Boris Johnson has brought in former Tesco boss Sir David Lewis in a bid to resolve supply chain issues causing empty supermarket shelves, after dismissing fears of a crisis earlier this week.
In a dramatic escalation of government acceptance over what the retail sector faces, the PM admitted the problems are “acute” and affect businesses across the UK.
Ex-Tesco CEO Sir David has been appointed in an temporary capacity as supply chain advisor to try to ease blockages in the period up to the end of the year, in a reflection of official concern that Christmas could be spoilt by disruption to the availability of food items and gifts.
It comes amid various crises threatening the UK’s economy all at once, with fresh warnings today that millions of consumers face a massive increase of more than one-third (34 per cent) in energy prices next spring.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the government earlier of “turning on the poorest in our society” by choosing to go ahead with the £20-a-week Universal Credit cut.
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Opinion: ‘PM makes Starmer look like a serious man for serious times’
Our political columnist Andrew Grice on public opinion post-conference season.
The public (Tory voters included) are increasingly critical of the government’s economic record. According to YouGov, Labour has drawn level with the Tories as the best party to handle taxation, and more people expect taxes to rise under the Tories than expect them to under Labour. But Labour still has much work to do: 29 per cent say the Tories are the best party to handle the economy, and only 19 per cent Labour.
Opinium found that voters preferred Starmer’s conference speech (5.9 out of 10) to Johnson’s (4.7), but the prime minister’s landed well with 2019 Tory voters, and Labour will be disappointed that the Tories’ overall poll lead has not yet been eroded.
Some Labour insiders smell danger in Johnson’s other desired dividing line: between his optimism and Labour’s pessimism.
Read the piece in full here:
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Flags at Westminster lowered to half-mast for MP Brokenshire
The flags in New Palace Yard in the Palace of Westminster have been lowered to half-mast in tribute to James Brokenshire.
The Tory MP, who served as a Cabinet minister under Theresa May, died this week after a long battle with lung cancer.
‘Dramatic escalation of acceptance’: PM hires ex-Tesco boss amid supply issues
Following my post at 2.10pm, here’s our political editor Andrew Woodcock on what Boris Johnson appointing ex-Tesco boss David Lewis means.
In a dramatic escalation of government acceptance of the scale of the crisis facing retail, the prime minister admitted that the problems are “acute” and affect businesses across the UK.
Former Tesco CEO Sir David Lewis has been appointed in an temporary capacity as supply chain advisor to try to ease blockages in the period up to the end of the year, in a reflection of official concern that Christmas could be spoilt by disruption to the availability of food items and gifts.
Read the full report here:
‘Today is a very say day,’ Hoyle says after Brokenshire death
Another touching tribute now for Tory MP James Brokenshire, whose family announced today he had died after suffering from lung cancer.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, speaker of the House of Commons, said:
“I will always remember James for his positivity and good sense of humour – and for being one of the most friendly, thoughtful and well-liked people in the House of Commons. His passing is a profound loss to us all.
“He was a politician who commanded affection and respect from colleagues, no matter which party they represented. In a career spanning 16 years, James’ contribution to public life was immense, serving in successive governments in ministerial roles across the Home Office, as well as serving as secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and later secretary of state for Northern Ireland. His commitment to serving his constituents in Old Bexley and Sidcup was also obvious to anybody he knew.
“Today is a very sad day. My thoughts go out to his wife Cathy and their three children.”
Factories face temporary closures over spiralling energy costs
Industry leaders in these energy intensive sectors will meet the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday afternoon.
They plan to lay out the severe impact energy prices for electricity and natural gas have had on their operations, The Independent understands.
The impact of sustained high energy costs is so severe several companies are weighing temporarily closing operations in the weeks and months ahead. Electricity hedging costs for early next year, as an example, are five times the average seen last year in some cases.
Our economics editor Anna Isaac and political editor Andrew Woodcock have the full report:
Watch: Starmer calls PM’s conference speech ‘a load of baloney’
PM appoints former Tesco CEO to help with supply chain crisis
PoliticsHome’s Adam Payne reports the following:
Ministers warned of 34% rise in energy price cap in spring
Ministers have been privately warned that millions of consumers face a massive increase of more than one-third in energy prices next spring, The Independent can reveal.
Energy industry sources said that they told the government that the huge hike in the energy price cap will be needed next April, based on current trends, to avoid further companies going under.
A 34 per cent rise in the legal maximum charge for fuel would mean bills soaring by an average of around £434 a year for customers on default tariffs paying by direct debit, and even more for those with pre-payment meters.
Follow our political editor Andrew Woodcock’s exclusive report:
