The minister in charge of the Brexit reset says Labour will seek closer relations with Brussels
Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
Labour has been accused of “clutching at straws” over plans for closer ties with the EU under Andy Burnham. It comes as Hamish Falconer, the minister in charge of the Brexit reset, said Britain would look at the “art of the possible” within Labour’s manifesto red lines.
Sir Keir Starmer ruled out returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement. Mr Falconer told The Guardian: “We’re committed to our manifesto red lines, but all of my experiences as a negotiator and the art of the possible is in part shaped by the nature of the relationship between two people negotiating.
“I used to be a negotiator with the Taliban. With the EU, this is a negotiation with our friends, with whom we share our values and with whom we feel solidarity.”
Mr Falconer added: “There’s also a whole range of areas in relation to services where I’d really like it to be progressed.
“Services is obviously an area where the EU itself is less closely integrated and there’s a lot of discussion within the EU about where to take the productivity challenge for them – that’s a challenge we can recognise here in the UK as well. So, particularly on services, I’m really interested in where we can go further.”
But Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart said Labour was “clutching at straws” and “remains fixated on the past”.
He said: “To fix the economy they need to open up the North Sea, cut public spending, cut taxes and regulation, get the national debt down and build the conditions for growth. None of this needs a deal with the EU which itself has low growth.
“Burnham and his team are going to give us a bad deal which hands control of our regulations to Brussels and doesn’t fix the problems at home.
“While Labour remains fixated on the past, only the Conservatives, under new leadership, are focused on delivering a serious plan for Britain’s future.”
The Prime Minister insisted he would not look to rejoin the EU when he was standing in the Makerfield by-election after previously admitting he would like to see the UK back in the bloc in his lifetime.
Older state pensioner couples losing up to £112 per week due to DWP rule
EXCLUSIVE: Older state pensioners are losing out due to a DWP loophole
Older state pensioner couples are missing out due to a loophole (Image: Getty)
Older state pensioner couples are being left up to £112 per week worse off than younger, post-2016 state pensioners, thanks to a little-known DWP rule.
The state pension is paid to all state pensioners once they reach state pension age and claim it, though the state pension age is currently rising from 66 to 67 and will rise again in future.
But there is a gap in the pension system between older and younger state pensioners, leaving older pensioner couples up to £112 worse off per week.
An Express reader got in touch to point out an ‘unfairness’ in the current Pension Credit system, which means that older couples can’t get access to support that single older pensioners can, and get less money than younger state pensioners too.
He pointed out that the gap between younger state pensions and older state pensions is growing, and for many, it can’t be plugged by Pension Credit, the benefit that boosts pension income.
Michael Poat told the Express: “We have seen the difference go from circa £20 to circa £55. “We are informed it can be addressed by way of Pension Credit, which is just not true.
“The rules for claiming Pension Credit are such that it is virtually impossible to claim. Savings etc, all taken into account. If you check the eligibility requirements, you will see how difficult it is.
“The Government now describes the State Pension as a benefit, it is not what we all paid NI, the clue is in the name ‘insurance’ – the current system punishes us for being old.
“As an example, a couple with full NI contributions will receive the new rate of £241.30 each, making £482.60. A couple can’t claim Pension Credit if their joint income exceeds £363.25; the current old rate is £184.90 each, making £369.80 – £6.55 over the limit. How iniquitous is that?”
As Mr Poat points out, the basic state pension for older pensioners tops out at £184.90 for those with a full National Insurance record, while a younger, post-2016 state pensioner can get up to £241.30 per week.
Pension Credit is usually available to those who receive less than £238 per week, but for couples, the limit is a joint income of £363.25 per week.
This means that an older state pension couple would, if both maximised their NI contributions, receive £6.55 more than the limit and would be unable to claim Pension Credit. Despite this, they would each be receiving less than the single pension credit limit of £238, and roughly £112 less than a younger couple with maximised NI (£369.80, not £482.90).
The DWP told the Express that Savings Credit is a way for older state pensioners to boost their income in old age.
The Savings Credit element of Pension Credit is available to couples who receive more than £329.75 per week, and pays up to £20.10 per week for a couple, although it begins to reduce by 40% for every £1 above £369.80. Pensioners eligible for this would still be able to get a free TV Licence and Warm Home Discount, among other bonuses, too.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Supporting pensioners is a priority, and our commitment to the Triple Lock means millions will see their yearly State Pension rise by up to £2,100.
“Older pensioners may also be eligible for the Savings Credit part of Pension Credit, up to an additional £17.96 a week for single pensioners and up to £20.10 a week for those with a partner.”
“Thanks to our biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, we have seen an additional 33,500 Pension Credit awards in 2025, worth on average £87 a week, for those who need extra support.”