UK Politics Thread part II

[Jimbuna]

Rachel Reeves's benefit cuts will hit UK armed forces veterans who served their country

British veterans who served in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan face losing essential financial support because of the Government's benefit cuts, charity Help for Heroes has warned. The charity's helpline is receiving calls from veterans and their families who fear a "vital lifeline" will be taken away.

There is particular concern that the Government's decision to cut the number receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) by 800,000 will lead to ex-service personnel with mental health issues without support. Carol Betteridge, a Help for Heroes director who ran the field hospital in Helmand Province during British presence in Afghanistan, said: "Within this package of benefit reforms also lies the tightening of PIP eligibility, threatening to strip away a vital lifeline for many, which may be especially difficult for veterans who need mental health support.

"Mental health issues are often given less consideration compared with physical health issues, but they can be just as devastating. According to research, there are over 700,000 former serving personnel who find their mental health challenging - and the real figure is surely higher, as we know that many veterans delay seeking help due to stigma and pride.

"Stricter rules could shut them out completely, leaving the charity sector to pick up the pieces. It is therefore no surprise that at Help for Heroes, our helpline is already receiving calls from veterans and their families worried what this means for them and their future.

"The Government says these reforms are about getting more people back into work."

She said veterans were keen to work but needed support.

She added: "Let's remember, these are highly skilled, disciplined men and women who have dedicated their lives to service. If we expect them to risk everything for their country, we must ensure their country is there for them when they most need it."

And she warned that serving their country left many veterans with genuine and serious physical and mental health issues.

Ms Betteridge said: "I have seen first-hand the devastating impact of conflict. In 2011, it was my honour to Command the military hospital in Helmand during the Afghanistan war, treating our wounded on the front line.

"There, we were able to meet the immediate needs of those who came in through our doors - but we knew that for many, their lives had changed forever. Injuries, trauma, mental scars - these do not always fade when service ends, and our duty to support those who have given us their service does not end when the plane lands back in the UK."

Benefit cuts announced by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean 370,00 current PIP recipients are expected to lose entitlement an average of £4,500 a year, and 430,000 future recipients who would have received the money will no longer be eligible.

In addition, 2.25million recipients of the health element of Universal Credit are to lose £500 per year on average while 730,000 future recipients will lose £3,000 a year.

Some Labour MPs have vowed to fight the cuts, with left-wing Labour MP Richard Burgon predicting "the mother of all rebellions".
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...15996f2d&ei=43

[Jimbuna]

Another pig finds a space in the trough to get their snout in.

Labour MP charges taxpayers £900 ‘pet rent’ for her cockapoo named Bella


A Labour MP has claimed back £900 from the taxpayer in “pet rent”.

Taiwo Owatemi, a Government whip and the MP for Coventry North West, made the expenses claim in August last year, a document published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) revealed.

Ms Owatemi’s landlord at her second home in London issued the extra charge in order to let the MP’s dog stay at the property, according to The Times newspaper.

Parliamentary authorities paid the expenses claim, which is not in breach of the rules governing MPs’ expenses.

Labour defended Ms Owatemi’s expenses claim, with a party spokesman telling The Times: “MPs are required to work in two locations, and this is a requirement for living in this house.

“It is the same for many other MPs and has been approved by the parliamentary expenses watchdog.”

Ms Owatemi has frequently posted on social media in the past about her dog, a cockapoo named Bella.

She is also a supporter of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and other pet-related charities.

MPs can claim back rent on their accommodation in London if they have a constituency outside of the capital.

Ipsa told The Times it agreed to fund the pet rent surcharge for Ms Owatemi, but “gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described”.

“We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion,” the parliamentary watchdog said.

A spokesman added: “MPs are required to work in two places: their constituency and in Westminster.

“IPSA is committed to supporting a Parliament where people without the private finances to fund working from two locations themselves are not prevented from becoming an MP.

“That is why we fund accommodation costs, within strict limits. It is common for landlords to include additional surcharges in rental agreements."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...daefb6fa&ei=42

[Jimbuna]

Keir Starmer admits UK to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs in Rachel Reeves blow

Britain is set to be hit by Donald Trump's tariffs, Downing Street has admitted. Sir Keir Starmer's government had been trying to negotiate an exemption from the taxes on imports into the US which come into force later this week.

The US President has announced a 25% import tax will be introduced on all cars imported to the US, a measure expected to hit British luxury car makers such as Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin. The levy is on top of a series of tariffs set to come into effect on April 2, which could include a general 20% tax on UK products in response to the rate of VAT.

Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said today: "When it comes to tariffs the Prime Minister has been clear he will always act in the national interest and we've been actively preparing for all eventualities ahead of the expected announcements from President Trump this week, which we would expect the UK to be impacted by alongside other countries.

"Our trade teams are continuing to have constructive discussions to agree a UK-US economic prosperity deal.

"But we will only do a deal which reflects this Government's mandate to deliver economic stability for the British people, and we will only act in the national interest."

Asked whether the Government had given up hope of an economic deal between the UK and the US being signed before Wednesday, the spokesman said he is "not going to put a time frame on those discussions" but that they are "likely to continue beyond Wednesday".
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...f1f010d9&ei=94

[Moonlight]

EXCLUSIVE From preventing diabetic foot ulcers in Peru to teaching Pakistanis about their country's 'violent past', see ALL the 3,250 projects Britain's foreign aid funding is being spent on

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rch-table.html

I've said it more than once before, this Foreign Aid Budget must be scrapped immediately, countries around the world are taking the piss out of the British taxpayers and, these WetBack MPs are letting them get away with it.

There are thousands of more examples of this madness taking place but, the Foreign Office won't release the details to the press or the taxpayers, I wonder why?.

[Catfish]

^ Because it obviously is not the task of the "taxpayers", nor have they the knowledge how to help other nations' peoples best, nor are they aware of Britain's past and show commitment, or obligation

[Jimbuna]

Sentencing guidelines ditched after 'two-tier' row

New rules on sentencing criminals from ethnic minorities have been abandoned following a weeks-long standoff between senior judges and the government.

Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, believed the proposals from top judges would have created a "two-tier" justice system.

The new guidelines, which had been in development for months, told judges to seek extra information before deciding how to punish offenders from certain minority groups.

The proposals had sparked condemnation from politicians across both main parties in recent weeks and, following the Sentencing Council refusing Mahmood's demands to reconsider, she was set to overrule them with emergency legislation.

The Council, made up of some of the most senior legal figures in England and Wales, was adamant that the guidelines would have helped address disparities between how different ethnicities are treated in the justice system.

The new rules, which would have been binding on judges, were set to take effect on Tuesday but were delayed on Monday because of the inevitability that they would be overturned by parliament anyway.

Government sources had said it would be all but impossible to pass such legislation before Parliament breaks for Easter.

In a statement, the Sentencing Council said its chairman, Lord Justice William Davis, met Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday morning.

In the meeting, Lord Davis indicated the guidelines would not be brought in while there was a "draft bill due for imminent introduction that would make it unlawful".

"On that basis, the council, an independent statutory body, has chosen to delay the in force date of the guideline pending such legislation taking effect," the statement said.

Mahmood said she was "grateful" to the Sentencing Council for delaying the implementation of its new guidelines.

The minister said: "These guidelines create a justice system where outcomes could be influenced by race, culture or religion.

"This differential treatment is unacceptable - equality before the law is the backbone of public confidence in our justice system.

"I will change the law to ensure fairness for all in our courts."

Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed the Sentencing Council had "folded under the pressure" after he had threatened a legal challenge against the guidelines.

The guidelines advise that magistrates and judges get a pre-sentence report - giving further details of an offender's background - before handing out punishment for someone of an ethnic or faith minority, alongside other groups such as young adults, abuse survivors and pregnant women.

The Sentencing Council, made up of some of the most senior legal figures in England and Wales, said the guidance would address disparities in the punishments meted out by judges.

Official figures, external show that offenders from ethnic minorities consistently get longer sentences than white offenders for indictable offences.

Earlier on Monday, the prime minister had said he was "very disappointed", after the Sentencing Council previously refused to reconsider the guidance.

Sir Keir Starmer said the government would bring forward legislation to reverse it.

"There's no other option, so we will do that. We will fast-track it," he told GB News.

The Ministry of Justice said the legislation would "clarify that guidance relating to sentencing reports should not single out specific cohorts for differential treatment".

The Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill will be introduced on Tuesday.

However, it needs to be debated and approved by MPs and peers before it becomes law.

The House of Lords breaks for Easter on Thursday, while MPs break up on 8 April, and Parliament is not due to return until 22 April.

This means there is limited time for the bill to complete its passage.

Some in government believed the law could and should have been rushed through before the Easter break.

Others are understood to have raised concerns that it would be obstructed in the House of Lords, especially by eminent lawyers, if the government were seen to be moving with excessive speed.

Jenrick first raised concerns about the guidelines earlier this month, saying they were biased "against straight white men" and amounted to "two-tier justice".

In response, Mahmood said she also opposed a "two-tier sentencing approach" and that she "did not stand for any differential treatment before the law".

The Sentencing Council was established in 2010 to try to ensure consistency in sentencing. Sir Keir, at the time Director of Public Prosecutions, was one of its founding members.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yg887m6qdo

[Moonlight]

Originally Posted by Catfish

^ Because it obviously is not the task of the "taxpayers", nor have they the knowledge how to help other nations' peoples best, nor are they aware of Britain's past and show commitment, or obligation

What a load of Bollocks, I'll put you in the same clique as those WetBack MPs of ours, they spout as much Bollocks as you're doing.

[Moonlight]

Rayner blames Tories for Birmingham bin crisis

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...s/ar-AA1C4YVL#

Labour have been in charge since 2012, it's quite clear that those councillors are out of their depth, after reading about the Taxi Fiasco in Birmingham in 2023, I'm not surprised that the rest of the council is being run by a set of bleeding idiots.

[Jimbuna]

Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out MORE tax hikes for Britons during intense grilling from MPs

Rachel Reeves refused to rule out fresh tax hikes for Britons following her Spring Statement, while being grilled by the Treasury Select Committee of MPs.

Reeves admitted Labour had made "a number of difficult decisions around taxation" in her October Budget, but was pressed on whether taxpayers will be hit with more increases in the future.

Conservative MP John Glen asked the Chancellor: "Can you confirm to the committee today that you won't be raising taxes?"

Reeves attempted to dodge answering directly, stating: "I said in the Budget last year that it was a once in a Parliament budget, to wipe the slate clean after the mismanagement of the previous administration. We made a number of difficult decisions around taxation.

"We increased taxes on the wealthiest in our country, and we also increased, as we've already discussed, taxes on business. I think that was the right balance to restore stability to our public finances."

Pressing again, Glen asked: "So you can rule out tax rises?"

Only willing to not carry out tax hikes on the same scale as six months ago, Reeves replied: "I'm not going to write another four years worth of budgets, that would not be responsible.

"But I can ensure the committee that I will not need to repeat a budget on that scale, because we have now wiped the slate clean and put our public finances on a firm footing."

Noting the upcoming spending review in June, Reeves made clear to the committee that plans for "capital and day-to-day spending" will be laid out "for the next few years".

She told the committee: "The spending review in a few months time on June the 11th, we're going to be setting spending for departments, capital and day to day spending for the next few years.

"And public services now need to live within the limits that that we've set out."

The Chancellor also rejected calls for "posturing" over potential US tariffs, as the world braces for Donald Trump to announce global trade barriers later today.

Speaking to MPs, Reeves emphasised her belief in free trade whilst addressing concerns about the impact on the UK economy.

"I do believe in free trade, the UK has balanced trade with the US," the Chancellor said.

Shestressed the importance of maintaining open trade channels with the US.

"We do not want to see trade barriers go up," she told the committee.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...4a2c4924&ei=13

[Jimbuna]

Skulduggery in its finest form.

Council tax premium on second homes rises but 'loophole for MPs means they don't have to pay'
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...b9c56503&ei=13

[Jimbuna]

Rachel Reeves dealt blow as expert warns tax will ‘decimate' sector key to Angela Rayner

Rachel Reeves' National Insurance tax hike will "decimate" a sector key to Angela Rayner's plans, an expert has warned. Steven Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), said: "The National Insurance hike is a direct threat to the future of family-run construction businesses across the UK. It's a tax on jobs that will drive up employment costs, making it harder to recruit and retain the workers we so urgently need - all while the industry is already battling a growing skills crisis."

He then suggested the measure would be counter productive as Ms Rayner, Sir Keir Starmer's housing secretary, aims to build more than a million new homes before the end of this Parliament. Mr Mulholland added: "If Labour is serious about delivering growth, it must urgently reassess this tax on jobs. Family-owned construction companies and their supply chain are the backbone of our sector - undermining them now will only risk delaying critical infrastructure projects like the Heathrow third runway and dampen housebuilding, making it far harder for Labour to deliver its 1.5million new homes."

The policy will make some firms unsustainble, the construction boss then warned.

Mr Mulholland said: "This hike, combined with further tax burdens coming down the track from changes to Business Property Relief and Inheritance Tax, will push independent family-run businesses to the brink of extinction."

On March 24, the planning reforms cleared their first Commons test, amid warnings that changes risk undermining efforts to accelerate the delivery of new homes.

MPs voted 330 to 74, majority 256, to approve the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at second reading on Monday evening.

Ms Rayner said the Bill would speed up the planning system, help achieve her build target, allow for an expansion of Britain's energy network and give greater environmental protections.

She told the Commons: "Make no mistake, this Bill will transform the lives of working people and Britain's prospects for years to come. It is hugely ambitious and rightly so, because everywhere I go I hear the same frustrations.

"We just can't build anything any more. We desperately need more homes and more development. But for too long, the answer has always been no, and that is choking off growth, leaving working people worse off, and leaving Britain behind."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...c994a341&ei=18

[Jimbuna]

Rachel Reeves confirms whether Brits will see new tax hikes after Donald Trump tariffs

Rachel Reeves has said working people will see "no rise in taxes in their pay slips" amid swirling concerns her wiggle room at the Treasury will run out.

Economists have warned the Chancellor that the cash left to give her room to manoeuvre with the public finances could be eaten up by Donald Trump's huge tariff announcement. It has raised fears she could be forced to hike taxes or cut public spending at the next Budget in the Autumn.

But, for the first time since the US President's bombshell move, Ms Reeves has reassured the public that she will not raise taxes on workers. "W orking people will see no rise in taxes in their pay slips, whether that's their national insurance, income tax, or indeed their VAT, or fuel duty,” she told broadcasters.

British businesses are facing a double whammy of 10% tariffs on all British products sold to the US and an increase in employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Asked if one of the best ways to negate the impact of tariffs was to reverse the NICs hike, Ms Reeves said: “When I became Chancellor, we faced a £22billion black hole in the public finances.

"The decisions that I took in the budget last year both stabilised the public finances but also enabled us to invest £25billion in the NHS, and that money has meant that for the last five months in a row, we've seen NHS waiting lists fall, and within the first few months of this Labour government taking office, two million additional appointments are in our NHS.

"That's the difference that we are making, only possible because of those decisions that we took but working people will see no rise in taxes in their pay slips, whether that's their national insurance, income tax, or indeed their VAT, or fuel duty.”

Ms Reeves said that the Government is "determined to get the best deal we can" with the US after Mr Trump slapped tariffs on goods from the UK. "Well, of course, we don't want to see tariffs on UK exports, and we're working hard as a government in discussion with our counterparts in the US to represent the British national interest and support British jobs and British industry," the Chancellor said on Friday.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...1c69aa9e&ei=14

[Jimbuna]

Ed Miliband told to 'accept reality' and stop 'dragging us down with Net Zero'

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband needs to "accept reality" rather than pursuing Net Zero policies which are "dragging the whole economy down", director of Net Zero Watch has claimed.

Andrew Montford made the claim after figures revealed that Miliband's Department for Energy Security & Net Zero spent over £40,000 on UK flights in Labour's first six months in office.

New figures show the total bill for Miliband's department topped £43,644 bill for internal flights between July and December last year.

The spending on domestic air travel exceeded the £40,279 spent under the Conservatives in the first half of 2024.

Speaking to GB News, Montford said: "I live in Scotland, and I have to travel to London quite often. If I want to take the train, I get on the first one in the morning, but I don't arrive in London until lunchtime.

"So, that's half the day gone. If I take the first flight, I'm in London by 9:00. So, yeah, that’s absolutely the only way of doing it.

"The problem with high-speed rail is that it’s not really suited to the UK. We're a highly densely populated country, and high-speed rail needs to travel in straight lines, which just isn’t going to happen. So, the reality is that we’re stuck with airplanes here.

"The airplane service is very, very good in a way that the rail service isn’t. The railways tend to be quite unreliable.

"A lot can go wrong — if one train breaks down, it can cause a tailback. Whereas with airplanes, there are no such barriers.

"Again, it's this issue of the climate "religion," if you like, that says we’ve got to deal with airplanes. But the practical reality is that there isn’t actually an alternative.

"I just wish Ed Miliband would start dealing with reality, rather than this fairy tale of net zero. Because that is what’s really dragging the whole economy down and making him look like a hypocrite."

The spending figures have drawn particular attention as they come from a department focused on achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.

Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie highlighted what he called a contradiction in Labour's approach to environmental policy.

"In opposition, Miliband was all too happy to lecture the rest of us — but now in Government, it's one rule for him and another for everyone else," Bowie said.

The Conservative MP further criticised Miliband as an "eco-zealot" who is "forcing the country to suffer under his sanctimonious eco agenda."

A spokesman for the energy department defended ministers and officials using domestic flights, adding: "Ministers and civil servants are required to travel for government business.

"While most journeys are by train, flights are sometimes necessary to ensure ministerial and officials’ time is used as efficiently as possible.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...58ba190a&ei=13

[Jimbuna]

Starmer speaks to world leaders as FTSE 100 plunges after Trump’s tariffs

The UK’s FTSE 100 suffered its worst day since the start of the pandemic as Sir Keir Starmer agreed that “like-minded countries must maintain strong relationships” in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Trading across the world has been hammered in the aftermath of the US president unveiling his full range of import taxes on countries around the world.

The Prime Minister spoke to the leaders of Australia and Italy on Friday – the first in a series of calls expected with world leaders over the weekend – as nations reel from the economic hit.

London’s top stock market index shed 419.75 points, or 4.95%, to close at 8,054.98 on Friday, the biggest single-day decline since March 2020 when the index lost more than 600 points in one day.

From Saturday, UK goods imported into the US will be subject to a 10% import tax, and the car industry has already been hit with a 25% levy which came into effect in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Downing Street has said that Sir Keir, Anthony Albanese and Giorgia Meloni “all agreed that an all-out trade war would be extremely damaging”.

Issuing a readout of the separate discussions on Friday, a Downing Street spokesperson said the PM “has been clear the UK’s response will be guided by the national interest” and officials will “calmly continue with our preparatory work, rather than rush to retaliate”.

“He discussed this approach with both leaders, acknowledging that while the global economic landscape has shifted this week, it has been clear for a long time that like-minded countries must maintain strong relationships and dialogue to ensure our mutual security and maintain economic stability,” the spokesperson added.

“They all agreed that an all-out trade war would be extremely damaging and is in nobody’s interests, while agreeing to keep in close contact in the coming days.”

It is expected that Sir Keir will take further calls with counterparts over the weekend.

All but one stock on the FTSE 100 fell on Friday, with Rolls-Royce, banks and miners among those to suffer the sharpest losses.

Mr Trump claimed on Thursday that Sir Keir was “very happy” with Britain’s treatment over tariffs, telling reporters on board Air Force One that the pair “have a very good dialogue”.

Number 10 contradicted the characterisation, and said the UK is “disappointed” by the President’s decision.

Asked on Friday whether Mr Trump’s characterisation was accurate, a Downing Street spokesman said: “We’re disappointed by the tariffs that have been brought in.

“Clearly, there will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken, both here and globally, but both the Prime Minister and the Business Secretary have been very clear over the last 24 hours that we will continue to act in the best interests of the UK, and we’re prepared to do so.”

Analysts for AJ Bell estimated that about 4.9 trillion US dollars (£3.8 trillion) had been wiped off the value of the global stock market since the US president announced his tariffs on Wednesday evening.

“China’s retaliation to Trump’s latest round of tariffs means that both sides are not backing down.

“It caps off a horrible week for financial markets and dragged share prices even lower,” AJ Bell investment analyst Dan Coatsworth said.

“The escalation in tariffs is bad for US companies who buy goods from China, and vice versa, because their costs will go up.

“It’s also bad for the world in general as we now have a repeat of the heightened geopolitical tensions between the US and China which dominated Trump’s first term in office.

“The rapid pullback in stocks and shares over the past few days has put a dent in people’s investments, including those in the US who were meant to have benefited from Trump’s actions.

“Instead, his tactics have caused shockwaves in every corner of the world.”

Wall Street was also facing another punishing day of trading on Friday, with US stocks tumbling after both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indexes suffered their worst days since 2020.

The S&P 500, which tracks the country’s leading listed companies, was sliding by about 4% to 5,179 when European markets closed.

This took the index down to its lowest level since August last year.

The Dow Jones, which tracks 30 large US companies, had also plunged 3.6%, while the technology-focused Nasdaq index was also dropping about 3.6%.

Ministers are still hoping for a deal with the US that could secure some exemption from the tariffs, with Sir Keir promising businesses on Thursday that he would “fight for the best deal for Britain”.

Ministers have so far avoided criticism of Mr Trump as they seek to secure an agreement with America. However the Government has drawn up a list of products that could be hit with tariffs in retaliation and is consulting with businesses on how any counter measures could impact them.

Rachel Reeves said on Friday that the Government is “determined to get the best deal we can” with Washington.

“Of course, we don’t want to see tariffs on UK exports, and we’re working hard as a government in discussion with our counterparts in the US to represent the British national interest and support British jobs and British industry,” the Chancellor said.

However, she declined to give a timeframe for when she expected those discussions to bear fruit.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...58ba190a&ei=80

[Jimbuna]

I simply don't believe him.

He is trying to keep the pensioners vote after robbing them of the winter fuel payment amongst other things.

Keir Starmer Makes Bold Statement on Future of State Pension Triple Lock

Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, has recently reaffirmed his commitment to the state pension triple lock policy amidst growing discussions about its future. The triple lock ensures that pension payments increase every year by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%, offering a crucial level of security to millions of pensioners. As Birmingham Mail reports, from April 7, pensioners are set to receive up to £470 more in their payments.

While the policy has long been a safeguard for pensioners, its sustainability has become a contentious issue. The ongoing debate about the future of the triple lock is gaining traction, especially as some Conservative leaders have questioned its long-term viability.

A Pledge for Stability
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer took the opportunity to address the growing concerns surrounding the triple lock. He emphasized that the Labour Party was fully committed to the policy, stating, “We can commit to the triple lock because we restored stability after they (the Conservatives) crashed the economy.” Starmer pointed out that, under Labour, the country had achieved economic stability, and in return, pensioners would benefit from an increase of up to £470 in their payments. This increase, he argued, was evidence of Labour’s dedication to ensuring pension security, especially as the nation faces economic challenges.

Despite this, the issue of whether the triple lock can be sustained long-term remains under heavy scrutiny. Starmer added that, while Labour fully supports the policy, the Conservative Party has made comments suggesting it is unsustainable. He went further, claiming that the Shadow Chancellor had referred to the triple lock as “unsustainable,” and “the leader of the opposition wants to means test the triple lock so she can cut it.” This remark was aimed at the growing Conservative push to reconsider or reform the policy, calling into question its future under a potential Conservative government.

Conservative Pushback: Is the Triple Lock Under Threat?
The Conservative Party’s stance on the triple lock is becoming increasingly vocal, with figures like Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, offering their own critiques of the policy. Badenoch was quick to point out that the triple lock was, in fact, “Conservative policy,” originally brought in under the Tories. Despite this, she, along with other party members, has raised concerns about its long-term affordability, especially as public finances come under increasing strain.

The conflict over the future of the triple lock highlights a larger debate about balancing financial sustainability with the need to protect pensioners. While the Labour Party remains steadfast in its commitment to the policy, Conservative leaders are pushing for changes, arguing that the growing costs associated with the triple lock are unsustainable.

As Starmer continues to defend the policy, it is clear that the debate is far from over, with both parties holding opposing views on how to best secure the future of pension payments in the UK.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...a64e0135&ei=53