Angela Rayner is facing a backlash over a new taxpayer-funded "vanity" photographer thought to have been hired on a salary of £68,000.
The Deputy Prime Minister's time in office is set to be chronicled by the snapper in an unusual step taken by the Labour Government.
It is common for a photographer to be hired to follow the Prime Minister's time in office - but one is not usually hired for other members of the Cabinet.
On his LinkedIn profile, the photographer describes himself as the "chief photographer to the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government".
The Tories have criticised the hire as nothing more than a "vanity project".
A Tory source told the Mail: “Are there any greater vanity projects than the Deputy Prime Minister with her thousands of pounds of free clothes, her luxury free holiday, and now her publicly paid photographer?”
A spokesman for Rayner’s Housing Department said: "Many government departments employ official photographers to share the work of the department and ministers with the public.
"This is a Civil Service role and will be part of the department’s communications team."
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National Trust boss admits 70% of staff are Union Jack-hating ‘progressive activists’ at Labour conference
Hilary McGrady revealed the views of her staff risk putting the National Trust at odds with the wider public
GETTY
Some 70 per cent of National Trust staff are “progressive activists”, the charity’s director-general has admitted.
Speaking at a Labour Party fringe event run by More in Common, Hilary McGrady also revealed the views of her staff risk putting the National Trust at odds with the wider public.
McGrady, who was appointed as the National Trust’s director-general in 2018, said: “The reality is, and I am sure this is quite common with quite a lot of civil society, I would say that 70 per cent of my staff and volunteers would be regarded as progressive activists.”
More in Common’s research revealed only 22 per cent of “progressive activists” are proud of being British, significantly lower than the 59 per cent national average.
Rayner rips into Israel as she makes surprise appearance 'on behalf of Starmer' at Palestine event
Angela Rayner hit out at Israel as she addressed the Annual Palestine Reception at the Labour Party's annual conferenceGB NEWSAngela Rayner made a surprise appearance at the Annual Palestine Reception at the Labour Party's annual conference tonight, giving a speech in which she took aim at Israel.
The Deputy Prime Minister's speech was an unexpected addition to the evening, with the Ashton-under-Lyne MP criticising Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its actions in Gaza.Angela Rayner made a surprise appearance at the Annual Palestine Reception at the Labour Party's annual conference tonight, giving a speech in which she took aim at Israel.
The Deputy Prime Minister's speech was an unexpected addition to the evening, with the Ashton-under-Lyne MP criticising Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its actions in Gaza.
Speaking to the dozens of party members gathered in the room, Rayner hit out at Israel for its "unacceptable" actions before reaffirming the Labour Government's vow to formally recognise the state of Palestine.
WATCH FOR FREE Immigration: The Truth - How Britain has changed forever
The documentary explores growing immigration levels across BritainGB NewsAlmost half the total number of small boat migrants who have crossed the English Channel this year have arrived in the 11 weeks since Labour came to power, GB News exclusively revealed today.
The People's Channel counted more than 1,400 small boat migrants as they arrived in Dover harbour over the weekend, taking the total since the beginning of the year to 25,000.
At the same time, the Home Office faces growing questions over its "performative empathy" as thousands of asylum seekers are revealed to be lying about their age to attempt to blindside Border Force officials.
Amid the migration madness, readers can create a free account on GBNews.com to watch Steven Edginton's landmark documentary Immigration: The Truth now.
As a member, you can tune in to watch as Steven visits towns and cities across the land to investigate how - whether through the rise of Reform or the issue of Gaza - migration is changing the British political calculation.
City boss attacks Rachel Reeves's plans to target pensions - 'We need STABILITY!'
The head of one of the largest pension firms in Britain has hit out at the Chancellor ahead of tax raids which could turn people away from saving for retirement.
Antonio Simoes, who took over at the helm of Legal & General at the beginning of this year, said savers needed "stability" to convince them to lock their money away long-term.
His call comes amid growing speculation that Rachel Reeves is looking to target pension savings in her October Budget - just weeks after the Prime Minister told Britons to brace for "painful" decisions.
Coming soon: Chopper's Political Podcast... Live from Labour
GB NEWS
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope is currently filming the latest episode of Chopper's Political Podcast live from the Labour Party Conference.
Keep your eyes peeled for when the podcast drops later this week.
Emily Thornberry vows to push Starmer to undo Tory Brexit deal
The new chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Emily Thornberry has indicated she will use her role to heavily scrutinise the UK's relationship with the EU and push for closer ties with Brussels.
Speaking at a Labour conference fringe event, the Islington South MP said there were "almighty great holes" in the Brexit withdrawal agreement and trade deal.
"Boris Johnson signed has almighty great holes in it and they need to be plugged," she said.
"We need to make sure that we get closer to our friends, and we have a proper trading relationship and cultural relationship with them, and a Labour government in full cry with full confidence can do that."
Anas Sarwar vows to rid Scotland of 'incompetent' SNP
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has set his sights on becoming the next First Minister, saying his party's revival is “only half written”.
Claiming that Scotland had been “stuck” with two “incompetent” governments, Sarwar said that Labour’s victory in July’s general election had removed the Tories from power.
But, as he hit out at “two decades of SNP failure” north of the border, he said Scottish Labour would “finish the job” and oust them from power in Holyrood at the next election.
Addressing the UK-wide gathering in Liverpool, Sarwar said: “For lots of you, there was only one incompetent government to get rid of.
“But in Scotland we were stuck with two. So, at the general election, we got rid of one incompetent Government - and, in 2026, we finish the job and get rid of the other one.”
Miliband vows to 'take back control' of climate policy
Ed Miliband vowed said Labour had 'won the argument' on climate change
PA
Ed Miliband vowed Labour would "take back control of our energy policy" in his speech to Labour members.
The Environment Secretary said that his party had "won the argument" on climate change as he outlined plans to advance green energy in Britain.
He said: "At the election there was an argument about our country’s future.
"The Tories and their friends on the right said we should turn away from climate action and clean energy. We said no, and we won the argument.
"And I’ll tell you why. Because the British people know our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower is the way to put energy policy back in the serve of working people.
"Social justice, economic justice, climate justice. That’s the mission of this Labour Government."
Racism charity director demands Labour pay reparations to Palestine activist who confronted Angela Rayner
Liz Fekete took aim at Sir Keir Starmer's leadership on Palestine
PA
Labour should pay reparations to a pro-Palestine activist, the director of a racism charity has declared.
Liz Fekete from the Institute of Race Relations made the demand during a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Starmer's honeymoon period ends early as Britons predict Labour to LOSE next election
Starmer's honeymoon ends early as Britons predict Labour to LOSE next electionPASir Keir Starmer's honeymoon period is already over as a shock new poll suggests more than half of Britons expect Labour to lose the next election.
The survey found that 60 per cent of respondents believe that Labour will not manage to survive a second term.
Voters were also surprisingly split on whether Starmer would lead Labour into the next election.
Fourty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they think he will still be in charge, whilst 52 per cent said they did not think that Starmer would still be Prime Minister by 2029.
Analysis by the More in Common think tank also found that Labour could be defeated at the next general election without losing a single vote.
Labour won the 2024 General Election with just 34 per cent of the vote as Tory support slumped to 24 per cent.
Recent opinion polls have suggested Labour's lead has already slipped to as low as four per cent.
BMG Research last month revealed that Labour's support now stands at 29 per cent, with the Tories on 25 per cent and Reform UK leaping up to 19 per cent.
However, Winter Fuel Payments and the early release of convicts appears to have sparked further disaffection with Starmer's Government.
More in Common's UK director Luke Tryl said: "It may seem extremely premature to be looking ahead to the next election just months after the last one, but with such a volatile electorate Labour needs to be thinking not just about how to hold on to its existing coalition, but how to grow that broad but shallow base of support if it is going to have any chance of holding onto power.
"Our analysis suggests a modest growth in their vote share to 36% is the magic number that would allow the party to see off a threat from a ‘united right’.
"Fail to do that and the party could find itself out of office, even without losing a single vote.
"Growing Labour’s base will require Keir Starmer to appeal to the left and right - winning over those moderate Conservatives who almost made the leap to Labour this time, while also winning back jaded progressive voters who don’t yet think Labour is being bold enough."
Labour vows rail re-nationalisation to be complete within five years
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh told delegates at the Labour conference that the party is the “greatest force for social change” as she vowed to end the “age of privatised chaos”.
She said: “We are bringing the age of privatised chaos underwritten by public money to an end for good. There are those that say that it could never change, that our politics is too small to stand up to a challenge like this, that it doesn’t matter the colour of the rosette, things will always stay the same.
“But that has never been Labour. That has never been us. There is a reason our party is the greatest force for social change our country has ever seen.”
She added: “By the end of this Parliament, our railways will be in public ownership, run by great British Railways in the service of you, the British people, and change does not stop there.
“We’ve hauled in failing train operators and put them on remedial plans. We’ve announced world leading legislation to ensure flying will be greener. We’ve called time on divisive culture wars around walking and cycling.
“We’ve repealed the toxic minimum service level legislation, green lit hundreds of affordable homes by stations, and we got round the table with the unions to put an end to the longest ever industrial dispute on our railways.”
Reeves pledges not to bring back austerity - 'Won't dim our ambition!'
Rachel Reeves also used her speech to mock Tory "titans" running to replace Rishi SunakPAShocking moment Labour conference protester is dragged into a backroom by security
'We're still selling arms!' Pro-Palestine protester sparks chaos after disrupting Rachel Reeves' speech
Reeves's speech was disruptedGBNRachel Reeves' speech at Labour Party conference has been plunged into chaos after a pro-Palestine protester was thrown out of the ACC in Liverpool.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was just ten minutes into her speech, was forced into a pause after a lone protester stood up to complain about the UK's arms arrangement with Israel.
The heckler was heard shouting "we are still selling arms to Israel" just seconds after Reeves tore into the Tory Party over playing "fast and loose" with public finances.
Two men forcibly removed the protester from the ACC, with GB News footage showing the heckler being dragged out of the main hall.
‘I can’t move past this’: GB News’ Isabel Webster grills Labour minister over Rachel Reeves’s ‘office expenses’
Treasury Minister Darren Jones has defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves for accepting clothing donations from a party donor.
Speaking to GB News, Jones said: "Parties in opposition, as the Conservative Party will now find out, rely on political donations to fund their activities. That's the way it works."
Boos ring out as complaints raised about winter fuel allowance debate
Boos and jeers were heard in the conference hall as complaints were raised about a debate on union calls for the winter fuel allowance cuts to be reversed not taking place.
Unite’s Andy Green said: "This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance. Today is economy day at conference and we have the Chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning.
"So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today. It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot."
Gary Neville DEFENDS Sir Keir Starmer over free football tickets
Gary Neville and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy
PA
The former Manchester United star told a conference fringe event: “I’m struggling with the free football tickets one quite a bit, to be honest with you, when I look at the absolute corruption we’ve seen in the last five, six, seven, eight years with people getting billions of pounds worth of contracts in VIP lanes.”
He added: "Keir Starmer’s paid for his season ticket to go with his family to watch Arsenal all his life and he’s now being told he can’t go to that same seat, when I’m sure he would , you know he would, everybody knows he would, he’s been told he’s got to go in a hospitality box, a private box.
"To be fair, a lot of the people complaining about him will end up in those types of boxes themselves, including myself at times.”
Mr Neville continued: "I find it absolutely incredible that this level of attention is now being paid to a Labour Prime Minister when I look at the absolute cronyism we watched for years under that lot."
Row erupts as Labour MP claims Starmer is 'protecting pensioners' after 10 million lose Winter Fuel Payments
GB News host Eamonn Holmes found himself embroiled in a heated row with a Labour MP this morning, with the GB News host saying the Government is "not there for the weak and the vulnerable".
It comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood by his decision to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested, despite receiving fierce backlash.
Reeves refuses to rule out further tax raid - 'Difficult decisions!'
Rachel Reeves GettyRachel Reeves has refused to rule out a further tax raid as the Chancellor mulls over reevaluating council tax bands.
Asked if council tax changes were under consideration, Reeves said: "Well, that’s a pamphlet I wrote seven years ago and since then we’ve gone through some difficult times.
“We’re not going to be bringing in a wealth tax, but there will be a number of difficult decisions around tax and spending and welfare.”
The potential rebanding comes just weeks after Labour pushed ahead with plans to axe Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.