Boris Johnson news – live: PM ‘in good health’ as number of Tory MPs self-isolating after No 10 meeting grows

The bill for easing post-Brexit turmoil at UK ports will be far more than the £200m available and time is running out to start the work, an inquiry has heard, deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports.

Port chiefs said infrastructure work had taken nearly a year in the past – but they would have just six months and only because full import controls have been delayed until next June.

The head of UK Major Ports Group told a Lords committee that no funding decisions had yet been taken, so operators were unable to “start laying concrete, putting space in the ground”.

The UK has called for the European Union to show more “realism” in the negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal as time runs out for a deal to be reached.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The negotiations have resumed in Brussels. The discussions will be based on our largely common draft treaty texts.

“But significant differences do remain and key elements in the draft texts are not yet agreed.

“What we are working to do is seek solutions that fully respect UK sovereignty.

“Negotiators have been in contact almost every day since 22 October and they are continuing to work intensively to bridge the gaps that remain between us.

“But, although there has been some progress in recent days, there is much work to be done and time is now very short.

“So if we are to make further progress in the coming days, we need to see more realism from the EU on what it means for the UK to be an independent state.”

Downing Street has praised the “hard work” done by the prime minister’s controversial aides Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain as they prepare to leave his Number 10 operation.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said the former Vote Leave pair could continue to work on “specific projects” until they finally depart by the end of the year.

“The PM would thank both Dom and Lee for the service they have given to him and the hard work they have put in over recent months on projects such as mass testing and the government’s coronavirus response,” the spokesman said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said Boris Johnson was right to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

“This is frustrating for the prime minister, I understand that. It is important he self-isolates,” he told reporters during a visit to Oxford.

“It is important for all of us to say that we have got to comply with the advice and guidance.”

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said he did not think the PM would be “in any way hampered” by his isolation.

On a visit to a coronavirus testing site in Liverpool today, Mr Wallace was asked whether MPs needed to think more about social distancing following the news Mr Johnson would have to isolate following a meeting with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson.

He told the PA news agency: “Of course we’ve all got to be minded about proximity to each other and what it means and then we’ve got to follow the rules like everyone else.

“The prime minister is self-isolating. I’m sure he’s incredibly frustrated, I’m sure lots of other people are, but that’s the rules.”

The prime minister’s spell in self-isolation could not have come at a worse time, according to political columnist Andrew Grice.

Read more in this piece for Indy Voices:

Motorists could be charged for using Britain’s roads under plans reportedly being considered by the Treasury in response to an expected £40 billion tax shortfall amid a switch to electric cars.

It comes as Boris Johnson is expected to announce the government will bring forward a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2030 – five years earlier than planned – as he unveils his 10-point strategy for tackling the climate emergency.

Political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has more details:

Here’s another look at Matt Hancock’s awkward interview on Good Morning Britain from my colleague Adam Forrest.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter has said he is self-isolating after attending the meeting last week in Downing Street.

Mr Carter tweeted: “Yes, I had a call from test and trace yesterday following a work meeting at 10 Downing Street last Thursday. In line with the rules I am self isolating.”

At least five Conservative MPs, including Boris Johnson, are now self-isolating following a meeting in Downing Street last week.