UK Politics

Related video: Darts crowd chants ‘Stand up if you hate Boris’ at world championship The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is due to decide before the end of the week whether it will investigate a Green peer’s complaint about the Metropolitan Police’s handling of an alleged Downing Street party.Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb suggested the force’s “refusal to investigate” allegations about an event held at No 10 on 18 December last year – during lockdown – could amount to “aiding and abetting a criminal offence”.In her complaint, Lady Jones also claimed commissioner Dame Cressida Dick’s refusal to look into the potentially illegal Christmas do could amount to “a conflict of interest and a potential cover-up”, arguing that police “must” have known of any such event due to their “extensive presence” at the PM’s residence. The Tories have dipped to their lowest approval rating since Boris Johnson prorogued parliament in 2019 – a move ultimately deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. Labour is enjoying a six-point lead, on 36 per cent, according to the YouGov survey, conducted forThe Times, while the Tories are down at 30 per cent. Show latest update

1640183958Revealed: Social worker visits carried out over video callVulnerable children and families are still being seen by social workers over video call rather than in-person long after the end of lockdown – raising fears that abuse could be slipping through the net.During the first Covid wave, use of WhatsApp and other digital platforms for visits was widespread, though face-to-face encounters continued for high-risk cases.Now, though it is understood the majority of visits are in-person, video calls are still taking place, with one London borough’s children and family social workers conducting one in six visits virtually this month, report our social affairs correspondent May Bulman and chief reporter Simon Murphy.Sam Hancock22 December 2021 14:391640182188People who refuse Covid vaccine are ‘idiots’, Blair saysPeople who are medically allowed to get a Covid vaccine but refuse to do so are “idiots”, Tony Blair has said as he backed Boris Johnson‘s “gamble” to continue with plan B restrictions in the run-up to Christmas Day amid the spread of the Omicron variant.“If you’re not vaccinated and you’re eligible, you’re not just irresponsible, you’re an idiot,” the former PM said in an interview about Covid broadcast on Wednesday morning.Mr Blair has made repeated interventions during the pandemic and his Institue for Global Change thinktank has been credited with devising policy proposals later adopted by government, writes Matt Mathers.Sam Hancock22 December 2021 14:091640181165Watch: Wales brings back rule of six and distancing from Boxing DayWales brings back rule of six and distancing from Boxing Day, first minister saysSam Hancock22 December 2021 13:521640179969Nearly two-thirds of voters say Tories ‘untrustworthy’The proportion of people who see the Conservative Party as untrustworthy has risen by eight percentage points in two months, a new poll has found.Some 64 per cent of UK voters, when asked whether they would use the term for the party, agreed, up from 56 per cent in mid-October, according to YouGov.The percentage who considered the party trustworthy was down from 16 to 10.Jane Dalton22 December 2021 13:321640178653UK and EU agree fish catch limits for next yearThe UK and the EU have agreed catch limits for next year for around 70 fish species, after ending annual negotiations, the government says.The deal involves around 140,000 tonnes of “fishing opportunities” for the UK fleet, estimated to be worth around £313m, based on historic landing prices, officials say. The agreement also commits the UK and the EU to “rapidly develop multi-year strategies for non-quota species”.But environmental law charity Client Earth accused the government of “ignoring the warning bells scientists have been sounding for years” for vulnerable stocks on the verge of collapse – like West of Scotland and Celtic Sea cod, and Irish Sea whiting.The organisation said: “These stocks of cod and other species that are often taken as bycatch have been in a dire state for decades and the recurring scientific advice for zero catches has never been followed. “Less than 3,000 tonnes of adult cod are left in the Celtic Sea and less than 3,500 tonnes in the West of Scotland, according to the latest scientific advice – compared to over 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes respectively at their peak in the 1980s.”Jane Dalton22 December 2021 13:101640176537Wales to bring back rule of six for hospitality on Boxing DayWales will introduce new Covid restrictions from Boxing Day, including the “rule of six” for hospitality venues, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced.Effective from 6am on 26 December, there will be a “general requirement of 2 metre social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable”.All licences premises will also be required to re-introduce table service and mandatory face coverings apart from when customers are seated, reports our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn.Sam Hancock22 December 2021 12:351640175637Junk food tax to tackle obesity back on govt agenda – reportA junk food tax to prevent the obesity crisis overwhelming the NHS budget is back on the government’s agenda, the author of a landmark report says.Boris Johnson dismayed health campaigners by appearing to rule out the £3bn levy earlier this year, saying he is not “attracted to the idea of extra taxes on hardworking people”. But Henry Dimbleby suggested the PM had misunderstood his recommendation – and said he believed the health secretary Sajid Javid is now ready to act. “I think Sajid Javid understands now that we need to intervene,” he added.Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:Sam Hancock22 December 2021 12:201640174737Watch: Tony Blair brands unvaccinated people ‘idiots’Tony Blair says unvaccinated are ‘idiots’Sam Hancock22 December 2021 12:051640174097Sunak urged by 50 MPs and peers to increase statutory sick payOver 50 cross-party MPs and peers have demanded Rishi Sunak urgently increase statutory sick pay, warning the current level forces workers to choose between “putting food on the table and self-isolating”.In a letter to the chancellor — seen by The Independent — the parliamentarians accused the government of repeatedly failing to “properly” support workers, as the country faces a new wave of Covid.They stressed that since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 it has been “clear” increasing sick pay levels would “significantly increase” the number of people who can afford to self-isolate after testing positive, reports our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn. Sam Hancock22 December 2021 11:541640173248Police watchdog to decide on Met’s handling of No 10 party probe ‘in days’An update on the Met Police complaint story. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is expected to decide before Christmas whether or not to investigate a complaint over the force’s handling of an alleged Downing Street party.Scotland Yard referred itself to the watchdog after concerns were raised over its response to the event, thought to have been held on 18 December last year, and the lack of an investigation into it. It is understood the IOPC will make a decision before the end of the week, according to the PA news agency. Acting detective chief superintendent Tony O’Sullivan, directorate of professional standards, told Lady Jones this has been referred to the IOPC given “you effectively allege misconduct in public office by MPS police officers”. He added: “The IOPC will now make a determination as to whether the complaint needs to be investigated and, if so, how.”On the second part, a Met inspector said it relates to Lady Jones’s complaint that Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has “refused to investigate allegations of an unlawful gathering on 18 December 2020”.This has been referred to the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (Mopac), which sets the direction and budget for the Met. Both the IOPC and Mopac have confirmed they are assessing the complaints to decide if further action is required. More

Wales will introduce new Covid restrictions from Boxing Day, including the “rule of six” for hospitality venues, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced.Moving to “alert level two”, the Welsh government said they were facing a “very serious situation” as a result of the Omicron variant, with “many thousands” of new cases expected per day after Christmas.Effective from 6am on 26 December, the government will introduce a “general requirement of 2 metre social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable”.Gatherings in venues such as pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres will be limited to six people while all licensed premises will be required to re-introduce table service. Face coverings will also be mandatory apart from when customers are seated.Mr Drakeford added on Wednesday that large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors, with the maximum number of people of people who can gather at indoor event being capped at 30 and 50 outdoors.The Welsh government said it will not be making rules about mixing inside households and private gardens in small numbers, instead issuing guidance strongly advising people to “limit the number of people visiting your home” and taking lateral flow tests before visiting others.However, a separate offence will be created for large gatherings inside homes with more than 30 people or 50 people outdoors.Mr Drakeford, the first minister, said: “We are facing a very serious situation in Wales. A wave of infections caused by the new, fast-moving and very infectious omicron variant is headed our way.He added: “This new form of coronavirus could infect large numbers of people in Wales, disrupting daily lives and businesses and could cause an increase in the number of people who need hospital care in the coming weeks.”“We will do everything we can to protect people’s health and livelihoods in Wales – this means taking early action to try and control its spread.Mr Drakeford added that £120 million would be available for nightclubs, retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by the move to alert level two – double the £60 million package announced last week.Last week, new measures were announced for workplaces and retail – these will now come into force on Boxing Day, including the closure of nightclubs.Mr Drakeford added: “The most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves against Omicron is to be fully vaccinated – that means also having the booster. If you are eligible for a booster then please make getting it a priority in the coming weeks.“As we enter our second winter of the pandemic, we have high vaccination coverage and tens of thousands of extra boosters are being given every day. We also have access to the rapid lateral flow tests to help us all identify signs of infection without symptoms.“Both of these, together with everything we have learned over the last two years, will help to keep us safe at home without the need for new rules and regulations about mixing at home.” More

A junk food tax to prevent the obesity crisis overwhelming the NHS budget is back on the government’s agenda, the author of a landmark report says.Boris Johnson dismayed health campaigners by appearing to rule out the £3bn levy earlier this year, saying he is not “attracted to the idea of extra taxes on hardworking people”.But Henry Dimbleby suggested the prime minister had misunderstood his recommendation – and said he believed the health secretary Sajid Javid is now ready to act.“I think Sajid Javid understands now that we need to intervene,” Mr Dimbleby said, ahead of a formal response, early next year, to his National Food Strategy.The cookery writer and restaurant owner said the political landscape had changed since Mr Johnson rejected any new taxes, with the decision to hike National Insurance to fund extra health and care spending.“Boris was bumped into that on the first day when we published the strategy,” he told BBC Radio 4.Mr Dimbleby also pointed to next month’s ‘levelling up’ strategy, warning: “Diet is the most important factor shaping our health. And if you don’t tackle diet you don’t tackle health inequalities.He added: “It’s possible that Sajid Javid will be we wanting to put in his own measures, so I think quarter one of next year is absolutely critical.”The strategy called for a levy of £3 a kilogram on sugar and £6 a kilogram on salt sold for use in processed food and in restaurants – with the money raised used to expand free school meals and on changing attitudes to food.A similar levy on soft drinks in 2018 led to a number of products being reformulated to reduce sugar levels, which meant prices for consumers did not go up.Without a tax, obesity is on course to cost the NHS “more to treat than all cancers put together” by 2035, Mr Dimbleby said.Mr Johnson’s apparent dismissal of the plan came despite his pledge to launch a so-called war on obesity, after believing his very serious bout of coronavirus last year was worsened by being overweight.But Mr Dimbleby said he had proposed a “reformulation tax”, adding: “I think now the politicians get it.“By taxing sugar and salt you encourage companies to change the form of the most processed foods – the foods that are worst for us.“You also take some of that money and you use it to support the diets of the least affluent, because this is a huge problem not only of health but of inequality.” More

Over 50 cross-party MPs and peers have demanded Rishi Sunak urgently increase statutory sick pay, warning the current level forces workers to choose between “putting food on the table and self-isolating”.In a letter to the chancellor — seen by The Independent — the parliamentarians accused the government of repeatedly failing to “properly” support workers, as the country faces a new wave of Covid.They stressed that since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 it has been “clear” increasing sick pay levels would “significantly increase” the number of people who can afford to self-isolate after testing positive.Earlier this week the Labour frontbench also urged Mr Sunak to increase sick pay — currently £96.35 per week and among the least generous schemes in Europe — in order to encourage workers who test positive for Covid to self-isolate.Speaking to Sky News, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow work and pensions secretary, added that the “failure to pay people decent sick pay throughout this whole crisis has been a monstrous failing”.Experts advising the government on a sub-group of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), have previously suggested the “benefits of financial aid and other support for isolation are magnified”.The letter sent to the chancellor by MPs on Wednesday urged the government to increase sick pay levels to the level of the Real Living Wage — which the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has previously estimated as £346 per week.Signatories include the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the Green MP Caroline Lucas, the Liberal Democrat’s welfare spokesperson, Wendy Chamberlain, and the SNP MP Alison Thewliss.“The new wave of Covid infections is going to lead to many more workers needing to self-isolate,” the letter states.“It is essential that they are given the proper financial support to do so.It [SSP] is so low that it forces workers to choose between putting food on the table and self-isolating when asked to do so to protecting their community”.They added: “It has been clear since the very start of this pandemic that increasing statutory sick pay to real living wage levels would significantly increase the number of workers who can afford to self-isolate and would help slow the spread of the virus. Despite that, you and your government have repeatedly failed to act.“It is unacceptable that workers are being denied the basic protections they should be getting from your Government. In the interests of protecting public health, reducing pressure on our NHS and limiting the impacts on the wider workforce and economy, we need your government to act with the seriousness that this situation demands.“We ask you to urgently increase statutory sick pay to the level of the real living wage and remove the requirement for recipients to earn over £120 per week so that every single worker who needs to self-isolate is properly supported to do so.Richard Burgon — a former shadow cabinet minister who organised the letter — also claimed that millions are “living in fear that they simply won’t be able to get by on miserly levels of sick pay if they get ill.”“The chancellor has repeatedly ignored warnings about how our pathetically low level of sick pay means many workers just can’t afford to self-isolate and that this undermines efforts to reduce the spread of the virus,” he added.It comes after Mr Sunak reintroduced a rebate scheme for firms with fewer than 250 employees, which will cover the cost of of statutory sick pay for Covid-related absences amid concerns over the Omicron variant.The measure formed part of a £1 billion support package to businesses hit by restrictions and advice given to the public ahead of Christmas. The fund includes one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises in the business in the affected sectors in England, which the Treasury expects will be administered by local authorities and be available in the coming weeks. More

A health minister has suggested people should “think about” their New Year’s plans if they can’t be changed quickly amid continuing uncertainty over post-Christmas Covid restrictions.The remarks from Gillian Keegan came after Boris Johnson confirmed no additional rules would be introduced ahead of 25 December, but warned: “Naturally we can’t rule out further measures after Christmas”.The prime minister stressed the situation remained “finely balanced” as his government awaits crucial data on the extent to which rising Omicron infections will trigger a level of hospitalisation that could place considerable pressure on the NHS.Appearing on LBC, Ms Keegan appeared to add further doubt on post-Christmas celebrations, saying there was a “risk” when asked by the host, Nick Ferrari, whether he could send out invitations for a New Year’s Eve party.She said: “Well, all I would say is there is uncertainty. So if you can’t change your plans quickly then maybe think about it. But there is uncertainty — we can’t predict what the data is going to tell us before we’ve got the data.“We’re trying to take a balanced and proportionate approach so people can see their families over Christmas, to try and plan some stuff, but of course it is difficult to anticipate because we don’t have that future data yet.”The minister said she hadn’t made any plans for New Year’s Eve, adding: “At one point — a long time ago — I was hoping to be skiing, but those plans were changed a while ago.”In a separate interview minutes earlier on Sky News, Ms Keegan also did not rule out further measures after Christmas when asked whether new restrictions were a question of “when not if”.“Well, obviously we’ve said we have to keep that option open as we are looking at cases that are going up at the moment and we are looking at hospitalisations going up,” she said.“Obviously we do have to reserve that option. We will not hesitate to do what is required to keep people safe, but right now the balance is and proportionate response is, we believe, the one that we put in place”.Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth, however, urged the prime minister to outline a plan detailing any future Covid restrictions that may be introduced after Christmas and accused him of “kicking the can dow the road”.Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, however, Mr Ashworth stressed that while “nobody wants to see lockdowns” over Christmas, Mr Johnson had “missed that window of opportunity to do anything in the run-up”.He said: “We’re all anticipating some form of restrictions post-Christmas, so Johnson is kicking the can down the road if you like.“But I think people just need to know where they stand. We need a bit of certainty, we need to know what’s he anticipating for the future, and I think he should outline the plan”.Later, on social media, the shadow work and pensions secretary added: “We have no certainty about what comes next. Boris Johnson should outline what the next stages could be so families and business can plan. People need to know where they stand post Christmas”. More