Kemi Badenoch has blasted Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage for making promises they “can’t deliver” if they pledge to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Taking aim at the Reform leader amid reports he’s planning to outflank the prime minister on benefits by committing to restoring winter fuel payments and scrapping the two-child benefit cap, she said: "He's making the same mistake that Keir Starmer made of making promises, and then they'll get into government and can't deliver it."
The Conservative leader insisted “we cannot afford to scrap it”, adding: “Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer are just saying things to please people.”
It comes as Sir Keir is also said to be privately considering scrapping the two-child benefit cap in bid to reduce child poverty, in a move that would cost the Treasury £3.5bn a year.
Such a move would mark the second major welfare U-turn after last week’s reversal on the winter fuel allowance policy. With Labour MPs threatening to rebel over a wide-ranging package of welfare reforms, the Observer has reported that the prime minister has made it clear to his Cabinet that he wants the cap to be abolished.
It came as Angela Rayner piled pressure on Sir Keir by suggesting details on when winter fuel payments could be restored to more pensioners could come to light within a few weeks.
The deputy prime minister indicated the Spending Review by chancellor Rachel Reeves on 11 June could be when an announcement is made on winter fuel.
Key Points
- Keir Starmer gears up to 'scrap two child benefit cap'
- Nigel Farage would bring back winter fuel payments
- Inquiry underway into how Angela Rayner memo was leaked
- Starmer and Farage ‘just saying things to please people’, Badenoch claims
- Angela Rayner says she ‘never’ wants to be Prime Minister or Labour leader
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15:23 , Amy-Clare MartinThat’s all for today, thank you for following our live coverage.
ICYMI: Rayner defends housebuilding plans despite downturn in number of homes being built
15:00 , Amy-Clare MartinAngela Rayner has defended her plan to build 1.5m homes, despite concerns over whether the target is achievable.
Asked about figures which show the number of houses being built have decreased under the Labour government, the housing secretary said: "That was always going to be the case.”
"It doesn't happen overnight", she insisted, telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that you need "lead in time" for policies to take effect.
Pressed on whether the slow down has been caused by a lack of confidence in the housing market, Ms Rayner said: "Well, the market is very confident. I speak to developers all the time.
“In fact, I was with them just on Monday of this week, and what's clear is that they've very much welcomed the changes we've made. We are starting to see the green shoots of that. That will come through in the next few months."
Reform lead in polls as Conservatives drop to fourth
14:40 , Amy-Clare MartinKemi Badenoch has said it would be "very bad for this country" if Nigel Farage gained power, accusing the Reform UK leader of making empty promises that would unravel in government.
The Conservative leader issued the warning as her party dropped to fourth place in YouGov's latest polling, falling behind Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK for the first time since 2019.
Ms Badenoch's comments come as Reform UK surged to first place in the latest YouGov voting intention survey, on 29%. Labour followed on 22%, the Liberal Democrats on 17%, and the Conservatives on 16% - their lowest ever rating with the pollster.
It is the first time the Tories have placed fourth in a YouGov ranking since the final weeks of Theresa May's premiership in 2019.
Inside Labour plot to oust Keir Starmer as PM is given 12 months to turn things around
14:20 , Amy-Clare MartinLast week, Sir Keir Starmer took everyone by surprise when he suddenly announced a U-turn on Labour’s controversial winter fuel payment cuts.
Now the prime minister is reported to be privately considering another U-turn on the two child benefit cap as he faces growing pressure from within his own party over Labour’s domestic agenda.
Political editor David Maddox considers Sir Keir’s future as leader of the Labour Party in our special report:
-Leaders-Summ.jpeg?trim=342,2149,1090,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Inside Labour plot to oust Starmer as PM is given 12 months to turn things around
Winter fuel reversal details could come in weeks, suggests Rayner
14:00 , Amy-Clare MartinDetails on when winter fuel payments could be restored to more pensioners could come to light within a few weeks, Angela Rayner has suggested.
The deputy prime minister indicated the Spending Review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on June 11 could be when an announcement is made on winter fuel.
Read the full story here:
Winter fuel reversal details could come in weeks, suggests Rayner
What is the two-child benefit cap?
13:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe two child benefit cap prevents parents from claiming universal credit or tax credit for their third child. It was introduced by the Conservatives and came into place in April 2017. It only affects applies to children who were born after 6 April 2017.
The measure was introduced by then chancellor George Osbourne, alongside a raft of other changes to the benefits system. The Conservatives said the measures were designed to encourage benefit recipients “to make the same choices as those supporting themselves solely through work.”
Figures released by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) show that 109 children are pulled into poverty by the policy every day.
Sir Keir is said to be privately considering scrapping the two-child cap in a move that would cost the Treasury £3.5bn a year. It comes after it was reported that Reform leader Nigel Farage will commit to scrapping it and restoring winter fuel payments in a bid to outflank Labour on benefits.
Such a move would mark the second major welfare U-turn after last week’s reversal on the winter fuel allowance policy. With Labour MPs threatening to rebel over a wide-ranging package of welfare reforms, the Observer has reported that the prime minister has made it clear to his Cabinet that he wants the cap to be abolished.
Recap: Keir Starmer considering scrapping two child benefit cap
13:19 , Amy-Clare Martin- Sir Keir Starmer is said to be considering scrapping the two child benefit cap, in what would be his second U-turn following months of pressure over Labour’s approach to benefits
- The prime minister’s reported shift in position was revealed just hours after it emerged that Nigel Farage is preparing to outflank him on benefits by committing to scrapping the cap and fully reinstating the winter fuel payment – piling pressure on Labour to do the same
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister and Reform leader of saying things to “please people”, warning “we cannot afford to scrap” the two child cap
Angela Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party
13:00 , Amy-Clare MartinAngela Rayner has shut down growing rumours that she is seeking to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, saying she doesn’t want to lead the party.
Sir Keir’s deputy categorically ruled out holding the position at any point in the future, despite a growing belief within Labour that she would be the most likely successor as the prime minister battles plummeting approval ratings following brutal results at the local elections.
It comes after The Independent revealed that a large number of MPs from the so-called “soft left” of the party are organising to try to force a change of direction, with allies of Ms Rayner urging her to organise a leadership contest.
Read the full story here:
Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party
Kemi Badenoch admits it will take time to rebuild support for Conservatives
12:45 , Amy-Clare MartinConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it will take time to rebuild public support for her party following its general election defeat, insisting she will not be rushed into announcing policies to boost poll numbers.
Speaking to Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Ms Badenoch said: “It’s going to take some time because we just lost an election. The public don’t come back to the Opposition straight away – the Government are doing so badly that people are going to protest parties.”
Pressed on whether the rebuilding process would take two years, she said: “I can’t say how long that’s going to take. I need to use this time as wisely as possible.”
Ms Badenoch said she had deliberately avoided reacting to political setbacks with headline-grabbing announcements.
“I could have come rushing out with policies to chase the polls but that’s the wrong thing to do,” she said.
“We need to start delivering a proposition that’s going to change the country for the better.”
Starmer and Farage ‘just saying things to please people’, Badenoch claims
12:31 , Amy-Clare MartinKemi Badenoch has accused Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer of “just saying things to please people” as reports claim they are both considering pledging to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
The Conservative leader told Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the cap is there “for a good reason”, warning: “We cannot afford to scrap it.”
“There are many people out there who will say, 'if you can't afford to have lots of children, then you shouldn't do so. You shouldn't have to rely on benefits to have your children',” she said.
“But we do have a humane system where we look after people, but the cap is its two children. I think that is right. That is fair.
“Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer are just saying things to please people. They're not doing what is right. I am saying what is the right thing to do. It may not be popular, but it's absolutely the right thing to do.”
The Reform leader is said to be preparing to outflank the prime minister on benefits by committing to restoring winter fuel payments in full to all pensioners and scrapping the two-child benefit cap.
Sir Keir is also said to be privately considering scrapping the two-child benefit cap in bid to reduce child poverty, in a move that would cost the Treasury £3.5bn a year.
It would mark the second major welfare U-turn after last week’s reversal on the winter fuel allowance policy.
Ms Badenoch added: “This is a prime minister who is not honest, who doesn't have a plan, is confused, is making everything worse and is damaging our economy, and this will just be the latest in a long line of decisions."
Starmer’s criticism of Israel was met with ‘terrorist cheers’, claims Badenoch
12:10 , Amy-Clare MartinPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s public criticism of Israel “does not send the right message” and led to “terrorist cheers” from Hamas, Kemi Badenoch has said.
Earlier this week, Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the Israeli government’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning the UK and allies will take “concrete actions” unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu changes course.
The statement was condemned by Mr Netanyahu and he accused the world leaders of “emboldening Hamas”.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Conservative leader Ms Badenoch joined in condemning Sir Keir.
She said: “You should do it in a way that does not have Hamas cheering – Hamas praised that statement.
“Sending a signal to Hamas like that does not send the right message, you should not have terrorist cheers.”
Ms Badenoch said she supports a two-state solution. Asked if there is anything Israel could do that she would criticise, Ms Badenoch said she has already raised humanitarian concerns.
She said: “I have criticised – we’ve talked about when people need aid, get it – they responded to that.
“Let’s not forget, two years ago hundreds of people at a music festival were butchered, massacred – we’re still waiting for 58 hostages. What we need to do is get a ceasefire.”
Angela Rayner says she ‘never’ wants to be Prime Minister or Labour leader
11:47 , Amy-Clare MartinAngela Rayner has said she “never” wants to be Prime Minister or leader of the Labour Party.
The Deputy Prime Minister was asked to rule herself out from the top job after a memo she sent to Rachel Reeves suggesting tax rises was leaked to the press.
Ms Rayner suggested reinstating the pensions lifetime allowance and changing dividend taxes in a memo to the Chancellor with ideas to raise revenue, according to the Telegraph, which saw a copy of the document.
The Deputy Prime Minister said she was “absolutely not” behind a leaked memo, and ruled out becoming Prime Minister in the future when appearing on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
Ms Rayner was asked to dispel suggestions she may have been behind the leak of the memo, in order to grow support for a future Labour leadership bid.
She replied: “Yeah, absolutely not, and I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party.”
Pressed on this, she added: “No, I’m very happy and honoured to be Deputy Prime Minister of this country, and I’ve got a lot in my in-tray to prove that I can do the job that I’m doing and deliver on the milestones for the people of this country.
“That’s what I’m interested in.”
Asked to say the word never, she replied: “Never.”
Rayner defends housebuilding plans despite downturn in number of homes being built
11:32 , Millie CookeAngela Rayner has defended her plan to build 1.5m homes, despite concerns over whether the target is achievable.
Asked about figures which show the number of houses being built have decreased under the Labour government, the housing secretary said: "That was always going to be the case.”
"It doesn't happen overnight", she insisted, telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that you need "lead in time" for policies to take effect.
Pressed on whether the slow down has been caused by a lack of confidence in the housing market, Ms Rayner said: "Well, the market is very confident. I speak to developers all the time.
“In fact, I was with them just on Monday of this week, and what's clear is that they've very much welcomed the changes we've made. We are starting to see the green shoots of that. That will come through in the next few months."
Nigel Farage to back scrapping child benefit cap and restoring winter fuel payment
11:18 , Amy-Clare MartinNigel Farage is preparing to outflank the prime minister on benefits by committing to restoring winter fuel payments in full to all pensioners and scrapping the two-child benefit cap.
It is understood the Reform UK leader will try to appeal to more left-wing voters in a speech next week, where he will brand Sir Keir Starmer “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history”.
The speech will pile further pressure on Sir Keir, who is already braced for a major rebellion from his own MPs on upcoming welfare cuts and facing growing concern over the direction of the Labour Party under his leadership.
Read the full story:
Nigel Farage to back scrapping child benefit cap and restoring winter fuel payment
Winter fuel reversal details could come in weeks, suggests Rayner
11:06 , Amy-Clare MartinDetails on when winter fuel payments could be restored to more pensioners could come to light within a few weeks, Angela Rayner has suggested.
The deputy prime minister indicated the Spending Review by chancellor Rachel Reeves on 11 June could be when an announcement is made on winter fuel.
The controversial decision to limit the payment to only those in receipt of a benefit called pension credit was one of the earliest moves made by the Labour Government, as it set out plans to deal with what it said was a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances.
In a U-turn this week Sir Keir Starmer said at Prime Minister’s Questions he wants to restore winter fuel payments to more pensioners, claiming the UK’s improving economic prospects could allow for the move at the next “fiscal event”.
Many in Westminster took this to mean the budget in the autumn.
But on Sunday, Sir Keir’s deputy Ms Rayner suggested it could come sooner.
She told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I think that we’ve got the upcoming Spending Review, and I’m sure that the Chancellor will set it out when we’ve got the opportunity, at the first opportunity, she will set out what we’ll be able to do.”
Asked if this means details on the winter fuel payment will definitely be announced at the Spending Review, Ms Rayner added: “I don’t know, but I hope so.”
Kemi Badenoch warns Farage in power would be ‘very bad for this country’
10:59 , Amy-Clare MartinKemi Badenoch has said it would be “very bad for this country” if Nigel Farage gained power, accusing the Reform UK leader of making empty promises that would unravel in government.
The Conservative leader issued the warning as her party dropped to fourth place in YouGov’s latest polling, falling behind Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK for the first time since 2019.
“I hope not – it would be very bad for this country,” she said, when asked whether Mr Farage could plausibly take power.
Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Mrs Badenoch said: “Nigel Farage is someone who is going to say whatever he wants in order to get into power. I am taking the hard road – I’m not going to do that.
“He’s making the same mistake that Keir Starmer made of making promises, and then they’ll get into government and can’t deliver it.”
Changes to the winter fuel allowance could come within weeks, Rayner indicates
10:30 , Millie CookeChanges to the winter fuel allowance could come within weeks, the deputy prime minister has indicated, despite Downing Street last week insisting that the first opportunity to unveil the changes would be at October’s budget.
During Wednesday's PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer announced that the government will be making changes to its controversial cuts to the winter fuel allowance, unveiled last year – changes that his spokesperson insisted would not come until October.
But with mounting questions over whether that would allow enough time to have the changes in force for next winter, Angela Rayner has indicated a shift in position.
Asked when the changes will be laid out, Ms Rayner said: “Well, I think that the we've got the upcoming Spending Review, and I'm sure that the chancellor will set it out when we've got the opportunity.
At the first opportunity, she will set out what we'll be able to do.”Pressed on whether the public might see changes in a matter of weeks, Ms Rayner said: “I hope so, but I don't know, but I hope so.”
What Rayner’s crackdown on child benefit will really mean
10:15 , Holly EvansAngela Rayner wants to cut child benefit payments for middle-class parents who earn over £50,000 – according to a leaked government memo.
That might be fine if you stroll around west London with a Bugaboo pram while your husband has a high-flying job, but for the rest of us – including single mums like me – it could be hard-hitting.
In a move that will send shockwaves through Mumsnet, the deputy prime minister tried to convince chancellor Rachel Reeves to “claw back” money from families in which one adult earns more than £50,000 a year, under a “contentious” cost-cutting proposal.
Read the full article here:
What Rayner’s crackdown on child benefit will mean for middle-class mums like me
Tory leader accepts voters will not return easily to her party
10:10 , Holly EvansConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it will take time to rebuild public support for her party following its general election defeat, insisting she will not be rushed into announcing policies to boost poll numbers.
Speaking to Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Ms Badenoch said: “It’s going to take some time because we just lost an election. The public don’t come back to the Opposition straight away – the Government are doing so badly that people are going to protest parties.”
Pressed on whether the rebuilding process would take two years, she said: “I can’t say how long that’s going to take. I need to use this time as wisely as possible.”
Ms Badenoch said she had deliberately avoided reacting to political setbacks with headline-grabbing announcements.
“I could have come rushing out with policies to chase the polls but that’s the wrong thing to do,” she said.
“We need to start delivering a proposition that’s going to change the country for the better.”
Badenoch says Nigel Farage 'making the same mistake' as Labour
09:58 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has accused Nigel Farage of making empty promises to gain power, warning that his rise would be “very bad for this country”.
The Tory leader, speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sky News, said: “Nigel Farage is someone who is going to say whatever he wants in order to get into power. I am taking the hard road – I’m not going to do that.”
Ms Badenoch suggested the Reform UK leader risked repeating the same mistakes she accused Labour of making.
“He’s making the same mistake that Keir Starmer made of making promises, and then they’ll get into government and can’t deliver it,” she said.
Asked if Mr Farage could actually get into power, she replied: “I hope not – it would be very bad for this country.”
“What I’m working on right now is to make sure that I get into power – that means rebuilding trust with the public and showing the alternative to a Labour Government that is damaging the economy.”
Tory leader says winter fuel payments should not be given to millionaires
09:47 , Holly EvansThe Conservative leader said winter fuel payments should be protected for vulnerable people but withdrawn from millionaires.
Speaking on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Kemi Badenoch said: “We voted against the winter fuel allowance – we said he should not have done that.”
“Millionaires should not get the winter fuel payment – that is not right. But we shouldn’t be taking them away from those who end up below the breadline.”
She said the Government must focus on a system that ensures targeted support: “What we need is a system that makes sure that all of those people who need it, get it.”
Badenoch says Starmer is 'not honest' and damaging economy
09:42 , Holly EvansPressed by Phillips on whether limiting child-related benefits to two children is fair, Badenoch replied: “I think that is right, that is fair.”
She said: “Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer are just saying things to people – they’re not doing what is right.
“I am saying what is the right thing to do – it may not be popular, but it is absolutely the right thing to do.”
“As far as I can tell, that’s where Keir Starmer was about a year ago. He removed the whip from seven MPs who voted against it. Now he’s changing his mind.
“This is a Prime Minister who is not honest, who doesn’t have a plan, is confused, is making everything worse and is damaging our economy – and this will just be the latest in a long line of decisions.”
“The worse our economy gets, the poorer we will become – and then we won’t be able to afford any benefits at all.”
'The two-child benefit cap needs to stay'
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 25, 2025
Conservative leader @KemiBadenoch tells @TrevorPTweets, 'you shouldn't have to rely on benefits to have your children'#TrevorPhillipshttps://t.co/sdor7jUS9i
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Angela Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party
09:38 , Holly EvansAngela Rayner has shut down growing rumours that she is seeking to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, saying she doesn’t want to lead the party.
Sir Keir’s deputy categorically ruled out holding the position at any point in the future, despite a growing belief within Labour that she would be the most likely successor as the prime minister battles plummeting approval ratings following brutal results at the local elections.
It comes after The Independent revealed that a large number of MPs from the so-called “soft left” of the party are organising to try to force a change of direction, with allies of Ms Rayner urging her to organise a leadership contest.
Read the full article here from political correspondent Millie Cooke:
Rayner blasts leadership rumours: I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party
Kemi Badenoch says scrapping two-child benefit would 'send wrong signal'
09:33 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has defended the two-child benefit cap, insisting it is “the right thing to do”.
Appearing on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, the Conservative leader said the policy had been introduced in “better economic times than we have now” and scrapping it would send “the wrong signal”.
“The child benefit cap is reasonable,” she said. “It is the right thing to do and we want people to know that we can manage the economy properly – that’s what the Government should be doing. I don’t think it is right to scrap it.”
Ms Badenoch said the UK’s welfare bill was unsustainable, warning that the Government is spending more than £100 billion a year on debt interest.
“We are borrowing to pay welfare,” she said. “We are now spending more on paying off the interest on debt than we are on education. This is not sustainable.”
“I’m going to tell the truth and be the person who is being honest with the public. People know that the two-child benefit (cap) is there for a good reason and there are many people out there who will say, if you can’t afford to have lots of children then you shouldn’t do so. You shouldn’t have to rely on benefits to have your children – but we do have a humane system.”
Keir Starmer considering scrapping two child benefit cap
09:28 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer is said to be considering scrapping the two child benefit cap, in what would be his second U-turn following months of pressure over Labour’s approach to benefits.
While Downing Street has previously said there is “no one silver bullet to tackle child poverty” when pressed on whether the government would scrap the cap, sources have now told The Observer that the prime minister thinks ending it is the right thing to do.
It comes less than a week after the prime minister announced plans to row back on last year’s controversial winter fuel cut, telling the Commons he would look at increasing the thresholds at which people start to receive the benefit.
Sir Keir’s reported shift in position on the two child benefit cap was revealed just hours after it emerged that Nigel Farage is preparing to outflank him on benefits by committing to scrapping the cap and fully reinstating the winter fuel payment – piling pressure on the prime minister to do the same.
Inside Labour plot to oust Keir Starmer as PM is given 12 months to turn things around
09:24 , Holly EvansOn Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer took everyone by surprise when he suddenly announced a U-turn on Labour’s controversial winter fuel payment cuts.
The response to what appeared to be a planted question from a loyal backbencher during Prime Minister’s Questions certainly wrong-footed Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and meant that Labour MPs left the chamber with smiles on their faces.
But the shock move came as Sir Keir was having to act to shore up power with MPs, senior party figures and trade unionists who have been openly plotting to remove him.
Read the special report from our political editor David Maddox here:
Inside Labour plot to oust Starmer as PM is given 12 months to turn things around
Nigel Farage 'doesn't know' how to pay for winter fuel payments, Rayner says
09:22 , Holly EvansNigel Farage does not know how he would pay for scrapping the two-child benefit cap and restoring the winter fuel payment to all pensioners, Angela Rayner has suggested.
Asked about the Reform UK leader’s claims on both welfare measures, the Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “Nigel Farage comes up with lots of ideas, they’re not necessarily good ideas, and he doesn’t know how he’s going to pay for them.”
Lifting the cap “might be a signal, but it’s not a silver bullet”, Ms Rayner added.
She told Sky News: “It’s not going to alleviate the levels of child poverty. There is a number of factors: people’s wages not increasing, their employment being insecure, their cost-of-living crisis that we face, their bills going up, and their housing costs have gone up.
“So it’s not one particular element that is going to safeguard people from the poverty we’ve seen after 14 years of the Conservatives.
“But I do know that having a good job that pays well allows you to open doors and opportunities for you to have a family and to do well in life.”
Angela Rayner rules out being prime minister
09:20 , Holly EvansAngela Rayner said she was “absolutely not” behind a leaked memo, and ruled out being prime minister.
The deputy prime minister was asked by Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips to dispel suggestions she may have been behind the leak of a memo to the chancellor, in order to grow support for a future leadership bid.
She replied: “Yeah, absolutely not, and I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party.”
Pressed on this, she added: “No, I’m very happy and honoured to be deputy prime minister of this country, and I’ve got a lot in my in-tray to prove that I can do the job that I’m doing and deliver on the milestones for the people of this country.
“That’s what I’m interested in.”
Asked to say the word never, she replied: “Never.”
Nigel Farage would bring back winter fuel payments
09:17 , Holly EvansNigel Farage will commit to restoring the winter fuel payment to all pensioners and to scrapping the two-child benefit cap, reports have suggested.
The Reform UK leader is expected to appeal to left-wing voters with the moves in a speech next week, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
The newspaper said Mr Farage will describe Sir Keir Starmer as “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history and this past week has been evidence of that”, in his first speech since Reform made large gains in the local elections.
Reform UK is riding high in the opinion polls after its victories in town halls and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, according to YouGov.
A Reform source told the newspaper: “We’re against the two-child cap and we’d go further on winter fuel by bringing the payment back for everyone.
“That’s already outflanking Labour.”
Inquiry underway into how Angela Rayner memo was leaked
09:12 , Holly EvansAn inquiry is “under way” into how a memo from Angela Rayner to Chancellor Rachel Reeves was leaked, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested.
Asked by Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips if a probe would be launched into how the memo was leaked, Ms Rayner said: “I think there’s one under way, and quite rightly so, because leaks are very damaging.
“It’s really damaging, because we have lots of sensitive conversations in the round, all of us, and then we make a collective decision.”
The Deputy PM would not be drawn into saying whether she wanted to see taxes raised, as the memo suggested was needed.
She told Sky News: “As a matter of principle, I will continue to have those conversations with our Government on how we can bring down the cost of living for working people, support children out of poverty, build the houses we said we’re going to do and protect our borders and security.”
