Summary
New data from NHS England shows hospital waiting lists rose in May, for the second month in a row
An estimated 7.6 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of May, relating to 6.38 million patients
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced an investigation into NHS performance - saying the health service has been "wrecked"
Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells the BBC we “should mark the occasion” if England win Euro 2024 on Sunday, but won’t commit to granting an extra bank holiday
Later, Environment Secretary Steve Reed is due to meet 16 water bosses on Thursday, as a 21% increase in water bills over five years is announced
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says economic growth is "our national mission", after new figures showed GDP growth of 0.4% in May
And after three days, all 650 MPs have now been sworn into Parliament ahead of its state opening next Wednesday
Live Reporting
Edited by Nadia Ragozhina and Jamie Whitehead
Water bills rising and how will an England Euro'24 win be marked? A recap of todaypublished at 15:34 11 July
15:34 11 July
Image source, EPAWe're pausing our live coverage for now.
But if you want a quick recap before we head off, we've got one for you:
- Water bills are set to rise – the regulator is in a standoff with water firms over how how much bills should go up by over the next five years in England and Wales
- Hospital waiting lists continue to rise– the latest NHS England figures showed the number of people waiting for hospital treatment has risen for the second month in a row
- The UK economy grew faster than expected in May – helped by strong performance from retailers and the construction industry, GDP increased by 0.4% according to the Office for National Statistics
- Are new laws around crossbow ownership coming? Security Minister Dan Jarvis says the government "will act quickly" to review crossbow laws
- Will there be a bank holiday if England win the Euros? Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave a cryptic answer, saying "we should certainly mark the occasion", but added "I don't want to jinx it"
- And all 650 MPs have been sworn into Parliament ahead of its state opening next Wednesday
It's not the end of live coverage across the BBC though. For updates from Bushey in Hertfordshire following the killings of three women yesterday, click here.
You can find updates on the Nato summit Washington DC here.
Thank you for joining us.
We'll act quickly to review crossbow laws, says security ministerpublished at 15:17 11 July
15:17 11 July
Security Minister Dan Jarvis appeared on BBC Breakfast thismorning, saying the government will "actat pace" to bring in tougher crossbow laws, if a review decides a changeis needed.
The last government started reviewing crossbow laws inFebruary, external - before yesterday's attack that left three women deadin Hertfordshire.
Currently, it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to own a crossbow, and under 21s to shoot one unless under supervision of someone older.
Other than that, it's legal for anyone to own one and you don’tneed a licence for it.
Jarvis says new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will "lookcarefully" at the evidence and current laws as quickly as possible - but addsthere does need to be "due process".
He was also asked about tomorrow's announcement from the government on plans to release someprisoners early. Jarvis says he'll make sure the safety of thepublic is prioritised.
Davey hopes government listens to Lib Dem argument on two-child policypublished at 15:05 11 July
15:05 11 July
Staying with Ed Davey, he is also asked about the two-child benefit cap. The Lib Dem election manifesto included measures to scrap the limit.
He says he "hopes the government listens to the Liberal Democrats' argument and to those who are experts in this" in order to reduce child poverty.
An independent think tank has said that the majority of children in large families will fall below the poverty line by the end of this Parliament five years from now, unless the policy is abolished.
The Resolution Foundation has said that abolishing the two-child limit would cost the Government somewhere between £2.5 billion and £3.6 billion in 2024/25, but that such costs are "low compared to the harm that the policy causes".
Last month, before becoming Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said he would scrap the two-child limit "in an ideal world" but added that "we haven't got the resources to do it at the moment".
Public shouldn't pay for 'economic incompetence' of water companies, says Daveypublished at 15:01 11 July
15:01 11 July
Image source, UK Pool via SkyLeader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey has also been speaking to the media this afternoon.
Asked initially about water bill rises, Davey says: "The British public have seen these water companies pumping their filthy sewage into our rivers, into our lakes, into our beaches for years now.
"The water regulator and the government let them get away with it. I don't think they should be paying for the economic incompetence of these water companies or the regulator's mistakes."
The Lib Dems, he adds, want the companies to be "held to account", with a stronger regulator to replace Ofwat. The Lib Dem proposal is the creating of a Clean Water Authority.
As for privatisation, Davey says the water industry "needs to be really reformed". During the election, his party talked about public benefit companies, he continues, these could "get the investment we need [...] but ensure the environment and public health was right at the top".
Reform donor made party chairmanpublished at 14:51 11 July
14:51 11 July
Image source, ReutersZia Yusuf, a businessman who donated millions to Reform UK during its general election campaign, has been made the party's chairman as leader Nigel Farage aims to "professionalise" the party.
Yusuf says it is an "honour" to be appointed party chairman and has praised Farage's leadership, saying "against all odds... ourpeople's movement won four million votes, elected five MPs with 98 secondplaces."
"This is just the beginning. The important workof professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuingto grow membership has already begun," he adds.
Reform has also made several other appointments to key posts. Richard Tice, Yusuf's predecessor as chairman, has been made deputy leader while Lee Anderson, who became Reform's first MP when he defected from the Conservatives earlier this year, is its chief whip.
Momentum group launches way to lobby PM on two-child benefit cappublished at 14:33 11 July
14:33 11 July
Joe Pike
Political investigations correspondentImage source, Getty ImagesLabour's left-wing campaign group Momentum is preparing tolaunch an online tool to put pressure on MPs to scrap the two-child benefitcap.
It will be the first time Labour’s new intake of MPs will besubject to lobbying on a major policy issue.
The tool will assist voters in lobbying their Labour MPs viaemail. Those without a Labour MP will be encouraged to email Prime Minister KeirStarmer.
The two-child cap was introduced by the Conservatives in 2017and prevents parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit formore than two children.
Starmer has been under pressure, including from the leader ofScottish Labour Anas Sarwar, to scrap the cap.
Sasha Das Gupta, newly-elected co-chair of Momentum, says:"Policies like scrapping the two-child benefit cap are popular and moreurgent than ever. Labour cannot simply promise a ‘strategy’ on this - we needto scrap the cap and promote bold policies for all. That’s what real Labourvalues look like."
1.6 million children affected by two-child benefit cappublished at 14:17 11 July
14:17 11 July
Michael Buchanan
Social Affairs correspondentOfficial figures show that the number of children affected by the government's two-child policy increased to 1.6m in the year to April.
The data, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, shows that 440,000 households had their benefits cut, an increase of almost 8%.
The policy - introduced by the previous Conservative administration - prevents households with a third or subsequent child born after April 2017 who are on Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit from receiving additional amounts for those children.
There is growing pressure on the new Labour government to scrap the policy with many of its own MPs opposed to the measure as they believe it increases child poverty.
The prime minister has said he is "not immune" to those arguments but says its currently unaffordable to change the policy.
Reed says nationalising water companies would slow clean-up and cost too muchpublished at 14:08 11 July
14:08 11 July
Sticking with Environment Secretary Steve Reed, he says nationalising any of the water companies "would cost billions of pounds and take years potentially".
"I want to get to work quickly to clean up the unacceptable levels of pollution that are so outraging the public," he says, adding "nationalisation would slow that down and cost money we do not have."
"The best way to achieve our outcomes is to ensure there is tough regulation," saying he is delighted water companies agreed to his "initial measures".
Reed speaks after meeting water companies' bossespublished at 14:05 11 July
14:05 11 July
Image source, UK Pool via SkySteve Reed, the new Environment Secretary, has been speaking to the media after meeting with water companies' bosses.
He says that the bill rises that have been proposed today are a result of Conservative "failure" whereby money was spent on bonuses and dividends instead of on fixing broken infrastructure.
He adds this will change with a Labour government - saying the water companies have agreed to initial measures proposed by the government, which specify ringfenced investment to be spent on fixing the sewage system and ridding water of pollution.
How much could your water bill cost by 2030?published at 13:50 11 July
13:50 11 July
As we've been reporting, Ofwat - the water regulator - has provisionally approved an average increase in water bills of £94, or 21%, to be phased in over the next five years.
The rises are expected to be fully implemented by 2030.
But how much is your annual bill likely to go up - or down - by?
Take a look at our table below to find out.
Why has Streeting ordered the NHS review?published at 13:35 11 July
13:35 11 July
Nick Triggle
Health CorrespondentThe announcement of an independent investigation into NHSperformance has raised eyebrows.
Why waste time with another review? It is an understandablequestion – after all, the problems in the NHS have not suddenly emerged.
But there is a logic to this. Lord Ara Darzi, who will lead the investigation – as an NHSsurgeon and former health minister – is someone who understands how both thegovernment and NHS works.
His findings, which will be delivered quickly, probablywithin six or seven weeks, could act as a useful bargaining tool for the healthsecretary – in both negotiations with the Treasury (to get more funding) and inmaking the case for reform of the NHS (he says it needs to provide bettervalue).
Lord Darzi’s findings are likely to be followed by a 10-yearplan for the NHS which could see radical changes in how the NHS is organised.This review could help pave the way for that.
Wes Streeting 'confident' government can end junior doctors disputepublished at 13:21 11 July
13:21 11 July
Let's turn our attention to more serious news and the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting is telling voters to "judge us on our actions" as Labour sets out their plans for NHS reform.
Speaking to ITV's This Morning earlier today, Streeting spoke about the issues currently facing the health service, including waiting lists, mental health and junior doctor's strikes, saying he wanted to "be honest with ourselves and the country" as the new government gets to work.
On the junior doctor strikes, Streeting said the strikes weren't in the interests of patients, taxpayers or the junior doctors themselves, but he was "confident" they could end the dispute to "get our NHS back on its feet and fit for the future".
He also touched on mental health, claiming Labour's plans to recruit an extra 8,500 mental health support would "cut the waiting lists", adding he wanted to “makea real difference on mental health and finally walk the talk”.
Image source, ITVHow are bank holidays created?published at 13:09 11 July
13:09 11 July
Image source, Getty ImagesThere are eight bank holidays a year in England and Wales, nine in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland.
Bank holidays are created under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, or are created by royal proclamation - that is, by the King, who acts on government advice.
The department responsible is the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Bank holidays are not actually statutory holidays, although most workers do get the day off.
An extra bank holiday was created last year for the King's coronation, and the year before for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
But there wasn't one when the England women's team won the Euros in 2022 - the government said the cost was "considerable", although then-opposition leader Keir Starmer called for one.
Bank holiday if England win? 'We must mark it in some way,' says PMpublished at 13:00 11 July
13:00 11 JulyBreaking
Will we get an extra bank holiday if England win on Sunday?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was asked that question by our political editorChris Mason at the Nato summit in Washington DC earlier.
"Well we should certainly mark the occasion," Starmerreplies. "I don't want to jinx it. I went to the last Euros finals, Idon't want to go through that again.
"But we must mark it in some way. But the most importantthing is getting it over the line on Sunday."
Asked whether he saw the match last night - which was on duringNato meetings - the PM says he managed to pop out from one of his sessions forfive minutes and saw Harry Kane's goal. "It was fantastic," he says.
Lib Dems call for bank holiday if England win Eurospublished at 12:47 11 July
12:47 11 July
Image source, PA MediaThe Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to grant an extra bank holiday if England win the Euros on Sunday.
Party leader Ed Davey says: “The Three Lions are playing theirfirst ever final on foreign soil, and if they bring it home, the government shouldbring home a bank holiday to celebrate.
"England deserves the chance to celebrate aonce-in-a-generation event.
"Who knows, we might even get decent weather,” he adds.
You can follow all the reaction England's 2-1 win over the Netherlands here.
A reminder, the England women's team won the Euros in 2022.
It's taken three days, but all 650 MPs have now been sworn inpublished at 12:30 11 July
12:30 11 July
Image source, ParliamentLive.TVAfter three days, the process of swearing in all 650 MPs to Parliament has finished. As per tradition, the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was the first. Labour's Mary Creagh was the last at about an hour ago.
All MPs have to enter the chamber, walk up to the Commons dispatch box and take the oath of allegiance or an affirmation to the King before they can get towork, or get paid.
Among the bigger names today was the Reform UK leader, who gavehis name as Nigel Paul Farage and took an oath on the King James Bible.
Also up was former home secretary Suella Braverman, who made anaffirmation holding the Dhammapada, a Buddhist text and Shockat Adam - the manwho unseated Labour's Jonathan Ashworth.
Others included Scottish MPs Torcuil Cricthton who took the oathin Gaelic, and Kirsty Blackman who did hers in the Doric dialect – a languagespoken in north east Scotland.
The State Opening of Parliament is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Image source, ParliamentLive.TVProposed water bill increase a 'bitter pill', chancellor sayspublished at 12:16 11 July
12:16 11 July
Image source, PA MediaNew Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the proposed water bill increase for England andWales is a "bitter pill" for consumers.
The situation "reflects 14 years of failure fromthe Conservatives", she says, adding that new Environment Secretary, SteveReed has "called in the 16 bosses of the water companies today".
Reeves adds: "We’ve already announced tough newrules to ensure that money that is supposed to go into infrastructure andcannot just be paid out in bonuses, and tougher rules around polluting as well.
Quote Message
We’re determined to get a grip on the water sector so it delivers for consumers, and so that we stop polluting our beautiful seas and rivers."
The economy, water and the NHS - a quick recap of the morningpublished at 11:57 11 July
11:57 11 July
Francesca Gillett
Live reporterToday marks one week onfrom the general election (is that it?!) and we've had a few strands ofpolitics-related news this morning. So if you are just joining us, here is aquick rundown to bring you up to speed:
- Economy: The UK's economy grew faster than expected in May - by 0.4% - helped by strong performance from retailers and the construction industry. Does this mean interest rates could be cut next month? Analysts reckon the decision's on a knife-edge
- Water bills: Ofwat - the water regulator - is in a standoff with water firms over how much bills will increase over the next five years. Ofwat has proposed an average rise of 21% - but water firms say it's not enough to address problems. A final decision will be made in December
- Hospital waiting lists: The number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England has gone up again - there were 7.6 million treatments on the list in May
- NHS investigation: New Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ordered an independent investigation of NHS performance in England, in a bid to "diagnose" what's wrong with the "broken" health service
- Starmer abroad: The new PM is still in Washington DC for the Nato summit. He met President Biden yesterday, saying the special relationship is "stronger than ever"
- What's coming up? More Nato later, and we're also expecting to hear from new Environment Secretary Steve Reed after his meeting with water company bosses
Help available if you're struggling to pay your water billpublished at 11:43 11 July
11:43 11 July
Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondentA fifth of households alreadystruggle to pay their water bills, Ofwat says, with many younger people notablypart of that group.
So a further rise would likelydrag more into difficulty.
There are social tariffs inplace (a discount for more vulnerable customers) but the criteria differsbetween companies, and critics say they are poorly promoted. Take-up of these isrelatively low.
That’s one way for those whoare financially stretched to get support.
A meter – required to go on asocial tariff – could reduce bills for those with low usage.
There are some other debtsupport and hardship funds too. Charities such as Citizens Advice can offerfree guidance on these and wider measures to help people in need.
Greens and Lib Dems hit out at proposed water bill increasepublished at 11:34 11 July
11:34 11 July
We’re starting to get reaction to the proposed water bill increase fromopposition parties.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron says: “Itis a national scandal that these disgraced firms are demanding more money fromfamilies and pensioners in a cost of living crisis, all whilst dumping rawsewage into our rivers."
His party is calling for a ban on water company executivesreceiving bonuses and a "block on large bill hikes".
While new Green Party MP Sian Berry says hiking bills "while somany people are struggling" would be "horrific", and says it's"deplorable" some water companies are still paying dividends toshareholders.
Berry says bringing them into public ownership is a"pragmatic necessity".
