Ashley Cowburn
@ashcowburn.bsky.social
Deputy Political Editor, The Mirror
ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk
ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk
Exclusive: Neil Kinnock says the two-child benefit limit should be scrapped to lift kids out of poverty
Former Labour leader says it could be paid for by a tax on assets of the super-rich or extra levies on the top 1%
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Former Labour leader says it could be paid for by a tax on assets of the super-rich or extra levies on the top 1%
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Scrap Tory two-child benefit limit to lift kids out poverty'
In an interview with The Mirror, the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock said the Tories had left the country in a state that would 'make Charles Dickens furious' with 'intolerable' hardship
www.mirror.co.uk
August 16, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Exclusive: Neil Kinnock says the two-child benefit limit should be scrapped to lift kids out of poverty
Former Labour leader says it could be paid for by a tax on assets of the super-rich or extra levies on the top 1%
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Former Labour leader says it could be paid for by a tax on assets of the super-rich or extra levies on the top 1%
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet.
"A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips," one MP said.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
"A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips," one MP said.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet
One MP told The Mirror of those previously wavering on a key benefits vote: 'A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips'
www.mirror.co.uk
May 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet.
"A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips," one MP said.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
"A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips," one MP said.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Some parish news — delighted to be promoted today to Deputy Political Editor at The Mirror 🎉
May 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Some parish news — delighted to be promoted today to Deputy Political Editor at The Mirror 🎉
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Really classy Daily Mirror front page on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945
This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945
May 8, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Really classy Daily Mirror front page on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945
This Philip Zec celebrated cartoon was in the paper on this day in 1945
Front page of @DailyMirror on May 8, 1945 - 80 years ago today.
May 8, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Front page of @DailyMirror on May 8, 1945 - 80 years ago today.
Breaking: Downing Street rules out U-turn on winter fuel payment cut for millions of pensioners
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Prime Minister rules out U-turn on winter fuel cut for millions of pensioners
Labour MPs said last week the controversial cut to winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners was raised on the doorstep by voters at the local elections as anger mounts
www.mirror.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Breaking: Downing Street rules out U-turn on winter fuel payment cut for millions of pensioners
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
NEW: Andy Burnham suggests at @resfoundation.bsky.social event the government should introduce a target for new social homes of at least half a million by the end of the decade.
He says it would help "end the housing crisis" and prevent kids from having to put up with "damp and mould"
He says it would help "end the housing crisis" and prevent kids from having to put up with "damp and mould"
April 29, 2025 at 9:17 AM
NEW: Andy Burnham suggests at @resfoundation.bsky.social event the government should introduce a target for new social homes of at least half a million by the end of the decade.
He says it would help "end the housing crisis" and prevent kids from having to put up with "damp and mould"
He says it would help "end the housing crisis" and prevent kids from having to put up with "damp and mould"
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
DWP claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human'
Amnesty International's new research, which involves interviews with hundreds of people on benefits, claims the current welfare system is 'consciously cruel' and ruining lives
www.mirror.co.uk
April 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
DWP claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human'
Amnesty International's new research, which involves interviews with hundreds of people on benefits, claims the current welfare system is 'consciously cruel' and ruining lives
www.mirror.co.uk
April 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Benefit claimants give verdict on welfare system - 'You're not treated as human’
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
@DailyMirror spoke to some people about their experience of Universal Credit/PIP benefits
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Elections guru John Curtice writes for The Mirror ahead of next week’s local elections
He suggests the Tories face losing hundreds of seats — they have the “most to lose”.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
He suggests the Tories face losing hundreds of seats — they have the “most to lose”.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Reform UK may have just enough support to win hundreds of seats from Tories'
Sir John Curtice - of the country's top elections experts - writes in The Mirror the Tories 'have the most to lose' when voters head to ballot box in next week's local elections
www.mirror.co.uk
April 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Elections guru John Curtice writes for The Mirror ahead of next week’s local elections
He suggests the Tories face losing hundreds of seats — they have the “most to lose”.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
He suggests the Tories face losing hundreds of seats — they have the “most to lose”.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Keir Starmer has failed to meet his promise at last year's Lab conference in Liverpool to introduce a "Hillsborough Law" ahead of today's 36th anniversary of the tragedy.
No10 says more time is needed for best version of Bill.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
No10 says more time is needed for best version of Bill.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Starmer misses anniversary Hillsborough law deadline - 'huge disappointment'
Keir Starmer promised to introduce a 'Hillsborough Law' by the 36th anniversary of the tragedy - but No10 insists more time is needed to create the 'best version' of the legislation
www.mirror.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Keir Starmer has failed to meet his promise at last year's Lab conference in Liverpool to introduce a "Hillsborough Law" ahead of today's 36th anniversary of the tragedy.
No10 says more time is needed for best version of Bill.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
No10 says more time is needed for best version of Bill.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Nigel Farage to LBC on his pal Donald Trump's tariff chaos:
"I think Trump did too much too soon, rather like Liz Truss did a couple of years ago."
"I think Trump did too much too soon, rather like Liz Truss did a couple of years ago."
April 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Nigel Farage to LBC on his pal Donald Trump's tariff chaos:
"I think Trump did too much too soon, rather like Liz Truss did a couple of years ago."
"I think Trump did too much too soon, rather like Liz Truss did a couple of years ago."
Exclusive: Liz Kendall admits it will be a personal failure if child poverty rates still rising at next election
"Child poverty will be going down," she says, despite warning 50k extra kids will be in poverty as a result of last week's benefit cuts
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
"Child poverty will be going down," she says, despite warning 50k extra kids will be in poverty as a result of last week's benefit cuts
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Liz Kendall admits it would be a 'failure' if child poverty is rising in 5 years
The Work and Pensions Secretary told The Mirror child poverty "will be going down" - despite a grim official analysis of her department's welfare cuts
www.mirror.co.uk
April 4, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Exclusive: Liz Kendall admits it will be a personal failure if child poverty rates still rising at next election
"Child poverty will be going down," she says, despite warning 50k extra kids will be in poverty as a result of last week's benefit cuts
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
"Child poverty will be going down," she says, despite warning 50k extra kids will be in poverty as a result of last week's benefit cuts
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Andy Burnham tells the Work and Pensions Committee: "Benefits policy in this country is too much - under all governments - been written to create headlines to please certain newspapers and not actually do the job of encouraging the recovery of people to a better position in their life."
April 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Andy Burnham tells the Work and Pensions Committee: "Benefits policy in this country is too much - under all governments - been written to create headlines to please certain newspapers and not actually do the job of encouraging the recovery of people to a better position in their life."
Thursday’s @politics.mirror.co.uk front page
March 26, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Thursday’s @politics.mirror.co.uk front page
Stephen Fry, Stanley Tucci, and Arlene Phillips among stars demanding benefit cuts U-turn
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Stephen Fry and Stanley Tucci among stars demanding benefit cuts U-turn
Former Strictly judge Dame Arlene Phillips said: 'Our social security system should be rooted in justice and compassion, able to be there for us all...cutting disability benefits is shameful'
www.mirror.co.uk
March 21, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Stephen Fry, Stanley Tucci, and Arlene Phillips among stars demanding benefit cuts U-turn
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Interesting Cabinet league table of @LabourList readers, who say they are Labour members.
Miliband tops survey of most liked member of the Cabinet - with Rayner in second place.
Starmer ranked 17th while Kendall and Reeves only ministers with unfavourable ratings.
Miliband tops survey of most liked member of the Cabinet - with Rayner in second place.
Starmer ranked 17th while Kendall and Reeves only ministers with unfavourable ratings.
March 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Interesting Cabinet league table of @LabourList readers, who say they are Labour members.
Miliband tops survey of most liked member of the Cabinet - with Rayner in second place.
Starmer ranked 17th while Kendall and Reeves only ministers with unfavourable ratings.
Miliband tops survey of most liked member of the Cabinet - with Rayner in second place.
Starmer ranked 17th while Kendall and Reeves only ministers with unfavourable ratings.
NEW: Blackpool MP Chris Webb says PIP cuts will be a "devastating blow for many of my constituents who are already on the edge".
He adds: "I will never vote for anything that makes people in Blackpool poorer - and some of these reforms could do exactly that."
He adds: "I will never vote for anything that makes people in Blackpool poorer - and some of these reforms could do exactly that."
March 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
NEW: Blackpool MP Chris Webb says PIP cuts will be a "devastating blow for many of my constituents who are already on the edge".
He adds: "I will never vote for anything that makes people in Blackpool poorer - and some of these reforms could do exactly that."
He adds: "I will never vote for anything that makes people in Blackpool poorer - and some of these reforms could do exactly that."
Reposted by Ashley Cowburn
Diane Abbott is far from the only Labour MP who believes there isn't a moral case for cutting benefits – opposition stretches well beyond the Socialist Campaign Group. www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
A Labour welfare revolt is still brewing
As many as 40 of Keir Starmer’s MPs are threatening to rebel against benefit cuts.
www.newstatesman.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Diane Abbott is far from the only Labour MP who believes there isn't a moral case for cutting benefits – opposition stretches well beyond the Socialist Campaign Group. www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
Labour MP Diane Abbott tells Starmer to drop the "moral" arguments for benefit cuts.
"There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," she tells him.
"This is not about morality - this is about the Treasury's wish to balance the books" on the back of poorest.
"There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," she tells him.
"This is not about morality - this is about the Treasury's wish to balance the books" on the back of poorest.
March 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Labour MP Diane Abbott tells Starmer to drop the "moral" arguments for benefit cuts.
"There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," she tells him.
"This is not about morality - this is about the Treasury's wish to balance the books" on the back of poorest.
"There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," she tells him.
"This is not about morality - this is about the Treasury's wish to balance the books" on the back of poorest.
Ministers have recently criticised speculation over benefit cuts as causing anxiety among claimants.
Today they have failed to produce an impact assessment alongside their proposed changes.
Instead, people will be forced to wait until next week's spring statement. Not sure that line will hold.
Today they have failed to produce an impact assessment alongside their proposed changes.
Instead, people will be forced to wait until next week's spring statement. Not sure that line will hold.
March 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Ministers have recently criticised speculation over benefit cuts as causing anxiety among claimants.
Today they have failed to produce an impact assessment alongside their proposed changes.
Instead, people will be forced to wait until next week's spring statement. Not sure that line will hold.
Today they have failed to produce an impact assessment alongside their proposed changes.
Instead, people will be forced to wait until next week's spring statement. Not sure that line will hold.
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams - chair of the Work and Pensions Committee - says she appreciates difficult financial situation.
*BUT* she warns benefit cuts are the largest cuts in social security since 2015 and warns ministers "not to balance the books" on the backs of sick and disabled.
*BUT* she warns benefit cuts are the largest cuts in social security since 2015 and warns ministers "not to balance the books" on the backs of sick and disabled.
March 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams - chair of the Work and Pensions Committee - says she appreciates difficult financial situation.
*BUT* she warns benefit cuts are the largest cuts in social security since 2015 and warns ministers "not to balance the books" on the backs of sick and disabled.
*BUT* she warns benefit cuts are the largest cuts in social security since 2015 and warns ministers "not to balance the books" on the backs of sick and disabled.
FBU's Steve Wright urges Labour MPs to vote against cuts to disability benefits.
He says today: "The government's drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state...
He says today: "The government's drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state...
March 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
FBU's Steve Wright urges Labour MPs to vote against cuts to disability benefits.
He says today: "The government's drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state...
He says today: "The government's drastic cuts to disability and welfare benefits are a Thatcherite assault on the welfare state...
Unite’s Sharon Graham to @mirrorpolitics on planned benefit changes: “The government seems to be making the wrong choices…
“… Why are we in a situation where we're pitting the poorest against the poorest while wealthiest go relatively untouched?”
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
“… Why are we in a situation where we're pitting the poorest against the poorest while wealthiest go relatively untouched?”
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Keir Starmer issued warning on eve of huge DWP benefit cuts announcement
Keir Starmer's Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to sign-off a controversial package of reforms to sickness and disability benefits - before the plans are announced to MPs
www.mirror.co.uk
March 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Unite’s Sharon Graham to @mirrorpolitics on planned benefit changes: “The government seems to be making the wrong choices…
“… Why are we in a situation where we're pitting the poorest against the poorest while wealthiest go relatively untouched?”
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
“… Why are we in a situation where we're pitting the poorest against the poorest while wealthiest go relatively untouched?”
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
DWP minister Stephen Timms commits in the Commons to publishing a full impact assessment of disability benefit reforms/cuts in "due course".
March 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
DWP minister Stephen Timms commits in the Commons to publishing a full impact assessment of disability benefit reforms/cuts in "due course".