'Self-centred and uncaring' Sadiq Khan slammed for 'taking cash from the poorest' with 'unfair' Ulez

Sadiq Khan has been accused of "taking cash from the poorest" with his expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Conservative Mayoral Candidate Susan Hall accused Khan of being "self-centred" and "uncaring", claiming he is "more concerned with taking cash from the poorest than with saving Ukrainian lives".

In an opinion piece for GB News, she said: "Sadiq Khan's refusal to send scrapped ULEZ vehicles to Ukraine is a glaring example of just how out of touch he is with London’s values. It's a decision that screams of a Mayor more concerned taking cash from the poorest than with saving Ukrainian lives. And once again, it shows just how self-centred and uncaring he can be.”

She added: "Here we have a situation where vehicles set to be dumped on a scrap heap could be donated to help in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion.

"Sadiq Khan said no, and now that he has been caught out, he is hiding behind the flimsiest of legal excuses.

"Thousands of cars have now been unnecessarily destroyed because of his failure."

She added: “Now he is blaming government regulations over the certificate of destruction, a document you are required to provide TfL to prove your vehicle has been destroyed in exchange for the scrappage scheme money.

"Once again, it is a dodgy legal argument that simply doesn’t stack up. And to the extent that it is an issue, it could have been quickly solved months ago if Sadiq Khan had bothered to raise it with officials.

“The truth is Sadiq Khan was so obsessed with making as much money off his unfair Ulez expansion as possible, he did not bother to see the bigger picture.

"When he was caught, he resorted to his usual tactic of blaming the government for his own failures. He is lacking not just in empathy, but imagination.

“And it is more than just this missed opportunity. London is being let down by a Mayor who seems more interested in becoming a celebrity than in helping others.

"We see it every single day, from his weak leadership on crime to his failures on housebuilding.”

Responding to Hall's article, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "As experts such as former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace have made clear, we need action from ministers for plans to progress.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• EU blasted for 'undermining sense of nationhood' as migration spirals
• Sunak issued stark warning over Labour LANDSLIDE as next by-election looms
• Starmer's £28billion 'borrowing binge' will 'drive up mortgages by £2,000 a year'

"Sadiq is calling on the Government to temporarily alter the national regulations for the Certificate of Destruction, which is required as proof that a vehicle has been permanently scrapped, to enable the export of suitable vehicles to the Ukraine via a registered charity or national scheme.

"Officials are now working with ministers to overcome these legal hurdles and enable Londoners to receive money for taking suitable polluting vehicles off London's streets while helping the people of Ukraine."

from GB News https://ift.tt/U8yKeo4

Liz Truss's 'shameless' resignation gongs snuck out by Downing Street at exact same time New Year Honours confirmed

Downing Street has shamelessly published Liz Truss's resignation honours list at the same time as the New Years' honours, in what appears to be an attempt to divert attention away from the controversial awards.

The decision to allow the former Prime Minister the traditional privilege of handing out the honours attracted criticism, as she was in office for just 49 days.

There were calls for Rishi Sunak to block the move given the short-lived nature of her premiership.

The long-delayed list was published by the Government this evening at the same time as a number of separate New Year Honours.

Truss recommended Tory donor Sir Jon Moynihan, her deputy chief of staff in Number 10 Ruth Porter and former chief executive of the Vote Leave Brexit campaign Matthew Elliott for peerages.

Sir John donated £20,000 to Truss’s leadership campaign in 2021.

Novelist Shirley Ida Conran, who is also on the list, donated £5,000 to the former PM.

Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke was recommended for a knighthood for his political service as Minister of State for Defence Procurement.

Meanwhile fellow MP Jacqueline Doyle-Price has been recommended for a damehood following her service as Minister of State for Industry.

Speaking on publication of the honours list, Truss said: "I am delighted these champions for the conservative causes of freedom, limited government and a proud and sovereign Britain have been suitably honoured."

But Labour branded the list a "slap in the face to working people" while the Liberal Democrats have dubbed it a "shameless move".

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow cabinet office minister, said: “This list is proof positive of Rishi Sunak’s weakness and a slap in the face to working people who are paying the price of the Tories crashing the economy.

“Honours should be for those committed to public service, not rewards for Tory failure. Rather than apologise for crashing the economy and driving up mortgages rates, costing families thousands, Rishi Sunak has nodded through these tarnished gongs because he is too weak to lead a Tory Party completely out of touch with working people.”

While Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “This shameless move to reward Liz Truss’s car crash cronies is matched only by Sunak’s weakness in failing to block it.

“Truss handing out gongs after blowing a hole in the public finances and leaving families reeling from spiralling mortgage costs calls this whole honours system into disrepute.

“The honours system should celebrate hardworking people who have achieved great things; sullying this celebration shows just how out of touch this Conservative Government really is.”

The Government's New Years' Honours list saw England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and Game of Thrones actor Emilia Clarke are among the stars of sport, stage and screen recognised in the New Year Honours list, while the Archbishop of Canterbury leads those rewarded for their work on the King’s coronation.

Singer Dame Shirley Bassey, who has sold more than 135 million records, is made Companion of Honour for her services to music, becoming the 64th living member of the order which can only have 65 members at any one time.

Director and producer Sir Ridley Scott, whose works include Gladiator, Alien and Napoleon, is made a Knight Grand Cross, upgrading his previous knighthood, while author Jilly Cooper becomes a dame.

Other notable names in the list include England cricketer Stuart Broad, who is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) following his retirement; singer Leona Lewis, who becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); and author Kate Mosse, who is also made a CBE.

from GB News https://ift.tt/pbqosBn

Liz Truss resignation honours revealed as Kwarteng and cabinet miss out

Kwasi Kwarteng, Therese Coffey and the rest of Liz Truss's cabinet have missed out on getting gongs or places in the House of Lords as part of her resignation honours list.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/J6Pmp8n

Rishi Sunak's New Year nightmare as new data highlights scale of crisis for Tories

Labour is on course for a thumping victory at the General Election, a major new poll indicates today.

As speculation mounts that Rishi Sunak will call a May vote, the People Polling* for GB News poll has Keir Starmer’s party holding a 22 point lead over the Tories.

Labour is on 45 percent, the Tories are on 23 percent, and Reform is polling at 10 percent. If such a result was repeated at a General Election, it would be enough for a Labour majority.

The blow to Rishi Sunak comes as the poll also reveals that 54 percent - more than a half of the country - feel worse off now compared to a year ago.

And two thirds of the country say “it’s time for a change in Westminster”.

Commenting, politics expert Professor Matthew Goodwin from People Polling, told GB News: “This is further evidence, after a disastrous year in the polls for Rishi Sunak, that the Conservatives are failing to turn the tide.

"Worryingly for Rishi Sunak, it’s not just that the Labour share of the vote which remains strong but a significant share of his own voters are now defecting to the Reform party. Reform is now on 10 per cent of the national vote, drawing more than one in five disillusioned 2019 Tories.

“If Keir Starmer goes into the next general election asking voters the Ronald Reagan question –‘are you better off than you were four years ago?’—then much of the country, including more than four in ten of the people who voted for Boris Johnson in 2019, will say 'no'. This is yet another sign the Tories are heading for a heavy defeat.

“Asking people if it’s time for a change in Westminster has been an unusually powerful predictor of what will happen at the next election, and these numbers once again point to widespread hunger for a change of government at the looming election.

"Large majorities of voters think it’s time for a change in Westminster and if the current polling numbers don’t change then they are sure to get exactly what they want.”

The poll also laid bare what issues voters want the Government to focus on in 2024.

The most popular priorities among voters is tackling the cost-of-living crisis, followed by improving the NHS, and stopping the small boats.

Goodwin continued: “These findings underline the critical importance of the cost-of-living crisis to determining what happens at the next election.

"But that’s not quite where the story ends.

"For 2019 Conservative Party voters, their overriding priority is stopping the small boats followed by tackling the cost of living crisis while for Labour voters the overriding priority is tackling the cost of living crisis followed by improving the NHS.

"This is further evidence that if Rishi Sunak fails to stop the boats and if the looming Rwanda vote does not go his way, then his days in Number 10 are surely numbered.”

Meanwhile the poll also revealed which political titan voters must long to see back in power.

Margaret Thatcher was the most popular choice when voters were asked which former prime minister they would like to bring back and put in Number 10 Downing Street today. The Iron Lady was followed by Winston Churchill and then Tony Blair.

Goodwin added: “The British people are clearly in the mood for a conviction politician who is unafraid to shake up the consensus to get Britain working. But where is today’s Thatcher? Look at the leadership ratings of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer and you’d be hard pressed to find one.

"While Thatcher is even more popular among Conservative voters, Tony Blair holds a narrow lead over Gordon Brown among Labour voters, once again perhaps underlining that voters today are dreaming of the days when they had strong, conviction politicians who went on to fundamentally transform the country around them.”

PeoplePolling surveyed 1,987 Britons on December 28, 2023.

from GB News https://ift.tt/NDckq6u

'Crap parents' behind struggling children, MP claims

A Conservative MP has claimed that most children who struggle in his town are the "products of crap parents".

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/0jYAZsg

Tony Blair aides wanted asylum holding camp on Scottish island

Tony Blair's government considered setting up a holding camp on the Isle of Mull to drive down the number of asylum seekers entering the UK, according to newly released official papers.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/nlBaDpi

MPs call for law to punish people going to football matches without tickets

MPs are calling for a specific law to punish people who enter football stadia without tickets.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/OCDgTK6

More than 85,000 appointments hit by latest NHS strikes

NHS strikes disrupted more than 85,000 appointments last week, according to newly released figures.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/fUpqSCY

Jacques Delors, architect of modern EU, dies aged 98

Former European Commission President Jacques Delor has died aged 98, his daughter says.

Known as the "architect of the EU", Delors helped design the single market allowing the free movement of people, goods and services between member states.

The French politician also pushed for the creation of the Euro.

He served as head of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995.

Delors' daughter Martine Aubry said he died in his sleep on Wednesday morning in his home in Paris.

Michel Barnier paid tribute to Delors, describing him as a "source of inspiration" in both French and EU politics.

He said the politician was a "humanist at the service of cooperation and solidarity between Europeans."

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was an “inexhaustible architect of our Europe” and a fighter for human justice.

He said: "His commitment, his ideals and his righteousness will always inspire us.

"I salute his work and his memory and share the pain of his loved ones."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Starmer blasted by pro-Corbyn group over 'disturbing' migration plan
• Tory MP says he wears stab vest just days after suspected arson attack on his office
• Yousaf blasted for 'skewed priorities' after splashing £83,000 on US 'embassy'

Delors' mission to bring Europe closer together was strongly opposed by Margret Thatcher at the time.

It led to several disagreements between London and Brussels.

from GB News https://ift.tt/IyT8d9p

Tories hint at extra support for first-time buyers to woo young voters at next election

The Tories could promise to cut the upfront cost of a home for first time buyers to win over younger voters at the next election, it has been suggested.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/XRwr019

Brexit promise broken by Sunak as return of imperial measurements scrapped

The Government stopped short of a post-Brexit overhaul of the measurement system, despite Boris Johnson planning to change the rules.

The former Prime Minister said the UK would look at changing its measurement system as part of a wider overhaul of retained EU rules.

But Sunak has decided against pursuing the change.

This came after nearly 99 per cent of people responding to a consultation said they would prefer to stick with the metric system.

EU rules meant imperial measurements - such as pounds and ounces - could only be displayed alongside metric measurements, and they could not be more prominent.

When the proposals were first made by Boris Johnson, critics denounced it as "nostalgia".

Labour MP Angela Eagle claimed ministers were "attempting to weaponise nostalgia for a time few can remember and even fewer wish to return to".

Conservative backbencher Alicia Kearns agreed, saying: "Not one constituent, ever, has asked for this.”

However, the Government has said it will proceed with changes to the sale of still and sparling wine, allowing wine to be sold in pints from the new year.

The Department for Business and Trade said the new 568ml size bottle will be sold alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already available for still and sparkling wine.

Still wine is currently not available for sale in 200ml quantities and sparkling wine cannot be sold in 500ml amounts.

Pint bottles of Champagne were sold in the UK before the country joined the European Common Market. They were on shelves until 1973.

Their production was stopped as they did not comply with EU weights and measures rules.

The Department for Business and Trade said as many as 900 vineyards - producing around 12.2 million bottles of still or sparkling wine a year - are set to benefit from the new post-Brexit "freedoms".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Starmer blasted by pro-Corbyn group over 'disturbing' migration plan
• Tory MP says he wears stab vest just days after suspected arson attack on his office
• Yousaf blasted for 'skewed priorities' after splashing £83,000 on US 'embassy'

The reforms come as part of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, said: “Innovation, freedom and choice – that’s what today’s announcement gives to producers and consumers alike.

“Our exit from the EU was all about moments just like this, where we can seize new opportunities and provide a real boost to our great British wineries and further growing the economy.”

WineGB chief executive Nicola Bates said: “We welcome the chance to be able to harmonise still and sparkling bottle sizes and we are happy to raise a glass to the greater choice.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/qFa9XC8

Pints of wine to be stocked on British shelves in post-Brexit law change

'Pints' of wine will be stocked on British shelves for the first time, the Government has announced.

The Department for Business and Trade said the new 568ml size bottle will be sold alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already available for still and sparkling wine.

Still wine is currently not available for sale in 200ml quantities and sparkling wine cannot be sold in 500ml amounts.

Pint bottles of Champagne were sold in the UK before the country joined the European Common Market.

They were on shelves until 1973.

Their production was stopped as they did not comply with EU weights and measures rules.

The Department for Business and Trade said as many as 900 vineyards - producing around 12.2 million bottles of still or sparkling wine a year - are set to benefit from the new post-Brexit "freedoms".

The reforms come as part of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, said: “Innovation, freedom and choice – that’s what today’s announcement gives to producers and consumers alike.

“Our exit from the EU was all about moments just like this, where we can seize new opportunities and provide a real boost to our great British wineries and further growing the economy.”

WineGB chief executive Nicola Bates said: “We welcome the chance to be able to harmonise still and sparkling bottle sizes and we are happy to raise a glass to the greater choice.”

But the Government stopped short of a post-Brexit overhaul of the measurement system.

This came after nearly 99 per cent of people responding to a consultation said they would prefer to stick with the metric system.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Starmer blasted by pro-Corbyn group over 'disturbing' migration plan
• Tory MP says he wears stab vest just days after suspected arson attack on his office
• Yousaf blasted for 'skewed priorities' after splashing £83,000 on US 'embassy'

When the proposals were first made by Boris Johnson, critics denounced it as "nostalgia".

Labour MP Angela Eagle claimed ministers were "attempting to weaponise nostalgia for a time few can remember and even fewer wish to return to".

Conservative backbencher Alicia Kearns agreed, saying: "Not one constituent, ever, has asked for this.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/MXP68W5

Rishi Sunak poised to SCRAP Inheritance Tax as part of three huge tax changes for Britons

Rishi Sunak is looking at scrapping inheritance tax and making two major changes to income tax in just a matter of weeks as part of a pre-election handout to boost the Conservative Party's position in the polls.

Number 10 is said to be discussing introducing the cuts in three months time.

Sources told the Telegraph the PM has demanded a "gear change" on tax, after making inflation his main priority, over cutting the tax burden.

In addition to axeing inheritance tax, the Treasury is also considering increasing the threshold at which people start paying the 40 per cent rate of income tax and reducing the basic 20 per cent rate.

Inheritance tax is paid on estates worth over £325,000.

Earlier this year, figures from the Institute of Fiscal Studies showed that Inheritance Tax will raise £15 billion per year by 2032.

Analysis of the latest HMRC figures showed fewer than four per cent of estates paid inheritance tax between 2020 and 2021.

The number is expected to rise to more than seven per cent across the next ten years, as a result of the growth in wealth of older adults.

Inheritance tax is paid on estates worth over £325,000.

The IFS report said this year, the cost of abolishing Inheritance Tax would be £7 billion, but this would rise to £15 billion per year by 2032.

The report warned: "The 90 per cent or so of estates not paying inheritance tax would not be directly affected by such a reform."

Earlier this year, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps this week described inheritance tax as "deeply unfair" and "punitive".

He said: "I think it’s a question, for many people, of aspiration, and people know that there’s something deeply unfair about being taxed all their lives and then being taxed in death as well."

When cuts to inheritance tax were floated in September, ahead of the Autumn Statement, Labour criticised the plans.

Shadow Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones said: "A year ago, Liz Truss trashed the economy with unfunded tax cuts. Now Rishi Sunak is doing what Liz Truss wants.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Starmer blasted by pro-Corbyn group over 'disturbing' migration plan
• Tory MP says he wears stab vest just days after suspected arson attack on his office
• Yousaf blasted for 'skewed priorities' after splashing £83,000 on US 'embassy'

"Abolishing inheritance tax – which 96 per cent of people never pay – is an unfunded tax cut of £7.2bn per year.

"The biggest threat to the economy is the Conservative Party."

from GB News https://ift.tt/SavYWUs

Sir Keir Starmer draws up his OWN Rwanda plan alternative in bid to tackle soaring migration

The Labour Party is said to be drawing up its own alternative to the Rwanda migration plan, as part of an attempt to neautralise attacks from the Conservative Party ahead of a general election.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism from the Tories claiming he is soft on migration.

But sources told the Times the Labour leader is considering detailed plans for offshore processing schemes, which would see asylum seekers have their claims processed overseas.

However, he is said to have ruled out introducing Rwanda-style deportations.

Three tests must be met in order to secure the party's seal of approval, shadow ministers and party officials working on the plans have warned.

They have warned it must be cost-effective and credible enough to deter migrants from crossing the channel.

It also must clear the legal hurdles which have left the Government's Rwanda scheme beleaguered by issues.

The main difference between Labour's plan and the current proposals put forward by the Tories is that any refugees who are granted asylum status in the offshore processing centres would be returned to the UK.

A senior Labour source told the Times: "We've always looked at the small boats issue as a problem that needs to be solved, and we've always been open to a range of possible solutions."

They added: "The Tories like to compare Rwanda to the schemes tht other European countries are considering, but this is a false comparison because other European governments are looking at options around offshore processing, whereas the Rwanda scheme is about sending asylum seekers to another country permanently".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• EU blasted for 'undermining sense of nationhood' as migration spirals
• Sunak issued stark warning over Labour LANDSLIDE as next by-election looms
• Starmer's £28billion 'borrowing binge' will 'drive up mortgages by £2,000 a year'

Sunak's Government introduced new emergency legislation this month in an attempt to address the Supreme Court's issues with the plan.

While the Bill passed its second reading with a majority of 44 - by 313 votes to 269 - a significant number of MPs abstained due to concerns over the legislation.

The Safety of Rwanda Bill looks to address concerns expressed in last month's Supreme Court ruling by declaring Rwanda is a safe country to send asylum seekers to.

It also stops flights being grounded for legal reasons by allowing ministers to disapply sections of the Human Rights Act.

The right wing of the party wants the legislation to go further to stop obstacles arising.

However, Home Secretary James Cleverly has suggested the legislation already "pushed at the edge of the envelope" on international law.

Rwanda also told Sunak it will withdraw from the treaty if the UK were to breach its "international obligations".

from GB News https://ift.tt/pT9O85H

Reform UK to pose major unexpected threat at general election as pollster flags key strength 'to watch'

Reform UK could pose a bigger threat than initially expected at this year's upcoming election, pollster Sir John Curtice has warned.

He said it would be a "mistake" to see the party as only appealing to those concerned about migration, warning that they are likely to be a challenge to both the Conservative and Labour parties.

Curtice said: "I think it's a mistake to think of Reform as just picking up people who are concerned about immigration.

"Reform is also picking up the people who aren't happy about the health service, who are unhappy about the economy, who are also thinking that Brexit has not been implemented properly.

“It's acting as a vehicle for protests for 2019 Tory voters who couldn't contemplate voting even for a Keir Starmer Labour Party, let alone Jeremy Corbyn.

"So they are potentially competition to both Labour and the Tories, picking up Tory votes that might perhaps otherwise go to Labour, but that's something to watch.

"They're now at a record high and they are virtually all Leave voters.

"It's a very, very distinct constituency."

Reform has confirmed that it will stand a candidate to challenge the Conservative Party in every single seat.

But speakinng to the Daily Express about Reform's appeal to voters, Curtice claimed that immigration is "irrelevant".

He said: "I’ve actually been through all the polls so far this month. As many 2019 Tory voters are now defecting to Reform as they are defecting to Labour, perhaps partly to do with immigration.

"Hitherto I've been able to say immigration is irrelevant, the Government's just pushing that button, and that this is not related to whether or not they're losing support.

"There are some signs that maybe that's no longer true, and that's to the Government’s disadvantage because so many people think immigration has gone up.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• EU blasted for 'undermining sense of nationhood' as migration spirals
• Sunak issued stark warning over Labour LANDSLIDE as next by-election looms
• Starmer's £28billion 'borrowing binge' will 'drive up mortgages by £2,000 a year'

"If what they've managed to do is to raise the profile of immigration in voters’ minds, it is to the Government's disadvantage.

"I’m not sure about that, I'd want to see more evidence but there is some evidence that suggests maybe Reform are picking some of these folks up."

Just last week, Rishi Sunak confirmed that he will call an election in 2024.

from GB News https://ift.tt/BFrk3b2