Henry Zeffman

Westminster

Chief Political Correspondent at BBC

BBC Chief Political Correspondent

Articles

Cabinet Office to axe a third of roles in civil service shake-up

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Henry Zeffman

Cabinet Office to axe 2,100 civil servant jobsHenry ZeffmanChief Political CorrespondentGetty ImagesA government department run by one of Sir Keir Starmer's most senior ministers is cutting almost a third of its jobs as ministers seek to accelerate civil service reform. Officials at the Cabinet Office - headed by Pat McFadden - are being told today that 2,100 of their 6,500 jobs will be cut or moved to other parts of government over the next two years.
UK will take calm approach to US tariffs, Keir Starmer says - BBC News

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Joshua Nevett |Henry Zeffman

Keir Starmer says he is "keeping all options on the table" to respond to new US trade tariffs.
Emergency sentencing law unlikely to pass before Easter

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Henry Zeffman

Emergency sentencing law will not pass before EasterHenry ZeffmanChief Political CorrespondentPA MediaAn emergency law to override new rules about how to sentence offenders from ethnic minorities will not be passed before Easter, government sources have confirmed. Guidelines due to come into effect in England and Wales on Tuesday advise judges to consider the lives of offenders from ethnic minority and other backgrounds before deciding on punishment, prompting claims of "two-tier justice".
PM faces pressure over benefits system shake-up

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Thomas Mackintosh |Henry Zeffman

Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure as the government prepares to announce changes to the welfare system this week. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is to outline cost-cutting reforms on Tuesday aimed at saving money and getting more people back to work. Ministers are looking at tightening the eligibility criteria for a key disability benefit - the Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Keir Starmer vows to unleash 'shackled' civil servants

1 month ago | bbc.com | Henry Zeffman

Starmer pitches reform to 'shackled' civil servantsHenry ZeffmanChief political correspondentPAPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has written to civil servants to promise reforms that will unshackle them from bureaucracy and stop their talent being "constrained", as he seeks to sell officials on plans to cut their jobs. The prime minister wants to reduce staff levels, introduce performance-related pay and sack civil servants who do not meet their standards.
Reeves's proposed cuts will trigger big political arguments

1 month ago | bbc.com | Henry Zeffman

Reeves's proposed cuts will trigger big political argumentsHenry ZeffmanBBC chief political correspondentPA MediaThe government briefing that Rachel Reeves will make large spending cuts this month is very significant, in several different ways. First, it confirms what had been rumoured - that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the independent forecaster, believes that the chancellor's 'headroom' has been eliminated.
US aid pause raises stakes for Starmer over Ukraine

1 month ago | msn.com | Henry Zeffman

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US aid pause raises stakes for Starmer over Ukraine

1 month ago | msn.com | Henry Zeffman

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US aid pause raises stakes for Starmer's Ukraine strategy

1 month ago | bbc.com | Henry Zeffman

US aid pause raises stakes for Starmer over UkraineHenry ZeffmanChief Political CorrespondentGetty ImagesPresident Trump's decision to pause military aid to Ukraine may well prove to be one of the most significant moments in the conflict since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion. As far as the UK is concerned, it will not change Sir Keir Starmer's approach, but makes the issues he has been focusing on for the past few days more acute and more urgent.
Labour readmits four MPs suspended for rebelling

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Henry Zeffman |Becky Morton

Four MPs suspended by Labour for voting against the government on the two-child benefit cap have been readmitted into the parliamentary party. Labour has restored the whip to Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Imran Hussain and Rebecca Long-Bailey, after they spent just over six months as independents. Three others who rebelled in July's vote - former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Apsana Begum and Zarah Sultana - remain suspended.