Keir Starmer doesn’t have ‘woman problem’, No 10 insists as PM to speak in parliament – UK politics live updates

Means testing the winter fuel allowance could lead to premature deaths, shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride has suggested.

The former minister told the House of Commons: “In the general election the party opposite promised that it had no plans to means test the winter fuel allowance and yet we learn that millions of pensioners (are) to be affected.

“Indeed, in 2017 her own party produced an analysis suggesting that around 4,000 pensioners would die prematurely, were this policy to be brought into effect. Does (Ms Kendall) standby that figure of around 4,000, if not, how many premature deaths does she believe will occur as a result of this policy?”

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall replied: “In 2017 his party’s manifesto promised to means test winter fuel payments.

“So I would just say to (Mr Stride) until party members opposite know that they have to apologise to the British people for the 200,000 extra pensioners in poverty over the last 14 years, and for a £22 billion black hole in the public finances, which we are now putting right, which has put the public finances at risk, they will remain on those seats and we will remain on these.”

Mr Stride then disputed the claim that 200,000 more pensioners are in poverty, with Ms Kendall responding: “There are 200,000 more pensioners in poverty and I am happy to put those figures in the public debate, to set the record straight on that.”

According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, the number of poor pensioners fell from 18 per cent in 2019 to 16 per cent in 2022. But the proportion of pensioners unable to afford key material items rose from six per cent to eight per cent over the same period.

Those who could not afford to heat their homes rose from two per cent to five per cent under the Tories over the same years.

Nigel Farage has U-turned on his claim that he was told not to hold the face-to-face meetings with voters as a result of security concerns in his Essex constituency.

The Reform UK leader found himself at the centre of a row after parliamentary sources disputed the suggestion he was given such advice from security teams, given it would interfere with his democratic duties.

When asked on Monday, “which one of you is lying” – in reference to conflicting claims from himself and parliamentary sources – the Reform UK leader responded: “The Speaker’s Office is always right.”

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:

A Labour MP has said she is “really worried” about pensioners as the government ploughs ahead with its plans to means-test the winter fuel allowance.

Speaking in the Commons, Rachael Maskell for York Central said: “We are really, really worried now, as winter is approaching, about the impact this is going to have, particularly on the health of older people.

“Will she look at the work that has been done by Energy Systems Catapult and NHS Gloucestershire in social prescribing to ensure that people can receive energy payments that way?”

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall replied: “I am determined to bring forward the merger of housing benefit and pension credit, which the former government delayed for years.

“And I very much agree with the need to bring together social prescribing, help from the household support fund, and other areas, to make sure pensioners get all the help they need.”

Labour election guru Morgan McSweeney will take over as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff after Sue Gray quit.

McSweeney is the creative intelligence behind Starmer’s success, first in winning the leadership of the Labour Party and then in winning a huge election victory in the country. It makes sense to have him at the top of the political side of No 10, writes Jabed Ahmed.

MPs are currently putting questions to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall, who is being quizzed over Labour’s plan to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Her statement will be followed by a statement from Sir Keir Starmer on the 7 October anniversary and the conflicts in the Middle East.

We will then hear from the foreign secretary David Lammy, who will be grilled over the recent Chagos Island deal with Mauritius.

The prime minister has toughened his defences against a right-wing press vendetta against him, writes John Rentoul:

Downing Street has insisted the deal to give up sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was due to the “unsustainable” legal position and had no impact on other disputed territories including the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.

The prime minister’s official spokesman would not be drawn on the cost to the UK taxpayer of the deal which will see Mauritius being given sovereignty over the islands, with a 99-year agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

The spokesman said: “The government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the military base at Diego Garcia was under threat with contested sovereignty and legal challenges, including through various international courts and tribunals.

“You will be aware that the previous government initiated sovereignty negotiations in 2022 and conducted a number of rounds of negotiations. This government picked up those negotiations and has reached an agreement, which means that for the first time in over 50 years, the base will be undisputed, legally secure, with full Mauritian backing.”

Asked why the BIOT should not be seen as a precedent for other sovereignty disputes such as the Falklands and Gibraltar, the spokesman said: “It’s a unique situation based on its unique history and circumstances, and has no bearing on other overseas territories.”

The spokesman added: “British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands or Gibraltar is not up for negotiation.”

House prices increased by 0.3 per cent month-on-month in September, matching a rise seen in August, Halifax said.

Year-on-year price growth ran at 4.7 per cent, the strongest rate since November 2022.

The average house price was £293,399, just shy of a record high of £293,507 set in June 2022.

Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure as Labour heavyweights warned he has lost his grip on the political narrative, after he was forced to accept the resignation of his chief of staff over the weekend.

Sue Gray resigned from her position after weeks of reported tensions in Number 10.

Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has said the turmoil that culminated in her resignation has been “uncomfortable” for the prime minister, warning that nobody wants to see political infighting on the front pages of newspapers.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below: