Busy week for Labour as Starmer facing pressure over winter fuel payments and first prisoners to be released early
Labour’s post-election honeymoon looks to be over as it faces pressure this week over winter fuel payments, releasing prisoners early, and the state of the NHS.
Two months after winning a historic majority, Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers have a busy week as they face pressure not just from other parties, but their own MPs.
A vote on winter fuel payments, the prime minister speaking at the TUC conference, prisoners being released early, the publication of a report into the NHS and Sir Keir’s trip to the US are all on the cards this week.
Monday will see Chancellor Rachel Reeves addressing Labour MPs at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, where she is expected to face concerns about removing the winter fuel payment from 10 million pensioners.
MPs will vote on Tuesday on whether to limit the winter fuel payment to those on pension credit, after the government announced its intention at the end of July.
Labour MPs will be told they must vote with the government, however several, particularly on the left of the party, have voiced their opposition to the cut.
It is understood they may abstain instead of voting against the government, after Sir Keir set a clear precedent by suspending seven MPs from Labour after they rebelled over the decision to keep the two-child benefit cap.
Sir Keir would not say if he would again suspend MPs for voting against the government, telling the BBC on Sunday: “That will be a matter for the chief whip.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘Not remotely happy’ about cutting winter fuel
The prime minister will also address the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference on Tuesday, where he is set to be questioned about the winter fuel payment cut and workers’ rights.
Sharon Graham, head of the Unite union, told Sky News on Sunday that they want the government to “think again” and called for a wealth tax instead.
She said: “We are in crisis. The Tories left a mess. No one’s denying that. Labour is right about that, but the choices they make to clear it up are really important.
“If we said the top 50 families in Britain are worth £500 billion, why aren’t they being looked at?
“Why are you looking at pensioners who really don’t have any sort of type of money? That’s the wrong choice to make.”
Read more:
Starmer ‘determined to make tough decisions’
Sign ups for pension credit double
Rachel Reeves will try to allay concerns from Labour MPs about the winter fuel payment cut. Pic: PA
In a packed day for the government, Tuesday is also when the first tranche of prisoners will be released early under the Labour government as it tries to alleviate overpopulated prisons.
The Ministry of Justice admitted this week some serious offenders will be released early if they are serving a sentence for a lesser crime, having completed a sentence for a serious crime.
Reports on Saturday also claimed those serving time for common assault for being violent towards a partner would not be flagged as domestic abusers, so could be released early.
Sir Keir blamed the Conservative government for not building enough prisons, saying he was “forced into this”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Government ‘picking the pockets of pensioners’
Thursday will see the publication of a report into the state of the NHS by Lord Darzi, an eminent cancer surgeon and former Labour health minister.
The report has already had some sections released in summary, with children’s health and the progression of heart and circulatory diseases heavily criticised.
Sir Keir said the report showed the NHS was “broken” as he again hit out at the Conservatives’ “unforgivable” reforms.
To end the week, the prime minister will head to Washington DC for his second meeting with President Joe Biden since becoming prime minister.
On Sunday, Sir Keir denied the US was angry at the UK for suspending some arms sale licences to Israel and said they had spoken before and after the decision.
He said discussions with Mr Biden will focus on the next few months in Ukraine and the Middle East.
UK
‘It was agony’: Survivors of rape and sexual assault waiting years for cases to be heard in court, charity says
Delays in the court system are leading to survivors of sexual violence experiencing suicidal thoughts and being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a new report has found.
The Criminal Bar Association says the backlog of criminal cases is on track to reach 80,000 by March 2025.
Survivors of rape and sexual violence are among those waiting the longest for their cases to be heard. On average, it takes them two years to get to trial from the moment of charge, according to the Criminal Bar Association.
Exactly half of the cases analysed by the charity Victim Support for their new report waited three years or more from the point of reporting to the police to the first court date.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The delay is prolonging distress for survivors, some of who have made suicide attempts whilst going through the court process.
But even once given a trial date, there’s no guarantee it will go ahead, with survivors telling Sky News often they would only find out the day before – or even on the day – that it was not going to be heard.
The charity found 47% of cases it assessed were adjourned, often with no explanation.
‘I ended up crying for four solid hours’
Emmy Hemmins had to wait five years and 11 months for her case to go to trial.
It was postponed eight times. She says the wait was traumatic.
“It was agony,” Ms Hemmins told Sky News. “It just got to the point where I kept saying to my court therapist, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’ – and she kept saying, ‘give it a week and see if you still feel that way’.
“Leading up to each trial date, I’d be very anxious, constantly feeling nauseous, I wouldn’t have an appetite, I wouldn’t be sleeping very well and sometimes multiple times a day, I’d have panic attacks.”
The build-up of going back and forth to court took its toll on Ms Hemmins physically and mentally.
“On the days I thought it was going ahead, I’d really gotten ready for it, tried to hype myself up.
“I had all this adrenaline going, and then because it wouldn’t happen, it didn’t have anywhere else to go but turn into an anxiety attack, and I would just cry.
“I think it was the fifth time it was postponed – three days later, I had to go to the dentist and I ended up crying for a solid four hours without stopping because a few days beforehand it was meant to happen, but it didn’t.
“That was probably the longest I’ve ever cried. It was non-stop.”
‘I had all this adrenaline going, and then because it wouldn’t happen… I would just cry.’
Ms Hemmins credits her “patient and understanding” mother for the reason she didn’t give up on her case.
Her mother, the officer in her case and her court therapist stuck by her: “They always made the time to try and be positive for me because I felt like I couldn’t.”
Many survivors do walk away from prosecutions because of the delays.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
‘Distressing and inordinate delay’
Ms Hemmins’ trial eventually went ahead at the beginning of the year. The accused was found not guilty.
Soon after, Ms Hemmins unusually received a letter from the judge in her case who acknowledged the prolonged wait for justice.
The letter, seen by Sky News, admits she “had to suffer [an] emotionally distressing and inordinate delay.”
Read more:
Girl, 12, in hospital after XL bully attack
Fugitive dad and children spotted in countryside
The delays to Ms Hemmins’ case, prompted the judge to “conduct a proper review of the ‘priority’ listing arrangements” at the local Crown Court.
The Ministry of Justice told us: “The government inherited a crisis in our criminal justice system and a Crown Court backlog at record levels.
“We are committed to addressing the backlog, with a particular focus on how we prioritise fast-tracking rape cases.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
UK
Holly Newton murder: Logan MacPhail identified as 15-year-old’s killer after restrictions lifted over Hexham knife attack
The boy who stabbed 15-year-old Holly Newton to death in a frenzied attack in Northumberland has been named as Logan MacPhail.
The 17-year-old followed Holly through Hexham town centre before stabbing her 12 times and slashing her 19 times in just over a minute.
A boy who was with Holly at the time tried to help her and was also stabbed.
MacPhail was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent in August but couldn’t be identified because of his age.
However, a judge has now decided MacPhail – who turns 18 on 9 December – can be named.
It can also be reported that he had been in a relationship with Holly but she didn’t want it to continue.
Prosecutors said during the trial that he was “jealous” she was with a new boy.
Holly had been in a relationship with MacPhail but didn’t want it to continue. Pic: PA
Holly’s mother had been so concerned on the day of her murder, 27 January 2023, that she contacted police and arranged for her daughter to stay in school if MacPhail was hanging around.
Holly also told a friend that he was “basically stalking her”, the trial heard.
MacPhail followed Holly around the town centre for about 45 minutes as she visited shops with friends before attacking her.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
CCTV shows Holly Newton before stabbing
The knife appeared to have snapped in the attack. Pic: Northumbria Police
MacPhail seen leaving a bus in Hexham before killing Holly. Pic: Northumbria Police/PA
When Holly and the 16-year-old she was with went into a pizza shop, MacPhail waited at a bus stop, where he asked to speak to her, then lured her down an alleyway and attacked her.
He inflicted 36 knife wounds, including five “defensive” injuries in the early evening attack. Holly was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but couldn’t be saved.
MacPhail also narrowly avoided killing Holly’s friend as he tried to save her, leaving him with injuries to his shoulder, arm, and thigh which needed surgery.
The killer – who has autism and low IQ – denied murder but admitted manslaughter, saying he couldn’t remember stabbing Holly or her friend.
He claimed his mind went blank that day and he had only intended to take his own life.
MacPhail’s sentencing takes place on 31 October and 1 November.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
At the end of the August trial, Holly’s mother paid tribute to her daughter in a statement in court.
Micala Trussler called her a “funny and happy teenager who would do anything for anyone”, saying she had a “small tight-knit group of friends who were always there for each other”.
“There was nothing that Holly couldn’t do, she loved all types of sport and would give anything a go at least once,” she said.
“From a young age she fell in love with dancing, it gave her the opportunity to express herself and helped her self-confidence enormously, it genuinely made her feel fearless.”
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out increases to national insurance for employers.
A key tenet of the Labour Party’s manifesto was promising to not raise national insurance, VAT and income tax.
But when asked by Conservative leader Rishi Sunak if the commitment on national insurance applies to both employer and employee contributions, Sir Keir dodged the question.
Rishi Sunak pressed Keir Starmer on tax and fiscal rules
During the first Prime Minister’s Questions in four weeks, Sir Keir also refused to answer whether he agreed with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s comment that she was against changing the fiscal rules.
Asked by Mr Sunak whether national insurance will increase for employers, Sir Keir said: “We made an absolute commitment in relation to not raising tax on working people.”
Not satisfied with the prime minister’s answer, Mr Sunak said he did not think “even Lord Alli is buying any of that nonsense”, in reference to the Labour donor who has given tens of thousands of pounds in donations and gifts to Sir Keir and leading Labour MPs.
The former prime minister asked Sir Keir the same question on national insurance again, but he simply said: “We set out our promises in the manifesto.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Could chancellor ‘find’ more money?
National insurance contributions are the UK’s second-largest tax, and are expected to raise just under £170bn in 2024-25 – about a sixth of all tax revenue, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
They are paid by employees and the self-employed on their earnings, and by employers on the earnings of those they employ – at a higher rate than employees pay.
National insurance is not paid by employers on pension contributions they make to employees, which is what experts have said could be targeted.
Rachel Reeves said in November she would not ‘fiddle the figures to get different results’. Pic: PA
With the government’s first budget coming up on 30 October, all eyes are on whether Ms Reeves will change the fiscal rules – the restrictions governments put in place to constrain how much they can borrow to fund public spending.
A report by the centre-left Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which carries significant influence in the Treasury, has called on Ms Reeves to target “public sector net worth” as her debt measure to unlock up to £57bn for investment.
Read more:
How fiscal rules are impeding investment
Is a Rachel Reeves U-turn coming?
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Mr Sunak asked Sir Keir twice if he agreed with Ms Reeves’ previous comment that she was “not going to fiddle the figures or make something to get different results” when asked if she would consider changing the debt target, set by the Conservatives.
The prime minister would not directly answer as he deflected by criticising the Tory government’s record and saying he would fix the economy as he highlighted investment the Labour government has already secured.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports6 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports12 months agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Environment1 year agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway