Keir Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' migrant remark in fresh U-turn
Steven Woolfe blasts Labour as 'weak' and claims one in one out migrant deal 'just won't work'
GB NEWS
The Prime Minister has said he "deeply regrets" claiming the UK risked becoming an "island of strangers".
Sir Keir Starmer made an immigration speech that many compared to the language of late Conservative MP Enoch Powell and his infamous "Rivers of Blood" speech given in 1968.
Speaking last month, Starmer said: "In a diverse nation like ours...we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together."
Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said it "reflected the language of Enoch Powell" while Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana called it "sickening."
Sir Keir Starmer said he had not been in the "best state" to give the press conference, in which he insisted on the need for tighter border controls, as he reeled from an alleged arson attack on his family home.
He told The Observer: "I wouldn’t have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be interpreted as an echo of Powell.
"I had no idea and my speechwriters didn’t know either. But that particular phrase, no, it wasn’t right. I’ll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it."
Keir Starmer defends welfare bill as the 'right thing to do' but fails to clarify funding gap
PA
The Prime Minister has defended the move, describing his concessions to Labour rebels as "common sense".
Speaking today, he said: "It’s very important that we reform the welfare system, because it doesn’t work and it traps people, and therefore we’re going to press ahead with the reforms. And the principles are if you can work, you should work. If you need help getting into work, you should have that help and support. But if you can’t work or there’s no prospect of work, then you must be protected.
"We need to get it right. That’s why we’ve been talking to colleagues and having a constructive discussion. We’ve now arrived at a package that delivers on the principles with some adjustments, and that’s the right reform, and I’m really pleased now that we’re able to take this forward …
"For me, getting that package adjusted in that way is the right thing to do. It makes the right balance. It’s common sense and we can now get on with it."
Responding to a question asked by journalists, the Prime Minister said: "The funding will be set out in the budget in the usual way, as you’d expect later in the year."
Italy and Spain send letter to EU in fury over France 'one in, one out' migrant deal with Britain
Keir Starmer's "one in, one out" migrant deal with France has sparked backlash from Italy, Spain and three other southern EU countries.
The five nations, including Greece, Malta, and Cyprus, have signed a letter sent to the European Commission, arguing that the Franco-British deal will result in the continent having to take back people from the UK.
The letter read: “We take note — with a degree of surprise — of the reported intention of France to sign a bilateral readmission arrangement.
“If confirmed, such an initiative raises serious concerns for us, both procedurally and in terms of potential implications for other member states, particularly those of first entry.”
The five signatories, which are often the locations for migrants beginning the perilous journey to Europe from Africa, are concerned that the initiative would mean France would, using EU rules, return asylum seekers to the first country of entry, where their asylum claim should be processed.
They wrote: “We believe it is essential to clarify whether the agreement may produce any direct or indirect consequences for other member states."
Under the proposed scheme, Channel migrants would be sent back to France within weeks of their arrival in return for the UK taking asylum seekers from France.
'Not enough!' Diane Abbot leads Labour rebels against Starmer's U-turn on welfare reforms
Labour MP Diane Abbot is just one of the left-wing Labour rebels who have expressed their continuing dissatisfaction with Kier Starmer's welfare bill.
The MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, who fell out with Starmer ahead of the last General Election, warned that the infighting within the Government is not over.
She claimed the Prime Minister's major concession on Britain's ballooning benefit reforms was not enough.
Abbott wrote on X: "On the rebellion over welfare, reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. Postponing cuts is not enough. Many MPs believe the cuts are wrong in principle, hurting the people we are supposed to protect. Others know how unpopular the policy will remain."
On Friday morning, Downing Street admitted that the Prime Minister was making three major concessions in an attempt to prevent the biggest rebellion of his premiership.
Kemi Badenoch pictured during a visit to Carver Barracks in Essex
PA
The Conservative leader has been meeting with members of the 35 Engineer Regiment during a visit to Carver Barracks in Saffron Walden, Essex.
Leading disability charities say there will be 'generational divide' over welfare cuts
A learning disability charity has said it is still concerned about the Government's controversial welfare reform bill.
Jackie O’Sullivan, executive director of strategy and influence at Mencap, said: We are encouraged that campaigners have been heard in their opposition to the planned cuts.
"But we fear that if, from next year, new claimants for Pip face different rules, there will be a generational divide in the quality of life for people with a learning disability."
Siân Berry says Labour's welfare plans are 'inhumane'
Green Party MP Sian Berry issued a warning over the bill
PA
Former Green Party leader Siân Berry has called on Labour rebels to "stand firm" over the government's controversial welfare bill.
The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said: "The responsibility is now with other Labour MPs to stand firm in the face of this inadequate offer.
"Political pressure means a reprieve for some who were set to be cruelly harmed, but this will leave disabled people, young people and those who will become sick and injured in the future, high and dry.
"The Prime Minister should withdraw the Bill, take some considerable time to consult with disabled people and come back with something humane and workable."
Mel Stride says crisis is 'made in Downing Street'
Shadow chancellor of the Exchequer Mel Stride
PAMel Stride has launched a scathing attack on Labour, accusing them of "stunting growth."
The Shadow Chancellor said: "Labour promised not to raise taxes on working people, and their Jobs Tax has led to rising unemployment and growth being halved.
"Now the Government have been unable to rule out that taxes will go up this autumn in order to pay for Keir Starmer’s latest U-turns.
"This is a crisis made in Downing Street, Labour must stop making the British people pay the price for their failures."
Welfare reforms are 'blatantly discriminatory' says SNP
The Scottish Nationalist Party said the welfare reforms were "blatantly discriminatory" and urged Labour MPs to reject the welfare Bill.
Kirsty Blackman, the SNP’s work and pensions spokeswoman, said: "We will continue to strongly oppose and vote against these damaging and discriminatory Labour Party cuts to disabled people.
"I urge rebel Labour MPs to stand by their conscience and reject Keir Starmer’s disability cuts bill.
"The Prime Minister’s so-called ‘concessions’ have created a dog’s dinner of a system that makes no sense and punishes those who are young or newly disabled.
"They are blatantly discriminatory, of questionable legality, and will see disabled people with the exact same needs treated differently just because of when they were born or became sick, injured or disabled."
Stephen Dixon grills Richard Holden on latest Tory migration plan
GB News presenter Stephen Dixon challenged Conservative MP Richard Holden over the party's migration stance during a recent interview, suggesting the Tories were adopting policies similar to those of Reform UK.
The exchange occurred against the backdrop of intensifying debate over Channel crossings and migration policy, with both major parties facing pressure to address record numbers of small boat arrivals.
Stephen Dixon asked the Shadow Paymaster: "Am I right in thinking the Tories are now pursuing a net zero policy for migration at the moment? I mean, that’s basically a Reform UK policy, isn’t it?"
Downing Street does not rule out tax rises but says there will be 'no permanent increase in borrowing'
A spokesman for the Prime Minister has not ruled out potential tax rises but said there would be no permanent increase in government borrowing as a result of the welfare bill U-turn.
He told reporters: "There’ll be no permanent increase in borrowing, as is standard.
"We’ll set out how this will be funded at the budget, alongside a full economic and fiscal forecast in the autumn, in the usual way."
When pressed if taxes might go up to fund the new policy, the spokesman said: "As ever, as is a long-standing principle, tax decisions are set out at fiscal events."
Disability campaign group warn welfare reforms would create 'two-tier system'
A disability rights campaign group said the proposed changes to personal independence payment (PIP) eligibility criteria would create a "two-tier" welfare system.
Policy lead at Disability Rights UK Mikey Erhardt urged MPs to reject the welfare Bill and said the Government must "go back to the drawing board".
He said: "We completely reject the imposition of the two-tier system on offer.
"It is not a massive concession to have a benefit system where future generations of disabled people receive less support than disabled people today. MPs must vote against this proposal.
"By attempting to push through cruel cuts to the benefits of disabled people, the Government prioritised balancing its books over improving the lives of disabled citizens.
"Now, it is negotiating political deals, again with no concern for the lives of disabled people."
Keir Starmer in talks with France to return migrants in 'one in, one out' deal
The Prime Minister has launched a fresh set of talks with France over a potential "one in, one out" migrant deal.
Under the scheme, Channel migrants would be sent back to France within weeks of their arrival in return for the UK taking asylum seekers from France.
Home Office sources told The Telegraph that the returns scheme was a "work in progress".
There had been a deadlock between London and Paris, as French officials argued that any new agreement would have to be EU-wide.
However, French interior minister Bruno Retailleau said that a deal with Westminster would "send a clear message" to others planning to make the journey.
WATCH: Robert Jenrick says mass migration is 'making young people poorer'
Overnight council by-election results make grim reading for Sir Keir Starmer as Reform, Tories and Greens take key wards
Council by-election results will make grim reading for Sir Keir Starmer as his Labour party lost wards across the country.
Firstly, Reform UK's John Booker won the Stockbridge and Upper Don by-election on Sheffield City Council, beating competition from Labour's Josiah Tomasz Lenton.
Meanwhile, in east London, The Green Party got its first ever councillor on Greenwich Council as Tamasin Rhymes beat Labour candidate Jummy Dawodu in the Shooters Hill ward.
Dawodu caused controversy after he boycotted local hustings, claiming they would not be impartial and sent residents a letter criticising local campaigns against council land sales in the ward.
There was a bit of good news for the Conservatives, as Aidy Riggott saw off competition from Reform's Jonathan Close to win the Buckshaw and Whittle by-election on Chorley Council in Lancashire.
Labour rebel warns that 'everyone should be worried' about welfare bill
Nadia Whittome issued a warning against the bill
GETTYOne of the key rebels against Labour's controversial welfare reforms warned that "everybody should be worried" about changes to the bill.
Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome told the BBC that cutting disability benefits will "in the long-term mean more spending because it has knock-on consequences."
She said: "Welfare spending overall is not significantly increasing as a percentage of GDP.
"Health and disability benefits are and we’ve got to look at the reasons for that, and the way that we tackle it is by tackling the root causes: investing in the NHS, housing, wages etc.
"Everybody should be worried about these changes because anybody could become disabled at any point in their lives.
"We’re just one car accident away from that and everyone needs a safety net but voting for this Bill would mean pulling up the ladder and baking in poverty for future disabled people."
Richard Holden expresses bewilderment at Labour 'hat-trick'
Richard Holden has slammed a "hat-trick" of Labour U turns as he compared Sir Keir Starmer's Government to a "wobbly trolly."
The Shadow Paymaster General cited the grooming gangs national enquiry, winter fuel payment and today's welfare reforms.
Holden told GB News that, despite having "one of the biggest majorities in history", Labour was looking like a "wobbly trolley on an ice shelf."
The MP for for Basildon and Billericay added: "I don't know what this Government stands for at all."
Daisy Cooper takes aim at 'bungling Badenoch' in scathing attack on Tories
Liberal Democrat party deputy leader Daisy Cooper slammed the Tories
GETTY
The Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said Conservative MPs are in "open revolt" against leader Kemi Badenoch.
Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said: "Bungling Badenoch strikes again. Her own MPs are now in open revolt over her deeply unserious leadership.
“The Conservative party’s infighting seems terminal, more interested in cheap point scoring than focussing on the great challenges this country faces.
"Badenoch urgently needs to clarify if her party’s position is that the Prime Minister should not be attending major international summits.
"The Conservatives have abdicated their responsibilities as an opposition that can effectively hold the Government to account.
"The Liberal Democrats will continue to step up where the Conservatives fail and be the constructive opposition the country needs."
Keir Starmer confirms welfare U-turn
Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed his Government will water down its proposed cuts to Britain's ballooning benefits bill.
The Prime Minister completed the enormous climbdown just days after dismissing 120 Labour rebels as being "noises off".
In the early hours of Friday morning, Downing Street admitted that Starmer was making three major concessions to prevent the biggest rebellion of his premiership.
A No10 spokesman said: "We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.
"The package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.
"Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year."
Kemi Badenoch will not remove whip from Tory who launched blistering attack over her PMQs jibe at Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch will not remove the whip from a Conservative MP who criticised her after she accused Sir Keir Starmer of "evading" two Prime Minister’s Questions in a row by going to back-to-back G7 and Nato summits.
Asked by GB News at a business conference in London whether she would strip the whip from Mark Pritchard, the Conservative MP for The Wrekin, the Leader of the Opposition replied: "No."
However, Badenoch stressed there was "no reason" for PMQs to always be on a Wednesday and that the Prime Minister would not move it "because he doesn’t like answering questions."
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