Latest news with #LisaNandy
The National
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Pro-Palestinian activists on scooters attack UK military aircraft after breaking into air base
Pro- Palestinian protesters claim to have attacked British military aircraft at a Royal Air Force base, in what appears to be a major security breach. Video posted on X by the Palestine Action network appears to show activists on electric scooters racing across the tarmac towards cargo planes at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, southern England. They can then be seen attacking the engine of a Voyager aircraft with repurposed fire extinguishers that sprayed red paint. They said they caused further damage with crowbars. Paint was also sprayed on the runway. The activists claim to have escaped without detection. The group says that it has damaged two aircraft and referenced flights that depart daily from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. 'From Cyprus, British planes collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons to commit genocide in Gaza,' said Palestinian Action in its post. 'Not only did actionists manage to break into Britain's largest air force base, they also escaped undetected. Ordinary people can take direct action to intervene in the genocide.' They said putting the planes out of service had interrupted Britain's direct participation in 'genocide and war crimes across the Middle East'. RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy described the incident as 'deeply, deeply concerning'. During the morning media round, she said it appeared to be a 'very bad choice of behaviour' that would probably result in very tough action being taken and 'frankly, cracking down on people who think they can treat national security with that level of disregard.' Mark Francois, the opposition Conservative Party shadow armed forces minister, said there are 'serious questions' for the Ministry of Defence to answer about how 'protesters, who might even have turned out to be armed terrorists, were able to gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase'. The Ministry of Defence said: 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating. 'Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' The statement came as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister and European allies as the UK presses for a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Iran conflict. Mr Lammy will meet Abbas Araghchi on Friday alongside his counterparts from France, Germany and the EU as he seeks to negotiate a settlement before US President Donald Trump decides whether to take military action against Tehran. A group of 96 UK parliamentarians are demanding stronger economic action against Israel, following Britain's recent moves to impose sanctions on individual Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and suspend new trade talks. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, the parliamentarians, including 72 MPs, expressed 'grave concern' over the 'relentless violence against Palestinians' across Gaza, occupied East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Mr Starmer recently changed his tone on Gaza, describing the humanitarian crisis as 'intolerable' and 'appalling'.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Oasis issue ticket warning ahead of Cardiff gigs
Oasis issue ticket warning ahead of Cardiff gigs It comes after tickets were sold for thousands of pounds last August, which left Noel Gallagher 'taken aback' Oasis fans can still secure tickets now (Image: (Image: GETTY) ) British rock band Oasis has issued a ticket resale warning to fans. Their highly anticipated reunion tour is just around the corner, with their two first gigs taking place at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5. The band has now confirmed that fan-to-fan ticket resale site, Tickets, is the official ticket resale partner for Oasis Live '25 tour. In a post shared on their Instagram page, the caption read: "Wanting to buy? Be aware of fraudulent sellers on social media… Tickets can ONLY be resold legally, at face value, through Twickets or Ticketmaster." When tickets went on sale last August, the band revealed efforts to prevent touts from reselling tickets at inflated prices, by partnering up with resale platform, Twickets. However, when tickets went on sale, it was reported that 4% of them, which is around 50,000, were sold on resale sites. Some tickets, which popped up on secondary ticket sites, were sold for £10,000. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . In response, the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the inflated selling of the tickets as "incredibly depressing" and announced that surge pricing would be included in a UK Government review of the ticket sales market, which you can read more about here. Article continues below On social media, the band wrote: "We have noticed people attempting to sell tickets on the secondary market since the start of the pre-sale. Please note, tickets can only be resold, at face value, via Ticketmaster and Twickets." Content cannot be displayed without consent In February, thousands of tickets were then cancelled by Ticketmaster in an attempt to crackdown on bots, but many fans claimed they had been targeted wrongfully. In March, Noel Gallagher shared his response to the chaos, saying he was "taken aback". He told NME: "I thought it'd be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how much of a big deal it was". There was incredibly high demand for Oasis tickets with the gigs selling out very quickly. Article continues below While you can still get your hands on Oasis tickets, they are not going to be cheap.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Whip's resignation over disability benefit cuts not a sign of major rebellion, Nandy says
Downing Street will not suffer a major rebellion when MPs vote next month on cuts to disability benefits, Lisa Nandy has insisted, despite the resignation of a government whip on Thursday. The culture secretary said Vicky Foxcroft, who resigned from the government saying she could not vote for the controversial measures, was the only frontbench MP she knew of who had been thinking of quitting. Despite 170 Labour MPs having expressed concerns about the bill, which will make it harder for disabled people to claim personal independence payments (Pips), Nandy said the government was not expecting many other Labour MPs to defy the whip. Asked on Friday whether she was detecting signs of a major rebellion, Nandy told BBC Breakfast: 'I'm not. It would be wrong to say that, when you bring forward big reforms there aren't concerns and there aren't dissenting voices, of course there are. But Vicky is the only frontbencher that I've had a conversation with about resigning.' Asked how many backbench Labour MPs had approached her with worries about the plans, she said: 'A handful have expressed concerns about the detail, and I'm really confident that we've listened and we've put forward a package that is absolutely right.' Foxcroft said on Thursday night she was unable to do her job as a whip because she disagreed with the changes and did not believe that cuts were part of the solution to rising inactivity. The changes, which are at the centre of a £4.8bn welfare reduction programme, will mean even people who are unable to wash half their body or cook a meal will be denied the payments if they have no other impairments. In a letter to the prime minister, Foxcroft said the benefits system was 'in desperate need of reform' but that her pre-election experience as shadow disability minister had shown her the struggles of disabled people were 'even tougher than I had imagined'. Nandy said the measures were about helping people back to work rather than making immediate savings to the welfare bill, even though the benefit is paid regardless of employment status. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Lots of people want to work and just can't at the moment, because we're not helping them to do so. I think we've struck the right balance between that and protecting people who will never be able to work.' Ministers have previously said the Pip cuts are being made to make the system more financially sustainable.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Minister insists no major welfare rebellion on the horizon after whip quits
A Cabinet minister has insisted a major rebellion over welfare is not on the cards after a Government whip resigned over proposed cuts to disability benefits. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Vicky Foxcroft was the only frontbencher who had spoken to her about resigning. MPs must 'look to their conscience' when deciding how to vote, Ms Nandy said, but added that the Government believes the Commons will back the reforms. Lewisham North MP Ms Foxcroft said she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill' but did not believe the proposed cuts 'should be part of the solution', in her resignation letter to the Prime Minister. Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system, which are expected to save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Nandy said a 'handful' of backbench MPs had expressed concerns to her about the 'detail' of the Bill, but added she was confident the Government had listened and the package of reforms was 'absolutely right'. 'It would be wrong to say that when you bring forward big reforms, there aren't concerns and there aren't dissenting voices, of course there are. But Vicky is the only frontbencher that I've had a conversation with about resigning,' she told BBC Breakfast. She told Times Radio that Ms Foxcroft 'did the honourable thing' by standing down. 'If you can't stick with collective responsibility in Government, you have to resign. 'She's done the honourable thing. It will enable her to have a voice, and she – as the former shadow disabilities minister – is very keen to use it. 'But I think most Labour MPs, including her, agree with the principle of the reforms that we're making.' She added: 'It's now up to every MP, as it always is at moments of major reform, to look to their conscience and vote the way that they believe is right. 'And we believe this package of reforms are right and will carry the confidence of the House.' Ms Foxcroft is the second Labour frontbencher to go in protest over policy issues after Anneliese Dodds quit as development minister over cuts to the aid budget. Rebel Labour MPs welcomed Ms Foxcroft's decision, with Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash saying he had the 'utmost respect' for her 'principled stand' and Crewe and Nantwich's Connor Naismith saying it 'must have been an incredibly difficult decision but she should be commended for standing by her principles'. She said she had wrestled with whether to resign or remain in the Government and 'fight from within'. 'Sadly it… now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances.' Legislation introduced into Parliament on Wednesday includes a tightening of the criteria for the main disability payment in England, the personal independence payment (Pip). Ministers also want to cut the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC), and delay access to it so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, but dozens of Labour rebels said last month that the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Pip is aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data published on Tuesday showed 3.7 million people in England and Wales claimed Pip, up from 2.05 million in 2019, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion of claimants. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government's proposals, according to an impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's legislation. The assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/30, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Responding to Ms Foxcroft's resignation, a Government spokesperson said: 'This Labour Government was elected to deliver change. The broken welfare system we inherited is failing the sick and most vulnerable and holding too many young people back. It is fair and responsible to fix it. 'Our principled reforms will ensure those who can work should, that those who want to work are properly supported, and that those with most severe disabilities and health conditions are protected.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minister insists no major welfare rebellion on the horizon after whip quits
A Cabinet minister has insisted a major rebellion over welfare is not on the cards after a Government whip resigned over proposed cuts to disability benefits. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Vicky Foxcroft was the only frontbencher who had spoken to her about resigning. MPs must 'look to their conscience' when deciding how to vote, Ms Nandy said, but added that the Government believes the Commons will back the reforms. Lewisham North MP Ms Foxcroft said she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill' but did not believe the proposed cuts 'should be part of the solution', in her resignation letter to the Prime Minister. Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system, which are expected to save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Nandy said a 'handful' of backbench MPs had expressed concerns to her about the 'detail' of the Bill, but added she was confident the Government had listened and the package of reforms was 'absolutely right'. 'It would be wrong to say that when you bring forward big reforms, there aren't concerns and there aren't dissenting voices, of course there are. But Vicky is the only frontbencher that I've had a conversation with about resigning,' she told BBC Breakfast. She told Times Radio that Ms Foxcroft 'did the honourable thing' by standing down. 'If you can't stick with collective responsibility in Government, you have to resign. 'She's done the honourable thing. It will enable her to have a voice, and she – as the former shadow disabilities minister – is very keen to use it. 'But I think most Labour MPs, including her, agree with the principle of the reforms that we're making.' She added: 'It's now up to every MP, as it always is at moments of major reform, to look to their conscience and vote the way that they believe is right. 'And we believe this package of reforms are right and will carry the confidence of the House.' Ms Foxcroft is the second Labour frontbencher to go in protest over policy issues after Anneliese Dodds quit as development minister over cuts to the aid budget. Rebel Labour MPs welcomed Ms Foxcroft's decision, with Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash saying he had the 'utmost respect' for her 'principled stand' and Crewe and Nantwich's Connor Naismith saying it 'must have been an incredibly difficult decision but she should be commended for standing by her principles'. She said she had wrestled with whether to resign or remain in the Government and 'fight from within'. 'Sadly it… now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances.' Legislation introduced into Parliament on Wednesday includes a tightening of the criteria for the main disability payment in England, the personal independence payment (Pip). Ministers also want to cut the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC), and delay access to it so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, but dozens of Labour rebels said last month that the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Pip is aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data published on Tuesday showed 3.7 million people in England and Wales claimed Pip, up from 2.05 million in 2019, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion of claimants. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government's proposals, according to an impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's legislation. The assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/30, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Responding to Ms Foxcroft's resignation, a Government spokesperson said: 'This Labour Government was elected to deliver change. The broken welfare system we inherited is failing the sick and most vulnerable and holding too many young people back. It is fair and responsible to fix it. 'Our principled reforms will ensure those who can work should, that those who want to work are properly supported, and that those with most severe disabilities and health conditions are protected.'
