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New Statesman
5 days ago
- Business
- New Statesman
Labour is heading for war over welfare cuts
Photo by Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool / Getty Images After the celebration, the hangover. Rachel Reeves' £300bn Spending Review gave Labour MPs plenty to cheer but reality soon intruded. GDP was revealed to have shrunk by 0.3 per cent in April (as Donald Trump's tariffs and higher taxes depressed growth). Israel and Iran's escalating conflict has only further darkened the global outlook. How, in this climate, will Reeves' largesse be paid for? Higher taxes are one answer (the Treasury is already compiling potential revenue raisers ahead of this autumn's Budget); the other is more cuts. When Keir Starmer last month U-turned on winter fuel payments and indicated his intent to abolish the two-child benefit limit, some inside Labour questioned whether the government's welfare bill would ever emerge. But the answer will become clear this week with legislation due to be published on Wednesday ahead of a vote next month. No 10 maintains that there is not just a fiscal case but a moral case for the bill. 'Winter fuel was a policy that was forced on us in a difficult situation at the start,' an aide told me. 'Welfare reform is an argument that we want to make about how to protect the most vulnerable and how to help people into work.' Starmer himself is moved to passion on this question, telling the cabinet earlier this year that there is 'nothing progressive' about a system in which one in eight young people are not in employment, education or training, and one in ten working-age people are claiming at least one type of health or disability benefit (with spending projected to rise from £48.5bn in 2023-24 to £75.7bn in 2029-30). But he faces the biggest revolt of his premiership to date. Forty-two Labour MPs have signed a public letter describing the £5bn cuts – which would see 370,000 current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants and 430,000 future ones lose an average of £4,500 – as 'impossible to support'. More than 100 have signed a private letter to the Chief Whip ('none of us are consistent rebels,' they emphasise), warning that they too are unable to endorse the proposals. Here is why a government with a Commons majority of 165 seats has been forced to contemplate the possibility of defeat (with Downing Street also primed for ministerial resignations). The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall – who faces the defining test of her political career – has sought to contain the rebellion by offering an 'olive branch' to critics. Those who no longer qualify for PIP would continue to receive payments for 13 weeks (rather than the standard four) and those with lifelong conditions or fewer than 12 months to live would automatically receive a higher rate of Universal Credit and be exempt from reassessments. By the end of the parliament, No 10 points out, there will still be an extra 750,000 people receiving PIP. Yet most MPs remain unmoved. 'The hang-tough position dressed up as concessions won't wash,' one soft-left figure told me. 'MPs know how this stuff works and can't be fobbed off.' Many privately warn that only a change in the assessment criteria would persuade them to support the bill. At present individuals who need help dressing, washing and feeding themselves would no longer receive PIP. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe What lies ahead is nothing less than a battle over Labour's founding purpose. For some – as cabinet ministers often like to put it, 'the clue is in the name' – this is the party of work, not welfare. Others riposte that Labour's duty is precisely to support those unable to support themselves. Kendall's task is to convince rebels that her bill does. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: Impunity is fuelling Israel's spiralling aggression] Related
New Statesman
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
AI, employment, and the UK's industrial strategy
Photo by WPA Pool / Getty AI has emerged as both a panacea and the harbinger of a dystopian future. For policymakers crafting Britain's industrial future, the challenge is fully burnishing one side of that coin, while minimising exposure to the other. Nowhere is this more evident than in the UK's Invest 2035 strategy, setting out a vision of economic renewal rooted in advanced technologies and regional growth. 'Jobs will be at the heart of our modern industrial strategy,' wrote Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in their foreword to the strategy's draft consultation. At the same time, it promises 'an ambitious approach to grow the AI sector and drive responsible adoption across the economy'. The question is how, or whether, those two ambitions can fully succeed in tandem. PwC's latest Global AI Jobs Barometer, published in early June, analysed close to a billion job postings across six continents. It found that demand for roles with high AI exposure expanded at a slower pace than those less affected by AI. The gap between these groups has widened since 2020, with jobs least exposed to AI experiencing a surge in listings. Invest 2035 focuses on eight 'growth-driving' sectors that are undoubtedly seeing greater AI penetration: advanced manufacturing; clean energy; the creative industries; defence; digital and technologies; financial services; life sciences; and professional and business services. PwC's report also found that roles with substantial AI exposure have undergone significantly more changes in skill requirements over the past five years. If jobs are to be at the heart of this new economy, one major challenge is how the UK equips its current and emerging workforce to fully engage. The government's primary response to such questions lies with Skills England. Formally launched in 2024, the body is tasked with coordinating a fragmented post-16 skills system, and aligning it more closely with national economic priorities – including, crucially, the opportunities and risks posed by AI. With a mandate to 'drive forward a skills system that meets the needs of employers, learners and the wider economy', it is a key lever in delivering not just more jobs, but better ones. 'Skills England… will ensure that our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the modern economy,' Phil Smith, Skills England chair, told MPs in a parliamentary debate in February. The idea of lifelong learning – once a political platitude – has become a central pillar of this transition. As the economic landscape shifts faster than traditional education systems can keep pace with, workers increasingly need access to flexible, modular training that fits around existing jobs and responsibilities. Yet, as the IPPR has pointed out, the UK's investment in adult skills still lags behind many OECD peers. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe In a widely discussed 2024 report on AI and labour market disruption, the IPPR argued that the UK faces a binary future. 'Already existing generative AI could lead to big labour market disruption or it could hugely boost economic growth. Either way, it is set to be a gamechanger for millions of us,' said senior economist Carsten Jung. In that sense, industrial strategy cannot be separated from social policy. The government's proposed Advanced British Standard – a unified post-16 qualification intended to replace A-levels and T-levels – must prepare young people not only with subject knowledge but with the adaptability and analytical skills required in a rapidly evolving labour market. As automation touches roles from radiology to retail, the core employability question shifts from what you know to how quickly you can learn. That shift is not evenly distributed across society. In towns with industrial legacies or fragile labour markets, AI is more likely to displace than create jobs – unless there is targeted, place-based intervention. Invest 2035 makes regional rebalancing a core ambition. But the delivery depends on ensuring that skills provision reaches not just growing tech clusters but also under-served communities. Community learning providers like the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) have a role not just in teaching but in building confidence and trust – especially for older or insecure workers who may feel alienated by the pace of technological change. WEA chief executive Simon Parkinson has called for long-term policy and funding stability so providers can scale up their work: taking training 'to where people are, not where policy is most comfortable'. There are, however, lingering gaps between strategy and delivery. While government rhetoric supports 'responsible adoption' of AI, it remains vague on how to mitigate job displacement in sectors most vulnerable to automation. Some analysts argue that Invest 2035, like its predecessors, risks overstating short-term innovation gains while underestimating longer-term disruption. Meanwhile, employer responsibility remains a crucial, under-addressed issue. If businesses are to adopt AI in a way that benefits workers, not just bottom lines, they must be incentivised to invest in staff retraining. At present, many treat upskilling as an externality – a public good best delivered by someone else. Models such as Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), designed to give employers a greater role in shaping local post-16 training, have potential, but questions have been raised in regards to consistency of ambition and effectiveness. Without stronger national coordination, these initiatives may amount to well-meaning but fragmented efforts, rather than transformative change. Indeed, the overarching challenge is neither technological nor economic – it is political. AI, like past waves of automation, will not distribute its rewards evenly or inevitably. The outcome will depend on the state's ability to shape markets and institutions in the public interest. 'AI… will transform jobs, destroy old ones, create new ones, trigger the development of new products and services and allow us to do things we could not do before,' Jung writes in 2025's The New Politics of AI: Why Fast Technological Change Requires Bold Policy Targets. 'But given its immense potential for change, it is important to steer it towards helping us solve big societal problems.' Invest 2035 boasts similarly grandiose ambitions. Its success will not rest on ambition alone, however, but on how convincingly it connects the dots between technology, training and trust. For AI and jobs to serve as dual engines of growth, the UK must resist the temptation to treat them as separate problems. They are, in reality, two faces of the same future. Related
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Kate Was Mistaken for Prince William's Assistant—& Her Response Deserves a Crown
Since their marriage in 2011, Prince William and Princess Catherine have been inseparable. They've embarked on numerous tours around the world, in addition to extensive charity work in the United Kingdom. The pair, known to be quite affable, showed their humorous side in a recently resurfaced quip during a 2020 trip to Cardiff. In particular, it was Princess Catherine who came in with a lighthearted line in response to an innocent misidentification. WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images In 2020, the royal couple paid a visit to Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. There, they reunited with Joan Drew-Smith (pictured above), a resident who had previously participated in an online bingo event the prince and princess had hosted. Per Hello!, after reuniting, Prince William said to Drew-Smith, "Hello Joan, do you remember we did the bingo with you? You said we weren't very good!" "Yes. You did a bloody s****y job," was the elderly resident's spry reply. WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images Because of the pandemic, the then duke and duchess were both sporting face masks. Prince William explained this to Drew-Smith: "We have to wear masks because of the virus, but it's difficult to hear sometimes when you can't see someone's mouth." The gear lead to a quirky mix-up, when Drew-Smith then gestured to the Princess of Wales and quipped, "Is that your assistant?" Ever graceful, Princess Catherine laughed and said, ""Well I am your assistant! I have been for a long time!" as she affectionately put a hand on her husband's shoulder. The now-Prince of Wales was far from offended, later remarking, "I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone was as honest as her." More recently, Their Royal Highnesses attended the naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow in Scotland last week. "A pleasure to meet with members of the Ship's Company and their families, as well as BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy apprentices and graduates, and some of the incredibly skillful teams involved in the building of the ship," they wrote on Instagram. The photo shows the pair debarking from the plank, steps in synch. Proving, as always, that they've got each others' backs. Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here. Kate Middleton Stuns on Palace Walk, But I Can't Get Over What She's Wearing (And I Don't Mean That Dress)
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Businesses demand action to boost growth as Scotland falls behind UK as a whole
Economy shrinks in February and March with GDP growth for first quarter sluggish, new Scottish Government data reveals Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Business leaders have called for growth to be the 'top priority' at Holyrood and Westminster after it emerged Scotland's economy shrank in February and March and has fallen behind the UK as a whole. Data published by the Scottish Government reveals GDP fell 0.2 per cent in March, following a similar drop of 0.2 per cent in February, prompting Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to demand 'decisive action' from the UK Government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The figures also reveal that over the first three months of this year, growth increased 0.4 per cent in Scotland - below the 0.7 per cent recorded for the UK as a whole over the same period. The governments of Keir Starmer and John Swinney need to have a proper working relationship (Picture: Andy Buchanan/WPA Pool) | Getty Images Ms Forbes insisted Labour ministers need to 'counter the damaging economic impacts of Brexit' and also reverse the recent hike in employer national insurance contributions. She said the Scottish Government has only 'limited powers' over the economy. Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill insisted it is 'absolutely essential' that both the Scottish and UK governments 'work together to deliver better jobs, wages and opportunities for the people of Scotland'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Firms 'expect situation to get worse' Her call was echoed by Colin Borland, director of devolved nations at the Federation of Small Businesses, who warned that most small firms expected the situation to deteriorate further. Mr Borland said: 'We saw the first signs of confidence starting to return among small business owners in Scotland during the first quarter, after our Small Business Index (SBI) hit a four-year low at the end of last year. However, that returning confidence remains fragile – with more small businesses still expecting things to get worse before they get better – so it needs to be nurtured. 'That requires all levels of government from Westminster and Holyrood through to local councils to keep a clear focus on the impact of their policies on small businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Growth needs to be everyone's top priority. At a UK level, that includes looking again at the parts of the Employment Rights Bill that threaten to put smaller employers off taking a chance on hiring new recruits and removing barriers to business finance. 'For the Scottish Government and local authorities, it means delivering on promises to carefully assess the small business impact before adopting new regulations, taxes or policies.' For the period January to March, Scotland's services sector – which makes up the bulk of the economy – grew by 0.5 per cent, while the production sector grew by 0.3 per cent. The construction sector was flat with 0 per cent growth recorded, while the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector contracted 0.4 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Looking at March alone, output in the services sector was flat at 0% growth, while the production sector shrank by 1.6 per cent. However the construction sector expanded by 0.3 per cent. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes | PA Mr Forbes, who has responsibility for the economy within the Scottish Government, stressed the figures for the first quarter of 2025 are 'encouraging' when compared to the 0.1 per cent growth recorded over October to December 2024, and said they show quarterly growth 'getting stronger'. She added: 'In the face of ongoing global challenges, dynamic steps are being taken to grow and transform Scotland's economy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are pursuing new investment, building export potential and supporting innovation. Last week the First Minister announced that US green aircraft engine developer ZeroAvia is to establish a new manufacturing base in Scotland, creating around 350 jobs. 'Meanwhile, our Programme for Government includes a six-point export plan to help businesses tap into new markets and increase sales.' 'Limited' powers for Scottish ministers But she added the Scottish Government's 'limited' powers mean 'decisive action' is needed from the UK Government to 'counter the damaging economic impacts of Brexit and tackle the economic uncertainty currently being felt by business, workers and families'. This action from Westminster must include reversing the 'damaging decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions', the Deputy First Minister insisted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms McNeill made clear however that 'Scotland's growth must not lag behind the rest of the UK'. She said: 'The UK government ended austerity in Scotland with a record £50 billion block grant in 25-26 for the Scottish Government to spend on public services. 'Meanwhile our Brand Scotland trade missions are promoting Scotland's goods and services on the world stage to encourage further growth and investment, and our forthcoming industrial and trade strategies will create opportunities for people right across the UK.' Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill | PA She also said the UK Government's Plan for Change is 'working by kick-starting economic growth and putting more money in people's pockets'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms McNeill added: 'There's been an annual pay rise of around £1,400 for up to 220,000 Scottish workers and an end to zero-hours contracts for nearly 80,000 Scots thanks to our ground-breaking Employment Rights Bill.' READ MORE: Why a Fair Banking Act would create a more inclusive economy Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for finance and local government Craig Hoy said governments in both Edinburgh and London were to blame for Scotland falling behind the UK as a whole. He said: 'Growth across the UK has been badly hit by Labour's disastrous budget and their National Insurance tax rise. But under the SNP Scotland is lagging behind even those sluggish figures. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Two left-wing governments to blame' 'Thanks to the SNP's higher tax rate, excessive regulations and failure to pass on rates relief, Scottish businesses are at a disadvantage. Thanks to the policies of two left-wing governments, economic growth has stalled, while Scottish firms and households are paying more to get less.' Kevin Brown, Savings Specialist at Scottish Friendly, said: 'March's GDP figures show Scotland trailing the wider UK, which is disappointing but not disastrous, and certainly isn't a signal to panic. 'The gap between Scotland and the UK isn't huge, and with the right conditions – stable inflation, improved consumer confidence, and no escalation in global trade tensions – growth could quickly pick up.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Late Queen's dessert has ingredient that may lower blood pressure
The dish was made for the late Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother (Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images) Tom Parker Bowles has revealed the quirky story behind one Royal Family dessert. The 50-year-old reflected on the incident involving the late Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, which caused quite a stir at Clarence House. The situation came about when their cherished chef, Alma McKee, served a delicious meat course for lunch but accidentally forgot about dessert. Frantically scrambling for something to whip up, her eyes landed on some bananas. Detailing the account in his book, 'Cooking & The Crown', Tom wrote: "The meat course had gone up, when she suddenly realised there was no pudding. I can remember there was a certain amount of panic about what to do next. Save, that is, for a few bananas." Tom Parker Bowles explained how the quirky dessert made for Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother came about (Image: (Image: Getty)) Dubbed 'Bananes au Caramel', this straightforward but tasty creation by Alma requires just the following ingredients: Bananas Caster sugar Butter Golden syrup Double cream For those eager to experiment with some royal cooking, Tom outlines the process. To kick things off, cut up the bananas and toss them in a bit of caster sugar—around two tablespoons worth. These sugary slices should then be gently fried in some butter over medium heat until they take on a caramelised colour. Following this step, it's essential to let the banana pieces sit for around 60 seconds before mixing them with around 100ml of double cream. For serving perfection, spoon them into sundae glasses and allow them to chill in the fridge. And if you're feeling extra indulgent, you might even make some caramel drizzle for the finishing touch. "Break the hardened syrup into small shards, sprinkle over the banana and serve immediately," Tom wrote. While 'Bananes au Caramel' is undoubtedly a very sugary dessert, bananas in general are often lauded by health experts for their various perks. This is primarily attributed to their hefty potassium levels - a mineral tied to possible reductions in blood pressure. Tom Parker Bowles is Queen Camilla's son (Image: Getty Images) Right now, estimates suggest that approximately 4.2 million adults in England have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Left unmanaged, it can lead to serious health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney dysfunction, and vascular dementia. "Bananas are a great source of potassium, with a medium banana providing 10% of the DV," experts at Healthline claim. "A 2017 study in mice also suggests that potassium may lower the risk of heart disease by 27%. Additionally, bananas contain 8% of the DV for magnesium, another important mineral for heart health." Tom's book, 'Cooking and The Crown,' boasts more than 100 culinary delights spanning from Queen Victoria's era to King Charles III's reign, according to the Express. Although it includes some extravagant dishes like 'Pommes Elizabeth' and 'Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises', there are plenty of simpler dishes to try at home. More information can be found here.
