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Sir Keir Starmer raised concerns about a potential fuel duty increase after refusing to rule out a tax rise in the autumn Budget during a press conference in Berlin.
Despite reiterating his manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, the prime minister remained noncommital on fuel duty, marking the first potential rise since 2010.
He also sparked outrage after a leaked government plans reportedly revealed Labour’s intention to ban smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants and near football stadiums.
The stricter Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been criticised by Business Department has also warned the move could create financial tensions for the industry.
But the government said it is “determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking”.
The prime minister is continuing efforts to build bridges with European leaders as he holds talks with Emmanuel Macron today.
He was welcomed by the French President while he visited Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony, after meeting in Germany with chancellor Olaf Scholz as the prime minister pursues his post-Brexit reset agenda.
The PM said a new treaty between Britain and Germany will help “deliver for working people” and create “deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, and culture”.
Davey: Cutting winter fuel allowance is Government’s ‘first big mistake’
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has said his party will attempt to block the government’s proposed move to end the winter fuel allowance to some pensioners, describing the move as the new administration’s “first big mistake”.
Sir Ed said Labour MPs and others across the House will be “genuinely worried” about the move after correspondence with constituents.
The policy is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up-to-£300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving some £1.4 billion this financial year.
The Liberal Democrat leader said the move would “hit millions” so a vote in Parliament is needed.
He told the BBC: “We haven’t had a vote. We haven’t had a proper debate. So what all the 72 Liberal Democrat MPs have done, we’re signing what’s called a prayer, which is a parliamentary process, to trigger a debate so we can represent people who have elected us.
“Liberal Democrats said, in the election, we’d fight for a fair deal for people, for our communities and I think the least the Parliament needs to do is have a debate, have a vote and hopefully reject this proposal.
“It looks like the Government’s first big mistake, and I think pensioners will be going into this winter, really worried if Parliament doesn’t stop the Government from doing this.”
Starmer refuses to rule out first fuel duty rise in 15 years as Labour seeks to close Budget black hole
Motorists could be hit by the first fuel duty rise in 15 years as Labour tries to balance the books.
Sir Keir Starmer was unable to say if fuel duty would be frozen again when questioned by journalists on a whistlestop tour of Germany and France as his government seeks to fill a £22 billion budget black hole it claims the Tories left behind.
It comes amid speculation that there will also be a series of wealth taxes including a hike in rates for capital gains and inheritance after the prime minister warned earlier this week of “a really painful Budget” on 30 October.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:
Starmer’s plan to ban smoking in pub gardens sparks cabinet tensions
Leaked government plans have revealed Sir Keir Starmer’s intention to ban smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and near football stadiums as part of a strictier Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The proposed measures would also extend to outdoor areas at clubs, universities, hospitals, and playgrounds, The Sun reported.
While the ban will not apply to private homes or large parks, the Business Department warned the move could create financial tensions for the industry.
Despite cabinet concerns about economic imacts, the prime minister is pushing forward with the ban, supported by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.
Ministers will argue that the health benefits outweight the costs, pointing to the £21.8 billion smoking burden on the Treasury.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.
“We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”
Germany says youth mobility scheme should be in the ‘British interest’
Germany’s ambassador to the UK has said an agreement with the European Union on youth mobility “should be in the British interest”.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: “There are many misunderstandings about what youth mobility really means. It is not freedom of movement, it has nothing to do with migration.
“It means that young people, who are really those who have most lost because of Brexit, that they have the possibility to come to the European Union, to come to the United Kingdom, for a limited amount of time, and then they will leave.
“So, it’s enhancing the possibilities for young people. That’s what we want. And it’s not only Germany, I can tell you all the 27 in the European Union want to enhance that.”
Mr Berger went on: “Youth mobility should also be in the British interest. Young people from this country might want to live for a year in Berlin or in Madrid or in Paris, and the youth mobility scheme would open that possibility.
“I think we all could gain, for example, by a veterinary agreement, which would reduce prices in the supermarket.”
Government sets up dedicated team tasked with speeding up housing delivery
A dedicated team tasked with speeding up the delivery of housing has been established by the government, as part of its commitment to overhaul the planning system and build 1.5 million homes.
The New Homes Accelerator will “support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground”, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said, ahead of its launch today.
As part of the scheme, planning experts will be deployed to potential housing sites to work through blockages and local issues.
There are 200 sites across England with outline or detailed planning permission for up to 300,000 new homes, which are yet to be built, according to Government analysis.
Ms Rayner said: “For far too long, the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes has been held back by a failure to make sure the development system is working as it should.
“This government has a moral obligation to do everything within our power to build the homes that people desperately need and we won’t hesitate to intervene where we need to.
“Our New Homes Accelerator will quickly identify blockages, fix problems and support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground.”
The government is calling on landowners, local authorities and housebuilders to come forward with details of blocked sites that have significant planning issues, so it can tackle the obstacles that are preventing the delivery of new homes.
More than 10,000 homes could be built at three “stalled sites” – Stretton Hall in Leicestershire, Tendring in Essex, and Biggleswade Garden Community in Central Bedfordshire – as part of the team’s plans.
Pictured: Keir Starmer meets Macron in France
Starmer continues UK-EU ‘reset’ effort with Macron talks in Paris
Sir Keir Starmer will continue efforts to build bridges with European leaders as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron today.
The prime minister travelled from Berlin to Paris as he undertakes two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to “reset” its relationship with the European Union following years of Brexit troubles.
Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.
A breakfast meeting with French business leaders is scheduled for Sir Keir, and a summit with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace.
On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not “reversing Brexit” as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany – including “deeper links” in several areas.
He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, and also noted it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
The two countries also agreed to develop a “joint action plan to tackle illegal migration”.
VOICES The real story behind Starmer, Reeves and a very painful Budget…
Although they wouldn’t admit it, the model for the PM and his chancellor is less Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – and more David Cameron and George Osborne, writes Andrew Grice:
Starmer refuses to rule out fuel duty increase in autumn budget
Sir Keir Starmer has sparked concerns after refusing to rule out a potential rise in fuel duty in the upcoming autumn Budget.
In a speech delivered in Downing Street’s rose garden, the prime minister acknowledged that the Budget, set for 30 October, would be “painful”, but he stressed that short-term sacrifices are necessary for long-term benefits.
Despite reiterating his manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, the prime minister remained noncommital on fuel duty, marking the first potential rise since 2010.
Sir Keir refused to “speculate” on Budget specifics but affirmed his commitment to driving economic growth without relying solely on “tax and spend” measures.
This has sparked concern, with RAC’s head of policy Simon Williams noting that the 5p fuel duty discount, which costs £2billion, had not been fully passed on to consumers.
Mr William suggested that any increase would exacerbate the already heavy burden on drivers.
He said: “We’d normally be against any increase in duty, but we’ve long been saying drivers haven’t been benefiting from the current discount due to much higher-than-average retailer margins.”
How Labour could raise taxes as Starmer admits budget will be ‘painful’
Keir Starmer has warned that Labour’s first autumn Budget will be “painful” in his first keynote address from No 10, prompting fears of that unpopular tax rises will be amongst the announcements.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already confirmed that her statement will bring fresh tax rises as she says more needs to be done to fill the government’s shortfall in public finances. This reasoning was repeated by the prime minister as he reiterated the need to plug the £22bn spending gap that was “hidden” by the previous conservative government.
With it now confirmed that the government will look to new ways to raise revenue, here are some of the key measures they could implement in the October Budget:
Source: independent.co.uk
