Downing Street ADMITS no winter fuel payments impact assessment was carried out

Downing Street has admitted ministers did not carry out a specific impact assessment on the withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from the bulk of pensioners, such as the potential effect on illness and death rates among older people.

Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy spokesperson said the only assessment made before the policy announcement was a standard legal one of potential equalities impacts, reports The Guardian.

Asked to confirm that there had been no wider assessment to try to establish how many affected pensioners may face health vulnerabilities, and could thus be at risk, she said: “That’s right.”

Record number of child terror suspects arrested

A record number of child terror suspects are being arrested, figures show. Police detained 242 people on suspicion of terror offences in the year to June. Of these, 17 per cent (40) were aged 17 and under, according to Home Office figures.

This is up 60 per cent from the 25 detained in the previous 12-month period, and is the highest number since records began more than 20 years ago, when just two children were arrested in the year to June 2002.

It means children are now the second largest age category for suspects being arrested for terrorism. The 118 people aged 30 and over who were detained in the year to June make up the largest age category, accounting for 49 per cent of arrests.

Terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC described the number of youngsters being detained as remaining stubbornly high.

Labour free speech row explodes as SEVEN British Nobel laureates hit out at 'cancel culture'

Plans to scrap laws tackling “cancel culture” on university campuses have been hit with backlash by leading British authors.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson indefinitely suspended legislation that would have forced universities to protect the right of legal free speech on campus or face sanctions.

Read the full story here.

SNP demands even MORE taxpayer money as it takes aim at Brexit

The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has demands more money for the NHS after blaming Brexit for the crisis engulfing the NHS.

Flynn, who is a longstanding Brexit-basher, cited the UK's departure from the Brussels bloc as one of three reasons for the NHS requiring radical reform.

However, the author of today's damning NHS report Lord Darzi also identified three core reasons behind the crisis.

The former Labour peer did not name Brexit as a reason, instead citing austerity, the 2012 Health & Social Care Act and coronavirus pandemic.

Despite Lord Darzi's report, Flynn is convinced leaving the EU still played a major role in the NHS' decline and is demanding even more cash.

He said: "Lord Darzi’s report exposes the catastrophic damage that fourteen years of Westminster austerity cuts, chronic underfunding and Brexit have done to the NHS.

"For more than a decade, the SNP has repeatedly warned about the damage UK Government cuts and underfunding were causing our NHS.

"There is no escaping the fact that alongside constant modernisation, the NHS needs more money - and it needs it now, if it is to deliver the best possible healthcare."

Nigel Farage hits out at Sadiq Khan for 'wanting free housing for criminals and illegal migrants'

Nigel Farage has slammed Sadiq Khan for calling for free housing "for criminals and illegal migrants" in a new twist in Labour's early release row.

In a scathing attack on the mayor of London, the Reform UK leader wrote on social media: “Sadiq Khan wants free housing for criminals and illegal migrants... And he wants you to pay for it all.”

His message came in response to Khan suggesting that newly-released prisoners should skip the housing queue to discourage them from reoffending.

Though the Mayor of London's office told GB News that "Sadiq is not suggesting prisoners should skip the queue for permanent housing", adding how "London families in need must be prioritised for council homes in the capital", Khan's comments have attracted some severe ire - both from Farage, and from senior Tories.

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Green Party SLAMS Labour response to Darzi review - 'hugely disappointing'

The Green Party's co-leader has labelled Labour's response to Lord Darzi's NHS England review as "hugely disappointing".

The PM had said the NHS must "reform or die", following the review - and outlined his 10-year rescue plan as he described the service's recent decline as "unforgivable".

But in response, Green co-leader and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay said: "The Darzi review pulls no punches: the NHS has been harmed by austerity, capital starvation, the disastrous 2012 Health and Social Care Act and the dire state of social care.

"It is therefore hugely disappointing to see Labour, like a string of previous Conservative and Labour governments, hooked on reform rather than investment.

"Starmer says there can be no money without reform. We say there can be no improvement to waiting times, cancer death rates, treatment for mental health – and many other struggling areas – without more money.

"We agree that we cannot ask working people to foot the bill through higher taxes. But it is fair to ask the super-rich to pay a little more through wealth taxes. This could generate billions towards the investment the NHS is crying out for.

"'Reform' has in the past been used as a stalking-horse for privatisation. The Green Party completely rejects privatisation and fragmentation of the NHS. Private companies are focused on creaming off profits which can result in degraded services and more people not getting the treatment they need from the NHS. "

Starmer dealt hammer blow as public gives damning verdict of faith in NHS under Labour

The British public believes the NHS will get worse under Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government, a damning poll has revealed.

A YouGov survey highlighted 40 per cent of Britons believe the NHS will get worse, with just 30 per cent believing it will improve.

An additional 22 per cent believe the NHS will remain the same.

The opinion poll, conducted in mid-August, registered a boost since Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak in No10, with a 10-point jump in the number of respondents appearing optimistic.

However, the surge appears to have been propelled by voters aged 18 to 24 as that is the only demographic which is putting its faith in Starmer to turn the NHS around.

The Prime Minister today outlined his 10-year rescue plan as he described the recent decline of the NHS as "unforgivable".

Speaking in Central London, Starmer said: “The NHS may be broken but it is not beaten.

"As the report says, the NHS may be in a critical condition but it is vital signs are strong and we need to have the courage to deliver long-term reform.

"Major surgery not sticking plasters. We have got to face up to the challenges."

He added: "The NHS is at a fork in the road and we have a choice about how it should meet those demands. Don’t act and leave it to die.

"Raise taxes on working people or reform to secure its future. Working people can’t afford to pay more so it is reform or die.”

The Prime Minister's comments came just hours after the release Lord Darzi released a damning 142-page report which highlighted the NHS' decline since 2015.

The report identified three major "shocks" to the NHS over the past 15 years.

It claimed austerity led to a £37billion shortfall in capital investment compared to other countries, warned the 2012 Health and Social Care Act was "a calamity without international precedent" and revealed the coronavirus pandemic smashed the service when NHS resilience was at an all-time low.

Lib Dems attack Tories after Labour unveil 10-year NHS plan

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has attacked the Tories after Labour unveiled its 10-year NHS plan.

Cooper urged Sir Keir Starmer to address "the elephant in the room" after the Prime Minister vowed to introduce tough reforms to the NHS.

However, the St Albans MP appeared to fixate on the record of the previous Tory Government rather than the current Labour administration.

She said: “The damage that the former Conservative Government has caused to our NHS and social care system is unforgivable and today’s Darzi report is a scathing and sobering reminder of this.

“The Liberal Democrats have long called for reform - moving health care from hospitals to home, and from treatment to prevention.

“Moreover, the elephant in the room is that we cannot reform our NHS without reforming social care, and the Liberal Democrats will continue to push the Government to take up our plans to fix not just our NHS but the social care system too.”

Policing minister has purse stolen while at annual policing conference

Labour's Policing Minister Diana Johnson had her purse stolen at an annual conference of senior police officers on Tuesday.

Johnson delivered a speech warning about an "epidemic" of theft at an event held at a four-star hotel outside Kenilworth.

Warwickshire Police has since confirmed it is investigating a report of theft at the hotel.

The Home Office separately confirmed that Johnson had her belongings stolen at the conference.

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Farage launches Commons ‘boycott’ as ‘failure of democracy’ locks Reform out of key process

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has “boycotted” a series of key Commons votes as a “failure of democracy” locks the populist party’s five MPs out of a key parliamentary process.

Farage, 60, confirmed Reform UK MPs would not vote in elections to decide Select Committee chairs yesterday.

Despite receiving 4.1 million votes, Reform UK will have no representation on Select Committees.

The Liberal Democrats, who obtained 3.5 million votes, will get to sit on the key committees.

Sir Ed Davey’s pro-PR party will get representation after returning 72 MPs.

Taking to social media, the Clacton MP said:“Reform MPs boycotted the elections for Select Committee Chairs in Parliament tonight.

“Despite us winning more votes than the Lib Dems, we are not allowed a single seat. This is a failure of democracy.”

Select Committee votes last night resulted in Labour heading up 18 backbencher groupings.

Tory MPs will chair five other committees, with Liberal Democrat MPs Layla Moran and Jamie Stone also getting positions.

Moran and Stone were handed roles for Health and Petitions after being appointed to the positions by the Speaker in unopposed contests.

Farage could be BANNED from hosting GB News show as Labour considers crackdown in new rules

Nigel Farage could be banned from hosting his GB News show with Labour eyeing up a crackdown on MPs making paid media appearances.

Parliament's Modernisation Committee, which is being chaired by Labour frontbencher Lucy Powell, today published a memorandum agreeing to look at tightening rules on second jobs.

Labour committed to establishing the new committee in its 2024 manifesto as it vowed to reform House of Commons procedures.

The 14-member committee - which includes nine Labour MPs, three Tories and two Liberal Democrats - met for the first time yesterday.

It vowed to look at outside paid engagements, including media appearances.

The committee will examine "whether paid outside engagements such as MP media appearances, journalism and speeches provide a benefit to the public or present a conflict of interest".

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WATCH NOW: Keir Starmer's unveils radical plan to fix NHS

Starmer claims NHS 'broken but not beaten' as PM unveils radical plan

Sir Keir Starmer has said the NHS is “broken but it is not beaten” as he set out his plans for a major overhaul of the health service.

Speaking in Central London, the Prime Minister said: “The NHS may be broken but it is not beaten.

"As the report says, the NHS may be in a critical condition but it is vital signs are strong and we need to have the courage to deliver long-term reform.

"Major surgery not sticking plasters. We have got to face up to the challenges.”

He added: “The NHS is at a fork in the road and we have a choice about how it should meet those demands. Don’t act and leave it to die.

"Raise taxes on working people. Or reform to secure its future. Working people can’t afford to pay more so it is reform or die.”

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY

Farage CANCELS Trump plans as Reform UK leader announces big move

Nigel Farage has cancelled his plan to spend three months in the US for Donald Trump's 2024 White House campaign as the Reform UK leader announced his latest big move.

Farage, 60, was intending to join the ex-President ahead of November 5 but later opted to stand to become MP for Clacton.

Following his victory on July 4, Farage stated he has altered his plans on the other side of the pond.

"This is the decision I made, when I was toying with this back in May," Farage told ITV.

"Do I go to America for three months and follow the campaign, support the campaign, commentate on the campaign, be close to the campaign or do I stand [to be an MP]?

"So clearly my priority has to be Clacton, has to be my job in parliament and the party that I lead nationally, so I will not be there a huge amount."

Farage also confirmed his intention to relocate to the coastal constituency.

"It isn't about how much time you spend somewhere, it's about what you do with it," he said.

"What will help will be a house relocation, which is currently going through. So once I've got a property there it'll make life a lot easier.

"It all takes longer than you want it to. You think it should happen next Thursday, but it takes a few weeks."

WATCH NOW: Shadow Health Sec's attack on Labour's NHS record

'I wanted to reform the NHS.'

Shadow Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, believes Labour don't sound 'serious about raising productivity and improving outcomes in the NHS'. pic.twitter.com/FeTPlsDuBA

— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 12, 2024

Shadow Health Sec slams Labour over Welsh record - 'Worst area!'

Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has slammed Labour over its NHS record in Wales.

Speaking as Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer prepare to push for NHS reform, Atkins told GB News: "The worst area in Great Britain for health outcomes on pretty much every measure is Wales.

"They have one-in-four of their population on NHS waiting lists. On average, a Welsh patient is waiting seven weeks longer than an English patient and they have they have 23,000 people waiting longer than two years, whereas in England we have 120 people.

"Now, that's relevant because the NHS in Wales has been run for the last 25 years by Labour.

"If they are concerned about the health measures in England, why have they not also looked at their own performance in Wales?"

'It's easier for Labour to reform NHS but Starmer faces trade union fight', ANALYSIS BY OLIVIA UTLEY

GB News' political correspondent Olivia Utley has argued it is easier for a Labour Government to reform the NHS ahead of the release of a damning report about the state of healthcare in the UK.

Olivia suggested Health Secretary Wes Streeting will have the best opportunity to bring about essential NHS reforms due to Labour's historic connection with healthcare.

She also highlighted how Sir Keir Starmer could look to use his "political capital" to deliver changes but will likely face a backlash from trade unions.

Olivia said:

Generally, it is easier for a Labour Government to reform the NHS because it isn't seen as much of a toxic issue for Labour politicians when it often is for Conservatives.
That is something that Jeremy Hunt confessed when he won his seat in the summer.
However, Sir Keir Starmer could face problems when the unions start getting involved.
The unions will not like it if Labour looks to reduce staff numbers and prioritise NHS equipment.

WATCH NOW: Wes Streeting's NHS grilling in full

'We are going to wage a war on waste.'

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, is tested by @NanaAkua1 over spending within the NHS and where funding can be redirected to and from. pic.twitter.com/yzcWayIyh6

— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 12, 2024

Wes Streeting promises to tackle 'difficult NHS choices' as Starmer pushes for overhaul

You have every right to be angry about the state of our NHS.

We need courage to achieve long-term reform - major surgery not sticking plaster solutions.

My government will work with NHS staff, experts and patients to deliver the biggest reimagining of the NHS since its birth.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 12, 2024

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has promised to tackle "difficult choices" in the NHS as Labour pushes ahead with widespread reforms to address the health crisis.

Speaking to GB News this morning, Streeting said: "We are not going to duck the difficult choices.

"We are not going to ignore hard truths, and we are not going to sweep the problems under the carpet.

"As a Labour Party, we are not going to get into dewy-eyed nostalgia about what the NHS was when it was created 76 years ago.

"We are going to face up to the hard choices and challenges today, so the NHS is there for us for the next 76 years and we deal with the awful situation we see today."

Streeting's comments come as Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil plans to "long-term reform" of the NHS.

The Prime Minister vowed to pursue "major surgery" rather than "sticking plaster solution".

Hunt blasts Labour over 'bogus' economic inheritance attack line

Ex-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has slammed Labour for blaming the Tories economic record for the "tough" decisions it is not making.

Sir Keir Starmer consistently blamed the £22billion black hole left by the Conservative Party for the need to release convicts early and axe Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners.

The Prime Minister is also expected to blame the Tories for the need for the NHS to "reform or die" later today.

However, in a scathing attack against Labour, Hunt said: “Labour's bogus 'black hole' is falling to pieces, with the Government now admitting they can't provide basic details because they aren't sure they're accurate.

“It's clear that this fictitious 'black hole' is purely of Labour's own making - simply a political smokescreen for their public sector pay awards.

"The public won't be fooled by this shameless pre-text for tax rises."

However, Starmer yesterday responded to several questions by highlighting the situation inherited by the new Labour Government.

Starmer suffers HUMILIATION in Parliament as Lords condemn Winter Fuel Payment cut

Sir Keir Starmer has received his first blow since pushing ahead with plans to strip 10 million pensioners of Winter Fuel Payments.

The Prime Minister, who won a Commons vote on the matter with the support of 348 Labour MPs on Tuesday, suffered defeat during a so-called "regret motion" by 164 votes to 132.

Former Tory Pensions Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott said: "I cannot think there is anybody really in this chamber who wants this to happen in terms of withdrawing the winter fuel allowance in this way.

"I think the two phrases that come out time and time again are to take time and think again, and I live in the hope that that may happen."

However, a wider attempt to block the Winter Fuel Payment cut was defeated by 138 votes to just 30.