UK Politics

Boris Johnson has stepped up threats to tear up the Northern Ireland Protocol ahead of an expected Bill as early as next week, warning Dublin the crisis is “now very serious”.The prime minister told Micheál Martin, the Irish Taoiseach, that “repeated efforts” to reach agreement with the EU had failed – accusing Brussels of failing to take “the steps necessary”.Legislation to override the Brexit deal – potentially triggering a hugely damaging trade war with the EU – could be published next week, allies of Liz Truss are suggesting.But one senior Tory accused Mr Johnson of “sabre rattling again”, warning the UK’s reputation will suffer if it moves “unilaterally” to shred an international agreement it has signed.“Inflation up, recession on horizon and we think now a good time for a trade war with our nearest neighbours?” Simon Hoare, the chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs committee asked.Draft legislation has been drawn up to abolish the checks on goods exported from Britain for use in Northern Ireland that Mr Johnson signed up to in the 2019 agreement.It is thought it could also allow businesses in Northern Ireland to disregard EU rules and regulations and remove the power of the European Court of Justice to rule on issues.The Bill – if passed into law by parliament – would override the Protocol, which kept the north within the EU single market and customs union, to avoid a hard border in Ireland.Downing Street said the two leaders agreed on the vital importance of restoring the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland as soon as possible, amid a Democratic Unionist Party boycott.But a spokesperson said: “The prime minister made clear that the situation in respect of the Northern Ireland Protocol was now very serious.”“The balance of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement was being undermined and the recent elections had further demonstrated that the Protocol was not sustainable in its current form.”No 10 said “the European Commission had not taken the steps necessary to help address the economic and political disruption on the ground”“The prime minister reiterated that the UK government would take action to protect peace and political stability in Northern Ireland if solutions could not be found,” the spokesperson added.But Mr Martin urged London to pull back, tweeting: “Spoke to Prime Minister Boris Johnson this morning. On the Protocol, I stressed need to intensify EU and UK discussions, and to avoid any unilateral action.”Allies of Ms Truss have appeared to name Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, and levelling up secretary Michael Gove as opponents of a unilateral move – amid fears for the economy.The cabinet is not yet thought to have agreed the next move, with the prime minister also weighing up how to boost his support among Tory MPs amid the ongoing Partygate scandal. More

Months after Boris Johnson was hit by revelations of Downing Street parties during strict Covid rules, Sir Keir Starmer is facing his own allegations of breaches. The names may be similar – “Partygate” and “Beergate” – but the gatherings and the politicians’ reactions to them differ. Both men have been under intense scrutiny for their involvement in events that took place during when the nation faced strict rules over socialising in a bid to curb the spread of Covid. While the prime minister has resisted calls to resign over Partygate, it has been suggested it played a role in Tory defeats in local elections. One of his own MPs said public anger over the scandal was the “clear message” sent by voters. Meanwhile Sir Keir is facing renewed attention over a meal in Durham last spring after police opened an investigation.He is being accused of hypocrisy by Tories following his fierce criticism of those involved in Partygate. But can we compare the two? And where are they different?Let’s take a look:What happened?Sir Keir is facing allegations from opponents that a beer-and-curry gathering in Durham in April last year breached lockdown rules.Labour insists the food was consumed between work events, meaning it was within the rules despite the ban on indoor socialising.But the Labour leader faced fresh questions after a leaked memo suggested the takeaway was planned, with no further work apparently scheduled after dinner.Meanwhile Partygate centres around a number of social events held in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office during strict Covid restrictions. This includes a “bring your own booze” party, leaving dos and reports of a surprise gathering for the prime minister’s birthday. The Independent has run through all party allegations here. What were the rules at the time?At the time of the Durham event, Covid rules meant that indoor gatherings were prevented apart from for work purposes.As Partygate spans nearly a year, the laws and restrictions changed between events. For example, the first one – a wine and pizza gathering was held in the No 10 rose garden in May 2020 – took place while people from different households could only meet one-on-one outdoors.When two leaving drinks reportedly happened the day before the Queen sat alone at Prince Philip’s funeral nearly a year later, indoor mixing was banned in England. Are police involved?Yes to both. Last week, Durham Constabulary said it would investigate the Beergate gathering for potential breaches of Covid laws following “significant” new information. It had previously decided to take no action over it. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Partygate earlier this year following intense pressure and has been issuing fines ever since. It is looking at 12 events as part of this “Operation Hillman”. Who has been fined?So far, no one has been fined over Beergate. In contract, more than 50 fixed penalty notices have been handed out by the Met over Partygate – including to Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak. What have the party leaders said?On Monday, Sir Keir has vowed to resign as Labour leader if he is fined by police over Beergate, saying this would be the “right thing” to do. But he has insisted no rules were broken at the beer-and-curry gathering. Mr Johnson – still prime minister – has obviously not resigned after receiving his Partygate fine. Instead, he offered the British public a “full apology” and also apologised to MPs in parliament. What have their own MPs said?Senior Tories called for Mr Johnson to go after he received a fixed penalty notice in April. Others defended him, including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Grant Shapps, who said the PM was “mortified” but did not break Covid laws with “malice” nor “intent”. Close allies of Sir Keir have also rushed to his defence, including Lisa Nandy – who called her boss “Mr Rules” who isolated six times in the pandemic – and Wes Streeting, who said the party was not “entertaining” the idea of the leader stepping down as no rules were broken. Dianne Abbot said the Labour leader should “consider his position” if he is fined but thought there was “a lot of hype built up by the Tory press” over Beergate. More

The Prince of Wales delivered the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday as he stepped in for his mother, who missed the occasion for only the third time.The speech unveiled a package of 38 bills outlining the legislative plans of Boris Johnson’s government for the next year.Here is the full text of the speech:“My lords and members of the House of Commons.“My Government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families.“My Government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work.“My ministers will continue to support the police to make the streets safer, and fund the National Health Service to reduce the Covid backlogs.“In these challenging times, my Government will play a leading rolein defending democracy and freedom across the world, including continuing tosupport the people of Ukraine.“My Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.“This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes.“My ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to its target.“A bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas, and ensuring everyone can share in the United Kingdom’s success.“The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement in local development.“My Government will improve transport across the United Kingdom, delivering safer, cleaner services and enabling more innovations. Legislation will be introduced to modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers.“My ministers will bring forward an Energy Bill to deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy. This will build on the success of the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year.“Draft legislation to promote competition, strengthen consumer rights and protect households and businesses will be published.“Measures will also be published to create new competition rules fordigital markets and the largest digital firms.“My Government will establish the UK Infrastructure Bank in legislation, withobjectives to support economic growth and the delivery of net zero.“Reforms to education will help every child fulfil their potential wherever they live, raising standards and improving the quality of schools and higher education.“My ministers will publish draft legislation to reform the Mental Health Act.“My Government will continue to seize the opportunities of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, to support economic growth. Regulations on businesses will be repealed and reformed.“A bill will enable law inherited from the European Union to be more easily amended.“Public sector procurement will be simplified to provide new opportunities for small businesses.“New legislation will strengthen the United Kingdom’s financial services industry, ensuring that it continues to act in the interest of all people and communities.“The United Kingdom’s data protection regime will be reformed.“My Government will continue to champion international trade, delivering jobs across the country and growing the economy.“Legislation will be introduced to enable the implementation of the United Kingdom’s first new Free Trade Agreements since leaving the European Union.“My Ministers will encourage agricultural and scientific innovation at home.“Legislation will unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production.“My Government will protect the integrity of the United Kingdom’s borders and ensure the safety of its people.“My ministers will take action to prevent dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and tackle the criminal gangs who profit from facilitating them.“Legislation will be introduced to ensure the police have the powers to make the streets safer.“A bill will be brought forward to further strengthen powers to tackle illicit finance, reduce economic crime and help businesses grow.

My Government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families.The Prince of Wales delivering the Queen’s Speech“Measures will be introduced to support the security services and help them protect the United Kingdom.“My Government will lead the way in championing security around the world. It will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces.“My ministers will work closely with international partners to maintain a united NATO and address the most pressing global security challenges.“The continued success and integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom is ofparamount importance to my Government, including the internal economic bonds between all of its parts.“My Government will prioritise support for the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its institutions, including through legislation to address the legacy of the past.“My Government will ensure the constitution is defended. My ministers will restore the balance of power between the legislature and the courts by introducing a Bill of Rights.“Legislation will prevent public bodies engaging in boycotts that undermine community cohesion.“My Government will introduce legislation to improve the regulation of social housing to strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes.“Legislation will also be introduced to ban conversion therapy.“Proposals will be published to establish an independent regulator of English football.“In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, I look forward to the celebrations taking place across the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, and to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.“Members of the House of Commons. Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.“My lords and members of the House of Commons. Other measures will be laid before you.“I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.” More

The Prince of Wales delivered the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday as he stepped in for his mother, who missed the occasion for only the third time.The speech unveiled a package of 38 bills outlining the legislative plans of Boris Johnson’s government for the next year.Here is the full text of the speech:“My lords and members of the House of Commons.“My Government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families.“My Government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work.“My ministers will continue to support the police to make the streets safer, and fund the National Health Service to reduce the Covid backlogs.“In these challenging times, my Government will play a leading rolein defending democracy and freedom across the world, including continuing tosupport the people of Ukraine.“My Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.“This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes.“My ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to its target.“A bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas, and ensuring everyone can share in the United Kingdom’s success.“The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement in local development.“My Government will improve transport across the United Kingdom, delivering safer, cleaner services and enabling more innovations. Legislation will be introduced to modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers.“My ministers will bring forward an Energy Bill to deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy. This will build on the success of the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year.“Draft legislation to promote competition, strengthen consumer rights and protect households and businesses will be published.“Measures will also be published to create new competition rules fordigital markets and the largest digital firms.“My Government will establish the UK Infrastructure Bank in legislation, withobjectives to support economic growth and the delivery of net zero.“Reforms to education will help every child fulfil their potential wherever they live, raising standards and improving the quality of schools and higher education.“My ministers will publish draft legislation to reform the Mental Health Act.“My Government will continue to seize the opportunities of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, to support economic growth. Regulations on businesses will be repealed and reformed.“A bill will enable law inherited from the European Union to be more easily amended.“Public sector procurement will be simplified to provide new opportunities for small businesses.“New legislation will strengthen the United Kingdom’s financial services industry, ensuring that it continues to act in the interest of all people and communities.“The United Kingdom’s data protection regime will be reformed.“My Government will continue to champion international trade, delivering jobs across the country and growing the economy.“Legislation will be introduced to enable the implementation of the United Kingdom’s first new Free Trade Agreements since leaving the European Union.“My Ministers will encourage agricultural and scientific innovation at home.“Legislation will unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production.“My Government will protect the integrity of the United Kingdom’s borders and ensure the safety of its people.“My ministers will take action to prevent dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and tackle the criminal gangs who profit from facilitating them.“Legislation will be introduced to ensure the police have the powers to make the streets safer.“A bill will be brought forward to further strengthen powers to tackle illicit finance, reduce economic crime and help businesses grow.

My Government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families.The Prince of Wales delivering the Queen’s Speech“Measures will be introduced to support the security services and help them protect the United Kingdom.“My Government will lead the way in championing security around the world. It will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces.“My ministers will work closely with international partners to maintain a united NATO and address the most pressing global security challenges.“The continued success and integrity of the whole of the United Kingdom is ofparamount importance to my Government, including the internal economic bonds between all of its parts.“My Government will prioritise support for the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its institutions, including through legislation to address the legacy of the past.“My Government will ensure the constitution is defended. My ministers will restore the balance of power between the legislature and the courts by introducing a Bill of Rights.“Legislation will prevent public bodies engaging in boycotts that undermine community cohesion.“My Government will introduce legislation to improve the regulation of social housing to strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes.“Legislation will also be introduced to ban conversion therapy.“Proposals will be published to establish an independent regulator of English football.“In this year of my Platinum Jubilee, I look forward to the celebrations taking place across the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, and to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.“Members of the House of Commons. Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.“My lords and members of the House of Commons. Other measures will be laid before you.“I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.” More

A Data Reform Bill to enable the UK to reform its data protection regime and deviate from EU rules has been announced.The Government said it wants to use Brexit as an opportunity to replace “highly complex” data protection laws inherited from the European Union.The Bill, included in the Queen’s Speech, would be used to reform the existing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act, which the Government describes as complex and says currently encourages “excessive paperwork”.The Government said the Bill would look to streamline data protection laws and cut red tape, reducing the burden on businesses by creating a more flexible, outcomes-focused approach “rather than box-ticking exercises” while also introducing clearer rules around personal data use.

I’d imagine we’d see more of a pruning than root and branch reform, but hopefully we’re not left waiting too long to find outRafi Azim-Khan, head of data privacy at law firm PillsburyFull details of the proposals have not yet been published, but it has been reported that as part of the reforms the web cookie consent banners that appear when visiting a website could be scrapped.The Government said the changes would help increase the competitiveness of UK businesses and boost the economy.The proposals also include plans to modernise the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK’s data watchdog, to make sure it has the capabilities and powers to take stronger action against organisations that breach data rules.Rafi Azim-Khan, head of data privacy at law firm Pillsbury, said the Government’s plans for data reform were not surprising, but warned against a large departure from EU law, which could risk the UK’s data adequacy ruling from the EU, which recognises the UK’s data protection standards post-Brexit and allows the continued flow of data between the two.“There has been quite a lot of talk of the UK reforming its data laws, so this isn’t a bolt from the blue by any means,” he said.“I think there will still be quite a bit of nervousness from businesses in the weeks ahead though.“Any significant departure from the GDPR would not only mean renewed compliance efforts, but also potentially risk the UK’s EU data adequacy ruling.“I’d imagine we’d see more of a pruning than root and branch reform, but hopefully we’re not left waiting too long to find out.” More

Boris Johnson’s government has again pledged to reform renters’ rights by scrapping no-fault evictions in England — after years of failing to act.Proposals seeking to overturn section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act, which allows landlords to evict tenants without reason and with just eight weeks’ notice, were first outlined by Theresa May back in April 2019.The pledge was also included in Mr Johnson’s 2019 election manifesto, with a vow to introduce a Renters’ Reform Bill at the Queen’s Speech the same year – some 29 months ago.However, the legislation was never presented in the last session Parliament, with campaigners warning around 230,000 tenants suffered the misery of no-fault evictions since the Conservatives first made the pledge to scrap the practice.According to the government’s own figures, more than one fifth of private renters in 2019-20 did not end their last tenancy by choice, and faced an average of £1,400 in moving costs as well as likely paying increased rents.In today’s Queen’s Speech — setting out the government’s agenda for next Parliament — ministers again vowed to introduce a “Renters’ Reform Bill”.The government claimed it would deliver a “better deal for renters through reforms” to the 4.4 million households in England’s private rented sector.It added ending no-fault evictions – already abolished in Scotland – will provide “security for tenants in the private rented sectors and empowering them to challenge poor and unfair rent increase without fear of retaliatory eviction”.Possession grounds for landlords will also be reformed, with “stronger grounds for repeated incidences of rent arrears and reducing notice periods for anti-social behaviour, ensuring that they can regain their property efficiently when needed”.The government said a White Paper setting out proposals for “landmark reform in the private rented sector” will be published “shortly”, but campaigners have previously criticised the lack of action from ministers.Last month, Polly Neate, the chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter, said: “It’s appalling that every seven minutes another private renter is slapped with a no-fault eviction notice despite the government promising to scrap these grossly unfair evictions three years ago”.Ms Neate, who demanded the government finally make good on its promise, added: “It’s no wonder many renters feel forgotten. Millions of private renters are living in limbo — never truly able to settle — in case their landlord kicks the out on a whim”. More

Watch live as MPs debate government agenda set out in Queen’s SpeechLabour MPs have criticised the government for a lack of strategy in tackling the cost of living crisis in today’s Queen’s speech.MP Zarah Sultana spoke out against the measures laid out at the State Opening of Parliament, saying the government has failed to “outline any plans to solve” the “biggest fall of living standards since records began”. She added that the speech “shows the Tories don’t have a clue what life is like for ordinary people”. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons that the Government had to face up to the cost-of-living crisis and the challenge of a stagnating economy to “get Britain growing again”.The Labour leader said: “If the Tories had simply matched Labour’s record on growth in government, people would have had higher incomes, boosting public finances and we could have spent £40 billion more on public services without having to raise a single tax.”Instead, he said, the UK was forecast to have the slowest growth in the G7 apart from Russia in the next year, and its public services were suffering. Show latest update

1652194454Prime minister says Britain cannot ‘spend’ its way out of cost of living crisis Boris Johnson told MPs: “However great our compassion and ingenuity, we cannot simply spend our way out of this problem, we need to grow out of this problem by creating hundreds of thousands of new high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country.”Intervening, Labour MP Sarah Owen (Luton North) said Mr Johnson had yet to give an apology to the “pensioners choosing between heating and eating, an apology to the children that have gone hungry throughout school holidays, and an apology to the hundreds of thousands of family members of Covid victims that were lost during the pandemic”.Mr Johnson replied: “Of course this Government is doing all we can to help people during the pandemic, to help pensioners – and by the way it was this Government that introduced the triple lock for pensioners to protect them.”The triple lock was introduced by the previous Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, while the current Government temporarily suspended the earnings element of the triple lock for 2022/23 due to concerns over the distorting impact of the coronavirus crisis on wages.Mr Johnson went on to defend support offered by the Government to help people, adding: “Be in no doubt, this is what I think everybody in this country needs to understand, what we’re doing is making sure that we have a strong economy with high-wage, high-skill jobs that will enable us to take this country forward.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:541652194223Opinion: Just saying things isn’t enough, prime minister – even if you can get Prince Charles to say them for you“The words ‘cost of living’ appeared in the intro, slotted in right at the top and dutifully read out by Prince Charles while Prince William on the other side of the crown and stared into the middle distance, trying not to look the long decades of his terrifyingly tedious future too closely in the eye.Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:501652193927Prime minister says the government will have ‘fiscal firepower to help families’ after 2024Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that, after 2024, the Government will have “the fiscal firepower to help families up and down the country”.He added: “My right honourable friend the Chancellor and I will be saying more about this in the days to come. But at the same time as we help people, we need the legislative firepower to fix the underlying problems in energy supply, in housing, in infrastructure and in skills which are driving up costs for families across the country.“And this Queen’s Speech takes those issues head on. And above all, we are tackling the economic challenges with the best solution of all and that is an ever growing number of high wage, high skill jobs. Jobs, jobs, jobs.“And we drive up employment by creating the right platform for business to invest, making our streets safer, 20,000 more police, creating a healthier population, 50,000 more nurses, funding the NHS to help them clear the Covid backlogs and giving the confidence that people know that they will be looked after in old age by fixing social care.“Delivering gigabit broadband, giving the remotest parts of the country have the access that they need, and using our Brexit freedoms to enable revolutionary technologies like gene editing to help our farmers grow more nutritious and more productive crops.“And it’s that combination of public and private sector together that is tackling unemployment with half a million people more on the payroll now before the pandemic began.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:451652193623Prime minister calls Starmer the ‘leader of the opposition of the moment’Boris Johnson is met with cheers in the Commons as he repeatedly calls Sir Keir Starmer “the leader of the opposition of the moment” as a jibe against the latter’s Beergate allegations. Read more about the Labour leader’s Beergate scandal and how it differs from Partygate:Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:401652193430Prime minister says despite aftershocks of pandemic still being felt, Britain will be fastest-growing economy in G7 by 2024Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK will be again the fastest-growing economy in the G7 by 2024.He added: “As we come to the halfway point of this Parliament, this country has seen off the biggest challenge any post-war government has faced, but the cost of the pandemic has been huge with the biggest fall in output for 300 years that necessitated government expenditure of £400 billion and the aftershocks are still being felt across the world with a global spike in energy prices, the impact we are seeing on the cost of food, and it’s precisely because this Government got the big calls right and made the tough decisions during the pandemic that we had the fastest economic growth in the G7 last year and will return to that status by the way by 2024.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:371652192970Labour leader thanks Queen for her ‘commitment to public duty’Sir Keir Starmer earlier paid tribute to the Queen, telling MPs: “Her dedication to Britain has been a reassuring constant in an ever-changing world, her commitment to public duty a reminder of the responsibilities we all owe each other, her dignity and her leadership an inspiration to all of us.“She will forever have all of our thanks for 70 years of service to our country. We all wish her well.”He added: “I also want to congratulate the Prime Minister, he’s achieved a new first, the first resident of Downing Street to be a constituent of a Labour council. I’m sure they will serve him well.”Sir Keir also thanked the mover and seconder of the Queen’s Speech, noting how Fay Jones could be an “iron lady in the making” after her exploits in completing an “ironman” race.Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:291652192779Prime minister pays tribute to late Sir David AmessBoris Johnson has paid tribute to late Sir David Amess as he said time will not ‘diminish the shock’ of his death. More

Watch live as MPs debate government agenda set out in Queen’s SpeechLabour MPs have criticised the government for a lack of strategy in tackling the cost of living crisis in today’s Queen’s speech.MP Zarah Sultana spoke out against the measures laid out at the State Opening of Parliament, saying the government has failed to “outline any plans to solve” the “biggest fall of living standards since records began”. She added that the speech “shows the Tories don’t have a clue what life is like for ordinary people”. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons that the Government had to face up to the cost-of-living crisis and the challenge of a stagnating economy to “get Britain growing again”.The Labour leader said: “If the Tories had simply matched Labour’s record on growth in government, people would have had higher incomes, boosting public finances and we could have spent £40 billion more on public services without having to raise a single tax.”Instead, he said, the UK was forecast to have the slowest growth in the G7 apart from Russia in the next year, and its public services were suffering. Show latest update

1652194454Prime minister says Britain cannot ‘spend’ its way out of cost of living crisis Boris Johnson told MPs: “However great our compassion and ingenuity, we cannot simply spend our way out of this problem, we need to grow out of this problem by creating hundreds of thousands of new high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country.”Intervening, Labour MP Sarah Owen (Luton North) said Mr Johnson had yet to give an apology to the “pensioners choosing between heating and eating, an apology to the children that have gone hungry throughout school holidays, and an apology to the hundreds of thousands of family members of Covid victims that were lost during the pandemic”.Mr Johnson replied: “Of course this Government is doing all we can to help people during the pandemic, to help pensioners – and by the way it was this Government that introduced the triple lock for pensioners to protect them.”The triple lock was introduced by the previous Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, while the current Government temporarily suspended the earnings element of the triple lock for 2022/23 due to concerns over the distorting impact of the coronavirus crisis on wages.Mr Johnson went on to defend support offered by the Government to help people, adding: “Be in no doubt, this is what I think everybody in this country needs to understand, what we’re doing is making sure that we have a strong economy with high-wage, high-skill jobs that will enable us to take this country forward.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:541652194223Opinion: Just saying things isn’t enough, prime minister – even if you can get Prince Charles to say them for you“The words ‘cost of living’ appeared in the intro, slotted in right at the top and dutifully read out by Prince Charles while Prince William on the other side of the crown and stared into the middle distance, trying not to look the long decades of his terrifyingly tedious future too closely in the eye.Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:501652193927Prime minister says the government will have ‘fiscal firepower to help families’ after 2024Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that, after 2024, the Government will have “the fiscal firepower to help families up and down the country”.He added: “My right honourable friend the Chancellor and I will be saying more about this in the days to come. But at the same time as we help people, we need the legislative firepower to fix the underlying problems in energy supply, in housing, in infrastructure and in skills which are driving up costs for families across the country.“And this Queen’s Speech takes those issues head on. And above all, we are tackling the economic challenges with the best solution of all and that is an ever growing number of high wage, high skill jobs. Jobs, jobs, jobs.“And we drive up employment by creating the right platform for business to invest, making our streets safer, 20,000 more police, creating a healthier population, 50,000 more nurses, funding the NHS to help them clear the Covid backlogs and giving the confidence that people know that they will be looked after in old age by fixing social care.“Delivering gigabit broadband, giving the remotest parts of the country have the access that they need, and using our Brexit freedoms to enable revolutionary technologies like gene editing to help our farmers grow more nutritious and more productive crops.“And it’s that combination of public and private sector together that is tackling unemployment with half a million people more on the payroll now before the pandemic began.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:451652193623Prime minister calls Starmer the ‘leader of the opposition of the moment’Boris Johnson is met with cheers in the Commons as he repeatedly calls Sir Keir Starmer “the leader of the opposition of the moment” as a jibe against the latter’s Beergate allegations. Read more about the Labour leader’s Beergate scandal and how it differs from Partygate:Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:401652193430Prime minister says despite aftershocks of pandemic still being felt, Britain will be fastest-growing economy in G7 by 2024Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK will be again the fastest-growing economy in the G7 by 2024.He added: “As we come to the halfway point of this Parliament, this country has seen off the biggest challenge any post-war government has faced, but the cost of the pandemic has been huge with the biggest fall in output for 300 years that necessitated government expenditure of £400 billion and the aftershocks are still being felt across the world with a global spike in energy prices, the impact we are seeing on the cost of food, and it’s precisely because this Government got the big calls right and made the tough decisions during the pandemic that we had the fastest economic growth in the G7 last year and will return to that status by the way by 2024.”Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:371652192970Labour leader thanks Queen for her ‘commitment to public duty’Sir Keir Starmer earlier paid tribute to the Queen, telling MPs: “Her dedication to Britain has been a reassuring constant in an ever-changing world, her commitment to public duty a reminder of the responsibilities we all owe each other, her dignity and her leadership an inspiration to all of us.“She will forever have all of our thanks for 70 years of service to our country. We all wish her well.”He added: “I also want to congratulate the Prime Minister, he’s achieved a new first, the first resident of Downing Street to be a constituent of a Labour council. I’m sure they will serve him well.”Sir Keir also thanked the mover and seconder of the Queen’s Speech, noting how Fay Jones could be an “iron lady in the making” after her exploits in completing an “ironman” race.Maryam Zakir-Hussain10 May 2022 15:291652192779Prime minister pays tribute to late Sir David AmessBoris Johnson has paid tribute to late Sir David Amess as he said time will not ‘diminish the shock’ of his death. More