Markus Andrews

A senior French minister has accused the UK of an economic model of “quasi-modern slavery” amid the ongoing row over small boat crossings in the English Channel.France’s Europe minister Clément Beaune called on Boris Johnson’s government to “change legislation” and crack down on migrants being able to work in Britain without legal paperwork.“There is, let’s say it, an economic model of … quasi-modern slavery, or at least of illegal work that is very strong,” he told BFMTV.Mr Beaune claimed migrants were making the dangerous crossing “because it’s possible to work without an ID card in England” and “because there is no legal path for immigrants to go to the UK”.It comes as Emmanuel Macron’s government puts forward its own proposals for tackling the Channel crisis, suggesting that talks with the UK could resume following several days of tension.Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said prime minister Jean Castex will be writing to Mr Johnson on Tuesday with proposals for a “balanced agreement” between the UK and the EU, but made clear the letter would not be made public.Mr Darmanin said discussions could take place “very quickly” if the British government was prepared to enter negotiations in a “serious spirit”.Mr Johnson infuriated Mr Macron when he posted an open letter on Twitter calling for joint patrols on French beaches and the return to France of migrants who succeed in making the dangerous Channel crossing.But speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, Mr Darmanin said the the two countries could still work together on potential solutions to a shared problem.“From the moment there is no more double-speak, and we can discuss in a serious spirit, and our private exchanges correspond to our public exchanges, the French government is ready to very quickly resume discussions with Great Britain,” he said.Mr Darmanin said the Tuesday proposals sent to No 10 by Mr Castex could include ways to open up legal routes to the UK for asylum seekers, and to allow unaccompanied minors to join relatives in Britain.Downing Street dismissed the French claim of “quasi-modern slavery” in the British economy. Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said No 10 didn’t agree with the statement, but said there was a “need to fix our broken asylum system so that we can stop this parallel illegal route [across the Channel]”.No 10 continues to insisted a returns agreement – as set out by Mr Johnson in his letter – would be the “single biggest deterrent” to migrants attempting the Channel crossing.Mr Darmanin has made clear that the question of returning refugees would have to be agreed with the EU. He said there was potential deal to be made on the UK returning some migrants in exchange for accepting unaccompanied minors – but only on a “one for one” basis.The French interior minister also said France could not accept the practice of Britain vessels turning back boats at sea, adding: “This is a red line for the French government.”Since Brexit the UK is no longer party to the EU’s so-called ‘Dublin’ regulations, which once allowed the government to ask other European nations to take people back if it could be proved they passed through safe countries on their way to the UK. More

Boris Johnson has distanced himself from a senior health adviser’s suggestion that people should should avoid unnecessary social contacts in the run-up to Christmas to avoid the danger of spreading the Omicron virus.The head of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jennie Harries said that it was right to be “careful” about socialising “when we don’t particularly need to” after the arrival in Britain of the contagious new variant of Covid-19.But the prime minister said during a visit to a vaccination centre that “we are not changing the guidance on how you should basically be living your life… Providing people continue to be cautious and sensible, we think that’s the right approach”.No 10 said that official regulations mandate only face-coverings in shops and public transport and social isolation for those who come into contact with Omicron cases, and that there was no guidance to avoid social gatherings, cancel Christmas parties and nativity plays or work from home.Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson said that Dr Harries retained the prime minister’s “full confidence”.But asked whether the PM shared her view about avoiding social events over Christmas, the spokesperson replied: “No. Our advice to the public is as set out at the weekend.“We have put advice out on face coverings and on inward travellers and those who are identified as having the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Beyond that we haven’t set out any further guidance to the public.”Asked if people should follow what he was saying or what Dr Harries was saying, the spokesman said: “The public should follow the guidance as set out by the government and indeed the prime minister at the weekend.”Dr Harries briefed cabinet along with chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance on the latest information on the new variant – first detected in southern Africa – at its regular weekly meeting in Downing Street on Tuesday.She said there were five confirmed cases of Omicron infection in England and 14 across the UK, but said that more time is needed to study the characteristics of the variant.While Omicron is known to be more transmissible than earlier strains of Covid, Downing Street said its impact on levels of severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths was not yet known.Scientists at Porton Down and elsewhere are expected to deliver answers within around two to three weeks.But until more information is available, ministers are not expected to discuss further restrictions on social and economic behaviour beyond those announced at the weekend.The PM’s spokesperson said that there had been no discussion either at cabinet or at the tighter quad of senior ministers over whether to issue new guidance to work from home or restrict social contacts.Mr Johnson said: “People should continue to do things like make sure that they have lots of fresh air, they wash their hands, take normal precautions. I think that’s entirely reasonable.“But we are not going to change the guidance. We don’t think that’s necessary. We don’t see anything to suggest that we need to go to Plan B.”He made clear that the government wants to avoid unnecessary knock-on effects on the economy from restrictions, telling reporters: “At all stages throughout the pandemic we have sought to strike the correct balance between protecting lives and livelihoods.” More

Boris Johnson is set to hold a Downing Street Covid briefing on Tuesday amid concerns over the spread of the omicron variant.The address, due to take place at 4pm, comes after the government introduced new measures to tackle the spread of omicron, which was first detected in the country over the weekend.He is expected to speak on new compulsory face mask rules, which took effect at 4am today, and the extension of the vaccine booster programme.The new variant has more than 30 mutations and scientists are concerned that the vaccines, which were designed using the original strain, may not be as effective. The prime minister will urge the public to get the booster vaccine now that the rollout has been extended to all over-18s.Mr Johnson is also expected to discuss the new travel rules imposed on arrivals into the UK. All travelers returning to the UK must now take a day 2 PCR test and isolate until they receive a negative result.In a statement released overnight by No10, the prime minister said: “The measures taking effect today are proportionate and responsible, and will buy us time in the face of this new variant.“Based on everything we know, our vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted.“Not only will today’s steps help us slow down the variant’s spread, but they will help us protect each other and the gains we have all worked so hard for.” More

Tens of millions of pounds will be spent on rescuing UK science and medical research projects at risk from a damaging post-Brexit dispute with the EU.The threat to grants from the flagship £80bn Horizon Europe programme – which pools talent and ideas to achieve breakthroughs – appeared have been lifted when the UK agreed to remain part of it.But the deal has been frozen because of Brussels anger over threats to suspend the Northern Ireland Protocol – leading to the UK making “contingency” plans to pull out, to the alarm of scientists.Now George Freeman, the science minister, has moved to ease fears about scores of UK applications set to be approved within weeks, which would otherwise lose the money.However, concerned organisations including the Royal Society and Universities UK are waiting to hear full details about exactly which bids will be eligible for the bailout.The stalemate is also making a pullout from Horizon more likely – despite warnings that it will leave Boris Johnson’s pledge to make the UK a “science superpower”.Venki Ramakrishnan, a Nobel prize winner and then-president of the Royal Society warned last year that the UK cannot achieve the same success by working alone.In a statement, Mr Freeman admitted that “valuable international collaboration on shared global challenges, like climate change” is in danger.“We are committed to supporting the UK’s world-class research sector in international collaborations, and this safety net will give researchers and their partners the certainty they need to continue to pursue their project plans and maintain world-class science,” the minister argued.Over the last six-year period of the Horizon scheme, finishing last year, the UK received £1.5bn – more than any other country and a fifth of the total handed out by Brussels officeAmong the programme’s successes are everything from leukaemia treatments to hydrogen cells that fuel zero-emission buses.The Brexit deal signed last Christmas commits the UK to pay £15bn over the six years to 2027 – even as it pulled out of other EU agencies and EU-wide programmes.The Independent understands that many scores of applications have been submitted from the UK, with the European Research Council – one of the bodies involved – announcing winners before Christmas.The “safety net” only covers “starter grants” for 2021-22, leaving future years of funding from Horizon still in jeopardy.The head of UK Research and Innovation encouraged “researchers and innovators” to continue to apply to Horizon Europe, despite the uncertainty.But Professor Christopher Smith hinted at a UK pullout, saying it is “working with the government to prepare for all possible outcomes to ensure the UK’s thriving research and innovation sector has the support it needs to continue collaborating and delivering world-class R&D”. More

Lisa Nandy has dismissed claims that Keir Starmer snubbed Angela Rayner with the timing of his frontbench reshuffle, insisting it does not matter “who knew” about it.Allies of Labour’s deputy leader were furious that the shake-up began as she was making a key speech on a sleaze crackdown – and that she first read about it in a newspaper.But Ms Nandy, who was shifted to the levelling up brief – to take on cabinet big-hitter Michael Gove – said Sir Keir was right to work alone on shadow cabinet appointments.“The leader makes the decisions, the gaffer picks the team, that’s how it goes and that’s how it has always gone,” she told BBC Breakfast.“Frankly, I couldn’t care less about the circus of who’s in and who’s out, who’s up, who’s down, who knew, who didn’t.”Ms Nandy, who was the shadow foreign secretary, also denied the reshuffle – which saw the return of Tony Blair-era veteran Yvette Cooper, to the home affairs brief – was a shift to the right.“We’re moving North,” she told Sky News, referring to the focus on levelling up in left-behind areas, adding: “Left or right? You can keep that debate.“We’re going out into the country and we’re going to start delivering for people in towns, villages and cities that have been completely and utterly abandoned by the political system.”The Labour leader carried out a ruthless overhaul of his team on Tuesday, including demoting Ed Miliband by taking the business role off him while leaving him with climate change.The former leader had clashed with Sir Keir in September, over the watering down of a Corbyn-era policy to nationalise energy companies.The business portfolio went to Jonathan Reynolds, with promotions for key figures seen as being on the right of the party to education (Bridget Phillipson) and health (Wes Streeting).Ms Nandy also said it is up to the government to save Christmas, amid new Covid restrictions which will force more people to isolate in the festive run-up.The health minister, Gillian Keegan, has admitted more people will have to isolate as cases of the Omicron variant rise – putting their Christmas plans at risk – but said “the chance of that right now is pretty low”.“I think this is largely in the government’s gift. The vast majority of people are doing what is asked of them – wearing masks, getting the booster jab, social distancing,” Ms Nandy said.“My little boy’s school has got its doors and windows open, trying to increase ventilation, even in the cold.“People are trying their best, but there are some big holes in the government’s plans, particularly around travel.”Ms Nandy added, on the new testing rules for international arrivals: “Taking a day 2 PCR test is very shambolic for a lot of people. The government isn’t even checking up.” More

Boris Johnson’s popularity among members of the Tory faithful has taken a hit after weeks of division in the party over a myriad of issues.It follows the toxic row over sleaze in politics after the botched attempt to prevent Owen Paterson’s suspension from the Commons, scaled-back plans for social care reform, rows over funds for rail infrastructure and concerns over the cost of living.According to Conservative Home’s regular ‘cabinet league table’ survey, the prime minister is now second from bottom in net satisfaction ratings, with -17. The same survey last month had Mr Johnson on +20.Paul Goodman, the editor of the website, which conducts the survey each month, posted that it was the second time Mr Johnson had “slipped into the red with the panel since the last election” after previously doing so in the autumn of 2020.However, Mr Johnson is still some way of reaching the negative ratings of his predecessor in No 10, Theresa May, who appears to hold the record for the lowest ratings of a prime minister recorded by Conservative Home, with a -73 rating in April 2019.It follows a poll conducted earlier this month by The Observer for Opinium, which also showed the prime minister’s approval ratings slumping to -20 among the public.Just last week, Mr Johnson was also told to urgently improve his performance after a shambolic speech to the CBI conference, which promoted the question of whether “everything was OK” during a televised interview.One senior backbencher told The Independent that disgruntled Tory MPs are currently holding their fire in the hope that the prime minister can shake off his recent run of disastrous miscalculations and political blunders.According to the latest Conservative Home survey, Liz Truss, who was promoted to foreign secretary earlier this year, maintains her commanding lead over other cabinet ministers — a position she has held for over a year — with a net satisfaction of +82.She is followed by the Brexit secretary Lord Frost, with international trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, culture secretary Nadine Dorries and Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary and former vaccines minister, in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.However, the website added that the issue of Channel migrant crossings, has driven a drop in support for Priti Patel, the home secretary, who has experienced a fall from +10 last month to just +0.2 this month.Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, is slightly up from his lowest place in the table of twelfth last month to ninth position in November. More

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused former Downing Street officials of hypocrisy for offering warnings on sleaze while taking “nice jobs” upon leaving office.It follows an open letter from every living ex-cabinet secretary urging Boris Johnson to get behind widespread standards reforms at Westminster.But Mr Rees-Mogg dismissed the advice of the “saintly” former top civil servants who have taken “well-paid” roles after stepping down from government.The senior minister told the Moggcast podcast: “How many of those went off to take jobs in the private sector? How many of those got quite nice jobs once they’d left – well paid from merchant banks, etc., etc.?”Mr Rees-Mogg added: “Why do we think they are the most high-minded and the politicians are not? I would rather things were determined by those who are accountable, than those who have deemed themselves to be saintly.”In a joint letter to The Times earlier this month, five ex-cabinet secretaries – Lord O’Donnell, Lord Butler, Lord Wilson, Lord Turnbull and Lord Sedwill – urged the government to enact recommendations from the committee on standards in public life report.On Monday the Commons Standards Committee set out plans for an outright ban on MPs providing paid parliamentary advice, consultancy or strategic services.But Mr Rees-Mogg rejected the idea that widespread reform was necessary – warning that imposing much tighter restrictions and greater transparency on MPs’ second jobs could be “intrusive”.The Commons leader told the ConservativeHome podcast that voters were the best judge of what kind of outside work was “reasonable” for their MP to take on.Asked if an MP could also act as editor of The Spectator magazine, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “Yes, definitely because you could reasonably do that within the hours – they are very compatible roles without any obvious conflict of interest.”The senior Conservative added: “If you look at the 1997 election result there was this view that the government was sleazy … John Major had done all sorts of things, set up all sorts of committee, but actually that hadn’t impressed voters.“What people need is to have confidence that things are done properly and MPs are on their side. That is shown in all sorts of ways. That is the judge I’m most concerned about – my voters.”Mr Rees-Mogg also dismissed the idea you could set a cap on earnings from second jobs – suggesting Tory voters would admire MPs who get paid large sums for working a small number of hours.“If you do in a remarkably short amount of time, I think most people would think, ‘Gosh you must be pretty good to earn that amount per hour’,” said the senior minister.The Commons Standards Committee report – which also recommended the period during which lobbying is banned following payment from an outside interest is increased from six to 12 months – will be the subject of a consultation before a final set of recommendations is published in the new year. More

Shop assistants will not be enforcing the new rule requiring mask-wearing in England which is the public’s “personal responsibility”, the health minister says.Gillian Keegan backed supermarket bosses who warned that challenging shoppers would lead to “confrontation” – saying it was up to the police to issue any fines for non-compliance.The minister sought to reassure shop owners after the heads of Iceland and the Co-op insisted it is not their job to tell shoppers to put on a mask or risk punishment.“It’s not for everybody to be going around being policed by shop assistants – not at all. We all have to do the right thing,” Ms Keegan agreed.The comments came as the minister admitted more people will have to isolate as cases of the Omicron variant rise – putting their Christmas plans at risk – but said “the chance of that right now is pretty low”.Meanwhile, the head of the UK Health Security Agency chief said a work from home rule is still on the table, if the Covid situation worsens, despite ministers rejecting the move for now.Dr Jenny Harries said: “Certainly, if we see surges, then working from home will be a good thing to do,” – pointing to the Sage group’s advice that it would be the most effective infection-curbing measure.She urged all people to “decrease our social contacts a little bit” and avoid “socialising when we don’t particularly need to” in the next few weeks, raising fresh doubts over festive celebrations.From 4am on Tuesday, face coverings are required in takeaways, post offices, banks and building societies, beauty premises and pharmacists, as well as in shops and on public transport and in taxis.People who refuse will be fined an initial £200, rising to £400 for a second offence and £800 for a third – but only if the crackdown is enforced.Ahead of a Commons vote – and opposition from Tory backbenchers – the health secretary Sajid Javid stressed the rules, including isolation for Omicron contacts and PCR tests for international arrivals, are in place for 3 weeks.“If it emerges that this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta variant, then we won’t keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary,” he told MPs.Ms Keegan said supermarkets had done “an absolutely brilliant job of keeping our shelves supplied under very trying circumstances” and sympathised with them about mask rules.“It is actually the British public’s personal responsibility to follow the rules to wear the masks,” she told the BBC, “and clearly there has been occasions where that’s been confrontational.”The minister also downplayed the idea of “more patrols” to enforce face coverings – insisting the government could rely on the “good sense of British people”.“We haven’t been completely draconian, as some other countries have, and so far that’s worked pretty well, because the British public have responded,” she claimed. More