Keir Starmer says ‘vast majority’ of Labour leadership pledges still stand as he backs away from abolishing tuition fees – UK politics live

From 3h ago Starmer claims ‘vast majority’ of his Labour leadership pledges still stand In his Today interview Keir Starmer said he was no longer committed to the promise to abolish tuition fees that he made when standing for the Labour leadership because “we are in a different economic situation”. But he claimed the “vast majority” of the promises he made in that contest, most famously set out in a list of 10 pledges, still applied. He told Today’s Justin Webb: We are in a different economic situation. You and…

Scotland to raise income tax by 1p for those on over £43,666 to raise money for NHS – as it happened

From 1h ago Swinney says all Scots earning more than £43,662 will pay 1% more in income tax, to raise money for NHS Swinney says the starter, basic and intermediate rates of income will stay the same. But the higher and top rate will go up, he says. (See 2.58pm.) He says this means people earning more than £43,662 pounds will have to pay an extra penny in the pound on income tax. He says the money is being raised for a specific purpose – investment in NHS. These changes…

Mick Lynch says RMT no closer to calling off rail strikes as transport minister states there is ‘deal to be done’ – UK politics live

From 3h ago Mick Lynch says meeting with transport secretary ‘positive’, but RMT no closer to calling off rail strikes Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, has been speaking to the media after his meeting with Mark Harper, the transport secretary. He said that it was a “positive meeting” and that Harper said he would set out in writing what steps might be taken towards a resolution of the dispute behind the rail strikes. He said one issue was that it has not been clear what scope the Rail Delivery…