Setting out the ways in which businesses will be impacted by the pledge, Reform’s Treasury spokesman criticised the current “unfair” system, and said “the British taxpayer is acting as the welfare state for the world”.
Small businesses with five or fewer employees will not be involved at all by the overhaul, he said, while larger businesses take out policy working with the Government but will enjoy a cut to National Insurance hikes.
It was a “win-win” for both employer and employee, adding that businesses would have an incentive to look after employees better.
“For the employer, there is a big incentive to look after the emplyees better, to improve their terms and conditions, the safety in the workplace and the support.
“Instead of – excuse my language – b******t schemes put in place for people in the workplace which don’t really make a differences, employers will spend that money actually looking after their workforce properly,” Mr Jenrick said.
The Newark MP also vowed to ban all foreign nationals from claiming benefits in a new plan to slash the ballooning £50billion welfare bill.
Mr Jenrick revealed Nigel Farage’s party would redesign the welfare system as Britain knows it – and save more than £21billion a year within five years.
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Labour tells Britons to prepare for new range of water bans in blow to millions
Britons could be facing further water bans as Whitehall officials draw up plans for a “reasonable worst case scenario” if the low levels of rainfall continue.
More than 27 million people across England have now had hosepipe use restricted in their area.
While temperatures are set to ease this week, heavy showers are expected to hit the UK on Thursday, but it is unlikely to bring an end to widespread drought conditions.
Now, officials could bring in limits to businesses and non-essential use bans (NEUBs).
In response, a government spokesman said: “As any responsible government would, we are preparing for a range of scenarios and working with the National Drought Group to help maintain water supplies.
“We expect water companies to follow their established drought management plans and go further and faster to reduce leaks.
“We are clear that the water sector is not working for bill payers.
“That is why we are driving long-term change, including requiring companies to deliver record investment in infrastructure and changing the planning system to enable the construction of nine new reservoirs.”
DUP MP Jim Shannon set for criminal proceedings over alleged assault
DUP MP Jim Shannon is due to face court over an allegation that he assaulted a woman.
The alleged incident took place on October 1 2023.
The 71-year-old Strangford MP was not present when the case came before Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Shannon is listed as having an address at the DUP office on Frances Street in the town.
Proceedings were adjourned until September 1.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the party had known about the matter for more than two years and characterised it as a “private dispute” involving a family.
Speaking in Belfast, Mr Robinson said the DUP had launched its own internal process after becoming aware of the allegations, but put that on hold once it learned the matter had entered the court system.
“It is a matter that is going to have to be determined by the courts,” he said, adding that he did not want to “prejudge or add any further detail” at this stage.
Shannon has represented Strangford for the DUP since being elected in 2010.
Angela Rayner insists Labour sticking to plans to build 1.5 million homes
Angela Rayner has insisted that the Government is still on track to meet its target of building 1.5 million homes within five years, amid efforts to speed up construction.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner also rejected a suggestion that the shift to a “default yes” for developments around railway stations in England would give those already living in those areas less of a say.
She said Britain “cannot carry on” with building houses and vital links separately.
An overhaul of planning laws that aims to speed up homebuilding comes two years into the five-year Parliament, when the Government is just over a quarter of the way to its target to build 1.5 million homes in England.
Asked during a visit to the West Midlands if she was confident of meeting the target, Ms Rayner said: “I don’t like failure.
“I’m very clear that we need these homes. We have already seen nearly 400,000 since we came into office, new homes that have completed.
“We’ve seen a 15 per cent increase in start-ups for housing starts.
“We want to continue on that path and that’s why we’ve set out these rules to make sure that we can get planning through as quickly as possible, and we can get the infrastructure alongside the housing that we desperately need.”
Independent economic forecasters and construction experts are predicting a significant shortfall.
Labour MP suspended amid questions over £50,000 taxpayer-backed Covid loan
Bayo Alaba has been suspended amid questions surrounding whether he tried to avoid repaying a taxpayer-funded Covid loan | WIKI COMMONSA Labour MP has been suspended from the party amid questions surrounding whether he tried to avoid repaying a taxpayer-funded Covid loan.
Bayo Alaba, the MP for Southend East & Rochford, refused to answer questions about his alleged attempt to wind up one of his businesses before settling a loan.
GB News understands Mr Alaba has agreed to be administratively suspended from the Labour Party while this process is ongoing.
It is also understood that the Labour Whip will also be suspended while an investigation is ongoing, with Mr Bayo’s full cooperation.
The investigation is on a without prejudice basis and implies no finding of wrongdoing at this stage.
A Labour spokesman told GB News: “Bayo Alaba MP has referred himself to the Labour Party so that these matters can be investigated in line with the party’s rules.
“The Labour Party expects the highest standards from our elected representatives and we have robust processes in place to ensure those high standards are upheld. We cannot comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”
GB News has approached Mr Alaba for further comment.
Tories hunt for challenger to beat Nigel Farage amid ‘uniparty’ fears over Clacton deal with Labour
Kemi Badenoch has launched her search for a Conservative candidate to take on Nigel Farage in Clacton just days after Tory insiders opened the door to doing a deal with Labour in the seaside seat.
Mr Farage, who was elected as the MP for Clacton in 2024, retained the seat last week after calling a by-election over revelations about a £5million gift from the Thai-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.
GB News understands the process of selecting a new Conservative candidate in Clacton will formally start next month, with Tories approved to put their names forward now being invited to do so.
A Tory candidate will also be selected for the seats of Robert Jenrick’s Newark constituency, with Aylesbury, Chelsea & Fulham, Hendon, Maidstone & Malling, North East Hampshire, Poole, Redditch, Ribble Valley, and South West Norfolk also included in the September set.