Keir Starmer chaired an extended cabinet meeting today to address challenges facing the government, including the rising cost of working-age people on sickness and disability benefits. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, emphasized the need to help more people into work, stating that with the right support, some claimants could work. She also mentioned that some individuals may be “taking the mickey” by claiming benefits they do not need. Kendall’s comments have been criticized by the anti-poverty charity Turn2us for increasing stigma and fear around accessing support.
The Department for Work and Pensions is set to release a green paper on reforms soon, with a focus on helping more individuals get back to work. The discussion also touched on the NHS backlog and the need to provide necessary support to those claiming benefits due to health conditions. Additionally, there were suggestions about young people adjusting to work and the complexities of conditions being over-medicalized.
In light of President Trump’s decision to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports, the UK government confirmed that it supports domestic sporting bodies in regulating transgender participation in sports. Keir Starmer also expressed support for the independence of the International Criminal Court, despite the US imposing sanctions, emphasizing the importance of the ceasefire in Gaza and vital aid delivery.
The government also announced plans to demolish Grenfell Tower over a two-year period starting after the eight-year anniversary of the 2017 disaster. Meanwhile, tributes poured in for Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the former Plaid Cymru leader who passed away at the age of 78. His contributions to Welsh politics and the devolution process were acknowledged, with colleagues expressing condolences to his family.
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