Tory leader vows to make huge change to restrict how those on benefits use their handouts.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (Image: Getty)
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to ban long-term jobless benefits claimants from spending their welfare cash on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. Jobless claimants who have not paid enough into the system will have their benefits cut by 30% and loaded onto a “Back To Work” card that bans alcohol, cigarettes, cash withdrawals, and betting.
Under the Tories’ plans, anyone fit to work will get six months on full Universal Credit benefits to find a job, but the full rate will only be kept after that by those who have earned it through paying taxes.
Mrs Badenoch said, “Some will say this is unfair to people claiming benefits. What is unfair is a system where someone who can work chooses not to and earns more from benefits than someone in a job.
“If you can work, you should work. Helping people into work is not punishment. The best welfare is a well-paid job. So, we will be tough on those who exploit the system because the current system is unfair to workers, taxpayers and those who truly need support. We should not be borrowing from our children and grandchildren to support people who simply refuse to work.
“Welfare must be a safety net for those who genuinely need it, not a lifestyle choice for those who can’t be bothered.”
‘Getting to grips with the welfare system is essential’
Kemi Badenochs plans to axe the welfare state have been welcomed by tax campaigners.
Responding to the Conservative party’s latest welfare plans, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers and businesses will welcome any serious plans to tackle Britain’s growing welfare and worklessness crisis.
“The people paying the bills expect basic principles of fairness from a welfare system, like the expectation of paying in to take out in times of need and claimants doing what they can to get back to work.
“Getting to grips with the welfare system is essential if we are to bring spending under control and get Britain back to work.”
Kemi Badenoch celebrates huge breakthrough as mega-poll shows her beating Nigel Farage
Kemi Badenoch would lead Britain’s second biggest party, bumping Nigel Farage into third place, if an election was called today according to a new poll. Meanwhile Prime Minister Andy Burnham would need to call in help from the Liberal Democrats or Zack Polanski’s Green Party to keep his job.
Polling from YouGov suggests that Mrs Badenoch’s Conservative Party could gain seats, improving on their disastrous 2024 General Election result. Mr Farage’s Reform UK would have a good day at the polls as well, storming up to 123 seats but leaving no party on the Right large enough to kick Labour out of Downing Street.
Burnham ally urges him not to risk loss of ‘good behaviour’ at football games
A close ally of Andy Burnham has warned against putting “good behaviour” at football matches “at risk” by repealing the ban on alcohol in the stands.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s suggestion that he would like to see the ban lifted, Education Secretary Lucy Powell told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I go to the football most weekends with my young son and, you know, 30 years ago that probably wouldn’t have been all that comfortable an environment for a mum and their child to go to, but things have changed significantly.
“And that’s why we’ve been able to reintroduce safe standing, for example, which is something that fans want.
“So I think it’s a conversation we need to have to make sure that we keep the great atmosphere.”
She added that “it can be done” as “we don’t see bad behaviour” at cricket, rugby and other sports matches where drinking is allowed.
Ms Powell continued: “I think we need to do this in consort with fans and with football, so that we make sure we keep the really good atmosphere, the good behaviour, and we don’t put that at risk.”
Education Secretary Lucy Powell is likely to spark outrage by suggesting “not every migrant boat can be intercepted”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Powell branded the situation “not acceptable” but insisted there was an “improving picture”.
Asked if the boats reaching the UK was embarrassing, the Cabinet minister responded: “(You) can’t stop everything all of the time.
“Of course, it’s a concern. That’s why the Home Secretary has demanded and ordered this urgent review because this is not what we want to see. This is not acceptable.
“But the overall picture is an improving picture. It is hard, difficult work that requires constant, constant effort by our border forces, our security services, police, our partnerships with France and other countries.
“This is a mammoth and huge task, which is now starting to reap some dividends. But of course, you know where there are still issues arising, we must absolutely tackle them.”
Andy Burnham vows to change ‘unfair’ football match rule
Andy Burnham has said the law could be changed to allow fans to drink in the stands at football matches again. The Prime Minister vowed not to “back away” from his long-held view that supporters should be able to have a pint while watching a match, saying there are “different ways” it could be done.
The ban was introduced in 1985 to stop football hooligans from fighting. Other sports like rugby were not affected.
Reform would win fewer seats than Labour and Tories, poll suggests
Reform UK would win less seats than both Labour and the Conservatives if a general election were to be held today in a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Nigel Farage’s party, a YouGov MRP has found.
The new large-scale seat by seat survey suggests the UK is currently heading for a hung Parliament with Labour as the largest party with 241 seats.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
‘Not dumbing down!’ Lucy Powell defends education plans
The Education Secretary has defended plans for new vocational GCSEs, insisting they are not a “dumbing down” of the system.
Speaking on Times Radio on Thursday, Lucy Powell rejected the suggestion, saying: “It’s not – these are very hard subjects.
“If you yourself have tried to put together some, you know, creative engineering design, some CAD design, or you’ve tried to put together a very complex presentation for work. This is not easy stuff.
“If you’re trying to do engineering or construction, for example, you know that involves a lot of problem solving, a lot of maths, a lot of thinking, as well as the hands-on skills that’s required.
“So, it’s not dumbing down; it’s the opposite of that actually, because this is about raising the standards and the rigour and regulating these qualifications.”
Asked if schools would get an increased budget to deliver the new qualifications, Ms Powell said the Government would “look at any money that’s required”.
Labour’s ‘day of despair’ exposed in latest Channel migrant farce – ‘free for all’
Shabana Mahmood has been accused of presiding over a “day of despair” as Border Force failed to detect a second migrant crossing in 24 hours.
The Home Secretary launched an “urgent review” as it was confirmed that at least 21 asylum seekers arrived in Samphire Hoe on Tuesday.
Others are feared to be on the run, with the Home Office carrying out a “thorough investigation”.
But critics branded the chaos in the Channel a “complete free for all”.
Shabana Mahmood (Image: Getty)
Home Office investigating third undetected small boat landing as migrant crisis rages on
The Home Office is investigating a potential third migrant boat which arrived in Britain undetected, it is understood.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had already branded the failure to intercept two migrant boats in two days before they reached the Kent coast as “not acceptable”.
Kemi Badenoch reveals major welfare crackdown – and claimants face big change
Good morning!
It’s Steph here, from the Daily Express’s political team. We’ll be bringing you all the updates throughout the day from Westminster.