Politics LIVE: Reform UK handed major national polling win as Farage pulls ahead of Labour for first time

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Former Labour MP says powers to crack down on fraud are 'tools of an Orwellian surveillance state'

Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana said the Government’s proposed powers to crack down on fraud are the "tools of an Orwellian surveillance state" and risk repeating "on an unprecedented scale" the injustice of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

The Independent MP for Coventry South told the Commons: "These powers allow the Department for Work and Pensions to seize money directly from bank accounts, without due process, suspend driving licences and even search properties and personal devices.

"These are not the hallmarks of a free and democratic society, but the tools of an Orwellian surveillance state."

She added: "We have already seen the devastating consequences of automated decision-making in the Post Office Horizon scandal, where faulty software led to hundreds of wrongful prosecutions.

"This Bill risks repeating that injustice on an unprecedented scale and we shouldn’t have to wait for an ITV drama to expose that in the future."

Almost one in four Tory voters at the last election now back Reform

A YouGov poll has found that almost one in four people who voted Conservative at last year's election now back Reform UK.

The poll found that just 60 per cent of those who supported Labour in 2024 would do so again.

Head of European political and social research at YouGov Anthony Wells said the research showed all three main parties were effectively level pegging.

He told The Times: "We’ve had Labour and Reform extremely close over all our polls so far this year and this survey shows a narrow Reform lead.

"While it remains within the margins of error it reinforces the fact that Reform is roughly equal in support with Labour with Conservative slipping back again."

Greens call for END to Ofsted saying system forces staff into 'narrowly defined boxes'

The Green Party has called for Ofsted to be scrapped, saying the current system forces teachers into "narrowly defined boxes."

The party's education spokeswoman Vix Lowthion, said: "Ofsted isn’t working. For teachers or parents. We’ve seen the toxic impact it can have on teachers and we know it doesn’t serve children.

"These reforms are too close to the previous failed model. We must instead scrap Ofsted and end the era of forcing teachers into narrowly defined boxes.

"To replace it we need a collaborative model connecting teachers on the frontline with local experts. By connecting them with specialists in pedagogy, child development and social care we can encourage teacher retention, tailor support to local circumstances and drive much better local and national outcomes."

Starmer offers condolences to family of 15-year-old boy who died after he was stabbed at Sheffield school

​Sir Keir Starmer has offered his condolences to the family of 15-year-old boy in Sheffield who died after he was stabbed at a school in Sheffield.

The Prime Minister told reporters in Brussels: "The terrible stabbing in Sheffield is one where I think the whole country would want to reach out to the family, the friends, to the school, the entire community, in their grief and mourn with them.

"Obviously there will be an investigation, but I think at this point I simply speak for the country, to the individuals affected, to the family in particular, but everybody impacted by this awful situation – a young boy has gone to school and hasn’t returned home.

"And so my first thoughts as Prime Minister and as a father are with the family."

Badenoch hits back at crisis meeting claims amid dire polling - ‘Utterly untrue nonsense’

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has hit back at claims that the party are holding a crisis meeting over their poor polling situation.

It comes as Reform UK overtook the Conservatives in every major poll last week for the first time, putting pressure on Badenoch.

The Tories are polling at roughly the same position they achieved at the general election, where the party won 23.7 per cent of the popular vote, their worst result on record.

They continue to trail in third behind Labour and Reform in seven opinion polls.

Now, a senior source has denied reports of potential crisis talks relating to confidence in Badenoch's leadership, telling GB News that these rumours were "utterly untrue nonsense."

.A source in Kemi Badenoch’s office told GB News: "It's completely and utterly untrue. There is no meeting. It's nonsense."

Tories slam 'slower and weaker' Ofsted reforms

The Conservatives has said there is "no evidence" the Government’s proposed reforms to Ofsted will be an improvement on the current system.

Shadow education secretary Laura Trott argued the new report cards system would be "slower and weaker", and result in more children staying in failing schools for longer.

Under the plans unveiled on Monday, schools in England could be graded across a variety of different areas, including attendance and inclusion, using a colour-coded five-point scale.

Trott said: "What we have in front of us is a proposed system which is slower and weaker. The Secretary of State repeatedly talked about a new era today – it is a new era, one of regression, confusion and poorly thought-out policy.

"There is no evidence whatsoever that the approach proposed today for the delay and a rise (regional improvement for standards and excellence) team coming in will be any better."

Education minister Catherine McKinnell said: "This is the new front in the fight against low expectations and our rise teams will spearhead the stronger, faster systems prioritising these schools.”

Louise Haigh says 'serious questions will have to be answered' over Sheffield stabbing

Former Transport secretary Louise Haigh has said there are "serious questions" that need to be answered over a stabbing in Sheffield.

The MP for Sheffield Heeley said that her thoughts are with those impacted by the stabbing which took place at All Saints High School.

She said: "Horrific news that the young pupil from All Saints High School has died. All my thoughts are with his family and friends and the entire community at All Saints.

"A teenager is in custody and South Yorkshire Police have assured parents that there is no ongoing risk at the school.

"A criminal investigation will now obviously take place, but serious questions will have to be answered about how this could have happened and I will be working with the school, the police and the council to make sure they are."

Former Scotland Rugby star slams Starmer over farming policy - 'They've just made it even harder'

A former Scottish Rugby star has slammed Labour's farming policy, saying that Starmer has not helped the agricultural sector.

Kenny Logan, who made 70 caps over a 11-year period for Scotland, spoke how linked the farming community is with current and former rugby plaers.

The retired winger told OLBG: "Farmers work very hard on the land and for 99% of them that is all they know. Julian White, Tom and Ben Youngs are all farmer's sons. Tom's farming every day. Phil Vickery was a farmer's son (as well).

"Doddie Weir was a farmer's son. And we all know how hard it is. Farmers have a tough life, and I think what the government has done has not helped that situation.

"If they're going to do that, make sure they get more money for their barley and more money for their milk and even it out. But they've not evened it out, they've just made it even harder for a farm. And sadly, they could ruin farming. They really could ruin farming in this country."

WATCH: Alastair Stewart says Keir Starmer is ‘showing international ineptitude’ as PM sweats over Trump’s next move

Keir Starmer is "showing ineptitude" on the global stage with by ‘cosying up’ to Brussels, according to Alastair Stewart.

He joined Martin Daubney on GB News to assess the Prime Minister’s call for EU nations to shoulder more of the burden on defence spending.

President Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada over the weekend, prompting fears that he could do the same with European nations including the UK.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Starmer denies having to choose between US and EU - 'We don't see it as either/or'

Sir Keir Starmer has stressed the importance of working with both the EU and the US, saying the UK has "huge" amount of trade with both.

When asked if he had to choose between the two, he said: "It’s really important that we work with both, and we don’t see it as an either/or.

"We are working very closely with our European allies every day, particularly in Ukraine, but not only in Ukraine. But equally on defense and security with the US and the special relationship in relation to defense and security.

"It’s important that I always act in the national interest, the best interests of the UK...it’s important that we work with both sets of partners, particularly at this volatile time."

The UK's commitment to Nato is 'stronger than ever' says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK’s commitment to Nato is "stronger than ever" because the need for Nato is stronger than ever.Sta

The Prime Minister said he had "very productive discussions" on Monday about how to ensure European security.

He said: "We must do all that we can to support Ukraine. President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy."

Starmer tells Nato press conference it is 'early days' on Trump tariff talks

Sir Keir Starmer said it is “early days” when it comes to talks on tariffs with President Donald Trump.

During a press conference with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, the Prime Minister said: "On the question firstly of tariffs, obviously, it’s early days and I think what’s really important is open and strong trading relations.

"That’s been the basis of my discussions with President Trump and I know that intense US-EU discussions are planned."

He added: "I do think it’s right for us to acknowledge the role that the US in relation to the joint effort on Ukraine. That’s, of course, pivotal, because it’s not just a question of a war on the sovereignty of Ukraine. It is not just a European issue. It’s a question of global security, and I think it’s very important that we see it in that context."

Farage slams plans for pylon network - 'An absolute disaster'

Nigel Farage has slammed the plans for a 114-mile network of electricity pylons across large parts of the countryside as "an absolute disaster."

The development is part of National Grid's plans to transport green energy from Norwich to Tilbury.

The Reform UK leader said: "The whole thing is a nonsense, I think we are despoiling our landscapes and seascapes for a form of energy that is utterly unreliable."

Farage has joined Green co-leader Adrian Ramsay as well as several MPs in opposing the plans for the 50m-tall electricity structures across East Anglia.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said: "Securing Britain's clean energy future will require improving infrastructure in a cost-effective way to get renewable electricity on the grid...without this infrastructure, we will never deliver clean power for the British people.

"It is important we take people with us and are considering ways to ensure communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits of this."

Davey accuses President Trump of acting like 'playground bully' over tariff plans

Sir Ed Davey has accused President Donald Trump of acting like a "playground bully" over his controversial trade tariff plans.

The Liberal Democrat leader has called on the Government to convene a summit of Commonwealth leaders, including the Canadian Prime Minister, to discuss a joint response to President Trump’s actions.

Davey said: "We need to work with our allies in the Commonwealth and Europe to stand strong against Trump and remind him that we are America’s longest standing friends. So the Prime Minister should invite Commonwealth leaders to London as soon as he returns from Brussels, to discuss a joint response to the global trade war Trump is unleashing.

"Donald Trump is acting like a playground bully and is trying to play our allies off against each other. We must stand together against his attempts to divide us. Only by showing our combined strength can we persuade the President to behave properly with America’s friends.

"The British Government can’t just sit back and hope Trump won’t hit us with tariffs directly. He’s proven time and again how unpredictable he is and our economy will be hurt by this trade war anyway, which will push up prices for families in the UK."

Keir Starmer 'plotting Brexit in name only' as PM heads to Brussels for EU 'reset'

Reform UK member Marco Longhi has accused Sir Keir Starmer of plotting to deliver "Brexit in name only" as the Prime Minister heads to Brussels for talks with EU leaders.

The former Tory MP claimed Labour's promise not to rejoin the EU was misleading, suggesting Starmer would instead pursue multiple bilateral agreements with the bloc.

The comments come as Starmer prepares to become the first British leader to attend an EU summit dinner since Brexit in 2020.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Parents have responsibilities to make sure children in school, says Phillipson

Parents “all have responsibilities” to make sure their children are going to school, Bridget Phillipson has said.

Warning about the risk of damaging children’s life chances, the Education Secretary said there has been a “casual kind of attitude increasingly emerging” on school attendance.

She stressed that if parents decide not to send their child to school, it impacts “the education of all children in that class”.

Speaking to reporters after her speech on Ofsted reform on Monday, Phillipson said the Government is “investing more in support services” for children that are struggling, but not sending children to school “breaks” a wider societal contract.

Figures from the start of this year suggested that the number of children off during the first week of term was up on last year’s data.

Phillipson said there had been a “big drop off” in attendance rates since the pandemic, and added: “Parents have responsibilities to make sure that they’re sending their children to school. Government has a responsibility to make sure that schools are providing what children need, including additional support around the school day for example.”

Majority of Britons favour trading links with the EU than the US

The majority of Britons, 61 per cent, favour trading links with the EU compared to just 21 per cent for the US, a new poll has revealed.

A YouGov survey for The Times has found that a large number of Britons want to establish closer ties to the EU.

This includes 44 per cent of Tory voters and 21 per cent of Reform voters

Sir Keir Starmer accused of 'bowing down' to EU amid latest visit to Brussels: 'Put British people first!'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's latest Brussels visit has sparked outrage on GB News, with commentator Sunil Sharma arguing the Labour leader's presence in the EU capital demonstrates the UK "bowing down" to the bloc.

Speaking to GB News, Sharma emphasised that Britain is "no longer part of the European Union", and the Government should be "putting British people first".

"We need to start to think about the priorities of Britain and putting British people first," Sharma declared.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Kemi Badenoch meets King at Buckingham Palace in age old tradition

Kemi Badenoch has held a one-to-one audience with the King – reviving an old convention of the monarch meeting with the new leader of the Opposition.

Charles welcomed the Conservative Party leader in the grand 1844 Room of Buckingham Palace this morning.

A royal source said: “It was a convention that fell by the way in latter years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign and seemed a courtesy to revive in the new reign.”

Badenoch, who was elected Tory leader in November, was pictured grinning as the smiling King gestured and held his his arms out wide at the start of their meeting.

Starmer crawls back to the EU amid talks of visa-free deal for under-30s as Macron tells PM 'Brexit has failed'

Sir Keir Starmer is considering opening discussions with the European Union regarding visa-free travel for under-30s, with Emmanuel Macron telling the Prime Minister that "Brexit has failed".

An updated youth visa scheme would allow 18 to 30-year-olds in the UK to live, work and study abroad, and the EU has maintained that without “free movement for young people” returning, relations between the two is unlikely to reset.

Whilst Yvette Cooper has said previously that the scheme is not on the table, behind the scenes, both sides have indicated that they would be willing to compromise.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'It's STILL blunt!' Schools minister grilled on Ofsted reform amid backlash: 'It will drive up standards'

Minister of State for School Standards Catherine McKinnell has defended Ofsted's proposed new inspection system, rejecting suggestions that it remains too simplistic.

Speaking to GB News, McKinnell said the new approach would provide "a much more granular insight" into school performance compared to the previous system's single-word judgments.

The minister's comments come as Ofsted launches a consultation on plans to replace the current outstanding to inadequate ratings with a new colour-coded report card system.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Education secretary says Ofsted overhaul is 'critical' and 'important'

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the school system should focus on “need” and “not diagnosis” as she set out plans to overhaul the way Ofsted inspects schools.

The changes are “critical” for all children, she said, but “nowhere are they more important” than for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

Phillipson is delivering a speech unveiling the Government's proposals for a new Ofsted school inspections process, with a 12-week consultation on the process being launched today.

Due to come into effect in autumn of this year, some of the proposals include a new report card format to replace the single-word grade system, where schools were given an "Outstanding", "Good", "Requires Improvement", or "Inadequate" rating.

Phillipson said that "stuck schools are the new front in the fight against low expectations", adding: "I will not accept a system that is content for some to sink, even while others soar."

Schools "must improve", and "with the right help, I know they can", Phillipson added.

Former Labour MP insists Keir Starmer will resign ‘if guilty’ amid fresh allegations of rule-breaking

A former Labour MP has insisted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will resign if found guilty of breaking Covid rules, amid fresh allegations about a meeting with a voice coach during lockdown restrictions.

Speaking to GB News, Stephen Pound defended the Prime Minister's character, stating: "Look, Keir Starmer said without any equivocation that if the police found him guilty and he received an official caution he would resign.

"I'd imagine he'd do the same thing now, because you cannot say he's anything other than a man who obeys the law."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

US is 'indispensable ally and one of our closed trading partners', Government says

The Government has said that the US is an "indispensable ally" and "one of our closest trading partners", responding to Donald Trump's comments about the bilateral trading relationship.

Trump said last night that the UK is "out of line" on trade with the US but could be spared from a wave of tariffs if a deal could be "worked out".

Responding to the President's comments, a Government spokesperson said: "The US is an indispensable ally and one of our closest trading partners, and we have a fair and balanced trading relationship which benefits both sides of the Atlantic.

"We look forward to working closely with President Trump to continue to build on UK-US trading relations for our economy, businesses and the British people."

Trump warns 'out of line' Britain may avoid worst of trade war as imbalance could be 'worked out' in major boost for Starmer

Donald Trump has issued stark warnings about imminent trade tariffs against the European Union while suggesting the UK might be spared due to his relationship with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The US president declared that while both the UK and EU are "out of line" in their trade practices, Britain's issues could potentially be resolved.

"The UK is way out of line, and we'll see," Trump told reporters upon returning to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago estate.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The UK has 'every reason to look forward' to positive trading relationship with US, Labour minister says

The UK has “every reason to look forward” to a positive trading relationship with the US, a minister has said.

As Donald Trump threatened to extend his tariffs to Europe, education minister Catherine McKinnell told Times Radio: “We have a really strong trading relationship with the United States.

“Our trade is worth around £300 billion per year, we are the largest investors in one another’s economies – £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies.

“I think we have every reason to look forward to a positive future with the United States and trade.”

Starmer denies breaching Covid rules by hiring a voice coach in 2020

Sir Keir Starmer is facing accusations that he breached Covid rules by hiring a voice coach in 2020.

He reportedly employed Leonie Mellinger to help him prepare a response to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal as leader of the opposition.

The classically trained dramatist advised STaremr on his speaking style, according to a book by two Sunday Times journalists.

A Labour Party spokesperson has denied any rules were broken, saying in a statement: "The rules were followed at all times."