Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has introduced stricter regulations for migrants wishing to stay in the UK. These new guidelines mandate proficiency in English, a clean criminal record, and community volunteer work for those seeking indefinite leave to remain.
During the recent Labour Party conference, Rachel Reeves took a direct jab at Nigel Farage, labeling him as being aligned with Vladimir Putin. The Chancellor faced interruption during her keynote speech at the Labour Party conference by a vocal pro-Palestine protester in the audience.
Labour has been cautioned by a charity leader about echoing what was described as “toxic” policies from Reform. Nick Lowles, CEO of HOPE not hate, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of policies penalizing refugees, emphasizing the valuable contributions migrants and refugees make to the economy and society.
Rachel Reeves emphasized Britain’s resilience in facing challenges and urged faith in Labour’s strategies during her speech. She highlighted achievements such as establishing breakfast clubs in schools, expanding free school meals, boosting NHS funding, and enhancing public sector pay.
Amid demands from Labour members for Keir Starmer to acknowledge Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, a motion led by Unison to halt arms sales to Israel was endorsed. The motion urged acknowledgment of a UN report implicating Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in genocide.
Andy Burnham criticized Keir Starmer over digital ID card proposals and evaded questions about his future political aspirations. The Greater Manchester Mayor stressed the need for tax system rebalancing and reforms to address wealth taxation disparities.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled plans to reinstate means-tested grants for underprivileged university students, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to higher education. The grants, originally scrapped in 2016, provided financial support for students from low-income households.
Green MP Carla Denyer criticized the Home Secretary’s restrictions on Indefinite Leave to Remain, advocating for more sensible approaches like permitting asylum seekers to work. Denyer emphasized the positive contributions migrants make to the UK and called for fairer migration policies.
Shabana Mahmood highlighted the need for contributions from individuals seeking residency in the UK, emphasizing the importance of an orderly migration system. She proposed extending residency requirements and implementing new criteria, including employment, English proficiency, clean record, and community service.
The Home Secretary warned of escalating division in the absence of border control measures, stressing the importance of restoring order and trust in the Labour government. Mahmood pledged to address issues like migrant hotels and outdated legal constraints to regain public confidence.
Emphasizing the rise of ethno-nationalism, Shabana Mahmood urged unity and commitment to a cohesive Britain. She called for efforts to prevent division and uphold values of inclusivity and national unity.
Bridget Phillipson announced targeted maintenance grants for students to enhance access to education and support working-class youth. She criticized the previous government’s treatment of universities and vowed to prioritize the interests of young people in the education sector.
In response to questions about potential tax increases, Labour minister Darren Jones refrained from ruling out tax rises, citing the party’s commitment to the manifesto. Merseyside Police confirmed no police intervention following a disruption during Rachel Reeves’ conference speech.
The Palestinian Youth Movement and London for a Free Palestine claimed responsibility for the disruption during Rachel Reeves’ speech, criticizing the UK’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The activists called for action to end atrocities in Palestine.
The Prime Minister commended Rachel Reeves’ speech as powerful, highlighting the government’s efforts to stimulate economic growth and support the younger generation. Plans to address cyber flashing and potential tax policy changes were also outlined during the conference.
Andy Burnham expressed reservations about digital ID cards and called for tax system reforms to address wealth taxation disparities. Labour’s stance on Palestine was scrutinized in a report accusing the government of supporting Israel’s actions and perpetuating racism against Palestinians.