Tory-Reform election pact would be ‘alliance of austerity and failure’, says Starmer – UK politics live

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing a rebellion from rural Labour MPs regarding the proposed inheritance tax on farmers, which has emerged as a significant point of contention following her recent budget announcement. This budget includes a £26 billion tax increase aimed at addressing the UK's cost of living crisis, but it has sparked dissent within her party, particularly among those representing rural constituencies.

George Cottrell, a close aide to Nigel Farage and a prominent figure in Reform UK, is alleged to have acted as a frontman for a betting syndicate led by billionaire Tony Bloom, according to a lawsuit filed in the high court. The documents claim that Cottrell transferred control of his gambling accounts to this syndicate, raising serious questions about his financial dealings and connections.

The UK government has postponed its decision on the approval of China's proposed super-embassy in London until January, coinciding with Labour leader Keir Starmer's anticipated visit to Beijing. This delay follows formal submissions from the Home Office and Foreign Office, which raised no security objections to the plans.

UK ministers are advancing plans to ban political donations made using cryptocurrency, citing concerns over the potential risks to electoral integrity due to the difficulty in verifying the sources of such funds. This crackdown is expected to impact Nigel Farage's Reform party, although the legislation may not be ready in time for the upcoming elections bill in the new year.

David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, has recounted his traumatic experiences of racial abuse during his youth, urging Nigel Farage to apologize for alleged racist comments made during their school years. This follows testimonies from over 20 former classmates of Farage, who have accused him of exhibiting racist and antisemitic behavior at Dulwich College.

The UK Labour government has announced a comprehensive action plan to eliminate new HIV cases in England by 2030, which includes routine testing for HIV at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments. This initiative, set to be detailed on World Aids Day, aims to re-engage individuals who have disengaged from HIV care and includes a £170 million funding package for opt-out testing in high-prevalence areas such as London and Manchester.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Labour's economic plan will take years to fully implement, following a challenging response to the recent budget announcement which included £26 billion in tax increases. Starmer defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decisions amidst criticism from political opponents regarding the budget's impact on the cost of living crisis.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is attempting to shift the narrative surrounding the recent budget, which has faced scrutiny from the Conservatives regarding Chancellor Rachel Reeves' ethics. The Tories have accused Reeves of dishonesty regarding her tax policies, particularly a £26 billion tax increase aimed at addressing the UK's cost of living crisis.