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Tom Tugendhat hits out at Iran after Foreign Minister says he wants to ‘give diplomacy another chance’
The Shadow Foreign Secretary has hit out at Iran after the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Minister said he wanted to “give diplomacy another chance” in an article for the Financial Times.
Tom Tugendhat said: “Iran’s Foreign Minister is getting a platform in Britain that his people are killed for in Iran.
“He claims he wants ‘to give diplomacy another chancet and doesn’t want escalation, but he is threatening our people and his IRGC bosses are murdering thousands across the Middle East, including recently civilians in Riyadh and Yemen.
“No wonder the Financial Times switched off the comments. His lies don’t stand up to scrutiny.”
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Labour blasted for spending £1.7m a year on ‘finding ways to claim prisons are racist’ amid overcrowding crisis
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy has criticised a “diversity, equality and inclusion” prison initiative costing close to £2million a year.
A bombshell report revealed the “disparities unit” employs 20 full-time members of staff.
The group engages in the task of “provid[ing] support and guidance to those responsible for oversight of Diversity and Inclusion in prisons and probation services”.
Internal Ministry of Justice documents show the unit was renamed and expanded in October 2024.
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Laura Trott hits back at Education Secretary after announcing action on antisemitism
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott has urged Labour ministers to reflect on their “responsibility” when it comes to antisemitism as she hit out at “inflammatory language” used by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
Responding to Education Secretary Lucy Powell’s announcement, Ms Trott told MPs: “Schools do not exist in a bubble, things that happen outside are too often mirrored in the classroom.
“The despicable, antisemitic Green Party motion encourages such sentiment to be brought up at school, and Labour ministers must reflect on their responsibility.
“Lack of action on hate marches, inflammatory language from the Foreign Secretary, and unenforceable performative bans on Israeli goods help no one and cause a surge in antisemitism.”
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Education Secretary vows to ‘write to schools and colleges’ to adopt working definition of antisemitism
Education Secretary Lucy Powell has vowed to write to schools and colleges to inform them that they should adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, she told MPs: “Definition matters. Combating antisemitism starts with identifying it and I agree with Sir David (Bell) that the use of a common and consistent definition will improve understanding and confidence.”
Ms Powell also promised to strengthen safeguarding guidance to make clear that antisemitism is “a distinct risk and therefore requires a distinct safeguarding response”.
The Education Secretary also said she accepts the recommendation for all education settings to “record antisemitic incidents as a specific category”.
She said: “We will develop and roll out high-quality training, good practice guidance, and practical resources, as well as dedicated support for leaders in managing complex serious incidents involving antisemitism, including where escalation is needed.
“We’ll also give schools and colleges clear and specific support for how and when controversial and sensitive issues should be discussed.”
- Suspended MP Karl Turner has been readmitted to the Labour Party
Karl Turner has Labour whip restored on ‘probationary basis’ after issuing apology
Karl Turner has been readmitted to the Labour Party, having his whip restored on a “probationary basis”.
The Kingston upon Hull East MP had been sitting as an independent after being tossed out of the party for criticising David Lammy’s now-scuttled plan to ace jury trials.
Labour confirmed that Mr Turner had returned to its benches after apologising to collegues.
The MP said he regretted any “offence I may have caused colleagues” after his falling out with the then-Justice Secretary.
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Energy Secretary ‘leaning towards rejection’ of Rosebank drilling
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is said to leaning towards “rejecting” the Rosebank oilfield in a blow to the North Sea energy industry after approving Jackdaw earlier today, according to the Guardian.
Ms Fahnbulleh has not yet taken a final decision on Rosebank, but a ruling is expected later this year.
She is understood to believe that it would do less for UK energy security, given most of the oil would be exported.
The Energy Secretary told the publication: “It is right that we judge each application in its own right, and it is absolutely critical that the decision is consistent with our climate obligations, our carbon budgets and the end destination we need to get to with the energy transition.”
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Reform UK reports ITV and its reporters to the police after undercover sting
Reform UK has reported ITV and its undercover reporters to the police over a covert sting targeting the party.
Zia Yusuf, Reform’s foreign affairs spokesman, confirmed on social media that his party had made the complaint.
“Reform UK has reported ITV, its board, and its undercover reporters to the police,” he wrote.
“Some of the crimes carry up to 10 years in prison. They forged a passport.
“They directly interfered in elections and almost certainly altered the results, being paid to ‘canvass’ for Reform in crucial wards we lost by a few dozen votes,” Mr Yusuf claimed.
- Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has slammed Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh for not informing Parliament of Jackdaw decision
Speaker launches furious tirade on Energy Secretary for failing to inform Parliament of Jackdaw decision
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has slammed Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh for not informing Parliament of Labour’s Jackdaw decision before briefing the media.
Addressing the Energy Minister Michael Shanks after Prime Minister’s Questions, the Speaker fumed: “It is shameful that this announcement was not made to the House first, and it is an immense discourtesy to the House that the Secretary of State did not come here to make the statement.
“I’m sorry that Sky News is more important than the members of both sides. It is appalling treatment. The Minister will know that this issue has been of great interest to the House, evident from the many questions asked by honourable members from all sides of the House.
“It is simply not good enough that it was trailed by the press last night and announced all over the media this morning by the Secretary of State before it can be properly scrutinised in this House, and this isn’t the first time on this subject.
“Is it that this department is deliberately briefing out to the media? It seems ministers once again need reminding of the Government’s old ministerial code, which makes clear that important policy announcements should be made first to this House, especially when we are sitting. There is no excuse. I hope the minister is taking this on board.
“I’m sorry he’s having to take the flak for a Secretary of State who doesn’t care about members on this side or that side. We’re elected by our electorate to hear statements here, not via the media. Am I getting the message through, Minister?”
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Andy Burnham vows to take ‘firm action’ on Falkland Islands after grilling on ‘shameful’ Chagos surrender
The Prime Minister has vowed to support the Falkland Islands in remaining British after being slammed for the Government’s “shameful” handover of the Chagos Islands.
Tory MP Sir John Whittingdale asked Mr Burnham: “Unlike the Government’s shameful attempts to hand over the sovereignty of the strategically important Chagos Islands, will the Prime Minister confirm that this time, the Government will strongly oppose the case being made by the government of Argentina?”
He responded: “Indeed, we will. I’m happy to make that clear again today.
“We will take the firmest of action to support the Falkland Islands, the right of the islanders to self-determination, who chose to remain British not so long ago.
“The defence secretary has met with his counterparts to reiterate that position. The foreign secretary, too.
“I raised the matter with President Trump. There is no diminution in our strong support to keep the Falkland Islands British.” -
Sir Ed Davey quizzes Andy Burnham on rejoining EU single market
Andy Burnham has been quizzed by the Liberal Democrats’ leader on whether he will “wait until after the next election before considering the single market”.
The Prime Minister told MPs: “We have before us a UK-EU summit, and it is an opportunity for this House to come together and get a good deal for food producers, for farmers in this country, and a good deal for Northern Ireland in relation to energy costs.
“And hopefully more cooperation on illegal migration. It is an important opportunity to take a step back to get growth in the British economy and more control of migration.
“We are already working to reduce the risks from the Made in Europe initiative, and we’re making good progress there.
“If this House were to come together, it would give me the strongest position to go to that summit and get a good deal for British farmers and British food producers.”
- Andy Burnham has rejected calls to reverse a ban on Palestine Action
Andy Burnham rejects call to reverse Palestine Action proscription
Social Democratic and Labour MP Claire Hanna has asked whether the Prime Minister will “commit to reviewing the proscription of Palestine Action” and “righting this unnecessary wrong”.
Mr Burnham responded: “Can I say to my Honourable Friend that we agree the scenes from Gaza and the West Bank are deeply distressing.
“It’s why the Foreign Secretary has taken the action that he has. We won’t stand by when the viability of the two-state solution is threatened and he’s made a further statement in relation to that this week.
“When it comes to the proscription of Palestine Action, it followed a rigorous and evidence-based process that came before this House, endorsed by Parliament. The matter is a live legal case so I won’t comment further than that.”
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Prime Minister refuses to commit to spending cuts ahead of Budget
Andy Burnham has told MPs there are signs of “growing strength” in the UK’s economy ahead of Chancellor John Healey’s Budget next week.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said there is “no other way” for the Labour Government to go than to either “cut spending, cut the deficit or cut tax”.
The Prime Minister responded: “Before the Budget this week we will have a new book published about the mini-Budget of a few years ago. And they’ve gone quiet because the authors of that mini-Budget are sitting across these benches, including the shadow chancellor.
“Does anybody on this side, or anybody around the country, believe that this party, of all parties, has the audacity to come to this House and lecture us about how to do a Budget? People in this country, British households, are still paying the price of that disastrous Budget.”
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‘I will not apologise for helping people have better lives, says Andy Burnham
The Prime Minister has hit back at Kemi Badenoch after calling on him to “get a grip and cut the welfare bill”.
Mrs Badenoch told MPs: “They haven’t made any cuts, we are spending more on interest payments than we do on schools, the Army and the police combined. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is worrying about loud music on trains. This is not serious.”
Mr Burnham told the House: “She asked me about cutting spending, I did exactly that, first day in office, digital ID programme, so that we could take action to support people, so that we could remove VAT off electricity bills, which is what we delivered, a tax cut.
“But she asks about the big decisions, I want to come directly back to what she’s saying. I’m not going to apologise for doing the small things that help people have better lives.
“But I also take the big decisions that they have avoided for many years, and let me go directly to one: social care. I grasped the nettle in a way that nobody on their side ever has and I made a difficult spending decision to lay a path towards a national care service.”
- Andy Burnham has announced a standing charges review
Andy Burnham announces review of standing charges on energy bills by Chancellor and Energy Secretary
The Prime Minister has announced a review of standing charges on energy bills by John Healey and Miatta Fahnbulleh to consider removing them from gas bills.
The Prime Minister said: “I have asked the Chancellor and the Energy Secretary to look at whether we can remove standing charges from gas bills, and to report back to this House at the earliest opportunity.”
Standing charges are fixed daily amounts that Britons pay on their bills, regardless of how much energy they used.
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Kemi Badenoch blasts ‘highest ever’ Government borrowing cost and ‘red warning light’ on UK economy
The Tory leader has scolded Andy Burnham’s economic strategy after hitting the highest ever borrowing figure in history.
Mrs Badenoch told MPs: “There is a red warning light flashing on the economy. Just this morning, total government borrowing hit £3trillion, its highest ever. That’s £100,000 for every household in the country.
“Even the Prime Minister’s former economic adviser Andy Haldane, not something I always agree with, has warned that Britain faces a precarious fiscal backdrop. So what is the Prime Minister doing to get borrowing down?”
The Prime Minister argued that Britain was the “standout nation for deficit reduction” and the joint-fastest growing economy in the G7.
He hit back: “It’s time she talked the country up, rather than constantly talking it down.”
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Tory leader urges Andy Burnham to go further and overturn Labour ban on all new oil and gas licences
Kemi Badenoch has called on Andy Burnham to overturn Labour’s ban on “all new oil and gas licences” after Jackdaw decision.
Mrs Badenoch said: “Of course we need renewables but we live in the real world, the world that still needs oil and gas, the world that depends on it, and if we don’t produce it, Britain and Europe will buy it from Russia.
“In July, the Prime Minister said, and I quote, ‘the question is whether Britain will still be using oil and gas, the question is where does it come from’. He was right.
“Does the Prime Minister accept that every barrel of North Sea oil we produce is a barrel that Europe won’t buy from Vladimir Putin?”
Mr Burnham replied: “Can I find a point of agreement with the Right Honourable lady. This decision does strengthen our energy security, it will release gas into British homes and British industry starting in the next few weeks, and it does support us in a difficult time.
“I appreciate that she wants us to take further decisions that she made up when she was in government. But can I make it really clear, the reason why they messed up these decisions is because they are quasi-judicial decisions. We will run these decisions properly.”
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Andy Burnham hits back at Tories over Jackdaw criticism
The Prime Minister has hit back at Kemi Badenoch after being criticised for approving Jackdaw, a decision she argues her party “first approved in 2022”.
Mr Burnham told the Tory leader: “Can we get something straight at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions today?
“We have made a decision that her Government made up. That’s why there was a delay, because they didn’t do the process properly.”
- Kemi Badenoch has taken to the dispatch box
Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Labour after ‘finally’ making decision on Jackdaw
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has thanked Andy Burnham for “finally” making a decision on the Jackdaw gas field.
Mrs Badenoch told the Prime Minister: “The Conservatives first approved Jackdaw in 2022. Rather than fighting the Leftie activists that tried to block it, Labour appointed one of them as Energy Secretary.
“So many jobs lost, so much time and money wasted. Britain cannot be a serious player on the world stage if the Government dithers for two and a half years over approving a single licence.
“We have the resources, the expertise and the people. What we have lost is the confidence to make tough decisions. So will the Prime Minister now overturn Labour’s ban on all new oil and gas licences?”
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Andy Burnham opens Prime Minister’s Questions with tribute to Aberfan disaster on 60th anniversary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has kicked off Prime Minister’s Questions with a statement paying tribute to the Aberfan disaster on its 60th anniversary.
Mr Burnham told MPs: “Today also marks the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, and I’m sure the thoughts of the whole House will be with the community today and with the people of Wales.
“I visited on Monday, and heard how the injustices the people suffered at the time and in the aftermath of the tragedy at the hands of the state.”
- Andy Burnham departs Downing Street ahead of Prime Minster’s Questions
Andy Burnham departs Downing Street ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has departed Downing Street ahead of the latest Prime Minister’s Questions.
Mr Burnham smiled and greeted the media as he stepped out of No10 ahead of the debate.
Today’s PMQs will follow the Government’s decision to approve drilling in the Jackdaw gas field.
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Labour MP blasts ‘terrible’ Jackdaw decision
Leeds East MP Richard Burgon has said the Government’s approval of the Jackdaw gas field is an “absolutely terrible decision”.
He said: “It will do nothing to lower people’s energy bills or improve our energy security.
“Investing in renewable energy is the way to do that. The Government has got this badly wrong.
“It must not repeat the same mistake with Rosebank.”
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Rachel Reeves ‘welcomes’ Labour decision on Jackdaw
Ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves has “welcomed” Labour’s decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field.
Taking to social media, Ms Reeves said: “I welcome today’s decision on Jackdaw. I have always argued that we should use our own resources to enhance our energy security.
“This means homegrown energy supplying British homes and businesses and backing a highly skilled and experienced workforce in Aberdeen, all while raising revenue for the Exchequer.
“In an increasingly unstable world this is a move in the right direction to give us more control over vital resources.”
- Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie says there’s ‘a lot more to be done’ after Labour’s approval of Jackdaw
‘A lot more to be done’ after Labour’s approval of Jackdaw, says Andrew Bowie
Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie has said there is “a lot more to be done” after Labour confirmed they have approved the Jackdaw gas field.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Bowie said: “This decision is a very good decision, we back it, we welcome it.
“It’s two-and-a-half years late and thousands of jobs that could have been saved here in this country have gone because of that delay.
“This is a good day, but there’s a lot more to be done moving forward.”
- Fossil Free London has staged a protest outside the Department for Energy headquarters
Protesters descend on Department of Energy HQ after Labour’s Jackdaw approval
Protesters from Fossil Free London have descended on the Department of Energy headquarters after the Labour Government confirmed the approval of the Jackdaw gas field.
Gathering outside the headquarters in central London, demonstrators urged the Prime Minister to “stop Jackdaw” and “stop Rosebank”, another oil and gas field under consideration.
Protesters could be heard chanting “Hey Andy, stop gas and oil. Keep that carbon in the soil.”
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Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Labour after approving Jackdaw gas field
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the length of time taken by the Labour Government to reach a decision on the Jackdaw gas field.
She said Labour spent two years “faffing about to make a decision” which the Conservative Government had already approved.
She said: “If they’d done this in the summer, we’d have had that gas heating British homes this Christmas.
“An unnecessary waste of time and money by a party that puts its own interest above the country’s.”
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Labour accused of ‘losing control’ of economy as inflation surges to highest level in almost a year
Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith has hit out at the Government for “losing control” of the economy after inflation surged to its highest level in almost a year.
He said: “Government borrowing of more than £3trillion – the highest in history – and rising inflation show Labour has lost control of the economy.
“Next week’s Budget needs to take urgent action to tackle the deficit, reduce the red tape and net zero costs that are driving up the cost of living for families.
“The Conservatives will always be honest about the state of our nation’s finances. We will cut welfare and wasteful spending so we can cut taxes and make our country prosperous again.”
- Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins backs Labour’s approval of Jackdaw but said it could have been done ‘years ago’
Tories criticise Labour for greenlighting Jackdaw after ‘years of dither and delay’
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has backed Labour’s approval of the Jackdaw gas field, but says it could have been done “years ago”.
Speaking to GB News, she said: “After two years of dither, delay, and procrastination, Labour finally got there.
“Yes it is the right decision, but my goodness me, they could have done this two years ago, and the gas from Jackdaw would be flowing into our homes this winter.
“But they’ve dithered and delayed, and so it’s meant that it’s going to take time to work its way through the system.”
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Chancellor John Healey announces new Energy Wealth Fund after Jackdaw approval
Chancellor John Healey has announced a new Energy Wealth Fund, following the approval of the Jackdaw gas field.
The fund will use tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas to invest in renewable and low carbon energy projects and support the green transition.
Mr Healey said of the new scheme: “I want Britain’s energy wealth to spark a new wave of clean power to work for the British people.
“Since North Sea gas and oil were discovered decades ago, the benefit of our existing nation’s natural resources have not been turned into the long-term investment our country needs.
“Through our new Energy Wealth Fund, we will invest in the clean energy industries of the future, creating jobs, driving growth and strengthening Britain’s energy security.”
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Jackdaw approval ‘right thing for our country’, says energy union GMB
GMB, the energy union, described the Government’s approval of Jackdaw today as “the right thing for our country”.
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “This is great news. Andy Burnham’s government deserves real credit for doing the right thing for our country.
“For too long, this and other vital decisions on our gas supplies and storage have been put off, risking the UK’s energy security at a time of worrying international volatility.
“This positive direction of travel must continue at pace. GMB will continue to press for further, essential measures that increase our domestic energy capacity, such as granting permission for Rosebank.”
- Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that Jackdaw will supply Britons with gas from as soon as the ‘end of this month’
Jackdaw to supply Britons with gas from ‘end of this month’, Energy Secretary confirms
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed that the approved Jackdaw gas field will begin to supply Britons as soon as ‘this winter’.
She said in a statement: “Following careful consideration of all relevant factors I have agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at Jackdaw, which will begin to supply the UK with gas from this winter thanks to the highly skilled and vital North Sea workers.
“This decision will support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter and help minimise the UK’s use of imported higher emission fuels as we continue our transition to renewables and nuclear.
“The decision is compatible with our legally binding climate commitments, and we remain resolute in ending new licences for oil and gas and achieving net zero by 2050.”
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Andy Burnham says approval of Jackdaw gas field will ‘protect hundreds of jobs’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that the approval of the Jackdaw gas field will protect “hundreds of jobs”, but insists that the Government is still committed to “moving towards renewable energy.
The Jackdaw field will start supplying gas to homes and businesses from the end of the month, the Government confirmed after approving the scheme.
He said: “I welcome the Energy Secretary’s decision, which will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter.
“At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help.
“We’re committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come.
“That’s why we’re taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea. We’re also establishing a new Energy Wealth Fund to invest in renewable energy, support the green transition and help reduce energy bills over the long-term.
“Our approach will ensure we can boost our energy security, back British workers, ringfence future North Sea proceeds to speed up the green transition, hit our ambitious climate targets and – crucially – bring down bills.”
Government plans crackdown on ‘cosmetic cowboys’ performing dangerous procedures
The Government has planned a crackdown on “cosmetic cowboys” performing dangerous procedures, including vampire facials, chemical peels and liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs).
Ministers said the changes would shield Britons from treatments that “can go badly wrong”.
A BBL is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure where dermal fillers are injected into the buttocks to alter their size or shape.
But under the new rules, treatments that involve injecting fillers anywhere other than the face would only be able to be performed by qualified medics.
Other high-risk treatments such as deep chemical peels and vampire facials – which use microneedling to inject platelets drawn from a patient’s own blood back into the face – would be restricted to doctors, dentists, some nurses, midwives and pharmacists.
Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “If you’re planning to undergo a major cosmetic procedure, you deserve to know you’re in safe hands – not risking your life with a rogue operator.”