Climate minister Alok Sharma has admitted to driving a diesel car, just months before the COP26 summit takes place in Glasgow.
The Cop26 president made the admission on BBC Newsnight on Monday, later saying he does not drive the vehicle “very much”.
He defended himself by telling the broadcaster he takes public transport to and from work. “And I can assure you that my next car will most certainly be an electric vehicle,” he added.
His comments come a week after his spokesperson, Allegra Stratton, said she did not “fancy” an electric car “just yet”.
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson’s team has downplayed rumours of a rift between him and the chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Boris Johnson was thinking of demoting Mr Sunak to health secretary in a cabinet reshuffle.
The prime minister’s spokesperson quelled speculation on Tuesday, saying the pair had worked “in lockstep” throughout the pandemic and stressing there are no plans for a reshuffle.
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live UK politics coverage.
Cameron ‘made $10m’ from Greensill Capital
David Cameron is reported to have earned more than £7m ($10m) from Greensill Capital, before the bank collapsed.
Using his political connections, he lobbied the government to invest in the firm, leading to inquiries into his conduct.
Here’s Jon Stone with more details:
No 10 quells speculation about rift between PM and Sunak
The prime minister has tried to quell rumours that a rift has developed between him and Rishi Sunak.
Over the weekend, there was speculation that the chancellor would be demoted in a cabinet reshuffle.
This comes after reports Boris Johnson went “tonto” when a letter from the chancellor calling for travel restrictions to be eased was leaked to the press.
A No 10 spokesperson said the pair had worked closely together during the pandemic and would continue to do so.
“They have been in lockstep throughout this incredibly challenging period for the country,” they said.
Inside Politics
As part of our daily politics round-up, Matt Mathers takes a look at the latest Cameron/Greensill developments and the UN’s climate report:
Universities should not charge full fees if they fail to meet student expectations, Williamson says
Today is A-level results day.
During his news round this morning, education minister Gavin Williamson told Sky News that the government expects in-person teaching to resume at university during the next academic year.
“If universities are not delivering what students expect then actually they shouldn’t be charging the full fees,” he added.
Labour hits out at education secretary’s remarks
Labour has criticised education secretary Gavin Williamson for suggesting universities should not charge full tuition fees unless they return to face-to-face teaching.
Peter Kyle, the shadow schools minister, blamed the lack of in-person teaching on Mr Williamson himself.
The Labour frontbencher said: “The reason there hasn’t been much face-to-face teaching is because Gavin Williamson has been preventing it for the last period.
“Just bear in mind that I had vice chancellors calling me saying pubs were open, restaurants were open, people were allowed to gather outside, but universities were prevented from government policy, from Gavin Williamson, from having seminars inside again.”
Scottish health secretary sues nursery over alleged discrimination
Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf and his partner Nadia El-Nakla are suing a nursery, claiming it breached equality laws by not offering their daughter a place at the institution.
The couple allege that Little Scholars Day Nursery in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, “unlawfully discriminated” against them and their two-year-old daughter Amal on racial and/or religious grounds.
They accuse the nursery of turning down their child, who has an “Asian/Muslim name”, three times, while granting places to children with “white sounding” names.
In a joint statement, they said: “We have both stood against hatred our whole lives, often being the targets of vile abuse.
“We will not accept our children being discriminated against by anyone. Like any other parents we simply want our children to be treated equally, regardless of their colour of skin or religion.”
Teacher-assessed grades the ‘right’ approach, Williamson claims
Almost 20 per cent of A-level entries were awarded an A* this year under the teacher-assessed grading system, almost 5 per cent higher than last year.
Amid concerns about grade inflation, education secretary Gavin Williamson defended his policy.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that “it was the only approach that we could take”.
“And I think it’s fair and right on the system, but most importantly fair and right on students themselves,” he added.
Government’s disapproval rating increases
Almost 50 per cent of people disapprove of Boris Johnson’s government, a YouGov poll suggests.
The 47 per cent disapproval rating is up by 2 per cent from last week’s figures.
Meanwhile, 31 per cent of respondents approved of the government’s actions.
Cop26 president admits he drives a diesel car
Alok Sharma, the president of the Cop26 summit, has admitted to driving a diesel car.
Speaking on BBC Newsnight, the cabinet minister said: “I don’t drive it very much. I take public transport from Reading [his constituency] into London every day. And I can assure you that my next car will most certainly be an electric vehicle.”
His comments come a week after his spokesperson, Allegra Stratton, said she did not “fancy” an electric car “just yet”.
The government has been criticised for failing to deliver enough charging points for electric vehicles.
