The United Kingdom has a new prime minister as Andy Burnham takes charge of the Labour government, beginning a new chapter in British politics. Just days into office, Burnham faces major challenges, including rebuilding public trust, addressing policy concerns, and managing criticism from both opposition parties and Labour lawmakers. His leadership comes after the downfall of Keir Starmer, whose popularity declined following criticism over policies including welfare reforms and the controversial winter fuel payment cuts. During his first public engagements, Burnham highlighted the importance of improving the social care sector, promising to address concerns over cost-cutting and support for vulnerable communities.

Andy Burnham Takes Charge as UK PM, Faces Labour Challenges and Reform UK Threat

Taylor Swift is the unlikely cause of a political storm for Keir Starmer, whose government alleged gave the US pop star VVIP treatment during her Eras Tour concerts in London, with sources in his office now confirming that the UK prime minister also met her during one of her massive gigs.

A section of the media and the opposition Conservatives have been hammering Starmer over this for weeks now, which is part of the larger freebies and donations row facing the Labour government.

Watch: UK PM Keir Starmer Repays More Than £6,000 In Gifts After Donations Row

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The Guardian reported on Tuesday (Oct 15) citing No 10, Downing Street sources that Starmer indeed met Swift at the backstage of a concert, a day after his government decided to grant her a so-called 'blue light' police escort. An official spokesperson, however, denied that tickets that Starmer and family got for the concerts were a 'thank you' gift.

According to the report, Starmer and his family met Swift and her mother Andrea for 10 minutes backstage at Wembley Stadium on August 20. They talked about the stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed children's party that left three kids dead, and sparked off a series of racially charged riots in July.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-keir-starmers-latest-gaffe-calls-for-return-of-sausages-from-hamas-captivity-watch-761695">Also read: British PM Keir Starmer's latest gaffe, calls for 'return of sausages' from Hamas captivity - WATCH</a>

But the sources who spoke to The Guardian said Starmer did not discuss the police motorcade convoy that had been given to Swift and her entourage.

The prime minister's office has maintained that the decision to offer such protection to Swift was an operational matter taken by Scotland Yard, the UK's police department.

The report comes amid initial refusal from Starmer's office to confirm if he had met Swift.

Starmer was under pressure to share details of his brush-by with Swift after The Sun and others reported it, after he was invited to the concert at Wembley stadium on August 16 along with family by Universal Music.

As required by parliament rules, Starmer declared that he got the tickets worth&nbsp;£2,800 for the concert. He later coughed up the money for it, after massive criticism that he had been accepting such freebies worth thousands of pounds.

<h2>Taylor Swift VIP treatment in London. Why is it controversial?</h2>

The issue is the decision by authorities to provide Swift a police convoy by the Special Escort Group or SEG. The elite group of the Metropolitan police was apparently brought in for Swift's security because she pulled out of her scheduled concerts in Vienna following a foiled Islamic State-inspired terror attack plot there.

According to reports, Met Police was not interested in giving such treatment, but the decision was taken anyway after London Mayor Sadiq Khan and home secretary Yvette Cooper made representations about the negative economic fallout if Swift cancelled the London tour. Sue Gray, the now-former chief of staff of Starmer, was involved in the preparations, and&nbsp;Swift's mother Andrea personally coordinated the security details provided to her, claimed the reports.

As the controversy mounted, a spokersperson for Starmer, while not denying that his office may have had 'conversation and dialogue' with Swift's team, characterised it as 'completely routine'.

<h2>Starmer's appetite for 'freebies' is becoming a political liability for Labour</h2>

As the controversies mounted over Starmer accepting gifts, donations and freebies, the UK PM repaid £598 for two tickets to Swift’s Wembley concert, which had earlier been paid for by the Football Association that also owns the stadium.&nbsp;

Oddly enough, records showed that Starmer did not attend the concert, but his wife did.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-keir-starmers-wife-attended-two-taylor-swift-concerts-without-paying-a-penny-759730">Also read: British PM Keir Starmer's wife attended two Taylor Swift concerts without paying a penny</a> 
 
For a month now, Starmer and other senior Labour leaders have been accused of accepting lavish gifts and hospitality. The freebies declared by the Starmer government are worth more than 100,000 pounds and include tickets worth nearly 700 pounds for the Coldplay concert in Manchester.

The freebie culture, however, is nothing new in British politics. The previous Tory regime had been accused of taking gifts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and giving Covid pandemic-related contracts to Conservative cronies and friends.

But the problem is, Labour is expected to know and do better, having won this year's elections on the promise that it would be more in touch with the common folk, and a commitment to rein in the cost of living crisis in the UK.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taylor Swift is the unlikely cause of a political storm for Keir Starmer, whose government alleged gave the US pop star VVIP treatment during her Eras Tour concerts in London, with sources in his office now confirming that the UK prime minister also met her during one of her massive gigs.

Taylor Swift is the unlikely cause of a political storm for Keir Starmer, whose government alleged gave the US pop star VVIP treatment during her Eras Tour concerts in London, with sources in his office now confirming that the UK prime minister also met her during one of her massive gigs. A section of the media and the opposition Conservatives have been hammering Starmer over this for weeks now, which is part of the larger freebies and donations row facing the Labour government. Watch: UK PM Keir Starmer Repays More Than £6,000 In Gifts After Donations Row × The Guardian reported on Tuesday (Oct 15) citing No 10, Downing Street sources that Starmer indeed met Swift at the backstage of a concert, a day after his government decided to grant her a so-called 'blue light' police escort. An official spokesperson, however, denied that tickets that Starmer and family got for the concerts were a 'thank you' gift. According to the report, Starmer and his family met Swift and her mother Andrea for 10 minutes backstage at Wembley Stadium on August 20. They talked about the stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed children's party that left three kids dead, and sparked off a series of racially charged riots in July. Also read: British PM Keir Starmer's latest gaffe, calls for 'return of sausages' from Hamas captivity - WATCH But the sources who spoke to The Guardian said Starmer did not discuss the police motorcade convoy that had been given to Swift and her entourage. The prime minister's office has maintained that the decision to offer such protection to Swift was an operational matter taken by Scotland Yard, the UK's police department. The report comes amid initial refusal from Starmer's office to confirm if he had met Swift. Starmer was under pressure to share details of his brush-by with Swift after The Sun and others reported it, after he was invited to the concert at Wembley stadium on August 16 along with family by Universal Music. As required by parliament rules, Starmer declared that he got the tickets worth £2,800 for the concert. He later coughed up the money for it, after massive criticism that he had been accepting such freebies worth thousands of pounds. Taylor Swift VIP treatment in London. Why is it controversial? The issue is the decision by authorities to provide Swift a police convoy by the Special Escort Group or SEG. The elite group of the Metropolitan police was apparently brought in for Swift's security because she pulled out of her scheduled concerts in Vienna following a foiled Islamic State-inspired terror attack plot there. According to reports, Met Police was not interested in giving such treatment, but the decision was taken anyway after London Mayor Sadiq Khan and home secretary Yvette Cooper made representations about the negative economic fallout if Swift cancelled the London tour. Sue Gray, the now-former chief of staff of Starmer, was involved in the preparations, and Swift's mother Andrea personally coordinated the security details provided to her, claimed the reports. As the controversy mounted, a spokersperson for Starmer, while not denying that his office may have had 'conversation and dialogue' with Swift's team, characterised it as 'completely routine'. Starmer's appetite for 'freebies' is becoming a political liability for Labour As the controversies mounted over Starmer accepting gifts, donations and freebies, the UK PM repaid £598 for two tickets to Swift’s Wembley concert, which had earlier been paid for by the Football Association that also owns the stadium. Oddly enough, records showed that Starmer did not attend the concert, but his wife did. Also read: British PM Keir Starmer's wife attended two Taylor Swift concerts without paying a penny For a month now, Starmer and other senior Labour leaders have been accused of accepting lavish gifts and hospitality. The freebies declared by the Starmer government are worth more than 100,000 pounds and include tickets worth nearly 700 pounds for the Coldplay concert in Manchester. The freebie culture, however, is nothing new in British politics. The previous Tory regime had been accused of taking gifts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and giving Covid pandemic-related contracts to Conservative cronies and friends. But the problem is, Labour is expected to know and do better, having won this year's elections on the promise that it would be more in touch with the common folk, and a commitment to rein in the cost of living crisis in the UK. (With inputs from agencies)

Taylor Swift headache for Keir Starmer: PM office sources admit he met pop star backstage, say reports

Britain's economy bounced back in August, official data showed Friday, boosting the new Labour government ahead of its maiden budget later in October.

Gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in the reported month compared with July, when output stalled, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.

The rise in economic growth was in line with analysts' expectations after GDP flatlined in June and July.

It also provides a timely boost to the new government, which has put growth expansion at the top of its priority list.

"It's welcome news that growth has returned to the economy," said Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, who will present the budget on October 30.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour party won power at the start of July, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/noel-tata-half-brother-of-late-ratan-tata-appointed-chairman-of-tata-trusts-report-766589">Noel Tata, half-brother of late Ratan Tata, appointed chairman of Tata Trusts</a>

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said that while all the main sectors of the economy grew in August, "the broader picture is one of slowing growth in recent months, compared to the first half of the year."

<h2>- 'Mild slowdown' -</h2>

Revised official growth data revealed last month that Britain's economy grew less than initially estimated in the second quarter.

Britain's economy had grown 0.7 per cent in the first quarter following a shallow and short-lived recession in the second half of last year.

The uptick in economic growth in August has lent some support to expectations that "a mild slowdown in GDP growth in the second half of this year is more likely than another recession," said Ashley Webb, UK economist at research group Capital Economics.&nbsp;

Recent data has also showed Britain's state debt rising to 100 per cent of annual GDP -- increasing the likelihood of biting tax rises in Labour's budget, according to analysts.

"The gloom surrounding the economy has been hard to shake", said Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter Investors.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-terror-attack-plot-afghan-suspect-nasir-ahmad-tawhedi-once-worked-with-cia-reports-766538">US election terror attack plot suspect Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi once worked for CIA</a>

"Much of this is due to Labour's rhetoric as they attribute difficult tax and spending decisions to their predecessors," she added.

Reeves has pledged to impose "iron discipline" over public finances to claw back what she says is a £22-billion ($29-billion) black hole inherited from the previous Conservative government.

Starmer has warned Britons that the budget announcement will be "painful", with tax rises and spending cuts expected.

The government has already faced criticism from all sides over scrapping a winter fuel-benefit scheme for 10 million pensioners.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Britain's economy bounced back in August, official data showed Friday, boosting the new Labour government ahead of its maiden budget later in October. Gross domestic product grew 0.

Britain's economy bounced back in August, official data showed Friday, boosting the new Labour government ahead of its maiden budget later in October. Gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in the reported month compared with July, when output stalled, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. The rise in economic growth was in line with analysts' expectations after GDP flatlined in June and July. It also provides a timely boost to the new government, which has put growth expansion at the top of its priority list. "It's welcome news that growth has returned to the economy," said Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, who will present the budget on October 30. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour party won power at the start of July, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Also Read | Noel Tata, half-brother of late Ratan Tata, appointed chairman of Tata Trusts ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said that while all the main sectors of the economy grew in August, "the broader picture is one of slowing growth in recent months, compared to the first half of the year." - 'Mild slowdown' - Revised official growth data revealed last month that Britain's economy grew less than initially estimated in the second quarter. Britain's economy had grown 0.7 per cent in the first quarter following a shallow and short-lived recession in the second half of last year. The uptick in economic growth in August has lent some support to expectations that "a mild slowdown in GDP growth in the second half of this year is more likely than another recession," said Ashley Webb, UK economist at research group Capital Economics. Recent data has also showed Britain's state debt rising to 100 per cent of annual GDP -- increasing the likelihood of biting tax rises in Labour's budget, according to analysts. "The gloom surrounding the economy has been hard to shake", said Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter Investors. Also Read | US election terror attack plot suspect Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi once worked for CIA "Much of this is due to Labour's rhetoric as they attribute difficult tax and spending decisions to their predecessors," she added. Reeves has pledged to impose "iron discipline" over public finances to claw back what she says is a £22-billion ($29-billion) black hole inherited from the previous Conservative government. Starmer has warned Britons that the budget announcement will be "painful", with tax rises and spending cuts expected. The government has already faced criticism from all sides over scrapping a winter fuel-benefit scheme for 10 million pensioners. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

UK economy bounced back in August with a boost to new labour government

Workers in the United Kingdom&nbsp;under the new Labour government&nbsp;would be able to ignore emails outside office hours under&nbsp;sweeping rights reforms. The new guidance for employers is being led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner under which employees would get the "right to switch off".&nbsp;

They would be spared from any obligation to check emails or WhatsApp messages or answer calls from the upper hierarchy, beyond work hours, weekends and while on holiday.&nbsp;

The Labour administration wants to change the culture of the workplace and help boost economic growth - one of the biggest poll planks of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.&nbsp;

The move has been welcomed by the union bosses who believe that it will help employees decompress better.&nbsp;

“No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job. Ever increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain," Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Paul Nowak was quoted as saying by i&nbsp;newspaper.&nbsp;

“So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours.”

Based on the controversial 'French style' reforms, the measure, however, would not be mandatory for firms and not enshrined in the new&nbsp;Employment Rights Bill, according to UK media reports.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-bosses-should-tell-employees-to-slow-down-sometimes-683665" target="_blank">Watch | Gravitas: Why bosses should tell employees to slow down sometimes&nbsp;</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-bosses-should-tell-employees-to-slow-down-sometimes-683665/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>Australia passes similar law</h2>

Earlier this year, Australian lawmakers passed legislation that gives employees the 'right to disconnect' by ignoring unreasonable calls and messages from their bosses outside of work hours.&nbsp;

Tony Burke, the minister for employment and workplace relations emphasises that the law was brought in to give employees certain rights.&nbsp;

"The world is connected, but that has created a problem," said Burke.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/right-to-ignore-australia-to-allow-workers-to-shun-calls-texts-from-bosses-after-work-hours-688095">Also read | 'Right to ignore': Australia to allow workers to shun their employers&nbsp;</a>

"If you're in a job where you're only paid for the exact hours that you're working, some people are now constantly in a situation of getting in trouble if they're not checking their emails, it is being expected to be working for a whole lot of time that they're not being paid. That's just unreasonable," he added.&nbsp;

Australia joined the likes of France, Belgium and Kenya&nbsp;who&nbsp;have introduced similar legislation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Workers in the United Kingdom under the new Labour government would be able to ignore emails outside office hours under sweeping rights reforms. The new guidance for employers is being led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner under which employees would get the "right to switch off".

Workers in the United Kingdom under the new Labour government would be able to ignore emails outside office hours under sweeping rights reforms. The new guidance for employers is being led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner under which employees would get the "right to switch off". They would be spared from any obligation to check emails or WhatsApp messages or answer calls from the upper hierarchy, beyond work hours, weekends and while on holiday. The Labour administration wants to change the culture of the workplace and help boost economic growth - one of the biggest poll planks of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The move has been welcomed by the union bosses who believe that it will help employees decompress better. “No one should be pushed to the brink because of their job. Ever increasing hours, pace and expectations at work are causing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain," Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Paul Nowak was quoted as saying by i newspaper. “So we welcome these measures to tackle work intensity. Introducing a right to switch off will let workers properly disconnect outside of working hours.” Based on the controversial 'French style' reforms, the measure, however, would not be mandatory for firms and not enshrined in the new Employment Rights Bill, according to UK media reports. Watch | Gravitas: Why bosses should tell employees to slow down sometimes Australia passes similar law Earlier this year, Australian lawmakers passed legislation that gives employees the 'right to disconnect' by ignoring unreasonable calls and messages from their bosses outside of work hours. Tony Burke, the minister for employment and workplace relations emphasises that the law was brought in to give employees certain rights. "The world is connected, but that has created a problem," said Burke. Also read | 'Right to ignore': Australia to allow workers to shun their employers "If you're in a job where you're only paid for the exact hours that you're working, some people are now constantly in a situation of getting in trouble if they're not checking their emails, it is being expected to be working for a whole lot of time that they're not being paid. That's just unreasonable," he added. Australia joined the likes of France, Belgium and Kenya who have introduced similar legislation. (With inputs from agencies)

UK to allow employees to ignore calls, texts from bosses after work hours

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thousands-protest-against-anti-semitism-in-france-198435">Anti-Semitism</a> is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn-neutral-on-brexit-referendum-264122">Jeremy Corbyn</a> said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in an article in The Times, questioned how complicit in prejudice an opposition leader would have to be considered unfit for office.

"Anti-Semitism in any form is vile and wrong," Corbyn said at the launch of Labour's race and faith manifesto, adding that the party's door would be open to all faith leaders.

"There is no place whatsoever for anti-Semitism in any shape or form or in any place whatsoever in modern Britain, and under a Labour government, it will not be tolerated in any form, whatsoever. I want to make that clear."

Anti-Semitism is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party.

Anti-Semitism is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in an article in The Times, questioned how complicit in prejudice an opposition leader would have to be considered unfit for office. "Anti-Semitism in any form is vile and wrong," Corbyn said at the launch of Labour's race and faith manifesto, adding that the party's door would be open to all faith leaders. "There is no place whatsoever for anti-Semitism in any shape or form or in any place whatsoever in modern Britain, and under a Labour government, it will not be tolerated in any form, whatsoever. I want to make that clear."

UK's Corbyn: Labour government would not tolerate anti-Semitism

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