Labour is ‘absolutely not’ engaged in class war, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insists
Labour is “absolutely not” engaged in a class war, the prime minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer was asked by Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby if the changes to inheritance tax and putting VAT on private school fees show the new government is looking to wage a “class war” on wealthier people.
The prime minister said he is “absolutely not” taking part in such action.
Politics latest: Jeremy Clarkson addresses farmer protest
He was asked about his position as thousands of farmers protested in Westminster over the changes to inheritance tax – which Sir Keir said will only impact a “typical” case with estates worth more than £3m.
Labour reintroduced inheritance tax on agricultural properties in its budget this year, with farmers able to pass down land and assets tariff-free since the early 1990s.
Sir Keir said such measures are necessary to raise the funds for housing, schools and other public services that are needed across the UK – including in rural communities.
And he said VAT on private schools will help pay for teachers and resources in state education.
Rather than a class war, Sir Keir said his government is taking a “balanced approach” to “fill a black hole” in the public finances.
He also reiterated inheritance tax on farms is still only 20% and payable over 10 years.
Sir Keir Starmer at Parque Lage, Rio de Janeiro. Pic: PA
Read more:
Govt considering subsidised jobs for young people
Police forces to be ‘compensated’ for NI rise
On schools, Sir Keir said: “I do know that people watching this will save hard to send their child to a private school because they think that’s the best thing for their child.
“But every single parent wants opportunity and aspiration for their child and up until now, we haven’t had the right number of teachers in basic subjects like maths, etc in our state secondary schools. I’m not prepared to tolerate that for our state schools.”
The prime minister has also made increasing economic growth one of his main priorities while in government.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Asked if he was disappointed the economy has barely grown since Labour took over, Sir Keir said: “I want those figures to improve. They’re not good enough, and I want them to improve.”
He added that getting investment into the UK was the best way to get the economy growing.
The prime minister was speaking from Brazil, where he is attending a summit of the G20.
‘High cost’ if Russian aggression pays off
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Starmer on 1,000 days of Ukraine war
On foreign affairs, the prime minister was asked about new developments in Russia’s nuclear policy.
Vladimir Putin has agreed an update to his country’s doctrine, saying Russia could consider using nuclear weapons if it is subject to a conventional missile assault on it supported by a nuclear power.
And Moscow subsequently claimed Ukraine had fired long-range, US-supplied ATACMS missiles cross-border.
Asked if people should be worried about the threat of a nuclear war, the prime minister said: “My message is that we need to ensure that Ukraine is put in the best possible position.”
👉Listen to Politics At Jack And Sam’s on your podcast app👈
He added that today marked the 1,000th anniversary of the war in Ukraine – and “there is a very high cost if Russian aggression is seen to pay off”.
“A cost that we will all pay, because this is not just about sovereignty in Ukraine.
“It’s about our freedoms. It’s about our way of life and it impacts everybody across the United Kingdom.”
The Cboe has filed to list Canary Capital’s staked Injective ETF, potentially making it the third staked crypto ETF following Solana and Ether.
The US is seeking the forfeiture of 20.2 BTC seized by the Dallas FBI from the Chaos ransomware group, adding to the country’s proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Donald Trump has reignited his row with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan after calling him a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”.
During an hour-long news conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland, the US president hit out at the Labour mayor, who has responded with his own snipey remarks.
Trump latest: US leader gives Putin new deadline to end war
Asked if he would visit London during his state visit in September, Mr Trump said: “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor, I think he’s done a terrible job.
“A nasty person, I think.”
The prime minister then interrupted and said: “He’s a friend of mine.”
But the president added: “I think he’s done a terrible job but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”
Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson then released a statement saying: “Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.
“He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.
“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency.”
Sir Sadiq Khan was knighted in June. Pic: PA
They noted that Sir Sadiq has won three mayoral elections, including when Mr Trump lost the US election in 2020.
This is not the first time Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq have locked horns.
Read more:
US and EU agree trade deal
Scots divided as Trump heads to Turnberry
The PM told Mr Trump that Sir Sadiq is a friend of his – seen here laying wreaths for the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. Pic: PA
During his first presidential term, Mr Trump called the London mayor a “stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London”.
Sir Sadiq then described Mr Trump as a “poster boy for racists”.
And in November 2024, after Mr Trump won his second term, Sir Sadiq said many Londoners would be “fearful” about what it would “mean for democracy”.
However, as Sir Keir tried to show diplomacy with Mr Trump after becoming PM, Sir Sadiq said he “wanted to work closely with the American president” ahead of his inauguration in January.
The London mayor said as somebody “who believes in democracy, and voting and elections, we should recognise the fact that Donald Trump is the elected president of the United States”.
But he added: “Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this president is different from the last time he was president.”
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike