This week spells the end of the summer recess at Westminster with the 650 MPs returning to the House of Commons. Prime Minister’s Questions will begin tomorrow with opposition parties eager to pile the pressure on Sir Keir and his government.
Here Lucy Thomas takes a look at the issues which are piling up in the PM’s inbox:
“I always sit in front of Union Jacks”: Starmer’s back to work welcome.
The prime minister has been questioned about “operation raise the colours”, a campaign co-founded by alleged former EDL and Britain First member.
“I am a supporter of flags” the PM revealed in a BBC radio interview, as he faces all time low opinion polling.
While Starmer encouraged national flags being flown, he condemned the practice being used for “divisive purposes.”
During the parliament’s summer recess, streets across the country have been ambushed by St George’s flags as part of an online campaign. The campaign has been championed by figures such as Tommy Robinson and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
How do you solve a problem like Rachel…and the economy?
Yet more pressure will be placed on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves this month due to the gloomy summer stats relating to the economy.
Last week, it was announced that inflation for July was sitting at 3.8%, up from 3.6% in June and well above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.
Unemployment is up, with 1.67 million people out of work – that’s the highest rate in four years.
And although the country’s GDP grew by 0.3% between April and June this year, it was 0.4% down on the last quarter.
Starmer is shaking up the Treasury in response
With Labour trailing Reform in the polls, the prime minister is keen to start the new term with fresh ideas, especially around the economy.
In comes Baroness Minouche Shafik who is Sir Keir Starmer’s new chief economic advisor.
Ms Shafik has a wealth of experience serving previously as the deputy governor of the Bank of England and as the principal and vice-chancellor of the London School of Economics.
It’s rumoured that she is a fan of implementing more taxes or raising current taxes.
In other news… Which gaff is Angie’s?
Angela Rayner is in hot water after questions have arisen about which house she actually lives in. The deputy prime minister reportedly saved £40,000 in stamp duty when buying a £800,000 property in Hove, East Sussex.
She told local authorities that this new flat is her main residence, though quite a distance from her constituency in Ashbourne.
Amidst rising criticism from the opposition, the prime minister is standing by his deputy calling her a “great story of British success.”
The claims first arose from an article by The Daily Telegraph, Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty
‘Asylum hotels’
As more protests take place outside “asylum hotels”, the home secretary has proposed warehouses be used instead of hotels when accommodating asylum seekers.
Yvette Cooper told LBC she plans to “shrink the asylum system” as unease grows amongst voters as tensions continue to rise regarding immigration.
This new suggested approach comes a week after Reform unveiled their plans of a “mass deportation policy.”
The government had previously laid out plans to close hotels housing asylum seekers before 2029.
