.
When pushed on potential criticism of pursuing such a relationship with China, Sir Keir said: "What I say to everybody here is that, I always act in our national interest.
"I know that, whatever's going on in the world, the most important thing, to the vast majority of people is the cost of living.
"So opening up access to business opportunities, seizing those opportunities which then get reflected in better businesses, in jobs and price reductions at home, really, really matter. And so we made real progress on all of those areas."
Here’s what's happening today in Westminster
Good morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team. Here's what's driving the day today in Westminster and beyond.
In China, the Prime Minister has been praised by President Xi Jinping for his visit, which he lauded as "imperative" for world peace.
Xi said the UK-China relationship in recent years had seen “twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries” as he met Starmer in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Our reporter Dan McDonald has the story here.
Today on GB News, the Conservatives' Shadow Policing Minister will be speaking this morning.
Later, Alex Norris, Labour’s Border Security and Asylum Minister, will also speak to The People’s Channel.
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