Downing Street has rejected claims that the Treasury’s analysis of a £40bn funding gap means Labour misled voters about its tax plans during the election. The PM’s press secretary stated that the manifesto was fully funded and that the government had been honest about the challenges the economy faced. The Chancellor had found a £22bn black hole left by the previous government.
In other news, the Lib Dems led a debate on the carer’s allowance overpayments scandal, calling for changes to the system that has left carers in debt. The government has announced a review of the scandal, but MPs are calling for wider reforms to the system.
Environmental groups have expressed concern over plans to prioritize economic growth in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Critics argue that the environment should come first, but Labour has supported a growth duty for regulators in the past.
Cabinet ministers have declared donations to their leadership campaigns, with Kemi Badenoch receiving more than twice the amount as her opponent. Nigel Farage has also declared income from media appearances.
Ministers have expressed alarm about cuts they are being asked to make in the budget, as chancellor Rachel Reeves seeks to restore order to the public finances. A donor is paying for a private charter flight to bring Alex Salmond’s body back to Scotland, where he will have a private funeral followed by a public memorial service.
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