Sir Keir Starmer has received a rapturous round of applause from delegates at the TUC's conference in Brighton after vowing to repeal "vindictive" anti-trade union laws established under the Tories.
The Prime Minister said: "Let me again be crystal clear, we will repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act, get rid of minimum level legislation, end the cheap and vindictive attacks on this movement and turn the page on politics once and for all.
"And Congress this is the opportunity of power. It was hard won and hard fought for. I want to thank the General Secretary for his role in that."
However, the Prime Minister also erred on the side of caution when it came to public sector pay rises.
He said: "This Government will not risk its mandate for economic stability under any circumstances and with tough decisions on the horizon, pay will inevitably be shaped by that. I owe you that candour."
However, Starmer had agreed to inflation-busting pay rises for a number of public sector roles, including rail workers.
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Christopher Hope HITS BACK at trade unionist after he brands Nigel Farage 'a fraud' - 'He speaks for people who have no voice!'
GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope has hit out at the TUC's Paul Nowak after the trade unionist branded Nigel Farage a "fraud" in a furious rant yesterday.
Paul Nowak described the Reform UK leader as a "Putin apologist fraud" at his address at the annual meeting of the TUC in Brighton.
However, Christopher confronted Nowak on his comments and highlighted how Reform UK received more than four million votes.
He said: "You talked about him [Farage] in your speech yesterday, you said he wasn't a friend of the working class.
"He would argue he was given the support that Reform got the election."
Nowak responded: "Clearly, we've got a Labour Prime Minister talking to our congress who had 174 seat majority.
"So, I don't think he can claim to have the support of the working class. I think Nigel Farage is a fraud and I'm sorry, I know he's a colleague of yours, but I think he's a fraud.
"I think he tries to breed division in our communities. What this country needs is to bring people together, that shared sense of national purpose, to rebuild our public services, to get the economy growing.
"I don't think that Nigel represents the people of Clacton or the working class people affected."
Hitting back, Hope said: "They voted for him in Clacton, and he definitely wouldn't say he's a fraud.
"He's speaking up for people who haven't got a voice in the UK at the moment."
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'Absolute disgrace!' Farage fumes as Starmer vows to strip WW2 hero's Winter Fuel Allowance
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been left fuming this morning as he revealed a World War Two hero risks losing his Winter Fuel Allowance.
Farage, 60, confirmed Reform UK will oppose Sir Keir Starmer's proposal to cut the pensioner perk and highlighted the case as an example as to its impact on British veterans.
The Clacton MP named 99-year-old Jim O'Dwyer as his impacted constituent.
O'Dwyer conducted 31 missions on Lancaster Bombers as tail-end Charlie, a rear-gunner in an essential but dangerous role to combat the threat from Nazi Germany.
The World War Two veteran misses out on receiving additional support due to his private pension.
O'Dwyer's daughter Jenny labelled Starmer's decision as an "absolute disgrace".
In a video highlighting O'Dwyer's case, Farage said: "The job of an MP is to represent his or her constituents.
"One of mine in Clacton is Jim O'Dwyer. He's 99. He did 31 missions on Lancasters during World War Two as tail-end Charlie, rear-gunner, one of the most dangerous jobs in the war.
"And he's a fine gentleman but because he has a very small private pension, guess what? His winter fuel allowance is being taken away."
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Lammy stresses Anglo-American unity with Blinken as pair agree to joint Ukraine visit
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have confirmed they will embark on a joint visit to Ukraine as Russia continues with its invasion of the ex-Soviet state.
At a news conference in London, Lammy said this is the "first joint visit of this kind for well over a decade".
He added: "We are the closest of allies, so I'm delighted that we will travel together, demonstrating our commitment to Ukraine."
Despite disagreeing on suspending arms to Israel, the Foreign Secretary stressed the UK and US agree on the need for a "two-state solution".
He also highlighted that both nations remain "completely aligned" in the need to "secure that ceasefire" and need to "get the region onto a path to peace".
Ex-DUP leader Donaldson denies historic sex abuse charges
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 historical sexual abuse charges.
Donaldson's wife Eleanor also denied charges of aiding and abetting while appearing at court in Newry, County Down.
The 61-year-old former MP and his 58-year-old wife were arrested at their home in March this year.
'Starmer needs to rethink his pessimistic strategy by looking back at Britain's best PMs, ANALYSIS BY ANDREW PIERCE
Sir Keir Starmer needs to rethink his pessimistic strategy by looking back at successful Prime Ministers, Andrew Pierce has claimed.
The GB News presenter, who is in Brighton to cover the TUC conference, compared Starmer's rhetoric to Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher and Clement Attlee.
In his analysis of the Prime Minister's current strategy, Andrew said:
Union boss issues stark warning to Starmer over pay deals
GMB union boss Gary Smith has issued a stark warning to Sir Keir Starmer over workers' pay deals after the Prime Minister suggested he would not risk economic stability.
Smith claimed: “The Government has a huge job on to clean up the mess after 14 years of chaos and misrule from the Conservatives.
“One toxic Tory legacy was the undervaluing of public sector workers. Paying them properly is both the right thing to do and will help get our economy moving.
“We have seen some positive action from the new government, with above inflation pay awards already in place. But, GMB’s public sector members are clear: this must be a start and not a finish.”
Speaking just minutes before, the Prime Minister suggested pay rises were not inevitable due to the economic state of the UK.
Starmer said: "This Government will not risk its mandate for economic stability under any circumstances and with tough decisions on the horizon, pay will inevitably be shaped by that. I owe you that candour."
'Tax the rich!' Starmer heckled at TUC congress as PM pushes ahead with ending pensioner perk
Sir Keir Starmer has been heckled at the Trades Union Congress' conference in Brighton just hours before his MPs will vote on ending Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.
During his speech, a lone heckler shouted: "Tax the rich."
The Prime Minister, who received applause after vowing to repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act, was also challenged over his decision not to get rid of the two-child cap on beneifts.
He said: "We have had to take difficult decisions given the economic circumstances we are in for reasons that I have explained."
Starmer is also coming under pressure today after pushing ahead with his measures to remove a pensioner perk for 10 million Britons to cover Winter Fuel Payments.
Starmer refuses to apologise for 'tough decisions' since entering No10
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to apologise for making tough decisions since entering No10 after the 2024 General Election.
The Prime Minister, who addressed TUC delegates in Brighton this hour, said: "I make no apologies for any of the decisions we have had to take to begin the work of change and no apologies to those still stuck in the 1980s who believe that unions and business can only stand at odds, leaving working people stuck in the middle."
Starmer also stressed the job of rebuilding the UK "will take a while", adding: "Even in our worst fears we didn't think it would be this bad."
Farage confirms Reform UK will OPPOSE Starmer's Winter Fuel Payment cut as Labour MPs plot rebellion
Reform UK will oppose Sir Keir Starmer's decision to axe Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners, Nigel Farage has confirmed.
In a video released last night, the Reform UK leader said: "The big vote on the Winter Fuel Allowance, let's be clear, Reform will vote against this benefit being removed.
"Already, we pay the highest energy bills in the whole of Europe, massively higher energy bills than they do in America.
"And given the plans that Ed Milliband has put forward, our energy bills will only go up over the course of the next 10 years.
"For that reason, above all, we're going to vote against the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance."
Starmer will also likely face a Labour revolt today as the Prime Minister pushes on despite 17 MPs expressing grave concerns with the move.
Trade unionists have also accused the Starmer of "picking pensioners' pockets" and compared Chancellor Rachel Reeves to the "Grinch at Christmas".
Labour MPs plotting to rebel against Starmer's policy appear likely to abstain rather than vote against the motion after seven Corbynistas were suspended for rebelling over the two-child benefit cap in July.
'Starmer faces biggest test of his premiership so far against Rebel Alliance', ANALYSIS BY CHRISTOPHER HOPE
GB News' political editor Christopher Hope has claimed Sir Keir Starmer faces the biggest test of his premiership so far as MPs prepare to vote on whether to axe Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners.
Christopher, who is heading to Brighton to cover the TUC's conference, warned the Prime Minister faces a two-pronged threat from Labour rebels and union barons.
GB News' political editor said:
Cleverly receives Patel boost as Badenoch allies fear slumping to third
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly has been handed a boost from two MPs who previously backed Priti Patel as Kemi Badenoch's allies fear the ex-Business Secretary could slump into third place.
Cleverly, who received 21 votes in the first ballot, woke up to endorsements from Greg Smith and Sir Alec Shelbrooke.
The endorsements came just days after Badenoch obtained 22 votes in the first round, putting her six votes behind former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.
However, allies of the ex-Equalities Minister now fear she could fall to third place.
Sources close to Patel's campaign claim around half of her 14 backers could now support Cleverly, giving him enough support to surpass Badenoch in the second ballot.
Badenoch's allies have also accused rival campaigns of vote lending to take momentum away from the long-standing frontrunner.
Tory leadership contender 'quietly confident' of reaching final four
Tory leadership contender Mel Stride has revealed he is "quietly confident" he will join rivals in the next round of the race to replace Rishi Sunak.
Stride, who was seen as harbouring longshot ambitions to become Leader of the Opposition, told GB News: "The fight is absolutely there.
"People said I wouldn't get through the first round and I did.
"I am quietly confident that I will come through in the next round this afternoon."
The Shadow Pensions Secretary will also lead the Tories against Sir Keir Starmer's proposal to axe Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners ahead of today's Commons vote at 2pm.
Stride edged out former Home Secretary Priti Patel in the first round of the 2024 Tory leadership race last week.
A total of 16 MPs endorsed Stride's bid, two more than Patel.
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat received 17 votes, with James Cleverly narrowly ahead on 21.
Kemi Badenoch was long-tipped as the frontrunner but missed out on top spot to Robert Jenrick by six votes.
55% of pensioners set to heat homes less this winter, poll shows
More than half of British pensioners will likely be heating their homes less this winter, a new poll has revealed.
The survey, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, also showed 75 per cent expect to be affected by Sir Keir Starmer's Winter Fuel Payment cut.
A staggering 19 per cent also plan to eat less this winter to accommodate for the cut.
Responding to the poll, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The Government should do the right thing and change course on this.
“This decision to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance will put untold stress on pensioners, with many facing a heartbreaking choice between heating and eating this winter.
“While we understand the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances in, now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“We cannot stand by and allow millions of pensioners to endure another winter in a cost of living crisis, Liberal Democrats will be voting against the Government’s cut.”
Starmer warned Labour risks losing political capital over Winter Fuel Payment move
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Labour risks losing political capital over his plan to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners.
Nadhim Zahawi's former chief of staff James Price made a scathing assessment of the Prime Minister's proposal as he accused Starmer of "inventing" a £22billion black hole left by the Tories.
He told GB News: "They've made a rod for their own backs by caving into their union bosses so early and I think that's starting to show already."
Starmer braces for Winter Fuel Payments rebellion as PM 'picks pockets of pensioners'
Sir Keir Starmer will face a revolt from dozens of Labour MPs today as the Prime Minister pushes ahead with his controversial plan to axe Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners.
Almost 20 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer to U-turn on the policy, with up to 40 expected to at least abstain on the motion.
Starmer is hoping to end the Winter Fuel Payments available for 10 million pensioners, with Labour also refusing to rule out ending elderly bus passes.
However, trade unions accused the Prime Minister of "picking pensioners' pockets" and Chancellor Rachel Reeves was compared to the "Grinch at Christmas".
Labour MPs plotting to rebel against Starmer's policy appear likely to abstain rather than vote against the motion after seven Corbynistas were suspended for rebelling over the two-child benefit cap in July.
Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott joined a long list of Labour MPs concerned about the Winter Fuel Payment cut.
Abbott slammed the Prime Minister for his language on "tough choices" and later shared a petition created by left-wing pressure group Momentum calling for Starmer to U-turn on the policy.
GB News understands that Reeves sought to reassure Labour MPs about the policy last night.
However, the Chancellor also warned more "difficult decisions" could follow.
Pensions Minister Alison McGovern was tasked with reassuring Labour Party members after telling them "tough decisions" were needed to "protect public finances".
Reform UK's Scottish support surges as leaderless Tories slump
Reform UK's support in Scotland has surged as the populist party is breathing down the neck of the Tory Party in Holyrood.
A poll by Survation found that the leaderless Tories would win just 11 per cent of votes on the proportional regional list, down from 23.5 per cent in 2021.
Reform would win eight per cent, propelling Nigel Farage to a handful of seats north of the border.
In constituency votes, the Conservative share halved to 11 per cent and Reform UK's support soared to nine per cent.
The poll comes as a shock given Farage did not step foot in Scotland during the 2024 General Election campaign.
However, the Scottish Tories have been involved in bitter infighting as MSPs continue to battle to replace Douglas Ross as leader in Holyrood.
The same research found that the SNP and Labour were level in support leading up to the 2026 Scottish Election.
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