\n<\/p>\n
Energy secretary Ed Miliband<\/strong> has also commented on the announcement of the government\u2019s promise to cut electricity costs for key business sectors.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.<\/p>\n As part of our modern industrial strategy we\u2019re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electricity prices in key sectors.<\/p>\n We\u2019re also doubling down on our clean power strengths with increased investment in growth industries from offshore wind to nuclear. This will deliver on our clean power mission and plan for change to bring down bills for households and businesses for good.<\/p>\n Chancellor Rachel Reeves<\/strong> said the plan would \u201csee billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n The government\u2019s announcement can be found here.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.48 EDT<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/span>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The health secretary has said that one of his aims is to \u201crebuild\u201d the Care Quality Commission<\/strong> (CQC). PA media reports that Wes Streeting<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n The important thing for me is that we rebuild the CQC as an effective regulator and guarantor of patient safety because I think one of the many things that\u2019s gone wrong in this space, and in the NHS more generally, is that the regulators are failing to discharge their duties effectively on behalf of the public, and, frankly, leaving government very exposed as well.<\/p>\n I am in a position where I\u2019m supposed to be able to ask regulators to keep patients safe and to hold institutions to account in a way that, frankly, ministers are having to take direct responsibility for increasingly, because of a lack of capability and confidence in the regulators, and that\u2019s not sustainable. We have got to help the regulators turn themselves around and that\u2019s what we\u2019ll be doing.<\/p>\n The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.<\/p>\n Streeting also criticised the culture of the NHS in England, saying that he wanted to \u201censure better accountability for families when things go wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n The health secretary said:<\/p>\n I have been extremely struck and moved by how hard these families have to struggle to get basic answers from providers about what went wrong. I think it\u2019s just utterly shameful that on top of the grief and trauma they\u2019ve experienced that they have to go into battle for an accurate and honest account of what happened and why.<\/p>\n That\u2019s something we need to change in terms of the culture of the NHS, because it is a culture of legal departments saying to senior leaders: \u2018You can\u2019t say sorry, you mustn\u2019t admit liability\u2019. What\u2019s the priority here? Is it really patients, or is it reputations? And my priority is patients.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Tobi Thomas<\/span><\/p>\n Tobi Thomas is the Guardian\u2019s UK health and inequalities correspondent, and here she has more details on Wes Streeting\u2019s announcement of an investigation into maternity services in England:<\/em><\/p>\n The investigation, due to conclude by December, will look at up to 10 of the most concerning maternity and neonatal units in order to give bereaved and affected families answers about what happened during their care.<\/strong><\/p>\n Wes Streeting did not say how much the investigation would cost but that he expected it would be \u201csomewhat less\u201d that the \u201cenormous\u201d amount paid out by the NHS in clinical negligence claims.<\/p>\n Speaking to press after his keynote speech, he said: \u201cThere are some variables that we are still working out with families in terms of what the team looks like, what the terms of reference are and how it will work. I suspect it will be somewhat less than the enormous costs we pay in clinical negligence claims.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably the most shocking statistic in this area is that we are paying out more in clinical negligence for maternity failures than we are spending on maternity services.\u201d<\/p>\n The government also said on Monday a national maternity and neonatal taskforce, chaired by the health secretary and with a panel of maternity experts and bereaved families, would be established.<\/p>\n The announcement of an independent review of maternity services across England had been looking increasingly likely after a series of high-profile failures in maternity care seen across several NHS trusts.<\/p>\n <\/span>Health secretary Wes Streeting speaking earlierduring the RCOG World Congress 2025, at the ExCeL London.<\/span> Photograph: Lucy North\/PA<\/p>\n You can read more of Tobi Thomas\u2019 updated report here: Wes Streeting announces investigation into NHS maternity services in England<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Shadow chancellor Mel Stride<\/strong> has also had a dig at Nigel Farage<\/strong> and his non-dom tax break policy.<\/p>\n In a post to social media the Conservative MP for Central Devon said \u201cNigel Farage is once again peddling fantasy economics. Reform\u2019s plans simply don\u2019t add up. To deliver them, they\u2019d have to raise taxes or borrow more \u2013 yet they won\u2019t admit it. That\u2019s not straight talking, it\u2019s the Farage mirage. Britain needs a serious and honest plan to support wealth creators and grow the economy, not populist gimmicks.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Matthew Pearce<\/span><\/p>\n The current co-leader of the Green party of England and Wales and MP for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay, has weighed in on Reform UK\u2019s Britannia card policy.<\/strong><\/p>\n Ramsay, posting on social media, said: \u201cNigel Farage<\/strong> wants to allow ultra-rich non-doms to pay a one-off \u00a3250k every 10 years rather than being taxed properly. Let\u2019s be clear: this is chickenfeed for the super-rich \u2013 and a massive tax break for the elite who fund his party.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsay was followed by Green MP Ellie Chowns<\/strong>, who reposted a thread from tax expert Dan Neidle which digs into the problems behind the proposal. Chowns, who is running on a joint ticket with Ramsay to be the next co-leader of the Greens, said: \u201cHere\u2019s the latest proof of just how cynical Reform UK are: their latest wheeze would constitute a whopping \u00a334 billion tax loophole for the super-rich.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n While she was speaking this morning, Rachel Reeves<\/strong> took the opportunity to criticise the Reform UK policy announcement this morning, describing the scheme involving non-doms as \u201ca tax cut for foreign billionaires\u201d.<\/p>\n The chancellor said:<\/p>\n That would mean either taxes on ordinary working people would have to go up to compensate for those lack of revenues, or Reform UK would have to cut public services, including the NHS. So, this is a tax cut by Nigel Farage and the Reform Party for foreign-born billionaires.<\/p>\n Labour\u2019s priority is easing the pressure on ordinary working families and investing in our public services, including the NHS.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n The chancellor has joined other government ministers today in refusing to be drawn on whether the UK government thinks US strikes on Iran are legal or not.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking to broadcasters, Rachel Reeves said \u201cIt is up to the US to make that case. We were not involved in these actions and, of course, we would never comment on the legal advice that the government receives.\u201d<\/p>\n That line is slightly disingenuous, as prior to winning the election in 2024, the Labour party and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy had urged the then foreign secretary David Cameron to publish formal legal advice on whether Israel was breaching international humanitarian law in Gaza.<\/p>\n PA Media reports that Reeves continued by saying:<\/p>\n The Iranian regime has caused instability in the region for a long time and, of course, we share concerns [with the US] about that. The priority, though, at the moment is de-escalation and getting the Iranian regime back around the negotiating table. We believe very strongly that Iran should never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, but what is needed now is a return to the negotiating table to reduce that threat.<\/p>\n Reeves has been in Nuneaton with prime minister Kier Starmer, promoting the government\u2019s new industrial strategy document.<\/p>\n <\/span>Reeves talking to the media during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton.<\/span> Photograph: Jacob King\/PAShare<\/p>\n The Green party of England and Wales have responded to the government publishing its Modern Industrial Strategy for the UK document. Co-leader Carla Denyer<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n This industrial strategy looks like another missed opportunity from the Labour government. The move away from polluting oil and gas towards clean power offers huge wins for communities, for workers and for industry \u2013 but that requires government to make a clear plan to urgently phase out fossil fuels, make polluting companies pay to retrain workers, and to harness the skills and innovation this country has in bucket loads.<\/p>\n The investment in skills announced in today\u2019s strategy is welcome, and the move towards clean sources of power like wind and solar offers huge opportunities for good-quality jobs in futureproofed industries.<\/p>\n But the failure to make a plan for those currently working in high-carbon industries is shortsighted. 3 million workers across the UK will need re-skilling and retraining in order to make the most of the green jobs boom, and fossil fuel giants must shoulder the cost of this.<\/p>\n We also need to see measures to ensure that all investment in the government\u2019s GB Energy supports jobs and industries here in the UK rather than being lost overseas.<\/p>\n We have already seen decades of missed opportunities on this, leaving communities hollowed out and people forced out of work. This government must act fast to turn the corner and put Britain first in the race towards the economy of the future.<\/p>\n Denyer has announced that she is stepping down from the co-leader role later this year.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n The leader of the Liberal Democrats<\/strong> has called for the prime minister to make a statement in parliament in the wake of US strikes on Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities and social media talk from Donald Trump about regime change in Tehran.<\/p>\n In a statement, Ed Davey<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s strikes on Iran were a seismic moment which will have a profound effect on global security for many years to come.<\/p>\n But UK ministers are dodging questions on whether they support these strikes, and failing to guarantee that we won\u2019t be dragged into another illegal American war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n The prime minister has not even spoken once in the Commons since this crisis began. He needs to come to parliament today, update the country on where the UK stands, and what he is doing to ensure the situation does not escalate any further.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n The chair of the Labour party has described the Reform UK policy announcement of \u201cthe Britannia Card\u201d as \u201ca bonanza for billionaires.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n In a statement Ellie Reeves<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n Nigel Farage\u2019s new policy is quite simply a bonanza for billionaires. Not only is this a golden giveaway to the rich, but experts warn this will leave a massive black hole in the country\u2019s finances that working people will be left to pick up the bill for.<\/p>\n Reform UK is not serious or credible. Every family in the country would foot the bill for their dangerous and unfunded Liz Truss-style policies which would devastate Britain\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n ShareRowena Mason<\/span><\/p>\n Rowena Mason, the Guardian\u2019s Whitehall editor, has been at a Reform UK press conference this morning.<\/em><\/p>\n Nigel Farage has defended his plans to attract wealthy foreigners to the UK with a \u00a3250,000 tax giving them 10 years of residency, as Labour called it a \u201cbillionaire\u2019s bonanza\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a press conference in London, attended by Zia Yusuf<\/strong> and party treasurer Nick Candy<\/strong>, Farage said he wanted to win back very wealthy people leaving the country and encourage them to spend money and create jobs in the UK.<\/p>\n Reform estimates 6,000 people would pay the tax and the proceeds would be used to give a \u00a3600 dividend for the lowest paid workers.<\/p>\n Farage rejected the idea that it was a Robin Hood tax, saying: \u201cWe are not stealing from the rich, we are encouraging them to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Tax expert Dan Neidle<\/strong> suggested the policy could cost the UK \u00a335bn over five years in lost revenue, highlighting the tax gap it would cause and arguing it would not get a high take up, especially as no government could guarantee a tax policy would be in place for 10 years.<\/p>\n Farage rejected this analysis as \u201cnonsense\u201d, with Reform sources saying those paying the \u00a3250,000 \u201clanding fee\u201d would still pay tax on any UK earnings \u2013 just not overseas gains.<\/p>\n Separately, the Reform UK leader said Israel and the US were right to attempt to destroy Iran\u2019s nuclear capability by bombing it.<\/p>\n He also accused the attorney general, Richard Hermer<\/strong>, of being \u201cfrankly bordering on treacherous\u201d for striking a deal to hand ownership of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the military base there, claiming this had hindered the US bombing mission against Iran.<\/p>\n Asked whether he supported UK joining military action in Iran, he said: \u201cI doubt they are going to ask for our help but they could do with our support.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Matthew Pearce<\/span><\/p>\n The Liberal Democrats have said the government\u2019s industrial strategy must mark a \u201cnew chapter\u201d for British businesses. <\/strong><\/p>\n Sarah Olney<\/strong>, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park and their business spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n If the Government is truly serious about backing British business, today\u2019s announcement must be followed with U-turns on the damaging jobs tax and family farm tax \u2013 with revenue raised instead through the fairer ways we\u2019ve set out \u2013 and negotiations on a new UK-EU customs union that will deliver new trading opportunities for businesses across the UK.<\/p>\n This strategy must contain real solutions to bring down businesses\u2019 sky-high energy costs and upskill workers around the country.<\/p>\n Ministers must also ensure that across every sector, small businesses are right at the heart of this economic plan.\u201d<\/p>\n SharePatrick Wintour<\/span><\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour has this report on foreign secretary David Lammy\u2019s comments this morning:<\/em><\/p>\n The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has repeatedly refused to say if the UK supported the US military strikes on Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities on Saturday or whether they were legal.<\/strong><\/p>\n Interviewed on BBC Radio 4\u2019s Today programme on Monday for the first time since the US launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, he also sidestepped the question of whether he supported recent social media posts by Donald Trump that seemed to favour regime change in Tehran, saying that in all his discussions in the White House the sole focus had been on military targets.<\/p>\n Lammy said western allies were waiting for battlefield assessments of the impact of the strikes, but it was possible Iran still had a stockpile of highly enriched uranium, although the strikes \u201cmay also have set back Iran\u2019s nuclear programme by several years\u201d.<\/p>\n Ever since the US strikes, senior figures in the Labour government have tried to make their criticism of the action only implicit rather than explicit.<\/p>\n Lammy tried to focus on urging Iran to return to the negotiating table, insisting that Iran was in breach of its obligations by enriching uranium at levels of purity as high as 60%.<\/p>\n The UK Foreign Office has denied Iranian reports that in a phone call with the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Sunday, Lammy had expressed regret about the US strikes.<\/p>\n Asked if the airstrikes were legal, Lammy said three times it was for Washington to answer such questions.<\/p>\n You can read more of Patrick Wintour\u2019s report here: David Lammy refuses to say if UK supported US strikes on Iran nuclear facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n PA are carrying these quotes from health secretary Wes Streeting<\/strong> who has announced what he called \u201ca rapid national investigation\u201d into NHS maternity services.<\/p>\n For the past year, I have been meeting bereaved families from across the country who have lost babies or suffered serious harm during what should have been the most joyful time in their lives.<\/p>\n What they have experienced is devastating \u2013 deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion \u2013 caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act \u2013 and we must act now.<\/p>\n I know nobody wants better for women and babies than the thousands of NHS midwives, obstetricians, maternity and neonatal staff, and that the vast majority of births are safe and without incident, but it\u2019s clear something is going wrong.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I\u2019ve ordered a rapid national investigation to make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve, and ensure no parent or baby is ever let down again. I want staff to come with us on this, to improve things for everyone.<\/p>\n We\u2019re also taking immediate steps to hold failing services to account and give staff the tools they need to deliver the kind, safe, respectful care every family deserves.<\/p>\n Maternity care should be the litmus test by which this government is judged on patient safety, and I will do everything in my power to ensure no family has to suffer like this again.<\/p>\n Health is a devolved policy area.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n The health secretary, Wes Streeting<\/strong>, has announced the launch of a national investigation into NHS maternity services in England.<\/p>\n More details soon \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Miliband: ‘High electricity costs have held back British businesses’ Energy secretary Ed Miliband has also commented on the announcement of the government\u2019s promise to cut electricity costs for key business sectors. He said: For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9427,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[1631,99,305,611,558,1668,949,912,132,1669,124,1670],"class_list":{"0":"post-9426","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics","8":"tag-announces","9":"tag-businesses","10":"tag-costs","11":"tag-energy","12":"tag-government","13":"tag-held","14":"tag-high","15":"tag-industrial","16":"tag-live","17":"tag-miliband","18":"tag-politics","19":"tag-strategy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9426\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Investigation into NHS maternity services in England to look at up to 10 of the most concerning units<\/h2>\n
Green party’s Denyer: industrial strategy is ‘another missed opportunity’ from Labour government<\/h2>\n
Davey: Starmer must appear before parliament over US strikes on Iran<\/h2>\n
Wes Streeting announces investigation into NHS maternity services in England<\/h2>\n