Keir Starmer chairs cabinet meeting as government faces rising cost of working-age people on sickness and disability benefits
Good morning. Keir Starmer is chairing an extended meeting of cabinet today. There will be a normal cabinet meeting, and then a political cabinet, where ministers will discuss the many challenges facing the government in a party political context. They won’t be in Downing Street, and it has been described by some people as an away days, but it is not one of those away days that involves a spa hotel in the countryside. They will be somewhere in Whitehall apparently, but being out of Downing Street should provide a change of scene.
One of the problems the government needs to address soon is what to do about the rising cost of working-age people on sickness and disability benefits. A recent inquiry by the Lords economic affairs committee found that that there are 3.7m, people of working-age on health-related benefits – up 1.2m on the figure five years ago – and that incapacity and disability benefits are costing almost £65bn, more than the government spends on defence.
The Department for Work and Pensions is due to publish a green paper on plans to reform this soon and, in an interview with Anushka Asthana from ITV News, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, fleshed out some of the thinking behind what she is planning. Kendall was at pains to stress that she wanted to help more people into work, but some of her language is likely to alarm some of those currently claiming these benefits.
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Kendall said that some people on sickness and disability benefits who think they could not do a job probably could work with the right support. Asked about a DWP survey saying 49% of people on these benefits think they will never be able to work, Kendall said:
I don’t blame people for thinking that they can’t, because they’re stuck on a waiting list for treatment. They haven’t had the proper support that they might need from the job centre or the skills that they need to get the jobs, we’ve also got to create more jobs in the areas that need them most. So I’m under no illusions about the scale of the challenge that we’ve got.
I believe more of those people could work. But even if we just start with those who say they can, we need to do more to get them back into work.
When 2 in 5 of people on sickness and disability benefits are stuck on an NHS waiting list, we’ve got to drive those down. That’s why health secretary Wes Streeting has got a big plan to drive down that backlog, get people the help they need.
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She said there were some people claiming sickness and disability benefits who were “taking the mickey”. Asked if she agreed with people who think that too many claimants are just pretending they cannot work, she replied:
If you speak to people here today, you will know that many of them have either just lost jobs that they desperately miss, or really want to get back into to work once they’ve got their health condition under control. So I think that there are many more people who want to work.
I have no doubt, as there always have been, there are people who shouldn’t be on those benefits who are taking the mickey and that is not good enough – we have to end that.
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She suggested that some young people might have to adjust more to having to work. Asked if she agreed that some conditions were being over-medicalised, and that people were taking time off for anxiety when in the past that might just have been regarded as normal worry, she replied:
I think there is genuinely a problem with many young people, particularly the Covid generation. But we can’t have a situation where doing a day’s work is in itself seen as stressful.
But she also accepted the situation was not straightforward.
I went to visit one of my local supermarkets recently to see the brilliant work they’re doing with the charity to get young people into work. And we saw two things.
One was young people with genuine mental health problems who the supermarket was doing great stuff to help them get work and stay in work.
But also the managers saying there were some young people who felt just turning up on time or working the day that they needed to, not always taking breaks – they had to understand that that was the world of work, that was just the nature of life and that isn’t stress or pressure.
So I think there’s no easy headline about it’s all one or all the other. And as ever, life is more complex.
It is not clear yet how much we will learn about what was said at the extended cabinet, but there will be a lobby briefing at 11.30am. Also, at some point today the government is expected to confirm that Grenfell Tower will be demolished.
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Key events
Afternoon summary
Lib Dems calls for schools bill to be amended so eligible pupils automatically enrolled for free school meals
The Department for Education has not made a formal assessment of how many pupils in England are eligible for free school meals (FSM) but not registered to receive them since 2013, a minister has admitted.
Stephen Morgan, an education minster, disclosed the gap in the DfE’s knowledge in an answer to a written ministerial question tabled by Munira Wilson, the Lib Dem education spokesperson.
Morgan said:
The department has not made a recent formal assessment of the proportion of children who are eligible for FSM but not registered to receive the entitlement. The last review conducted in 2013 suggested that 89% of eligible pupils were registered for FSM. We recognise the vital role played by FSM and encourage all eligible families to take their entitlement up and join the 2.1 million pupils currently registered to receive FSM.
In response, Wilson said the Lib Dems would seek to amend the children’s wellbeing and schools bill to make enrolment for free school meals automatic if children qualify. She said.
No child should go hungry in our country
I’ve heard from parents in my constituency who are giving up prescriptions so that they can afford to feed their children – with hundreds of thousands of families in poverty struggling to scrape together enough to send their children to school with a meal.
It’s unbelievable that Mr Morgan thinks that ‘encouragement’ is all that’s needed to fix free school meals uptake in this country. He’s wrong – we need proper reform to the system, so that eligible children automatically get the food they need.
That’s why we’ve tabled an amendment to auto-enrol eligible kids to receive free school meals – and why we’ll be urging MPs of all stripes to back my amendment.
Harman says Labour MPs in anti-Reform UK group pushing for tougher migration policies risk damaging government
Earlier this week Kiran Stacey revealed that Labour MPs whose seats are under threat from Reform UK have set up a pressure group that will urge Keir Starmer to take a tougher stance on migration and crime, amid growing concern about the rise of the rightwing populist party.
Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader who is now a member of the House of Lords, has described this move as “problematic”. As Sky News reports, she explained why on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast which she hosts with Beth Rigby, the Sky News political editor, and Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Tory leader.
Harman said:
I think it’s problematic for two reasons.
Firstly, because if you set up a group whose reason for formation is to press the government to do something, the implication is the government is not doing it.
And therefore, if you set up a group who’s wanting the government to be effective on immigration, then you’re immediately suggesting to your voters and your constituents that they’re right, that they’re thinking that the government is not doing enough. So I think it has the reverse effect than what they’re proposing it for.
Eluned Morgan and John Swinney lead tributes to Dafydd Elis-Thomas
Here are more tributes to Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the former Plaid Cymru leader and first presiding officer of the Welsh assembly (now the Senedd) following his death. (See 12.16pm.)
From Eluned Morgan, the first minister
It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas.
Wales has lost one of its greatest servants, and many of us have lost an irreplaceable friend.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. pic.twitter.com/dhb64TSWF4
— Eluned Morgan (@PrifWeinidog) February 7, 2025
It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas.
Wales has lost one of its greatest servants, and many of us have lost an irreplaceable friend.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
From John Swinney, first minister of Scotland
Very sorry to hear of the death of former Plaid Cymru leader Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas. He was a great friend to Scotland and a fine servant of Wales. May he rest in peace and condolences to his family
From Elin Jones, the current presiding officer of the Senedd
It is hard to imagine Welsh political life without Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Since the early 1970s he has been omnipresent, having served in the House of Commons, the House of Lords and our Senedd.
As the Senedd’s first presiding officer, he was keen to establish a modern democracy from the start, learning from other parliaments what to do, and what not to do. He became the keeper of the Welsh constitution but was always prepared to think outside the box.
He can rightly be called our Senedd’s founding father. We mourn his loss and hold his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
From Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister and Torfaen MP
Sad to hear the passing of Dafydd Elis-Thomas.
He was a great public servant to Wales, and always championed Torfaen’s industrial heritage.
My condolences go to his friends and family.
From Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative leader
Lord Elis-Thomas was a titan of Welsh politics; his passing is a great loss.
No one could ever argue that he didn’t have a deep love for Wales and Welsh people.
My prayers and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
From ITV Wales’s Rob Osborne
Mr Wales has died.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas was a one-off—a nationalist who became the confidant of a King.
A former Plaid Cymru leader who served as a minister in a Labour-led government.
A radical who took his seat in the House of Lords.
Whatever you thought of his politics, he was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life.
Speaking personally – I’ll miss him.
At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the No 10 spokesperson was also asked if Keir Starmer welcomed President Trump’s decision to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, and if he would be doing the same in the UK. THe spokesperson replied
That decision is a matter for the US, and you wouldn’t expect me to comment on a matter of US policy.
But more broadly, this is a matter for domestic sporting bodies who have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women’s sports and the safety of all participants.
When it’s not possible to balance those factors with inclusion, our sports councils have produced transgender guidance which provides domestic sports bodies with a framework to help determine the right position for their sport.
And we support domestic sporting bodies maintaining the integrity of sports.
Here is our story about the Trump decision.
Former ambassador to Washingon Karen Pierce appointed special envoy to west Balkans
Former UK ambassador to the US Dame Karen Pierce has been appointed special envoy to the western Balkans, PA Media reports. PA says:
Pierce was appointed the UK’s top diplomat to Washington in 2020 and has just handed over to Peter Mandelson. She was also previously the UK’s ambassador to the UN in New York.
She will take up the position as special envoy to the western Balkans in the spring, taking over from Lord Peach.
The UK will host a major summit with western Balkans leaders in autumn this year.
Foreign secretary David Lammy said: “With her experience and expertise, Dame Karen Pierce is the ideal person to drive this important work forward. I would like to thank Lord Peach for his personal dedication and service in advancing UK interests in the western Balkans over the past three years.”
Turn2us, an anti-poverty charity, has criticised Liz Kendall for saying that some people claiming disability or sickness benefits are “taking the mickey”. (See 9.30am.) Shelley Hopkinson, its head of policy and influencing, said:
Language and headlines like this fuel fear, stigma, and suspicion, making it even harder for people to access the support they need. People tell us they’re scared of making a mistake, that they feel lost and helpless, and sometimes that they’ve given up on making a claim.
The focus should be on the experiences of those of us who rely on this support, not the few who exploit it. Instead of creating barriers, we need a system that offers security, dignity, and the support people need to get by.
No 10 defends ‘independence’ of international criminal court after Trump imposes sanctions on it
Downing Street has been reluctant to criticise decisions taken by President Trump, and it has said it will not be giving a running commentary on what it is doing. But it is not avoiding all comment entirely, and at the lobby briefing this morning a No 10 spokesperson confirmed that Keir Starmer won’t be withdrawing the UK from the international criminal court or, like Trump, imposing sanctions on its staff because of its stance on Israel.
Asked what Starmer thought about the US sanctions, the spokesperson said:
Ultimately, this is a matter for the US. But successive UK and US administrations have taken a different view on the ICC. For example, the UK is a signatory to the Rome statute, while the US is not.
As for the UK, we support the independence of the ICC and therefore have no plans to sanction individual court officials.
Our focus remains ensuring that the ceasefire [in Gaza] can be sustained, a surge of vital aid is able to reach Gaza and all remaining hostages are released and reunited with their families, and we’re working closely with the US at all levels on that, and will continue to do so.
Here is our story about the US sanctions.
Grenfell Tower to be demolished, Angela Rayner confirms
The remains of Grenfell Tower, the west London tower block in which 72 people lost their lives in a fire, are to be demolished over a two-year period starting after the eight-year anniversary of the 2017 disaster, the government has confirmed. Jamie Grierson has the story.
And here is the full statement on this from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Christopher Hope, the GB News political editor, has posted these on social media about the long cabinet meeting taking place today (see 12.25pm), and Downing Street’s decision not to provide a readout.
It seems odd to me that Sir Keir Starmer has ordered his Cabinet to meet at a secret location today. The last Tory government (I don’t think) ever did this, even its lowest moments. I can’t imagine that a confident government, sure of itself, would do this either. And Labour’s landslide was only seven months ago …
UPDATE Sir Keir Starmer is meeting his top Cabinet ministers for six hours today at an undisclosed location in central London – two hours for the smaller political Cabinet and four hours for the official Cabinet. Number 10 traditionally gives reporters a read out of what is discussed at the Cabinet meeting. But a spokesman says there will be no official read out of this extended Cabinet meeting between midday to 4pm. Apparently the same happened in November. I think this secrecy is unacceptable.
James Schneider, who was communications director for Jeremy Corbyn when Corbyn was Labour leader, has posted this comment on social media about Liz Kendall’s comments in her interview about sickness and disability benefits. (See 9.30am.)
This Labour Party will never defeat the elite’s anti-people agenda because its leading lights either agree with it or they are so stupid that they think they kill it by feeding it.
Blue tie or red tie govt, the job is to keep the people in check while billionaire wealth triples.
The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. The No 10 spokesperson told journalists that the extending cabinet meeting today is running from 10am to 4pm. Much of it is a political cabinet. But it seems we are not going to get a readout from Downing Street of what was discussed, which is unusual.
‘Huge loss to Welsh politics’ – colleagues pay tribute following death of former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Elis-Thomas
Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru, has died aged 78, his family has announced. As PA Media reports, Lord Elis-Thomas, who led Plaid between 1984 and 1991, died on Friday morning following a “short illness”. PA says:
In a short statement, Lord Elis-Thomas’ family said he died “peacefully at his home” and requested privacy at this time.
He represented the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency from the founding of the National Assembly – now Senedd – between 1999 to 2021 and was the first presiding officer.
He was also the MP for Meirionydd and then Meirionydd Nant Conwy between 1974 and 1992, before being appointed to the House of Lords in 1992.
He left Plaid in 2016 and sat as an independent, serving in both Carwyn Jones and Mark Drakeford’s governments.
In a tribute, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the current Plaid Cymru leader, said:
Dafydd’s passing will be a huge loss to Welsh politics and the civic life of Wales.
He was unquestionably one of the most influential figures of his generation, and as the presiding officer of the first assembly made a priceless contribution in laying the firm foundations of devolution.
We remember Dafydd as a groundbreaking MP when he became the youngest member of the 1974 UK Parliament before leading Plaid Cymru with passion and distinction.
Dafydd was a personal friend to my family and I, and was an influential figure during my formative years.
His love for our nation, its language and culture was unwavering.
On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I extend our sincerest condolences to Dafydd’s family.
