
Rayner dismisses suggestions she could take Starmer's place
She dismissed suggestions of replacing Sir Keir Starmer, despite a recent rebellion over his welfare reforms and growing criticism of his leadership.
Ms Rayner defended Sir Keir, asserting he is doing the job for Britain by repairing international relationships and securing trade deals.
Her comments follow polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice 's assessment that Sir Keir's first year in office has been the worst start for any newly elected prime minister.
Ms Rayner expressed passion for issues like workers' rights and council housing, emphasising her commitment to serving the country in her current role.
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Western Telegraph
5 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
PM takes blame for welfare U-turn as he gives full backing to Chancellor
Speaking to the BBC in his first interview since a threatened backbench revolt forced him to strip out a major part of his welfare reform plan, he acknowledged the past few days had been 'tough'. He said: 'Labour MPs are absolutely vested in this. It matters to them to get things like this right, and we didn't get that process right. We didn't engage in the way that we should have done.' Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right) crying as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions (UK Parliament/PA) But he insisted his Government would 'come through it stronger' as he vowed to 'reflect' on what needed to be done 'to ensure we don't get into a situation like that again'. Sir Keir also gave his full support to Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she was seen crying during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Ms Reeves's visibly tearful appearance in the Commons came amid speculation that her job was at risk after the welfare U-turn put an almost £5 billion hole in her spending plans. But the Prime Minister insisted her appearance had 'nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with what's happened this week' and was 'a personal matter'. Asked if she would remain in her post, he said: 'She will be Chancellor for a very long time to come, because this project that we've been working on to change the Labour Party, to win the election, change the country, that is a project which the Chancellor and I've been working on together.' Wes Streeting said the Chancellor would bounce back (PA) On Thursday morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Ms Reeves would 'bounce back' as he praised her 'leadership' on the economy. He also dismissed a suggestion that Sir Keir himself could be at risk, telling Sky News: 'Keir Starmer has been consistently underestimated. 'I wonder when people will learn. They said he couldn't win the Labour leadership, but he did. They said he couldn't change the Labour Party, but he did. They said he couldn't take the Labour Party from its worst defeat since the 1930s to election victory last year, and he did. 'And now the cynics say he can't change the country, but he will.' But Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said the scenes in the Commons over the past week had left bond markets 'twitchy' about the Government and 'their ability to actually grip things like spending going forward'. Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Sir Mel appeared to distance himself from Robert Jenrick, who had earlier posted a video on social media describing Ms Reeves's career as 'dead'. But he added that Mr Jenrick was making a 'valid' point that the Government had 'lost control of the economy', laying the blame with the Chancellor and Sir Keir and warning of tax rises to come.


The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
Stacey Solomon marks huge six-figure achievement as she adds to her incredible £7million fortune
STACEY Solomon's new business venture is booming - adding to her whopping £7million fortune. The Loose Women panelist and mum-of-five announced a major new career move in 2023, and told fans: "I'm starting a whole new chapter in my life." 5 5 5 All-woman founded haircare brand REHAB captured Stacey 's attention years ago - but she told how she had taken the surprise decision to become part of the team. The Sort Your Life Out anchor, 35, invested her own cash into small haircare brand REHAB, owning a third of the firm in doing so. Now sources have told MailOnline the all-female business has reached a six figure milestone which has seen them "making millions" in the sector. Stacey, along with business partners Anastasia and Vicky, is also seeing their popularity "expanding." REHAB has also been hailed the fastest-growing beauty brand on the FEBE 100 list for 2025, in yet another boost for the trio. The collection has now expanded into bodycare products as well as haircare as it expands its offering further. Its Instagram page now reads: "It's time to REHAB. Your hair and body." Stacey first revealed her latest career project in a lengthy message on social media. At the time, she gushed to fans: "I can't put into words how incredible it feels to say that I am going to start a whole new chapter in my life championing incredible women in business. "I see so many talented people day in day out working so hard to achieve their dreams and it's not easy out there. Stacey Solomon hits back at cruel troll who branded her a 'horse mouth' "I can't wait to give my absolute all to Rehab and take it to the places it deserves to be." REHAB was founded by two female best friends who say they were "trying to keep up with multiple jobs, children, and their London based social lives". Describing themselves on REHAB's website, they said: "Busy women with a single mission - transform tired hair to its full healthy, glossy potential." Stacey presents BBC's Sort Your Life Out as well as being a panellist on Loose Women. Stacey Solomon's career so far Stacey Solomon has been a familiar face on viewers' screens for over a decade. Let's take a look back at her career. The X Factor (2009): Stacey competed in series six of long-running ITV singing competition The X Factor. During her time in the show, she was mentored by Danni Minogue in the 'Girls' category. The star finished in third place, behind Joe McElderry and Olly Murs. I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (2010); In late 2010, Stacey headed to the infamous I'm A Celeb Aussie jungle. After 21 days, she triumphed to win the tenth series. It was through I'm A Celeb that she met future husband Joe Swash - who'd won two years earlier and was hosting the ITV2 spinoff. Celebrity Juice (2011―2013, 2016―2019): The star appeared as a panellist on 21 episodes of the comedy panel game show hosted by Keith Lemon. Stacey was a regular in the 21st series, broadcast in 2019. Loose Women (2016 - present): Stacey has been a permanent panel member of the daytime show since 2016. She previously made guest appearances in 2011 and 2012. Sort Your Life Out (2022 -present): This BBC show sees Stacey, with the help of an expert team, transform participants' living spaces after removing clutter. CASHING IN Back in April, The Sun exclusively revealed the X Factor alum was raking in £57K a month. Her performing arts firm, Key Maps Entertainments, which funnels all of her earnings, has filed new accounts which lay bare just how rich Stacey really is. The figures mean that Stacey is taking home a tidy £8,270 a DAY. Stacey first set up the firm in 2012 in order to disclose all her financial earnings. In 2014, it was reported that she had banked a more modest £100,000 over the previous two years. The ITV and BBC darling managed to achieve the major figure largely thanks to her TV endeavours including her NTA-winning show Sort Your Life Out as well as her brand new reality show with her husband Joe Swash. But being on the small screen isn't the only way she's has topped up her bank balance. Stacey has helped to improve her massive fortune thanks to countless brand and endorsement deals. She has worked alongside Asda, Jet2, In The Style and Primark in order to keep her earnings rising year on year. 5 5


Telegraph
10 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Angela Rayner slashes right-to-buy discounts in ‘attack on aspiration'
Discounts for council tenants seeking to buy their homes are to be drastically cut by Angela Rayner. As a result of the move, which will impose stringent restrictions on the right-to-buy scheme, the Deputy Prime Minister was accused of an 'attack on aspiration'. Under the new scheme, the discount will be cut to between five and 15 per cent, depending on how long the tenant has lived there, down from 35 per cent at present. Ms Rayner also announced that tenants must have lived in a council house for 10 years – up from the current three – to be able to qualify. People who have previously benefitted from the scheme will be barred from trying again, and newly built council houses will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years. Kevin Hollinrake, shadow housing secretary, called Ms Rayner a 'hypocrite' as she had benefitted from right to buy herself. In 2007, Ms Rayner bought her former council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester, for £79,000 after claiming a 25 per cent discount. She later sold the property for £48,500 more than she paid for it. 'Today, Labour has chosen to quietly bury bad news, slipping out a policy that slashes right-to-buy eligibility and discounts,' Mr Hollinrake said. 'This is nothing short of an attack on aspiration. Labour is turning its back on the very families who work hard and want a stake in their future.' He added: 'For decades, right to buy has helped millions take their first step onto the housing ladder. Now, this Government is making it harder than ever to own a home. It is increasingly clear that the only guaranteed route to housing in this country is to arrive on a small boat. 'And the hypocrisy is staggering, Angela Rayner has personally benefitted from right to buy. Yet under her party's watch, that opportunity is being stripped away from others. Labour's message to aspiring homeowners is clear.' Right to Buy was the totemic policy of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, helping to propel her to her first general election victory. Sir Keir Starmer promised wholesale reform to restrict access, saying it had too dramatically refused the number of social houses available to people who needed them. Ms Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government department announced the changes on Wednesday night, saying it would bring forward legislation to increase the eligibility requirement from three to 10 years. The department said this would allow councils to rebuild their stock and to better ensure that only tenants who have paid rent on their homes for many years are able to benefit from the scheme. The changes will prevent existing property owners, or those who have previously benefitted from the scheme, from exercising the right to buy unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as being the victim of domestic abuse. Newly built social and affordable housing will be exempt from the right to buy for 35 years, making it more financially viable for the council to build new homes. This is much higher than the 10 or 20 years envisioned in a recent consultation document. Labour promised at the last election to build 1.5 million more homes over the course of the Parliament. It says many of these will be social and affordable homes.