Cooper: UK ‘stands ready to play our part’ in implementing Gaza peace plan
The UK “stands ready to play our part” in implementing the Gaza peace plan, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
Speaking to reporters at Hillsborough Castle, PA Media report she said: “Work will continue as nations across the world come together to support a just and lasting peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. We have seen some of the images of relief and hope on the streets of Gaza and on the streets of Israel overnight, and all nations will want to make sure that that is turned into reality.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has also welcomed the news, saying it is “time for peace.”
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said:
We can dare to hope for the release of all the hostages, and the conclusion of this terrible war.
We convey our deep appreciation to President Trump, the mediators, and most of all, the indefatigable campaigning of the hostage families whose courage, resilience, and determination has been a beacon to the world.
We will celebrate the return of those living and praying for their swift recovery and care, and we will mourn the returning dead, thinking of their loved ones in their time of grief. It is time for healing. It is time for peace.
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Swinney at FMQs: Scotland is ‘on a pathway to independence’
SNP leader John Swinney has said that “Scotland is on a pathway to independence”, in response to criticism at FMQs of yesterday’s published paper A Fresh Start with Independence.
PA Media quotes Swinney saying that the problem opponents of the paper had were that their arguments “for the status quo are now completely and utterly threadbare.”
The SNP leader said that in 2014, opponents of independence, told Scots that bills would come down, the country’s place in Europe would be assured and there would be financial security – none of which, he argued, happened.
“The arguments against Scottish independence have collapsed since 2014 and Scotland is on a pathway to independence,” he added.
The Conservatives leader in Holyrood, Russell Findlay, had hit out at the use of civil servants to produce the paper and accompanying technical document.
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I am expecting the prime minister to be holding a press conference in the not too distant future. Keir Starmer will be speaking in Mumbai on the second day of his trip to India. I will bring you any key lines that emerge.
Keir Starmer nad Narendra Modi at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, Jio World Center in Mumbai, India, 9 October 2025. Photograph: Press Informaton Bureau/EPAShare
Lib Dems: water market in England and Wales is ‘rigged racket’ and Ofwat must be replaced
The Liberal Democrats have repeated their call for the government to abolish and replace Ofwat in the wake of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) allowing five water companies to increase bills by a higher amount than the regulator had originally allowed.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron said
This is not a functioning market; it is a rigged racket. Customers are seeing their water bills rocket, whilst leaky infrastructure further deteriorates and gallons of disgusting sewage is pumped into British rivers and seas.
These increases are disgraceful and insulting to customers. They shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the failures of private water companies to clean up the mess they themselves created. And we shouldn’t have a regulator that can simply be ignored.
Enough is enough. The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to get on with replacing Ofwat with a new, powerful regulator and implement a single social tariff to better protect the most vulnerable customers.
Earlier, environment minister Emma Hardy said she understood the public’s anger over the price rises.
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Scotland’s first minister John Swinney has welcomed the prospect of a Gaza ceasefire deal, urging all sides to “abide by the terms of the agreement”. In a statement the SNP leader said:
I want to welcome the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza.
I call on all sides to abide by the terms of the agreement, for the release of all hostages and for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
After more than two years of devastating brutality and loss of life, I know that this will be a moment of relief for many here in Scotland, and around the world.
I reiterate my call that Palestinians and Israelis must be able to live safely, side-by-side, based on a two-state solution, and I dearly hope that this is the first step towards that outcome.
Former first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has also commented on the latest development.
PA Media reports that, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings with Stephen Jardine programme on Thursday, Yousaf was asked if he accepts the US president is helping bring about peace. He said:
I find this question really difficult because of the role the US administration has played in funding, arming and giving impunity to the very administration and government that has committed a genocide against Palestinian people.
It is akin to … there’s an individual who provides matches and petrol to the arsonist and then asks for praise when he puts out the fire.
I’m not negating the fact that Donald Trump has played an important role, I think credit should also be given to the state of Qatar, who were just a few weeks ago bombed by one of the parties in this conflict but they still held steadfast to the belief and tried to bring people together.
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The shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, has also issued a statement on the prospect of a deal in Gaza.
In a statement on social media, Patel said:
News overnight that the initial phase of the peace plan is coming together is of course encouraging. We await the full details and the outcome of the Israeli cabinet meeting, but the outline of the deal could represent a significant breakthrough.
It is vital that every single hostage is indeed released by Hamas. They must be returned to their loved ones. Their suffering, for over 730 days, has been utterly unbearable.
Aid delivery to innocent civilians in Gaza must ramp up too.
The UK should be at the forefront of efforts to support the safe release of the hostages and the delivery of aid.
Ultimately, a sustainable end to this terrible conflict must also involve Hamas no longer being in power and its terrorist infrastructure being dismantled.
Patel lost her job in Theresa May’s government in November 2017 in a scandal after it emerged she failed to be candid with the then-prime minister about 14 unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers, businesspeople and a senior lobbyist while she was in government.
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In further political reaction in the UK to the news of a potential ceasefire deal in Gaza, health minister Wes Streeting expressed support for a two-state solution, saying “Let’s pray this ceasefire holds, that the hostages are back home, that aid flows in to save innocent lives and that Israeli and Palestinian leaders can find the courage to build a path to peaceful coexistence with two states for two peoples.”
Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, has said “I welcome the agreement on a Gaza ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and the release of hostages. This needs to last, but must be backed up by an urgent surge in aid into Gaza and a meaningful pathway to an end of the illegal occupation and a lasting peace.”
The first minister of Wales, Labour’s, Eluned Morgan, said “The news of a breakthrough in Gaza peace talks offers a glimmer of hope after years of unbearable loss. Let’s hope this moment marks the beginning of the end of this terrible conflict and the dawn of a just and lasting peace.”
Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said “This is a hugely significant moment that will bring overwhelming relief to the families of the Israeli hostages and the civilians of Gaza who have suffered unimaginable horror over the last two years. Efforts on the ground must focus on allowing as much humanitarian aid as possible into Gaza whilst thousands still face famine and disease.
“A ceasefire must be only the first step towards a just and lasting peace for everyone in the region through a two-state solution. This means a cohesive international effort to ensure the Palestinian people can begin to rebuild their lives and communities, and to bring those responsible for the terrible genocide, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, to justice.”
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Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has posted to social media to say the Conservatives are “back” in the wake of their policy announcements at this week’s conference.
He listed the following pledges:
Out of the ECHR
Deport all foreign criminals and illegal immigrants
Negative net migration
Climate Act repeal to reduce energy bills
Stamp duty gone
Abolish business rates for small shops and pubs
Benefits for British citizens only
Sickness benefits only for genuine cases
Police crime, not social media
Out of the ECHR
Deport all foreign criminals and illegal immigrants
Negative net migration
Climate Act repeal to reduce energy bills
Stamp duty gone
Abolish business rates for small shops & pubs
Benefits for British citizens only
Sickness benefits only for genuine cases…
— Chris Philp MP (@CPhilpOfficial) October 9, 2025
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has taken a rather different post-conference tack this morning.
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Northern Ireland’s justice minister Naomi Long has made a statement after a protest demonstration outside her home last night, which she described as crossing a line.
Posting to social media, the leader of the Alliance party, who has been MLA for Belfast East since 2020, said:
Over the last 25 years I’ve been in frontline politics, I’ve engaged with people from all backgrounds and perspectives. I’ve been open to debating and discussing issues, whether we agreed or not, including on here [X]. Turning up as a mob, some in masks, at my home just isn’t on.
That line was crossed last night. It isn’t engagement and it isn’t legitimate protest to turn up at my home, disrupt my neighbours, my family and place pressure on police. It’s bullying and intimidation. It’s threatening and wholly unacceptable. It needs to stop.
The deputy leader of the Alliance party, Eóin Tennyson, told the BBC’s Radio Ulster that the behaviour was “completely unacceptable”, adding “At the heart of this, politicians are humans too and any of us would be shaken by a mob turning up outside our home.”
Gavin Robinson, leader of the DUP and MP for East Belfast also condemned the incident, saying “The private homes of elected politicians should be firmly off limits. Whatever the reason for political protest, what happened last night at Naomi Long’s home should be roundly condemned.”
The BBC reported “it is believed the protest related to the housing of sex offenders in residential areas.”
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Environment minister: public anger over water bill rises is understandable
Environment minister Emma Hardy said she understands the public’s anger, after five water firms were provisionally granted permission to raise their bills by between 1% and 5%.
PA Media reports Hardy said: “I understand the public’s anger over bill rises – that’s why I expect every water company to offer proper support to anyone struggling to pay.
“We’ve made sure that investment cash goes into infrastructure upgrades, not bonuses, and we’re creating a tough new regulator to clean up our waterways and restore trust in the system.
“We are laser focused on helping ease the cost of living pressure on households: we’ve frozen fuel duty, raised the minimum wage and pensions and brought down mortgage rates – putting more money in people’s pockets.”
Five companies – Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, and Wessex Water – argued that Ofwat’s original decision left them unable to meet the regulatory requirements set out for them.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Anglian and Northumbrian should be allowed to increase their bills by a further 1%, Southern by 3%, South East by 4% and Wessex by 5%.
Kirstin Baker, who chaired the independent group of experts appointed by the CMA to consider the price controls, said: “We’ve found that water companies’ requests for significant bill increases, on top of those allowed by Ofwat, are largely unjustified.”
Meanwhile Mathew Lawrence, Director of the thinktank Common Wealth, said “Water bills are going up yet again. But how much of this will fund much-needed investment?
“Almost a third of the typical bill currently goes to paying dividends or interest payments. Hard pressed households are paying more for basic essentials so investors can profit. Only public ownership can end the rip off and ensure bills fund investment.”
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Compensation schemes for victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal will be improved, with a new appeals process and funded legal advice for post office operators, the government has announced.
Responding to the first part of the findings from a two-year public inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, regarded as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK legal history, the business secretary, Peter Kyle, said there would be a new appeals process for people who have accepted fixed-sum offers under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, one of several compensation schemes. Funded legal advice will also be offered.
Read more of Julia Kollewe’s report here: Compensation schemes for Post Office Horizon IT scandal victims ‘to be improved’
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Richard Adams is the Guardian’s education editor
While 14 vice-chancellors are with Keir Starmer’s delegation in India, for what No 10 calls “a huge opportunity for UK universities seeking new funding streams,” Oxford university’s vice-chancellor was telling the BBC’s Today programme this morning that changes to student visas, including the introduction of a levy on international students, risked undermining higher education.
Prof Irene Tracey said that international student income subsidised the cost teaching of UK students, and added:
“There are definitely issues to address for some universities with international student coming in, [including] co-dependents and pressure on villages and towns, I totally get that, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Yesterday the Welsh government said it would reject the levy on international students studying in Wales, with secretary for education Lynne Neagle telling the Senedd:
“There will not be a levy in Wales … we are not seeking to moderate student demand in this way and indeed we really welcome international students. We want our international students to continue to feel welcomed for the positive social, cultural and economic contributions they make in Wales.”
Prof Elwen Evans, chair of the Universities Wales group and vice-chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said it was welcome news:
“The introduction of a levy – effectively an additional tax – would have had a detrimental impact on Welsh universities. The levy would have increased the financial pressure the sector is under, affecting universities’ capacity to contribute to their local communities and potentially reducing the number of places available for Welsh and UK students.”
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While in India, the prime minister says he has urged Narendra Modi to move India away from reliance on fossil fuels, and the two leaders have also discussed the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, Keir Starmer said:
The prime minister and I … discussed the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, the need for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, and the need to cooperate in critical areas like climate and energy, including breaking away from dependence on fossil fuels.
We sit together in the Commonwealth, the G20, and we want to see India taking its rightful place on the UN security council too.
This handout photograph taken and released by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 9 October 2025 shows Keir Starmer speaking with Narendra Modi. Photograph: Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB)/AFP/Getty Images
Making a statement via a translator, PA Media reports that Modi said that Starmer had “significantly progressed” the relationship between India and the UK with the trade deal they had signed together.
Modi added: “Your visit to India within just a few months of concluding the agreement and the fact that you have been accompanied by the biggest ever business delegation pay testament to the new energy in the UK-India relationship.”
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Cooper: UK ‘stands ready to play our part’ in implementing Gaza peace plan
The UK “stands ready to play our part” in implementing the Gaza peace plan, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
Speaking to reporters at Hillsborough Castle, PA Media report she said: “Work will continue as nations across the world come together to support a just and lasting peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. We have seen some of the images of relief and hope on the streets of Gaza and on the streets of Israel overnight, and all nations will want to make sure that that is turned into reality.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has also welcomed the news, saying it is “time for peace.”
Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said:
We can dare to hope for the release of all the hostages, and the conclusion of this terrible war.
We convey our deep appreciation to President Trump, the mediators, and most of all, the indefatigable campaigning of the hostage families whose courage, resilience, and determination has been a beacon to the world.
We will celebrate the return of those living and praying for their swift recovery and care, and we will mourn the returning dead, thinking of their loved ones in their time of grief. It is time for healing. It is time for peace.
Share
In other political reaction in the UK to the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza, the Green party of England and Wales’ Westminster leader, Ellie Chowns, described it as a moment of “real hope”.
Posting to social media, the MP for North Herefordshire said “News of the ‘first phase’ of a ceasefire in Gaza is a moment of real hope. This must be the first step of many, including release of all hostages, full humanitarian access to Gaza, and self-determination for Palestinians.”
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda and Ogmore and minister for trade, said “Let’s hope this can deliver long lasting peace with justice for all.”
Speaking on Times Radio, PA Media reports Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:
I think we’ve got more hope this morning than we’ve had for a long time. I think it opens up potentially big possibilities, not just as I say in the immediate few days, but for the longer term future.
And that takes us back to the 20-point plan that was released by the US about a week ago, which has the support of the UK Government, as the prime minister made clear at our party conference last week.
So it’s a very hopeful moment, and as I say, let’s hope that the hostages are released in the next few days, and hope that the suffering of the people of Gaza can stop and we can get the humanitarian aid that’s needed and then rebuild from there.
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Badenoch: Gaza ceasefire deal ‘hugely welcome’ and will be ‘enormous relief’ to hostage families
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said that a ceasefire deal in Gaza was “hugely welcome” and would come as an “enormous relief” to the families of Israeli hostages.
In a post to social media, Badenoch wrote:
The ceasefire deal in Gaza is hugely welcome. It will be an enormous relief to the families of Israeli hostages, so cruelly captured by Hamas two years ago. President Trump deserves credit for brokering this deal, with the support of Arab partners and Turkey. Hamas must now fully disarm and return all hostage, so the suffering in Gaza is eased and the war ends as swiftly as possible.
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Ed Davey: peace plan must be first step to two-state solution
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said that a ceasefire in Gaza must be a “first step” to a two-state solution in the region.
In a statement, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton said:
News of a ceasefire deal in Gaza brings real hope. The UK and our allies must do all we can to get the hostages home, get aid in to starving people, and finally end this horrific violence. This must be the first step towards a two-state solution and a lasting peace.
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Cooper to head to Paris to discuss Gaza peace plan implementation
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said that later today she will travel to Paris for discussion about the implementation of a peace plan for Gaza.
Speaking at Hillsborough Castle, where she is hosting a summit on the western Balkans today, she said:
The agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace initiative is a moment of profound significance, relief and hope. And I want to pay tribute to the negotiators.
After two years of the most devastating suffering, with tens of thousands of lives being lost, with the pain of hostages held for so long, and with the humanitarian crisis taking place, the agreement now to a ceasefire, to the restoration of humanitarian aid and to the release of all the hostages is immensely important and must be implemented as swiftly as possible.
Later today I will be travelling from here with the German foreign minister, my colleague, to Paris for the discussions later today about how all nations can support the immense work that has been done thus far on President Trump’s peace initiative, but also how we make sure that we take it forward.
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Starmer: Gaza peace plan a moment of ‘profound relief’ for the world
Israel and Hamas’ agreement to the initial phases of a plan to end fighting in Gaza is a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”, the prime minister has said.
Responding to the news during his trip to India, Keir Starmer said:
I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.
This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.
Keir Starmer welcomes first phase of Gaza deal with ‘profound relief’ – videoShare
Welcome and opening summary
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics for Thursday. Here are the headlines:
The prime minister has said that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas will be seen as a moment of “profound relief”. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has echoed Keir Starmer’s sentiment, saying the UK “stands ready to play our part” in implementing a peace plan, whe she said should be “implemented as swiftly as possible”.
Starmer said he and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi discussed the need for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, as well as “breaking away from dependence on fossil fuels” during the Labour leader’s visit to the country.
Environment minister Emma Hardy said she understands the public’s anger, after five water firms were provisionally granted permission to raise their bills by between 1% and 5%.
Cabinet ministers have been told they will not be able to use the Treasury reserve to fund public sector pay rises and cannot access it unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Justice secretary David Lammy has ruled out reintroducing charges for employment tribunals after a backlash from unions over the proposals.
It is Martin Belam back with you today – long time no see. Do drop me a line via email if you spot typos, errors or omissions to martin.belam@theguardian.com.
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