Markus Andrews

Employees will reportedly be able to put in a request to work from home from their first day in a job under plans due to be announced later this week.If a request for flexible working is turned down then companies will have to explain the reasons for the refusal, a government consultation document will propose this week.The plan is being mooted as a considerable reshaping of the way people work post-pandemic, with people increasingly working at home more frequently due to Covid lockdowns.The consultation document is due to be published by by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) on Thursday, as reported by The Guardian.The proposal will also reportedly say that businesses will have to respond to flexible working requests faster than the current three month maximum.The current rules mean employees have to accrue half a year of continuous service before they have a legal right to request flexible working which employers are able to decline on business grounds.The suggested proposal means anyone can make a request from the start of their job, with the move aimed at enabling women, disabled people and carers to balance their work and life commitments.Labour has criticised the plans as not going far enough, with its deputy leader Angela Rayner saying: “Labour will give workers the right to flexible working – not just the right to request it – and give all workers full rights from day one on the job.“This is a U-turn from the Conservative manifesto which promised to make flexible working the default and once again the Conservatives have sold out working people.“The ‘new normal’ after this pandemic must mean a new deal for all working people based on flexibility, security and strengthened rights at work.”Additional reporting by PA More

The government and energy companies have agreed that an energy price cap should “remain in place” during crisis talks to find a solution to surging gas costs.Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng held a meeting with the industry before announcing to the Commons that ministers would not be bailing out energy firms and that the energy price cap would be “staying”.In a joint statement issued late on Monday evening, Mr Kwarteng and Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley confirmed they had taken a unified position over the price ceiling continuing.“Central to any next steps is our clear and agreed position that the energy price cap will remain in place,” they said.Mr Kwarteng had earlier told MPs the cap saves 15 million households up to £100 a year, adding: “It’s not going anywhere.”The energy price cap, following a review in August, is already set to rise. From October 1, those on default tariffs paying by direct debit face an increase of £139, rising from £1,138 to £1,277.Prepayment customers will see a higher increase of £153, taking their annual bill from £1,156 to £1,309, according to Ofgem data.Research from the Resolution Foundation has warned that this price hike combined with the planned £20 cut to Universal Credit payments will cause a “cost of living crunch” for lower income families.The uplift in Universal Credit payments is scheduled to end on 6 October. Downing Street has previously said the cut will go ahead.The crisis has been sparked by surging wholesale gas prices which have increased by 250 per cent since January. The rise in prices has been blamed on multiple factors, including a cold winter which left stocks depleted, high demand for liquefied natural gas from Asia and a reduction in supplies from Russia.Addressing MPs, Cabinet minister Mr Kwarteng said there needed to be an acceptance that gas prices “could be high for longer than people anticipate”.But he called fears of a three-day working week “alarmist”, adding: “There is absolutely no question of the lights going out or people being unable to heat their homes.”Energy suppliers are understood to be privately talking to the Government about backing loans or a “bad bank”’ style solution to a potential collapse in dozens of energy companies.The hike has caused fresh problems for supermarkets already dealing with a lorry driver shortage as warnings emerged about the potential for shortages on the shelves as the knock-on effect of the gas price rise ripples through the economy.Producers have warned that supplies of meat, poultry and fizzy drinks could all be hit due to a shortage of carbon dioxide.It follows the shutting down of two large fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire – which produce CO2 as a by-product – with the owners citing the increase in gas prices.Additional reporting by PA More

The next few months could end up being “a very difficult winter” for those hit by benefit cuts, tax hikes, and rising household bills, the business secretary has said.Kwasi Kwarteng said the National Insurance hike planned by the government would take effect in April so would be unlikely to hit at the same time as the spike in energy prices.But he acknowledged that “vulnerable customers” of energy companies would be facing a difficult situation over the winter, especially if they relied on Universal Credit to make ends meet.He was speaking after the government avoided an embarrassing rebellion on its planned benefit cuts last night, when the Speaker rejected a rebel motion put by Tory MPs protesting against the ending of a £20 uplift.Alongside the cuts and the tax increase, wholesale gas prices are rocketing in the UK, with heating bills expected to rise over the next few months. Critics say the UK decision to leave the EU single market in energy and the resulting disruption to supply is responsible for British price rises far outstripping those on the continent but the government claims the issue is “global”.Mr Kwarteng told the BBC: “You’re right to mention the National Insurance price tax rise, but of course that kicks in in April, so it’s not strictly a winter issue.”You’re also right to say that we face a global energy spike in terms of prices. But I’ve said that there are mechanisms in place now to protect consumers, I’ve been very clear that the energy price cap is staying even though some energy companies I read today are asking for it to be removed, I’ve been very clear that that’s staying, so we’re protecting customers there.”We’ve got the warm home discount, we’ve got winter fuel payments, which are again focused on the most vulnerable customers. “So, we’re completely focused on helping vulnerable customers through this winter, particularly with regard to energy prices.”Pushed on the issue of Universal Credit, he said: “It’s a difficult situation, it could be a very difficult winter.”That’s why, as energy minister, I’m very focused on helping people that are fuel poor. Universal Credit, you will know, is an issue for the Chancellor and the Work and Pensions Secretary, I’m speaking to them a great deal about it.”The prospect of another wave of Covid over the winter and the government’s production of a “plan B” with measures to tackle the virus has also raised concerns about how the coming months will play out. It comes alongside looming supply chain problems for British industries.On ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme, the Mr Kwarteng was told that families would face “the choice between heating their homes and staying warm or eating, parents who may forego meals in order to feed their kids. You need to be able to offer them some hope.”The minister responded: “You’re right, and that’s why I’m very keen to keep the warm home discount and also there are other winter fuel payments that we’re looking at.”Asked whether he had requested that Mr Sunak raise the warm home discount the minister said there had been “discussions about the Budget” that he couldn’t “possibly preempt or anticipate”.Around 4.4 million households on Universal Credit are set to see their energy bills rise significantly in October – the same month they will typically lose more than 5 per cent of disposable income as the £20-a-week uplift to the benefits payment ends, according to calculations by the Resolution Foundation think-tank.The government is also set to lift the energy price cap by £139 a year (12 per cent) to £1,277 for a typical gas and electricity customer from October 1. The Government and regulator Ofgem have agreed the price cap will remain in place despite concerns within the energy industry that it could leave some firms unable to pass costs on to consumers and drive them out of business.Mr Kwarteng said: “I’ve been very clear that the energy price cap is staying even though some energy companies I read today are asking for it to be removed, I’ve been very clear that that’s staying, so we’re protecting customers there.”We’ve got the warm home discount, we’ve got winter fuel payments, which are again focused on the most vulnerable customers. So, we’re completely focused on helping vulnerable customers through this winter, particularly with regard to energy prices.” More

Tanmanjeet Dhesi, Britain’s first MP to wear a turban, has described the racist attacks he has experienced throughout his life in the UK as a Sikh.The Labour politician became the MP for Slough in 2017, the town in which he was born and raised to Indian parents.Having faced racism throughout his life, starting in the school classroom when a pupil tried to rip his turban off, Dhesi described his experiences during an appearance on GB News.He explained racism was a common and prevalent experience across the country for many from ethnic minorities, with attacks  having ramped up following the September 11 terror attacks.Speaking to former Labour MP-turned-GB News host Gloria De Piero, he said: “When I grew up, somebody – one of my so-called classmates – thought it’d be very funny to try and pull off my turban.“I was in tears and trying to come to terms with that as a child, and that is unfortunately the experience for many.”He added:  “After the 9/11 attacks, the level of racism towards people, especially with turbans like me or with beards, increased substantially.”Dhesi insisted racism spanned further than classrooms, describing the discrimination an Indian visitor who wore a turban faced by the House Commons.“As he was queuing up outside Parliament, somebody filled with so much hatred made disparaging remarks to him, Islamophobic remarks to him, saying ‘go back to your country’,” he MP recounted.“He also, unfortunately, also tried to pull off his turban.”Dhesi admitted he had felt shame with the attack happening just outside Parliament, adding: “What image is that going to make of our country as he goes back to India?”The MP, who was appointed Shadow Minister for the Railways, said he had been likened to the Taliban for the past couple of decades, due to the colour of his skin and his choice to wear a turban.Members of the Sikh faith had been shot in the US following the September 11 terror attacks due to hatred, he said, hatred which is “instilled in so many people across not only North American, but Europe too.”Dhesi said it was a privilege to be the first turban-wearing Sikh to sit in British Parliament – and indeed, European Parliament too – but with the title came an enormous sense of responsibility to represent the community which make up some one per cent of the population.“If I say something incorrect, it won’t just reflect on me, it will reflect on anybody that wears a turban, any young children who face bullying.“I want them to look up and say ‘if he can do it, why can’t I?.” More

A Labour MP has used parliamentary privilege to claim a Conservative police and crime commissioner got sacked for stealing from his previous employer.Andy McDonald accused Steve Turner, the police and crime commissioner for Cleveland, of “systematic theft of merchandise” from former employer, Safeway supermarket.During a House of Commons debate linked to the Elections Bill, the MP for Middlesborough called for Mr Turner to resign claiming his position was now “untenable”.Parliamentary privilege enables MPs to make statements in the House of Commons without fear of being sued.Intervening on shadow cabinet office minister Cat Smith, Mr McDonald said: “On the topic of police and crime commissioner elections, is she as staggered as I am to learn that the Conservative Party’s PCC for Cleveland, Steve Turner, who was elected earlier this year, was in fact sacked in the early 2000s for systematic theft of merchandise from his then employer, Safeway supermarket, at their Norton store?”Does she agree with me that it’s totally untenable for someone who is engaged in such criminal behaviour to hold the position of PCC and he must resign from his role with immediate effect?”Ms Smith replied: “I am as staggered as my honourable friend to learn that the Conservative Party’s police and crime commissioner for Cleveland was sacked for theft from a Safeway supermarket.”And I’d certainly agree with him that it is totally untenable for a criminal to hold the position of police and crime commissioner, and that if what my honourable friend has shared with the House is true then I would expect a resignation and a by-election for that police and crime commissioner with immediate effect.”In a statement, Mr Turner said: “This is an appalling use of parliamentary privilege and I will be calling on Mr McDonald to retract his unsubstantiated allegations.”In another statement reported in the Northern Echo newspaper, he added: “The allegation he made is untrue, if he is willing to make it outside of the chamber the matter can be resolved in a libel court.” More

Foreign ministers of the European Union were due to meet in New York on Monday night to discuss the fallout from the Aukus agreement amid French fury.France denied it had called off EU trade talks with Australia over Canberra’s decision to abandon a multi-billion dollar submarine contract with the French navy in favour of a deal with the UK and US.However, the EU ministers were set to discuss the implications of the new security pact between the three Anglophone countries on the upcoming trade talks with Australia. The meeting will take place in New York as leaders and foreign ministers gather for the United Nations General Assembly.Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister, in New York called for “serious reflection” about the country’s approach to alliances after the Aukus deal caused a “rupture of trust” in international partnerships. Mr Le Drian said he had cancelled a meeting with his Australian counterpart “for obvious reasons”.French defence secretary Florence Parly postponed a meeting with with Ben Wallace, her UK counterpart, which had been due to take place on Thursday, defence sources confirmed.Mr Wallace sought to play down suggestions of a rift between the two nations, saying they were “joined at the hip” on issues such as “complex weapons, counter-terrorism, both west and east Africa” and the Middle East. There had been “no sneakiness behind the back” in planning Aukus, he said.Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Wallace said Australia had exercised its “right to choose” by forming a partnership with the UK and US.In New York, Boris Johnson said the Aukus pact was not designed to be “exclusionary”.“It is not something, I don’t think, that anyone needs to worry about – and particularly not our French friends,” he said.He added: “The UK and France have, I believe, a very important and indestructible relationship.France did not take the measure of withdrawing ambassadors from the UK. Clement Beaune, the French Europe minister, earlier described Britain a “vassal” state of the US and the “junior partner” in the UK-US relationship.Downing Street rejected accusations that Mr Johnson was “rubbing Macron’s nose in it” by meeting Joe Biden and Australian prime minister Scott Morrison while in the US.Asked whether the UK would “retaliate” to comments made by French ministers about the Aukus deal, a No 10 spokesman: “I’m not aware of any plans like that.“We’ll seek to work constructively with our French counterparts.”Some officials in Brussels interpreted the US-led pact as a warning that America has not entirely diverted from the foreign policy approach of Donald Trump.“The Aukus agreement is a case in point: It shows that there is some continuity in an ‘America First’ approach despite the change of administration in the US,” an EU diplomat said.“The United States isn’t pulling out of Europe. However, the US focus has clearly shifted to China and the Indo-Pacific region. One of the consequences of this shift is that Europe will have to do more for its own defence.”The White House said Joe Biden will call Emmanuel Macron in the coming days to “reaffirm” the US commitment to France.The call was requested by the US and will be the first discussion between the two leaders since the Aukus announcement, which led France to recall its ambassadors from the US and Australia and cancel an event to mark the 240th anniversary a joint French-American naval victory over Britain. More

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ordered an investigation into a data breach involving dozens of Afghan interpreters who worked for British forces.More than 250 former workers seeking evacuation to the UK were mistakenly copied into an email from the Ministry of Defence asking for an update on their situation, the BBC reported.John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, said: “We told these Afghans interpreters we would keep them safe, instead this breach has needlessly put lives at risk.“This is the second major data breach from the MoD this year, after sensitive documents were discovered at a bus stop in Kent in June. Clearly, the defence secretary needs to get his house in order.”A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “An investigation has been launched into a data breach of information from the Afghan Relocations Assistance Policy team.“We apologise to everyone impacted by this breach and are working hard to ensure it does not happen again.“The Ministry of Defence takes its information and data handling responsibilities very seriously.”One of the affected interpreters told the BBC that some others failed to spot the mistake and replied to the entire list with further personal details. The email was sent by the team in charge of the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which has been dealing with claims of refuge since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August.Conservative MP Johnny Mercer said the treatment of Afghan interpreters had been “deeply shameful”.“In July, myself along with many others in defence asked the Defence Secretary and the Home Secretary to sort out the Arap programme,” he said.“They wrote a churlish letter back saying we were reacting to ‘significant misreporting’ and our concerns were ‘simply not true’.“I told them they would regret their childish approach to a genuine effort to protect those who had served in harms way on behalf of our nation.“Their hubris will cost lives; this latest episode will only accelerate that. Deeply shameful.” More

Boris Johnson has dismissed a row between two of his most senior cabinet colleagues over the use of the country house Chevening as “frippery” which would not distract him from his policy priorities.The 17th-century Kent manor is traditionally used as the country retreat for the foreign secretary, in a similar way to the prime minister’s Chequers getaway in Buckinghamshire.But outgoing foreign secretary Dominic Raab is refusing to hand it over to his successor Liz Truss, arguing that his new title of deputy prime minister entitles him to hold onto it.The final decision rests with Mr Johnson, who made clear he has not yet decided who will get to use the 15-bedroom property, which sits in extensive parkland near Sevenoaks.Asked if Raab or Truss would get the house, or whether they would be asked to share it, Mr Johnson responded: “The people’s government does not bother with fripperies and foibles of this kind. These types of questions, we will address in due course. But as I say, we are focused on people’s priorities.”Speaking to reporters on his trip to the US, Mr Johnson also dodged questions over his reported ambition to serve 10 years as prime minister.“Our eyes are focused on the task ahead and anybody who thinks that they can predict what will happen further down the track is really, you know…” he said when the reported comment was put to him.“What this government wants to do is get on with delivering the people’s priorities, get on with delivering our manifesto commitments,” he added. “We got Brexit done, we have got the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe and we are dealing with some of the big things that have been neglected for decades, not least social care and the cruelty of the current system. We have got a big agenda we are getting on with.”He gave similarly short shrift to suggestions that he may bring the next general election, scheduled for 2024, forward to 2023 or even 2022.“We are focused absolutely resolutely and implacably on the task in hand and in delivering on our manifesto commitments; making the country safer – putting more police on the streets – building more hospitals; fixing social care; uniting and levelling up across the country,” he replied.“I think one thing people got right in their brilliant interpretations of the reshuffle is that we attach massive significance towards what Michael Gove is doing in his new department and I would also draw your attention to the appointment of Andy Haldane (as head of the levelling up taskforce). He won’t be there forever, but he’s got a lot to offer and again a signal of the seriousness to which we attach this mission of levelling up.”The home of the earls of Stanhope for generations, Chevening was passed on to a trust in 1959 to serve as a country residence for a royal or a cabinet member nominated by the PM.Since the 1970s, the house has almost always been occupied by the foreign secretary, though Nick Clegg shared it with William Hague during his time as DPM from 2010-15.During his stint as foreign secretary, Mr Johnson was required by Theresa May to share occupancy with international trade secretary Liam Fox and Brexit secretary David Davis, on the grounds that each may have to host foreign visitors and leaders.Ms Truss replaced Mr Raab as foreign secretary in Wednesday’s reshuffle, but Mr Raab was granted the rank of deputy prime minister as a consolation, alongside his other titles of justice secretary and Lord Chancellor. More