As Starmer Struggles, Rayner and Streeting March On
In a Labour administration that appears to have lost its way after only a year in power, Rayner and Streeting each possess both the gift of the common touch and a strong political compass - which is more than can be said for their leader. They would, however, take their party in quite different directions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Met Police issue warning after Palestine Action ban comes into force
The Metropolitan Police have warned that officers will act if criminal offences related to the support of proscribed groups are committed, after a ban on Palestine Action came into force on Saturday. The force said there are a number of events taking place in London this weekend and 'anyone attending should be aware that officers policing these will act where criminal offences, including those related to support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed'. Palestine Action lost a late-night Court of Appeal challenge on Friday, which sought to stop the protest group being banned, less than two hours before the new legislation came into force at midnight. The designation as a terror group means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Proscription makes it a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) to invite or express support for an organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos, the Met said. The Met also said it is a criminal offence to: – belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (Section 11 TACT); – invite support for a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT); – express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT); – arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to (Section 12(2) TACT); – wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (Section 13 TACT); – publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (Section 13(1A) TACT)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rachel Reeves to announce review of workplace pensions contributions — here's what it could mean
Rachel Reeves is set to announce an overhaul of the pensions regime when she delivers a major speech at Mansion House this month. The chancellor is due to appoint a commission looking at the adequacy of the pensions system, including the amount of savings among the self-employed, the state pension and auto-enrolment rates. It was announced last July after Labour won the general election, but put on hold after the chancellor's brutal tax-hiking Budget amid anger at the pressure piled on businesses. But two executives familiar with the plans told the Financial Times she plans to appoint the commission in the 15 July speech, with the chancellor believing the UK pensions industry has long been ripe for reform. The chancellor's overhaul is reportedly planning to shake-up auto-enrolment rules, which mandate that staff pay at least 8 per cent of their earnings above £6,240 into the pot each year, with at least 3 per cent coming from their employer. Experts, including the influential Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), have warned that the current rate of contribution will leave many pensioners without enough money in retirement. Almost four in 10 pensioners who have worked in the private sector face a cliff-edge in retirement with the current contribution level, the think tank warned. It called last week for 'decisive action' to create a pension system 'fit for the next generation'. It called for an end to the system of employer pension contributions only having to be made if the employee also contributes, recommending that all employees should receive at least 3 per cent of their total pay as contributions. And the IFS called for targeted support for those hardest hit by increases in the state pension age, as well as solutions to help people manage their pension wealth through retirement. Former work and pensions secretary David Gauke said the IFS report was timed perfectly to coincide with the imminent conclusion of the chancellor's pensions review. 'The government should provide a secure pension income, further increases in the state pension age should be accompanied by more support for those hardest hit, and both employees and employers should gradually contribute more to help achieve greater financial security in retirement,' the ex-Tory minister, who has advised the Labour government, said. And IFS director Paul Johnson said: 'There is a risk that policymakers have become complacent when it comes to pensions. Without decisive action, too many of today's working-age population face lower living standards and greater financial insecurity through their retirement.' Mr Johnson said the think tank's recommendations would 'shore up the state pension, help workers save more – but only in periods when they are better placed to do so – and help individuals to make the most of their pension pots through retirement'. The government's review will also look at the level of the state pension, currently £230.25 per week, or £11,973 per year for those who have contributed through national insurance for 35 years. Labour has repeatedly committed to the triple lock, which increases the state pension amount by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was asked to comment.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Starmer thanks nurse who helped his brother to mark NHS anniversary
Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to an NHS advanced nurse practitioner who cared for his brother, Nick, in the final weeks before his death. Nick died from cancer on Boxing Day 2024, aged 60. In a video marking the NHS's 77th anniversary, the Prime Minister said Ben Huntley ensured his brother "felt cared for and respected". In the clip, Sir Keir is shown speaking to Mr Huntley in Downing Street, while other members of the public also meet with NHS staff who helped them. The Prime Minister said: 'My mum worked in the NHS and then she was very, very ill, for most of her life. And the NHS became our absolute lifeline. The NHS has always been there for my family. Today, on its 77th anniversary, the entire country says thank you. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 5, 2025 'My sister worked for the NHS, my wife works for the NHS, and it was the NHS that looked after my brother who we lost last Boxing Day to cancer. 'Ben, you looked after him. I think from the moment he was in all the way through, and you made sure that he felt cared for and respected.' The PM later added: 'That meant a huge amount to me and my family and, on all of our behalves, I say through you a very special thank you to the NHS.' Earlier this week, Sir Keir told the BBC's Political Thinking that he 'made it my business to be there in the hospital' when his brother was told about his diagnosis 'so that I could begin to help look after him'. 'It's really hard to lose your brother to cancer, he was a very vulnerable man,' the Prime Minister said. He shared details of 'going up in the porter's lift into the back of the intensive care unit' and wanting to protect his brother's privacy. He told the same interview that US President Donald Trump asked about his brother in a call a 'few days' after he died.
