'We face the fight of our lives' to beat Reform, admits top minister
Wednesday, 7 May 2025 Sir Keir Starmer sent his chief cabinet "fixer" to attempt to calm down jittery LabourMPs in a mutinous mood after last week's elections drubbing by Reform.
Dozens of MPs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to "urgently" establish a Ukraine-style visa to allow Gazans with family in the UK to come to Britain. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer has said he was "heavily focused" on world affairs before he was forced to U-turn on his welfare bill after rebellion by MPs. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Nigel Farage as a “wolf in Wall Street clothing” with “no idea” about issues like Port Talbot’s blast furnaces. Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference, he accused Reform UK of opposing workers’ rights and backing “unfunded tax cuts for billionaires”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer says the welfare system must be reformed without removing the “safety net” for vulnerable people. Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference, he said change is a “moral imperative” but must be done “the Labour way” - supporting those in need while helping others back into work. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says Labour’s welfare reforms fail to cut spending, boost employment or rule out tax rises - key conditions for Conservative support. She accused ministers of “giving up” and warned the bill’s U-turns threaten public finances. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall says she “hopes” concessions to the welfare Bill will win over Labour rebels, despite some still refusing to back it. She called the changes a sign of “strength in listening” and insisted protections for existing claimants were standard practice, aimed at easing widespread concerns ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier says a workable compromise has been reached on welfare reforms after ministers offered concessions to avoid defeat. Sir Keir Starmer faced pressure from 126 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to block the Bill, but the government now expects it to pass its first Commons vote on 1 July. Hillier says the changes are "critical to protecting the most vulnerable." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer sent his chief cabinet "fixer" to attempt to calm down jittery 
![Starmer labels Farage a ‘wolf in Wall Street clothing’ [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250628/1415013498-Starmer-labels-Farage-wolf-in-Wall-Street.jpg)
![Starmer: Welfare must be fixed ‘the Labour way’ [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250628/1415013310-Starmer-Welfare-must-be-fixed-the-Labour-way.jpg)
![Badenoch: Labour’s welfare plan fails key tests [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250627/1414942124-Badenoch-Labour-welfare-plan-fails-key-tests.jpg)
![Kendall says welfare changes show 'strength in listening' [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250627/1414931366-Kendall-says-welfare-changes-show-strength-in-listening.jpg)
![Hillier hails welfare deal after Labour revolt [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250627/1414918516-Hillier-hails-welfare-deal-after-Labour-revolt.jpg)
