Farage brands French PM Michel Barnier ‘EU fanatic’ as MPs to get vote on winter fuel payment - Politics live

Reform leader Nigel Farage has branded the EU’s former Brexit negotiator and new French prime minister Michel Barnier an “EU fanatic”.

The 73-year-old, who became a bête noire for Brexiteers due to his tough negotiating style when Britain was leaving the EU bloc, has been tasked with forming a new government by French president Emmanuel Macron.

Staunch Brexiteer Mr Farage, said on X: Michel Barnier becomes the new French Prime Minister. An EU fanatic that will suit sell-out Starmer.”

It comes as MPs will be given the chance to vote on the government’s controversial move to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners as Sir Keir Starmer fights a backlash against the policy.

Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced a motion relating to the changes would be debated on September 10.

At PMQs the prime minister defended the policy and argued the “tough decision” was required to “stabilise our economy”.

Tory MPs heckled the prime minister with shouts of “shame” throughout his answers. The divisive policy has also attracted criticism from within Sir Keir’s own party as Labour MP Melanie Onn urged ministers to consider changes to scheme to ensure older people are “not left in the cold this winter”.

Key Points

• MPs will vote on winter fuel payment cuts for pensioners next week

• Angela Rayner admits there is no ‘definitive timeline’ to remove unsafe cladding

• Grenfell fire survivors demand manslaughter charges and warn against Hillsborough-style wait for justice

• Labour introduces plan to remove all hereditary peers from House of Lords

• Robert Jenrick in pole position to be next Tory leader as Priti Patel eliminated in first round of voting

Welcome

07:52 , Joe Middleton

Good morning and welcome to the our politics blog with live coverage of everything happening in the world of Wesminster and beyond.

Robert Jenrick in pole position to be next Tory leader as Priti Patel eliminated in first round of voting

07:54 , Joe Middleton

Robert Jenrick has won the first round of voting in the race to be the next Conservative leader as Dame Priti Patel was eliminated.

The former immigration minister took 28 votes, beating the favourite Kemi Badenoch into second with the backing of 22 Tory MPs.

The other contenders still in the running are former security minister Tom Tugendhat, ex-home secretary James Cleverly and Mel Stride.

Next week the group will be whittled down again, to just four.

Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports

Jenrick wins first round of voting to be next Tory leader as Patel eliminated

Grenfell victims ‘still waiting for justice’

08:00 , Joe Middleton

On Wednesday we covered the Grenfell inquiry’s damning report into the tragedy that claimed the life of 72 residents in 2017.

It concluded that all the deaths were avoidable and were the result of decades of failure from successive governments and the construction industry.

Grenfell United, which represents some of the victims’ families, said: “We have an expectation that the Met Police and the CPS ensure that those who are truly responsible are held to account and brought to justice.”

We will continue bringing you updates and reaction on this today.

Rayner urges CPS to act ‘as quickly as possible’ on Grenfell tragedy

08:01 , Joe Middleton

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said she wanted the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service to act “as quickly as possible” over the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Following the publication of Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s inquiry report, she told Times Radio: “This is an incredibly complex investigation.

“And as this is seven years on, and the phase two report is out, and it’s incredibly detailed, there’s considerable volumes to go through, and we will do everything we can to support the Met Police and the CPS to ensure that they can bring their findings and take their action forward as quickly as possible.

“Because, as many of the survivors and the families of the victims have said,... justice delayed, is justice denied, and I absolutely agree that this has to come as quickly as possible.”

Angela Rayner hits back at critics after Ibiza clubbing uproar: ‘I’m working class, I like a dance’

08:07 , Joe Middleton

Angela Rayner has responded to the uproar over her Ibiza DJ set.

Viral video footage shows the deputy prime minister dancing enthusiastically in a DJ booth while being cheered on by the crowd at a club on the Spanish party island.

The moment was criticised in sections of the right-wing press with former Tory MP Nadine Dorries writing an article saying that the deputy prime minister’s behaviour “demeans her office”.

Speaking on Thursday 5 September, Ms Rayner hit back at the furore.

“I take my job really seriously, and I’m always in parliament doing what needs to be done,” she told Sky News.

“You’ve got to have downtime... I’m working class, I like a dance.”

Rayner hits back at critics after Ibiza uproar: ‘I’m working class, I like a dance’

Labour introduces plan to remove all hereditary peers from House of Lords

08:25 , Joe Middleton

The government will begin the process of removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords on Thursday, as it introduces legislation to reform the upper chamber.

Abolishing the 92 seats reserved for hereditary peers was one of Labour’s manifesto commitments, and is expected to be followed by the imposition of a retirement age of 80 on members of the Lords.

Officials have previously described the continued presence of hereditary peers in the Lords as “outdated and indefensible”, with reform “long overdue and essential”.

But Conservative critics have called the move a “vendetta” and “political vandalism”.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for the constitution, said the legislation was a “landmark reform to our constitution”.

He said: “The hereditary principle in law-making has lasted for too long and is out of step with modern Britain.

“The second chamber plays a vital role in our constitution and people should not be voting on our laws in Parliament by an accident of birth.

“This Bill shows this Government’s commitment to delivering on our manifesto and is an important part of putting politics in the service of working people.”

Angela Rayner insists she does not want to scrap Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy but promises reform

08:31 , Joe Middleton

Angela Rayner has ruled out scrapping Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme, saying people should have the right to buy the homes they live in.

The deputy prime minister promised reform of the policy, which allows most council tenants to buy their council home at a discount, to ensure the stock of social housing is not depleted.

But, after reports that Right to Buy was to be axed, Ms Rayner told Sky News: “I don’t want Right to Buy scrapped, we are doing a consultation on it at the moment and I am very clear people should have the right to buy.”

Archie Mitchell reports

Angela Rayner insists she does not want to scrap Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy

‘No excuse’ for building owners who have not removed dangerous cladding - Rayner

08:42 , Joe Middleton

There is “no excuse” for building owners who have not taken steps to remove dangerous cladding, Angela Rayner said.

The deputy prime minister told BBC Breakfast: “At the moment, there’s £5 billion that’s available for remediation, so I don’t accept that the money’s not there.

“And these companies, the people that own these buildings, have financial resources as well.

“I don’t accept that there is not the money to do this remediation.”

She said there were sometimes “very complex” ownership structures for the buildings.

“Some are owned offshore, and I’m looking at that now and how we can continue to really hold these building owners to account, to make sure that they do the work.

“There’s no excuse to not do this work now.”

EXCLUSIVE: Grenfell Tower fire survivors warn they must not face Hillsborough-style wait for justice

08:48 , Joe Middleton

Survivors whose loved ones were among the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire seven years ago have warned that their fight for justice must not be allowed to “rumble on like Hillsborough”.

The long-awaited final report of the inquiry ordered by Theresa May just hours after the fire on 14 June 2017 was finally published on Wednesday, condemning decades of institutional failures that led to the Kensington tower block – and thousands of others – being covered in dangerously flammable cladding.

But those whose loved ones were killed in what was the worst residential blaze since the Blitz have expressed anger that the inquiry appears to have delayed their fight for justice, with police and prosecutors warning that decisions on criminal charges will not be made until the end of 2026.

Andy Gregory reports

Grenfell survivors warn wait for justice must not ‘rumble on like Hillsborough

Watch: 'I don't recall': Grenfell campaigners highlight repeated lack of answers from inquiry

09:04 , Joe Middleton

Rayner admits some buildings might still not be safe

09:11 , Joe Middleton

Angela Rayner also acknowledged that some people still live in buildings that might not be safe, seven years after the Grenfell fire tragedy.

“All buildings in the UK could have a failure of some sort. I can’t guarantee 100% that every building in the UK is going to be 100% safe,” she said.

“But what I can say is that measures have been taken to ensure that there are fire evacuation procedures, that where there is a waking watch that’s required, that there is a process with the fire brigade to ensure that people are safe.”

Grenfell fire survivors demand manslaughter charges and warn against Hillsborough-style wait for justice

09:22 , Joe Middleton

Survivors whose loved ones were among the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire seven years ago have said that their fight for justice must not be allowed to “rumble on like Hillsborough” – and warned that “nothing less than” manslaughter charges will suffice.

The long-awaited final report of the inquiry ordered by Theresa May just hours after the fire on 14 June 2017 was finally published on Wednesday, condemning decades of institutional failures that led to the Kensington tower block – and thousands of others – being covered in dangerously flammable cladding.

But those whose loved ones were killed in what was the worst residential blaze since the Blitz have expressed anger that the inquiry appears to have delayed their fight for justice, with police and prosecutors warning that decisions on criminal charges will not be made until the end of 2026.

Andy Gregory reports

Grenfell survivors want manslaughter charges and warn against Hillsborough-long wait

Grenfell report highlights ‘disgraceful’ treatment of social tenants, says Rayner

09:28 , Joe Middleton

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said the Grenfell Tower report highlighted the “disgraceful” treatment of social tenants and that there needed to be a “cultural shift to empowering people”.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the people of Grenfell were dismissed and not listened to and were not empowered as tenants.

“And I think that we’ve got to make sure that greed and profit is not put above safety.”

She added: “There is a total imbalance for tenants at the moment, and social tenants in particular have a stigma attached to them.

“And as someone who was a social tenant all of my childhood and into my adulthood, I completely appreciate that there is a culture in this country where they’re considered lesser people, and that’s disgraceful.”

Angela Rayner admits there is no ‘definitive timeline’ to remove unsafe cladding

09:57 , Joe Middleton

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has admitted there is not “definitive timeline” for removing unsafe cladding from buildings, seven years on from the Grenfell fire tragedy.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that a promised “remediation acceleration plan” will speed up the process.

Ms Rayner added: “I’m always straight with people. I can’t give you a timeline today, but what I can say is that it is an incredibly slow process at the moment - seven years on - and that’s not acceptable.”

She declined to say when all homes with dangerous cladding will be made safe.

EXCLUSIVE: Union boss rages over betrayal of heroic fire fighters who fought Grenfell blaze

10:07 , Joe Middleton

A major fire in Dagenham last month which had the same cause as the Grenfell Tower tragedy proves that fire fighters and the public are still at risk from a major blaze, a union boss has warned.

Matt Wrack, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), told The Independent that his members have been betrayed in the aftermath of the Grenfell disaster as well as in the events leading to the tragedy.

It comes after the London Fire Brigade was severely criticised for its lack of preparation for the disaster in the report presented by Sir Martin Moore-Bick.

Our political editor David Maddox has the scoop

Union boss rages over betrayal of heroic fire fighters who fought Grenfell blaze

Tory leadership frontrunner Jenrick praises Patel and makes case for members to get more of a say

10:27 , Joe Middleton

Robert Jenrick, who came top in the first round of voting by MPs in the Tory leadership first ballot yesterday to replace Rishi Sunak, paid tribue to Priti Patel in a post on X last night.

He also urged for the Tory Party to become more democratic and empower members to make decisions.

He said on X: “My friend @pritipatel is a relentless champion for Conservatism whose experience will be invaluable as we rebuild. Her campaign means the case for party reform is now unarguable. We must democratise the party, empower members and grow our membership.”

Remaining hereditary peers to be kicked out of House of Lords within months

11:02 , Joe Middleton

Labour will abolish the 92 remaining hereditary peers within months under legislation to be tabled on Thursday.

The government committed before the general election to abolish the hereditary peerages as part of its promised House of Lords reforms.

After abolishing hereditary peerages, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to impose an upper age limit of 80 for members of the upper chamber.

Archie Mitchell reports

Remaining hereditary peers to be kicked out of House of Lords within months

VOICES: The frightening rise of extremism in Germany holds an important lesson for Starmer

11:18 , Joe Middleton

German chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a devastating defeat at the ballot box – with far-right and populist parties now posing the greatest danger to his country, writes John Kampfner. Keir Starmer will need to leave his comfort zone to avoid a similar fate

The rise of extremism in Germany holds important lessons for Starmer

Water bosses could face prison time over dumping sewage into Britain’s rivers and lakes

11:36 , Joe Middleton

Water bosses are to be told today that new laws will mean they face prison if they continue to pump filth into Britain’s lakes and rivers.

Environment secretary Steve Reed will warn executives from the industry directly at a major speech in Putney, London where he will unveil details of the new Water (Special Measures) Bill to end sewage and other pollutants being pumped into the country’s waterways.

Among the new measures announced in the crackdown will be the loss of bonuses, potential prison sentences for industry executives and a duty for the water companies themselves to pay the cost of enforcement.

Mr Reed will tell them: “The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas. After years of neglect, our waterways are now in an unacceptable state.

David Maddox reports

Water bosses could face prison time over dumping sewage into Britain’s rivers

Minister confirms overhaul of business rates system

11:47 , Joe Middleton

The government has reaffirmed its plans to introduce a new system of business rates, after the Liberal Democrats raised concerns about the state of high streets in England.

Lib Dem business and industrial strategy spokeswoman Sarah Olney said that high streets were being held “hostage” by an “outdated, damaging business rates system”.

She added: “Empty shop fronts, shuttered windows: we should never see these become the norm in our town centres.

“Small businesses in desperate need of a helping hand will have been deeply concerned not to see any mention of business rates reform in the King’s Speech.

“Can the minister assure us that reform of the business rates system is coming, and when reform comes it will be a comprehensive replacement of this damaging system?”

Business minister Gareth Thomas, whose portfolio covers small businesses, confirmed that the Department for Business and Trade is working with the Treasury on plans.

Mr Thomas said: “We are looking at this with colleagues in the Treasury. We have made commitments to introduce a fairer business rates system in opposition, and work is going on led by Treasury colleagues on this issue. They will bring forward proposals in due course.”

Lucy Powell confirms MPs will vote on winter fuel payment cuts for pensioners next week

12:07 , Joe Middleton

MPs will be given the chance to vote on the government’s move to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced a motion relating to the changes would be debated on September 10.

People in England and Wales not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits will lose out under the policy.

It is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year.

On the verge of extinction’: Nadine Dorries ramps up war on Tory Party with new book Downfall

12:40 , Joe Middleton

Nadine Dorries will ramp up her war with the Conservatives in another bombshell book promising to lay bare “the story of a political party on the verge of extinction”.

The former culture secretary, who last year attacked the behind-the-scenes power players at the top of the party in her previous book, promises to “pick up where The Plot left off”.

Scheduled for release on 21 November, Downfall promises to expose events behind the scenes during LizTruss’s disastrous 49-day stint in Downing Street and during “the self-serving drift of Rishi Sunak’s time in office”.

Archie Mitchell reports

‘On the verge of extinction’: Dorries ramps up war on Tories with new book Downfall

Martin Lewis issues message to pensioners who could miss out on winter fuel payments

13:00 , Joe Middleton

Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named France’s new prime minister

13:30 , Joe Middleton

Former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been appointed as the new French prime minister following weeks of political deadlock.

Mr Barnier, who negotiated Britain’s departure from the European Union between 2016 and 2019, has been tasked with forming a new government by French president Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Macron has spent weeks trying to find a compromise candidate for his minority government that would not be blocked by the powerful left-wing alliance in parliament or the hard right National Rally (RN).

Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named as next French prime minister

WATCH: Rayner backs Right to Buy as she recalls benefiting from social housing as single mother

14:00 , Joe Middleton

Farage reacts to Barnier being new French PM

14:10 , Joe Middleton

Green Party co-leader denies being hypocrite for opposing Labour’s wind farm pylons

14:38 , Joe Middleton

The co-leader of the Green Party has defended himself after the Labour government tried to portray him as a hypocrite on clean energy infrastructure.

In an interview with The Independent ahead of his party’s conference in Manchester this weekend, Adrian Ramsay dismissed the personal claims made against him by prime minister Keir Starmer, among others.

The debate has centred around objections to pylons being built through his picturesque Waveney constituency, which straddles the Norfolk/Suffolk border in East Anglia.

David Maddox and Archie Mitchell report

Green Party co-leader denies being hypocrite for opposing wind farm pylon plans

Starmer ‘deeply saddened’ by death of Royal Navy member

14:45 , Joe Middleton

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of a member of the Royal Navy after a Merlin helicopter ditched in the English Channel.

The Royal Navy said the helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

He said in a post on X: “Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a member of the Royal Navy.

“My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this painful time.”

Sir Keir paid tribute to the ship’s company “particularly those involved in the search-and-rescue operation”.

Watchdog launches investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis ticket sales

15:29 , Joe Middleton

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over its handling of Oasis tickets.

CMA said its investigation would include how so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ may have been used and would scrutinise whether the sale of tickets by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law.

The investigation would consider whether Ticketmaster had engaged in unfair commercial practices, if people were given clear and timely information to explain that the tickets could be subject to so-called ‘dynamic pricing’, and if consumers were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay.

Watchdog launches investigation into Ticketmaster over Oasis ticket sales

Absolutely shameful’: Grenfell campaigners criticise MPs for leaving before Starmer statement on tragedy

15:53 , Joe Middleton

Grenfell campaigners have criticised MPs who left the House of Commons chamber just before Keir Starmer made a statement on the damning inquiry report.

The long-awaited findings of an inquiry into the tragedy that cost 72 lives were finally published on Wednesday, including strong criticism of successive governments for failing to address warnings over fires in high rise blocks.

Sir Keir gave a speech to parliament following prime minister’s questions in which he apologised to victims’ families and survivors for being let down “before, during and in the aftermath of this tragedy”.

Grenfell campaigners criticise MPs for leaving before Starmer statement on tragedy