Sir Keir Starmer has invited Labour MPs for crunch No10 talks as the Prime Minister tries to prevent a potential rebellion over his plan to cut Britain’s benefits bill.
Downing Street will host roundtable discussions on Wednesday and Thursday after as many as 80 Labour MPs were reportedly preparing to defy the Prime Minister’s plan to curb welfare spending.
The 30-minute discussions are being hosted by the Downing Street Policy Unit, ITV News has revealed.
Starmer was just yesterday spooked into pushing back his crunch benefits vote to next week.
The decision came after the Prime Minister handed Labour MPs an ultimatum.
Addressing Labour MPs behind closed doors on Monday night, the Starmer said: “We’ve found ourselves in a worst of all worlds situation – with the wrong incentives – discouraging people from working, the taxpayer funding a spiralling bill, £70billion a year by 2030.”
He added: “That’s unsustainable, it’s indefensible and it is unfair, people feel that in their bones.
“It runs contrary to those deep British values that if you can work, you should. And if you want to work, the Government should support you, not stop you.”
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
UK disappointed at US tariffs, Business Secretary says
Jonathan Reynolds has described Donald Trump’s decision to impose global tariffs on steel and aluminium as “disappointing” and said “all options” are on the table to respond in the national interest.
Britain has resisted taking immediate retaliatory action against the move, while the European Union has already announced it will introduce counter-measures on American goods.
The tariffs came into effect at midnight in the US, around 4am GMT, and raise a flat duty on steel and aluminium entering America to 25 per cent.
The Business Secretary said: “It’s disappointing the US has today imposed global tariffs on steel and aluminium.
“We are focused on a pragmatic approach and are rapidly negotiating a wider economic agreement with the US to eliminate additional tariffs and to benefit UK businesses and our economy.
“Meanwhile we remain resolute in our support for UK industry. This Government is working with affected companies today, and I back industry’s application to the Trade Remedies Authority to investigate what further steps might be necessary to protect UK producers.”
Donald Trump slaps UK with 25% tariffs despite Keir Starmer’s pleas to not target British business
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump
REUTERS
US President Donald Trump has dragged the UK into his global trade war after slapping a 25 per cent tariffs on worldwide steel and aluminium imports.
The decision comes despite Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to the White House last month, with the Prime Minister handing Trump an invite for a state visit.
Downing Street officials said the UK will take a “cool-headed” approach to a potential trade dispute.