Labour freebies row reignites as Rachel Reeves 'accepts free tickets to Sabrina Carpenter gig' - 'Deeply troubling!'

Corporate owners of Rachel Reeves's O2 box scramble to defend 'freebies' row

The O2 Arena and box used by the Chancellor are owned by AEG, an ex-client of top lobbying firm FTI Consulting, the i newspaper reports.

FTI's clients have included tobacco giants JTI, North Sea oil and gas operator Ithaca Energy, and high street banks HSBC and Lloyds.

A spokesman for AEG said: "As is standard practice across the events industry, AEG often offers tickets to partners and clients.

"This includes local authorities and community groups for them to use within their organisations, the acceptance of which is at their discretion.

"AEG has not worked with FTI for over a year and there is no arrangement in place - nor has there ever been - for usage of our hospitality or event tickets in exchange for services.

"Separately, there was no fee or commercial relationship with AEG/FTI Consulting with regard to the Chancellor's recent attendance at The O2."

'The mask has slipped!' Jenrick fumes as Labour BLOCKS attempt to stop 'two-tier' sentencing guidelines

Labour has blocked Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick's attempt to throw out the sentencing guidelines at the centre of a fiery "two-tier justice" row.

Jenrick's Bill had sought to ban the Sentencing Council from issuing sentencing guidelines without the Justice Secretary's consent - and to give her the power to amend them before they are issued.

Said Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, had vowed that she "won't hesitate to legislate" in response - and said she would be meeting the Sentencing Council to "consider their role and powers".

But despite new guidelines on pre-sentencing reports for "minorities" coming into effect as soon as April 1, Labour has thrown out Jenrick's Bill - sparking uproar from the Tory firebrand.

"Labour has just opposed my Bill which would give the Justice Secretary the power to stop the two-tier sentencing rules," he said.

"The mask has slipped. In just 18 days, we are set to have a two-tier justice system because of two-tier Keir."

Lammy and G7 allies back Ukraine peace deal - but warn Putin could face 'further sanctions'

David Lammy and G7 foreign ministers have released a joint statement backing a US-led peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this afternoon.

After talks in Canada, they said: "We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence."

They added that they "welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire" and "applauded Ukraine's commitment to an immediate ceasefire" as an "essential step" towards peace.

"We called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully," the ministers said.

"We discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a ceasefire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means.

"This includes the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from immobilised Russian sovereign assets."

The ministers also discussed "the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression", the statement said.

And though it stopped short of condemning Russia, the ministers did condemn North Korean, Iranian and Chinese backing for Vladimir Putin's forces.

'Madness!' Richard Tice incredulous after Reform councillor reported to POLICE for social media post

Richard Tice has backed a Reform UK councillor who was referred to the police over a social media post calling for foreign stalkers to be deported.

Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr - who met Tice just last week for a campaign trip to Scotland - had shared a video of himself criticising how women were "scared to leave their homes" in the city to Facebook.

Kerr had warned: "Let me be very, very clear: Any foreign national or immigrant or asylum seeker who stalks, abuses or physically puts a woman in scared of their safety should be kicked out of this country."

And now, his party's deputy leader has handed him a show of support.

Writing on social media, Tice said: "Madness... Thank you Thomas for standing up for your constituents and the many others in Scotland who share your genuine concerns!"

READ THE FULL STORY ON THOMAS KERR HERE

Robert Jenrick turns fire on Farage as 'two-tier justice' row boils over - 'WE fight for the British people!'

Robert Jenrick has turned his fire on Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader was pictured at the Cheltenham Festival while Labour blocked an attempt to throw out a controversial set of sentencing guidelines.

The Shadow Justice Secretary said: "Today I took forward a Bill to stop the two-tier sentencing rules that come into force in just 18 days.

"While Nigel Farage swanned off to Cheltenham to forget his troubles.

"We will keep fighting for the British people against two-tier Keir."

Reform UK predicted to win Runcorn by-election with MASSIVE vote swing as Labour support crumbles

A new poll has put Reform UK in pole position in the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

Lord Ashcroft Polls puts Nigel Farage's party ahead of Labour by 40 per cent to 35 per cent when respondents are weighted on their likelihood to vote, with the Tories third on 10 per cent.

However, when the polls include only those who say they are certain to vote, the Reform lead rises to nine points in a 22 per cent swing since July.

It comes after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury announced earlier this week that he would quit the Commons after punching a constituent. The 55-year-old was given a 10-week prison term, which was reduced to a suspended sentence after an appeal.

At last year's General Election, Amesbury was elected with an increased majority of 14,696 on a 59.7 per cent turnout.

Meanwhile, Labour has confirmed that teacher and Cheshire West & Chester councillor Karen Shore will be their candidate - the first confirmed to be standing in the by-election.

Sir Keir Starmer, announcing Shore's selection, said: "I look forward to her working hard with ministers if she is elected to deliver the local change that the area and our country deserve."

Conservative council leader defects to Reform UK in latest coup for resurgent Farage - 'The Tories let me down!'

A Tory council leader has defected to Reform UK, saying the party "let me down."

Gloucestershire County Council chairman Vernon Smith has confirmed he will be standing for Nigel Farage's party in the elections on May 1.

Councillor Smith, who served on the council for ten years in the Tewkesbury and Tewkesbury East wards, said he made the decision after "a lot of soul-searching."

He told the BBC: "I feel the Conservatives have just let me down...they've [the Conservatives] said things I totally agree with in terms of the economy and efficiency, but they haven't done it...We're just a tiny island at the end of the day. We can't keep taking in migration indefinitely."

Councillor Smith is thought to be the only serving councillor at Shire Hall who will be standing for Reform UK in this year's election.

Lammy says G7 allies united in calling for Ukraine ceasefire with no conditions

Foreign secretary David Lammy said G7 allies are united in calling for a ceasefire with “no conditions” to halt the fighting in Ukraine.

Speaking after meeting partners in Quebec, Lammy said: "I think that there is a unified approach that we need an enduring peace that lasts, I think that there is unity that now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions.

"Ukraine has set their position out. It is now for Russia to accept it.

"I think that there is a coalition of the willing emerging to give Ukraine the security architecture and arrangements that they need, and to get into the detail of any monitoring of that ceasefire, going forward. On all of that, there was common ground, and the G7 family came together."

Greens urge Labour backbenchers to vote down benefit cuts

The Green Party has urged backbench Labour MPs to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer's plans to cut benefits.

A joint statement by co-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer read: "Experts at Scope suggest that 700,000 disabled households will be pushed into poverty by the government’s planned changes to welfare.

"This is an unconscionable choice for any government to make. And it is a choice. We could and should be choosing to tax the very wealthiest a small amount more instead.

"Sadly, though, this Labour government has a growing track record here. They’ve chosen to place extra hardships on those already struggling, from cutting winter fuel payments to pensioners to refusing to reverse the two-child benefit cap, keeping 540,000 children in poverty.

"We don’t think for a second this is what most Labour MPs came into politics for. We know many will feel incredibly uncomfortable at the moment. But feeling uncomfortable isn’t enough.

"We need these Labour MPs to have a moral backbone and vote for what they genuinely believe in to prevent these cruel, unnecessary policies from being enacted."

Donald Trump's tariff plans 'not to blame' for poor economy, says No10

Donald Trump’s tariffs are not responsible for the UK economy’s weak performance, Downing Street has indicated.

Asked if the US president’s trade policy was to blame for a contraction in the economy, a No 10 spokesman said: “No.”

He added: “We know the cost-of-living crisis is not over, and this Government is determined to make people better off, and that’s why economic growth is the Prime Minister’s number one priority.

“Growth is what funds our public services, it is what enables investments in our hospitals and schools and, of course most importantly, raises living standards for everyone, everywhere.”

The spokesman reiterated that the Government continue to engage with the US administration on tariffs, and insisted they were global and not targeted at the UK.

Downing Street slams Russia’s 'nebulous responses' to ceasefire plans

Downing Street has criticised Russia’s "nebulous responses" to proposals for a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

A Number 10 spokesman was asked about the Prime Minister’s plans to hold a call with European and Commonwealth nations to consider options for a potential "coalition of the willing" to help Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire.

Asked when there would be more clarity about what the plans might involve, he said: "The Prime Minister’s intent is crystal clear. I think the nebulous responses are coming from Russia, the ball is in their court.

"There is a proposal there and in the mean time we are concentrating with our international partners on the best way to drive progress to secure that just and lasting peace."

Phillipson gives 'full backing' to classroom smartphone ban

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said that smartphones have "no place in our schools" as she confirmed the government was "fully backing" a national classroom ban.

Speaking at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) annual conference in Liverpool, she said: "You know that so much of the damage caused by smartphones and social media takes place outside the school gates.

"But you know, we all know, that phones are distracting, disruptive and bad for behaviour.

"They have no place in our schools, and the government's position is clear - you have our full backing in ridding our classrooms of the disruption of phones.

"And I know that will be the case in the majority of your classrooms, but I expect it to be true in all classrooms."

Scottish Greens slam John Swinney's decision to meet with Eric Trump

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens has called First Minister John Swinney’s decision to meet with Donald Trump’s son a "very bad call."

Swinney and Eric Trump met in Edinburgh to discuss the Trump family’s business in Scotland, which includes a golf course at Turnberry in South Ayrshire and another one in Aberdeenshire.

Now, Lorna Slater has warned the SNP leader not to trust the Trump family, telling the BBC it was a: "really bad call and a bad message to send that he [Swinney] wants to be friends with Donald Trump and his businesses."

She added: "This isn’t going to protect Scottish businesses. He is trying to show that he wants to be friends with Donald Trump. I don’t agree with that. Donald Trump isn’t welcome here, and his politics are not welcome here."

Trump said he did not discuss politics with Swinney, who has called for his father’s state visit to the UK to be cancelled due to his treatment of Ukraine.

Kemi Badenoch warns Nigel Farage not to assume Reform will beat the Tories: 'It's just not serious'

Kemi Badenoch has issued a warning to Reform UK, suggesting Nigel Farage's party of "counting their chickens" ahead of next year's Holyrood elections.

Speaking on her first visit to Scotland since becoming Conservative leader, she said she had to "start rebuilding trust" with voters by setting out a new direction while "acknowledging mistakes that we made."

Badenoch also issued a warning to Unionist voters that backing Reform UK would only help the SNP cling onto power.

It comes after Reform deputy chair Richard Tice told The Telegraph last week that it was a "given" and "done" that they would beat the Tories at the Scottish elections next year.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Lammy says it would be 'wrong' for Putin to put conditions on Ukraine ceasefire

David Lammy has said it would be "wrong" for Vladimir Putin to place conditions on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary said a pause in fighting would be a "first step" towards allowing talks to start on "a full settlement" to end the war, as US President Donald Trump warned it would be "very disappointing" for Moscow to reject the proposal.

Talks between the US and Ukraine produced the idea of a 30-day truce, with the US president sending envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to discuss the plans with the Kremlin.

Lammy told The Mirror: "It would be wrong for Putin to lay conditions. Our support for Ukraine, and that of other partners, remains ironclad."

Robert Jenrick takes swipe at Reform UK as Rupert Lowe row sweeps party: ‘Not treated well'

Robert Jenrick has taken a swipe at Reform UK after it ousted Rupert Lowe MP over bullying allegations.

Speaking on GB News, the Tory shadow minister said it looks as though the Great Yarmouth MP “hasn’t been treated well” by the populist party’s top brass.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Lib Dems say Labour has left the economy 'on life support'

The Liberal Democrats have expressed outrage after it was announced the GDP had shrunk by 0.1 per cent in January.

The party's treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper MP said: "The Chancellor’s wretched Budget has left our economy on life support so the Spring Statement must deliver a much needed shot in the arm.

"Just as the Chancellor’s jobs tax is set to hammer small businesses and plunge high streets into despair, the Government’s refusal to negotiate a bespoke UK-EU Customs Union to unleash economic growth is baffling.

"At the Statement, the Chancellor must admit that her Budget has failed to reverse the years of Conservative economic vandalism and put forward a new plan that unleashes the growth potential of small businesses up and down the land."

Reeves doubles down on welfare reforms despite outrage - 'We do need to get a grip'

Rachel Reeves has doubled down on the need to reform the welfare system, insisting the Government needs to "get a grip" on it amid concerns from Labour and Green MPs about the impact of expected cuts to the budget.

Asked about the reforms during a visit to Scotland, the Chancellor told reporters: "We will set out our plans for welfare reform, but it is absolutely clear that the current system is not working for anyone.

"It is not working for people who need support, it’s not working to get people into work so that more people can fulfil their potential, and it’s not working for the taxpayer when the bill for welfare is going up by billions of pounds in the next few years.

"So, we do need to get a grip. We need to spend more on national defence, but we need to reform our public services, and we need to reform our broken welfare system."

Labour candidate for Runcorn and Helsby by-election confirmed

Labour has confirmed that teacher and councillor Karen Shore will be their candidate to stand in the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

It comes after Mike Amesbury announced he would stand down at the earliest opportunity following his conviction for assault.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Karen Shore will be a champion for the people of Runcorn and Helsby.

"She’s local and her experience as a teacher and serving the community as a councillor will give people a strong voice in the House of Commons. That’s what people in Runcorn and Helsby deserve in their Member of Parliament."

"I look forward to her working hard with ministers if she is elected to deliver the local change that the area and our country deserve."

Ed Balls comes out against cuts to disability benefits - 'It's not a Labour thing to do'

Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls has slammed plans for cuts to disability benefits, saying that it was "not going to work."

Balls told his Political Currency podcast that reforms would be hard for the party to stomach in the context of other cuts.

He said: "It’s one thing to say the economy is not doing well and we’ve got a fiscal challenge, but the context we’re now in is that we are having to increase defence spending and, two weeks ago, it was announced we’re going to cut international aid."

"But cutting the benefits of the most vulnerable in our society who can’t work, to pay for that, is not going to work. And it’s not a Labour thing to do … It’s not what they’re for."

Labour branded as 'growth killer' by Mel Stride

The Tories branded Labour a "growth killer" after latest figures showed the economy had contracted by 0.1 per cent in January.

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: "It is no surprise that growth is down again, following near no growth in the last three months of 2024. After consistently talking Britain down, raising taxes to record highs and crushing business with their extreme employment legislation, this Government is a growth killer.

"Labour inherited the fastest growing economy in the G7 but since they arrived business confidence has collapsed and jobs are being lost.

"The Chancellor has 12 days until her emergency budget – she must think again or hard-working people will continue to pay the price of a Labour Government without any business experience."

Rupert Lowe is 'too right wing' to join Tories says ex-Brexit chief Sir David Davis

Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe is too right wing to join the Conservative party, ex-Cabinet minister Sir David Davis has said, who said the rise of Reform UK was a symptom of his party's failure over the past years.

Party grandee Davis told GB News that Reform had grown in popularity because "we were not proper Tories for too long", and added that new Labour MPs were telling him they feared only being in office for a single Parliamentary term.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE