Foul play in Cabinet? Starmer takes time out for football amid claims ‘panicking’ ministers are at war over grooming gangs, benefits cuts and curbs on academies_Nhy
Keir Starmer took time out for a kickabout today amid claims that Cabinet tensions are raging over Labour’s dire first six months.
The PM was pictured playing football as he battles on a variety of political fronts, with polls showing an alarming plunge in Labour‘s support.
The sense of crisis – with Tories jibing that ministers are ‘panicking’ – has been fueled by evidence of a stalling economy that could wreak havoc with the government’s spending plans.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been accused of crushing activity with huge tax hikes on business and more red tape.
There are reports that Sir Keir and Ms Reeves are losing patience with Work and Pensions Liz Kendall efforts to identify benefits cuts that could ease the strain on the public finances.
A senior Whitehall source told The Sun: ‘No10 and No11 want her to go faster. They are pulling their hair out.’
Cabinet tensions surfaced today as Keir Starmer tries to stop the wheels coming off his fledgling government
There are claims of friction between Sir Keir and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over Labour’s faltering response to the grooming gangs row
There are reports that Sir Keir is losing patience with Work and Pensions Liz Kendall’s (left) efforts to identify benefits cuts. Bridget Phillipson (right) is also said to have earned the ire of No10 with her proposals for curbing the freedoms of academies
Tories jibing that ministers are ‘panicking’ over Labour’s woes
Meanwhile, there are claims of friction between Sir Keir and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over Labour’s faltering response to the grooming gangs row.
No10 insiders told the Mail on Sunday that her department failed to alert Downing Street when calls for a new Home Office-led inquiry were first raised.
That led to ministers refusing a new full-scale national investigation, only for Ms Cooper to last week announce a series of local probes into the scale of the sexual exploitation of young women.
The Tories are set to renew demands for a full inquiry into the ‘horrific rape gangs scandal’ by unveiling plans for a second Commons vote on the issue – barely ten days after Labour overwhelmingly voted down a previous bid.
Bridget Phillipson is also said to have earned the ire of No10 with her proposals for curbing the freedoms of academies – a Blairite reform that was taken on by the Tories.
One government source told the Sun: ‘There is a feeling across government that she has folded to the teaching unions – they have always loathed academies.
‘But do we have to have this academies row again?’
Downing Street has dismissed suggestions of tension and said the government stands by the academies changes in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
But Tory MP Nick Timothy said: ‘This weekend No10 is briefing against the Welfare Secretary, Education Secretary and Home Secretary.
‘Ever get the impression they got into government without a plan – and are now panicking?’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been accused of crushing activity with huge tax hikes on business and more red tape
