Shadow Home Secretary calls Government migrant plans “laughable” as the Mrs T is returned from France
“Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal to establish “return hubs” in countries like Kosovo for failed asylum seekers has come under intense criticism, with shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp labelling the plan as “laughable” amid a significant surge in illegal Channel crossings. The initiative aims to relocate individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected in the UK to third countries, such as Kosovo, for processing and eventual deportation. The approach is intended to serve as a deterrent to illegal migration and to alleviate pressure on the UK’s asylum system. Referring to the aborted Rwanda scheme, Mr Philp criticised the proposal, saying: “Keir Starmer laughably claimed he would smash the gangs, but all he’s done is scrap our deterrent before it started – a deterrent the National Crime Agency labelled as critical.” – Daily Express
- Seized British fishing boat Lady T is released by French authorities after being ‘held hostage’ – Daily Mail
- Has mass immigration made Britain richer or poorer? – Daily Telegraph
- Poll: trust in Starmer on migration falls again – Spectator
Russians leap on Badenoch’s TV comments over war in Ukraine and Middle East
“The Kremlin has seized on comments by Kemi Badenoch about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after she called the conflict a “proxy war” with Kyiv fighting on behalf of Western Europe. The Tory leader told Sky News on Sunday that Sir Keir Starmer should stand with Israel against Hamas in the war in Gaza, in the same way that Britain supported Ukraine. Mrs Badenoch said: “Who funds Hamas? Iran, an enemy of this country. Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK, just like Ukraine is on behalf of Western Europe against Russia. We have to get serious.” A clip of the interview was later shared by the Facebook account of Russia’s embassy in London, which said the Conservative leader had “called a spade a spade” – Daily Telegraph
- Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting ‘proxy war’ for West and UK – Daily Express
- Russia seizes on Kemi’s ‘proxy’ comment – Spectator
- Kremlin claims Putin survived massive drone attack on his helicopter as Trump slams ‘crazy’ Russian leader – Daily Mail
- Russia targets Ukraine with more drone strikes as Trump says Putin has ‘gone crazy’ – Guardian
- Vlad hits back. Russia denies any link to Keir Starmer arson attacks after 3 charged over ‘plot to torch two homes and car linked to PM’ – The Sun
- Germany’s Merz backs Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes on Russia – FT
- Germany greenlights use of NATO missile strikes ‘deep into Russia’ – as Macron demands Trump to take crushing action against ‘liar’ Putin – Daily Mail
- Putin hits back at ‘emotional’ Trump after Don branded him ‘CRAZY’ and warned Ukraine war will be ‘downfall of Russia’ – The Sun
Comment
- Tories must tell a positive new story of home – Melanie Phillips, The Times
- Restoring Boris won’t save the Tories — it will destroy them – Tom Jones, Unherd
>Today
Tensions in Labour over welfare cuts, winter fuel and two child benefit cap as Government struggles with the economy
“Angela Rayner got her maths wrong in a leaked memo calling for tax rises, allies of Rachel Reeves have claimed. The Deputy Prime Minister’s proposals would raise far less money than she suggested, Treasury figures believe. Their scepticism has been echoed by economists, who have publicly questioned Ms Rayner’s estimates since the leaked document was published by The Telegraph last week. Ms Rayner’s proposals, initially circulated in mid-March, countered the approach by the Chancellor, who has instead sought to raise money through spending cuts. Suggestions that the tax proposals would not raise as much money as proposed could help No 11 persuade Labour MPs to stay on side over politically difficult welfare cuts.” – Daily Telegraph
- Labour civil war as Reeves’ allies accuse Rayner of getting maths wrong – Daily Express
- Welfare U-turns may jeopardise Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules – The Times
- Up to 170 Labour rebels in stand off with Starmer over PIP benefits cuts – The i
- Labour giveaways risk sparking £30bn tax raid – Daily Telegraph
- Starmer’s bid to ease welfare cuts piles pressure on Rachel Reeves – City AM
- Two-child benefit backtrack will not win Keir Starmer credit – The Times
- DWP work scheme ‘fiasco’ threatens Labour’s PIP reforms – The i
- Small business owners want rebate on new sickness benefit rules – The Times
- Rayner’s tax plans would ‘accelerate exodus of Britain’s wealthy’ – Daily Telegraph
Editorial
Comment
- Labour are panicking. Starmer backed the two child benefit cap – now they want to scrap it, says Shadow Chancellor – Mel Stride, Daily Mail
- Reeves needs to find billions. These are the tax rises she will target – Adam Smith, Daily Telegraph
- Starmer’s despicable lies, vindictive tax hikes and hammering the middle classes will bankrupt us all – Richard Littlejohn, Daily Mail
- The UK is going bust: Starmer and Reeves have now guaranteed it – Annabel Denham, Daily Telegraph
….meanwhile Labour to hit out at ‘self-interested’ Nigel Farage ahead of Reform speech
“Labour has attacked Nigel Farage as a “private-educated stockbroker and career politician” with no interest in working people, before a speech by the leader of Reform UK. Farage will on Tuesday accuse Starmer of being “one of the most unpatriotic prime ministers in our history”. He will say that the prime minister has “no connection with working people” or their lived experience. Farage will challenge Starmer to go to a working man’s club in the north of England to see who can connect better with voters. Starmer has told Labour MPs that he viewed Reform UK, rather than the Conservatives, as the real opposition and biggest threat at the next election.” – The Times
Justice Secretary says the debate over the assisted on dying bill is being rushed
“MPs are unable to properly debate the “huge implications” of the assisted dying bill because there is too little time for proper scrutiny, the justice secretary has warned. Shabana Mahmood, who opposes the legislation, raised concerns that the bill was being rushed through before a vote next month. Changes in the law to allow assisted dying are being brought through the Commons in a private members’ bill led by Kim Leadbeater, a Labour backbencher, rather than by the government which is remaining neutral on the issue. Critics say this means there is less time for scrutiny.” – The Times
MPs fear UK equality watchdog may take months to sign off gender guidance
“Formal guidance on how organisations should implement the supreme court ruling on gender may not be fully signed off for months, officials and MPs have warned, amid increasing worries about the capability of the government’s equalities watchdog. While the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has promised to complete the process by the end of July, a series of insiders have told the Guardian they believe this may not happen until after the watchdog’s controversial chair, Kishwer Falkner, is replaced in November. Some MPs are increasingly worried about what one said could be months of “limbo” for organisations and transgender people. The concerns are in part due to worries about the ability of Lady Falkner, who was appointed by Liz Truss, to be seen as a fair arbiter of how public bodies should implement the court decision that “woman” in the Equality Act refers only to a biological woman.” – Guardian
- Firms ‘rebranding’ diversity initiatives to avoid unwanted political attention – Guardian
Liverpool tragedy as car ploughs into public at football celebration but police rule out terrorism
“In Liverpool FC’s glory-laden history of triumph over adversity and 47 major trophies along the way, this was – until 6pm – the most euphoric party of them all. Crowds swelled to an estimated 800,000 and they celebrated under skies thick with red flare smoke as the team’s open-top bus crawled through the city centre to a crescendo of sight and sound…. But, four hours into the official celebration, as the players and spectators still danced to sets put on by the likes of superstar DJ Calvin Harris, the carnival mood descended into horrifying carnage. Out of nowhere at about 6pm, a black Ford Galaxy people carrier appeared on Water Street, heading southward towards the Strand, one of the main city centre stretches where fans were gathered. Harry Rashid was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when the car roared past him. “This people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us,” he told the Liverpool Echo.” – Daily Telegraph
- Liverpool parade carnage: Driver smashed into men, women and children at league title party before bystanders screaming ‘kill him’ dragged driver out – Daily Mail
- Man arrested after Liverpool parade car crash – Spectator
- Starmer says ‘whole country stands with Liverpool’ – Guardian
- Car driven into Liverpool fans at trophy parade – Daily Express
- Liverpool fans showed pure happiness — all that vanished after the crash – The Times
News in Brief
- Where did it all Gove wrong? – Ben Sixsmith, The Critic
- The death of the Young Conservative – Alwyn Turner, Unherd
- Free speech is for all, even Kneecap – Joseph Dinnage, CapX
- In praise of the lecture – Alexandra Wilson, The Critic
