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Politics latest: 'Sting in the tail' tax rise revealed in chancellor's spending plans

Rachel Reeves told Sky News her spending plans are "fully funded", but didn't rule out future tax rises. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said her spending review already assumes council tax will rise by 5% everywhere.

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Follow live updates on India plane crash

For continued live coverage of the India plane crash today, follow our dedicated blog below:

MP's constituents in 'extreme distress' over India plane crash

Labour's Warinder Juss MPhas a large Indian community in his Wolverhampton West constituency.

He tells Sophy Ridge "everybody is still in shock" about today's plane crash and it's "very difficult to comprehend exactly what happened".

"We need to find out what caused this accident," he says, but for now people are simply in "extreme distress".

'We need to find out what happened'

He says he would "fully support" Tory MP Shivana Raja in her efforts to seek answers from Air India and aviation authorities (see previous post).

"Aeroplanes do sadly on occasion crash," adds Juss, "but it's meant to be the safest form of transport.

"We need to find out exactly what happened."

MP had previously been on flight which crashed

Shivani Raja is the Conservative MP for Leicester East. The British passenger of the Indian air crash who survived lives in her constituency.

Speaking to Sophy Ridge, Raja shares that the flight - from Ahmedabad to Gatwick - is quite popular with her constituents.

The MP says she has a big Indian community in her constituency.

She tells Sophy: "This flight route in particular is very popular amongst my constituents, I've used it personally on many occasions

"My family use it and my constituents use it. So it really did hit close to home."

'I will raise questions with airline and authorities'

Today was the first ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The model, a widebody, twin-engine plane, has made five million journeys in the 14 years since its first passenger flight.

Raga adds: "I absolutely will be raising questions with Air India and the [UK Civil Aviation Authority] and the Indian authorities, regarding the safety measures of this aircraft," she adds.

Our science correspondent Thomas Moore said investigators and airlines alike will want to establish quickly whether today's crash was a one-off or a sign of problems:

Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge is live

Our usual weeknight politics programme is not being broadcast in the usual way tonight, owing to our rolling coverage of today's plane crash in India.

But Sophy will be speaking to two MPs with deep connections to India: Labour's Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, and the Conservative MP for Leicester East Shivana Raja.

Watch live in the stream below:

"Can you imagine 360 random people suddenly taking over government?"

Kemi Badenoch there, perhaps unwittingly calling into question the entire concept of voting people into office.

The Tory leader was speaking at a FTSE 250+ conference in London, hailing her party as the only one business could trust.

Labour will only deliver "managed decline", she said, and Nigel Farage's Reform offers nothing but a "scam".

He has "no experience of legislating", ex-minister Badenoch said. 

"He's never in parliament, let alone government," she added, telling business leaders governing is "unbelievably difficult".

Reform only have five MPs and would need hundreds more to be elected across the country to win power. You need 326 for a majority. 

They are, though, leading the polls.

Badenoch asked: "How many of you would allow your businesses to be run by people who have never been in that business and say 'come on in, I'm sure you can fix it?'

"That's what he's offering, it's not real."

Investigation into India crash will 'take some time', says Starmer

We've just had a statement from the prime minister on the plane crash in India - the aircraft had been bound for Gatwick.

Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts are with those impacted by the "devastating" incident.

He confirmed a team of UK investigators have been sent to India, and the UK is in constant contact with Indian authorities.

Starmer said Foreign Secretary David Lammy is heading up the UK's involvement in the investigation, which will take "some time".

Sky News understands Lammy has chaired a COBRA meeting today.

Starmer also urged the families and friends of anyone affected to contact the Foreign Office.

Asked about the British survivor, as reported by Sky News, the PM said "we're still establishing the facts".

Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge will not be broadcast in the usual way tonight, owing to our rolling coverage of today's plane crash in India.

Sophy will still be presenting from 7pm, and will be speaking to two British MPs with deep connections to India.

Joining her are Labour's Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, and the Conservative MP for Leicester East Shivana Raja.

Spending review: What does it mean for me?

The chancellor has unveiled her long-awaited spending review, which sets out detailed plans for how individual government departments are funded over the next three years.

Rachel Reeves says departmental budgets will grow by an average of 2.3% a year, prioritising health, defence, and infrastructure projects - but how will this be paid for? And how does this help working people?

Our political correspondent Tamara Cohen speaks to economics and data editor Ed Conway about the ambitious figures.

Who exactly is getting the winter fuel allowance?

AsToldEd:

From what I understand all eligible pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance. Is that correct? For those pensioners over the income figure, just how is the allowance to be reclaimed? Is the allowance taxable or not?

Thanks for your question - here's nice straightforward answer from our political reporter Tim Baker:

All pensioners will get the payment, and anyone over the threshold of £35,000 will have to pay it back as tax - this will be done automatically. 

The benefit is tax-free.

How will the government fund a bigger defence budget?

Curious 1:

Given the NATO summit is nearly upon us, what will the government do if allies agree to the 5% proposed by the US ? Only 2.6% committed in yesterday’s review and the pot appears empty.

Thanks for your question.

You're right to point out that we don't have any costed commitments to hit the defence spending target proposed by the US.

That's 5% of national income, or GDP.

Sir Keir Starmer has committed to getting to 2.5% by 2027 - you'll recall that was done by controversially cutting the aid budget.

He's said he hopes to get to 3% during the next parliament. So, well beyond the purview of yesterday's spending review, which takes us to 2029 and the next general election.

'Chunky' tax rises likely required

If the government does want to hit 3% or more, it may have to rework its budgets again (like it slashed foreign aid) or potentially raise taxes.

Just last week, our political correspondent Tamara Cohen reported the price tag of a rise to 3.5%, from 2.5%, would be £30bn a year. 

Paul Johnson, of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, told her "chunky" tax rises would be required unless economic growth really took off.