Labour has been blasted for refusing to publish lists of hotels being used to house "asylum seekers" in Britain.
Speaking to the Commons today, Tory MP Sir Gavin Williamson lambasted the "devastation" that constituents across the country were feeling at the sight of the controversial hotels being brought back into use.
He tore into the lack of consultation with local authorities - which he said have been subjected to "diktats" with "no support and no help" - and accused Labour of "abandoning a manifesto pledge".
Williamson also hailed the work of GB News in "shining a light" on the scale of the crisis as he pushed on Labour to provide a list of migrant hotels and their estimated costs to British taxpayers.
Sharing footage of his question to Parliament later on Wednesday, Williamson wrote: "Communities across the country are angry that asylum seeker hotels are being opened behind their backs.
"So, I asked Labour to provide a list of all hotels being used to house asylum seekers.
"Plot twist: they refused.
"Once again, Starmer thinks he is above Parliamentary scrutiny!"
But Labour's Mike Tapp hit back - laying into the Tories for opening hundreds of the hotels as he vowed: "It's your mess we are working hard to fix."
Tory mega-donor leaves parting shot after defecting to Reform in major blow to Badenoch
Hall took an acidic swipe at the Conservatives as he joined Reform UK
X/NIGEL_FARAGE
Kemi Badenoch's Tories have been dealt a crushing blow as long-time mega-donor Sir John Hall has officially joined Reform UK.
Despite having spent years hosting events for Tory Prime Ministers and leaders, Hall defected to Nigel Farage's party in June - and took an acidic swipe at the Conservatives as he joined in an official capacity today.
As he took up his new role as Reform's North East Life President, Hall said: "I joined the Conservative Party because they were for the private sector.
"Gradually, things changed, and over the last few years I was quite astounded at the way changes were happening in my country.
"I'm an old Englishman, and suddenly I find myself being a stranger in my own land after 14 years of Conservative rule.
"Reform speaks the language, I've never seen such enthusiasm for a political party.
"Like many English people today, I want to see that Englishness protected for future generations, and I'm delighted to be with Reform."
The party's top brass has hailed the arrival of the former Newcastle United FC chairman - Zia Yusuf called him a "giant of the North East of England and a beacon for social mobility and British values", while leader Nigel Farage said he was "absolutely delighted" to have his support.
Yusuf added that Hall "can see that their brand is now broken after one of the greatest betrayals of the British people".
Across the North East at the 2024 General Election, the Tories retained just one seat as the party's vote share plummeted to just 20.2 per cent.
Hot on the Conservatives' heels were none other than Reform UK - which in July took home a nail-bitingly close 19.9 per cent vote share across the region's 27 constituencies.
'Don't turn a blind eye!' Starmer issued defence warning as China and Russia 'charm-offensive' threatens Aukus
Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey, Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in London
GETTYSir Keir Starmer has been warned that China and Russia's ever-extending influence over developing countries is putting Britain's security at risk.
Current and former MPs have expressed their concern to GB News over the Mongolian government's growing relationship with both Moscow and Beijing - just days after the Prime Minister met with Xi Jinping...
Britain braces as Labour's 'flawed' rail nationalisation Bill passes
Labour's "flawed" rail nationalisation Bill passed in the Lords this evening - sparking fury from Tories who warned of a decline in services.
Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon hit out at the "flip-flopping" Lib Dem peers for voting with Labour in the wake of Wednesday's vote - who voted with the Tories the day before.
On social media, Bacon wrote: "Only yesterday the Lib Dems voted with the Conservatives to stop Labour from worsening rail services.
"Today, the Lib Dems voted with Labour in the Lords. The Government's flawed Bill now passes, services will worsen... All because the flip-flopping Lib Dems wouldn't stand up for passengers!"
Chopper: Starmer tight-lipped on Storm Shadow missiles as he jets back to Britain
Sir Keir Starmer has not commented on reports that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike Russia by Ukraine, GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope says.
Chopper is en route back from Brazil with the Prime Minister from the latest G20 summit - but Starmer will not be drawn on the missile strikes.
ICYMI: Rayner slammed for 'ugly truth' as Labour accused of punishing voters who didn't support them - 'They don't care!'
PADeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been accused of punishing voters who did not support Labour on July 4 after Sir Keir Starmer backed ending perks for farmers, pensioners and private schools.
Following protests in Whitehall yesterday, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart said: "I understand why the right honourable lady doesn’t want to answer questions about the terrible choices the Government has made. It is because the truth is ugly.
“The truth is that this is a punishment meted out to people who don’t vote Labour.
"It is the same punishment meted out to parents who send their children to private schools.
"It is the same punishment meted out to the owners of small businesses terrified about National Insurance contributions.
“And it is the same punishment meted out to pensioners who can’t afford to pay their fuel this winter. Isn’t it the truth that if you don’t vote Labour they don’t care about you?”
Responding to Burghart's fiery question, Rayner said: "After that display he clearly didn’t recognise the result of the general election.”
"And has learnt nothing while this Government has been fixing the mess that they left."
Despite winning a landslide majority, certain communities were still far less likely to vote Labour.
And opinion polls now suggest that many voters have since changed their minds, with Labour's lead dropping to just one per cent.
'What next? The Royal Marines?' Tories FUME at Labour's ill-timed defence cuts
'Ominously, John says there's more to come - Carriers? Royal Marines?' Murrison asked
PAConservatives have torn into Labour's latest defence cuts in the wake of John Healey's announcement this afternoon.
Former Tory MP Andrew Murrison, writing on social media, said: "John Healey just announced a shed load of Royal Navy defence cuts blaming the last lot - who'd have thought - and making a mockery of the strategic defence review he set up.
"Ominously, John says there's more to come - Carriers? Royal Marines?" Murrison asked.
Labour unveils massive £500m military cutback just as Ukraine Storm Shadow strikes send war fears skyrocketing
Labour has unveiled a massive package of defence cuts this afternoon - just as war fears with Russia surged as Ukraine used British-made Storm Shadow missiles for the very first time.
The cuts, worth £500m - or less than one per cent of the MoD's annual budget - will see five warships, dozens of military helicopters and a fleet of drones scrapped to save money.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the measures were the "common sense" thing to do in Parliament today, calling the outgoing military craft "outdated".
Labour MP labels Allison Pearson police probe 'Stasi-like' as Rayner quizzed on press freedom
A senior Labour MP has described Essex Police's decision to investigate Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson over an X post as "Stasi-like".
Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley & Middleton South, questioned Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner about the concerning treatment of the prominent journalist.
The criticism stems from a police visit to Pearson's home on Remembrance Sunday, where officers sought to investigate an allegedly offensive tweet.
During Deputy Prime Minister's Questions, Stringer suggested that police forces would be "better trying to deal with shoplifting, burglaries and other crimes, rather than intimidating journalists".
Lee Anderson tears into Angela Rayner over ‘madcap’ inheritance tax hike: ‘Throw it in the trashcan along with Rachel’s CV!’
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has torn into Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over Labour's "madcap" inheritance tax hike.
The Ashfield MP also took a swipe at Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the scandal surrounding her CV.
He asked: “Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with me that this decision should be thrown in the trash can along with Rachel from accounts’ CV?”
Rayner said: “He talks about CVs, it is good to see the honourable member doing well on his. Once a Labour councillor, then a Tory MP and now a Reform chief whip.”
'Absolutely committed!' Rayner dismisses worried farmers by claiming Labour committed £5bn to rural budgets
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has dismissed farmers worried about Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax raid by pointing to a fresh £5billion rural budget pot.
Responding to Burghart, Rayner said: “We are absolutely committed to our British farmers and that is why we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over the next two years.”
However, Burghart highlighted how raids against pensioners, small businesses, private schools and farmers appear to target those less likely to vote Labour.
Rayner makes Truss jibe after being quizzed on inflation increase
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has taken a jibe at former Prime Minister Liz Truss after being quizzed on the latest increase to inflation.
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart asked: "What is the Government doing to bring down inflation?”
Rayner highlighted Burghart's role as Growth Minister under Truss and claimed Labour is "doing much better than he did".
However, Burghart accused Labour of "stoking inflation" after pushing ahead with inflation-busting public sector pay rises.
In a short response, Rayner quipped: “I will ask the Honourable Gentleman: 11.1 per cent or 3 per cent?”
ICYMI: Farage urges farmers to take ‘rural revolt’ directly to Labour as protesters issue Starmer warning
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has urged farmers to take the “rural revolt” against Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax hike to Labour-held seats.
Farage, who was given a heroes welcome in Whitehall yesterday, issued the plea after Sir Keir Starmer doubled-down on ending death duty exemptions for farmers.
Speaking on GB News last night, the Brexit supremo said: “Labour now have somewhere between 70 and 100 seats they won at the election in rural or semi-rural constituencies.
"And I think what this movement now needs to do is not just to get together in London, but to be seen in market towns all over this country, especially ones that Labour won by very narrow margins at the next general election.”
Three Labour MPs - Terry Jermy, Andy MacNae and Steve Witherden - were seemingly feeling the heat from constituents, later deciding to break ranks by calling for more Treasury transparency over the inheritance tax grab.
Analysis has also shown that Labour could lose up to 59 seats over the farming row as dozens were identified as either rural or semi-rural.
And farmers appear inclined to listen to Farage’s advice. In a warning to Starmer, Farming Forum founder Clive Bailye said: “They need to know this is just a warm up act.”
'You can't ignore him!' Labour grandee urges Starmer to form unlikely alliance with Farage to woo Trump and Musk
Labour grandee Lord Mandelson has urged Sir Keir Starmer to embrace an unlikely alliance with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to strengthen Britain's relationships with Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
The former New Labour Business Secretary, who is tipped as a potential future UK ambassador to the US, urged officials to set aside political differences in pursuit of national interests.
Mandelson's suggestion comes after Labour Ministers rejected Farage's offer to undertake a new "interlocutor" role with the incoming Trump administration.
Speaking to Times Radio, Lord Mandelson emphasised the importance of leveraging British connections to rebuild relationships.
Addressing Labour's relationship with Musk, he said: "If I were the Government here, I'd be asking the embassy in Washington DC to find out who his other British friends are."
Mandelson added: "You've got to be used, I think, as a bridge to Musk. And so that's what I would do.
"You know, swallow your pride, find out who his friends are and try and get into those networks."
'Biased!' Starmer claims BBC backed 'vindictive' inheritance tax raid after Clarkson 'mouthpiece' row
'Biased!' Starmer claims BBC backed 'vindictive' inheritance tax raid after Clarkson 'mouthpiece' rowSir Keir Starmer has claimed that the BBC supported him over the inheritance tax raid after Jeremy Clarkson accused the broadcaster of bias.
Asked about the protest at a press conference at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Prime Minister claimed the majority of farmers would not be affected by the policy.
He said: “All of you can check out what that means in terms of the impact. I think the BBC has already done it.”
Labour ‘hoodwinked’ its own MPs into voting for ‘terrible’ winter fuel cut, says top Tory MP
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has accused Labour of "hoodwinking" its MPs into voting for winter fuel allowance cuts after government modelling revealed 100,000 pensioners could be pushed into poverty.
Speaking to GB News, Philp called the situation "terrible" and claimed Labour deliberately concealed the Department for Work and Pensions impact assessment during the recent parliamentary vote.
"When we voted on this a few weeks ago, they deliberately did not publish that impact assessment. They hid it from Parliament and hid it from their own MPs," Philp said.
He warned the situation was becoming a "triple whammy" for pensioners, citing rising inflation alongside the benefits cut.
Farage doubles-down on 'rural revolt' against Labour
Farmers should protest in market towns all across the country, especially in ones that have small Labour majorities.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) November 20, 2024
Nigel Farage has doubled-down on his plea last night for farmers to protest against Labour MPs in Labour-held seats.
Taking to social media, the Reform UK leader said: "Farmers should protest in market towns all across the country, especially in ones that have small Labour majorities."
Stride issues Budget warning after inflation soars to 2.3 per cent - 'It'll go up!'
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has issued a new warning after inflation jumped to 2.3 per cent last month.
Responding to the Office for National Statistics' latest figures, Stride said: “Having brought inflation back down to target, we know how important it is for all of us that the Government does the same.
“What is worrying about today's announcement is that inflation is running ahead of expectations and official forecasts state these figures are not expected to improve. Labour’s Budget will push up inflation and mortgage rates.
“It’s higher inflation and lower growth under Labour.”
Lib Dems blast Tories after inflation rises under Labour's watch - 'It's an aftershock!'
The Liberal Democrats have decided to blast the last Tory Government after inflation rose in October.
Britain's Consumer Prices Index inflation increased to 2.3 per cent in October from 1.7 per cent in September, the Office for National Statistics said.
The jumps represents the sharpest month-on-month increase in the rate of inflation for two years.
Attacking the Tories some five months after Labour entered power, Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper said: “Today’s rise in inflation shows that people are still feeling the aftershock from years of economic vandalism under the Conservative Party.
“The last Government’s economic mismanagement forced millions to choose between heating and eating and left many scrambling to try and pay their mortgages."
Taking aim at Labour, Cooper added: “That’s why it’s so disappointing to have seen a Budget pressing ahead with winter fuel payment cuts and taxes on people’s jobs.
“The Government must act now to grow our economy and tackle the cost-of-living crisis, and that must start with changing course on the unfair National Insurance hike and the crushing Winter Fuel Payment cut.”
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