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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Kate Devlin,Archie Mitchell,Bryony Gooch and Jane Dalton

Politics latest: Cleverly returns to shadow cabinet but Jenrick could miss out on top role in Tory reshuffle

Kemi Badenoch has given a top job to her former rival for the party leadership Sir James Cleverly, as she reshuffles her shadow cabinet ahead of the summer recess.

The former foreign secretary becomes shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, opposite Labour’s Angela Rayner.

But shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who also ran for the party leadership last year, is expected to miss out on a move to the highly coveted shadow chancellor role occupied by Sir Mel Stride.

Mr Jenrick has strayed well beyond his justice brief, building a prominent social media presence with campaigns on issues from tackling fare dodgers on the London Underground to the effect of immigration on housing.

Questions have also emerged whether other former ministers including Suella Braverman will be called upon for senior leadership positions.

The reshuffle comes just eight months after Ms Badenoch was elected as leader of the opposition, with the Tories underperforming against the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

Shadow health and social care secretary Edward Argar has stepped back to the Conservative front bench. It’s understood his decision to leave the front bench follows a health scare.

Key Points

  • Sir James Cleverly made shadow housing secretary after leadership defeat
  • Robert Jenrick appears to miss out on top job in Tory reshuffle
  • Ed Argar leaving Shadow Cabinet
  • Government borrowing higher-than-expected
  • Shadow chancellor: 'Rachel Reeves is spending money she doesn't have'

Watch: Tory Senedd defector says she didn't notify party of Reform move

15:15 , Bryony Gooch

Recap: How Starmer’s crackdown on MPs could backfire – and even help Corbyn

15:00 , Bryony Gooch

How Keir Starmer’s crackdown on his own MPs could backfire

Angela Rayner says increased time society spending online is having 'profound impact on society'

14:50 , Bryony Gooch

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has told the Cabinet that economic insecurity, the rapid pace of deindustrialisation, immigration and the amount of time people are spending online are having a “profound impact on society”, Downing Street has said.

“She said it was incumbent on the Government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people’s lives and their communities.

“She said 17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived, and while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the Government had to show it had a plan to address people’s concerns (and) provide opportunities for everyone to flourish,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

(Getty Images)

There are a range of factors contributing to people feeling “left behind”, he added.

“I think she sees a link between concerns that people have about where the Government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests, and a range of factors.

“High levels of immigration over the last 10 years, including illegal immigration, but also, importantly, the cost of living, economic security, the rapid pace of technological change and deindustrialisation and changes in the economy, these are all factors that have had an impact on our social fabric and social cohesion.”

Cleverly warns against 'populism' but attacks climate 'luddites'

14:45 , Jane Dalton

Since moving to the back benches, Sir James Cleverly has used his influential position as a former minister to warn against pursuing populist agendas akin to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Last week, the senior Tory hit out at calls to "smash the system" and "start again from scratch", branding them "complete nonsense".

He also appeared to take a different position on net zero from party leader Mrs Badenoch in a recent speech, urging the Conservatives to reject climate change "luddites" on the right who believe "the way things are now is just fine".

Wes Streeting calls for recognition of Palestinian state

14:40 , Bryony Gooch

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for recognition of the state of Palestine “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise” as he branded Israel’s attacks on healthcare workers as going “well beyond legitimate self-defence”.

Mr Streeting was responding to a question from Labour backbencher Jas Athwal (Ilford South), who raised reports that Israel has attacked World Health Organisation facilities in Deir al-Balah, compromising operations.

The Health Secretary told MPs: “I deplore Israel’s attacks on healthcare workers, as well as other innocent civilians trying to access healthcare or vital aid.

“These actions go well beyond legitimate self-defence and undermine the prospects for peace.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire)

“I will be in touch with the World Health Organisation to offer my support following the intolerable incident yesterday and I sincerely hope that the international community can come together, as the Foreign Secretary has been driving towards, to make sure that we see an end to this war, but also the recognition of the state of Palestine while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise.”

Reeves reveals diagnosis 'for the ills of the UK economy' - 'investment is the answer'

14:32 , Bryony Gooch

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been asked to set out her “diagnosis for the ills of the UK economy” and what the problems are “that continue to plague the UK at the moment” as she appears before the Economic Affairs Committee.

Reeves said that the UK suffered from low productivity but “investment is the answer”.

She said: “I think we’ve got the lowest private investment and lowest total investment as a share of GDP of any country in the G7.

“The result of that is our productivity performance has not kept pace with our competitors and similar countries around the world.

“That’s why the fiscal rules that I’ve set out do treat investment spending differently.”

(House of Commons/UK Parliament)

Who is Nigel Farage’s latest Reform recruit? From drink driving conviction to ‘chav shooting’ post

14:30 , Bryony Gooch

Who is Farage’s latest recruit? From drink driving conviction to ‘chav shooting’ post

Tory reshuffle: Everything we know so far

14:13 , Bryony Gooch

Sir James Cleverly has returned to the Conservative front bench as shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.

Sir James Cleverly will be shadow housing secretary (PA Wire)

Kevin Hollinrake will become the party chairman, replacing Nigel Huddleston, who will be shadow culture secretary.

Kevin Hollinrake will become the party chairman (PA Wire)

Stuart Andrew will replace Edward Argar, who stepped down from the role of shadow health secretary for health reasons.

Nigel Huddleston will be shadow culture secretary (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Archive)

It remains unknown whether Robert Jenrick will get his coveted role as shadow chancellor, a role currently filled by Sir Mel Stride.

Stuart Andrew will fill the role of shadow health secretary (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Archive)

Environment Secretary urged to apologise for ‘misleading’ Scottish water claims

14:00 , Bryony Gooch

The Scottish Government is demanding an apology from UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed for “inaccurate and misleading” made about water quality north of the border.

Mr Reed came under fire after claiming that under publicly-owned Scottish Water “pollution levels in Scotland are worse than they are in England”.

The UK Government minister made the remarks to Channel 4 News as he dismissed calls for water services south of the border to be nationalised.

Gillian Martin, the Scottish Government Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, said she was “extremely disappointed” that Mr Reed had made the “inaccurate and misleading comments regarding performance in Scotland” as he sought to “dismiss out of hand the value of public ownership of a key asset like water”.

UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed is being urged to apologise for ‘innacurate and misleading comments’ about water in Scotland. (Aaron Chown/PA)

Ed Davey: 'We're past the point of threatening sanctions' with Israel

13:45 , Bryony Gooch

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on the government to implement tougher sanctions on Israel.

“The Foreign Secretary must realise that we’re past the point of threatening sanctions. We need sanctions now, including against Netanyahu and the IDF generals leading the military campaigns in Gaza.

“Every day the Government sits on its hands, more innocent civilians are being killed while over a million are at risk of starvation. Meanwhile, the hostages held by Hamas are no closer to being freed. This is utterly intolerable.

“The Government needs to do everything it can to stop the carnage unfolding in the Strip. That must include stemming the flow of UK fighter jet parts to Israel.”ef

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Earlier today foreign secretary David Lammy said the government would continue to pressure Israel if it doesn’t agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Afghans ‘at risk of being radicalised in the UK’ as Home Office urged to investigate threat

13:30 , Bryony Gooch

Afghans evacuated to safety in Britain are at risk of being radicalised because they may feel let down by their new life in the UK, a review intothe catastrophic Ministry of Defence (MoD) data leak has warned.

Paul Rimmer’s review warned that competing pressures on the UK housing system and wider public services meant there was a “growing gap” between the expectations and reality of life in Britain for Afghans who resettle here.

The former deputy head of Defence Intelligence, who led the government’s review into the data breach, urged the Home Office to investigate the risk of radicalisation further, warning that Afghanistan is “becoming a base for a wide range of terrorist groups”.

Social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports here:

Afghans ‘at risk of being radicalised in the UK’ as Home Office urged to probe threat

Cleverly made shadow housing and local government secretary

13:23 , Jane Dalton

Sir James Cleverly has been appointed shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.

He will shadow Angela Rayner as Kemi Badenoch shakes up her top team.

As well as Sir James's appointment, it is understood Kevin Hollinrake will move to the role of party chairman, replacing Nigel Huddleston, who will become shadow culture secretary.

Mr Hollinrake was previously in the shadow housing, communities and local government job, which will be filled by Sir James.

Stuart Andrew becomes shadow health secretary, replacing Edward Argar, who resigned, citing health reasons.

Cleverly is returning to the Tory front bench (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Starmer closes pre-recess cabinet meeting by recalling Southport killings

13:20 , Bryony Gooch

Sir Keir Starmer closed his last Cabinet meeting before the summer recess by recalling the “horrific attacks” in Southport nearly one year on and said the country will never forget the “unimaginable tragedy”.

(AFP via Getty Images)

The government’s unexpected record borrowing will hit us all – but where?

13:15 , Bryony Gooch

“For Rachel Reeves, the hits keep on coming. The latest? Higher than expected government borrowing last month.

“The figures are enough to make anyone wince. The government spent £20.7bn more than it received in tax receipts in June, which is the second highest figure since monthly records began in 1993 – and £6.6bn more than in the same month in 2024.”

As borrowing soars to an unexpected new high of £20bn, we’re all going to feel the pinch – but not in the places you might expect, says James Moore. Read more here.

The government’s unexpected record borrowing will hit us all – but where?

Water industry may be added to list of sensitive business sectors, says minister

13:00 , Bryony Gooch

Water companies and their investors could see potential deals face extra scrutiny under plans to add the industry to a list of sensitive sectors.

It comes amid an overhaul of regulation for the troubled sector and as firms including Thames Water and Southern Water face financial woes.

Communications, energy and data infrastructure are among the 17 sectors that must notify the investment security unit of certain business deals since the list was created in 2021.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden is overseeing the reforms (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has asked for businesses’ views on extending this requirement to the water sector.

It is not expected to affect large numbers of deals but reflects “increasing risks to the sector’s resilience in a growing threat landscape”, the Cabinet Office said.

“Data shows our investment security powers are working well, but there’s more we can do to ensure our tool kit keeps pace with the modern economy,” Mr McFadden said.

“We’re taking action to hone the type of transactions facing the greatest scrutiny, as well as consulting on updates to the sectors of the economy specified in the legislation.”

‘Work until we die?’ Independent readers outraged over retirement age review

12:45 , Bryony Gooch

‘Work until we die?’ Independent readers outraged over retirement age review

Watch: Reform UK council leader says police should be able to ‘shoot people if necessary’

12:38 , Bryony Gooch

In pictures: Conservative Welsh Senedd member defects to Reform UK

12:22 , Bryony Gooch

(Getty)
(Getty Images)

Who is Laura Anne Jones? The Welsh Tory Senedd defecting to Reform UK

12:21 , Bryony Gooch

Laura Anne Jones has been a member of the Senedd for South Wales East since July 2020 for the Welsh Conservative party.

She served as shadow cabinet secretary for local government, housing and armed forces.

Ms Jones joined the Conservatives in 1996 and was involved in Conservative Future, the party's youth wing.

(Welsh Parliament)

Breaking: Kemi Badenoch loses another defector to Reform on day of her big reshuffle

12:14 , Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor

Nigel Farage has been in Wales, where he has unveiled his Reform UK party’s first member of the Welsh Senedd.

She is Laura Anne Jones, who has joined the party from the Conservatives.

Her defection comes as Ms Badenoch stages a major reshuffle in Westminster, designed to stabilise her leadership. The latest defection comes after two former Tory cabinet ministers, Jake Berry and David Jones, also left the Conservatives for Reform UK.

Inside Labour's Sizewell C plan which will cost around £38bn

12:00 , Bryony Gooch

The government has announced the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk will cost around £38 billion, with it being the biggest equity shareholder in the project.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has signed off on the final investment decision for the development, with the UK government investing a 44.9 per cent stake.

New Sizewell C investors include La Caisse with 20 per cent, Centrica with 15 per cent, and Amber Infrastructure with an initial 7.6 per cent.

It comes alongside French energy giant EDF announcing earlier this month it was taking a 12.5 per cent stake – lower than its previously stated 16.2 per cent ownership.

The nuclear plant is expected to deliver clean power to the equivalent of six million homes and help save £2bn a year in electricity savings once operational.

The Government has announced the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk will cost around £38 billion (Chris Radburn/PA) (PA Wire)

Reform UK council leader says police should be able to ‘shoot people if necessary

11:44 , Bryony Gooch

A Reform UK council leader has said police should be given the power to “shoot people if necessary" as the party launches a crackdown on crime.

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran said police forces should have “the proper backing” to shoot those who pose a risk to officers or members of the public.

Archie Mitchell, political correspondent, reports here:

Reform UK council leader says police should be able to ‘shoot people if necessary’

Governor of the Bank of England says 'it would not be sensible' for govt to scrap bank ring-fencing regime

11:32 , Bryony Gooch

The Governor of the Bank of England has said it “would not be sensible” for the Government to scrap the bank ring-fencing regime, after Rachel Reeves announced plans to reform the system last week.

Andrew Bailey also stressed that the UK cannot “compromise” on financial stability amid the Treasury’s plans to rip up red tape across the sector.

“I do think the ring-fencing regime is an important part of the structure of the banking system,” he told MPs on the Treasury Committee.

“It makes the resolution of banks if they’re in trouble much easier, and it benefits, particularly in terms of the UK, consumers, business and households.

“I’m sure there are things that can be improved and we will work constructively to get through that process.”

“I think it has established itself as part of the system and to me it would not be sensible to take it away at this point,” he clarified.

The ring-fencing regime was brought in after the 2008 financial crisis to separate banks’ retail and investment banking activities.

Ed Argar: 'I need to focus on my health'

11:20 , Bryony Gooch

In a letter to the party leader dated July 9 and shared by Mrs Badenoch on X on Tuesday, Mr Argar said: “I had a health scare earlier this summer and remain grateful to the doctors and hospital staff who looked after me.”

He added: “I have been well looked after, but have also listened to what the doctors said to me, and have listened to my family, and have concluded that lightening my front-bench workload over the coming months, in order to complete my recovery and fully restore my health in that period is the sensible approach.”

(House of Commons/PA Wire)

Mrs Badenoch said in her X post that Mr Argar is preparing “for his last parliamentary oral questions from the front bench”, and in her response letter to him dated on Tuesday, said she was “very sorry” that he was leaving the shadow cabinet.

“Though I am saddened that you feel unable to continue in the shadow cabinet, I strongly agree that you must put your health first,” she said in her letter.

Bank of England governor warns ‘greater uncertainty’ caused by Trump’s trade war pushing up cost of borrowing

11:11 , Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor

The governor of the Bank of England has warned MPs that “greater uncertainty” in global trade policy is pushing up the cost of borrowing in bond markets.

Andrew Bailey said he was “not unconcerned” as he gave evidence to MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee.

It follows Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on goods from other countries entering the US - prompting a trade war.

Reeves: State pension age review needed to ensure system ‘affordable'

11:00 , Bryony Gooch

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said a review into raising the state pension age is needed to ensure the system is “sustainable and affordable”.

The Government review is due to report in March 2029 and Ms Reeves said it was “right” to look at the age at which people can receive the state pension as life expectancy increases.

The state pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028 and the Government is legally required to periodically review the age.

The Chancellor told reporters: “We have just commissioned a review of pensions adequacy, so whether people are saving enough for retirement, and also the state pension age.

“As life expectancy increases it is right to look at the state pension age to ensure that the state pension is sustainable and affordable for generations to come.

“That’s why we have asked a very experienced set of experts to look at all the evidence.”

In pictures: Labour cabinet ministers gather in Downing St ahead of meeting

10:44 , Bryony Gooch

(James Manning/PA Wire)
(James Manning/PA Wire)
(James Manning/PA Wire)
(James Manning/PA Wire)

Ed Argar leaving Shadow Cabinet

10:38 , Bryony Gooch

Kemi Badenoch has confirmed that Ed Argar is leaving the Shadow Cabinet ahead of her reshuffle.

Mr Argar, who acted as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, suffered a health scare earlier this summer.

Mrs Badenoch said: “As he prepares for his last parliamentary oral questions from the front bench, I want to put on record my sincere thanks to Ed Argar for serving in my Shadow Cabinet.

“I wish him the very best for a speedy recovery and return to full health, and so I will be making a few changes.”

Watch: Senior Labour MP tells Starmer planned welfare cuts left her ‘ashamed’

10:31 , Bryony Gooch

Full list of Conservative reshuffle to be announced this afternoon

10:22 , Bryony Gooch

A list of full changes to the Conservative front bench team will be announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Here’s what we already know:

  • Sir James Cleverly is expected to return to the Conservative front bench.
  • Allies of shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride believe he will remain in his post, despite reports that Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, covets the role.
  • Questions remain as to whether the likes of Suella Braverman will return to the front bench.

Lammy 'appalled' and 'sickened' by Israel's actions in Gaza Strip

10:11 , Bryony Gooch

David Lammy says he feels “appalled” and “sickened” by Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.

Asked for his personal reaction to the scenes in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “I feel the same as the British public: appalled, sickened. I described what I saw, yesterday in Parliament, as grotesque.

“These are not words that are usually used by a Foreign Secretary who is attempting to be diplomatic, but when you see innocent children holding out their hand for food, and you see them shot and killed in the way that we have seen in the last few days, of course Britain must call it out.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he is ‘sickened’ by Israel’s actions in Gaza (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

“Of course Britain must lead others in the statement, as I did yesterday, to call it out.

“Of course we must get on the phone and we must urge Israel to think again, as I did again yesterday.

“We will continue to pressure, we will continue to act, we will continue to urge this Israeli government to listen to 83% of its public who are urging them now to move to a ceasefire so those hostages can come out.”

£38bn Sizewell C deal will reduce UK reliance on 'foreign dictators' says Reeves

09:56 , Bryony Gooch

The construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk will cost around £38 billion, the Government has announced as it struck a deal with a group of investors.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Sizewell C announcement would reduce the UK’s reliance on “foreign dictators” for energy.

“This is something that politicians have spoken about for years and today we are actually delivering,” she told reporters.

“This is a public-private consortium. We as a Government are putting in money but that means that government – taxpayers – will get a return on that investment.

“But it’s also backed by EDF, Centrica the owners of British Gas, and one of the big Canadian pension funds.

“So, this has got both public and private backing, and it’s possible because of the decisions that I made in the budget and the spending review to boost our energy security, to invest in cleaner, cheaper energy so we are not at the mercy of foreign dictators for our basic energy needs any more.”

(Yui Mok/PA Wire)

In pictures: Reeves visits Materials Laboratory at the Royal School of Mines in Imperial College London ahead of Sizewell C announcement

09:46 , Bryony Gooch

(Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(Yui Mok/PA Wire)

With Badenoch's reshuffle underway, when will Starmer launch his?

09:35 , Bryony Gooch

With Kemi Badenoch kicking off an overhaul of her top team, when might Sir Keir Starmer have a reshuffle of his own?

The prime minister is facing growing pressure from ambitious Labour backbenchers to give them a shot at ministerial jobs.

From culture to immigration, MPs elected in 2024 want to make their mark in government and help Labour show the country the party is delivering in power.

But Sir Keir faces a tough balancing act, wanting to promote up and coming talents without unleashing powerful enemies from the ministerial payroll.

Mrs Badenoch is expected to reshuffle her cabinet tomorrow (Getty)

A reshuffle has long been expected around the autumn, after summer recess, with the names repeatedly linked to demotions including some of Labour's most prominent women: Bridget Phillipson, Lisa Nandy and Lucy Powell.

All three have brushed off the speculation about their futures, but getting rid of them would only add to claims of a boys club culture in No10.

A senior Labour figure told The Independent the PM is likely to focus a reshuffle on the middle-ranking ministerial jobs as opposed to getting rid of any high profile cabinet members. This will give Sir Keir the chance to reward loyalty and initiative from newer MPs without the risk of a deposed cabinet heavyweight seeking revenge for their sacking.

A reshuffle in time for conference appears most likely, with the timing giving newly appointed ministers a chance to introduce themselves to their party, and the public, when Labour gathers in Liverpool in September.

(PA Archive)

Jenrick appears to miss out on top job in Tory reshuffle

09:28 , Bryony Gooch

Allies of shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride believe he will remain in his post, as Sir Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, is believed to be gunning for the role in a bid for seniority in the party.

Attentions are currently focused on whether Mrs Badenoch will keep Mr Jenrick in his current role amid the cabinet reshuffle which will seemingly bring James Cleverly back to the front benches.

(Getty)

Recap: Cleverly hinted at return to frontbenches last week

09:17 , Bryony Gooch

As James Cleverly is set to return to the frontbenches, last week he hinted at a return in a speech when he was asked if he would be running for London mayor.

He said: “I like being in government, I don’t like being in opposition, which is why I’m clear that I will play my part in helping to get Conservatives back into government, at every level of government.”

The former home secretary said he would not ‘jump’ into his next move (PA) (PA Wire)

Israel could face sanctions from UK, warns Lammy

09:09 , Bryony Gooch

Israel could face further sanctions from the UK if it does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, David Lammy has suggested.

Asked by ITV’s Good Morning Britain what more he planned to do if Israel did not agree to end the conflict, Mr Lammy replied: “Well, we’ve announced a raft of sanctions over the last few months.

“There will be more, clearly, and we keep all of those options under consideration if we do not see a change in behaviour and the suffering that we are seeing come to an end.

“It’s important that we continue to work with international partners if we are to have the maximum result.

“But what I want to see is a ceasefire and it’s my assessment that once the Knesset rises on July 28, we are more likely to see a ceasefire come into effect.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he is ‘sickened’ by Israel’s actions in Gaza (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Pictured: Angela Rayner arrives for cabinet meeting

08:56 , Bryony Gooch

(James Manning/PA Wire)

Government borrowing higher-than-expected

08:49 , Bryony Gooch

Government borrowing in the UK rose to a higher-than-expected £20.7 billion last month as debt interest payments soared, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said June borrowing was £6.6 billion higher than a year earlier and the second highest June borrowing since records began, only behind that seen in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

The ONS said interest payable on debt jumped to £16.4 billion due to a large rise in Retail Prices Index inflation impacting index-linked government bonds.

June borrowing was higher than the £17.6 billion expected by most economists.

Borrowing for the first three months of the financial year to date stood at £57.8 billion, £7.5 billion more than the same three-month period in 2024.

(Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Shadow chancellor: 'Rachel Reeves is spending money she doesn't have'

08:36 , Bryony Gooch

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has responded to the higher-than-expected rise in government borrowing.

“Rachel Reeves is spending money she doesn’t have. Debt interest already costs taxpayers £100 billion a year – almost double the defence budget – and it’s forecast to rise to £130 billion on Labour’s watch.

“Labour’s jobs tax and reckless borrowing is killing growth and fuelling inflation – paving the way for more tax hikes and more borrowing in the autumn. Make no mistake – working families will pay the price for Labour’s failure and costly U-turns.

“Only the Conservatives, under new leadership, will break this cycle. Only the Conservatives believe in sound money and low taxes.”

Source says Cleverly will return to fight 'dreadful Labour government'

08:19 , Holly Evans

A Tory party source said: "The leader of the opposition will be making some changes to her frontbench team today.

"The changes reflect the next stage of the party's policy renewal programme and underline the unity of the party under new leadership.

"Sir James Cleverly, is expected to return in a prominent front bench role to take the fight to this dreadful Labour government."

Sir James Cleverly to return to frontbench after Tory leadership defeat

08:15 , Holly Evans

Sir James Cleverly served as both foreign secretary and home secretary when the Conservatives were in power.

He stood as a candidate in last year’s Conservative leadership election, but lost out on the Tory top job ahead of the final heat between Mrs Badenoch and her now-shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick.

Since the leadership contest, Sir James has returned to the Tory back benches as the MP for Braintree.

He has used his influential position as a former minister to warn against pursuing populist agenda akin to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Appearing at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank last week, the senior Tory hit out at calls to “smash the system” and “start again from scratch”, branding them “complete nonsense”.

Former home secretary James Cleverly is expected to return to the Tory front benches (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

Kemi Badenoch brings back James Cleverly as Tory leader launches reshuffle

08:11 , Holly Evans

Kemi Badenoch has kicked off a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet, with Sir James Cleverly set to return to the Conservative Party front bench.

The Tory leader is bringing her former leadership rival back to the frontline to build party unity and bolster the party’s credibility.

A senior Tory source said Sir James would help “take the fight to this dreadful Labour government”.

Read the full article from our political correspondent Archie Mitchell here:

Kemi Badenoch brings back former leadership rival in Tory shadow cabinet reshuffle

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