Monday, December 1, 2025

The prime minister's speech this morning was not just a bid to talk up the Budget, as David Maddox, our political editor, writes. "It was a fight for his political life." 

Keir Starmer's claim that lifting the two-child benefit limit had always been his "moral mission" is different from what he argued last year, when it was "unaffordable".

It has not become more affordable, as the Office for Budget Responsibility has said that the public finances had deteriorated, whatever the debate about when it said it.

The prime minister and the chancellor decided to raise taxes to spend more, but this means trying to tell Labour MPs (who support the end of the two-child cap) one thing and the wider electorate (who oppose it) something else. 

But if the voters – and at least one cabinet minister – think the prime minister is misleading them, then appeasing backbench Labour MPs will not save him. 

Which two cabinet ministers had been MPs before and were re-elected to parliament last year?

Answer at the bottom of today's email 

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Daily briefing

OBR chair Richard Hughes resigns over insecure publication of Budget report 

The security breach was 'the worst failure' in the 15-year history of the Office for Budget Responsibility

Three former MPs defect from the Tories to Reform

Jonathan Gullis, Lia Nici and Chris Green have all joined Nigel Farage's party

Your Party reveals new name after months of indecision and confusion

Members were asked to choose between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many

What else you need to know today

The Independent View

Politics Explained

Has Bridget Phillipson's schools budget been trashed to pay for special needs?

The Office for Budget Responsibility says mainstream school spending will fall as the bill for SEND rises. The education secretary says this is 'misleading'. Who is right?

Read more

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"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

I don't want to comment on it. The answer is yes

Donald Trump, asked by a reporter if he had had a phone call with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro

Quiz answer: Douglas Alexander (Scotland) and Emma Reynolds (environment, food and rural affairs)

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