Politics

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for a tax on the wealthiest instead of cutting support for “struggling pensioners”. Speaking after arriving at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton on a jet ski, Sir Ed said his party is the only one offering up a solution on how to “plug the awful financial

Labour’s biggest union backer has accused the government of being “cruel” over cuts to the winter fuel payment, as it opens a potential rift at the party’s conference later this month. A motion to be submitted to Labour‘s conference by the Unite trade union – that has been seen by Sky News – says “workers

There has been no impact assessment of how the decision to strip millions of pensioners of winter fuel payments will affect them, Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided to means-test the payments, worth up to £300, to help fill a £22bn “black hole” in the public finances. Pressed on

Today’s major report by peer and NHS surgeon Lord Darzi on the National Health Service aims to perform three very clear political tasks. The first is to set expectations that the service will not be fixed by the time of the next election by talking about a 10-year, two-parliament programme for change. Politics live: Junk

Baroness Harman has urged the prime minister to stick to his manifesto pledge to kick peers out of the House of Lords when they turn 80. During the general election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to abolish the Lords entirely during his first parliament and replace it with an elected chamber. But the first of

Rishi Sunak has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “hiding” an impact assessment on the winter fuel payment cut for 10 million pensioners. Mr Sunak asked Sir Keir twice if he would publish an impact assessment on the policy after Labour MPs voted on Tuesday to push the cut through. However, Sir Keir responded by saying

The Scottish government has been defeated in a non-binding vote calling on ministers to expand free school meals to all primary pupils. The SNP administration suffered a double defeat at Holyrood, with MSPs also backing a separate motion calling on the government to reverse its decision to reintroduce peak ScotRail fares. Opposition politicians joined forces

Presenter and author Carol Vorderman has called on the prime minister to apologise over cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners. The controversial policy was approved by parliament today, despite a number of Labour MPs abstaining from the vote, with ministers saying “tough decisions” were needed to fix the public finances. But it was widely criticised

Mel Stride has become the latest Tory leadership hopeful to be knocked out of the race to replace Rishi Sunak. Conservative MPs held their second round of voting on Tuesday as they narrowed down the candidates to lead the party. And the former work and pensions secretary came in last place with just 16 MPs

MPs will vote later on a controversial plan by the new government to remove the winter fuel payment from the majority of pensioners. The move – which will see around 10 million people lose the payment of up to £300 to help with energy costs – has been defended by Labour, who said “tough decisions”

Ministers are not looking to soften the blow for 10 million pensioners who will no longer receive winter fuel payments, the prime minister’s spokesman has said. Ahead of a vote on Tuesday on the controversial decision to limit winter fuel payments to those on pension credit, the government is remaining steadfast despite growing opposition from

Labour’s post-election honeymoon looks to be over as it faces pressure this week over winter fuel payments, releasing prisoners early, and the state of the NHS. Two months after winning a historic majority, Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers have a busy week as they face pressure not just from other parties, but their own

The health secretary has said NHS waiting lists need to be “millions lower” by the next general election in 2029. Wes Streeting told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips he is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure waiting lists are brought down, including using the private sector. He said the “NHS waiting

Children’s health is facing a deadly crisis, with life-threatening illnesses, obesity, eating disorders, and infectious diseases soaring, a shock new government report reveals. Sir Keir Starmer is blaming the Conservatives for a “broken NHS” and claims the Tories’ NHS reforms are “unforgivable and “hopelessly misconceived”. The shocking findings on the deteriorating health of the nation’s

Sir Keir Starmer is visiting the Republic of Ireland as part of a “reset” of relations following the change of government. The prime minister will meet with his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, as part of the visit to Dublin. At the same time, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn will be committing the UK government to

As cabinet ministers and law enforcement teams were meeting to discuss ways to enact the prime minister’s pledge to “smash the gangs”, in a flat in Manchester Hassan was bathing a kitten he’s adopted since being granted asylum in Britain. The 26-year-old knows all about the smuggling gangs that bring people over in small boats