Overview
- A YouGov poll for The Times found only 34% of Labour voters want Keir Starmer to lead into the next election, with 23% saying he should quit now and a further 22% wanting him to step down beforehand.
- Opening Cabinet, the prime minister told ministers to stop “talking about ourselves” and to deliver on the government’s mandate, calling recent leadership speculation a distraction from serving the public.
- With the Budget set for 26 November, Rachel Reeves has abandoned a floated income tax rise after earlier signalling it, a reversal reported to have rattled markets as officials confront a reported £20–30bn shortfall.
- Starmer indicated England’s £9.90 prescription charge will be frozen and said the package will reflect “Labour values,” as ministers trail measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s hardline asylum overhaul drew pushback from Labour MPs, and Starmer apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over briefing claims while pledging to act against any culprits.