Faith Ridler

6 days ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted that rebelling Labour MPs "know the welfare system needs reform" as the government faces a growing backlash over planned cuts. Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure from Labour MPs, with about 40 in the Red Wall - the party's traditional heartlands in the north of England - warning the prime minister's welfare plan is "impossible to support" in its current form.

1 week ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler |Jon Craig

There was no conflict of interest in the incoming football regulator chair donating to Sir Keir Starmer's Labour leadership campaign, Downing Street has said. Appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Wednesday, David Kogan admitted he had donated "very small sums of money" to the leadership bids of Sir Keir and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in 2020. Mr Kogan told the pre-appointment hearing this hadn't been discovered by the media, but he was "happy to declare it now".

1 week ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

Sir Keir Starmer has full confidence in Commons leader Lucy Powell despite her controversial comments on the grooming gangs scandal, Downing Street has said. But the prime minister's spokesman refused to say whether two other cabinet ministers would still be in post at Christmas, as rumours swirl that Sir Keir could overhaul his top team as soon as next month.

3 weeks ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

Laws may need to be strengthened to crack down on the exploitation of child "influencers", a senior Labour MP has warned. Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, technology and innovation committee, said parts of the Online Safety Act - passed in October 2023 - may already be "obsolete or inadequate". Experts have raised concerns that there is a lack of provision in industry laws for children who earn money through brand collaborations on social media when compared to child actors and models.

1 month ago | news.sky.com | Faith Ridler

There was no evidence of "two-tier policing" in the handling of riots that erupted after last year's Southport murders, MPs have said. A report by the Home Affairs Committee, published on Monday, examined the police response to disorder that broke out after the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July. Allegations of "two-tier policing" followed, suggesting that police were more heavy handed with people on the right of the political spectrum than the left.