Rachel Reeves is set to scrap the two-child benefit cap in the upcoming autumn budget, reports suggest.
According to The Guardian, both the prime minister and the chancellor are looking to accept recommendations from the child poverty taskforce, which is expected to say the lifting of the controversial policy would be one of the most effective ways to bring hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
Officials are exploring the options for a tapered system, which could see families receive decreasing amounts of benefit for each child in a bid to mitigate costs of large families, the newspaper reports.
It comes after chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour would “reduce child poverty, but we’ve also got to make sure the numbers add up” during the party’s annual conference on Tuesday.
The two-child benefit policy has come under extreme scrutiny from inside the party, with seven MPs losing the whip in July 2024 after voting against the cap.
Last week, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham called for the policy to be axed in what many perceived as a direct challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. Notably, Mr Burnham was pictured leaving the Labour conference shortly before the prime minister’s keynote speech on Tuesday afternoon.
Key Points
- Farage 'doesn't like Britain', Starmer tells party conference
- Starmer ditches Blair's target for half school leavers to attend university
- Farage is the 'enemy of national renewal', says Starmer
- Prime minister: ‘Choose my decency over Farage’s division’
- Andy Burnham leaves conference before Starmer's speech
- Farage is a 'snake oil salesman', Streeting says in attack on Reform leader
Watch: Farage hits out at Starmer after prime minister says Reform immigration policy is ‘racist’
19:38 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLabour risks losing backers to Your Party, John McDonnell warns
19:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLabour risks losing its backers to Jeremy Corbyn’s new Your Party, John McDonnell has warned.
Mr McDonnell, who was Mr Corbyn’s shadow chancellor when he was Labour leader, said of his own party: “The tactic that they’re using at the moment, the strategy they’re using, is the old traditional one from the right – ‘don’t worry about those who vote Labour, because they’ll always vote Labour, there’s nowhere else for them to go – so let’s target Reform’.
“It’s a catastrophic mistake because … there is somewhere else to go, both in terms of the Greens and possibly the new party that Jeremy is establishing.
“The more you shift to the right, particularly the racist right, the more you will lose our support and our biggest problem at the moment … is the stay-at-home vote.”
Speaking at a Labour conference fringe event, the Hayes and Harlington MP added: “The biggest hope that we’ve got now is that the Budget is a huge Budget, a transformative Budget.”
He called for Labour in government to consider a “windfall tax on the banks and the finance houses”, and to “start talking about land value taxation”.
Turning to a proposed community engagement, such as volunteering, requirement to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, Mr McDonnell said: “Please, please stop making these mistakes.”
He urged Labour’s top team in Westminster to “start listening” to backbenchers and warned that “individual constituency MPs were coming back and telling them these policies were a disaster, but they never listened to them”.
Streeting: Nigel Farage 'acting like the biggest snowflake'
19:13 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWes Streeting has accused Nigel Farage of “acting like the biggest snowflake”.
Speaking at a fringe event hosted by Times Radio, the Health Secretary said: “For someone who is so plain speaking, Nigel Farage has this knack, when he’s called out, of acting like the biggest snowflake.”
Referring to Mr Farage’s response to the Prime Minister’s speech, Mr Streeting said the Reform UK leader has “main character energy”, which means he cannot let someone be the centre of the news.
Campaigners welcome reports Reeves set to scrap two-child benefit cap
19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCampaigners have welcomed the news the two-child benefit cap limit might be lifted during the autumn budget, but said the cap must be scrapped entirely.
Lord John Bird, Big Issue founder and crossbench peer, said: “We must build on this bold first step to smash the systems that entrench children in poverty and rob them of their potential – which means scrapping the cap in full.
“Tapered versions of the cap will not be enough to deliver Labour’s ambitious promise to reduce child poverty.
“We need proper, measurable targets to keep up this promising momentum and propel further action that can truly shift this malignant poverty crisis.”
A spokesperson for the Children’s Charities Coalition – Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, National Children’s Bureau, NSPCC – said: “Removing the two-child limit entirely would immediately benefit hundreds of thousands of children and be a huge step forward in tackling the shameful levels of child poverty in this country.”
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive at Mental Health Foundation, said: “The two-child benefit cap is an unfair policy which has done significant damage to the mental health of thousands of families across the UK by entrenching poverty and forcing them to struggle financially simply for having three or more children. Growing up in poverty damages your mental health, and for the past eight years the UK government has needlessly subjected thousands of children to that fate. The news that it is due to be removed is excellent.
“We are, however, concerned by reports that the UK government plans to replace the cap with a tapered system, rather than abolishing it altogether. While details of the tapering are yet to be confirmed, we would warn against any system which does not have the complete eradication of child poverty as its sole principle. Anything less will be a dereliction of duty.”
The Guardian reported on Tuesday the government look set to axe the controversial benefits cap in the autumn budget.
When questioned over the move on Tuesday, Rachel Reeves refused to be drawn on the reports, but did not deny them.
Labour MP warns party is 'alienating' voter base over digital IDs
18:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneReform UK leader Nigel Farage “gets to play the ‘libertarian hero against the authoritarian Government'” as he rails against mandatory digital ID, a Labour MP has said.
Speaking at a fringe event during the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Nadia Whittome warned attendees that Labour had “just alienated” its voter base.
“Take mandatory digital ID cards, for example,” the Nottingham East MP said.
“Digital ID cards are a gimmick and it’s playing right into Nigel Farage’s hands.
“He said that they wouldn’t even make a difference to so-called illegal migration and he’s right – they’re an attack on civil liberties and now Nigel Farage gets to play the ‘libertarian hero against the authoritarian Government’.”
Referring to the Government’s plan to put £5 billion into neighbourhoods through its Pride in Place programme, Ms Whittome said Labour’s announcements were “not enough to meet the scale of the crisis that we’re in and they’re being drowned out by unpopular and unjust policies like the disability cuts”.
'Big difference' between Labour and Reform's leave to remain policies, home secretary says
18:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneShabana Mahmood said there was a “big difference” between her plans for indefinite leave to remain and Reform UK’s immigration policy.
The home secretary told a fringe event at Labour conference: “I think that there is a difference between where they are, which is to rip up the settled status of people who are already a part of us – there’s a big difference between that and what I’ve been talking about, which is to ask the question about whether the rules we currently have that help someone become a part of us are still rules that maintain public confidence.”
She suggested the social care visa system had been exploited by criminals, saying one of her constituents had told her “every drug dealer in Birmingham is now becoming a care provider”.
Reeves: Good to see Burnham 'get back to reality'
18:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIt was good to see Andy Burnham “get back to reality”, the chancellor has said.
Asked about the Greater Manchester mayor’s comments before and during the party conference, Rachel Reeves told a fringe event: “I was really pleased to see Andy Burnham come out and support both the fiscal rules and Keir’s leadership this week.
“After putting up government borrowing costs by £1 billion earlier in the week, it was good to see him get back to reality.”
However, Mr Burnham was a notable absence from the prime minister’s keynote speech on Tuesday afternoon, pictured leaving the conference just before Keir Starmer took to the stage.
Owen Jones and Rivkah Brown had conference passes revoked after 'safeguarding issue'
18:07 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLeft-wing journalists Owen Jones and Rivkah Brown had their Labour Party conference passes revoked after complaints were made about their conduct by other attendees, The Independent understands.
The party has not issued an official statement on the incident.
Analysis: Keir Starmer finally comes out fighting to become the leader Labour wants
18:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEmboldened by the ‘enemy’ Reform, this was Keir Starmer like we have never seen him before, writes political editor David Maddox.
You can read the full piece below...
Keir Starmer finally comes out fighting to become the leader Labour wants
Rachel Reeves refuses to be drawn on reports she will remove two-child benefit cap
17:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRachel Reeves would not say whether she was planning to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Asked about reports she would do so at the Budget, the Chancellor told a fringe event at the Labour conference: “Keir said in his speech today that we will reduce child poverty in this Parliament, but we will set out the policies in the Budget.
“I think we’ve been pretty clear this week that we can’t commit to policies without us explaining where the money is coming from.”
Adding that there were “real financial constraints” due to persistent inflation, tariffs, global conflicts and increased borrowing costs – along with expected changes to OBR forecasts – she said: “I would be the first person to want to find some money down the back of the sofa to pay for lots of different things.
“But I have to be Chancellor in the world as it is, not in the world as I might like it to be.”
Still unclear whether Labour knows how to transform Britain, says Burnham backed group
17:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolitical correspondent Millie Cooke reports...
It is still unclear whether Labour knows how to transform Britain, Mainstream has said.
Responding to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, Luke Hurst, national coordinator of Mainstream - a network for Labour Party members and supporters which has been backed by Andy Burnham - said: “If you are going to build up Reform so much as the enemy, then you have to be certain you can deliver on economic growth and public service change to knock them down.
“Even after today’s speech, it’s unclear that Labour has thought through how to really transform the country.”
Reeves to lift controversial two-child benefit cap, reports say
17:06 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRachel Reeves is set to lift the two-child benefit cap in November’s budget, according to reports in The Guardian.
The newspaper says both the prime minister and the chancellor are expecting to respond to recommendations of the child poverty taskforce, which is expected to say that lifting the controversial cap would be one of the most effective ways to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
Explained: Why income tax will increase anyway despite Reeves pledge
17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs rumours swirl about Labour backing down from its manifesto pledge not to raise taxes, the chancellor appears to be holding firm on her commitment.
But whichever fiscal levers the chancellor chooses to pull, many experts have also pointed out that income tax will be rising if she does not act through a little-known ‘stealth tax.’
Albert Toth has the details below...
Owen Jones among journalists claiming their Labour conference passes revoked
16:43 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolitical commentator Owen Jones and Novara Media’s Rivkah Brown have said their Labour Party conference passes were revoked just hours before the prime minister’s keynote speech.
Both claimed they were told the conference had received “complaints” about their conduct, leading to a decision to bar them from the event.
In a post on X, Mr Jones wrote: “Labour has cancelled my Conference Pass. Absolutely pathetic, Trumpian behaviour.
“They are here suggesting that attempts to question Cabinet members and MPs about Britain facilitating Israel's genocide is a "safeguarding issue". This is clearly insane.”
Ms Brown replied: “Weird, same here. At the same time as Owen, I received a similar email rescinding my media pass, due to an unspecified "breach of the event code of conduct".
“Is Labour purging journalists it doesn't like?”
Labour has cancelled my Conference Pass.
— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) September 30, 2025
Absolutely pathetic, Trumpian behaviour.
They are here suggesting that attempts to question Cabinet members and MPs about Britain facilitating Israel's genocide is a "safeguarding issue".
This is clearly insane. pic.twitter.com/2mDa8ORtuk
MPs say Starmer has answered his critics within the party
16:06 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports on the reaction from Sir Keir Starmer’s speech...
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh told the Independent: “I thought it was very thoughtful. I thought it was tackling some very challenging issues for the Labor Party, you know, the issues of patriotism, the issues of dealing with the asylum system. I thought the delivery was very understated and there must have been a temptation to overperform but he didn't do that. He was himself.”
She added: “When you are prime minister you always have critics, that goes with the job, but he has addressed the issue of what he's for and what his government is for. Now he's just got to get on and do it, hasn't he?”
Labour MP Luke Akehurst said: “I thought he was really good. It started a little bit slow, but then when he hit the run of achievements and spoke on through a standing ovation he hit his pace. And I think the tone of the inclusive patriotism versus Farage was really important.”
On the flag waving, he said it was “important for people to reclaim that imagery. I was really pleased with how it went.”
Sir Keir had answered his critics within the party, he said, adding: “Some of what he said was as much addressing what I would call the populist left, who have got ‘easy answers’ as much as the populist right.”
Labour member Bill Frost, from Birkenhead, said: “It's the best conference piece I've ever seen in my life. It was inspired.”
Another Labour member, who asked not to be named, said: “I honestly think it was absolutely brilliant. Taking the fight to Reform, showing that we are patriots.”
Badenoch says Starmer has 'all but confirmed' tax rises
15:54 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch said the Prime Minister had “all but confirmed” that taxes would increase at the Budget in November.
The Conservative leader said: “Keir Starmer has all but confirmed that tax rises are coming.
“The Prime Minister could have used his speech to own up to the mistakes he’s made on the economy, admit the country was living beyond its means and set out a plan to avoid further punishing tax hikes this autumn, but he did not.
“In Labour’s first year, inflation has doubled, economic growth has halved and unemployment has risen almost every single month. Everyone in Britain will now pay the price for Starmer’s weakness with a smaller economy and higher taxes.”
Reform will teach Starmer a lesson in May, Farage vows
15:51 , Holly EvansNigel Farage has promised to teach Sir Keir Starmer a lesson in May “that British political history will never forget”.
The Reform UK leader said he is “more determined than ever” to trounce Labour in the local elections, particularly in Scotland and Wales, after a series of attacks on his character throughout the party’s conference.
He said: “I am now, as a result of this week, and the abuse that has been heaped upon our supporters and our voters, more determined than ever.“Don’t underestimate that.”
Farage: Starmer’s attacks are direct threat to our safety
15:50 , Archie MitchellNigel Farage has said Sir Keir Starmer’s personal attacks on him and Reform UK are a direct threat to the safety of its MPs and activists.
Responding to the prime minister’s conference speech, which was laden with personal criticisms of Reform, Mr Farage said: “It directly threatens the safety of our elected officials and our campaigners.
“Frankly, in the wake of the Charlie Kirk murder, it is an absolute disgrace.
“I used to think the prime minister was a decent man… I am completely shocked at his behaviour.
“I hope that when he wakes up tomorrow morning, he feels ashamed of what he has done.”
Mr Farage added that it is “a desperate last throw of the dice from a prime minister deeply in trouble” and said he no longer believes Sir Keir is fit to be prime minister.
David Lammy says Farage has 'brass neck' for incitement of violence claim
15:42 , Holly EvansDeputy Prime Minister David Lammy said Nigel Farage has a “brass neck” for accusing Labour of inciting violence against his party.
The Reform UK leader is expected to make the claim in a response to Sir Keir Starmer’s conference speech.
Asked about it, Mr Lammy told the BBC: “I think he’s got a bit of a brass neck, hasn’t he, Nigel Farage?
“This story goes back a long way. This is calling out his policies, his policies that would line people up who have a right to be in this country, who might be Indian, who might be Nigerian, and send them home. It’s not British. It doesn’t respect our values.
“And Keir Starmer was very articulate about that.”
Asked whether he thought Mr Farage was a racist, Mr Lammy stressed that his policies were racist.
“I’m not going to play the man. I’m playing the ball, as our leader did. I will leave it for the public to come to their own judgments about someone who once flirted with Hitler Youth when he was younger.”
Former Labour shadow chancellor describes Starmer speech as 'extremely policy light'
15:35 , Kate DevlinJohn McDonnell, the party's former shadow chancellor, told the Independent the speech was “full blown rhetorical flourish but extremely policy light, exemplified by denunciation of child poverty but sadly no announcement on scrapping the two-child limit”.
Mr McDonnell was only given the party whip back last year after he was suspended as part of a row over the two-child benefit cap.
Starmer vows to 'fight with every breath' for working people
15:32 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer said he would “fight with every breath I have” for “working people” and “the tolerant, decent, respectful Britain I know”.
The Prime Minister told Labour conference: “The Tories – remember them?
“I don’t know if they believed in grievance politics.
“Maybe they do now, when you see them turning away from the rule of law. It’s honestly hard to tell.
“But one thing I do know, conference, is that not once in 14 years did they ever properly stand up to it. But I will.
“I will fight with every breath I have – fight for working people, fight for the tolerant, decent, respectful Britain I know.
“People say a nation like ours can’t be a community, that it’s too diverse, too divided.
“I reject that. That goes against everything I stand for, everything I’ve served, everything I understand about this great country I love.
Lib Dem leader praises Starmer speech against Farage
15:27 , Holly EvansLiberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has praised the Prime Minister for “stepping up the fight against Nigel Farage” after his Labour party conference speech in Liverpool.
In a post on X, he said: “I’m glad Keir Starmer is finally stepping up the fight against Nigel Farage, and I hope this will mark the end of his Government parroting Farage and copying his divisive politics.”
I'm glad Keir Starmer is finally stepping up the fight against Nigel Farage, and I hope this will mark the end of his government parroting Farage and copying his divisive politics.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) September 30, 2025
Watch: Keir Starmer jokes about his 'toolmaker' dad
15:20 , Holly EvansTrade union backs Starmer's speech
15:18 , Holly EvansThe GMB trade union said Labour “wants to make our country better”.
Responding to Sir Keir Starmer’s conference speech, general secretary Gary Smith said: “Investing in shipbuilding. Investing in our NHS. Investing in new nuclear.
“Add in ending fire and rehire, sick pay for all and brand new union rights, and it’s clear: this Labour Government wants to make our country better.
“Let’s get on with it.”
Analysis: Starmer is in the fight of his career and today's speech shows he is rising to it
15:17 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Millie Cooke says:
Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for political survival, but his performance at today's speech shows that he is beginning to rise to the challenge.
The PM's energy today is stronger and more engaging than he has been since winning the election last year.
Having so far received at least nine standing ovations, the prime minister appears to have won the room - despite starting the speech to a rather glib reception.
Some 55 minutes into his address, the PM is now being met with wild applause and deafening cheers, a far cry from the lacklustre welcome he received at the start.
'Fly those flags', declares Starmer as he brings speech to an end
15:14 , Alex RossStarmer now delivers the finale of his speech, telling delegates he will “fight with every breath I have for working people”.
He continues: “People say, conference, that a nation like ours can’t be a community, that it’s too diverse, that it’s too divided, I reject that, that goes against everything I understand about this great country that I love.
“So no matter how many times people tell me that it can’t be done, I believe Britain can come together, that we can pursue a shared destination, that we can unite around the common good. That is my ambition, the purpose of this government.
“End decline, reform our public services, grow our economy from the grassroots and with resolve, with respect, with the flag in our hands we will renew this country until we can say with total conviction that Britain is built for all.
“Thank you conference, fly those flags.”
Starmer jokes with delegates as he celebrates their work
15:10 , Alex RossStarmer picks out a 15-year-old girl from Barnet, who followed her passion in football by setting up a team at her school.
She now plays for Camden Town women, he adds, before joking “now that’s nearly as good as Arsenal”.
He names more people and their achievements.
“Is that really broken [Britain] conference?” he says.
Starmer says a new 'online hospital' will slash waiting lists
15:04 , Alex RossSir Keir Starmer is now turning to plan set out earlier for NHS Online, which will connect patients to specialist clinicians.
The scheme, which will begin operating in 2027, will deliver up to 8.5 million extra NHS appointments in its first three years, Labour claims.
Sir Keir says: “It will offer millions of appointments, appointments you choose, a new chapter in the story of our NHS.”
Starmer to promise new NHS ‘online hospital’ to help cut waiting lists
'People should know better', says Starmer on asylum hotel protest violence
15:01 , Alex RossThrowing bricks in an apparent protest is “not legitimate – that is thuggery”, Sir Keir Starmer says, referring to recent protests against asylum hotels.
The Prime Minister said: “There is a line, a moral line, and it isn’t just (Reform UK leader Nigel) Farage who crosses it.
“There are also people who should know better, sowing fear and discord across our country, and then, when we call that out, they pretend we’re criticising reasonable concerns about immigration.
“We have seen that trick, conference, so let us spell it out, once and for all: Controlling migration is a reasonable goal, but if you throw bricks and smash up private property, that’s not legitimate – that is thuggery.”
Starmer scraps Tony Blair’s target for half of pupils to go to university
14:59 , Alex RossStarmer has confirmed his scrapping of the target for 50 per cent of pupils to go to university.
“I want every child to have the same opportunities that I had,” he says.
Keir Starmer scraps Tony Blair’s target for half of pupils to go to university
Starmer takes on the free speech debate
14:58 , Alex RossAnalysis from political editor David Maddox:
Sir Keir Starmer has decided to go head on against all the criticisms of him and his government.
One thing he has been lambasted over is the state of free speech and people going to prison for tweets.
American politicians like J.D. Vance have taken up the baton on the issue while Farage went to Washington to complain about it.
But Sir Keir has defended the state of free speech in Britain in the UK while saying it does not mean that we have to accept those who spread racism and encourage violence.
Farage is the 'enemy of national renewal', says Starmer
14:56 , Alex RossAs we reported before his speech, Sir Keir Starmer continues to attack Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Now he is turning to the party’s immigration policy, which seeks to deport migrants from the UK.
He says: “If you say they should now be deported, we will fight you with everything we have because you are the enemy of national renewal.”
His comments are met by a big applause in the Exhibition Arena.
Audience boos as Starmer points to Farage's record
14:53 , Alex RossAnalysis from political correspondent Millie Cooke:
Cries of "no" from Labour members and MPs could be heard across the hall as Sir Keir Starmer asked if Nigel Farage truly loves Britain.
Asked whether, instead, he just wants to "stir the pot of division", shouts of "yes" were fired back at the PM.
And when he pointed to Nigel Farage's suggestion that Jaguar Land Rover deserved to go bust, booing broke out across the hall.
While the extended back and forth had echoes of a Christmas pantomime, it did also show that the prime minister successfully had his audience hooked.
Analysis: Starmer reclaims the flag
14:52 , Alex RossAnalysis from political editor David Maddox:
Keir Starmer has taken on those on the right who want to claim that the Union Jack and flags of the four nations are only theirs.
It was a big moment to see the delegates in the hall waving the Union Jack as the prime minister expressed his pride in it.
The flag movement across the country was a challenge to the progressive left but Sir Keir is unafraid in claiming his politics as true patriotism.
This very much tags with the “plastic patriot” jibe Labour has been using against Farage.
Starmer says 'we will never surrender our flags'
14:51 , Alex RossSir Keir Starmer now turns to debate over the country’s flag, with some claiming it has been taken over by far-right groups.
He recalls being at the Euro 1996 semi-final, and the unity of people “black and white, old and young”.
He says: “Let’s fly all our flags, conference, because they’re our flags, they belong to all of us and we will never surrender them. Let us unite our country behind us.
“Because this is no time for dividers, this is the time for bringing the whole country together.”
Energy in the hall picks up as PM comes out fighting
14:47 , Alex RossAnalysis from political correspondent Millie Cooke:
The energy in the hall has picked up now, after a slightly flat start.
Sir Keir Starmer has received his fifth standing ovation after announcing he will formally ditch the 50 per cent university target - and it was a far more convincing one than the reception he received at the start.
The PM will be hoping today's speech will convince deflated party members and Labour MPs that he is the right man for the job.
Based on the energy in the hall, the PM is definitely making a start on that mission.
Analysis: Starmer has just ditched part of Tony Blair’s legacy
14:46 , David MaddoxAnalysis from political editor David Maddox:
Keir Starmer announcing Labour are scrapping the target of 50 per cent of school leavers going to university is a hugely symbolic moment.
He may have replaced it with a new target of two thirds going to university or getting a gold standard apprenticeship, but this is an acceptance of an argument from the right that the 50 per cent targets were not helping working class people and undermining skills in the UK.
The 50 per cent target though was one of the big reforms of the Blair government, it was meant to be about aspiration and accepting that you should not only go to university if you come from a well off family or a private school.
Starmer has turned his back on this for pragmatic reasons in a world where skills in AI outdo degrees in media studies.
Starmer refers to his brother in call for opportunities for every child
14:45 , Alex RossSir Keir Starmer has brought up his brother Nick, who died aged 60 after suffering from cancer.
He says he was “badly failed by the education system”.
He adds: “He was put to one side, barely even seen. Now conference, some politicians say I want every child to have the same opportunities that I had, you hear a lot of that in Westminster.
“But that’s not me. No, what I want is a Britain where people are treated with the dignity that they deserve for making different choices, choices we should value, choices that deserve our respect.”
Analysis: Starmer has his first truly strong moment of the speech so far
14:41 , Millie CookeAnalysis from political correspondent Millie Cooke:
Sir Keir Starmer has had his first truly strong moment of the speech so far.
After receiving a standing ovation for his promise to deliver equal opportunity for all children, the prime minister rode the wave of enthusiasm, reeling off Labour's achievements and pledges, including introducing a national living wage and a promise to rebuild schools.
It was the first time that the PM was met with a genuine roar of applause, rather than a slightly forced round of clapping.
Analysis: Starmer more passionate than you have ever seen him before
14:39 , David MaddoxAnalysis from political editor David Maddox:
Keir Starmer looks like a man who has had enough of people saying he is robotic and is basically just a Tory under a different name.
The section of his speech where he went through the social justice measures of his 15 months as PM whether it workers rights, free school meals and NHS funding.
His energy appeared to be infectious in the hall as they stood and cheered each measure.
It is perhaps the most important message for Sir Keir that he needs to show he is bringing meaningful change.
A vacuum after all is something that only Reform and Nigel Farage will fill.
Loud applause for Starmer as he calls for end to inequality
14:38 , Alex RossA series of loud applause greets Sir Keir Starmer as he calls for an end to inequality.
He says work to build new homes and better transport links were helping spread prosperity across the country.
And he adds: “Extending free school meals, 100,000 children lifted out of poverty, the first step on our journey to end child poverty.
“We have walked that road before and we will walk that road again. That’s a Britain built for all.”
Starmer thanks businesses for their contribution
14:35 , Alex RossAt the last Budget, employers were faced with a rise in National Insurance payments for employees.
Starmer says he “asked a lot” from businesses, and adds: “Because of your contribution, we’ve taken a huge step on the path of renewal.
“A firmer foundation to take our country forward, more security, more respect, more opportunity. A Britain built for all.”
Workers’ rights package will be good for growth, Starmer says
14:32 , Archie MitchellSir Keir Starmer defends his package of employment rights reforms, arguing they will be good for productivity and economic growth.
The prime minister has come under pressure to water down the measures to boost workers’ rights, with critics arguing they will slow economic growth and pile pressure on already struggling firms.
But he says: “You can choose to challenge the outdated dogma and say with one clear voice that public investment does not crowd out private, that we should invest more outside London and the south east, and that a more secure labor market with stronger workers rights will be better for productivity.”
Growth is the antidote to division, says Starmer
14:29 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer says economic growth is the "defining mission of this government", arguing it is the "antidote to division" in Britain.
Who and where benefits from economic growth can either "build a nation or pull it apart", the prime minister says, making it clear that he knows his fightback against Reform must include more than just measures to tackle immigration.
Starmer: No going back to pre-Brexit politics
14:28 , Archie MitchellSir Keir Starmer says there is no going back to pre-Brexit politics, arguing that Britain was “complacent” in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The prime minister says the status quo “manifestly failed working people”.
And he added: “That's what I say to people who think it would be nice if we could just go back to politics before Brexit or the crash.
“And this does go back that far, conference, the global financial crisis is when we were exposed when a new Britain should have been born.”
“Complacent,” he added, “that is the only way to describe it, complacent… we placed too much faith in globalisation”.
'We must never find ourselves defending a status quo', says Starmer
14:27 , Alex RossAfter attacking Nigel Farage for stirring up unrest, Sir Keir Starmer says working people are “ground down”.
He adds: “Politics has made them question Britain and can you blame them? They’ve been nothing but patient. They’ve lived through Brexit, austerity, Covid, they’ve played by the rules, kept their side of the bargain.”
He adds: “We must never, never find ourselves defending a status quo that manifestly failed working people.”
Starmer backs Trump over Gaza - and is met with silence
14:25 , David MaddoxAnalysis from political editor David Maddox:
Keir Starmer is met with silence as he welcomes the US initiative on Gaza.
He emphasises that it is about peace and supports the initiatives which the UK quietly has been involved with in the background for months.
There is more enthusiasm in the hall when he reminds the audience that the UK now recognises a Palestinian state.
But there is no doubt that the Middle East crisis remains a thorny issue for him and his party.
Starmer delivers first attack on Farage
14:24 , Alex Ross“When was the last time you heard Nigel Farage say anything positive about Britain’s future?” Sir Keir Starmer tells the conference.
“He can’t, he doesn’t like Britain, he doesn’t believe in Britain. He wants you to doubt it, just as much as he does.
“They [Reform] want to turn this country into a competition of victims.”
Starmer says country needs to clear the path for renewal
14:21 , Alex RossOutlining what Sir Keir Starmer wants for Britain under a Labour government, he says: “It’s an urgent task. We can all see that the country faces a choice, a defining choice. Britain stands at a fork in the road. We can choose decency or we can choose division, renewal or decline.
“A country proud of its values, in control of its future, or one that succumbs against the grain of our history to the politics of grievance. It is a test, a fight
“We need to be clear that our path, the path of renewal, it’s difficult. It requires decisions that are not cost-free or easy, decisions that will not always be comfortable for our party.”
Starmer tells Hillsborough campaigner that state will be accountable to working people
14:18 , Alex RossContinuing to address Margaret Aspinall, Sir Keir Starmer says: “Now the state will be accountable because injustice has no place to hide.”
Starmer begins by thanking Hillsborough campaigner
14:16 , Alex RossStarmer begins by thanking Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall for her fight for justice.
“Thank you so much for that introduction. I know it wasn’t easy even after losing James all those obstacles deliberately put in your way to go through,” he says.
“I don’t think I would have the courage to do what you have all done,” he adds.
Sir Keir Starmer takes to the stage
14:13 , Alex RossSir Keir Starmer takes to the podium to a standing ovation at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool at Labour’s party conference.
He smiles and applauds the audience before preparing to deliver his speech, in which we expect a strong attack on Nigel Farage in a rallying call for his party to fight back against Reform.
Sir Keir will be hoping for a similar reception to the one received by chancellor Rachel Reeves on Monday.
Introduction to Starmer is about getting stuff done
14:10 , David MaddoxThe prime minister knows that his harsh rhetoric against Reform is a good start in a fightback for him and his party.
But to win voters over he needs to show that the “change” he promised at the election is being delivered.
This is why the line of people saying “I have seen change” is as important a message for Sir Keir as Farage is unpatriotic.No accident that one of the Hillsborough campaigners in Liverpool is coming on ahead of Sir Keir.
Nothing more than anything about getting justice for ordinary people is better symbolised than the Hillsborough families of the 97 who died in the stadium in 1989.
Labour MPs in strong show of loyalty to Starmer
14:09 , Millie CookeLabour MPs have clearly been briefed to show enthusiastic support for the PM. Every round of applause in the hall begins from the section allocated for MPs, and is right on queue every time a government policy or achievement is mentioned.
Notably, MPs who have been vocal in their criticism of Starmer have stayed away - leaving only the loyalists to show their support.
Andy Burnham leaves conference before Starmer's speech
14:08 , Alex RossWe’re just seeing a picture on X that appears to show Andy Burnham leaving the Labour Party conference before Sir Keir Starmer’s keynote speech.
👀 Andy Burnham leaves conference minutes before Starmer’s speech pic.twitter.com/JHVpXL2sMN
— Gabriel Pogrund (@Gabriel_Pogrund) September 30, 2025
Awkward cheering from flag-waving Labour MPs while party members remain quiet
14:00 , Millie CookeLabour MPs are awkwardly cheering and waving their flags as a short film is played before Sir Keir Starmer's main stage speech, while the rest of the hall, filled with conference delegates, remains quiet.
The cheering from Labour MPs - which starts up every time a new government policy flashes up on the screen to a club anthem soundtrack - is starkly lacklustre compared with the energy in the rest of the hall.
Starmer expected to take to the stage imminently
13:59 , Alex RossWe’re now just a few moments from Sir Keir Starmer making his keynote speech to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
We’re expecting him to take aim at Nigel Farage while attempting to unite his party in the fight against Reform.
Analysis: Keir Starmer still has got a lot to prove
13:54 , David MaddoxAs the prime minister gets ready to deliver the most important conference speech of his political career a YouGov poll has shown the scale of what he needs to achieve.
Asked who would be a better prime minister Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham leads Sir Keir Starmer by 28 per cent to 16 per cent.
Among Labour voters the PM still trails by 33 per cent 28 per cent. It underlines that after 15 months in government, Sir Keir still needs to show people that he has the charisma, vision, policies and all round leadership qualities to be the best person for the job.
Even without Mr Burnham in parliament there are other pretenders to his job.
Sir Keir made a good start identifying Reform UK and Nigel Farage as the enemy, now he needs to show that he is the man to beat them.
Labour staffers hand out flags to expectant Labour MPs ahead of Starmer's speech
13:48 , Millie CookeLabour staffers are currently handing out flags to MPs sitting in the PLP section of the main conference hall ahead of Sir Keir Starmer's speech - as the PM gears up to persuade the country that Labour, not Reform UK, is the true party of patriotism.
Expectant MPs awaiting the prime minister's arrival are now wielding Union Jacks, St George's Crosses and the flags of Scotland and Wales.
So keen to hand the flags out, one Labour staffer attempted to give them to the group of lobby hacks sitting in the media section, who were slightly less enthusiastic about the props.
Streeting suggests weight loss jabs could be rolled out to fight obesity
13:47 , Holly EvansWes Streeting has suggested that millions of patients will get weight-loss jabs on the NHS, which could combat the country’s obesity problem.
He warned however that while medical breakthroughs such as this had been a new “industrial revolution”, they remained inaccessible to poorer parts of the nation.
He said: “The wealthy talk about how they’ve transformed their health, their confidence, their quality of life. But what about the millions who can’t afford them? That is a return to the days when health was determined by wealth.”
Streeting promised: “Never again”.
In his speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, the Health Secretary said: “The next 10 years won’t just bring a decade’s worth of change in healthcare, it will bring centuries worth.
“Medicine is being transformed before our eyes. We now have genetic tests that can predict a child’s risk of illness before they ever fall sick.
“We’re on the brink of vaccines that could one day cure cancer. Weight loss jabs could help us finally defeat obesity.
“And this isn’t just a medical revolution, it’s an industrial revolution, a technological revolution, one that will shape the next century of jobs, industry and public health.”
In pictures: Starmer arriving to cheers from supporters ahead of keynote speech
13:38 , Holly Evans
Bridget Phillipson says scrapping two child benefit cap is ‘definitely on the table’
13:37 , Holly EvansThe education secretary has said that lifting the two child benefit cap is "definitely on the table", amid growing pressure on the government to scrap the controversial policy.
Bridget Phillipson, who is in the race to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader of the party, argued there is “absolutely” more to do when it comes to tackling child poverty, adding that she will "make it happen".
Speaking on the fringes of the Labour conference in Liverpool, Ms Phillipson said: "I am determined and will guarantee by the end of this parliament that child poverty will come down. And the two child limit, yes, is definitely on the table.”
Read the full article here:
Bridget Phillipson says lifting two child benefit cap is ‘definitely on the table’
Powell welcomes Trump plan for Gaza
13:23 , Tom WatlingLabour deputy leadership hopeful Lucy Powell has welcomed Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza.
Asked whether she agreed with the proposals, she told an event on the fringes of the party’s annual conference: “I welcome a peace plan that seems to have widespread support, because I think that’s the most important thing isn’t it?”
She said she was “not going to pass judgment” and wanted to focus on getting to a place “where we can start getting aid back in” and “stop the killing”.
Reform UK’s efforts to walk away from ECHR are ‘reckless’ – Benn
13:15 , Tom WatlingReform UK’s efforts to walk away from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are “wrong” and “reckless”, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said.
Delivering his speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Mr Benn also hailed the new legacy framework agreed by the UK and Irish governments, saying that 200 military families are still “searching for answers”.
Mr Benn told the conference that the “Good Friday Agreement enabled Northern Ireland to move away from the bloody and brutal trauma of the Troubles, towards peace and progress”.
The agreement – which was negotiated by the previous Labour government under Sir Tony Blair – brought “stability to Northern Ireland”, he added.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has suggested the 1998 agreement, which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland, could be “renegotiated” to remove references to the ECHR.
Mr Benn said: “It took courage. It took patient negotiation, and yet, what does Nigel Farage want to do?
“He actually wants to undermine the Good Friday Agreement by walking away from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“And after all that the people of Northern Ireland have been through, I cannot think of anything more irresponsible – it’s wrong, it’s reckless, and we’ve got to make sure it never, ever happens.”
Wes Streeting attacks Nigel Farage as a 'con artist' and a 'snake oil salesman'
13:07 , Tom WatlingStarmer to speak at 2pm
13:00 , Tom WatlingSir Keir Starmer is set to address the Labour Party conference at 2pm this afternoon.
After a tumultuous month for the Labour leader that saw the removal of both the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and the US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson, Sir Keir will be looking to reignite confidence in his premiership.
Labour is polling well behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Sir Keir is openly facing challenges from Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
In his speech, the PM is expected to detail what he sees as the stark difference between Labour's vision for the UK and that of Reform UK, and why his vision is the only way forward for the party.
We’ll bring you all the latest updates when he takes the stage.
What’s the difference between Labour and Reform’s immigration plans?
12:53 , Albert TothLabour has vowed to strengthen the requirements for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, in an apparent response to Reform’s pledge to scrap the policy entirely.
Sir Keir Starmer called Nigel Farage’s plan to revoke the rights of thousands of people to live in Britain “racist” and “immoral”, with newly appointed home secretary Shabana Mahmood laying out the government’s alternative to the proposals.
Labour has already pledged to introduce tough new restrictions on ILR, but now goes further in a move many will see as a reaction to the plan laid out by Reform last week. Recent polling shows the government’s popularity is trailing behind Mr Farage’s party.
What’s the difference between Labour and Reform’s immigration plans?
Recap: What did Streeting say
12:43 , Alex RossTaking to the podium, Health Secretary Wes Streeting took the opportunity to attack Reform leader Nigel Farage, while promoting his 10-year plan to modernise the NHS.
He:
- Called Mr Farage a “con artist”, claiming he was posing as the voice of the people whilst working for the interests of the powerful
- Said he will fight opposition from the British Medical Association on changes to online access at GP surgeries, that will come into force from 1 October.
- Said modernisation of the NHS was “not a betrayal” of Aneurin Bevan’s legacy
- Said he wanted former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner back while addressing a £500 million investment for the first ever “fair pay agreement”.
Streeting's £500m promise for fair pay agreement 'will not be enough', expert warns
12:36 , Rebecca ThomasWes Streeting announced a £500 million investment for the first ever “fair pay agreement” for care worker pay.
However, experts have said that while welcome the commitment, they question the amount set aside for it.
Lucinda Allen, policy fellow for think tank the Health Foundation, said the £500 million will not be enough to provide a “meaningful boost in staff pay.”
She said if shared evenly across the 1.5 million people working in adult social cadre this would amount to roughly 20p extra an hour.
The Health Foundation said its own analysis suggests £2.3 billion would be required in 2028/29 to increase pay to the level of clinical support workers and administrative workers in the NHS.
Meanwhile, Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of The King’s Fund, said: “It will be some time before we know what the £500 million will mean for social care workers when a fair pay agreement is implemented in 2028.
“Unions and providers now need to negotiate how that sum of money will be spent and what level of pay increase it will fund.”
She also warned that social care providers will want assurance that the money fully covers any costs to them.
'We need Angela back' - Streeting backs ex-deputy prime minister for return
12:28 , Alex RossAs we’ve been reporting, during his speech to the Labour Party conference, Wes Streeting called for Angela Rayner to return to government.
Earlier this month, Ms Rayner stepped down after it emerged she had not paid enough tax.
Streeting ends with standing ovation
12:24 , Alex RossWes Streeting finishes speech by saying Labour faces a fight against poverty and injustice, reactionaries and nationalists, prejudice and hatred.
He gets a strong applause from inside the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool as he walks from the podium.
Labour must not flinch in bid to rebuild NHS, Streeting says
12:20 , Alex RossWes Streeting says wealth should not determine the length of life, or where someone lives determine their prognosis.
He says: “We are making the NHS fit for the future, a service that sees people sooner, treats them better and gives them back more years of life.
“A service rebuilt in the image of our values, universal, publicly-funded, free at the point of use, available to all, owned by all, working for all. Those are my values, they’re the NHS’s values and they are Britain’s values.”
He adds: “So we will not flinch, we will not fail, we will rebuild our national health and rebuild Britain for our time, for all time, for everyone.”
Streeting says Labour must beat health inequalities
12:18 , Alex RossWes Streeting now makes reference to health inequalities, saying that a child born in Blackpool is expected to live 10 years fewer than one born in Hampshire.
He says: “And I stand here today as someone who beat those odds, the exception to the rule, who grew up on a council estate in poverty, had a great state education, made it to one of our country’s best universities and now sits around the Cabinet table as part of the most working-class Cabinet in British history.
“But conference, that’s not enough. It’s not enough for you to beat the odds. Our party exists to change those odds for everyone.”
Changes to NHS are 'not a betrayal of founder Bevan's legacy, says Streeting
12:13 , Alex RossWes Streeting has again referred to Aneurin Bevan, who founded the NHS in post-war Britain.
He says: “My ambition isn’t just to recover the NHS, but to rebuild it to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
He added: “Modernisation is not a betrayal of Bevan’s legacy, it is fulfilment.
“Because as the great man himself said, the NHS must always be changing and improving.
“The truth is this, the next 10 years won’t just bring a decade’s worth of change in healthcare, it will bring centuries worth.”
Wes Streeting pays tribute to Angela Rayner
12:11 , Rebecca ThomasAnnouncing a £500 million fair pay agreement for care workers the health secretary pays tribute to the former deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner.
He says: “This is for you…We want her back as well”
Farage is a 'snake oil salesman', Streeting says in attack on Reform leader
12:10 , Alex RossWes Streeting does not hold back in his criticism of the Reform leader.
He says: “We must win another fight too, one against the poison of post-truth politics.
“At Reform’s conference, a discredited doctor claimed that the Covid vaccine gave our royal family cancer.
“This man wasn’t just some fringe figure – he’s Reform’s health adviser.
“And these anti-vax lies have consequences: they’ve led to the return of diseases we thought we defeated – measles, whooping cough, children dying from preventable illness in this the 21st Century.
“When Farage was asked whether he’d side with medical scientists, he said, ‘I wouldn’t side with anybody’ – anti-science, anti-reason anti-health.
“Nigel Farage is a snake oil salesman of British politics, and it’s time to stop buying what he’s selling.”
BMA threaten to oppose GP access, Streeting says
12:06 , Rebecca ThomasWes Streeting says ahead of changes which will allow patients to book GP appointments online at any time of the day that the BMA threaten to oppose this.
The BMA has published a challenge to the health secretary over the plans claiming it would be “unsafe”.
Streeting says: “Tomorrow we’re reforming GP so patients can request an appointment online at any point in the day. Why shouldn’t booking a GP appointment… Yet the BMA threaten to oppose it.”
Labour's 10-year plan means giving patients more power and choice, Streeting says
12:05 , Alex RossWes Streeting now turns to his 10-year plan for the NHS, claiming it will bring more power and choice to patients.
He stutters slightly as he says “for the many, not just the privileged few”.
“Sorry, there,” he says as the audience claps.
He says the plan will bring the NHS into the digital age, ending the “8am scramble” for appointments and achieving early diagnosis for patients.
Street says Labour has courage to mend 'broken trust in politics'
12:02 , Alex RossMr Streeting says Labour inherited a “dire” situation last year, after winning the general election.
He says: “It’s true we have a dire inheritance after thr last general election. Broken economy, broken services and broken trust in politics itself
“But we have an even more power inheritance in our party. Hope, optimism, courage. It’s how the 1945 generation remade our country after the war.”
Streeting now criticises the SNP
11:58 , Alex RossMr Streeting now turns to look at waiting lists in Scotland, claiming worsening figures are a result of “shameful” management by the SNP.
Meanwhile, he says waiting lists in England and Wales, where Labour are in control of the NHS, are down.
Streeting begins by attacking Nigel Farage
11:54 , Alex RossLike ministers before him, Mr Streeting begins by attacking Reform leader Nigel Farage, who he claims wants to set up an insurance system.
He says: “Our country is being confronted about choices who we are and what we stand for.
“Nowhere do those choices come more starkly than in our NHS.
“The founding principals are contested for first time in generations. Farage wants to replace the NHS with an insurance system.”
He adds: “It might be alright for Mr money bags, but what about those who can’t . “We should know by now, that man is a con artist, posing as a voice for the people.”
Wes Streeting takes to the podium
11:50 , Alex RossThe health secretary gets a standing ovation, before he starts by paying tribute to Aneurin Bevan for establishing the NHS, providing a free health service.
“I’m here today to defend that promise,” he says.
Wes Streeting to say Farage coming for the NHS - and the people who make it
11:43 , Kate DevlinIn his upcoming speech at the Labour party conference, Wes Streeting will say: “It’s not just the NHS he’s coming for — it’s the people who make the NHS.
“If you earn less than 60 grand a year and came from abroad — Farage wants you gone. The doctors, the porters, the nurses. The people who care for us in our hour of need — and kept this country going when everything else stopped. Tearing families apart. Our friends. Our neighbours.
“Last week, I received a letter from a consultant at Great Ormond Street. He has spent three decades here caring for children, but now tells me that Reform’s policy is making him consider leaving our country.
“He wrote, “Please use your office to ensure that those who have made their lives here in good faith can continue to care for patients without fear.”
“So as our country’s health and social care secretary let me address him and his colleagues directly: Thank you. Thank you for your service.
“Farage says: go home. We say: you are home. I’ve got your back. We’ve got your back.
“And at the next election, we’ll send Farage packing.”
'You don't need to worry about it', says chief secretary when pressed on VAT
11:36 , Holly EvansDarren Jones said “you don’t need to worry about it” when asked why ministers will not explicitly rule out raising VAT at the Budget.
Asked about his remark on Monday that the manifesto pledge “stands today”, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said: “Now it’s tomorrow today and it still stands.”
Pressed to explain his language, he told a Labour conference fringe event hosted by Sky News’ Beth Rigby, he said: “You don’t need to worry about it.”
Starmer to warn UK is experiencing a 'fight for the soul of our country'
11:25 , Holly EvansSir Keir will compare the challenge facing Labour now to Clement Attlee’s administration in 1945 as it rebuilt Britain from the ruins of the Second World War.
The Prime Minister will say: “It is a test. A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war, and we must all rise to this challenge.
“And yet we need to be clear that our path, the path of renewal, it’s long, it’s difficult, it requires decisions that are not cost-free or easy. Decisions that will not always be comfortable for our party.
“Yet at the end of this hard road there will be a new country, a fairer country, a land of dignity and respect.
“Everyone seen, everyone valued, wealth creation in every single community, working people in control of their public services, the mindless bureaucracy that chokes enterprise, removed – so we can build and keep on building.”
Sir Keir believes Britain can “unite around a common good”.
“That’s my ambition, the purpose of this government,” he will say.
