Labour leader says projected rise in number of children hit by policy is ‘powerful’ reason to ditch it but refuses to set timeline

Keir Starmer has said he is “not immune” to the powerful argument for scrapping the two-child benefit cap, after experts said the number of children affected by it would rise by a third in the next five years.

The Labour leader refused to set out a timeline for when he would scrap the policy, despite previously saying he would ditch it if he could.

Stephen Massey has taken on role at GenesisCare, which reports increased demand ‘as a result of NHS backlogs’

The Conservative party’s chief executive has taken on a senior role at a private cancer care firm that said in its annual report it had benefited from soaring NHS waiting times.

Stephen Massey was appointed CEO of the party in November 2022, months after he donated £25,000 of his personal wealth to support Rishi Sunak’s first, and unsuccessful, bid to become Tory leader.

Labour has asked what role Craig Williams played in election date discussions and when party knew about bet

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The Conservative party is facing fresh questions over the role Rishi Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide played in pre-election discussions before he placed a bet on the poll date days before it was announced.

Labour has written to Richard Holden, the Tory party chair, demanding more answers on the scandal that has further marred the party’s bruised election campaign.