Yvette Cooper Sparks Debate by Defending Digital IDs for Children as Young as 13 – UK Politics Live

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey hailed the party’s performance as “a spectacular evening” following their success in three council by-elections, where they retained two seats and captured one from the Conservatives.

In the Kenn Valley (Teignbridge) council by-election, located within the constituency of shadow chancellor Mel Stride, parish councillor Kevin Smith triumphed over Reform UK’s Terry Tume and Conservative candidate Lucille Baker.

Kenn Valley (Teignbridge) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 50.4% (+11.0)
➡️ RFM: 23.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.6% (-19.0)
🙋 Ind: 8.2% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.5% (-13.9)
🌹 LAB: 2.7% (-9.9)
🙋 Ind: 0.5% (New)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.

– Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 10, 2025

Additionally, the Liberal Democrats successfully defended two other council seats, fending off Reform UK in Yateley West (Hart) and securing victory in Widcombe and Lyncombe (Bath and North East Somerset).

Reflecting on these outcomes, Davey remarked:

“It’s been an outstanding night for us. Three significant victories, with Reform UK lagging far behind and the Conservatives reduced to just ten percent in Mel Stride’s own constituency.”

“We stand as the sole party confronting Farage and consistently outperforming him.”

A source within the Liberal Democrats added:

“The Conservatives are unraveling right in the heart of the shadow chancellor’s territory.”

“When Mel Stride announced spending cuts at the Conservative conference, few anticipated that the first casualty would be the Tory vote in his own backyard.”

✅ Liberal Democrat HOLD

Yesterday’s Yateley West (Hart) council by-election result:

LDEM: 54.7% (-5.9)
REF: 27.9% (+27.9)
CON: 17.3% (-8.2)

No Lab (-10.5) as prev.

+/- 2023

Estimated turnout: ~30% (-4)https://t.co/QSSdXxbUXt

– Britain Elects (@BritainElects) October 9, 2025

Widcombe & Lyncombe (Bath & North East Somerset) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 44.4% (-11.8)
🌍 GRN: 15.4% (+0.6)
🌹 LAB: 12.2% (+4.7)
➡️ RFM: 11.9% (New)
🌳 CON: 8.6% (-12.8)
🙋 Ind: 4.8% (New)
🙋 Ind: 2.6% (New)

Liberal Democrat HOLD.
Changes w/ 2023.

– Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 9, 2025

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Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is urging Prime Minister and Chancellor to completely eliminate the two-child benefit cap in the upcoming budget. Speaking to the Guardian, she emphasized that the evidence strongly supports the need for its removal.

Phillipson, who is preparing a report for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves on child poverty, argues that scrapping the cap is the most efficient way to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

This call follows revelations that Rachel Reeves is considering a “tapered” approach, which would partially lift the cap-potentially extending it to three or four children rather than abolishing it entirely.

However, officials suggest that the Chancellor will find it challenging to ignore the recommendations of the child poverty taskforce, which Phillipson co-chairs, increasing pressure on Reeves to secure funding for full removal.

Phillipson told the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast:

“I have been transparent both publicly and privately about what the data shows and what actions are necessary. Each year the two-child limit pushes more children into poverty, and the evidence is undeniable.”

Currently campaigning to become deputy leader of the Labour party following Angela Rayner’s resignation, Phillipson said she seeks the role partly to gain a mandate from party members to press the Prime Minister for stronger measures against child poverty.

She added:

“Ahead of the budget, I have advocated for action, which is why we are expanding free school meals to lift 100,000 children out of poverty. But there is still more to be done, and that is why I want a clear mandate from members.”

When asked if her mandate would specifically include pushing for the full removal of the cap rather than a partial tapering, she confirmed: “Members should know that if I am at the cabinet table, I understand what must be done and how to achieve it.”

Related: Phillipson presses Starmer and Reeves to abolish two-child benefit cap in full

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The head of the Foreign Office, Oliver Robbins, is scheduled to visit China next week amid growing scrutiny over the collapse of a prominent espionage case, the Guardian has learned.

Robbins, the permanent secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its most senior civil servant, will undertake the trip as part of “long-planned” government business.

This visit coincides with a week when ministers are expected to face parliamentary inquiries regarding their possible involvement in the decision to drop charges against two men accused of spying for Beijing. The accused, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who have consistently denied the allegations, now face no legal proceedings.

Conservative MPs are preparing to summon ministers to explain the circumstances that led to the trial’s unexpected termination, which was set to commence this week.

Keir Starmer faces criticism for sidelining some of his last progressive supporters within the government as he initiates another restructuring of his Downing Street team, aiming to strengthen the role of his chief secretary, Darren Jones.

The prime minister is orchestrating a reorganisation of crucial government sectors, including the delivery and policy units, to sharpen the focus of policy development and grant Jones enhanced authority over government operations.

This overhaul is part of Starmer’s strategy to reclaim political momentum following a challenging first year in office, during which Labour has experienced a decline in public support and he has been accused of lacking a clear political vision.

Recent restructuring within No 10 has prompted the exit of Carys Roberts and Muneera Lula, both recognized by insiders as among the more left-leaning figures in the policy unit. Although they were offered positions in the revamped team, close associates reveal they believed their contributions would be undervalued following the overhaul.

New additions to the policy unit include Axel Heitmueller, formerly a senior associate at the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), while Harvey Redgrave, another TBI alumnus, has been appointed to oversee the unit’s daily operations. Additionally, Toby Lloyd, who previously advised Theresa May, is expected to join as a consultant on housing and infrastructure policies.

These personnel changes contribute to a growing atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the prime minister, as several of his longest-standing confidants have departed in recent weeks. Notable among them are Paul Ovenden, the director of political strategy, and Steph Driver, who led communications.

One insider commented:

“Carys and Muneera were among the most insightful policy experts in the building and truly grasped Keir’s vision. Their departure creates a significant void, fueling concerns that this may be part of a broader purge of progressive voices.”

Another senior official observed:

“There’s a noticeable trend of women leaving Downing Street lately. The replacements tend to be predominantly centrist men.”

Downing Street has chosen not to respond to these claims. However, supporters of the prime minister insist that his commitment to progressive values remains intact, highlighting his recent conference address, where he strongly challenged the positions of Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

Paul Brown

Members of parliament, who are expected to be well-informed about the pressing dangers of climate change, often face recurring news about droughts and storms impacting their constituencies. Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 demands a well-informed and robust discussion among political parties.

The pivotal question addressed by the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report was identifying the year when CO₂ emissions must peak to realistically limit global warming to below 1.5°C, the threshold established by the 2015 Paris Agreement to avoid catastrophic consequences. The consensus highlighted 2025 as the critical year.

However, a survey of UK MPs conducted before the last general election revealed a concerning lack of awareness: only 15% correctly identified 2025 as the peak year, while 30% believed emissions could peak as late as 2040 or beyond. Labour MPs demonstrated a higher level of understanding compared to their Conservative counterparts.

Richard Adams

Arif Ahmed, the regulator for free speech in England’s higher education sector, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism of the Israeli government and protecting Jewish students from harassment on campuses amid student protests.

As the director for freedom of speech at the Office for Students (OfS), Ahmed expressed serious concerns about antisemitism in universities. Speaking on BBC’s Today programme, he affirmed the OfS’s readiness to take action against institutions that fail to safeguard Jewish students while upholding free speech.

“Freedom of speech protects lawful expressions, including political views. For example, lawful criticism of Israel’s government, just like support for it, is protected. However, the manner and context of expression matter. Intimidating behavior, such as protests outside synagogues, is not protected, whereas peaceful, lawful discourse in academic settings is more likely to be upheld.”

Senior SNP Strategists Confident of Majority in Next Year’s Holyrood Election

Libby Brooks

Top strategists within the Scottish National Party (SNP) are optimistic about securing a majority in the upcoming Holyrood elections, despite waning public confidence in Scotland’s government. Their focus is on re-engaging the “battleground cohort” of independence supporters who have drifted away from the SNP.

Ahead of the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen, a senior insider remarked that winning 65 or more seats is now a more attainable goal, aided by the decline of the Conservative party and Labour’s diminished popularity.

“The priority is reconnecting with all independence supporters, especially since support for independence surpasses current SNP backing. This is a favorable position,” the source explained.

Both the SNP and Scottish Labour are targeting “soft yes” voters-those who supported Labour’s “kick out the Tories” message in the 2024 general election but are not firmly loyal to the SNP.

Another senior figure dismissed claims that the SNP is retreating to its core vote by emphasizing independence, stating:

“This is not about focusing solely on the core vote. The battleground vote is crucial, and how it unfolds could mean the difference between winning 55 seats or pushing beyond 65.”

Strategists believe this approach capitalizes on a fragmented opposition and shifting political dynamics at Westminster. They credit Scottish first minister John Swinney for positioning himself as a pro-immigration advocate and supporter of progressive tax reforms.

Swinney highlighted these points while unveiling a Scottish government policy paper on independence, warning:

“The possibility of Nigel Farage becoming prime minister is very real. Even if he doesn’t reach No 10, he continues to push Westminster’s agenda further to the right.”

When questioned on LBC about whether China should be considered a “friend or foe,” Yvette Cooper responded:

“It’s clear that China presents a range of security challenges, including transnational repression, cyberattacks, and industrial espionage.

At the same time, China remains a significant trade partner and a crucial collaborator on global issues such as climate change.

However, any threats to national security must be addressed with utmost seriousness, and we are committed to doing so.”

In a separate discussion on Radio 4’s Today Programme, Cooper was asked if she had reviewed a dossier identifying China as a national security threat during her tenure as home secretary. She replied:

“We are aware that China poses risks to the UK’s national security.”

Regarding the recent failure of a prominent espionage case, Cooper expressed her disappointment:

“I am very frustrated by the outcome of this case, as I had hoped for a prosecution. However, ministers were not involved in the evidence presented to the Crown Prosecution Service, nor in their independent decisions.”

Today’s UK Political Highlights

Here’s a rundown of the key political events scheduled for today in the UK:

• Today: The government, alongside Fujitsu and the Post Office, will respond to the initial volume of the final inquiry report. The report criticized Post Office executives for ignoring faults in the Horizon system, yet continuing to prosecute postmasters under the false assumption that the data was infallible.
• Today: Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, will visit the University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Computing Facility to emphasize the role of innovation in Scotland’s economic growth.
• 8:45 AM: The Plaid Cymru annual conference kicks off in Swansea, with leader Rhun ap Iorwerth scheduled to deliver his keynote address at 3 PM.
• 10 AM: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will campaign in Caerphilly alongside candidate Llyr Powell ahead of the upcoming by-election.
• 10 AM: Scottish Green co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer will hold a press briefing in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, focusing on the forthcoming land reform bill entering its third stage in the Scottish Parliament. This marks their first official visit since assuming leadership last month.
• 10 AM: Former Scottish health secretary Jane Freeman is set to provide testimony at the Scottish hospitals inquiry.
• 2:30 PM: Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana will present their new political party at The World Transformed conference in Manchester.
• Early afternoon: Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey will participate in a gardening-related event in Surrey.

Foreign Secretary Supports Digital ID for Children as Young as 13

The foreign secretary has voiced support for the introduction of digital ID for children starting at age 13, according to the PA news agency.

When asked on LBC about backing the Department for Science Innovation and Technology‘s consultation on digital identification for young people, Yvette Cooper stated:

“Nowadays, everyone has some form of digital identification. We all use various methods to verify our identities.”

She further explained:

“Many 13-year-olds already possess some type of digital ID, and the department’s consultation will explore how best to develop this system.

I believe establishing a standardized process is the right approach, and this aligns with previous measures we introduced for individuals coming to work from overseas.”

Last month, the prime minister unveiled plans to implement a mandatory digital ID system as a means to verify the right to work in the UK.

Plaid Cymru Leader Promises Fresh Momentum After Decades of Labour Rule

Ahead of their annual conference in Swansea, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth declared that his party aims to inject “new energy” into the Senedd after 26 years under Welsh Labour.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, ap Iorwerth said:

“Plaid Cymru is advancing bold ideas on healthcare, education, job creation, and poverty reduction-areas where Labour has fallen short.

After 26 years of one-party dominance, it’s clear that Labour’s momentum and ideas have waned. Introducing a Plaid Cymru government would revitalize our nation’s leadership and tackle pressing issues in health, education, and the economy.”

Additional Political Developments to Watch

• Scottish National Party strategists remain optimistic about securing a majority in next year’s Holyrood elections, despite challenges in public confidence. They are concentrating efforts on re-engaging independence supporters who have drifted away, viewing the path to winning 65 or more seats as more attainable due to the Conservative decline and Labour’s weak standing.
• Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is urging the prime minister and chancellor to eliminate the two-child benefit cap in the upcoming budget. She argues that removing the cap is the most cost-effective strategy to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth, based on evidence she is compiling for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.
• Keir Starmer acknowledged that the Gaza ceasefire agreement “would not have been possible without President Trump’s leadership,” though he stopped short of endorsing Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking during his final day in India, Starmer emphasized the need for the ceasefire to be fully implemented immediately, alongside the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• Rhun ap Iorwerth also predicted that next year’s Welsh parliament elections will be a contest primarily between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, framing the choice as one between a progressive vision and the divisiveness that Reform UK represents.
• Nigel Farage claimed that teachers would strike shortly after a Reform UK electoral victory, accusing them of “poisoning children’s minds” by teaching that black children are victims and white children oppressors. Speaking at a private Christian college event in Michigan, Farage criticized what he described as the “Marxist left” controlling the education system.