Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that her plans to means test winter fuel payments will not be possible because of ageing computer systems. Former pensions minister Guy Opperman, who ran benefits for pensioners between 2017 and 2022 and looked at means testing winter fuel payments, has issued a warningContinue Reading
Just a day ago, Alexey Samsonov, a young researcher and friend of our freelance photojournalist Jess Brighton, was in Odessa, going about his usual routine. He was working on another scientific monograph for publication under the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. But within 24 hours, instead of his trustyContinue Reading
Rachel Reeves has said she is unable to have a urinal removed from her office toilet because it is listed and cannot be altered. After the general election it was reported that work was set to take the urinal out of the Ms Reeves’s private office in Whitehall. But weeksContinue Reading
Former security minister Stephen McPartland has suggested Russia could be behind a social media misinformation campaign which led to appalling secenes in Southport on Wednesday night as protesters rioted. It comes as sources in the Home Office have told The Independent that an investigation is being carried out on theContinue Reading
Nigel Farage has been condemned for his response to the Southport stabbings, with the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox accusing the Reform leader of “inciting a riot”. Three young girls were killed on Monday in an attack which took place during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Eight other childrenContinue Reading
Rachel Reeves has confirmed that Labour’s first autumn Budget will bring fresh tax rises as she says more needs to be done to fill the government’s shortfall in public finances. Her statement comes after she recently announced a slate of cost-cutting measures to grapple with the issue. These included scrappingContinue Reading
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will rise in first Budget Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Rachel Reeves has been accused of using the attack towards Jeremy Hunt that he lied about a £22bn hole in the public finances toContinue Reading
Taxes will likely be raised in the Budget, Rachel Reeves has said. The Chancellor said Labour would stick to its election manifesto promises not to raise national insurance, income tax or VAT, but left open the possibility for other tax hikes at the Budget on October 30. “I think thatContinue Reading
The UK’s renewable energy budget has been increased to a record £1.5 billion, Ed Miliband announced on Wednesday. Of that, £1.1 billion will be allocated for offshore wind, which the government described as “the backbone of the UK’s clean energy mission”. The funding uplift represents more than a 50 perContinue Reading
Angela Rayner’s planning “revolution” will see London’s housebuilding target slashed by 20,000 homes, despite a wider push to boost the number of houses being built each year. The deputy prime minister and housing secretary unveiled a major overhaul of the planning system today, which will see all councils in EnglandContinue Reading
