Starmer defends welfare reform package despite climbdown over Pip
The change could force Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes in order to balance the books without the expected savings in the welfare budget.
But at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir defended what was left of the welfare reform package, telling MPs it will be 'better for individuals, better for the taxpayer and better for the economy'.
Ms Reeves, sitting next to Sir Keir, appeared to be crying on the front bench.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Ms Reeves looked 'absolutely miserable' and challenged the Prime Minister to say whether the Chancellor would keep her job until the next election.
Sir Keir dodged the question about whether Ms Reeves would be in place for the remainder of the parliament, saying Mrs Badenoch 'certainly won't'.
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44 minutes ago
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Keir Starmer will give a press conference on the Government's NHS plans - a day after Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen crying in the chamber at PMQs. The PM last night insisted her tears were "nothing to do with politics" and said she would remain in post for "many years to come". Mr Starmer has admitted though that it has been a tough week for his government after a massive Labour rebellion saw flagship welfare reforms torn up. The Prime Minister is expected to appear alongside Health Secretary Wes Streeting to unveil a new 10 year NHS strategy. He will unveil his vision for the NHS in a major speech, which will see him pledge to "fundamentally rewire" the health service. The plan, to be published today, will set out how the NHS will move from analogue to digital, treatment to prevention, and from hospital to more community care. By 2035, the intention is that the majority of outpatient care will happen outside of hospitals, with less need for hospital-based appointments for things like eye care, cardiology, respiratory medicine and mental health. It comes near the end of a torrid week for the PM. In an interview with the BBC he admitted: : "I'm not going to pretend the last few days have been easy, they've been tough. "I'm the sort of person that then wants to reflect on that, to ask myself what do we need to ensure we don't get into a situation like that again, and we will go through that process. "But I also know what we will do and that's we will come through it stronger." He was taunted by Kemi Badenoch about Ms Reeves' future, with the Tory leader suggesting the Chancellor was "toast". But hours after failing to back her in the Commons, he told the BBC: "She's done an excellent job as Chancellor and we have delivered inward investment to this country in record numbers. "She and I work together, we think together. In the past there have been examples - I won't give any specifics - of chancellors and prime ministers who weren't in lockstep. We're in lockstep." The PM said Ms Reeves's tears were to do with a personal matter, on which he would not elaborate. He said it had "nothing to do with politics" or this week's dramatic welfare U-turns. Pressed on whether it was, Mr Starmer said: "That's absolutely wrong. Nothing to do with what's happened this week. It was a personal matter for her, I'm not going to intrude on her privacy by talking to you."
