Barriers to employment and a lack of workplace support for disabled people remain persistent challenges, as well as inadequate social security payments for everyone regardless of employment status. Can [Kendall] reassure disabled people that the government’s new support measures will not be conditional on being able to work?
Kendall said:
I understand why disabled people, when they hear talk about helping people into work or reforms to sickness and disability benefits, why they’re worried because of what happened over the last 14 years, we are determined to break down those barriers to work.
I think many disabled people, given the right help and support and the right flexibility to work, could work and want to work.
John Swinney to make bold reforms to Scotland’s tax system, calling on him to increase wealth taxes and scrap the outdated council tax – which remains frozen, putting local authority budgets under extreme pressure too.
Indeed, new research out today from Local Government Information Unit Scotland reveals that 70% of all councils believe they will be unable to pass a balanced budget within the next five years without immediate changes.
Tomorrow Swinney delivers a keynote speech ahead of the budget calling on the country to “pull together in the spirit of collaboration” – but as cuts bite and with more coming down the line that goodwill he seeks will be thin on the ground.
gathered in central London to protest against the decision to levy inheritance tax on some farms for the first time.
Previously, farmland had not been subject to inheritance tax, with ministers saying this has often been used as a tax loophole by wealthy people who buy up agricultural plots. Under the new plans, from April 2026, farmland worth more than £1m will be taxed at 20%, half the usual inheritance tax rate.
Last week, Bradshaw called the tax a “stab in the back” for the sector, saying: “I don’t think I have ever seen the industry this angry, this disillusioned, this upset.”
In a video update to members after the meeting with Starmer, Bradshaw took a more measured tone, while saying he had still pressed the case over the tax changes. He said:
The PM was very much in listening mode, and I hope that he’s able to act on what he’s heard this afternoon, and really understand that when we talk about the very real human impacts.
When we talk about the viability of our family farms, the low returns from producing the country’s food, these are all conversations that we’ve picked up this afternoon.
Saying the conversation also took in food security and trade deals, he added: “The prime minister engaged with us and made time to hear our story. And I really hope this marks a moment where we can move forwards and get to an outcome that works for everyone.”
12.22pm.) She continued:
I can also announce a new national partnership to provide exciting opportunities for young people in sports, arts and culture, starting with some of Britain’s most iconic cultural and sporting organisations including the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Channel 4, building on the brilliant work they already do to inspire and engage the younger generation and get them on the pathway to success.
Kendall later said:
In return for these new opportunities, you have a responsibility to take them up, because being unemployed or lacking basic qualifications when you’re young can harm your job prospects and wages for the rest of your life, and that is not good enough for young people or for our country.
Her measures were reported ahead of her Commons statement.
says he thinks turnout for the assisted dying debate on Friday will be particularly high.
Think turnout on Friday will be unusually high for a private members bill.
I had wondered whether undecided/unsure MPs would stay away. But I’m hearing that many feel – because the issue has punched through so significantly – that they can’t hide from and have to vote.
Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, is just starting her statement about the Get Britain Working white paper. My colleague Sammy Gecsoyler is taking over for a bit, but I will be back later.
Source: theguardian.com
