Reeves ‘failed' to back English councils in spending review, MPs warn

'And that compares to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration from 2010 to 2015 that cut real spending by 2.9% every year, so I'm much happier to stand on my record as Chancellor than what the Liberal Democrats did when they had a chance of being in government.'

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Daily Mail​

39 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

New British Army recruits 'should be paid a £10,000 bonus' to help solve the forces' manpower problems and make UK 'war ready'

Britain should pay new recruits a one-off £10,000 bonus as a way of stopping the British Army haemorrhaging manpower, the Liberal Democrats have suggested. Leader Ed Davey suggested the cash be paid out to new recruits who complete their training and serve for at least two years. Additionally, re-joining bonuses for veterans should be increased to £20,000 to help retain talent, under a scheme that would cost the taxpayer up to £45million. The British Army has struggled to recruit and retain soldiers for years, with the trained personnel strength hitting 70,752 in January this year. Sir Ed, who last week visited British soldiers in Estonia, said the bonuses could be paid to help the force reach 73,000, the level desired in the Government's Strategic Defence Review earlier this week. Sir Ed said that UK troops were doing 'incredible work' amid a growing threat from Russia. But he added: 'It is clear that given the threat of a barbaric Putin and the challenge of an erratic Trump, we need to do more to make Britain war-ready. 'A new bonus scheme is needed to urgently attract new recruits, encourage experienced ex-soldiers back into the Armed Forces and reverse years of short-sighted troop cuts under the Conservatives. 'War readiness also starts at home. That's why I'm calling for a public awareness campaign aimed at every home in Britain – to make sure we're all prepared for the possibility of a conflict or hostile acts such as major cyber attacks. 'We need to also step up cooperation with our European friends, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force, to protect our interests in the Arctic and High North against Putin's imperialism.' Ministers have acknowledged the British Army - and other UK forces - are struggling with numbers. At the start of June Defence Secretary John Healey suggested it might be the 2030s before the 73,000 target was met. Asked when the Army would reach the target he told the BBC: 'We've narrowed the gap, but we've still got more people leaving than joining. 'The first job is to reverse that trend and then I want to see in the next parliament our ability to start to increase the number.'

Belfast Telegraph

2 hours ago

• Belfast Telegraph

Keir Starmer says Kneecap Glastonbury performance is not ‘appropriate'

Bandmate Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, of Belfast was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a London show last year. The band – who have publicly spoken out against Israel's military campaign in Gaza – recently called the terrorism charge a 'distraction'. In a previous statement, Kneecap said: 'Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.' Asked by The Sun if he thought Kneecap should perform at Glastonbury, Starmer said: 'No I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this. 'This is about the threats that shouldn't be made. I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' The band are due to perform at the music festival next Saturday (28 June). The Independent has contacted a representative of Glastonbury for comment. Responding to the prime minister's comments on Saturday evening (21 June), Kneecap wrote on social media: 'You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide. F*** The Sun and solidarity with Palestine Action.' Earlier this week, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she is preparing to proscribe the direct action group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action after the group's vandalism of two planes at an RAF base. Israel has strongly denied allegations of genocide. On Saturday (21 June), Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch, who previously called for the group to be banned from the festival, said that the BBC should not broadcast Kneecap's Glastonbury performance. In a post on X, accompanied by an article from the Times that claimed the BBC had not banned the group, Badenoch said: 'The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. 'As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.' Kneecap Glastonbury slot 'not appropriate', says Starmer A BBC spokesperson told The Guardian: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. 'Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our output will be made in the lead-up to the festival.' Last year the band won a discrimination case against the UK government after Badendoch tried to block a £14,250 funding award when she was a minister in the previous government. On Wednesday (18 June), Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh at Westminster magistrates court in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. He has been released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on 20 August. Following the hearing, the rapper said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September. But most importantly: free, free Palestine.' Kneecap have been active since 2017. The band – which is composed of Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh – rap mostly in Irish. They released their first single 'CEARTA' (Irish for 'rights') in 2017, followed by their debut album the following year.

The Independent

4 hours ago

• The Independent

Almost a quarter of privately rented homes in UK fail to meet basic living standards

New analysis reveals almost a quarter of privately rented Homes in the UK, over a million properties, fail to meet basic living standards. This includes nearly half a million Homes with Category 1 hazards, posing serious and immediate risks to health and safety, alongside issues like poor thermal comfort and disrepair. The findings are highlighted as the UK experiences high temperatures, raising concerns about the safety and liveability of these substandard Homes. The Liberal Democrats, who commissioned the research, are advocating for a new insulation program and an immediate ban on no-fault evictions. The government is addressing the issue through a new Renters' Rights Bill, aiming to end no-fault evictions and enforce the Decent Homes Standard in the private rental sector.