Reform takes swipe at Starmer after Labour immigration pledge - 'Not credible!'

End of Blog

That's it for our live blog from today.

We'll be back tomorrow morning with all the coverage from Westminster and beyond, including the vote over the Government's controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

In the meantime, you can read up on all the biggest political stories on GB News here.

Jenrick breaks silence over damming immigration numbers - 'the public are right to be furious'

Robert Jenrick has admitted the public are "right" to be furious about the latest immigration numbers.

The Newark MP said: "Today is a day of shame for the Conservative Party.

"Our handling of immigration let the country down badly. The public are right to be furious. Repairing the damage won’t be easy.

"We will only begin to rebuild trust once we own up to our failures and fundamentally change."

Farming union slams Labour over farming budget

A farming union said the UK Government “sent shock waves” throughout the agricultural sector due to funding changes announced in the Budget.

President of the National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS) Martin Kennedy led a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday calling on the Scottish Government to ring-fence agricultural funding in Scotland in its Budget statement on December 4.

He was joined by hundreds of farmers, crofters and agricultural workers, and told them the UK Government has thrown the existing financial framework in the industry “out the window”.

He said: “On October 30, the new Labour Government sent shock waves throughout the whole of agriculture throughout the UK. It was really devastating – it sent shock waves through us all.

“Not only on the agricultural property relief and business property relief issues that we’ve been talking about, and that has been highlighted very much last week in London, but particularly, it’s every bit as important as the funding element.

“The funding element is so important for what is the catalyst of what we do. Six hundred and 20 million pounds was the ring-fenced fund that we had here. For over 50 years, we have had a multi-annual ring-fenced fund that’s come into Scottish agriculture.

“First of all, under Europe, a seven-year multi-annual financial framework and after Brexit we’ve had a five-year multi-annual financial framework so we can plan ahead. The Labour Government threw that out the window."

Philp hits back on Starmer press conference - 'no credibility on this issue!'

The Tories have hit back at Keir Starmer's press conference, saying that Starmer will not confront illegal migration.

Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: "If Keir Starmer really cared about bringing down net migration, he would not have suspended our increase to the family visa salary threshold and scrapped the deterrent the National Crime Agency said we needed, which were part of our reforms to bring down the numbers down.

"Keir Starmer has no credibility on this issue. He has ruled out a legal migration cap and since he became Prime Minister channel boat crossings are up 23 per cent. And we learnt today that 6,000 more asylum seekers are in hotels - despite Starmer’s promise to end hotel use”

"We know the numbers are too high and that is why Kemi Badenoch has set out that under her leadership, we will learn from past mistakes and adopt a new approach, to lower immigration. This means a strict cap on numbers, making citizenship a privilege not a right, zero tolerance for foreign criminals and an effective legal deterrent for illegal migration.

"It is abundantly clear that Keir Starmer, a man who believes immigration controls are racist, has no plan and no desire to tackle the high levels of legal migration, nor will he confront illegal migration."

Scottish Labour defies Starmer over winter heating payment

Every pensioner in Scotland will receive a winter heating payment next year, the Scottish Government has announced. Ministers were forced to delay plans to bring in the devolved pension age winter heating payment this year when the universality of its UK-wide counterpart was cut.

On Thursday, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the Scottish Government will ensure every pensioner receives a payment next year. Under the plans, those in receipt of pension credit or other benefits and who have received a £200 or £300 payment this year will get the same next year through the devolved scheme.

All other pensioners will receive a reduced payment of £100. As well as widening the eligibility of the payment, Ms Somerville also announced a further £20 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund and the same amount for Warmer Homes Scotland in this financial year.

The Scottish Government, she said, has been forced to “mitigate” decisions made by the UK Government, adding: "There has been change, but that change is that we are now mitigating against a Labour Government and not a Tory one. We have not taken this decision lightly, given the significant pressures on the Scottish Government’s budget, but this Scottish Government is determined to stay true to our values.

"On our watch, we will treat people in this country with fairness, dignity and respect. We will not abandon older people this winter, or indeed any winter, and we will continue to protect our pensioners from the harsh reality of a UK Labour Government."

Reform revolution continues as Farage vows to unleash People's Army after passing 100k milestone

Nigel Farage has confirmed the populist party will unleash his army of activists after Reform UK's membership exceeded 100,000.

The Reform UK leader, who called a "special" press conference in Westminster, was speaking after Zia Yusuf confirmed the populist party had reached its major membership milestone.

Farage said: "I am delighted that on Tuesday of this week, we went through the 100,000 number.

"I've led previous political parties, I led Ukip for many years, and the peak we got to then was 46,000. The remarkable thing about the rise over the course of the last few months is it happened when we're not particularly active."

Discussing the 400 local Reform UK branches set up across the UK, Farage added: "We are about to release them [Reform UK activists] into the field. We're about to start delivering tens of millions of leaflets through doors."

BREAKING: Starmer to address the nation as Prime Minister to make immigration announcement

Sir Keir Starmer is set to address the nation in an imminent press conference just hours after the Office for National Statistics released damning figures about the UK's net migration record.

The Prime Minister is due to speak in around 30-minutes at 3pm.

Starmer's address will follow the news that the ONS underestimated net migration in 2023 by a staggring 181,000.

Estimates initially showed net migration stood at 685,000 in the year ending December 2023.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'That's what friends are for!' Farage claims Trump and Musk will throw weight behind Reform

Nigel Farage has claimed that incoming US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk will provide support for Reform UK ahead of the next General Election.

Speaking at a “special” press conference in Westminster, the Reform UK leader set his sights on Downing Street after confirming 100,000 people have now joined the populist party.

Farage claimed he is preparing to unleash activists from across 400 local branches ahead of the 2025 Local Elections.

However, the Clacton MP also appeared to suggest he could call on the help from his pals on the other side of the pond.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Diane Abbott claims Assisted Dying Bill is 'racist' in bizarre rant against David Cameron

Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott has suggested the Assisted Dying Bill is racist in a bizarre rant against ex-Prime Minister Lord David Cameron.

Abbott, who is opposing measures to provide end of life treatment for terminally ill Britons, warned there were no safeguards in place to protect poor people, disabled people, black people and Asian people.

She said: "David Cameron is wrong. Discrimination is a fact across society for poor people, disabled people, Black people and Asian people.

"This includes both the health and the judicial systems. The assisted suicide bill offers no safeguards against it."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Watch this space!' Farage claims Reform UK must win 'hundreds' of council seats

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed that the populist party must win hundreds of council seats in the upcoming Local Elections.

Speaking in Westminster, Farage said: Yes, we have to win a lot of council seats next year. We have to win and yes it is going to have to be in the hundreds to be credible.

“Is that an easy thing ot achieve? No. Are we going to do it? Watch this space.”

Jenkyns claims Tory ship 'sinking' after defecting to Reform UK

Dame Andrea Jenkyns has claimed the Tory ship is "sinking" as he spoke out about her defection to Reform UK.

Jenkyns, who was a loyal supporter of Boris Johnson and sat as a Conservative MP for nine years, said: "The truth is undeniable: the ship is sinking and perhaps, sadly, beyond salvage but enough is enough.

"It is time to step aboard a movement with vision and purpose and the courage to fight for Britain’s future.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Dame Andrea Jenkyns defects to Reform UK ahead of crunch 2025 poll

Ex-Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns has defected to Reform UK ahead of the 2025 Local Elections.

Confirming another former Tory big beast joined the populist party's ranks, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Now we said that when we hit 100,000 members the lucky winner would go out for a pint for Lee Anderson. Now I fear that was deeply inaccurate. The use of the singular strikes me as being very unlikely with Lee.

“And by sheer coincidence the 100,000th member happens to be a former Conservative Member of Parliament, who would believe that. Isn’t that extraordinary that it’s worked out that way?

“Her name is Dame Andrea Jenkyns and not only is Andrea joining the party but after an internal selection process she has now been selected as our candidate and she will run to be the newly created mayor of Lincolnshire on May 1 this year and I believe she has every chance of winning.”

Reform revolution continues as 100,000 members mark major milestone

Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has confirmed 100,000 people have now signed up to the populist party in a major milestone.

Speaking at a "special" press conference in Westminster, Yusuf said that he is “incredibly optimistic about this movement, about this party and about what Britain can and will achieve”.

He added that people were joining because more and more people see Reform UK as "the only party that is willing to stand up for British people”.

Yusuf also set his sights on winning elections to deliver change, reiterating Nigel Farage's goal of winning the next General Election.

Farage prepares for 'special' press conference as Reform UK nears 100,000 members

Nigel Farage is around half-an-hour away from holding a "special" press conference on the populist party's growth and professionalisation.

Farage is due to speak while the rest of the party’s MPs and chairman Zia Yusuf are due to attend.

The announcement comes just days after Ashfield MP Lee Anderson hinted that Reform UK were nearing 100,000 members.

He said: "Getting really close. To getting our 100,000 member which makes us the fastest growing political party in the UK. Could you be the 100,000th member?"

Red Wall Labour MP takes swipe at Tories as ONS confirm 26 per cent statistical error

Red Wall Labour MP Jonathan Hinder has taken a swipe at the Tories after the Office for National Statistics revised its net migration estimate up by 181,000 last year.

Hinder, who defeated ex-Tory MP Andrew Stephenson by 902 on July 4, said: "The Tory record on immigration was even worse than we thought.

"Nearly one million added to the population in a year - totally unsustainable.

"I fully support the government’s plan to sort this out, by reducing our reliance on overseas workers."

ICYMI: Lammy accuses Chagos critics of 'politicking' over 'very good deal' as Farage warns Labour's plan 'collapsing before our eyes'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has accused critics of the Government's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius of "politicking" as Nigel Farage gleefully warns Labour's plan is "collapsing before our eyes".

Under the agreement, the UK would relinquish sovereignty over the archipelago but maintain a 99-year lease over Anglo-American airbase Diego Garcia.

Addressing MPs at the Foreign Affairs Committee, Lammy defended the deal.

He said: "I'm sad that there's been so much politicking about this."

Lammy added that the agreement was a "very good deal" for "our national security" because it secured the legal basis of the Diego Garcia military base.

However, Farage appeared to welcome Labour facing challenges over its deal.

The Reform UK leader said: "The Chagos deal is collapsing before our eyes. It was always a bad deal for the UK, the USA and the Chagossian people."

Farage's intervention comes after it was reported that Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to rush through his deal before Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20.

'Unsustainable!' Braverman breaks down ONS net migration stats

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has broken down the latest net migration figures.

In a social media post, Braverman said: "A 20 per cent drop in immigration since June 2023 is a result of the changes I fought for and introduced in May 2023 as Home Secretary.

"That’s when we started to turn the tide. But 1.2 million arrivals a year is still too high. This is unsustainable and why we need radical change."

Net migration even HIGHER in 2023 than first thought after ONS missed 181,000 people from initial figure

The Office for National Statistics has admitted underestimating net migration in 2023 by 181,000.

Estimates initially showed net migration stood at 685,000 in the year ending December 2023.

However, the ONS has since confirmed the figure actually stood at 866,000, revising the previous number up by a city the size of Oxford.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Lammy will seek Netanyahu's arrest after ICC issues 'absurd' arrest warrant

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he would seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Responding to questions after the International Criminal Court issued its warrant, Lammy said: “Under section two of the ICC legislation, there is an obligation on me to transmit to the courts should those named seek to come into our country.

“That doesn’t allow me any discretion: I will issue that to the courts and then the courts will make their determination under our law, recognising that we are signatories for the Statute of Rome.”

Shadow Home Secretary hints at Tory migration cap figure - 'Lower than OBR forecast!' 

'It will be a lot lower than the OBR forecast which is 350,000 a year'

Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, hints at the figure the Tories aim to cap net migration at in their new plan to reduce immigration into Britain. pic.twitter.com/EnA56WsGO1

— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 28, 2024

Unite takes next step to halt Starmer's decision to 'pickpocket pensioners'

Unite has taken the the next step in seeking a Judicial Review to overturn the Government decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

The leading trade union submitted its formal application to the High Court to go forward with a full Judicial Review last week.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Labour’s decision to pick the pocket of pensioners was wrong on every level.

"The Government has been given every opportunity to reverse its decision and it has failed to do so.

“This is a rushed, ill-thought out policy and the Government clearly failed to follow the proper legal measures before executing it.

"With winter approaching the courts must now hold the Government to account and reverse this cruel cut as quickly as possible.”

EXCLUSIVE: Sadiq Khan 'must apologise' for latest TfL outrage as 'assisted dying' advertisers REFUSE to reveal true cost of marketing campaign

Sadiq Khan has been told to apologise for a "serious error of judgement" in allowing assisted suicide campaigners to advertise on the London Underground.

The ads, for campaign group Dignity in Dying, are part of a push on MPs to vote through Kim Leadbeater's controversial assisted dying Bill ahead of its debate in the Commons later this week.

But in the wake of a series of spats over ads on the Underground - and ahead of an intensely controversial vote on Friday - the Mayor of London has been accused of making an "incomprehensible mistake".

Alex Wilson, Reform UK's sole London Assembly member, told GB News that letting the billboards run was "more evidence of double standards" from the Mayor.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

David Cameron backs assisted dying after voting against move as PM

Lord David Cameron has backed the Assisted Dying Bill after previously opposing similar legislation.

Writing about the assisted dying bill in The Times, Lord Cameron said: “As campaigners have convincingly argued, this proposal is not about ending life, it is about shortening death.”

Cameron was previously concerned that “vulnerable people could be pressured into hastening their own deaths” but now believes the bill contains “sufficient safeguards” to prevent this.

The former Prime Minister's intervention comes after Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss voiced opposition to the move.