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Sir Keir Starmer has refused to commit to unfreezing tax thresholds if Labour wins the next general election, saying he won’t make promises he can’t keep.

However, the Labour leader was firmer in his position on inheritance tax, telling Sky News if the Tories reduce it, he will reverse that change because he does not believe “further tax cuts for those that are very wealthy” is the right way forward.

Politics Live: Rishi Sunak drops clearest hint yet on when election will be

He also warned the Tories he will meet their “fire with fire” as he expects Rishi Sunak will “go low” in a fiercely contested general election.

It comes after the prime minister indicated he will call the national vote in the second half of this year.

Sir Keir, who is about 20 points ahead in the polls, accused the Tory leader of “squatting in Downing Street” and called for an election “as soon as possible”.

When asked by our political editor Beth Rigby if a Labour government would commit to cutting taxes “on day one”, Sir Keir said his priority would be to grow the economy “because that’s been the single biggest failure of the last 14 years”.

He added: “We have said on taxes that we do want to lower the burden of working people, but that has got to be fair and it’s got to be affordable.

“And we’re likely to have a budget before the election, whatever the date is, so nobody quite knows the state of affairs.”

Pressed specifically on whether he would unfreeze tax thresholds – having criticised these as “stealth taxes” – he said: “I’m not going to make promises that I can’t keep.”

The government’s policy is to keep income tax and national insurance thresholds frozen until 2028, meaning millions of workers will be pushed into higher tax bands because of inflation.

Although Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has since announced a cut to National Insurance of two percentage points, the frozen tax thresholds mean the election will happen at a time when the tax burden is at a record post-war high.

Sir Keir challenged the claim the Tories are reversing tax rises, saying “they’ve taken £10 out your pocket, and put £2 back in”.

He said if the economy, which is at risk of recession, doesn’t grow, “we don’t get more wealth created in this country, then we are taxing an ever-reducing pie”.

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UK economy at risk of recession

Inheritance tax cut would be ‘tax cut for the wealthy’

While he refused to say whether he would change personal taxes or unfreeze the thresholds, Sir Keir was more firm on inheritance tax.

It has been reported the Tories could reduce this or even scrap it to create dividing lines with Labour and boost their chances of victory at the election.

Sir Keir said he would reverse any such changes the Tories make.

“I don’t think that further tax cuts for those that are very wealthy with nothing for working people is the right way forward.

“So I’d oppose it, it wouldn’t be what we would do, and of course we would change that if we got the opportunity to do so.”

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‘Fight fire with fire’

Sir Keir was speaking after delivering a New Year’s speech in Bristol in which he told disillusioned and disaffected voters “things can be better” under Labour and rejected criticism he is being too cautious.

If his party wins the election, this would bring to an end 14 years of the Conservatives in power under five prime ministers and usher in the first elected Labour prime minister since Tony Blair in 2005.

With so much to play for, it is feared the general election campaign could get dirty and nasty, with the two main parties unleashing bitter personal attacks on their opponent’s leader.

Labour already faced criticism last year for a series of personal attacks on the prime minister, accusing Mr Sunak of not wanting to see child sex abusers jailed because of his law and order record.

But Sir Keir stood by this approach, telling Beth Rigby he is focused on making a positive case, but: “They [the Tories] will go low. What I’m saying is if they want to go with fire into this election, we will meet their fire with fire.”

He added that it was justified because “the stakes at this election are so high for working people”.

“We have to win this election and bring about the change that is so desperately needed by the country.”

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My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

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My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

Photographed in a beam of sunlight, Prince William walked through Westminster Abbey with the King behind him.

The ornate robes of the Order of the Bath service, two weeks ago, felt like a world away from the more modern image he wants to portray.

But as a man bestowed with so many traditional titles, it’s a new role he’s shaping for himself that is more intriguing – William, the quiet disruptor.

The Prince of Wales at the Order of the Bath Service at Westminster Abbey, in the Order’s 300th anniversary year. Pic: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
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The Prince of Wales at the Order of the Bath Service at Westminster Abbey. Pic: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

In a week when Time Magazine named the Prince and Princess of Wales in its top 100 philanthropists list for “modernising royal philanthropy”, I spent the week following the prince on various engagements.

None of them particularly headline-grabbing, but all examples of how he’s setting out to do things differently, or underlining the challenges, and potential criticisms, he faces doing things his own way.

Take Tuesday, for example.

We weren’t expecting him to turn up as we waited at the Soho Hotel in London to watch a new series of films about the dangers faced by wildlife rangers, a project described as “the brainchild” of Prince William.

But all of a sudden, there he was in the room, taking the mic to explain what it really means to him.

Speaking about his drive to “give a voice to the voiceless”, it was indicative of what feels like a greater desire from him to articulate more publicly what he stands for.

Since November, when he described how he wanted to carry out his duties with “a smaller r in the royal”, you’ve got the sense William, and his team, have further wanted to cement in our minds where he sees his role.

From conversations this week, with those who work closely with him, the word “convening” came up time and again; the prince doesn’t want to waste what he knows is a unique position, to bring people together, start conversations and support those who are already doing amazing things in their communities.

Prince William recording the opening scenes for a documentary focusing on rangers and the dangers they face.
Pic: PA
Image:
Prince William recording the opening scenes for a documentary about rangers and the dangers they face.
Pic: PA

Shifting the dial

But this isn’t just about him personally.

This is now a man whose vision for the monarchy, I’m told, is increasingly driven by a desire to “shift the dial on global leadership” where others may be failing.

With palace sources telling me he’d be more than happy to “be acknowledged” as a quiet disruptor, despite the criticism his new ways of working might bring.

Those who’ve known him a long time will tell you this compulsion to do things differently has been there for some time.

Prince William during a recent royal visit.
Pic: PA
Image:
Prince William during a recent royal visit.
Pic: PA

Dr Tessy Ojo, the chief executive from The Diana Award, has worked with Prince William and Prince Harry for over 20 years.

She said: “They would never do royal engagements from the sense of cutting the ribbon or simply being poster people. We were very clearly warned if you wanted any form of engagement, it almost had to have a whole strategy behind it.”

She told me she has always sensed how much William appreciates the responsibility that comes with his role, especially in a world where “there’s a massive demand on leadership… there’s a lot of distrust on leaders”.

“What people wanted 40 years ago from their monarch is completely different,” she said.

“I think it’s super important that as the heir, as the next monarch, he’s very in tune with what the people want, and what people expect. And being able to be that 21st century monarch, who is a present dad, but also a leader who understands how to use your leadership for social good”.

A modern royal

Wednesday, and William walked into a sweaty, but infectiously positive, community hall in Leith in Edinburgh.

No ribbon cutting here, but this is the kind of visit the prince now sees as a big deal, “impact” the buzz word ahead of any engagement now.

A very lively game of football launching what they hope will be a long-term tie-up between the Royal Foundation (their charitable trust), Leith community centre and Street Soccer Scotland.

The Prince of Wales playing football during the visit to Leith.
Pic: PA
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The Prince of Wales playing football during the visit to Leith.
Pic: PA

The Prince of Wales,  known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, and Street Soccer Scotland founder and chief executive David Duke (back centre left) pose with football coaches and players during his visit to Leith Community Centre, Edinburgh.
Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

On Thursday, the sight of a guard of honour saluting the prince and princess, as the national anthem was played alongside HMS Glasgow, just emphasised the regular handbrake turns they face from the more relaxed to the formal, as they want to make the monarchy feel connected and relevant.

Then there is family to consider, in a way that past generations just haven’t.

Their working diaries are now arranged around their children. They’ve made no secret of that.

On paper, it means fewer engagements compared to other members of the family, and it has led to mutterings of that word no one within the palace wants to hear: “workshy”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow.
Pic: PA
Image:
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow.
Pic: PA

Making an impact?

But talking to people in Glasgow, away from the royal visit, I overwhelmingly found most thought William was setting a good example by putting family first.

What people were less clear on was his “social impact” work and what that is all about.

The community projects may not necessarily grab as much attention as William and his advisors want, but what will be fascinating to watch is the potential long-term impact of this new kind of ethos.

As the Prince and Princess of Wales stood on the steps of Buckingham Palace at a garden party on Tuesday, pausing for the national anthem, you can’t help but wonder whether those traditional elements of royal life could face a shake-up when one day he leads the firm full time.

Understandably, no one likes to talk about transition, and Prince William certainly doesn’t shout about his thoughts on what will come.

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But as heir, his vision for the future and what royal leadership should look like could have huge consequences for the institution.

An impact far more significant and lasting than the noisy disruptions it’s faced from other family members in recent years.

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South Western Railway: First renationalised train service starts today… with replacement bus

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South Western Railway: First renationalised train service starts today... with replacement bus

South Western Railway (SWR) has been renationalised this weekend as part of the government’s transition towards Great British Railways.

The train operator officially came under public ownership at around 2am on Sunday – and the first journey, the 5.36am from Woking, was partly a rail replacement bus service due to engineering works.

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

So what difference will renationalisation make to passengers and will journeys be cheaper?

What is nationalisation?

Nationalisation means the government taking control of industries or companies, taking them from private to public ownership.

England’s railway lines are currently run by train operating companies as franchises under fixed-term contracts, but Labour have said they want to take control of the lines when those fixed terms end.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. Pic: PA

In its manifesto, the party vowed to return rail journeys to public ownership within five years by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) to run both the network tracks and trains.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who travelled on the first renationalised departure from London Waterloo, said, before boarding, it was “a new dawn for our railways” and “a watershed moment”.

“But I know that most users of the railway don’t spend much time thinking about who runs the trains – they just want them to work,” she added. “That’s why operators will have to meet rigorous performance standards and earn the right to be called Great British Railways.”

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How reliable are UK trains?

How will ticket prices be affected?

Labour have argued cutting off payments flowing into the private sector could save the taxpayer £150m a year.

But the government has not explicitly promised the savings made from nationalisation will be used to subsidise fees.

It is unlikely rail fares will fall as a result of nationalisation, rail analyst William Barter told Sky News.

“The government could mandate fare cuts if it wanted to, but there’s no sign it wants to,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m sure they would want to keep the money rather than give it back to passengers. The current operator aims to maximise revenue, and there’s no reason the government would want them to do anything differently under government control.”

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UK has most expensive train tickets in Europe

What difference will it make for passengers?

Britain’s railways are frequently plagued by delays, cuts to services and timetable issues, but Mr Barter said nationalisation will make very little day-to-day difference to passengers.

There was “no reason to think” the move would improve issues around delays and cancellation of services, he said.

“It’s going to be the same people, the same management,” he explained.

“The facts of what the operator has to deal with in terms of revenue, infrastructure, reliability, all the rest of it – they haven’t changed.”

Pic: iStock
Image:
Pic: iStock

Which services are next to be nationalised?

In the longer term, the move is likely to bring “a degree of certainty compared with relatively short-term franchises”, Mr Barter said, noting the government would only want to renationalise a franchise “because in one way or another something very bad is going on in that franchise, so in a way it can only get better”.

It also means the government will have greater accountability for fixing problems with punctuality and cancellations.

Mr Barter said: “If this is the government’s baby, then they’re going to do their best to make sure it doesn’t fail. So rather than having a franchise holder they can use as a political scapegoat, it’s theirs now.”

He added: “In the short term, I don’t think you’d expect to see any sort of change. Long term, you’ll see stability and integration bringing about gradual benefits. There’s not a silver bullet of that sort here.”

Britain’s railway services were privatised in the mid-1990s.

South Western Railway came under public ownership at around 2 am on Sunday. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
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South Western Railway came under public ownership at around 2am on Sunday. Pic: PA

Now, all services run by private companies will be renationalised as contracts reach the end of their minimum terms, with the process due to be completed by the end of 2027.

The next operator’s services to be brought under public control will be c2c – which runs between London and Essex – on 20 July, with Greater Anglia following in October, before seven more companies transfer over when their franchises end in the future.

Operators that were already under public ownership are LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express.

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Former BBC executive and presenter Alan Yentob dies

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Former BBC executive and presenter Alan Yentob dies

Alan Yentob, the former BBC presenter and executive, has died aged 78.

A statement from his family, shared by the BBC, said Yentob died on Saturday.

His wife Philippa Walker said: “For Jacob, Bella and I, every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting.

“He was curious, funny, annoying, late, and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.”

Read more on Sky News:
First renationalised train service starts

My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

Yentob joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and held a number of positions – including controller of BBC One and BBC Two, director of television, and head of music and art.

He was also the director of BBC drama, entertainment, and children’s TV.

Yentob launched CBBC and CBeebies, and his drama commissions included Pride And Prejudice and Middlemarch.

Alan Yentob with former BBC director general Tony Hall in 2012. Pic: Reuters.
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Alan Yentob (left) with former BBC director general Tony Hall in 2012. Pic: Reuters.

The TV executive was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the King in 2024 for services to the arts and media.

In a tribute, the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said: “Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts. A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy.

“Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn’t performative – it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us.”

BBC Radio 4 presenter Amol Rajan described him on Instagram as “such a unique and kind man: an improbable impresario from unlikely origins who became a towering figure in the culture of post-war Britain.

“I commend his spirit to the living.”

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