. _ a different system from universal credit, you will hear more about that from — credit, youek in the conference, but in the meantime the uplift _ conference, but in the meantime the uplift should stay in marcus rashford is absolutely right. we

the universal credit reduction| fix. the universal credit reduction which _ fix. deeper poverty and debt. rupert kay and emma _ into deeper poverty and debt. rupert kay and emma french, _ into deeper poverty and debt. rupert kay and emma french, thank- into deeper poverty and debt. rupert kay and emma french, thank you i into deeper poverty and debt. waft kay and emma french, thank you both very much indeed for your time today. thank you. now on bbc news, your questions answered. many of you have been getting in touch with questions following the collapse of multiple energy firms. with me to talk them through are consumer editor at the financial times claer barrett, and i'm alsojoined byjustina miltienyte, policy expert at uswitch. thank you very much indeed. welcome to both of you. we have got a number of questions that we have had in on this subject. a lot of interest, as you can imagine. richard burton, i'm going to bring in a question from him, he asks what help will be provided if you transfer to a more expensive provider and struggle to pay your bill? this e

on his sub port about universal credit, it is absurd. the labor party, i'll give you a statistic mr. speaker. every single recipient would lose that benefit because they want to abolish universal credit mr. speaker. i think this house and this pardon should be very proud of what we are doing and continue to do to support the low pay. it was another conservative institution, the living wage, mr. speaker, the increase of families by 4000 pounds, what they want to do mr. speaker is keep this country in lockdown. without moving forward at all. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister did not answer the question. the secretary thanks it's an extra two hours a week. so, let me make it even easier for the prime minister. is the correct answer higher or lower than that? >> mr. speaker, what i can tell the right honorable gentlemen for the first time in decades wages are rising. they are rising across the board. and 4.1% more than where they were before the pandemic. i'm very pleased to report is they continued to take money in taxation and put it into

they want to abolish universal credit, mr.aker. if i think that -- [inaudible] should be very proud of what we're doing and continue to be able to support the low pay, and it was another conservative institution, the living wage, mr. speaker, that increased the incomes of families on a living wage by 4,000 pounds. all they want to do, mr. speaker, is keep this country in lockdown and keep -- [inaudible] without moving forward at all. >> mr. starmer. >> mr. speaker, prime minister didn't answer the question. the secretary seems to think it's an extra two hours a week. so let me make it even easier for the prime minister. is the correct answer higher or lower than that? [inaudible conversations] >> mr. speaker, what i, what i can tell the right honorable gentleman is that -- [inaudible conversations] under this government for the first time in decades, wages are rising, mr. speaker. wages across the board are rising. and they're 4.1% above where they were before the pandemic. in fact, i'm very plead pleased -- [inaudible] wants

, but £20 a week away— universal credit, but £20 a week away from — universal credit, but £20putting his voice to that. , �*, ., to that. nigel, quickly, let's not foruet to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 and _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 and national. forget april 2022 and national insurance, as well. i’m forget april 2022 and national insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. _ insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we _ insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we have - insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we have a - insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i. missed that. we have a national insurance increase _ missed that. we have a national insurance increase in april. - missed that. we have a national i insurance increase in april. sorry, es, insurance increase in april. sorry, yes. indeed- _ insurance increase in april. sorry, yes, indeed. here _ insurance increase in april. sorry, yes, indeed. here is— ins

should _ the £20 uplift in universal credit should stay. you actually introduce measures like this it's _ you actually introduce measures like this it's very— you actually introduce measures like this it's very difficult to take it away. — this it's very difficult to take it away. so _ this it's very difficult to take it away. so i _ this it's very difficult to take it away, so i think they will have to think— away, so i think they will have to think again — away, so i think they will have to think again on this, and the real problem — think again on this, and the real problem with universal credit is it doesn't _ problem with universal credit is it doesn't actually work, the more you earn. _ doesn't actually work, the more you earn. the _ doesn't actually work, the more you earn, the more you lose, so you have a marginal— earn, the more you lose, so you have a marginaltax— earn, the more you lose, so you have a marginal tax range of 63% which means— a marginal tax range of 63% which means you — a marginal tax range of 63% which means you o

the family of six rely on universal credit to top up dad's wages as a builder. pay up front and the looming benefit cut will create tough choices. tt benefit cut will create tough choices. ., , ., benefit cut will create tough choices. ., ., , choices. if we lose that money, he will only be _ choices. if we lose that money, he will only be able _ choices. if we lose that money, he will only be able to _ choices. if we lose that money, he will only be able to go to - choices. if we lose that money, he will only be able to go to school. will only be able to go to school three days a week because we won't be able to afford it. we will cut our food be able to afford it. we will cut ourfood bill down, and it chooses between food and school, so it sounds bad but education will have to go. it annoys me because we are a working family, i have always worked. i'm only not working because i have got the one—year—old so we are stuck. i don't want to rely on universal credit but we have no choice. ., . «j universal credit but we have no choice. . , «j ., universal credit but

we put in universal credit. i think people in this house should know that labor once described universal credit altogether. we believe and better skills and it is working. that's why we have been investing in work coaches, 3000 pounds a year for 11 million adults across this country, and it is working. for the first time since 2019, after years and years of stagnation, you are seeing wages are rising, mr. speaker. wages are rising for the lower paid. they believe in welfare, we believe in higher wages and higher skills. >> order. >> high wages and high skills, he says. how out of touch or you? -- are you? what did they say to rosie? what did they say to her because she is the sort of person this impacts. a single mother, working on the minimum wage in a nursing home. she got in touch with me. she will lose 87 pounds a month due to universal credit, a huge amount to her. she will now also be hit with a national insurance tax rise. she has asked for more shifts and she cannot get them. she is unable to get further

and a number of kids— pay,/ universal credit and a number of kids in_ pay,/ universal crediteveling up means anything it must mean leveling up at work and leveling _ must mean leveling up at work and leveling up — must mean leveling up at work and leveling up living standards. also must mean leveling up at work and leveling up living standards.- leveling up living standards. also a warnin: leveling up living standards. also a warning not — leveling up living standards. also a warning not to _ leveling up living standards. also a warning not to raise _ leveling up living standards. also a warning not to raise taxes - leveling up living standards. also a warning not to raise taxes on i warning not to raise taxes on business. she says how business deliver the jobs and the growth moving again do not burden them with extra taxes. and particularly as far as that national insurance rises concern. she says that is another hit to young people and those on lower wages. she talks about those recent hgv driver sources we have been —— shortages we have been talking about comments as it is

we're proud of the -- we put into universal credit. mr., i think people in this house know that labour wants to scrap universal credit altogether. we believe in higher wages and better skills, mr. speaker, and it is working. that's why we've been investing in work coaches, 3,000 pounds a year for 11 million adults across this country, and it's working, mr. speaker, working for the first time since 2019 after years and years of stagnation. you are seeing wages, wages are rising, mr. speaker. [inaudible conversations] wages are rising for the lower paid. they believe in welfare, we believe in higher wages and higher skills -- [inaudible] >> high wages and high skills, he said. how out of touch are you? [inaudible conversations] what do they say to rosie? what do they say to rosie? because rosie's the sort of person -- a single mother working on the minimum wage in a nursing home. she got in touch with me. she will lose 87 pounds a month due to universal credit, a huge amount to her. she will now also be hit with a national insurance tax rise

these potential plans to cut universal credit by £20 a week. rift within the conservative party, in particular from those mps or those mayors in areas that might be particularly affected by people suffering because of this curb. but this story is also saying that jacob rees—mogg of this curb. but this story is also saying thatjacob rees—mogg isn't saying thatjacob rees—mogg isn't saying this booster has to go because the books have to be balanced and you do wonder when the books are being balanced and whose costis books are being balanced and whose cost is that happening. according to citizens advice, when you look at the stats, it would hit nearly 6 million people and 38% of those people, more than a third, are in work. there's clearly a structural problem with the uk economy.

will the government cancel the universal credit cut? >> i say to the right honorable lady, she should check her facts because -- [inaudible] -- not a penny of taxpayers' money. let me also tell her, let me also tell her the most disastrous thing for energy bills of hard working people across this country would be to follow labour's plan to nationalize the energy if companies which would cost as much as 2000 pounds on bills. mr. speaker, this government is the one taking action to take the country forward with a plan for nhs is, a plan for covid, and our plan is working. employment up, wages up. if we'd have listened to the party opposite, we would never have come out of lockdown. we're the ones facing the difficult decisions, getting on with the job, and our plan is working. >> thank you, mr. speaker. last week members of the armed forces parliament from across this house -- [inaudible] -- our excellent are if defense academy. but what is striking is the number of personnel from overseas who come to the u.k. to benefit from its world cl

abolish universal credit. answer higher or lower than that? mr speaker... higher or lowerthan that? mr speaker... what i can... what i can tell him is that under this government, for the first time in decades, wages are rising stop wages across the board are rising. 4.1% up on where they were before the pandemic. in fact i'm very pleased... 0f pandemic. in fact i'm very pleased... of course what they wanted to do is to continue to take money in taxation and put it into benefits. we don't think that is the right way. we want to encourage high wages and high skills and that is the difference between this government and the labour party opposite. i think it is a good thing... ithink opposite. i think it is a good thing... i think it is a good thing, for instance, that costa coffee is now paying more than they were before the pandemic. neverforget, if we listened captain prime site, because the carpet would still be closed. —— captain hindsight. it wasn't a difficult question. the answer it is silly. it wasn't a d

the amount of universal credit is taken away from you as your work more.thing on energy as well, to assist people and the reason i am saying that is, you know, i talked i to people in the house of commons, there is a depth of anxiety— on the tory backbenches and, you know, there is a build—upj of frustration with johnson - and a bit on sunak, less on sunak, because he is hiding at the moment, i but there is a build—up of anxiety, i some of it in what you described as the red wall seats, - there is a bit of anger as well and i thinkjohnson will have | to move on some of these issues. now, john, you talked about that keir starmer has to get angrier at the government so they will change position and that is one tactic, what do you think about the tactic of writing an 11,000 word pamphlet or the fabian society, is that not a good tactic? that is what keir starmer did. i described it, i have read it, i described it... - all of it? well, fair dues, you have to read the thing if he has put it out- there, so i described it as a sermon on the mount written _ by foc

., , governments cancel the universal credit cut? . , ., ., ., credit cut?dominic raab was, no, _ credit cut? the answer to that from dominic raab was, no, the - credit cut? the answer to that from | dominic raab was, no, the universal credit uplift was always meant to be a temporary measure. he's got a new title, of course. he was for the secretary of state just a week ago, he is now deputy prime minister, that kind of agreement was stretched out between him and the prime minister also accepting a bit of a demotion from the foreign secretary to justice secretary. demotion from the foreign secretary tojustice secretary. he took a amount of flack from angela rayner for being on holiday while the taliban were taking control of afghanistan earlier on in the summer, but he launched quite a staunch defence of the government's handling of the economy, saying there are more people and work, and pages were also going up. the most disastrous thing for energy bells of hard working people across this country would be to follow labour �*s plan to nationalise the energy

, but £20 a week away— universal credit, but £20 a week away from — universal credit, but £20om people on the breadline is absolutely— away from people on the breadline is absolutely cutting them off and marcus — absolutely cutting them off and marcus rashford is putting his voice to that _ marcus rashford is putting his voice to that. w' , �* . marcus rashford is putting his voice to that. , �*, ., to that. nigel, quickly, let's not foruet to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 and _ to that. nigel, quickly, let's not forget april 2022 and national. forget april 2022 and national insurance, as well. i’m forget april 2022 and national insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. _ insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we _ insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we have - insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i missed that. we have a - insurance, as well. i'm sorry, i. missed that. we have a national insurance increase _ missed that. we have a national

this universal credit by £20 a week. this is 19 months after this small increase.brought in during the pandemic. what this story is about is the potential rift within the conservative party, in particular from those mps conservative party, in particular from those mp5 or those mayors in areas that might be particularly affected by people suffering because of this curb. but this story is also saying that jacob rees—mogg of this curb. but this story is also saying thatjacob rees—mogg isn't saying thatjacob rees—mogg isn't saying this booster has to go because the books have to be balanced and you do wonder when the books are being balanced and whose costis books are being balanced and whose cost is that happening. according to citizens advice, when you look at the stats, it would hit nearly 6 million people and 38% of those people, more than a third, are in work. there's clearly a structural problem with the uk economy. there's a problem in terms of pay, but it will also be around 1.9 million families seeing benefits cut. this will particular the hit people in london

— people were claiming universal credit. now, that extra boost is said _ period is. but now, that extra boost is said to _ period is. but now, that extra boost is said to be — period is. but now, that extra boost is said to be removed. something that critics — is said to be removed. something that critics say will have a devastating impact on many families. and yesterday, the secretary of state _ and yesterday, the secretary of state for — and yesterday, the secretary of state for work and pensions came on this programme and defended the plan _ this programme and defended the plan she — this programme and defended the plan. she said claimants could make up plan. she said claimants could make up that— plan. she said claimants could make up that loss — plan. she said claimants could make up that loss by working extra hours. here _ up that loss by working extra hours. here is _ up that loss by working extra hours. here is what — up that loss by working extra hours. here is what he said. last _ here is what he said. last year wh

well, the government deny brutality and cruelty the 6000000 universal credit people. obviously they're facing up to this cut coming up. i mean, it's not only britain, though, the 1st to scale back quantitative easing during the crisis appears to be the europe and central bank. worried about inflation, what do you make? it's amazing. let's look back to 2011. they were the 1st 2 banks that actually decided to raise rate in 2000. i think sweet, sweet. and on the set the europeans going to back together. we look back now and realize that in the last decade, back with probably the biggest macro mistake that we've seen. i mean, we'll see that the fed meeting today and tomorrow, and various talk there about whether they will start to scale things back. if the right answer all of this is that we don't know the right thing to do is to wait and watch and be prepared for risk. the downside, i'm the shock to inflation of temporary, i'm going to disappear, but to actually think you know enough to say we can pull back on quantitative, easy, and reduce stimulus. seems to me to be ag

where, you know, universal credit or political move palo. and you know, it's a very short time for people in the u. k. you know, i don't think many inch pipe route that you know, the actual pick. those are now on the call. they were calling to pick him up at actually we want our action from to come and help support the market itself. so there's no shortage of gas. you want to green electricity. what power do you think the big 6, which re become the only 6 electricity providers of this country? what power are they going to have against policies aimed at curbing climate change? and civilizational collapse, i think is what he's looking to have. and he does happen. and, you know, the market, does we back back to that, you know, cost, hello the big states, maybe a couple of all this they're going to hold the power with often they're going to hold the power with government because despite such a large extent should be the customer base, but in the u. k. and they'll be able to go talk to and go to come in and, you know, and policies in their best i

is ended and i think— universal credit is ended and i think that _ universal credit is endedcal spectrum, i think— across the political spectrum, i think privately among many conservatives, a lot of this is beyond — conservatives, a lot of this is beyond their control. and it may be the product — beyond their control. and it may be the product of longer—term decisions but the _ the product of longer—term decisions but the thing that the government does have — but the thing that the government does have control over is the into that uplift — does have control over is the into that uplift and that is where there is direct— that uplift and that is where there is direct government involvement they is direct government involvement thev think— is direct government involvement they think the people who see £20 a week suddenly docked as this crisis rises, _ week suddenly docked as this crisis rises, it— week suddenly docked as this crisis rises, it can — week suddenly docked as this crisis rises, it can be very uncomfortable and that— rises, it can be very uncomfortable and that it's

the idea that universal credit uplift doesn't - universal credit uplift doesn't continue is insanity.h that consumers in most needs through their energy supply. we have the worm home discount rebate which is applicable to people in certain benefits, but it's £140. it's not deep enough and it's not broad enough. so we need to make that proportionate to the scale of energy increases that people are going to see and we need everybody who is eligible for it to be able to receive it, at the moment, it'sjust a lottery. the government could match the money that the industry put into a levy on bells and make that immediately available to the households in the greatest need to have energy customers and debt in order to try and mitigate some of the undoubted pain that households are going to feel over the winter. adam, thank you very much. it's a quarter past eight, the headlines... the government strikes a deal with a us company to restart c02 production, an essential product for the food industry. president biden says the us will double its contribution to climate finance at the un general as

to strengthen the safety net, said the chancellor, an extra £20 a week was added to universal creditst doubled during the pandemic, peaking atjust under 6 million. despite the economy improving, the latest statistics show that nearly 5.9 million people are still on the benefit. in the commons today, the government's decision to cut what they always said was a temporary increase led to some pointed exchanges. a single—parent, could be a constituent, working on the minimum wage, already working full—time, would need to work over nine hours a week on top of their full—time job just to get the money back that prime minister is taking away from them. under this government, - for the first time in decades, wages are rising, mr speaker. wages across the board are rising. and they are 4.1% up on wherel they were before the pandemic. today's parliamentary debate changed few minds. the government abstained. so next month, nearly 6 million people will see their incomes fall by £20 a week, just as energy prices are set to rise. michael buchanan, bbc news. the uk's latest coronavirus figures show

the hoteljust when he arrived earlier that he talked about the government hammering people on universal creditw work and pensions secretary. are we going to hear what you would do this week? yes, you're going to hear some detailfrom me when i speak on monday at conference, and indeed all my colleagues will be talking about that. what we want is to get a message across from this conference is how we understand how we can get the best of how we have come together to respond to covid. now, what i see from the government is they are running away. they are not building on any of the achievements of how people have had to respond to this massive challenge, whether it's cutting universal credit or not recognising that we can all do work maybe in a different way based on how things have been for the last 18 months, so yes you're going to see some real alternatives from us and you're going to see us trying to harness the spirit of how we responded to covid. it's been a very difficult time for everyone. we have seen people come together to get through it, and that's what we want to build on this week. j

this is the universal credit rise that was brought in 19 months ago.ed of ignoring its leveling up the agenda, and this will not go any way to convincing anybody that it has serious intentions any more. the white paper on that is supposed to be published at the end of this year, but more people will you looking at this and thinking actions speak louder than words. they'll be incredibly worried by this. we might be trying to be getting back to business as usual, however, you want to protect... there are an awful lot of families who are still suffering the repercussions of the last 19 months, struggling with debt and rising food prices. this is going to upset a lot of people and not give them the impression the tory party cares about them. impression the tory party cares about them-— impression the tory party cares about them. , about them. maya, jacob rees-mogg tuoted on about them. maya, jacob rees-mogg quoted on the — about them. maya, jacob rees-mogg quoted on the front _ about them. maya, jacob rees-mogg quoted on the front page. _ about them. maya,

, which — £20 uplift to universal credit, which it — £20 uplift to universal credit, which ithardest hit families at the start of the pandemic. that is set to go— start of the pandemic. that is set to go on— start of the pandemic. that is set to go on the 6th of october. now, all of— to go on the 6th of october. now, all of this— to go on the 6th of october. now, all of this is— to go on the 6th of october. now, all of this is leading to concerns about— all of this is leading to concerns about the — all of this is leading to concerns about the cost of living, but the government has been pretty bullish about— government has been pretty bullish about this, with the business minister— about this, with the business minister paul scully this morning saving _ minister paul scully this morning saying we — minister paul scully this morning saying we were not facing a winter of discontent, and downing street very much— of discontent, and downing street very much pushing the prime minister's argument that he would like to— minister's argument that he would like to see — minister's argum

universal credit down 1,000 quid, rent up 150 quid, gas bills up 150 quid. to measures to help, including a cap on energy prices. we're providing seasonal cold weather payments for eligible claimants, an extra £25 a week during colder periods, on top of that, we are giving a winter fuel payment to recipients of a state pension, but the crucial thing, mr speaker, is that we have got rising employment and rising wages, and that will benefit everyone in scotland and across the uk. back in stoke—on—trent, the economy is clearly moving again. the government did put billions of pounds of support in place during the pandemic, which it says can't keep going indefinitely. the problem is some of that has been withdrawn just as households are facing higher bills, and even some conservative mps are worried about the consequences if people feel worse off. carol is one of those set to lose £20 a week from her universal credit payments, something she has relied on since her husband, alan, died in april. why should you, in this day and age, when you have worked hard all you

a failed business venture in 2016 left the 63—year—old relying on universal credit.£20 a week was stopped. also i would have to cut back on other things that i was getting, even cleaning products, stuff for the house. ron, who's a keen walker, has long had to limit his heating to keep to his budget. i've only had the heating on in my flat three times since august 2016, so i'lljust put a dressing gown on and an extra jumper, or both. and basicallyjust get on with it. last week at bridlington beach in yorkshire, unite the union organised this sand sculpture to highlight their opposition to the government's plan. today's open letter to the prime minister is signed by groups representing education, housing, the economy, health care and anti—poverty campaigners. we're facing a crossroads where the government faces a choice. it has said it is committed to improving the lives of people on the lowest incomes, but the depth of that commitment will be revealed this autumn when it decides whether or not to go ahead with this cut to the incomes of the poorest people in our count

the universal credit up indefinitely.re is concern about the impact of all of these things and how that is going to work together, going forward. i don't think that concern is going to go away at westminster for some time. thank you helen. a court injunction has been granted against protestors who've been causing chaos on the m25. climate change activists from a group called insulate britain have blocked parts of the motorway several times in the last few days and could now face imprisonment as a result of the ruling by a high courtjudge. let's speak to our home and legal correspondent dominic casciani. dominic, just talk us through this injunction and what it means. yes. injunction and what it means. yes, that is right- _ injunction and what it means. yes, that is right. the _ injunction and what it means. t2: that is right. the injunction sought last night and finally seal and approved and in north east this morning at the high court after a seniorjudge agreed with the transport secretary grant shapps and the home secre

mps have been debating government proposals to scrap the £20 a week increase to universal credit thatn though they can't halt the move. ministers say the benefit increase was only ever temporary, but labour says it should stay, arguing that those in employment could face working up to nine hours extra per week to make up for the shortfall. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan reports. i've only had the heating on in my flat three times since august 2016. i won't be able to get my son on the bus to school every single day. low anyway, it feels like a betrayal. - a child minderfrom county fermanagh, she says there is little if my washing machine breaks down, i have repair it. surplus, i have no savings. the mother of one says she can't earn more. and it keeps me going, it keeps my child fed. i'd like to see the government live, you know, the life that we live. to strengthen the safety net, said the chancellor, an extra £20 a week was added to universal credit in march 2020. it costs £6 billion a year. the number of people on universal credit almost doubled during the pandem

whether it is hammering working people on tax and universal credit, whether it is shortages of food andstart on rule changes, though, sir keir? interrupting his pitch, though, are tensions within the party itself. he and his deputy leader, angela rayner, wanted to spend today talking about their plan to set minimum standards for pay and conditions for different sectors, starting with social care. it's about a fair day's pay for a fair day's work and about making sure that work does always pay, and there's a minimum floor, so the unscrupulous employers that are undercutting those that are trying to do the right thing are taken out of the market. but there has been rain on their announcements. the leader was forced to withdraw his plans to give mps and unions more say the members in future leadership contest after he failed to persuade unions to back them and a backlash from the left of the party. the labour leadership should get real. people out there want us addressing the real issues that they are facing in their lives. the threat that they now have to their well—being and the quality

the will the government cancel the universal credit cut?— universal credit cut?rward with a plan for the nhs, a planfor covid, and our plan is working. employment up, job vacancies up, wages up. if we had listened to the party opposite, we would never have come out of lockdown. we are the ones taking the difficult decisions, getting on with thejob, and our plan is working. rob butler. the job, and our plan is working. rob itutler-_ the job, and our plan is working. rob butler. . , «i , , ., rob butler. last week, members of the armed forces _ rob butler. last week, members of the armed forces parliamentary - the armed forces parliamentary scheme from across this house attended our defence academy and what is striking is the number of services personnel from overseas who come to the uk to benefit from its world—class professional defence and security education. does my right honourable friend agree that this is a further illustration that far from being a fifth wheel on the carriage, the uk is at the heart of ensuring global security, that the aukus pact is one of

by £20 a month _ reduction of universal credit by £20 a month.eople seem concerned about being _ a month. and people seem concerned about being squeezed with the introduction of the health and social— introduction of the health and social care tax as well. so people are going — social care tax as well. so people are going to be concerned about how they're _ are going to be concerned about how they're going to be squeezed again, potentially. they're going to be squeezed again, otentiall . , ., potentially. something they need to net on to potentially. something they need to get on too of- _ potentially. something they need to get on top of. absolutely, _ potentially. something they need to get on top of. absolutely, a - potentially. something they need to get on top of. absolutely, a perfect| get on top of. absolutely, a perfect storm of potential problems there for many people. we will turn to the financial times. australia defends its decision to dish two ditch french subs for uk, us pat. the prime minister has been saying that australia had to

bills we know the bills are going to rise by, and that�*s at the same time as poorfamilies on universal credit of living chris is coming on down the line as well. beyond that, i think there�*s huge concerns about inflation and what that means, both for consumers and also for the political options open to the chancellor this autumn as they growth of the budget process in dealing with spending bids from different departments and they need to set the departmental budget. it�*s all shaping up to be a very crunchy autumn and winterfor all shaping up to be a very crunchy autumn and winter for this government.— autumn and winter for this government. autumn and winter for this covernment. . ., . ., , , government. and how much of this is down to decisions _ government. and how much of this is down to decisions that _ government. and how much of this is down to decisions that boris - government. and how much of this is down to decisions that boris johnson | down to decisions that borisjohnson has taken, is taking on the question of shortages of international lori drivers that was linked to the brexit a

most people who receive the £20 a week in universal credit are already in work.t expected to work because they are caring for their family or they are caring for someone in their family who is disabled or they are ill at the moment and they can't work temporarily. the idea thatjust because there are more jobs and there are vacancies, we won't need the £20 per week is really wrong. actually it's much more of a long—term conversation about how adequate we want our social security system without furlough, what happens next? for businesses, for unemployment, for poverty, for the prospects of young people? in the next week, we begin to find out. wales will merge the green and amber travel lists and remove the need for pre—departure testing for fully vaccinated travellers from october 4th, nut ministers said no decision has been yet made over removing the requirement for pcr tests. they are urging the uk government to reverse its decision. now it's time for our look at some regional stories with across the uk. figures obtained by look north show that nearly half of the

universal credit.— the uk economy, i asked about universal credit. �* ., ., , universal credit. d demand of increasing wages through the economy. increasing wages through the econom . ~ increasing wages through the economy-— increasing wages through the econom .~ , ., ., economy. will you consider again removinu economy. will you consider again removing the _ economy. will you consider again removing the uplift? _ economy. will you consider again removing the uplift? that - economy. will you consider again removing the uplift? that uplift l economy. will you consider again i removing the uplift? that uplift was tem ora removing the uplift? that uplift was temporary and _ removing the uplift? that uplift was temporary and always _ removing the uplift? that uplift was temporary and always meant - removing the uplift? that uplift was temporary and always meant to - removing the uplift? that uplift was temporary and always meant to be l temporary and always meant to be temporary and always meant to be temporary and always meant to be temporary and it is important temporary and it is

a failed business venture in 2016 left the 63—year—old relying on universal credit.o forego all this if the £20 a week was stopped. also i would have to cut back on other things that i was getting, even cleaning products, stuff for the house. ron, who's a keen walker, has long had to limit his heating to keep to his budget. i've only had the heating on in my flat three times since august 2016, so i'lljust put a dressing gown on and an extra jumper, or both. and basicallyjust get on with it. last week at bridlington beach in yorkshire, unite the union organised this sand sculpture to highlight their opposition to the government's plan. today's open letter to the prime minister is signed by groups representing education, housing, the economy, health care and anti—poverty campaigners. we're facing a crossroads where the government faces a choice. it has said it is committed to improving the lives of people on the lowest incomes, but the depth of that commitment will be revealed this autumn when it decides whether or not to go ahead with this cut to the incomes of the po

mr universal credit is wrong and will he change course?wer— people. could my right honourable friend for me an answer to - people. could my right honourable friend for me an answer to the i friend for me an answer to the constituents i have of the future as they sit around a tepid radiator powered by an inefficient and expensive air source heating unit, worrying about the payments on the electric car that they didn�*t want either, while they watch the growing economies of the world going hell for leather building a new gas and coal power stations, because they will be asking me why? could the prime minister please commit to solutions that are technologically possible to reduce britain�*s c02 rather than on costed commitments which, i�*m sorry, we will be hearing a lot of at cop 26. hot which, i'm sorry, we will be hearing a lot of at cop 26.— a lot of at cop 26. not only has the trice of a lot of at cop 26. not only has the price of batteries _ a lot of at cop 26. not only has the price of batteries fallen _ price of batteries fallen verti

i universal credit and the approaching. . .- universal credit and the approaching...eal about it but i'm focused on the fuel poor and protecting people from rising energy prices, thatis people from rising energy prices, that is what i am 100% engaged with. i appreciate that, but looking at the bigger picture, universal credit is part of this picture. there are some members of your own party who think that this will only add to the problem that we have over the coming months. what do you think about potentially keeping the current status of universal credit going? 50 status of universal credit going? sr we are coming from a global pandemic, this is context, where we have spent something like £350 billion, a huge amount of money, one year. there has been massive support for the economy, massive support for workers, people on the furlough scheme. there was a debate as to how long we can continue to afford this. i am very, very focused on protecting the most vulnerable, elderly people, who are exposed to fuel poverty, and the government is resolutely focused on that. the

which _ the £20 uplift in universal credit which is — the £20 uplift in universal credit whichwages. it does seem ridiculous. there is an _ wages. it does seem ridiculous. there is an interest and i think there — there is an interest and i think there wiii— there is an interest and i think there will be a lot of pressure on kier starmer to come up with what they would — kier starmer to come up with what they would do. and i know the tuc has been _ they would do. and i know the tuc has been talking about, there needs to be has been talking about, there needs to he a _ has been talking about, there needs to he a tax— has been talking about, there needs to be a tax on wealth, not work. and there _ to be a tax on wealth, not work. and there are _ to be a tax on wealth, not work. and there are other ways of raising taxes — there are other ways of raising taxes you _ there are other ways of raising taxes. you can do it through capital grains _ taxes. you can do it through capital grains or— taxes. you can do it through capital grains or second properties. through shares _ grains or s

there is some really. — universal credit.eally tough times ahead, i think. _ really, really tough times ahead, i think. and — really, really tough times ahead, i think. and i— really, really tough times ahead, i think, and i think it is interesting you have — think, and i think it is interesting you have even got tory backbenchers now sank_ you have even got tory backbenchers now sank to — you have even got tory backbenchers now sank to number 10 things are going _ now sank to number 10 things are going to _ now sank to number 10 things are going to get pretty grim, really need _ going to get pretty grim, really need to— going to get pretty grim, really need to be the grip of this now —— saying _ need to be the grip of this now —— saying to — need to be the grip of this now —— saying to numberio. need to be the grip of this now -- saying to number 10.— need to be the grip of this now -- saying to number 10. let's pick up on that point _ saying to number 10. let's pick up on that point with _ saying to number 10. let's pick up