Labour launches £500m ‘Best Start' child support programme
The plans echo the Sure Start programme brought in by Tony Blair in the late 1990s.
Phillipson also acknowledged that mistakes had been made during the government's first year in office, as new polling suggests Reform UK would crush Labour if an election was held today.
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The Herald Scotland
17 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
What's the point of Anas Sarwar if he won't fight our corner?
Labour has ruled Wales for three decades and Scotland is probably superior in every aspect of governance, yet Scottish Labour disparages its own country at every turn. The UK does need reform, but it needs serious targeting to avoid hurting the actual sick and making the poor poorer. The UK has had a stagnant economy for decades, with perceptions of an untouchable and unchanging ruling elite (no matter which party is in No 10) and this has radicalised the electorate into losing trust in traditional politics. The UK needs growth. The UK needs industrial and infrastructure investment from the south of England to the north of Scotland. Why isn't Anas Sarwar insisting Scotland gets regional pricing for electricity instead of arguing for costly foreign nuclear power? Why is he not pushing for a per capita share of defence spending or carbon capture and storage investment, or asking why new trade deals are centred on cars and steel (important to England but meaningless for us)? If Mr Sarwar is not willing to fight 'Scotland's corner', what on earth is the point of him and his branch office puppet party? GR Weir, Ochiltree. It's the same old Labour A few weeks ago, I asked if Labour had reached peak insanity (Letters, May 25). Judging by the humiliating U-turn on disability benefit reform, we're still at base camp ("Starmer ditches key welfare reform as bill passes", The Herald, July 2). Once again, Labour has reverted to form: all dogma, no discipline, and a deep aversion to difficult decisions. We've seen this cycle before. Labour enters office promising fairness and social justice. But reality intervenes: growth stalls, spending soars, and tough choices are abandoned. Eventually, the money runs out, and the government collapses into chaos, clutching tired slogans as the bond market circles. Read more letters Despite the rhetoric, Labour is punishing the very people it claims to support. You cannot tax your way to growth, yet that's exactly what it is doing. Higher National Insurance, scrapped investment incentives, and new taxes on education and entrepreneurs have reportedly driven out over 15,000 millionaires, along with the jobs and investment they take with them. The North Sea oil and gas sector faces a crippling 78% tax – disastrous for energy security, as we're forced to import more at higher cost. Meanwhile, immigration overwhelms public services, yet Labour offers no coherent plan. Illegal migrants are housed in hotels at vast public expense, while there is no effective deterrent. Net zero dogma consumes billions in subsidies, dictates how we live, and delivers negligible – even negative – global benefit. The fact is, Labour continues to borrow endlessly, with national debt now exceeding 100% of GDP and more grief to come. Increased defence spending commitments remain unfunded, yet we hand over sovereign territory like the Chagos Islands, only to lease it back. Labour's slogan, 'fixing the foundations', has become an embarrassing absurdity. Same old, same old Labour – incapable of reform, allergic to realism, and, yes, destined to end in tears. Can we please just skip to the inevitable collapse before more damage is done? Ian Lakin, Aberdeen. When will they wake up? Douglas Eadie (Letters, July 4) in mocking John Swinney's recent article ('There is nothing wrong in Scotland that cannot be fixed', The Herald, July 1) stated that 'one saving grace was that he did not invoke the old chestnut that the answer to all our challenges is independence'. While I have never heard any independence supporter claim that independence will immediately solve all the problems currently facing Scotland, one wonders how much worse life for many living in the UK has to become before the other half of Scotland's electorate (the latest Ipsos poll for STV has support for independence at 52% with more general support for self-determination via the Scottish Parliament probably close to the devolution referendum level of 75%) finally wakes up to the stark reality of a fatally dysfunctional Union. Stan Grodynski, Longniddry. There is no conspiracy Brian Wilson in his article about the Arran ferries ("Is the Scottish Government secretly working to kill off Ardrossan Harbour?", The Herald, July 4) seems to be of the opinion that there is some conspiracy to ensure that Troon rather than Ardrossan should be the island's mainland port. I would suggest that the reason is much more simple. As Mr Wilson has pointed out, Troon has existing, relatively new, infrastructure suitable for the largest ferries ever likely to serve Arran. That existing infrastructure, with some minor modifications, has been shown in recent times to perform well handling two quite different types of vessel. In contrast Ardrossan requires very considerable capital expenditure to perform to the same operational standard as Troon. After the ending of the Burns & Laird Belfast ro-ro service in 1976 and the eventual move of all Scotland's Irish services from both Ardrossan and Troon to Cairnryan, what is still referred to locally as the Irish berth has deteriorated to such an extent that it is no longer safe to use. As for the existing Arran ro-ro berth this needs to be reconfigured at very considerable cost to ensure CalMac's new big ships can arrive and depart safely – a need which was foreseen when these ships were ordered. However, unlike Troon's private owner which sees the Troon ferry terminal as an asset, Ardrossan's private owner sees no economic case for it making the investment necessary to enable that port to continue as a ferry terminal. As users of the Arran ferry now appreciate, Ardrossan has many advantages over Troon – not least the shorter sailing time and direct rail connection – but the balancing of these with the public sector investment needed to retain the Arran sailings at Ardrossan can hardly be considered as part of some conspiracy. John Riddell, Fairlie. A poll last week put support for independence at 53 per cent (Image: Newsquest) We must boost our civil rights Brian Wilson's article on Ardrossan harbour was all about an SNP plot to move the ferry to Arran from Ardrossan to Troon. I was not very impressed by the logic behind this alleged plot. What is however perfectly clear and beyond dispute is that the actions of the public authorities in this issue have been appalling What stands out like a sore thumb in this long saga is how the local people in Ardrossan and in Arran have been treated with contempt, and brushed to one side. What is the problem that is presenting such difficulty? The problem can't be the fact that CalMac has had ferries built to use on this service which were too big for the harbour and nobody noticed that until they were built some years later than planned. No, that can't explain it. Nor do I accept Brian Wilson's SNP conspiracy theory, that has no real substance. In fact, there is no problem with the ferry which could not have been simply resolved years ago, before the new ferries were ready. The problem is not with the ferry, it is with our democratic system, that is where the problem is. How can our 'democratic' system of government treat local people with such lack of attention. Such conduct by elected representatives at local, regional and national level would not happen in Switzerland: why? Because in Switzerland the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is applied in the democratic system, and this ensures that the people, at local, regional or national level have legal rights, such as the right to call a referendum on public policy and a referendum which the government, and any other public authority, must comply with. Is that not a good idea, and would that not be helpful to the campaigners on this issue? There is a petition on the Scottish Government website calling for this particular UN Human Rights Covenant to be put into Scots law, which our parliament has the power, under the Scotland Act, to do tomorrow. If you go online to the Scottish Parliament website, look up 'petitions' and go to 'view petitions', insert the petition number PE2135 and you will be able to read the petition, and if you agree with it, to sign it. Andy Anderson, Ardrossan.
Wales Online
18 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Experts gives DWP proposals on welfare reforms
Experts gives DWP proposals on welfare reforms The government has seen its proposed package of welfare reforms whittled away by amendments to quell an outcry from MPs and campaigners over payment cuts Experts have given the government a set of proposals for boosting employment and reducing levels of economic inactivity (Image: peplow via Getty Images ) Labour has been called upon to re-examine the welfare system as a range of innovative employment-centric initiatives have been suggested. These proposals include an idea for disability benefit applicants to participate in an employability and independence workshop prior to their claims being accepted. The government's package of reforms has been significantly diluted through amendments, following a backlash from MPs and advocates concerned about the impact of reduced payments. Nevertheless, pundits contend that alternative strategies need to be considered by the Government to decrease economic inactivity and reintegrate more individuals into employment, reports Birmingham Live. Deven Ghelani, director of Policy in Practice, a firm focusing on social policy software and analytics, has put forth recommendations urging "fundamental reforms that make the system work better for ill and disabled people." Ghelani expresses reservations about the Government's adjustments designed to safeguard current benefit recipients while imposing cuts on prospective claimants with similar health issues. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here As per Labour's forthcoming legislation, Universal Credit's additional amount for illness will remain unchanged for existing beneficiaries but will be slashed and frozen for new claimants post-next April. There was also a plan to exclude current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients from more stringent upcoming criteria, yet all suggested changes related to PIP have now been scrapped from the bill, with a comprehensive review announced before any new actions are proposed. Article continues below Mr Ghelani has suggested several alternative strategies. He proposes that the DWP should incorporate new 'better-off-in-work assessments' into the claims system for long-term unemployed individuals, to clearly illustrate the financial benefits of employment. Furthermore, he suggests using DWP data on those claiming PIP and the Universal Credit sickness top-up to send text invitations for employment support and social activities. He also recommends that anyone applying for disability benefits should be required to attend an employability and/or independence workshop before they start receiving payments. According to Mr Ghelani, the waiting period before cash support is approved could save money to fund these workshops. Additionally, he urges the Government to simplify access to healthcare services like physiotherapy, and to provide the necessary disability aids and adaptations to keep people active. Lastly, he suggests that employers should strive to maintain and enhance the job market through effective management of their existing staff, providing application feedback to all candidates, and offering more work placements to students. Article continues below Schools should also play a larger role in inviting employers and successful former pupils to share their experiences in the working world, he added.
BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
First year was a baptism of fire, says Sam Carling MP
The youngest MP in the House of Commons has described his first year in Parliament as a "baptism of fire". Sam Carling was 22 years old when he was elected as Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire on 5 July 2024. He secured the seat with a majority of 39 votes over Conservative incumbent Shailesh Vara, following a catching up on some sleep after the overnight count, Carling said he woke up to discover the news of his election had gone viral on TikTok and he was being written about in the national press. "I woke up to messages from friends telling me I was all over social media," he said. As someone who does not have TikTok account he said he found the attention - which has continued throughout the year - surreal. He added that while walking in Westminster some children on a school trip told him, "I've seen you on TikTok!". He recalled also being recognised on the train and that someone had came up to him to talk about tax policy while he was shopping for clothes. "I'm never really off duty am I?," he said. The MP said the past year in the role had been "incredibly fulfilling" and he enjoyed the "variety of the job", despite it being a "steep learning curve". Carling said he had also enjoyed building relationships with his colleagues in Parliament. "Everyone is just normal," he said. "It may sound like a surprising thing to say but there is a lot of collaborative work on select committees. I wish the public could see that more. "It's not all about shouting and blaming each other."As his constituency is close to London he said he frequently travels between the two places during the week. The MP said that over the next four years he wanted to see the promised investment come to Peterborough, as the southern part of the city falls within his constituency. Carling and Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, who is also a newly elected Labour member, have welcomed announcements of government funding for the station quarter and a sports quarter, which includes a new swimming pool. Protecting rural bus services has also been something he has been campaigning on, along with better healthcare provision in the city, particularly improving access to GP appointments and dental care. "There's a lot of goodwill around the city," he said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
