Browsing: UK Politics

The long-awaited UK-US trade deal officially came into force, reducing tariffs on UK exports to the US and strengthening transatlantic economic ties.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the anti-IDF chants by rap punk duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival, calling them “appalling” and raising concerns over the BBC’s broadcast of the incident.

The UK’s second heatwave of the year is set to peak this Monday with temperatures hitting over 34C. The heatwave is affecting much of the country, with major events such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon issuing warnings that could see people being forced to leave early.

The headlines continue to cover the controversy at Glastonbury after punk duo Bob Vylan’s chants of “death, death to the IDF” during the duo’s performance. The performance, along with Irish band Kneecap, will not be available to stream online.

Wimbledon kicks off today, with the headlines reporting on the record number of British tennis players in the world-famous tournament.

There is some continued coverage of the prime minister’s U-turn on the benefits row. The PM backed down from his harsh welfare reforms, making some huge concessions to appease the Labour backbenchers who were mounting a rebellion.

A new report from disability charity Scope has revealed that the additional cost of living with a disability in the UK has surged by almost 12% since 2020.

Monday’s newspaper headlines are dominated by the controversial Glastonbury performance from punk duo Bob Vylan, who chanted “death, death to the IDF.” Several headlines criticised the BBC for not pulling the performance off live TV, whilst other headlines looked at the reaction to the chant, including the prime minister’s condemnation of the performance. 

Former Tory minister George Freeman has referred himself to the parliamentary standards commissioner amid allegations of receiving payments from a company that assisted him in drafting questions directed at the government.

A point no-one is considering if the word ‘IDF’ was replaced by ‘Russia’ in that chant, the MPs would have joined in chanting.

Humanity is being drowned out the volume of pro-Israeli rhetoric being splashed out on MSM.

Wes Streeting expressed confidence that the government will secure a crucial vote on welfare cuts following significant concessions by Sir Keir Starmer aimed at quelling dissent within the Labour Party.

The Friday newspaper front pages won’t be an easy read for the prime minister this morning, as they react to his U-turn on his highly controversial welfare cuts.

Many of the papers had gone to print before the watered-down bill was confirmed. They acknowledge that the prime minister offered the more than 120 Labour rebels ‘concessions’ but did not know the details.

Beyond welfare cuts, the rest of the papers are made up of a mix of different headlines from ongoing coverage of the US bombing of Iran to the UK and France agreeing on a migrant returns deal.

Labour rebels win as Starmer backs down over benefit cuts – UK second heatwave this weekend – Pound hits four-year high | What Happened Today
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the embarrassing U-turn from the prime minister over benefit cuts. More than 120 Labour MPs were mounting a rebellion over Starmer’s heavy cuts to welfare, which the government’s assessment said could end up pushing 250,000 people into poverty, including children. The PM’s desire to slash the ballooning welfare bill is a bid to save around £5bn a year. But it had caused massive upset as the most vulnerable were facing losing key benefits, including disabled people.

The government confirmed the climbdown will mean those currently receiving PIP or the health elements of Universal Credit will continue to do so, and instead, the planned cuts will only hit future claimants.

The vote will proceed as planned on Tuesday in the Commons and is expected to pass.

Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to rise above 30C, in the second UK heatwave in June this year – don’t forget your sunscreen!

Elsewhere, the news that the pound briefly hit its highest level against the dollar for almost four years after markets were unnerved by a report that Trump could bring forward the naming of a new head of the US central bank.

Rob Howard, Reform UK’s first council leader, has quit just five weeks after taking charge of Warwickshire County Council, citing personal health issues.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered major concessions to over 120 Labour MPs who threatened to oppose key parts of the welfare reform bill.

The Prime Minister has faced a significant backlash from 127 MPs, leading to a climbdown on proposed cuts to disability benefits and a need to rebuild trust within his party.

Reform UK would gain 271 seats if a general election was held today according to new polling.

Thursday’s headlines continue their coverage of the prime minister’s defiance over the upcoming benefits cuts bill. The PM says he’ll push ahead with the vote, expected next Tuesday, despite the mounting rebellion, which could seriously damage his premiership. There have been reports that the prime minister has told Labour MPs that if they vote down the bill, they won’t be considered for promotion. Other reports suggest No. 10 is drafting a watered-down bill to appease the critics.

The UK has seen a surge in Chinese imports as businesses seek to avoid the 55% tariff slapped on them by the United States. Economists say it could help the UK ease inflation, but domestic industries warn of being undercut by cheap goods.

A 37-year-old man, who brutally murdered a boy on his walk to school last year, has been found guilty of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Marcus Monzo went on a rampage in North London last year, killing 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword and injuring three others. The judge says he would face a life term when he returns to court for sentencing on Friday.

In happier news, the UK is set for its second heatwave of the month, with temperatures hitting 30C this weekend, just in time for Glastonbury! If you’re heading out and about this weekend, don’t forget your sunblock and shades!!

The Reform Party is projected to secure the most seats in a hypothetical general election, with support for Conservatives and Labour dropping below half the national vote.

Over 120 Labour MPs, including select committee chairs and former loyalists, have rebelled against the government’s welfare reform bill, expressing deep concern that proposed cuts.

Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the vote on welfare reforms will proceed next week, despite anticipated dissent from over 100 Labour MPs.

Cabinet ministers are pressuring Labour MPs to withdraw their names from a rebel amendment aimed at blocking controversial welfare cuts before a crucial vote next Tuesday.

UK announces plans to buy 12 F-35A fighter jets, reintroducing a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force (RAF) for the first time since the Cold War.

A handful of ongoing stories dominate the UK newspaper front pages this morning, with the news that the prime minister is set to press ahead with his contentious welfare cuts, despite a growing rebellion from Labour MPs.

Many of the papers lead on the “landmark deal” which will see the UK buy 12 new nuclear-carrying jets from the United States. Several papers pick up on the prime minister’s comments that the UK must be prepared for war, whilst other papers note the purchase of planes carrying nuclear bombs is the biggest expansion of the deterrent since the Cold War.

A handful of papers report on Donald Trump’s wild outburst on TV whilst discussing the Israel-Iran ceasefire breaking down yesterday. Since the outburst, the fragile ceasefire appears to be holding.

The UK government has announced plans to purchase at least 12 F-35 stealth jets, enhancing its nuclear capabilities for the first time in a generation.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared his intent to proceed with sweeping disability welfare reforms, despite over 123 Labour MPs rebelling and 11 opposition MPs joining calls to halt the bill.

The £51 million border control post at Parc Cybi in Holyhead will remain unused as the UK negotiates exemptions from import checks with the EU.

Kemi Badenoch has stated that the Conservatives will support Labour’s controversial welfare reforms if Sir Keir Starmer commits to reducing the welfare budget, facilitating work placements, and avoiding tax increases.