Politics LIVE: Starmer REFUSES to repeat Reeves's vow against yet another tax raid

SNP MP clashes with Starmer over Israel arms sales

SNP MP Brendan O'Hara has clashed with Sir Keir Starmer over suspending all arms sales to Israel.

O'Hara asked: “Now that arrest warrants have been issued for his allies, Netanyahu and Gallant, the Prime Minister’s determination to supply Israel with the weapons it requires to carry out its atrocities in Gaza which has always been morally repugnant is now completely untenable.

“What these warrants do is present him with the perfectly valid legal avenue by which he can end the UK’s complicity in this slaughter so will he do that or will the Prime Minister continue to choose to licence F35 components to a regime which is now led by a man wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity?”

The Prime Minister replied: “We have set out our position under the current law as he well knows.

"I have set out my position very, very clearly in relation to the sale of capability to Israel to defend itself against attacks such as those from Iran and I am very clear that we will continue to do so.”

Starmer refuses to reverse decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to reverse his decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

Responding to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, the Prime Minister said: “Obviously the whole House is concerned about energy bills which are actually lower this year than they were last year.

"The long term way to deal with this is clean power by 2030 to make sure we drive those energy bills down on a permanent basis and that is what we will do.

“On the winter fuel allowance, he knows very well what the Government’s position is and I have rehearsed it indeed with him many times.”

Reform UK MP quizzes Starmer on releasing nationality breakdown for Universal Credit

I questioned the Prime Minister today on releasing a full nationality breakdown of those claiming Universal Credit - the British people deserve to have this data published in full, on a regular basis.

I look forward to hearing from the Prime Minister on its swift publication. pic.twitter.com/BFfFrEEUHc

— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) November 27, 2024

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has quizzed Sir Keir Starmer on releasing nationality breakdown data for Universal Credit claimants.

Lowe said: "In response to my written question on publishing the number of foreign nationals receiving Universal Credit.

"I was informed by a Department of Work & Pensions Minister that the feasibility of developing suitable official statistics was being examined.

"Will the Prime Minister today commit to using his good offices to publish this data transparently?"

Responding to Lowe, the Prime Minister said: "I'm grateful to him for raising this, and I know there's been an exchange on it, and as soon as I've got an update from him, I will provide that for him, so he's got it."

Davey demands Starmer makes hospices exempt from National Insurance raid

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged Sir Keir Starmer to make hospices exempt from the Labour Government's increase to National Insurance contributions.

Davey said: “Does the Prime Minister agree that whatever the House decides on Friday, it is urgent that we improve access to high quality end of life care?

“Will he make that a key focus of the 10 year NHS plan and will he commit now to protect hospices from the National Insurance rise?”

Starmer replied: “Obviously there is a very important vote on Friday but whichever way that vote goes we must invest properly in care across our health service.”

'We had a massive petition on July 4!' Starmer swats away 2.7 million Britons who want another General Election

Sir Keir Starmer has swatted away a petition signed by more than 2.7 million Britons demanding yet another General Election.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch goaded the Prime Minister with calls to "resign" and mentioned the petition.

Responding in the House of Commons, Starmer said: “Isn’t it the case that the employment rights Bill shows that it is not only the ginger nut that is causing him problems?”

Badenoch berates Starmer as business confidence 'crashed' after Budget

The Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch has told Sir Keir Starmer than business confidence has "crashed" after Rachel Reeves unveiled her maiden Budget in late October.

Hitting back at Badenoch, the Prime Minister said: “We are fixing the foundations, we have got record investment into this country.”

Starmer also pointed out that Badenoch's Tories had criticised the increase to National Insurance contributions for employers but stopped short of demanding its reversal.

ICYMI: Reform blasts Labour for 'witch hunt defection probe' as Anderson warns - 'We're coming for you!'

Lee Anderson has fired back against Labour after Ellie Reeves wrote to the parliament's standards watchdog to ask for an investigation into the Ashfield MP's defection to Reforn UK.

Reeves voiced concern about Anderson potentially being offered a lump sum of money to join the populist party.

She said: "Economic enticement should have no place at all in UK politics – it undermines democratic norms, undermines national security and ultimately undermines the principle of having faith that elected politicians act in the interests of their constituents. I look forward to your response."

Despite previously claiming money was offered, Anderson later described the suggestion as "ridicukous", stressing: "I'm not a mercenary".

Responding to Reeves letter, Anderson told GB News: "Ellie Reeves needs to concentrate on her sister's dodgy looking CV rather than start a witch hunt on upstanding MPs like myself.

"Labour must be rattled and so they should be. We're coming for them at every ballot box in the country."

Anderson's warning about Reform UK targeting Labour heartlands comes after Nigel Farage switched the populist party's focus to Wales ahead of the Senedd Elections in 2026.

'There'll be hell to pay!' Trump ally sends warning to Starmer over 'bulls**t' Netanyahu arrest warrant

A leading Donald Trump ally has sent Sir Keir Starmer a major warning after the International Criminal Court issued a "bulls**t" arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kevin Roberts, who leads the influential Heritage Foundation think tank, told GB News last night that any attempt to arrest Netanyahu would result in fury from the incoming Trump administration.

He said: "There will be hell to pay for any international leader buying into this bulls**t."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

ICYMI: 'Galling!' Starmer branded 'deeply hypocritical' as Labour bigwigs continue helicopter travel

Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled "deeply hypocritical" after it was revealed that Labour Ministers will keep travelling by helicopter despite the Prime Minister branding Rishi Sunak "out of touch" for doing so.

During the 2024 General Election campaign, Starmer regularly took swipes at Rishi Sunak over using taxpayer-funded choppers to travel the country and the Prime Minister cancelled a £40million contract after entering No10.

However, Starmer will continue to allow senior Ministers and officials to travel by helicopter.

Responding to queries from ex-Paymaster General John Glen, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said: "An alternative framework for VIP air transport and military command support air transport is being considered.

"The review will explore means of delivery and consider cost-effectiveness while ensuring the important military command function can be met appropriately."

She added: "No. Routine helicopter transport will be sourced through the Ministerial Transport Office, not from Military helicopters."

Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden told The Daily Mail: "This is deeply hypocritical given how much time Labour spent in opposition complaining about this.

"It is all the more galling after Labour hiked up Air Passenger Duty for everyone else at the Budget."

Ex-DUP MP warns Starmer could 'stab Reeves in the back' over inheritance tax raid on farmers

'Do not underestimate how ruthless Starmer has to be, and if this means stabbing Rachel Reeves in the back, he will do it. This will be Number 10 vs Number 11. The Treasury went too far!'

Ian Paisley Junior questions if Keir Starmer will U-turn the farmer inheritance tax raid. pic.twitter.com/2M3pOdfKOL

— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 27, 2024

Ex-DUP MP Iain Paisley Jr has warned Sir Keir Starmer could "stab Rachel Reeves in the back" over the Chancellor's decision to raid farmers' pockets.

Speaking on GB News this morning, Paisley said: "Do not underestimate how ruthless Starmer has to be, and if this means stabbing Rachel Reeves in the back, he will do it.

"This will be No10 vs No11. The Treasury went too far!"

Labour confirms plans to overhaul UK electric vehicle mandate as minister admits targets 'not working'

The UK's electric vehicle plans are not working as intended, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds admitted at an annual meeting on Tuesday night.

Speaking to car manufacturers at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) annual dinner, Reynolds said he was "profoundly concerned" about how the Zero Emissions Mandate meant to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles were operating.

The announcement coincided with car maker Vauxhall revealing plans to shut its Luton van-making plant, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, citing the UK's stringent zero-emission vehicle mandate as a key factor.

Reynolds told the SMMT he would launch a fast-track consultation on changes to the zero-emission vehicle mandate, promising clarity within weeks.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Winter Fuel Payment axe leaves vulnerable pensioners TERRIFIED of heating their homes

Pensioners have said they will be forced to choose between having hot meals and heating their homes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel allowance would be limited, a new survey has revealed.

The impact on vulnerable elderly people is stark, with more than half saying they would need to reduce their heating use at home.

More than three-quarters of pensioners spent their winter fuel payments on essential energy costs last year, according to Age UK, as the Government moves to restrict the vital support to only those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Three ex-Tory PMs oppose Assisted Dying Bill

Former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Liz Truss have all voiced opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill.

Baroness May, who opposed similar legislation in 2015, is expected to vote against the bill when it reaches the House of Lords.

Truss also told The Telegraph: “It is wrong in principle: organs of the state like the NHS and the judicial system should be protecting lives, not ending them.

“No doubt, as we have seen in Canada, vulnerable people would be put under appalling pressure to end their lives early.

"The law would be ripe for being exploited by the unscrupulous. MPs should vote this terrible Bill down and instead focus on improving health services.”

The Telegraph also claimed that Johnson is not prepared to support the proposed legislation as it currently stands.