Britons face choice between ‘better living standards’ or ‘farmer tax breaks’ as Starmer fiercely defends inheritance tax changes
WATCH: Farmers protest during Starmer's visit to housing development
GB News
Britons must face a choice between "better living standards" or "farmer tax breaks", Sir Keir Starmer said as he insited that "we can't have both".
The Prime Minister was visiting a housing development at Milton Keynes to lay out his plans for a new generation of towns, when he was interrupted by a group of farmers who turned up to protest the Government's inheritance tax changes.
He was forced to abandon the visit due to concerns about the demonstration.
Speaking to reporters after returning to London, he said that the protest "draws out quite an important discussion that we have to have as a country".
Starmer said that the Government were making "tough but right decisions" in order to stabilise public finances, including "ending the inheritance tax break for farmers".
He said: "These are political choices, but what you can't have is interest rates coming down, the growth we need in the economy, your waiting lists coming down, and maintain the tax break for farmers.
"People watching this will understand that that is a choice. They will know what they would prefer.
"Do they want their waiting lists to come down, do they want their mortgages to come down, the economy to start working for everyone? That is what we are trying to achieve.
"Or do we want to give tax breaks for farmers? We can't have both."
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Starmer says Ukraine must be 'at heart’ of peace negotiations
Sir Keir Starmer meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr ZelenskyGettySir Keir Starmer said that Ukraine should be "at the heart" of peace talks with Russia, after Zelensky said he will not accept any deals if Kyiv is left out of negotiations.
His comments come a day after both Russian and Ukrainian leaders held separate talks with Trump over the three-year conflict.
“Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians – more than anybody – want the conflict to end, but we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this,” Starmer told broadcasters on Thursday.
“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it.
“And it’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.
“Which is why I’ve been arguing since I’ve been Prime Minister that we need to ramp up the money, the capability and the training that we’re putting into Ukraine, and we’re delivering even more of that this year than we were last year.
“It’s really important: the strongest possible position for Ukraine. This has to be done with Ukraine.”
'Depressing and sad!' Labour flight tax will 'penalise the poor', warns leading climate expert
A leading climate policy expert has warned that increased flight taxes could prevent many British families from affording holidays abroad.
Harry Wilkinson, Head of Policy at the Global Warming Policy Forum, highlighted that a family of four travelling to the United States will face £400 in Air Passenger Duty alone from April 2026, before ticket costs.
Speaking to GB News, Wilkinson said: "This is very unfortunate news for people wanting to travel around the world on holiday.
"Already a family of four traveling to the United States beyond April of next year are paying £400 just on Air Passenger duty. That's before they've paid any of the tickets itself.
Rachel Reeves 'investigated' over bank expenses as she amends her CV for SECOND time in two months
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was investigated over her expenses while working as an economist at Halifax Bank of Scotland before she became an MP, a three months probe by the BBC has found.
The Chancellor's online employment history was also found to be inaccurate for the second time in two months, forcing Reeves to disclose on her personal LinkedIn profile that she had left an earlier role at the Bank of England nine months earlier than thought.
It means that she spent just five and a half years at the Bank of England from September 2000 to December 2006, rather than the decade she has previously claimed.
UK will continue to engage in “robust and constructive” discussions with China, Lammy says
Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomes China's foreign affairs minister Wang Yi
PA
David Lammy said he will continue to engage in “robust and constructive” discussions with China, as he welcomed Beijing’s foreign affairs minister to London.
The Foreign Secretary met with Wang Yi today at the Foreign Office in Westminster, as the Government seeks a warmer relationship with China in order to drive investment into the UK.
As Lammy welcomed his counterpart to the Foreign Office, he said the UK and China’s relationship should be “consistent, strategic and in both of our countries’ long-term interests”.
He added: “Since my visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister and President Xi met at the G20, of course, and the Chancellor travelled to China for a wide-ranging visit including an economic and financial dialog and conversations which have brought tangible benefits and progress to both of our countries.
“I look forward to a broad set of discussions today including following up on areas of bilateral economic co-operation as well as important issues for UK national security.”
Labour scolded for lack of economic growth after 'disastrous' Budget: 'Britons will pay the price!'
Mel Stride hit out at Chancellor Rachel Reeves and claimed the economy is 'not going anywhere'GB News / POOLShadow Chancellor Mel Stride has issued a stark warning about impending tax increases set to hit workers in April, claiming the Government has damaged Britain's economic prospects.
Speaking on GB News, Stride cautioned that people will soon be "paying the price" of low growth and high taxes.
The Shadow Chancellor delivered his criticism during an appearance on Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello, where he highlighted concerns about the upcoming tax year.
Starmer forced to abandon visit to building site after noisy protest by tractor-driving farmers
PA
Sir Keir Starmer was forced to cut short a visit to promote his housing policies after a noisy protest by tractor-driving farmers.
Around a dozen agricultural vehicles blocked the road near a housing project in Milton Keynes while the Prime Minister chatted to workers.
The tractors’ musical horns could be heard blaring across the building site shortly after Starmer arrived.
It is the latest in a series of protests staged by farmers in response to the budget’s changes to inheritance tax.
The Prime Minister postponed planned media interviews when the visit was cut short due to the concerns about the protest.
Farmer Richard Miles, who travelled from Welford, Northamptonshire, told reporters: "We are not being listened to at all, that’s why we feel we have to come and see him in person."
As the car carrying the Prime Minister left the site, farmers could be heard shouting "just talk to us."
Kemi Badenoch faces a call to apologise for filming part of a Tory political broadcast in Parliament
Kemi Badenoch faces a call to apologise for filming part of a Conservative Party political broadcast in Parliament.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell called for a “full and speedy apology” after she heard allegations the Tory leader also used a Government-funded car in the four-minute video. The broadcast features a brief clip of Speaker’s Court, part of the Palace of Westminster.
Labour MP for Carlisle Julie Minns said: "Last night’s political broadcast from the Conservative Party not only extensively featured the use of a taxpayer-funded ministerial car but also was filmed in part on the parliamentary estate in Speaker’s Court, in direct contravention – as I understand it – of the rules of this House.
Leader of the House Lucy Powell responded: “She’s absolutely right. This is against protocol. It is against protocol of this House to speak without permission, particularly in Speaker’s Court, and I think the Leader of the Opposition, if she is hearing this today, should offer Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) a full and speedy apology for that.
“But also we have high standards that we’re all judged by, and using ministerial, Government-paid-for, publicly paid-for cars for party political campaigning purposes is not allowed, and rightly so because our constituents wouldn’t expect that to be the case.
"So, I hope the Leader of the Opposition has heard this question today and takes action to put this right."
Labour hit by formation of second splinter group over stance on trans rights
Anneliese Dodds, Angela Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer take part in an LGBT+ march in 2022
Getty
Labour has been hit by the new formation of a campaign group for gay and bisexual rights but not transgender rights has been formed in the Labour Party.
Labour LGB aims to "defend and enhance the rights of LGB people" whilst also calling for protections for single-sex spaces and "supporting the principles that same-sex attraction is real and that biology matters."
Spokeswoman for the group Dee McCullough said: "We are a coalition of proud Labour Party LGB members. In the years ahead, we need to be vigilant in maintaining these rights. We must defend the Equality Act which spelled out that sexual orientation is a protected characteristic.
"We want to ensure that the Labour government continues to accept that same-sex attraction is real and that biology matters. These principles must be embedded in legislative proposals and in government policy."
Co-chair of Labour for Trans Rights Alex Charilaou said: "The values of the labour movement are those of equality, social justice and solidarity. This new group’s plans to divide the LGBT+ community in Labour will not work.
"Trans people are at the frontline of a wider reactionary culture war. Gay, lesbian, bi and other LGBT+ people recognise that their rights are just as under threat from growing far-right attacks as the trans community. We hope LGBT+ Labour will disavow this group as antithetical to the aims of the LGBT+ rights movement and the Labour Party."
Starmer backs Reeves amid questions over CV consistency
The Prime Minister has backed Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Thursday as she came under pressure over inaccuracies in her CV and her use of expenses in a previous job.
Sir Keir Starmer believes Reeves can be trusted and has no concerns about her conduct, Number 10 said amid scrutiny of her career in banking before she became an MP.
Asked about whether Reeves can be trusted, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "Yes, the Chancellor is working with the whole of Cabinet deliver the Plan for Change.
"Figures out this morning showed growth numbers coming in higher than expected… we’re still not satisfied with this level of growth, and that’s why we’re determined to go further and faster in delivering the economic growth and improvement to living standards that the country needs."
Pressed if it would be right Downing Street does not have any concerns about Reeves’ conduct, he said: "Correct."
Reform UK wages war on renewable energy with plans for windfall tax: ‘We’ve all been ripped off’
Reform UK's Deputy Leader Richard Tice has called for a windfall tax on renewable energy providers whilst proposing mandatory underground cable installation for the National Grid.
Speaking to GB News, Tice outlined his party's plan to implement a windfall tax on "all renewable energy generated by wind farms, by solar farms, by Drax power station".
The Boston and Skegness MP emphasised the need to protect the countryside from visual pollution, stating: "No one wants more ugly pylons on our countryside blighting our environments."
Transport Secretary urged to name train after Margaret Thatcher by veteran Tory MP
Margaret Thatcher died in 2013
Getty ImagesFather of the House Sir Edward Leigh has called on the Government to name a train after former prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
Tory MP for Gainsborough, urged Labour to "knock heads together" and see the return of the LNER service between Cleethorpes and London, travelling through Grimsby, Lincoln and Market Rasen.
Leigh told MPs: "When the Secretary of State finally steps in and knocks heads together and we get our Azuma train to Grimsby via Market Rasen, will the Secretary of State instruct the railway company to name the locomotive Margaret Thatcher, to remind us all, the best way actually to reduce the cost of rail services is to end restrictive trade union practices?"
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander replied: "I hate to disappoint the Father of the House, but I’m afraid I won’t be making such a commitment today."
Starmer's 'outlandish' Chagos deal 'could be challenged in court' as Trump makes last-ditch intervention for deal
Labour's controversial Chagos deal is under further pressure as it could be challenged in court while President Donald Trump makes a last minute intervention.
Former government law officer Sir Michael Ellis said the deal had been so poorly handled that it has exposed ministers to the prospect of a judicial review that could see the decision overturned in court.
Ellis cited multiple reasons why the deal could be challenged in court, including the cost of the deal, the Government’s "imperialist" approach to the rights of the Chagossians as well as national security consequences
It comes as the US is demanding a seat at the negotiating table alongside the UK and Mauritius. Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam said the White House had asked for a "representative in the meetings" to reach a final deal concerning the disputed British territory, saying: "We have agreed to that."
BREAKING: Reeves exaggerated her time working at the Bank of England as Chancellor caught embellishing her CV
Reeves left the financial institution nine months earlier that stated in her Linkedin profilePARachel Reeves has exaggerated her time working at the Bank of England as the Chancellor has been caught embellishing her CV.
Reeves left the financial institution nine months earlier than stated in her LinkedIn profile.
She has publicly claimed to have spent a decade working there, however it it shown she spent five and a half years working at the bank, including almost a year studying.
Chris Philp calls on Labour to accept Oldham's request for 'statutory national inquiry into the rape gangs'
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called on Labour to accept Oldham Council's decision to demand a statutory public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the town.
The council, which is led by a Labour minority administration, voted unanimously to demand the Government launch an inquiry into the town.
Responding to the news, Philp said: "The government must accept the unanimous request of Oldham councillors for a statutory national inquiry into the rape gangs. All affected towns must be covered - not just five. Only a statutory inquiry has the legal powers to compel witnesses to attend and requesting evidence."
Lee Anderson slams 'totally unacceptable' U-turn by Labour MP on Assisted Dying Bill as he retracts support
Reform UK chief whip Lee Anderson has strongly condemned Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's decision to remove High Court judges from the Assisted Dying Bill process.
"This is totally unacceptable", the Ashfield MP told GB News, describing the move as having "all the hallmarks of a political stitch up".
Anderson, who initially backed the Bill at second reading alongside deputy leader Richard Tice and Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, said he had expected the legislation to be strengthened with "stronger safeguards" during parliamentary stages.
George Galloway calls for '180 degree turn' on UK security policies
Worker's Party leader George Galloway
GettyWorker's Party Leader George Galloway has called for the UK to rethink its security policies, praising Trump for ending the "second Crimean war."
The former Rochdale MP posted on social media: "Now that Trump has ended the second Crimean War it is time for a 180 degree turn on Britain's security policies.
"The £3bn pa (for a hundred years!) we've just saved on soon ex-president Zelensky must be spent on securing our OWN borders and streets. A major recruitment of extra police officers, anti-knife and gun measures, and beefed up border security must be the peace-dividend out of the ending of the Ukraine War."
Starmer says British builders will start work on new towns before next election
Work on a host of new towns will begin across the country before the next election – with British workers leading construction, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
More than 100 potential locations have been suggested for new towns in England, the Prime Minister revealed as he promised "the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era."
Each new town will have the potential for 10,000 or more homes, contributing towards the 1.5 million which the Government has pledged to build.
Farage and Lib Dems SLAM growth figures - 'People are getting poorer'
Farage slammed today's figures
PA
Reform UK have slammed today's news that GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in the last quarter.
Leader Nigel Farage said: "As today's growth figures confirm, people are getting poorer under Labour. The last few years have proven that mass migration is bad for our economy."
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper MP added: "The Chancellor's Budget has resulted in pitiful economic growth. Her complete pig's ear of a jobs tax will hammer small businesses, the backbone of our economy.
"Alongside the government’s baffling refusal to negotiate a bespoke UK-EU Customs Union which would boost British business, the government’s red lines have done nothing but stall our economy.
"Growth is the only way to rescue our public services and protect family finances. These woeful figures and the Chancellor’s misguided policies will only prolong the misery."
Britons face net zero 'flight tax' on summer holidays in 'forced' lifestyle changes ahead of carbon budget
The Government could consider introducing strict lifestyle changes ahead of the upcoming carbon budget, a source close to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has revealed.
The proposed measures could include an increase in taxes for British holidaymakers as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to hit legally binding five-year targets.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) who advises the Government on climate change emissions, is due to present their findings to the Secretary of State on February 26 - with recommendations that could have a major impact on freedoms and lifestyle.
Davey says future of Ukraine should not be decided by Putin and Trump in 'locked room'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called on the US to bring Ukraine, the UK and Europe to the negotiating table to decide the future of the war torn country.
It comes as Trump ordered top US officials to begin talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Davey said: "The future of Ukraine, and European security with it, cannot and should not be decided by Putin and Trump in a locked room - with President Zelensky, the UK and our European allies shut outside.
"It is of deep concern that Donald Trump has far warmer words for Putin than he does for Ukraine, the UK or any of our allies. We all fear where this could end. The UK and our European allies must ensure that President Zelensky is not bullied by Trump into giving away sovereign Ukrainian territory to Putin."
GDP in UK grows by 0.1% BUT Reeves's fiscal plans slammed as 'going nowhere at all'
Gross domestic product (GDP) growth grew by 0.1 per cent in the last quarter, following no growth in the economy the previous quarter, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised to "kickstart the economy" and focus on bolstering GDP growth during her tenure in the economy, however analysts will be questioning whether this level will be enough.
Despite the UK avoiding a recession since Labour returned to power, which occurs when an economy experiences two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the current GDP rate appears to be flatlining.
Stride accuses Reeves’ budget of 'killing' growth - 'We're already paying for her choices'
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Rachel Reeves’ budget was “killing growth” and working people and businesses are “already paying for her choices.”
He said: "The Chancellor promised the fastest growing economy in the G7, but her budget is killing growth.
"Working people and businesses are already paying for her choices with ever rocketing taxes, hundreds of thousands of job cuts and business confidence plummeting.
"It does not need to be this way. Under new leadership, the Conservative Party will continue to oppose Labour’s disastrous decisions and stand up for businesses and working people up and down our country."
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