Starmer responds to calls for £200bn in reparations after unearthed clip showed Lammy supporting colonial pay-out

‘It’s not difficult!’ Jenrick sets out path for quitting ECHR while protecting Good Friday Agreement

Robert Jenrick has set out how the UK can quit the European Convention on Human Rights while still protecting the Good Friday Agreement.

The Good Friday Agreement, drawn up to bring peace to Northern Ireland, includes participation in the ECHR as one of its required “safeguards” to protect the rights and interests for both nationalists and unionists.

But hardline ECHR critic Jenrick explained what he would do to protect Northern Ireland at an event for Tory members on Sunday.

Jenrick said: “Leaving the ECHR itself is not that difficult - you just give notice and then you maybe pass a law to underpin it.

“You replace it with a British Bill of Rights, something we’ve talked about for a long time but we never did... Essentially, we realised there was no point while you stay in the ECHR because the differences were so little.

“There are amazing British lawyers like Lord Sumption who are itching to do it.”

In a recording obtained by GB News, Jenrick added: “With Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement says there should be a Northern Irish Bill of Rights whereby Northern Irish citizens can pursue their claims domestically in the Court of Northern Ireland.

“Blair never did that. He chose not to pursue that and instead made the Human Rights Act and worked with the ECHR.

“I think there is a very strong argument that we can say that we are doing what was originally envisaged.

“I don’t pretend it’s plain sailing - there will be challenges, but the alternative is not in our national interest.”

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'Proper wrong'un!' Deported Albanian burglar trolls Farage after sneaking back into Britain

A convicted Albanian burglar who returned to Britain after twice being deported has trolled Nigel Farage just days after the Reform UK leader labelled the 28-year-old a “proper wrong’un”.

Dorian Puka, who was filmed driving a £300,000 Ferrari in London last week, shared a snap of himself eating and drinking alongside a photoshopped image of Farage giving a thumbs up.

He separately posted a video of him driving his Ferrari with the Clacton MP’s criticism playing in the background.

Puka was originally jailed for nine months in 2016 before being deported the following year for attempting to break into a property.

Labour's National Insurance manifesto pledge does NOT include employer contributions, Rachel Reeves admits

Labour's manifesto pledge not to increase National Insurance does not include employer contributions, Rachel Reeves has told GB News.

The Chancellor has dropped the biggest hint yet that National Insurance will go up in the Budget on October 30 - despite Labour's explicit manifesto commitment not to increase it.

Reeves made clear that the party's manifesto pledge not to hike National Insurance Contributions (NICs) only related to those paid by employees, not by employers.

This raises the very real prospect of either employers' NICs being increased from 13.8 per cent in the Budget, or taxing employers on staff pension contributions, which are currently not taxed.

Reeves was interviewed by GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope on the margins of the Government's investment summit in the City of London's Guildhall - where £60billion worth of deals were unveiled.

Hope pointed out that "your manifesto says: 'We will not increase National insurance,' but you're looking at increasing employers' National insurance".

He asked Reeves: "Are you breaking a manifesto pledge with that?"

The Chancellor replied: "You have read our manifesto and it says in black and white we will not increase taxes on working people. National insurance, income tax and VAT."

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Slavery reparations payout worth up to £19 TRILLION 'not on the cards', vows Rachel Reeves

A payout worth billions in reparations for Britain's historic involvement in slavery is not "on the cards" and has not come "across my desk", Rachel Reeves has said.

Academics and lawyers have claimed the overall bill owed by the UK for its part in the slave trade could be worth anything between £206billion and £19trillion.

The Caribbean Community's 14 member states had been expected to push Sir Keir Starmer on the issue at next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

But in a interview with GB News on Monday at the Government's International Investment summit in London's Guildhall, the Chancellor said that any payment had "not come across my desk".

Reeves said: "I don't think that that is on the cards, and certainly not anything that has come across my desk as Chancellor.

"My focus is on fixing the public finances and ensuring that there is money available for our National Health Service whilst rebuilding the foundations of our economy."

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Reeves to overhaul tax system as part of new National Wealth Fund: 'Significant milestone for economy!'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed plans to overhaul the tax system as part of the new Labour's Government's National Wealth Fund.

She made the announcement during the International Investment Summit in London earlier this afternoon in what has been described as a "significant milestone for the economy".

The Chancellor emphasised the Government's commitment to fostering growth and partnering with businesses.

"When we said we would end instability, make growth our national mission and enter a true partnership with business, we meant it," Reeves stated.

Reeves unveiled plans for two new bodies aimed at delivering long-term investment in the UK, utilising both public and private finance.

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Corbyn takes swipe at SNP after 'good friend' Salmond's shock death

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has taken a swipe at the SNP after his "good friend" Alex Salmond died on Saturday.

Corbyn said: “The SNP clearly treats its former leaders with great respect, and I think that’s a good idea.”

He added: “He always opposed wars, he always stood up for civil liberties and for justice and his strength of character in Scotland and the wider world actually made the SNP the party it is, the formidable force it became, and it made the arguments for Scottish independence something that was cogent, realistic and understandable.

“I think we should just remember Alex Salmond lived life to the full, spoke to the full, was absolutely involved in everything he did, and was this amazing, actually very friendly force around this place. And I for one will miss him.”

Lammy unveils fresh sanctions against Iran after 'unacceptable threats'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has unveiled a fresh set of sanctions against Iran after accusing Tehran of using "unacceptable threats" against

Lammy said: “Despite repeated warnings, the dangerous actions of Iran and its proxies are driving further escalation in the Middle East.

“Following its ballistic missile attack on Israel, we are holding Iran to account and exposing those who facilitated these acts.

“Alongside allies and partners, we will continue to take necessary measures to challenge Iran’s unacceptable threats and press for de-escalation across the region.”

Reform UK 'within reach' of LEADING national polls as Labour and Tories flounder

Reform UK is "within reach" of taking the lead in a national poll as Nigel Farage's populist party cut Labour’s lead to just six per cent in a shock opinion.

The Party just needs two points from Labour and the Tories to draw level.

The change marks a huge change since July 4, with Labour down by seven-points and the Conservatives up by around three per cent.

According to the More in Common’s poll, Labour ended up level with the Tory Party on 27 per cent.

While Reform UK has soared from 14 per cent to 21 per cent since July 4.

Former Ukip donor, Arron Banks shared the results on social media and said: "Leading a national poll is within reach for Reform".

Inputting the data on Electoral Calculus paints a stark picture for Labour after Starmer won with a 170-strong majority, giving the Prime Minister the parliamentary manpower to push ahead with a number of controversial policies.

Phillipson lauds UK's 'world-leading universities' as Labour pushes for investment to rebuild economy

‘I want to make sure all young people get a great education and at 16 have a range of options as to their next path and the destination they take.’

Bridget Phillipson sets out her priorities to boost the UK’s education system and private sector investment to rebuild the economy. pic.twitter.com/YcBSkeSvnk

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 14, 2024

Google chief warns that red tape is ‘killing’ Britain

A Google boss has warned Sir Keir Starmer that his 2030 energy target is at risk unless the current regulatory "delays" in the UK are addressed.

Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, speaking during a Q&A with the Prime Minister at the International Investment Summit, highlighted that the bureaucratic hurdles within democracies like the UK are hampering progress.

He stressed that businesses would prefer clearer decision-making authority, allowing quicker action.

Schmidt warned that rising capital costs and delays are jeopardising the energy goal, adding that strong tactical leadership is needed to overcome this.

Starmer replied: "I think this is a really big challenge. It has to be a cross-Government priority, not just within the Treasury team."

Labour scolded for handing 'another body blow' to Britain's employers ahead of Budget: 'They don't understand business!'

Labour's Shadow Science Secretary Andrew Griffith has warned that a potential rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for employers under a Labour Government would be "another body blow" to business.

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure over the upcoming Budget, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has refused to rule out a possible rise in employer National Insurance rates.

He added: "There's a lot already in the manifesto, but you'll have to wait for the detail of the Budget… this will be a budget for growth."

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£1.1 billion investment to expand Stansted Airport welcomed by ministers

More than 5,000 jobs will be created thanks to a five-year, £1.1 billion investment in London Stansted Airport.

It has been welcomed today by Chancellor, Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh.

The plans were unveiled by the Prime Minister at the flagship International Investment Summit in London and will see Stansted unlock the potential of its runway through the extension of its existing terminal.

The funding will expand the existing terminal by a third, securing new air routes to key business and holiday destinations – boosting local supply chains and further cementing the UK’s place on the international stage.

The investment consists of £600m for the terminal extension, alongside another £500m to improve the existing terminal and wider airport estate.

It will also deliver Stansted’s 14.3MW on-site solar farm, which will support the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands.

It follows the recent creation of a new EV charging forecourt at the airport.

'This is the moment to back Britain' - Starmer outlines four crucial areas for investing in UK

Sir Keir Starmer addressed the delegates, urging them that "now is the time to back Britain" as he outlined four key pillars in his proposal for investing in the country.

In a lighthearted remark, he joked about having four points rather than the typical three, calling it "CEO heresy."

He emphasised that Labour had a "golden opportunity" to bring stability and end the "constant cycle of change," promising a "mission-driven approach" that plans for the long term, rather than reacting to the immediate demands of the media.

On strategy, Starmer highlighted how Britain is creating a "more strategic framework for growth," citing initiatives like the National Wealth Fund and Great British Energy.

He clarified that while Britain would not focus on "picking individual winners," it would ensure the groundwork was laid for "steady and secure" progress.

The Prime Minister criticised the previous government for "unnecessarily alienating our closest allies," assuring that "those days are over," and Britain would use this reset to fuel economic growth.

Finally, the Prime Minister addressed regulation, stating that he didn’t view it as inherently "good or bad," but rather as something that should be judged on whether it enables "builders or blockers."

The 'tough love of prudence' was vital to stabilise the economy, says PM

The Prime Minister said the Government would "run towards the fire to put it out" as he vowed to "quickly" stabilise the economy to avoid the problems of Labour’s inheritance "misting up the shop window of Britain".

Speaking at Guildhall, he said: "We’ve got our problems, of course we have, as I’ve said our public services need urgent care, our public finances need the tough love of prudence – challenges we can’t ignore.

"Because we know, just as every leader here knows, that those early weeks and months are precious, and no matter how many people advise you to ignore it, that you must run towards the fire to put it out, not let it spread further.

"So, we will fix our public services, we will stabilise our economy, and we will do it quickly, because we don’t want any of the problems associated with our inheritance misting up the shop window of Britain, distracting you from all those assets that I just listed."

'Growth leads to stability' Keir Starmer shares 'important national mission' to generate 'higher wages and a more vibrant High Street'

The Prime Minister has opened his keynote speech at International Investment Summit as he explained his Government's "most important national mission".

Sir Keir Starmer said his Government is aiming to become the highest growing economy in the G7, which is "the only way to deliver the mandate for change that we've won".

He said growth was "higher wages, a more vibrant High Street, public services back on their feet, less poverty, more opportunity, more meals out, more holidays, more precious moments with your family, more cash in your pocket.

"Of course for any business it means a bigger market, higher demand, a more secure and prosperous future. Your effort and enterprise rewarded in profit.

"But it is much more important even than all that, we live in an age where political fires rage across the world. Conflict, insecurity, a populist mood that rails against the open values so many of us hold dear. Values which, as you know, are so crucial for making business easy to do.

"And yet at the same time look around the world. Look at the investments you and others are making. This is an age of great possibility as well, huge revolutions in digital technology, in clean energy, medicine, life sciences.

"Each with the potential to fundamentally change the way we live and the way that we work. Each with the possibility to transform the lives of working people for the better."

‘Unfinished revolution!’ Jenrick set to take Brexit fight to Starmer after Tory leadership hopeful admits changing mind about EU

Robert Jenrick has promised to hold Sir Keir Starmer to account on EU alignment after admitting to changing his mind about Brexit.

Jenrick, who is being backed Brexit bigwigs such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Mark Francois, this weekend revealed his time in Government opened his eyes to the opportunities afforded to the UK after leaving the Brussels bloc.

He is now keen to ensure the Prime Minister holds off from relinquishing Britain’s newfound powers, particularly when it comes to regulatory standards.

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Labour will be 'sensitive' in dealing with calls for slavery reparation 

Labour will approach the issue of slavery reparations with care, according to the Science Secretary.

Peter Kyle acknowledged that demands from Caribbean nations for compensation, amounting to billions of pounds, present "complex diplomatic challenges" ahead of an upcoming Commonwealth summit.

At next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, the 14 member states of the Caribbean Community are expected to raise the matter with Sir Keir Starmer.

Experts have suggested that Britain’s liability for its involvement in the slave trade could range from £206 billion to £19 trillion.

When asked about these demands, Kyle told LBC: “These are incredibly complex diplomatic challenges due to our historical legacy, and our focus is on moving forward.”

He added: "These delicate historical connections require us to handle the matter with great care. It’s not something I, as Science Secretary, should be discussing or negotiating in public."

National Insurance update: Business leaders SLAM feared hike as 'tax on jobs'

Business leaders are speaking about against the rumoured "tax on jobs" from Labour ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Autumn Budget on October 30.

Yesterday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds gave the biggest hint yet that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is walking back on his promise to not tax "working people" when it comes to National Insurance.

While appearing on Sky News, Reynolds claimed his party's electoral pledge was in reference to "taxes on working people", suggesting the rate paid in National Insurance from employers could rise.

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Cabinet minister 'absolutely ready to engage' with Elon Musk as Government insists it has 'good engagement' with 'some' tech tycoons

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has said Elon Musk, who was criticised by Downing Street for his social media posts regarding the summer riots, was not invited to the international investment summit because "he doesn’t tend to do these sort of events".

The Tesla CEO suggested a civil war was "inevitable" in Britain in the wake of widespread disorder following the Southport stabbing.

Asked whether the Government should have invited Musk, Kyle told Times Radio: "Let me just send my very best to him on the safe landing of the booster rocket yesterday, it was a stunning achievement and I did watch slack-jawed at the staggering achievement that that represented.

"Elon Musk has never come to any of the past investment summits that have been held under the previous government, he doesn’t tend to do these sort of events, but I stand absolutely ready to engage with him, to talk about any potential global investments he’s making – I’m not aware of any at this moment in time."

Starmer to pledge to scrap regulation to woo investors at business summit

Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to scrap regulation that “needlessly holds back investment” at a major business conference today.

The Government is expected to unveil investment deals worth billions in AI, life sciences and infrastructure at its first International Investment Summit.

A row over criticism of P&O Ferries that reportedly jeopardised a £1 billion investment by its Dubai-based owner DP World has been smoothed over, with the company saying it will attend the conference.

The Government is eager to show it is making progress on its mission to deliver economic growth after marking 100 days in office and ahead of the Chancellor’s first Budget on October 30.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned of “tough decisions” at the spending review as Labour says it needs to plug a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances left by the Conservatives.

The Government says that international investment will help with its goals to create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.