Rebel Labour MPs received a last-minute concession concerning the welfare bill, ensuring changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility will only follow the completion of the Timms review, due in autumn 2026.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell criticises the government’s welfare reforms as “Dickensian,” urging colleagues to oppose a bill she believes fails to protect the poor.
The government has performed a U-turn on welfare reforms after pressure from 126 Labour backbenchers, who signed an amendment to stall the bill.
Tuesday’s front pages are dominated by the proposed welfare bill that MPs will vote on this Tuesday. It’s set to be a tough day for the prime minister as Labour MPs are still considering rebelling over the bill, despite the PM making huge concessions and watering down his controversial plans to trim the ballooning benefits cost.
Several papers continue their coverage of the Glastonbury row after police announced they would open an inquiry into Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances, with punk duo Bob Vylan chanting “death to IDF” and Kneecap calling for a riot. There are further calls for the BBC boss to be punished for streaming the controversial Bob Vylan set despite the chants.
There are a handful of standalone stories, including reports that British doctors and nurses will be prioritised as part of a 10-year plan to curb the number of international hires. The death of Vivienne leads one of the newspapers after new details have emerged, and another paper leads with a report into the treatment of those in care homes during the pandemic.
Many of the newspapers feature images of yesterday’s Wimbledon action, including British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s win. The ongoing UK heatwave finds plenty of space on the front pages, as the country continues to sweat and more health warnings are issued.
Despite its U-turn on its controversial welfare reforms last week, the prime minister will still face a test to his leadership when MPs vote today on his welfare reform bill.
The PM has been forced into a humiliating backdown on his controversial welfare reform, days after already making huge concessions. The PM’s bill passed in the Commons yesterday, but still saw 49 Labour MPs voting against it and 18 others abstaining.
It’s been a terrible time for the prime minister as of late, with him desperately needing to regain control of his party.
(Thursday, 3 July 2025) – The death of Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota dominates UK and global headlines. The Premier League, the FA and Liverpool are amongst those offering condolences after he died aged 28 in a car accident in Spain.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s tearful appearance at PMQs on Wednesday sparked concerns, with many seeing her tears as a sign she was about to lose her job. It caused market panic. No. 10 has since said it was a personal matter. PMQs came after Labour got their welfare bill passed, after making huge concessions. It’s been the story that’s dominated much of the news this week.
The Glastonbury row and the UK heatwave dominated much of the news at the beginning of the week.
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.