Markus Andrews

Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab has urged Conservative rebels to back the government’s plan B restrictions, arguing that Covid certification is not a “big step or a slippery slope”.Boris Johnson is facing the biggest Commons revolt of his premiership on Tuesday as MPs prepare to vote on Covid passes for large venues, the extension of mandatory face masks and changes to self-isolation rules.At least 70 Tories are expected to rebel and vote against the government later today, with backbencher Marcus Fysh comparing the health pass for nightclubs and large events to Nazi Germany.But the deputy PM claimed that Tory backbenchers’ concerns over the mandatory introduction of passes are “overstated”.Mr Raab told Sky News: “Even if you haven’t had the double jab or, in due course, the booster, you can still rely on the lateral flow test – which is why I think some of these concerns about this are overstated.”Arguing it is not just proof of vaccination but of a negative lateral flow test as well, he told Times Radio: “I don’t think this is a big step or a slippery slope, but I do understand the concerns and that’s why we should have a proper debate.The deputy PM added: “Ultimately, I think people should vote for these measures – they are a proportionate, targeted approach given what we don’t know and the precautionary approach we need to take, just temporarily, while we get to grips with omicron.”Asked about Mr Fysh’s remarks comparing certification to Nazi Germany, Mr Raab said: “I don’t accept it and I don’t think it’s right and I don’t think it’s a reasonable critique. But I do understand concerns that people have.”He added: “I don’t think that is particularly intrusive thing to do in order that we protect ourselves and others around us … it’s a sensible, precautionary public health measure that will protect us all.”According to a tally of Tory MPs by The Spectator magazine, 79 Conservative MPs – including former ministers, some of the 2019 intake, as well as lockdown-sceptics – have said they will vote against or abstain on the plan B measures.It is reported that up to 10 ministerial aides could resign to oppose the controls, with up to four votes on the measures expected to take place on Tuesday evening. But the measures are expected to pass the Commons with the support of Labour, who back tighter controls.Mr Raab did not rule out further Covid restrictions being considered for Christmas or New Year, saying: “These issues are always discussed but we have got plan B – that’s what we think is required over the Christmas period.”The justice secretary also acknowledged “teething problems” after people were seen queuing for hours to get coronavirus booster vaccines and the booking website struggled to cope with the demand for appointments.Meanwhile, Tory MP Sir Roger Gale told Times Radio on Monday evening he had considered submitting a letter of no confidence in the prime minister and warned if the voters send a message to No 10 at Thursday’s by-election in North Shropshire “then that could be a tipping point”. More

Downing Street staff have been told not to “destroy any relevant information” as an investigation into illegal Christmas parties allegedly held at No 10 begins.The latest development comes shortly after Boris Johnson – prompted by a public backlash – agreed to an inquiry into the possible flouting of coronavirus guidelines. At the time of the alleged parties, indoor socialising was banned in London, which was subject to extensive Covid restrictions.As part of the internal investigation being handled by cabinet secretary Simon Case, Martin Reynolds, the prime minister’s principal private secretary, has written to Downing Street staff telling them to cooperate with the inquiry, ITV News reported. In an email seen by the broadcaster, Mr Reynolds urged Downing Street staff not to dispose of any potentially incriminating material, before adding that any evidence which suggests possible law-breaking would be handed to police. Some staff members will soon be called to answer questions on what happened late last year, ITV quoted the letter as saying. However, as Mr Reynolds noted in his message, government emails are automatically deleted after three months as part of security measures in place, meaning any from last year would need to be recovered first. Over the weekend, the Sunday Mirror published a photo that appeared to show the prime minister flanked by colleagues while hosting a Christmas quiz on 15 December 2020.This followed the leaking of a video in which senior government advisers can be heard joking about a party alleged to have taken place on 18 December 2020, when the capital was under tier 3 restrictions.After these revelations came to light, Mr Johnson continued to insist his innocence, saying on Monday: “I can tell you that I certainly broke no rules.”Nevertheless, these government scandals seem to have tarnished Mr Johnson and the Conservatives, whose popularity with the public have dropped dramatically in the past few weeks.The latest Ipsos Mori poll suggests that 13 per cent more people now think Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer would be a better prime minister than Mr Johnson.Meanwhile, other recent surveys put Labour ahead of the Tories, including a YouGov poll from 9 December, which had Labour on 37 per cent of the vote and the Conservatives on 33 per cent, a four point gain and a three point decrease respectively, compared to the previous week.Given the government’s seeming slump in fortunes, the Liberal Democrats believe they can win Thursday’s by-election in North Shropshire, a seat the Tories won by more than 20,000 votes in the 2019 general election. More

A controversial overhaul of the Human Rights Act will make it easier to deport asylum seekers who claim the right to a family life to stay in the UK.Offenders are expected to lose the ability to mount the defence if they are convicted of any “imprisonable” crime or any “terror-related activity”, under the long-awaited shake-up.Dominic Raab, the justice secretary – who has described the current protections as “nonsense” – is determined to restrict the ability of judges to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.In a statement to the Commons, he will claim the new “Bill of Rights” will restore “common-sense” and cut the number of refugees attempting dangerous Channel crossings.The UK will retain its “commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights”, he will argue – while Priti Patel’s push to also target asylum claimants at risk from torture in their home countries has been rejected.But Amnesty International accused ministers of potentially “aligning themselves with authoritarian regimes around the world”, by watering down the Human Rights Act.The Law Society accused Mr Raab of “political rhetoric” when the reality was the landmark legislation did not prevent judges delivering “British justice based on British laws”.Labour said Mr Raab should be focusing on a criminal justice system in crisis with “huge delays in prosecuting criminals and shamefully low conviction rates for rape and sexual offences”.Big changes have been expected since Mr Raab – who was recorded, in 2009, saying: “I don’t support the Human Rights Act” – was handed the justice brief in his cabinet demotion in September.A few weeks later, he was attacked for misrepresenting the case of “a drug dealer convicted of beating his ex-partner” to claim the act was being abused.But the justice secretary will double down on the claim, arguing up to 70 per cent of successful human rights challenges are brought by foreign offenders who “cite a right to family life”.Under the plans, likely to be a centrepiece of next year’s Queen’s Speech, a “permission stage” will “intercept frivolous claims that sap the energy and resource of courts”.Mr Raab will also claim the shake-up will “restore parliament’s role as the ultimate decision-maker” through greater freedom to “interpret rulings from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg”.But Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty’s chief executive, said: “We need to put a stop to this aggressive human rights roll-back. Human rights are not sweets in a sweet shop for ministers to pick and choose from.”I Stephanie Boyce, the Law Society’s president, said: “Every case is different, making it necessary to weigh each on its own particulars. Talk of restricting rights is dangerous and does not reflect the nuanced job the courts have to do.”And Steve Reed, the shadow justice secretary, said: “Dominic Raab is ignoring all that so he can tinker with human rights laws as a distraction from the avalanche of corruption that has overwhelmed this out-of-touch Conservative government.” More

Boris Johnson is facing the biggest revolt of his premiership from backbench Conservatives as MPs prepare to vote on “plan B” measures, including Covid passes for large venues, the extension of mandatory face masks and changes to self-isolation rules.It comes after the prime minister warned the country it was facing a “tidal wave” of infections from the omicron variant, and pleaded with colleagues that the new rules were “balanced and proportionate”.But dozens of Tory MPs have indicated they will either abstain or vote against the proposals to introduce Covid passes in England, forcing the prime minister to rely on votes from Labour MPs in order to get the measure through the Commons on Tuesday.While the measures are expected to be approved, it would be another blow to Mr Johnson’s authority after a torrid few weeks caused by anger over a Christmas party in Downing Street during the winter of 2020 and just days before a critical by-election in the ultra-safe Tory seat of North Shropshire – a constituency where the Lib Dems are the bookies’ favourites to win.Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale told Times Radio on Monday evening he had considered submitting a letter of no confidence in the prime minister and warned if the voters send a message to No 10 at Thursday’s election “then that could be a tipping point”According to a tally of Conservative MPs by The Spectator magazine, 79 Conservative MPs, including former ministers, members of the 2019 intake and lockdown-sceptic backbenchers, have suggested they will vote against or abstain on the plan B measures when the prime minister puts the issue to a vote on Tuesday.In December last year, 55 Tories voted against proposals to strengthen the tiered system of Covid restrictions – the biggest revolt of Mr Johnson’s premiership so far.Earlier, Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said that England’s proposed Covid pass system will be tightened from the start of 2022 to require evidence of two vaccines and a booster as a means of gaining access to crowded venues like nightclubs.From Wednesday – under the plan B measures – entry to mass-audience events currently requires evidence of two jabs or a recent negative test for Covid-19, unless the individual has an exemption from vaccinations for medical reasons. But Mr Javid told the House of Commons that the pass, carried on the NHS smartphone app, will also require a booster “once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster”.As the government has promised that all those aged 18 or over should have a chance to get their booster jab by New Year’s Eve, the new restriction can be expected to be in place early in 2022. People will still be able to avoid the requirement to show a Covid pass by giving evidence of a recent test, in the form of an email or text message from the NHS confirming that they have reported a negative result in the past 48 hours.From Wednesday this week, Covid passes or negative tests will be required by law for entry not only to nightclubs, but also to indoor events with 500 or more unseated attendees, unseated outdoor events with a capacity of 4,000 or more and any event with more than 10,000 people present. The restriction, announced in response to the arrival in the UK of the highly contagious omicron variant, covers many large sporting and music events, such as Premier League football matches.But there is an exemption for events of communal worship, wedding ceremonies, funerals and other commemorative events, protests and mass participation sporting events.The tightening of conditions for Covid passes reflects scientific advice that two doses of vaccine offers only limited protection against omicron, while a booster increases it to 75 per cent or more.In a sign of the Tory anger at the measure, former cabinet minister Dame Andrea Leadsom told the health secretary on Monday that she had spoken to a constituent who was now “less afraid of Covid than she is of intrusive and incoherent government regulations”.Mr Javid told the Commons: “From Wednesday – subject to this House – you’ll need to show a negative lateral flow test to get into nightclubs and large events, with an exemption for the double vaccinated.“Once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster jab, we intend to change this exemption to require a booster dose. Even with plan B, we still have far fewer restrictions in place than Europe.” More

Omicron infections in the UK hit an estimated 200,000 a day on Monday and the super-contagious variant will become the dominant strain of coronavirus in London within days, it has been revealed.The dramatic figures came as the first UK death of a patient infected with the new variant was recorded. With omicron infection numbers believed to double every two or three days, they set the scene – if accurate – for daily infections to reach a record 1 million or more by the start of next week.Doctors’ leaders called for the return of two-metre social distancing indoors and mandatory face-masks in pubs and restaurants, warning that the government’s reliance on vaccines will leave millions at risk from a variant against which two jabs appear to offer relatively little shield while a third gives up to 75 per cent protection.The first day of the government’s drive to deliver booster vaccinations to 20m people by the end of the month was marred by technological glitches, as queues running into thousands of people wanting to book appointments built up on the NHS website. Some 110,000 appointments were booked by 9am despite the delays.Meanwhile, a surge of requests for lateral flow tests led to online orders for the home-testing kits being suspended. Health secretary Sajid Javid said that mailing capacity had reached its limit and called in Amazon and other delivery services to assist the Royal Mail.Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Javid said experts expect cases of omicron to “dramatically increase” in the coming days and weeks, with hospitalisations and deaths lagging by around two weeks.Some 4,713 patients in the UK have been confirmed with omicron infection. But the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that 200,000 people were infected with omicron on Monday alone with the new variant making up around one-fifth of all Covid cases.In London, which has become the UK hotspot for the new variant, the proportion of cases involving the new variant has now risen above 44 per cent and it is expected to become the dominant strain in the capital within 48 hours, said Mr Javid.NHS England raised its alert to the highest level of 4, designating a “national incident” and allowing health bosses nationally to take charge of the actions of local trusts.A letter to trusts said that the response could include 24/7 vaccine clinics and the discharge of medically fit patients to hotels to clear spaces inside hospitals.There was confusion over Boris Johnson’s pledge that all eligible Britons will be able to get a vaccine booster by New Year’s Eve, as Mr Javid told MPs that it was “asking a huge amount of our colleagues in the NHS” and that not every person will necessarily receive their jab in December. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the target was a “monumental challenge”, but promised to “bust a gut” to get it done as quickly as possible.Mr Javid’s Labour shadow Wes Streeting accused the government of “rowing back” on the promise made on Sunday, warning: “The prime minister has got to learn to be straight with people because he is undermining public trust and confidence in the government and public health measures at a critical time.”Visiting a vaccination centre in London, Mr Johnson said he wanted the jabs drive to “hit warp speed” over the coming days.The prime minister refused to rule out new restrictions before Christmas, saying it was time to set aside any belief that omicron was “somehow a milder version of virus” and to recognise “the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population”.“The best thing we can do is all get our boosters,” he said.“We’ll have to attain a pace and a number of daily booster doses that will exceed anything that we’ve done before. “But I’ve got no doubt at all that we have the people, we have the enthusiasm, we have the fundamental optimism about what we can do, which we’ve learned from the experience of the last 18 months. And I know that people are going to rise to this.” Downing Street refused to put a daily target on the number of booster jabs, on the grounds that figures are certain to fluctuate wildly depending on the days of the week and bank holidays. Some 750 troops were deployed to help with planning and vaccinations, and a No 10 spokesperson confirmed that appointments will be made available on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to keep momentum up.To hit Mr Johnson’s target, the NHS would have to inoculate more than 1m people a day over the next three weeks, well above the previous single-day record of 840,000. In a TV address, Sir Keir Starmer urged all Britons to get the booster, warning that the NHS is “at risk of being overwhelmed”. The argument that not enough is known about omicron no longer “stacks up”, he said, adding: “We may not be certain how dangerous it is but we do know that lives are at risk.”The Labour leader confirmed his party will back Mr Johnson’s Plan B restrictions in a Commons vote on Tuesday, saying it was “our patriotic duty” to ensure the measures are not defeated by lockdown-sceptic Tory rebels.Issuing an appeal for the return of social distancing, as well as testing before entry to any hospitality venue, British Medical Association (BMA) council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “It’s estimated that one in four people will not be eligible for a booster by the end of December, because they will either currently be unvaccinated or somewhere in the process of having the first two doses.“Most are younger people, who are often the most socially mobile and most likely to inadvertently spread Covid. That is why we need additional protections over and above the vaccination programme.”But the Confederation of British Industry warned ministers against “instilling a lockdown mentality” and said the economy “should remain as open as is feasibly safe to do so in the coming weeks”.Director-general Tony Danker said guidance on working from home should be lifted “as soon as it is safe to do so” and “the bar should be set high” for any new restrictions to economic activity that go beyond the government’s Plan B.With travel restrictions expected to be eased within days in recognition that omicron has become endemic in the UK, there were calls for assistance for businesses hit by the new wave.Downing Street indicated schools would be kept open unless there was an “absolute public health emergency” and warned local authorities against deciding to close early for Christmas as a precautionary measure.“We do not think anyone should be closing schools early unless they have received advice from the local director of public health that it’s necessary on public health grounds,” said the PM’s official spokesperson.“We wouldn’t want to see that happening routinely, just as a precaution. It’s very important that we maintain schooling as much as possible.” More

Boris Johnson claims he ‘certainly broke no rules’ with Christmas quizThe prime minister is set to face his biggest rebellion yet on Tuesday over plan B restrictions – specifically plans to bring in Covid certificates, with the list of Tory MPs threatening to vote against them reported to be at around 76.In another tense week at Westminster, Boris Johnson also has a by-election to deal with on Thursday for the formerly safe Conservative seat of North Shropshire. It follows Owen Paterson’s resignation in a row over his second job and breaches of lobbying rules. The Lib Dems now look set to take the constituency, early polling suggests. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has demanded Mr Johnson come to parliament and answer questions about whether he misled MPs over alleged Christmas lockdown rule-breaking. Speaking to Sky News this morning, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said the PM’s “credibility is in tatters” and echoed Sir Keir’s call for him to take questions in parliament. Asked if the Tory leader should resign following the controversy, the Labour MP said “that is a matter for the prime minister and his conscience”.Show latest update

1639405887Patel faces legal action over Windrush compensation failuresPriti Patel is facing legal action for the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s failure to pay out to victims – with just 5 per cent receiving money in the four years since the scandal came to light.Windrush Lives and Good Law Project are asking for control of the Home Office-run scheme to be given to an independent organisation to ensure victims receive long-awaited justice, as recommended by the Home Affairs Committee, to increase trust and encourage more applications, reports our race correspondent Nadine White. “Together with Windrush Lives, we are asking Priti Patel to listen to Windrush victims and set up an independent scheme. If she really wanted to make things right, she’d do so voluntarily,” Jo Maugham, director of Good Law Project, said. “But we think any failure would be unlawful and amenable to judicial review.”Sam Hancock13 December 2021 14:311639404563Watch: PM claims he ‘broke no rules’ with Christmas quiz Boris Johnson claims he ‘certainly broke no rules’ with Christmas quizSam Hancock13 December 2021 14:091639403596Nigel Farage: Johnson using omicron emergency to ‘save his own political skin’Nigel Farage has claimed Boris Johnson is using the omicron variant to distract attention away from a series of scandals engulfing his administration.The former Brexit party leader, who now hosts a show on GB News, said he “doesn’t believe” the UK’s Covid situation is an emergency.Despite rising cases, hospitalisations and incomplete data on the severity of the strain, Mr Farage said “all the evidence from South Africa suggests the variant is manageable.”“This is a cynical ploy to save his own political skin — don’t buy it!” he added in a tweet.His comments came less than 24 hours after the PM said the country was facing a “tidal wave” of infections and announced a huge extension to the booster programme to slow omicron’s spread.Matt Mathers13 December 2021 13:531639402347’That’s the Christmas present I think he deserves’Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran says her party has a “real chance” of winning Thursday’s North Shropshire by-election.She said some Conservative “sources” believe around just 500 votes could decide the contest, which is being billed in some Conservative circles as a referendum on Boris Johnson’s leadership of his party.Ms Moran added that if the Lib Dem candidate, Helen Morgan wins on Thursday it would be “the Christmas present he [the PM] deserves” amid several allegations of misconduct.Matt Mathers13 December 2021 13:321639401064Government not listening to people in Northern Ireland, new shadow secretary of state warnsBoris Johnson’s government has been accused of “continually imposing regulations and laws” over the heads of people in Northern Ireland, by the new shadow secretary of state.Peter Kyle visited Stormont for the first time since his appointment as shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, and expressed concerns over Government policies on Brexit and proposals to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.Mr Kyle, who replaced Louse Haigh in the role, is meeting political parties as well as business, victims and cultural groups this week and said he wanted to use the trip to “listen and learn”.He told the PA news agency: “I was disappointed in recent days I couldn’t get over here fast enough.”It is my absolute conviction to be a voice for the whole of Northern Ireland in Westminster, and in order to do that I need to meet as many people as I can, I need to listen as much as I can and I need to build as many relationships as possible.”Matt Mathers13 December 2021 13:111639399711PM refuses to confirm no more restrictions before ChristmasAsked three times today if he could rule out further restrictions being imposed in the UK before Christmas, Boris Johnson declined the opportunity to give such assurances.Instead, he said the current combination of plan B rules and an extended booster vaccine rollout was “the right approach” for now.Sam Hancock13 December 2021 12:481639398648PM insists he ‘certainly broke no rules’ at Christmas partiesBoris Johnson has again assured reporters he “broke no rules” when asked about parties and gatherings in Downing Street last year, during lockdown. Speaking on a visit to a vaccination clinic in west London, the PM told broadcasters: “All that is being looked into. But if I may respectfully say to you… of course, all that must be properly gone into – you’ll be hearing from the cabinet secretary about it all.”He continued, saying Simon Case would report back “as soon as we reasonably can” and that the investigation could include a virtual quiz he himself was pictured at on 15 December.“But frankly, when I look at what we’re trying to do now, the crucial thing is that people understand the challenge that is posed by omicron. But also understand that this is a challenge that collectively we can meet,” Mr Johnson added. “What I’m focused on, frankly, is the vaccine rollout.”Sam Hancock13 December 2021 12:301639397748PM refers himself to Simon Case over quiz last yearSky News’ Beth Rigby reports the following:Sam Hancock13 December 2021 12:151639396848At least one patient dead after getting omicron, PM saysAt least one Covid patient in hospital has been confirmed to have died after contracting the omicron variant, Boris Johnson has said.Speaking during a visit to a vaccination clinic near Paddington, in west London, the prime minister said: “Sadly, yes, omicron is producing hospitalisations and sadly at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with omicron.“So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus, I think that’s something we need to set on one side and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population. So the best thing we can do is all get our boosters.”Adam Forrest has this breaking report:Sam Hancock13 December 2021 12:001639396192Watch: All the times Ant and Dec mocked Boris Johnson on ‘I’m a Celebrity’All the times Ant and Dec mocked Boris Johnson for party scandal on I’m a CelebritySam Hancock13 December 2021 11:49 More

Tory MPs have likened Covid restrictions to “Nazi Germany” and a Soviet “gulag” ahead of a huge revolt against Boris Johnson’s Plan B curbs.Anger at the new rules – Covid passes to enter crowded venues and mask-wearing in cinemas and theatres – will force the prime minister to rely on Labour votes to get them through the Commons on Tuesday.In extraordinary language, one rebel vowed to defy the prime minister by claiming the vote is the “thin end of an authoritarian” wedge threatening “a free society in this country”.“We are not a ‘papers please’ society. This is not Nazi Germany,” Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh told BBC Radio 5 Live.He lashed out at a presenter pointing out that many people feel unsafe in crowded venues as “not worthy of working for the BBC”, saying to such people: “Don’t go then”.The comments come after Graham Brady, the chair of the powerful 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers, accused his own government of “a disastrous assault on liberty”.“Months when people were banned by law from seeing their children or grandchildren,” he wrote in a newspaper article.“Businesses forced to close; the state not just telling people not to go to work but paying them not to. And yes, nearly half a year in which we went full Eastern Bloc and no one was allowed out.”Sir Graham also condemned the Plan B measures ahead of Tuesday’s vote, saying: “There seems no let up to this kind of self-defeating, dystopian logic.”“We were told these measures might be lifted before Santa took to his sleigh, and certainly before half the country was pinged into the gulag,” the Altrincham and Sale West wrote.Around 70 Tory MPs have signalled they will vote against Covid passes for crowded venues – wrongly labelled “vaccine passports” by many, although a negative test result will also be allowed.There are likely to be separate votes on that key controversy, on the extension of face covering rules and on requiring a daily negative test result to avoid isolation as the contact of a household member with Covid.Mr Johnson’s spokesman, asked for his message to Tory rebels, said: “We are facing a tidal wave of omicron and these Plan B measures are a vital part of enabling us to buy time, so that we can get more of these booster doses in arms and provide the protection that will protect both lives and livelihoods.On certification for crowded venues, he said: “It allows us to keep some of these settings open which is vital for hospitality, where otherwise we would have had no choice but to close them, which no one wants to see.” More

The poorest half of families are worse off since Boris Johnson came to power while the richest have seen their incomes boom, says a damning report on his “levelling up” pledge.Half of UK households have lost £110 since his December 2019 election win, it finds, yet the top 5 per cent have enjoyed gains of more than £3,300 – sending poverty soaring by 300,000.The New Economics Foundation blames government policy for that gulf, because the failure to lock down when Covid struck meant the UK economy suffered a bigger hit than other major countries.The mistakes were fuelled by a lack of support for self-employed workers and those on insecure fixed-term contracts, who were allowed to “fall through the cracks”.“Far from ​‘levelling up’, on this prime minister’s watch the families and places that were already poorest have fallen even further behind the rest of the country,” the left-of-centre think-tank concludes.“The poorest families are even poorer now in real terms than the month of Johnson’s election victory,” it says, adding: “Worse still, the immediate outlook looks certain to deteriorate further.“With prices expected to continue increasing, combined with the threat of a rise in interest rates and the continued effects of Brexit, things may well be about to get a lot tougher for those families that have already suffered most.”The analysis – based on government data and forecasts from the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility – comes after the flagship levelling up hit fresh trouble.A long-promised strategy document was delayed until the New Year, as it has hastily rewritten, and amid a likely Treasury refusal to stump up more cash.Worryingly, for the government, the report highlights how the past two years have hit the wallets and purses of people in so-called ‘Red Wall’ areas the Tories won and must defend.Disposable real incomes have risen by only £20 in the north-east at all since December 2019 and by small amounts in the north-west (£80) and Yorkshire (£90).But, in London, they have gone up by more than £600 per year and by more than £550 in the south-east, the New Economic Foundations found.Overall, the number of families living in poverty – defined as those with income below 60 per cent of the UK median before housing costs – has risen by 300,000 in two years. Low-earners in sectors forced to shut down, such as hospitality, were hit hard – while white-collar high-earners in London and the south east were able to work from home, and save money on commuting.The Office for Budget Responsibility, the independent forecaster, has warned the cost of living could rise at its fastest rate in 30 years, in 2022. More