Starmer U-turns on benefits cuts after Labour backlash

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Chris Mason • @ChrisMasonBBC Political editor Sam Francis Political Reporter

The government has confirmed it will make major concessions to rebels in its own party over its planned benefits reforms. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told Labour MPs that claimants of the personal independence payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of universal credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants. The government made the climbdown after facing the prospect of defeat in the Commons if it failed to accommodate the demands of more than 100 backbenchers. The move was welcomed by some rebels; while Kendall said the bill was now "in a good place" and she was hopeful it would be passed by Parliament.

Speaking to broadcasters, she said the government's plans would provide "record levels of support" to help those who can work into employment, while protecting those who cannot. Asked if the government's climbdown would make it harder to make difficult decisions in the future she said: "There is strength in listening - you end up in the right position when you talk to all of those with knowledge and experience." But while the rebels told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions - meaning the government's welfare bill will not be blocked in a vote on Tuesday - some Labour MPs have said they will still vote against the proposals. The government originally hoped to save £5bn a year by 2030 with its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - which would change who could qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits - aiming to slow the rise in claimants. Working-age health-related benefits are estimated to cost an extra £30bn by 2029 without reforms. But the government faced growing discontent from around 120 of its own MPs over the changes, who criticised proposals such as a requirement for Pip claimants to prove they need a higher degree of assistance with tasks such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed. Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill. As well as changing who will be affected by the cuts, ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029. Dame Meg Hillier, who led the effort to block the government's proposals, said she would now support the government's welfare bill, telling the BBC ministers had offered "reassuring measures". Asked if her fellow Labour MPs would now back the bill, she said the news had arrived late on Thursday evening but she had "already had a flurry of messages from people saying this is a good step forward". She added that if the government had listened more to its MPs, "we might have been in a better place". Pressed on how the changes would be paid for, Dame Meg acknowledged it would be "a challenge" for the chancellor but added: "We cannot take the money out of the pockets of disabled people who have got no other options."

While Dame Meg is now backing the bill, Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, said she would still be voting against it unless disabled people received further protections - and that she would be "far from the only one". "All of the MPs I've spoken to who signed the recent amendment - across the party, not just on the left - are sticking to their position because we understand that we're answerable to our constituents," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Asked several times on BBC Breakfast whether the row was over, Anna Dixon, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on carers and welfare cuts, said it was "very difficult" to say because the process had been "all quite rushed". One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told BBC Newsnight he was concerned the changes could create a "two-tier" system - a concern echoed by other Labour backbenchers. Tuesday's vote is the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject the bill. The government could still face defeat if 83 Labour backbenchers, along with other opposition parties, attempt to block the bill. If it clears this hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week - rather than days or weeks in front of a committee. Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored savings from the cuts into her Spring Statement - designed to help meet her economic plans - but it is now unclear how the fresh changes will affect these. Ruth Curtice, head of the Resolution Foundation, said the government's U-turn could cost up to £3bn. Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn between 2019 and 2024, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank. It is expected to double to £66bn by 2029 without changes to the system. A Downing Street spokesperson said details of how the changes would be paid for would be set out at the Budget in the autumn, but said that there would be "no permanent increase in borrowing".

This is now the third government U-turn in a month - a major blow to the prime minister's authority. It follows on from Sir Keir reversing cuts to winter fuel payments and ordering a grooming gangs inquiry he initially resisted. One of the main co-ordinators behind the welfare amendment, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC the winter fuel decision had emboldened many of the rebels this time. They told the BBC that MPs "all voted for winter fuel [cuts] and have taken so much grief in our constituencies, so colleagues think: why should I take that on again?" Asked whether there was a pattern to Sir Keir's leadership in which he caves in if "enough people kick up a fuss", a Downing Street spokesman said: "I don't accept that. This is a government that listens." The Tories described the concessions understood to have been offered to Labour rebels as "the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns" from the government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: "Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment." The Liberal Democrats said they would continue to oppose the bill arguing it will "cause immense damage to some of the most vulnerable".

Iranian foreign minister admits serious damage to nuclear sites

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the damage to the nuclear sites was 'excessive'

Khamenei said the US attacks had failed to "accomplish anything significant".

But, just hours earlier, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the strikes did not disrupt the country's nuclear programme. Khamenei was responding to US President Donald Trump's assertion that the bombs had "totally obliterated" three nuclear sites.

Abbas Araghchi told a state broadcaster on Thursday evening that an assessment of the damage is being carried out by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.

Iran's foreign minister has admitted that "excessive and serious" damage was done to the country's nuclear sites in the recent US and Israeli bombings.

The supreme leader, who has been in hiding since the war with Israel began on 13 June, insisted that Trump had "exaggerated" the impact of the bombs, and declared victory over the US and Israel.

But Araghchi's remarks create a different impression.

The foreign minister also said there were no plans to resume nuclear talks with the US. Iran cancelled a scheduled sixth round of talks when Israel began its attacks.

"I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations," he said.

He added that the government was examining what was in the "interest of the Iranian people", saying its approach to diplomacy will take a "new form".

He did not explain what he meant.

In an attempt to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, the Trump administration has discussed the possibility of helping Iran access $30bn to build a civilian-energy-producing nuclear programme, easing sanctions and freeing up billions of dollars in restricted Iranian funds, CNN has reported.

But developments in Iran might obstruct such a move.

On Wednesday, Iran's parliament approved a bill to stop co-operation with the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). If it is implemented, it would mean Iran is no longer committed to allowing nuclear inspectors into its sites.

Israel has said its offensive against Iran was necessary to thwart what it claims are Iranian plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is only intended for civilian purposes.

The US became directly involved in the conflict last weekend, striking facilities in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, before Trump sought to rapidly mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said intelligence gathered by the US and Israel indicated the strikes "significantly damaged the nuclear programme, setting it back by years".

A leaked preliminary Pentagon assessment downplayed the significance of the damage and said the US strikes only set Iran's nuclear programme back by a few months. The leak has been dismissed by the administration.

Iran's health ministry said 610 people were killed during the 12 days of Israel air strikes, while Israeli authorities said 28 were killed in Israel.

'Disgusting' to say UK has two-tier justice system, attorney general tells BBC

Accusations that the UK operates a two-tier justice system emerged following the riots in the summer of 2024, with some arguing that the rioters were treated unduly harshly by police and the courts.

Lord Hermer, who is the government's chief legal adviser, also said he was "untroubled" by criticism of his work as a barrister before entering politics.

In his first major interview, Lord Hermer told the BBC that politicians using the phrase needed to think about the "dangers" they were posing to the UK's "essential institutions".

Claims the UK has two-tier justice are "disgusting" and "wrong", the attorney general has said.

In an interview for a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Starmer's Stormy Year, Lord Hermer said: "What some people were seeking to do, bringing up 'two-tier', was to make a comparison with the way that people were being treated for trying to kill police officers - and I want to reiterate that, kill police officers - with the response to protests on the streets of London.

"You can have views as to whether they're right protests or wrong protests, but they were not producing violence that you could even begin legitimately to compare to what was going on [during] the riots.

"That's where the two-tier comes from."

He rejected the label, and said it was "frankly disgusting" to draw comparisons between police officers trying to defend themselves and communities, and protests or demonstrations.

"I think it's offensive to our police. It's offensive to our crown prosecutors who are trying to apply the law in the best faith. It is offensive to the courts, where independent judges are applying the law to reach the right sentences.

"We don't have a two-tiered justice system. We have one justice system, that is an independent justice system...and I think we all need to get behind it, not seek to undermine it."

In a way that was not immediately obvious during the riots, the claim that Britain operates "two-tier" justice has in the months since become one of the most highly-charged arguments against the prime minister from the right, adopted at times by the Conservatives as well as Reform UK.

Those levelling the accusation argue that the rioters were treated more harshly than some protesters have been, and that the government's decisions to use tough sentences to dissuade the rioting sits uneasily alongside letting more prisoners out early to ease an overcrowding crisis.

Lord Hermer had no political or public profile before his unexpected appointment to the cabinet as attorney general last year.

He had been friends with Sir Keir Starmer since 1996 when they worked at the same barristers' chambers.

Yet he has become one of the most controversial members of the government, in part because of the clients he represented as a human rights lawyer.

Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has urged the prime minister to sack Hermer, saying earlier this month: "Gerry Adams. Shamima Begum. Osama bin Laden's right-hand man. Lord Hermer has spent much of his life defending those who hate Britain."

Responding to that criticism, Lord Hermer said: "The attacks on me are based on the fact that I represented some clients - obviously over 30 years, I represented thousands of clients. But the attacks are [that] I represented some individuals with reprehensible political views.

"It's a bit like attacking a journalist for the person that they're interviewing or a doctor for the nature of their patient. Lawyers are professionally obliged to represent those who come to them for cases.

"You can't say no because you don't like someone's politics. The whole justice system falls apart if you do that. It's really important. So on a kind of political level, I am untroubled by attacks on that."

He added: "Frankly, it tickles most of my family and friends that I'm being portrayed as some huge lefty, because that's not who I am. I'm progressive, and I'm deeply pragmatic in my politics."

Ship on fire in Hull dock - shops and roads closed

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Four fire engines and an aerial platform are being used to tackle the fire on a vessel at Albert Dock in Hull

Crews from Humberside Fire and Rescue are tackling a blaze on a ship docked in Hull. The service said it was called to Albert Dock at 10:22 BST and four fire engines, an aerial platform, Hull Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance are in attendance. The fire started in the cargo hold of the vessel, which was carrying scrap metal, and people were on board but have all been accounted for, a spokesperson for the fire service added. Local residents and businesses have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed. A plume of smoke is visible across the city centre and shops and roads have been closed.

Dale Baxter/BBC Crews from Humberside Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard and Humberside Police are in attendance

Associated British Ports, which runs Albert Dock, said: "We are currently aware of a fire on a vessel in the location of a tenanted area, and we are assisting the fire service with the response." Dale Baxter, a BBC reporter at the scene, identified the vessel as the Altay - a bulk carrier which has been docked in the city since 23 June. He said: "It is quite remarkable. There is an enormous plume of smoke pouring from the ship. "It looks like it is coming from near the bridge and the wind direction is pushing it towards the city centre. "The smell is awful." According to Vessel Finder, a website that tracks the status of ships, Altay was built in 2006 and flies under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Humberside Police has confirmed English Street, Wellington Street, Humber Dock, Kingston Retail Park, Marina and Jackson Street have all been closed as a result of the incident.

Dale Baxter/BBC Humberside Fire and Rescue said the fire started in the cargo hold of the vessel

Dale Baxter/BBC Residents and businesses in the city are being advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke

Becki Bowden/BBC The fire service said all people on board the ship have been accounted for

Amber Gash/BBC Humberside Police has closed roads in the immediate vicinity of the fire

Amber Gash/BBC Shops at Kingston Retail Park have been closed as a result of the smoke coming from the nearby Albert Dock

Unflattering mannequins depicting Jeff Bezos and his bride-to-be Lauren Sanchez have appeared in Venice ahead of the Amazon founder's wedding in Italy.

The installations are the work of an art collective. There have been protests in Venice ahead of the upcoming nuptials, with some angered at a perceived takeover of the city by the super rich.

The Week: A Welfare U-Turn, Nato Summit, and Daddy Issues The Week: A Welfare U-Turn, Nato Summit, and Daddy Issues

Brentford have appointed Keith Andrews as the club's new head coach on a three-year deal following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham.

Andrews, 44, joined the Bees last summer to work under Frank as the club's set-piece coach.

Having previously been on the coaching staff with Sheffield United, MK Dons and the Republic of Ireland, Andrews' appointment is the Irishman's first step into management.

Brentford considered a number of external candidates for the job including Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and Francesco Farioli, who left Ajax last month.

Mercedes driver George Russell headed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Russell, who said on Thursday that Mercedes were talking to Verstappen about the possibility of driving for them next year, was 0.065 seconds quicker than the Dutchman.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri was third fastest, ahead of an impressive performance from 19-year-old Irishman Alex Dunne in the other McLaren.

Dunne, leading the Formula 2 championship this season, is a member of the McLaren young driver programme and was having his first outing at a grand prix in Lando Norris' car.

He was just 0.069secs off Piastri's pace, both running on the soft tyres, although his lap was set slightly later in the session than the Australian's, when the track would have been in better condition.

Both McLaren and Red Bull have taken upgrades to the Red Bull Ring.

McLaren have new front suspension shaping that is aimed at working with a new front wing that was first tested at the last race in Canada.

Red Bull have a new floor edge. Ferrari, for whom Lewis Hamilton was ninth fastest, have a completely redesigned new floor, their first upgrade since Bahrain in April.

Alpine's Pierre Gasly was fifth fastest, ahead of Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto and the Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Russell added to BBC Sport: "Toto has made it clear to me that how I'm performing is as good as anybody.

"There is only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance. These are his words and not my words, and that is why I have no concern about my future.

"But there are two seats to every team and I guess he needs to think who are those two drivers."

Russell's comments imply that his own contract talks with team principal Toto Wolff are being delayed by Mercedes' conversations with the four-time champion.

Verstappen refused to directly comment when he was asked on Thursday whether he would be staying with the team next year.

"I don't think we need to talk about that," he said. "It's not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year."

A move to Mercedes could be interesting for Verstappen because of two key factors - current performance and future potential.

Red Bull have lost the performance edge they had from the start of the latest regulations set in 2022, and since the middle of last year their car has generally not been a match for the McLaren.

Verstappen has said on a number of occasions that he does not believe he is really in the title fight this season. He is third in the championship, 43 points behind the leader, McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Red Bull have also in the past year lost two major figures who were instrumental in their success - design legend Adrian Newey has moved to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is now at Sauber.

McLaren have also signed Red Bull's head strategist Will Courtenay, although he is currently being held to his contract and will not be able to leave until next year.

At the same time, Red Bull are believed within F1 to be behind Mercedes in their development of the new engine that is required for a major rule change next year, which will see new cars and power-units in F1.

Verstappen might believe that Mercedes, who won the last race in Canada with Russell, would be a more competitive proposition from 2026 than Red Bull.

Syrian charged over plot to attack Taylor Swift Vienna concert

Authorities arrested several suspects at the time saying they appeared to have been inspired by IS and al-Qaeda.

Concert organisers called off Taylor Swift's three sold-out gigs on the eve of the first show at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium last year, disappointing tens of thousands of fans during her Eras Tour.

Mohamed A, who is described by German authorities as a juvenile and not in custody, is accused of following the ideology of jihadist group Islamic State (IS) and helping another suspect to prepare the attack.

A young Syrian national has been charged with supporting a foreign terror group over a foiled plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last August.

"Mohammad A has adhered since April 2024 at the latest to the ideology of the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS)," Germany's federal public prosecutor said in a statement.

"Between mid-July and August 2024, he was in contact with a young adult from Austria who was planning a bomb attack on a concert by singer Taylor Swift in Vienna."

Sixty-five thousand fans had bought tickets for Swift's three concerts on 8-10 August, and the singer later apologised for the cancellation, speaking of the "tremendous amount of guilt" she felt. She said she had decided to throw all her energy into the shows at the end of her European tour in London.

The main suspect in the case has been identified as Beran A, who authorities say was part of an IS cell in eastern Austria.

Beran A, who is now 20 and from Ternitz south of Vienna, was arrested before the concerts following a tip-off by the CIA, which said the plotters had hoped to kill a large number of concert-goers.

Investigators allege he had also planned to carry out an earlier attack in Dubai in March 2024.

Reports suggested it was part of a co-ordinated plot involving three simultaneous IS attacks but Beran A had changed his mind at the last minute.

According to the federal prosecutor in Germany, Mohammad A had helped the main suspect with a translation of bomb-making instructions from Arabic as well as making contact with a member of IS abroad over the internet.

He is also accused of providing the text for an oath of allegiance to the main suspect to join IS.