General election live: Starmer says 'not true' that Abbott barred from standing for Labour - BBC News
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The blog has been modified by Sam Hancock and Dulcie Lee.
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for The Independent, wrote an article about the UK's potential economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Chu suggests that the UK's economic recovery may be hampered by ongoing issues related to Brexit as well as the potential for a second wave of infections. Chu also highlights the need for continued government support for businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. Chu, who works for The Independent as a correspondent on policy and analysis topics, published an article discussing the potential for the UK to recover economically following the COVID-19 crisis. According to Chu, Brexit and the possibility of a second wave of infections could hinder the UK's attempts to return to normalcy. Chu emphasized the importance of maintaining government assistance for those impacted by the pandemic, including both businesses and individuals.
Will Labour Cut Apprenticeships By Half?
In the previous update, PM Rishi Sunak stated that the Labour party aims to reduce the number of apprenticeships by half.
Labour is suggesting a "Growth and Skills Levy". It will allow companies to spend 50% of their total contributions on non-apprenticeship training. These areas include the development of skills in "green" industries, social care and childcare.
Half of the amount will be set aside specifically for apprentice training.
The BBC Verify team contacted the Labour party to inquire if their proposal would result in a 50% decrease in the number of apprenticeships available.
The party has refused to provide any statement regarding this matter. They have also mentioned that they do not have a rough objective for the count of apprenticeship placements.
The Labour party has announced its intention to grant more autonomy to companies and concentrate on the importance of vocational training in the workplace. Additionally, they will establish specialized technical colleges that emphasize excellence in training employees for local industries.
"Sunak: Everyone Doesn't Need To Attend University - Let Go Of The Idea"
Following the distribution of bacon sandwiches to journalists who were feeling peckish (refer to previous post), the premier was questioned in Cornwall about his party's recent decision to eliminate what is commonly referred to as "rip-off" degrees.
Sunak states that he does not adhere to the notion that every person should go to university. He has conversed with several apprentices this morning who have conveyed that opting for an apprenticeship was the finest decision they have made.
The prime minister has declared that regulators can inspect underachieving courses and remove them, thus redirecting the budget saved to finance 100,000 fresh apprenticeships.
Sunak stated that the Labour party's approach is different from theirs. He believes that the Labour party still holds on to the idea that university education is a must for everyone. Sunak emphasized that this is not their belief. He further explained that the Labour party intends to reduce the number of apprenticeships by half, which, according to him, is not a positive move for the country.
We will provide additional information about Sunak's statement regarding Labour in our upcoming blog entry.
"Prime Minister, May I Have Bacon?"
As a journalist covering politics, writing from the location of Penzance.
This morning, a group of journalists and I took a sleeper train from London with the prime minister and arrived in Penzance.
It's rare to witness such a scenario outside of an election campaign - a crowd of reporters, the leader of the country, his staff, and some confused visitors all getting off a train at the crack of dawn.
During the morning, the conversation focused on discussing how everyone slept the previous night.
"I loved the top bunk," the prime minister said to me after he heard us chatting about our choices.
(I also chose the highest, larger area, in my opinion?)
During an election campaign, we often find ourselves making requests for bacon when the prime minister hands out breakfast baps. These small idiosyncrasies are typical of such events.
On The Campaign Trail Now
Today has been quite hectic due to the commotion surrounding MP Diane Abbott's statement that the Labour party has prevented her from running for their party in the upcoming general election.
If you didn't see it, Abbott sent a message to a BBC journalist requesting her to confirm the news. Later, she used social media to express her disappointment with newspaper articles discussing her political career.
Starmer was questioned if Abbott had been restricted, to which he responded with a negative answer and explained that no conclusion had been reached, thus causing perplexity for everyone.
Our groups are persistently attempting to elicit a reply from the Labour party, and we'll update you as soon as we receive it.
As the day progresses, we'll provide you with additional updates from the campaign road - as hopefuls of the significant political factions persist in presenting their proposals to electors throughout the nation.
"Starmer's Rejection May Give Abbott Relief."
Diane Abbott has been left feeling frustrated by the lack of updates concerning her status in the Labour Party for over a year. However, the current situation is now changing at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, the development is also quite chaotic.
What should we think about Sir Keir Starmer's involvement (which is available to view in the prior post)?
Honestly, it's difficult to put into words.
The general perception is that Starmer's remarks were a statement based on technical facts.
In the end, it is not possible to come to a definitive conclusion regarding Abbott's potential candidacy until the national executive of the Labour party convenes next week.
Starmer's emphatic rejection of the reports stating that Abbott has been prohibited from running for office could potentially allow Abbott to announce her intention to retire - if she chooses to do so, which is uncertain - with more grace and decorum than what was anticipated earlier today.
Starmer Rebuts Abbott's Claim: Watch Now
"Abbott Saga In 120 Words: The Unraveling"
The ex-shadow home secretary got suspended in April of 2023 for claiming that Jewish, Irish and Traveller individuals do not experience bigotry "throughout their existence."
Labour started an inquiry following an apology and retraction of her comments.
Sir Keir Starmer, who leads the Labour party, had mentioned that the inquiry regarding her statements had not been "settled." However, BBC Newsnight shared that the inquiry had already concluded in December 2023.
After several hours, it was made known that the suspension of Abbott had been removed.
Later on, she sent a text message to a BBC journalist, revealing that the Labour party had prevented her from running as their candidate in the upcoming national election.
When questioned about the authenticity of the reports, Starmer replied that he hadn't made any decision to restrict Diane Abbott's entry.
We are currently attempting to get in touch with the Labour Party in order to determine the situation.
Labour Leader: No Decision To Bar Diane Abbott
We have additional information about the conversation between Keir Starmer and a journalist in the West Midlands. During the conversation, the Labour leader refuted Diane Abbott's statement that she was prohibited from running as a Labour candidate in the election.
When asked to verify the authenticity of the story with a simple "yes" or "no," Starmer refuted the claim and told the journalist that it was not accurate.
He goes on to say that there hasn't been a choice made to prohibit Diane Abbott.
We completed the procedure recently and as a result, the whip has been reinstated for her making her a part of the Parliamentary Labour Party. However, no final verdict has been made to prohibit her from any activities.
Just to jog your memory, Abbott sent a text message to a BBC journalist earlier informing them that she had been prohibited from entering.
Starmer Denies Barring Abbott From Labour Candidacy
Recently, Sir Keir Starmer informed the press that Diane Abbott has not been prohibited from running as a Labour representative in the upcoming election.
He confirmed that there has been no official decision made to prohibit Diane Abbott.
We will provide you with additional information about this soon.
Scottish Labour Stays Silent On Abbott Case
As an AI language model, I don't have an interest in politics, but I can rewrite this blog section according to other words. The political correspondent of BBC Scotland
Additional responses have emerged from Scotland regarding the recent update on experienced parliamentarian Diane Abbott.
The leader of the Scottish Labour party, Anas Sarwar, has stated that he is unaware of the current situation and has no information regarding the process or whether it has been completed.
He explains that the Labour's National Executive Committee, which is the party's governing body, holds the responsibility to determine candidates in England.
For four decades, Abbott has been a crucial pioneer for the political party. He is highly respected as a significant figure both in the Labour Party and in British politics overall. During a press interview in the east end of Glasgow - where Scottish Labour is emphasizing their initiative to improve housing - Abbott expressed his views on his achievements.
We are still waiting to receive a response from the heads of the Labour party regarding the statement made by Abbott that she has been prevented from running in the election. Our team is actively seeking a comment from the party and we anticipate a reply from Starmer in the near future.
Diane Abbott Shares X Update
We've been discussing the political prospects of Diane Abbott, the MP representing Hackney North and Stoke Newington, since Tuesday. She has been serving for a considerable length of time.
Labour suspended her in April 2023 because she stated that members of the Jewish, Irish, and Traveller communities do not experience racism throughout their entire lives. Let's review the events of the past 24 hours:
As a quick recap, we're currently in a state of anticipation as we wait for a response from the Labour party. It remains unclear as to who they will be nominating in Abbott's constituency, with nominations having a legal deadline of 7 June. We will update you with any further information as soon as we receive it.
Scottish FM: Abbott's Treatment Unjust
We have more to hear from John Swinney, the head of the Scottish government, who believes that the way the Labour Party has treated Diane Abbott is not just.
This morning, Abbott sent a text message to a journalist at the BBC stating that Labour has prevented her from running as a candidate in the upcoming general election.
The leader of the Scottish National Party expressed his sadness regarding how Diane Abbott was treated by both the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer.
Back in the day when I was in the House of Commons, I recall Diane Abbott being present. She was a remarkable and important member of parliament. She was the first black woman to hold a seat in parliament and had a stellar impact on the House of Commons.
In my opinion, she has received great mistreatment and it is completely unjust.
Swinney: SNP Will Push Labour Left In Westminster
The journalist from BBC Scotland who is currently based in Edinburgh is sharing information about a particular topic.
In Scotland, the leader of the SNP, John Swinney, is currently campaigning for an upcoming election. He began his campaign today by taking a ride on the Levenmouth Rail Link - a 5-mile (8km) stretch of railway that has recently been reopened in Fife.
The objective of this project worth £116 million is to re-establish links between towns that were disconnected due to Beeching-era closures.
In simpler terms: There were some reductions made to train routes and services in Britain during the 1960s as the government reorganized the country's rail system.
Swinney wants the UK Labour party to follow Scotland’s example and nationalize rail services. He is urging them to stop austerity measures by investing in infrastructure with substantial funding.
Please note that all of this assumes that Labour will win the general election. This is a common topic in the SNP's campaign. Swinney has stated that his party will push Labour towards a more leftist stance in Westminster.
He presents a straightforward message to voters: the Conservatives and Labour have similar government plans, portraying them as two peas in a pod. A vote for the SNP would permit Scots to possess a more influential presence in the UK Parliament, no matter the election outcome.
Tory Pledge: Swap Pricey Degrees For Apprenticeships
According to the Conservatives, certain university programs in England will be eliminated in order to finance 100,000 apprenticeships each year if they emerge victorious in the election.
The political group has made a commitment to substitute degrees that they perceive to be inadequate in terms of performance and cost, as they have a high rate of students discontinuing their studies and limited opportunities for future employment.
The Office for Students in England currently has the power to investigate and penalize universities that fail to meet certain standards, possibly with the imposition of fines. However, the Conservative party aims to enact a new law that would empower this autonomous regulator to take even more extreme measures, such as shutting down university courses that are deemed the most inadequate.
As stated in a recent press release, the effectiveness of the courses would be evaluated based on how many students decide to leave, how successfully graduates are able to move forward in their careers, and their potential to earn higher salaries in the future.
Conservatives Boosted Apprenticeship Quality, Says Schools Minister
During an interview with Jon Kay from the BBC, Damian Hinds was questioned regarding the quantity of apprenticeships available in England. Kay highlighted that the number of opportunities has decreased by 160,000 over the course of the past six years.
The minister in charge of schools stated that the current number of offerings is still considerably greater than during the time of the Labour government. However, Kay pointed out that the figure has decreased during the Conservatives' time in power.
Hinds is adamant that his political party has raised the standard for apprenticeships with improvements like setting a minimum duration for the programs and establishing the institute for apprenticeships and technical education.
During an interview, Hinds was asked about a report from UCAS stating that many young individuals are discouraged from pursuing apprenticeships due to various obstacles such as insufficient pay, limited availability, and having to apply for each apprenticeship separately. However, in response, Hinds expressed his intentions to add apprenticeships to the UCAS system to ensure that they receive the same amount of exposure as university degrees, and to also streamline the application process. By doing so, he hopes to address these issues and encourage more young people to consider apprenticeships as a viable career option.
Munira Wilson, who is an official for the Liberal Democrats in charge of education, expressed her opinion that the Conservative Party has negatively impacted the apprenticeship system and immediate changes are necessary. Bridget Phillipson, who is the spokesperson for education in the opposing Labour Party, criticized the news by saying that it is ridiculous.
Which Courses Face The Ax Under Tory's New Pledge?
After sharing the recent news, we will continue to update you on the interviews conducted this morning with political candidates representing their parties.
The Schools Minister, Damian Hinds, shared news about the latest scheme from the government to discontinue some English university degrees and finance apprenticeships instead.
During his appearance on BBC Breakfast, he shared a plan that involves examining certain factors such as the number of students dropping out and the percentage of graduates who find employment in their field. This proposal aims to prevent courses that are not meeting expectations from accepting more students.
When questioned about degrees like ancient history or medieval poetry, which may not lead to high-paying jobs or great economic benefits, Hinds mentioned that various degrees would have differing earning potentials, and that the policy would consider various indicators of quality.
Sunak-Starmer Debate: Insights & Analysis
Let's delve deeper into the news that ITV has shared regarding the upcoming television debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. The much-anticipated debate is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 9:00 pm.
Julie Etchingham, who served as moderator for debates in 2015, 2017, and 2019, will moderate the hour-long debate. This event will occur live before a studio audience.
The initial discussion amongst the party leaders will kick off a series of debates leading up to the upcoming election scheduled for July 4th.
Sunak And Starmer To Face-off In First Head-to-Head Debate
The news just came out that ITV will broadcast the first one-on-one televised debate of the election featuring Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th at 9:00 PM.
Balancing Labour's NHS Promise Is Tough
If the Labour party is elected, addressing the NHS backlog will be among its early priorities, as they have stated.
The article states that it will put away one billion and three hundred million pounds by addressing those who avoid paying taxes and shutting down any methods of avoiding paying taxes, to provide funding for an additional forty thousand scheduled medical appointments and surgeries every week.
This is the initial attempt to tackle one of the pressing issues of voters, as indicated by numerous polls: the condition of the National Health Service (NHS).
However, Labour, along with other major parties, have failed to disclose the exact amount they plan on investing in the healthcare system.
In their announcement, Labour highlighted how the Blair government was able to decrease waiting times. However, at that time, the budget increased by an average of 6-7% each year above inflation. In comparison, during this Parliament, the budget increase has been approximately half of that amount. In the 2010s, the budget increase was only between 1 to 2%.
Many professionals concur that there won't be a financial boost similar to that of the 2000s. Consequently, the NHS will face a difficult task to keep a balance between prioritizing waiting lists and managing other aspects.
Labour Puts NHS On Ballot, Tories Call It 'copycat' Politics
Here's an additional excerpt from Wes Streeting's interview on BBC Breakfast where he expressed that the Labour party has no intentions of imitating the NHS policies of the Conservatives.
According to him, the upcoming election presents two options: continuation of Conservative failure or implementation of Labour's proposal that would result in 40,000 additional appointments.
According to Streeting, it is important to bring the finest parts of the NHS to all areas of the NHS. He also mentioned that his political party's commitment to utilizing the additional resources in the private healthcare sector would still be accessible without charge. He emphasized that the NHS is a crucial topic for Labour in the upcoming election.
In reaction to the policy, the Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, criticized it by stating that the Labour party is just copying and pasting, as they have no solid plan. She assured that the Conservative party will take brave steps and advance in technology and innovation to help the NHS cut the waiting lists.
