Women who make reports of inappropriate behaviour must have “confidence that they will be taken seriously”, Sir Keir Starmer has said, as allegations against Gregg Wallace continue to grow.
The prime minister said politicians should be ready to put in place “mechanisms” that would instil that confidence, after a Labour MP asked him about “women of a certain age”, reflecting comments for which the MasterChef presenter has since apologised.
Wallace faces multiple complaints of inappropriate behaviour, originally from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, and has stepped away from the cooking programme.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch has mocked Sir Keir Starmer over former transport secretary Louise Haigh’s resignation, which came after admitted misleading the police a decade ago.
The Tory leader told the Commons the country “needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions”.
“He can try and change the topic as much as he likes but the public are watching. He owes them an explanation”, she said.
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of obfuscating over Louise Haigh’s resignation, after Badenoch demanded he provide the House of Commons with an explanation over the incident.
Key Points
- Starmer dodges questions over Louise Haigh’s resignation
- Reeves refuses to rule out further business tax rises
- UK interest rates to fall more slowly than expected after Budget
- Economics director warn business activity ‘close to stalling’ in November
Lib Dems call for working farms to be exempt from inheritance tax
Wednesday 4 December 2024 16:45 , Holly EvansThe Liberal Democrats have called for working farms to be exempt from the Government’s inheritance tax plans.
The party’s spokesman for environment, food and rural affairs, Tim Farron said: “Could the Government have looked at a working farm qualification exemption, so those people would never have to pay this?
“And you would potentially look, who knows, at allowing those people who are not active farmers for them to be under the HMRC microscope instead? And that would be something that is far preferable to what we have got.”
He added: “In amongst all this, farmers are struggling, often with their mental health. The isolation you feel when you are farming, and you have farmed a valley, let’s say, for generations and your family have, and you might be the one who ends up losing the family farm, it’s utterly, utterly devastating.”
Mr Farron also argued that the previous government and the current Government have “brought together agricultural policies that actively disincentivise the production of food, that is criminal and it is foolish”.
Careful, Sir Keir – you’re in danger of ‘resetting’ yourself up to fail
Wednesday 4 December 2024 16:22 , Holly EvansWhen Keir Starmer unveils his “plan for change” tomorrow, he will insist he is totally committed to public sector reform.
But his announcement of “measurable milestones” in six policy areas – living standards, the NHS, housebuilding, education, crime, and green energy – has already provoked an intense debate inside the cabinet.
Some ministers worry the new targets will make it harder to achieve the reforms that will be needed when the government cannot afford to throw money at the many problems in public services.
They fear that chasing the new targets – to avoid headlines about them being missed – will drain so much of the government’s energy and money that it will leave little space for reform.
Read the full article here:
Careful, Sir Keir – you’re in danger of ‘resetting’ yourself up to fail
Labour MP says he would vote against farmers inheritance tax
Wednesday 4 December 2024 16:04 , Holly EvansA Labour MP has said he would vote against the Government’s proposed inheritance tax changes for farmers in their current form, as he suggested amendments need to be made.
Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) told the Commons: “I’ve spent the last few weeks speaking with farmers in Penrith and Solway, trying to understand the full impact of the inheritance tax proposals knowing that I have months left to engage Defra and the Treasury and seek important amendments.
“And, let me be clear, if today was the real vote I would vote against the Government’s plans.
“I’m no rebel, I’m a moderate. But during the election I read what I thought were assurances from my party that we had no plans to introduce changes to APR (agricultural property relief). On this basis I reassured farmers in my constituency that we would not. Now, I’m simply not prepared to break my word.
“I’m told that there is no Labour MP in the country with as many farms as I have in Penrith and Solway and I hope my colleagues will understand my feelings on this.
Starmer welcomes Emir of Qatar to Downing Street
Wednesday 4 December 2024 15:39 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has welcomed the Emir of Qatar to Downing Street, saying it was “a real privilege” to host him.
After praising the “strong partnership” between the UK and Qatar, Sir Keir said there was “so much more that we can do together”.
The Prime Minister added: “Thank you for your vital role in difficult issues in the Middle East, where we really value your leadership.”
The Emir extended his thanks to the King for hosting him on his state visit, and said he had enjoyed a visit to Sandhurst earlier on Wednesday.
Turning to the Middle East, he said: “We will be talking about some details about how to go forward and how to put an end to this crisis.”
The two men then viewed the 1971 Treaty of Friendship between the UK and Qatar before continuing their discussions.
MP urges law change to stop Sikhs and Jews being ‘invisible’ to policymakers
Wednesday 4 December 2024 15:17 , Holly EvansA law change is needed to prevent Sikhs and Jewish people continuing to be “invisible” to policymakers, MPs have heard.
Labour’s Preet Kaur Gill proposed a Bill to address a “fundamental absurdity in the fight against discrimination and inequality” by requiring ethnicity data on Sikhs and Jews to be collected.
The MP for Birmingham Edgbaston wants public bodies which collect data about ethnicity for the purpose of delivering public services to include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories as options for a person’s ethnic group.
Ms Gill noted religious data is collected by public bodies but said this is “poor, patchy and incomplete” and is “never used” to make decisions on delivering services.
BBC director general Tim Davie set to be grilled by MPs over Gregg Wallace allegations
Wednesday 4 December 2024 14:30 , Holly EvansBBC director general Tim Davie is set to be grilled by MPs on allegations surrounding MasterChef host Gregg Wallace when he next appears before the culture, media and sport committee.
The committee’s chairperson, Tory Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage toldThe Independent that she expects Mr Davie to give evidence before the Christmas recess to talk about the BBC World Service.
But she added: “This subject (Gregg Wallace) will also come up.”
It comes amid growing calls from MPs for the BBC to take responsibility for the investigation into claims surrounding Wallace.
Read our exclusive from political editor David Maddox here:
BBC director general Tim Davie to be grilled by MPs over Gregg Wallace allegations
Women who report inappropriate behaviour must have confidence, says Starmer
Wednesday 4 December 2024 14:15 , Holly EvansWomen who make reports of inappropriate behaviour must have “confidence that they will be taken seriously”, the Prime Minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place “mechanisms” that would instil that confidence, after a Labour MP asked him about “women of a certain age”, reflecting comments for which broadcaster Gregg Wallace has apologised.
Alison Hume (Scarborough and Whitby) asked at Prime Minister’s Questions: “Given that a significant number of members in this place are, regardless of class, ‘women of a certain age’, would the Prime Minister agree with me that when a woman of a certain age, or indeed any woman of any age from any background, says they have experienced sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour, they should be listened to, supported and the perpetrator dealt with?”
Sir Keir replied: “I certainly agree with that and I think everybody across the House would.
“She’s right because one of the greatest barriers that women face when coming forward and reporting unacceptable behaviour in the workplace is having confidence that they will be taken seriously.
“And that requires all of us to put in place mechanisms and arrangements to make that possible.
“Everybody should be treated with dignity and respect and I’m proud of the fact that the Employment Rights Bill we are passing will strengthen protections from sexual harassment at work.”
Israel fury with Lammy’s diplomacy by Twitter
Wednesday 4 December 2024 14:00 , Holly EvansThe Israeli government has attacked David Lammy for using X (formerly Twitter) for diplomacy after he posted strong criticism about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Less than 24 hours after the foreign secretary attended the Labour Friends of Israel annual lunch and met the mother of a hostage held by Hamas, he has provoked a row with Israel over his joint statement on the war in Gaza.
Amid growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza following thousands of deaths and reports that aid angencies cannot get access, Mr Lammy and his German and French counterparts (the E3 group) agreed today to sennd an ultimatum to the Israeli government.
Read the full article here:
Israel fury with Lammy’s Twitter diplomacy over ‘unacceptable situation in Gaza’
Watch: MPs discuss Gregg Wallace ‘women of a certain age’ comment during PMQs
Wednesday 4 December 2024 13:45 , Holly EvansKeir Starmer is stuck between a rock and a hard place over trade
Wednesday 4 December 2024 13:30 , Holly EvansJanus-like, Sir Keir Starmer insists that Britain does not have to choose between the United States and the European Union, saying: “Against the backdrop of these dangerous times, the idea that we must choose between our allies, that somehow we’re with either America or Europe, is plain wrong.”
This ambiguity about British priorities or “cakeism”, to put it less kindly, is hardly new – but it is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Since the Second World War, the British have found themselves sometimes bound by the bridge between the two shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes it is a happy relationship, sometimes it is torn.
It must be said, the UK found this relationship rather easier to handle over the half century when the UK was a member of the European Union and its forerunners. In security terms, all the main players on both sides of the pond (with the partial exception of France) were committed members of Nato, and all were committed to the established international order and, albeit haltingly, the gradual easing of international barriers to trade and investment.
Read the full editorial here:
Keir Starmer is stuck between a rock and a hard place over US and EU trade
No 10 refuses to add further detail to Haigh’s resignation
Wednesday 4 December 2024 13:17 , Holly EvansThe Prime Minister’s press secretary declined to provide further details on the “new information” that led to Louise Haigh’s resignation as transport secretary.
Asked what the new information was that Sir Keir Starmer referred to during Wednesday’s PMQs, she said: “You have got the Prime Minister’s words in the House. I have got nothing to add to that.”
Starmer to raise issue of British hostage in Gaza with Qatar
Wednesday 4 December 2024 13:08 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer is expected to raise the issue of Emily Damari, the only British hostage in Gaza, when he meets the Emir of Qatar on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister official spokesman said: “Qatar has played a leading mediation role in the conflict and you can expect the release of hostages to feature.
“I would also point you to what he said earlier in the week at the LFI (Labour Friends of Israel) event, that in every diplomatic conversation he has he urges world leaders to do everything they can to see the return of hostages.”
Starmer repeatedly dodges questions over Louise Haigh’s resignation in PMQs clash
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:59 , Holly EvansStarmer rules himself out of race for Christmas number one single
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:43 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has ruled himself out of the race for Christmas number one, after MPs Carolyn Harris and Sir Ed Davey released rival singles.
Ms Harris, the Labour MP for Neath and Swansea East, told MPs to laughter: “Today question three (on the order paper), but who knows? Next week, I could be number one in the charts. As the first MP this year to bring out a Christmas single, will the Prime Minister join me in thanking my musical collaborator, the hugely talented Mal Pope, and everyone involved with this year’s Everyone Deserves hamper campaign, that will deliver festive food to 1,500 homes across five constituencies in South Wales?”
Listen to Everyone Deserves a Christmas here 👉 https://t.co/IYkkWbVFgl
— Carolyn Harris (@carolynharris24) November 29, 2024
The Prime Minister replied: “There’s obviously going to some rivalry in the race for number one by Christmas. I’m not going to be joining in that particular one, but I do thank her and Mal Pope for their campaigning.”
He said hampers are “much needed” by some of her constituents and added: “Christmas is a time to think of others and I do pay tribute to her and all those supporting those in need, and this Government will always support the most vulnerable in our society.”
Sir Ed, the Liberal Democrats’ leader who released a track titled Love Is Enough, told the Commons: “I for one will be downloading the song of (Ms Harris).”
Watch: Starmer repeatedly dodges questions over Louise Haigh’s resignation in PMQs clash
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:36 , Tara CobhamNational insurance hike ‘biggest issue’ after Budget, Bank chief says
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:36 , Holly EvansThe boss of the Bank of England has said the way businesses react to the national insurance hike is currently the “biggest issue” after the Budget, as he warned that economic uncertainty is rising in the UK and globally.
Andrew Bailey, speaking at the Financial Times’ Global Boardroom, said it is not yet clear what effect the tax change could have on UK inflation.
Mr Bailey said: “The level of uncertainty is rising at the moment. Certainly, some of that is domestic and some of that is global.
“I think the biggest issue now in the immediate future is the response to the national insurance change; how companies balance the mixture of prices, wages, the level of employment, what is taken on margin, is an important judgment for us.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her autumn Budget statement that the rate of employer national insurance would be rising from 13.8% to 15% in April next year.
The secondary threshold, meaning the level at which employers start paying the tax on each employee’s salary, will also be reduced from £9,100 a year to £5,000.
The move has led to a swathe of businesses saying they will be hit hard by increased costs, which they could end up passing on to employees and customers.
Starmer declines to repeat promise to make UK fastest growing G7 economy
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:30 , Political correspondent Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer declined to repeat his pledge to make the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7, ahead of his major reset speech on Thursday.
Asked if he stands by the pledge, which was made in Labour's manifesto, the prime minister invited Ms Badenoch to “look at the OECD report of this morning which is upgraded growth for next year and the year after which now puts us on target to be the highest growing major economy in Europe in the next two years.”
The Tory leader hit back: “I think the whole House will would have heard him fail to repeat his own pledge. He can’t even repeat the pledges he made just a few weeks ago.”
Haigh’s resignation is ‘marked contrast’ to Tories’ behaviour over last 14 years, argues Starmer
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:27 , Tara CobhamPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the former transport secretary’s decision to resign is a “marked contrast” from the behaviour of the Tories over the last 14 years, as Kemi Badenoch hit out at Louise Haigh.
During Prime Minster’s Questions, the Conservative Party leader said: “The Prime Minister talks about immigration, I think it’s probably a good time to remind him that he was the one writing letters asking us not to deport foreign criminals, and he and his party voted against every single measure that we put in place to try and limit immigration.
“But, the question today is what has been on the lips of all Labour MPs, including, I believe, the Health Secretary yesterday – the Prime Minister knowingly appointed a convicted fraudster to be his transport secretary. What was he thinking?”
Sir Keir replied: “The previous transport secretary was right when further information came forward to resign – what a marked contrast from behaviour in the last 14 years.
“And she talks about immigration, record levels of immigration under the previous government, nearly a million – and she was the cheerleader, she was the one urging on the removal of the caps for work visas, she was thanking the previous home secretary for the work was done.
“She championed it. She advocated it. Record numbers of immigration.”
Badenoch: ‘The country needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions’
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:25 , Political correspondent Millie CookeKemi Badenoch told the Commons the country “needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions”, mocking Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of Louise Haigh.
“He can try and change the topic as much as he likes but the public are watching. He owes them an explanation”, she said.
Hitting back, the PM said former Tory leaders Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak had convictions for breaking covid rules. However, they were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices, which are not classified as criminal conviction.
Allegations made against Gregg Wallace put to prime minister
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:24 , Tara CobhamThe allegations that have been made against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace and his subsequent response have been put to Sir Keir Starmer during PMQs.
It was put to the prime minister that, generally, every woman who reports allegations “should be listened to, supported and the perpetrator dealt with”.
The prime minister responded: “I certainly agree with that.”
He said: “Everybody should be treated with dignity and respect, and I’m proud of fact that the Employment Rights Bill that we’re passing will strength protections from sexual harassment at work.”
In pictures: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:21 , Tara Cobham
Starmer dodges questions over Louise Haigh’s resignation
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:11 , Political correspondent Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer has been accused of obfuscating over Louise Haigh’s resignation, after Kemi Badenoch demanded he provide the House of Commons with an explanation over the incident.
Pointing to Downing Street’s statement that Ms Haigh resigned after “further information came to light”, she asked for details on what that information was.
Responding, he said: “I’m not going to disclose further information.”
“Whilst she’s obsessing with Westminster issues, we’re getting on with fixing the mess, fixing the foundations.”
The Tory leader hit back: “He never answers any questions – and it looks like he didn’t ask his transport secretary any questions either. The truth is he appointed someone convicted of fraud to the cabinet.”
Starmer refuses to say what further information came to light that caused Louise Haigh to resign
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:10 , Tara CobhamKemi Badenoch has been pressing Sir Keir Starmer to say what further information came to light that caused Louise Haigh to resign.
However, the prime minister refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding his former transport secretary, after she quit over a stolen phone fraud offence.
Shadow Scotland secretary presses government to say which sectors will grow north of border
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:07 , Tara CobhamShadow Scotland secretary Andrew Bowie has pressed the Government to say which sectors will grow north of the border following October’s Budget.
The Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine told the Commons: “To grow, you need confidence from business, so let’s just see how that is going because the verdict from Scottish businesses to his Government’s Budget is in.
“From OEUK (Offshore Energies UK): ‘This is a difficult day for the sector’. From Scottish Hospitality: ‘Today’s announcements are a blow to businesses across the country’. From the Scotch Whisky Association: the increase in spirt duty ‘is a hammer blow’. From the NFUS (National Farmers Union of Scotland): the decisions will cause ‘huge difficulties to farming’.
“So, given these responses, if it isn’t from retail, or oil and gas, or hospitality, or food and drink, or financial services, from which sector does he think this mythical growth is going to come?”
Scotland Secretary Ian Murray replied: “Unlike (Mr Bowie), I have actually run my own business. And when you run your own business, what you need is stability, what you need is credibility, what you need is confidence. The previous government left this economy in tatters. They crashed the economy. They left business confidence at a record low.
“We’re investing for the future and businesses back that.”
PMQs begins
Wednesday 4 December 2024 12:02 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has taken to the despatch box to face Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.
It comes as the prime minister’s Brexit plans have suffered another blow.
National insurance hike ‘biggest issue’ after Budget, Bank chief says
Wednesday 4 December 2024 11:55 , Tara CobhamThe boss of the Bank of England has said the way businesses react to the national insurance hike is currently the “biggest issue” after the Budget, as he warned that economic uncertainty is rising in the UK and globally.
Andrew Bailey, speaking at the Financial Times’ Global Boardroom, said it is not yet clear what effect the tax change could have on UK inflation.
Mr Bailey said: “The level of uncertainty is rising at the moment. Certainly, some of that is domestic and some of that is global.
“I think the biggest issue now in the immediate future is the response to the national insurance change; how companies balance the mixture of prices, wages, the level of employment, what is taken on margin, is an important judgment for us.”
Mr Bailey said the Bank had laid out a “range of options” analysing the potential economic impact, “some of which would imply greater inflation and some of which would imply less inflation”.
“So there is uncertainty there and we need to see how the evidence evolves,” he said.
Businesses need time to work out how they will absorb greater costs and work out their strategies, Mr Bailey said, adding: “I think as we go into the spring we’ll have a better idea.”
He said the central bank was also analysing the possible effects of the forthcoming Donald Trump administration in the US on the UK economy.
He said the impact of Mr Trump’s proposed plans to raise tariffs on all US imports was “not at all straightforward to predict”, adding “clearly it moves trading prices but it also depends on how other countries react to them, and how exchange rates react to them as well”.
Watch live: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs as his reset Brexit plans suffer another blow
Wednesday 4 December 2024 11:47 , Tara Cobham
Watch: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs as his reset Brexit plans suffer another blow
Pictured: Starmer leaves Downing St to attend PMQs
Wednesday 4 December 2024 11:36 , Tara Cobham
Trump’s tariff plan would hit UK trade as hard as Brexit, think tank warns
Wednesday 4 December 2024 10:47 , Holly EvansDonald Trump’s threatened tariffs could hit UK trade with the US as badly as Brexit affected trade with the EU, a leading think tank has warned, as campaigners call for Sir Keir Starmer to protect the UK by urgently rebuilding ties with Europe.
The president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs of between 10 and 20 per cent on all imports to the US when he returns to the White House, with experts warning of a tit-for-tat global trade war that would fuel another spike in inflation.
And, in a bombshell report published today, the Resolution Foundation said the impact of Trump’s plans would hit UK firms as hard as the trade barriers that came into place after Brexit.
Read the full article here:
Trump’s tariff plan would hit UK trade as hard as Brexit, think tank warns
Economics director warn business activity ‘close to stalling’ in November
Wednesday 4 December 2024 10:19 , Holly EvansTim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “UK service providers indicated that business activity was close to stalling in November, with growth easing to its slowest for over a year.
“Weaker sales pipelines, cutbacks to new projects and more caution among clients were all cited as having an adverse impact on service sector output.”
He added: “Worries about the impact of policies announced in the autumn Budget, in particular those pushing up employment costs, were widely reported as leading to a gloomier assessment of business investment prospects and the broader UK economic outlook.”
The services sector makes up the majority of the UK economy, and is closely watched by the Bank of England as a gauge of underlying inflation.
The Bank’s policymakers are widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.75% next month, following two cuts earlier this year.
Heidi Alexander says nationalising rail operators a ‘fraction’ of the costs
Wednesday 4 December 2024 10:01 , Holly EvansTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander could not say what the cost of nationalising rail operators will be, but said it would be “a fraction” of what is currently paid in management fees to train companies.
She told LBC radio: “So it will be a fraction of the costs, for example – to bring them over and also sort of set up Great British Railways – a fraction of what we’re paying in terms of the management fees.
“At the moment, we pay roughly about £150 million pounds in management fees to the train operating companies.”
Ms Alexander said she did not have a specific figure but added the setup cost would be less than the £150 million current management figure.
Transport secretary refuses to commit to cheaper rail fares
Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:48 , Holly EvansThe Transport Secretary would not commit to cheaper rail fares as a result of South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia being brought into public ownership next year but signalled that she expected the move to reduce cancellations and late trains.
“The primary aim of this is to improve reliability and clamp down on the delays, the cancellation, the waste and the inefficiency that we’ve seen over the last 30 years,” Heidi Alexander told BBC Breakfast.
“We’ve had private train-operating companies running train services in this country over the last few decades, and it clearly hasn’t worked.”
She said bringing the operators into public ownership was a “first step” to a “more integrated and unified railway”, and pointed to the impact seen by bringing LNER and Southeastern into public ownership.
“So if you look at LNER for example, we have reduced the number of trains that are cancelled because of staff shortages to basically zero, and we reduced other cancellations to about 5%.
“Southeastern, which is also now in public ownership, is in the top five of train operators for punctuality.”
Growth in UK services sector slows to lowest rate
Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:41 , Holly EvansGrowth in the UK’s services sector slowed to its lowest rate in more than a year in November as firms digested business tax rises in the autumn budget.
The closely watched S&P Global UK services PMI survey scored 50.8 in November, slowing from 52.0 in October.
It was slightly above the 50.0 reading forecast by a consensus of economists.
Any reading above 50 means a sector is in growth, while a score below this means it is shrinking.
‘Growth is our number one priority,’ Reeves responds to OECD report
Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:28 , Holly EvansResponding to the OECD Economic Outlook report, chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Growth is our number one priority, and the OECD upgrade will mean the UK is the fastest growing European economy in the G7 over the next three years.
“That is only the start. Growth only matters if it’s matched by more money in people’s pockets.
“That is why we protected people’s payslips from higher taxes at the Budget and are determined to deliver growth that benefits households and improves living standards.
“This government will get our economy growing, with our National Wealth Fund, reforming the remits of our regulators and pension mega funds to attract better investment, as well as reforming our planning laws - all so that we can rebuild Britain for good.”
UK interest rates to fall more slowly than expected after Budget – OECD
Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:21 , Holly EvansUK interest rates will fall by less than expected over the next two years after the autumn Budget’s significant spending and borrowing plans, according to an influential report.
In its annual economic survey, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said UK inflation will also surpass previous forecasts next year, and upgraded growth projections for the economy, because of a budget boost.
The OECD said the global economy would “remain resilient” over the coming years but that “risks and uncertainties are high”.
The global economy is predicted to grow by 3.2 per cent this year and 3.3 per cent next year, the organisation said.
It reflects a slight improvement from its predictions of 3.1 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively, from its September interim report.
Reeves refuses to rule out further business tax rises
Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:13 , Holly EvansFears are growing that Labour could be planning a new tax raid after Rachel Reeves refused to confirm her recent pledge not to repeat her £40bn Budget hikes.
The chancellor was pressed on the issue in the Commons by shadow chancellor Mel Stride, and again at a conference in the north of England, over her promise last week to the CBI conference.
With her next major fiscal statement expected in the spring, there is confusion over Labour’s economic policy amid a rumoured shift from delivering growth to raising living standards.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to outline the new focus in a speech on Thursday resetting the government’s agenda after just five months in office.
Read the full story from our political editor David Maddox here:
Israel fury with Lammy’s diplomacy by Twitter
Wednesday 4 December 2024 13:23 , Holly EvansThe Israeli government has attacked David Lammy for using X (formerly Twitter) for diplomacy after he posted strong criticism about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Less than 24 hours after the foreign secretary attended the Labour Friends of Israel annual lunch and met the mother of a hostage held by Hamas, he has provoked a row with Israel over his joint statement on the war in Gaza.
Amid growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza following thousands of deaths and reports that aid angencies cannot get access, Mr Lammy and his German and French counterparts (the E3 group) agreed today to sennd an ultimatum to the Israeli government.
Read the full article here:
Israel fury with Lammy’s Twitter diplomacy over ‘unacceptable situation in Gaza’
