top of page
Faye Brown, political reporter
Mar 19
Starmer backs campaign to show Adolescence in schools

The drama, starring Stephen Graham, depicts the aftermath of the stabbing of a teenage girl - as a 13-year-old boy from her school is arrested for her murder. Politics live: PM challenged over tax rises Graham and co-writer Jack Thorne have said they want it to be a show that "causes discussion and makes change", after it was hailed by critics and topped Netflix's charts around the world. Asked by Labour MP Anneliese Midgley if he backs the creators' calls for it to be aired in parliament and schools, Sir Keir said he does. He told PMQs: "At home we are watching Adolescence. I've got a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, and it's a very good drama to watch. "This violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem. "It's abhorrent, and we have to tackle it." MPs want tougher action on online safety Sir Keir's commitment came as Sky News learned around 25 Labour MPs who want tougher action on online safety have formed an informal group and are due to meet next week. It could pressure the government to take more radical steps, after a private member's bill to raise the age of social media consent from 13 to 16 was watered down because ministers didn't support the measure. The changes were criticised by Thorne in a recent interview with Sky News, accusing the government of being "frightened of big tech". Johnathan Brash is among the MPs who backs showing Adolescence in parliament and schools, telling Sky News he found it "so powerful and distressing I immediately went upstairs and gave my son a hug". The Labour MP for Hartlepool, whose son is eight, said elements of the show could be shown in primary school "with discretion" so children understand the dangers before they are using social media. He said he will raise the issue with officials at the Department for Education to ensure Sir Keir's "extremely supportive" words are followed through on. Mr Brash said the government must "protect children from an environment that is increasing hostile and dangerous". It comes after Sky News revealed teenagers are regularly being served up "horrific" content on social media apps, including violent and sexually explicit material. Read more:Should social media be restricted for teens? Government 'alert' to 'toxic influencers' Speaking after PMQs, Sir Keir's spokesman called Adolescence "an incredibly powerful programme that shows the threat of young men carrying out violence from seeing things online". "Insidious misogyny taking root will be tackled," he added, though he did not say how. He also said the government is "alert to and taking on" issues raised by Sir Gareth Southgate, after the ex-England manager hit out at "manipulative and toxic influencers" who trick young men into thinking women are against them. The Online Safety Act, which is being implemented this year, is intended to protect young people from illegal and harmful content with fines for platforms who break the rules coming in this summer. However, MPs from across the political spectrum want further action to tackle the amount of time children spend on their smartphones. The Tories want the government to force teachers to ban smartphones from schools, with shadow education secretary Laura Trott revealing she is so concerned she won't allow her children to have one until they are 16. The government has resisted the measure, saying teachers already have the power to ban phones.

No Writer
Mar 19
The Trump-Putin friendship goes on ice

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics. Sir Keir Starmer's team spent the day trying to work out how the Trump-Putin phone call really went down. Could the UK end up sending more military support to Ukraine before any pause in fighting? The idea of an ice hockey game apparently came up on the call - Anne has an important history lesson on that. Around Westminster, it's PMQs but the Labour charm offensive to convince its backbenchers of its welfare reforms goes on.

Becky Johnson, social affairs correspondent, in Ashfield
Mar 19
The English town where almost a third of working-age people are economically inactive

In a part of Nottinghamshire with a proud mining heritage, almost a third of working-age people are now economically inactive. It's places like this where they're bracing for the impact of welfare reform. A group of young people meet here in a local park, before the government unveiled its benefit crackdown designed to save £5bn. They're among the UK's almost a million so-called NEETS - people aged 16-24 not in employment, education or training. Holly, 17, had to drop out of college for having too much time off and explained she has a long-term condition that makes her sick, as well as autism and ADHD. "I'm still living with my parents but I'm also on PIP," she says. She's concerned that the government is tightening eligibility for PIP - personal independence payments - as part of cuts to sickness and disability benefits. "It shouldn't happen because I practically live off of it," she says. "I use it to get around - transport - because I struggle to get buses and trains and stuff so I get Ubers a lot which can be quite pricey." She accepts that as a PIP claimant, she can work and says she's been looking for jobs. "I do want to work," she insists. "It's just the fact that I don't know if I could work full time with it, and because I'm off sick a lot, I just don't know if I'd be able to hold a job." It's that concern that's led her to pursue another option. "I'm working on getting a fit note at the moment," she says, referring to a note from her doctor that could lead to her being signed off. It would mean she'd get more money in benefits - around double the amount a jobseeker receives with no condition to look for work - but she'd then risk losing it if she got a job, a situation she believes is perverse. "If you have a fit note then it tells you that you cannot work ever - you shouldn't be looking for a job - which I think is wrong," she says. Other young people who are looking for jobs here say when they apply for work they often don't hear back. Read more:The key changes to benefits announcedFurther benefit cuts not ruled out Pippa Carter, the director of the Inspire and Achieve Foundation, which works with more than 200 young people a year, says: "Mental health is the largest barrier with our young people. "And COVID was an impact as well. They're just not really able to get out of their rooms. They haven't got that social confidence. "And then if you then layer on top of that the benefits and welfare system... if they are signed off sick, for example, with their struggling mental health, they're then stopped from trying to get employment and take steps forward." Many here would welcome a system that gives more help to young people taking their first steps into the workplace. However, others worry that changes to health-related benefits will push some of society's most vulnerable people deeper into poverty. In the centre of Sutton in Ashfield, former care assistant Allison leans on a Zimmer frame as she walks along the high street. Now 59, she says she was signed off sick with a range of health conditions around 15 years ago and claims PIP. Recently, life has become a struggle. "We did use a food bank the other day for the first time, so degrading," she says. But she's afraid that cuts to benefits would force her to rely on it. "I'd be going there every week, I'd have to because I wouldn't be able to survive."

Faye Brown, political reporter
Mar 19
Minister denies misleading voters over benefits cuts - as he's shown awkward old tweet

Stephen Timms told Sky News Breakfast with Wilfred Frost that Labour pledged to "fix the broken system" during the election campaign and said it would reform or replace the work capability assessment (WCA). Politics live: PM defends welfare cuts Scrapping the WCA was one of a series of measures announced on Tuesday, along with narrowing the criteria to qualify for some health and disability benefits. Labour's manifesto said: "We believe the work capability assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced, alongside a proper plan to support disabled people to work." However, it did not explicitly mention cuts. Asked if Labour had misled people, social security minister Mr Timms said: "No." There's always a tweet… It was put to him that his boss Liz Kendall previously tweeted against benefit cuts being considered by former Tory chancellor George Osborne under his austerity programme. In 2016, the now work and pensions secretary retweeted a colleague who accused Mr Osborne of introducing the cuts "to give handouts to the rich", alongside a petition campaigning against the measure. Mr Timms said the Tories "made lots of changes which did a great deal of damage", including reforms to universal credit which put more people on the higher rate and meant they were "no longer supported into work". "We opposed damaging changes the previous government made," he said. "We're bringing forward a package which we think will do the job that's needed, support people back into work and make the system sustainable financially." Read more:All Labour's welfare reforms explained What measures have been announced? The most significant measure announced yesterday was making it harder to qualify for personal independence payments (PIP), which is money for people who have extra care or mobility needs as a result of a disability. The new PIP test will go on to replace the WCA, which currently decides whether people are fit to work or not. There will also be a consultation on delaying access to the health top-up on universal credit until someone is 22. The announcement was met with criticism from Labour backbenchers, unions and charities, who called for the cuts to be reversed and warned it would push more sick and disabled people into poverty. However, it is unclear how many people could lose benefits as a result as the impact assessment will not be released until the spring statement next week. Reforms 'rushed through' The spring statement will see Chancellor Rachel Reeves make further spending cuts to account for the loss of around £9bn in fiscal headroom due to a poor economy and global instability. The government has denied this is the reason for the welfare package, with Ms Kendall telling Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby she would have announced these measures regardless - as she refused to rule out further cuts. But Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride told Sky News the reforms were "rushed" through because Ms Reeves "killed the economy" with her October budget. "That doesn't make for good policy, particularly in the area of welfare where you do need to take your time and to be thoughtful about it," he added. PM: Benefits bill 'devastating' Sir Keir Starmer has defended the measures, writing in The Times that the 2.8 million working age people out of work due to long-term sickness is a "damning indictment of the Conservative record" on welfare. He added: "The result is devastating for the public finances. By 2030 we are projected to spend £70bn a year on working-age incapacity and disability benefits alone."

Faith Ridler and Alexandra Rogers, political reporters
Mar 18
What are the changes to PIP and other benefits? All the planned reforms to UK welfare system

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall detailed the government's planned reforms to the welfare and benefits system in the House of Commons. Politics latest: Reaction as welfare system reforms announced She made clear Labour's motivation, pointing to the sheer cost of long-term sickness and disability benefits for working-age people, which has risen by £20bn since the pandemic and is forecast to hit £70bn over the next five years. Here, Sky News looks at all the changes Labour plan to make to the welfare system. Changes to eligibility for personal independent payments PIP is a tax-free payment given to people aged 16-64 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or disability. There are two components of PIP: a daily living part designed for those who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and a mobility part, for those who have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around. It's possible to meet the criteria for one part or both parts, and payments vary for each. Ms Kendall confirmed on Tuesday the government will change the criteria to reduce the number of people eligible for PIP. The minister also confirmed the government will not freeze PIP - as reports had previously suggested - but instead make it harder to qualify from November 2026. People will need to score at least four points in one activity to qualify for the benefit - a move that will require a change in law. This will not affect the mobility component. All you need to know about PIP changes - read more here Boost to standard universal credit The government has pledged to raise the standard universal credit allowance by £775 in 2029/30. Universal credit (UC) is available to those who are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. The benefit is replacing the six you can currently claim - child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, and working tax credits. Alongside a hike in the basic rate of universal credit, Labour have pledged to "switch back on" reassessments after a significant drop in the number carried out in the pandemic. However, the government said claimants with severe, lifelong disabilities will not usually face benefits reassessments. Ms Kendall told MPs the government "will legislate to rebalance the payments in universal credit from April next year, holding the value of the health top up fixed in cash terms for existing claimants and reducing it for new claimants, with an additional premium for people with severe lifelong conditions". The minister said the government will consult on whether the health top up to UC should be delayed for those under 22, with the savings spent on work support and training opportunities. Scrap work capability assessments in 2028 It was confirmed that work capability assessments will be entirely scrapped in 2028. Under the current system, those not fit for work are told they have limited capability for work related activity (LCWRA) - which means they will not receive employment support or further engagement from the system after their assessment, potentially locking them out of future work. However, work capability assessments (WCA) will be scrapped altogether in three years' time. Ms Kendall said the WCA is "not fit for purpose", describing the assessments as "complex, time-consuming and often stressful for claimants". Consider merging benefits into new 'unemployment insurance' The government has pledged to consult on merging jobseeker's allowance and employment support allowance into a new, time-limited "unemployment insurance". This would be paid at a higher rate - and claimants would not have to prove they are unable to work in order to receive it. Ms Kendall said: "So if you have paid into the system, you'll get stronger income protection while we help you get back on track." This new "unemployment insurance" benefit would be created by merging jobseeker's allowance - the benefit paid to people who are out of work but looking for a job - and the employment and support allowance, used for those with a disability or health condition that affects how much they can work. Legislating for a 'right to try' initiative Lastly, the government has vowed to legislate for a "right to try" initiative. The minister told MPs this will guarantee that "work in and of itself will never lead to a benefit reassessment, giving people the confidence to take the plunge and try work without the fear this will put their benefits at risk".

bottom of page