Politics LIVE: Rachel Reeves to consider slashing green levies to reduce cost of energy bills as she takes fight to Reform UK

Rachel Reeves could slash green levies to pay for a reduction in energy bills, according to Treasury sources.

A new energy support package is being finalised which is likely to cut taxes and green levies from people’s bills as the Chancellor looks to save as much as £170 from the average bill.

Labour is looking to take the fight to Reform, which previously pledged to scrap net zero and "wage war" on renewables developers if it wins power.

Senior Cabinet members, including Sir Keir Starmer, have identified high energy bills as being a major source of financial pressure for voters and are planning a relief package likely to cost about £3billion a year.

The Prime Minister is understood to be concerned about the impact of an expected £100 rise in energy bills next spring.

A major part of the plan, insiders told The Guardian, will be eliminating the five per cent VAT rate on part or all of domestic energy bills, in a move that experts say would cost £2.5billion a year and bring down bills by an average of £86.

Reeves is reportedly planning to reduce or eliminate some of the green levies on bills, which could reduce costs for householders and undercut Nigel Farage's pledge to do the same.

However, energy bosses voiced concerns about the plans, saying the move would be "disastrous."

Chief executive of Energy UK Dhara Vyas told The Guardian: "Billions of pounds of investment have been on hold while we await the warm homes plan, all of which could be jeopardised by any sudden change of direction.

"So hijacking the plan’s budget and effectively abandoning its original purpose would be a shortsighted and disastrous move."

Speaking yesterday, Ms Reeves hinted at tax rises in the upcoming budget, saying: "If we have to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute to that effort.

"I have to face the world as it is, not the world that I want it to be. And when challenges come our way, the only question is how to respond to them, not whether to respond or not."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

Rachel Reeves told to slap middle class earners with income tax raid to plug £50bn Budget hole

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing calls to raise tax revenue from middle class earners to plug the estimated £50billion black hole in the public finances by a leading think tank.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has projected that Ms Reeves will need to abandon Labour's election commitment by implementing a minimum 2p increase to the basic income tax rate.

As the Treasury looks for ways to adhere to the Chancellor's strict fiscal rules for November 26's Budget, NIESR is sounding the alarm Labour may face a £20billion to £30billion black hole

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Bridget Phillipson says Lucy Powell will do 'great job' after losing deputy Labour leadership election

Bridget Phillipson said she knows Lucy Powell will do a "great job" after losing out to her in the Labour Deputy Leadership by-election.

She told GB News: "We're totally fine, when you stand in a contest you want to win.

"I'm disappointed to have lost but I know Lucy will do a great job."

Bridget Phillipson says 'we can't go back to austerity' as she takes swipe at Conservatives

Bridget Phillipson has said the UK cannot return to austerity as she took aim at the previous Conservative Government,

The Education Secretary told GB News: "Of course we take our commitments seriously. But on budget, I can;t comment or speculate, its in a few weeks time.

"What she was seeking to highlight in her speech yesterday was context of where we are and the damage that has been caused to our economy for years by austerity.

"The context is we can't go back to more austerity, we do need to invest more in the things that matter to people."

France is holding Britain 'hostage' over migrant deal in effort to squeeze more cash

France is said to be holding Britain "hostage" by stalling migrant deportations in an attempt to get more money under the recent "one in, one out" agreement.

A senior official in France is reportedly “dragging their feet and holding the deal hostage” demanding more cash before upholding their end of the bargain, according to The Sun.

The current three-year deal, which is worth around £476million, is being negotiated ahead of its expiry in March.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

WATCH: Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade Andrew Griffith MP slams Labour's economic policy

Labour and Tories annihilated in double Lancashire by-election blow

Both Labour and the Conservatives were humiliated as independent candidates romped to victory in a pair of Lancashire by-elections.

Shiraz Ahmed in the Lanehead ward and Musharaf Parvez in the Queenshead ward stormed to victory on Burnley Council.

What's happening today in Westminster?

Good morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team.

Prime Minister’s Questions is taking place from noon today, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy filling in for Sir Keir Starmer whilst he is travelling to Brazil for Cop30.

We'll bring you all the analysis both here on the Live Blog and on PMQs Live where Tom and Gloria will be joined by Shadow Technology Secretary Julia Lopez.

The controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life), aka assisted dying, Bill makes its way through Parliament as peers today will question pharmacy experts and lawyers on the bill.

Care Minister Stephen Kinnock, an outspoken supporter of the bill, will be grilled alongside Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty.

Elsewhere, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East Joe Robertson has a 10-minute rule motion on the integration and regulation of ferry services.

Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols has the adjournment debate on drug-related deaths.

Reform and Liberal Democrats neck-and-neck as Nigel Farage and Ed Davey eye up Super Thursday victory with 8 seats up for grabs

In the week that Rachel Reeves is coming under fire on her pre-Budget announcements, Labour could falter in another set of by-elections across the country.

Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats will be looking to keep up their momentum after a wave of successes in recent by-elections.

However, with a YouGov poll suggesting Labour is closing the gap on Reform, Sir Keir Starmer's party will hope to pull a shock result out of the bag.

GB News has dissected this week's by-elections in another set of Super Thursday showdowns.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ THE LATEST BY-ELECTION PREVIEW HERE.

Sadiq Khan heaps praise on Zohran Mamdani as he claims 'hope won - just like in London'

Sir Sadiq Khan has lavished Zohran Mamdani with praise after his "historic" victory in the New York City mayoral election.

After Mr Mamdani surged to victory on Tuesday night, the Mayor of London likened the result to his own triumph in Britain's capital.

Sir Sadiq said: "New Yorkers faced a clear choice, between hope and fear, and just like we've seen in London - hope won. Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Andrew Griffith hits back at Rachel Reeves - 'She's trying to blame everybody on the planet but herself'

Andrew Griffith hit back at Rachel Reeves after she accused the Tories of "economic mismanagement".

The Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade told GB News: "Of course she's trying to blame everybody on the planet but herself."

"To be quite honest it's one lie after another...There's no economy on the planet that has taxed itself to success. What you need is the Government off people's backs."