UK Politics

Labour’s Rachel Reeves has called on Rishi Sunak to “get a grip” and act urgently to strengthen sick pay as the country faces a new wave of the Covid pandemic.With infection rates surging, the shadow chancellor demanded that statutory sick pay (SSP) be extended to the self-employed and called for the reintroduction of SSP rebates for small firms.The scheme – closed by the government in September – allowed employers to claim back the cost of two weeks of sick pay if a worker was self-isolating or had Covid symptoms.According to an analysis by Labour, supporting businesses to cover sick pay would benefit more than five million employees and 600,000 small firms.The party is also urging the chancellor to increase statutory 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-19 to self-isolate.Ms Reeves said: “It is simply not good enough that nearly two years into this pandemic the government have still not sorted sick pay out and are expecting cash-strapped businesses to foot the bill.”She added: “Labour would sort out and increase sick pay, extending it to the self-employed and allowing smaller firms to claim back the cost so they can support their staff to self-isolate.“Labour backs British business and working people. That’s why we’re calling for immediate support for hard-hit businesses, the easing of the burden of Covid debt repayments during this new wave, and cuts in business rates. The chancellor needs to get a grip and support British business and workers before it’s too late.”It comes after papers released at the weekend by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) stressed it was “almost certain there are now hundreds of thousands of new Omicron infections per day”.A sub-group of the body SPI-B, which provides behavioural science advice to ministers, has also long been clear of the benefits of financial aid in supporting self-isolation.In a cache of documents released on Saturday, the experts said: “Isolation, particularly on the basis of symptoms or following a positive test, but also when identified as a contact, is an important way to reduce onwards transmission. The benefits of financial aid and other support for isolation are magnified.”Labour’s comments also follow a demand from the Liberal Democrats for the government to recall parliament this week and for the chancellor to deliver an emergency budget – as concern grows among businesses over the lack of extra support.“Any further Covid restrictions without extra financial support could deal the finishing blow to high streets, theatres and travel businesses already on the brink of collapse,” the party’s leader, Ed Davey, said.He added: “Pubs, restaurants and cafes are on their knees as cancellations over the Christmas period soar. It breaks my heart to walk along local high streets and see treasured pubs and restaurants all but empty at what should be their busiest time of year. “Ministers must immediately recall parliament and introduce an emergency budget, to support struggling businesses. The chancellor is missing in action when he should be doing whatever it takes to save businesses on the brink.” More

Foreign secretary Liz Truss has been drafted in to take over negotiations with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol following the dramatic resignation of Lord Frost.The cabinet minister, who is widely seen as a possible contender in a future Tory leadership race, will be given an expanded brief, taking responsibility for the UK’s relationship with the bloc with immediate effect, No 10 announced.Ms Truss’s appointment came after Lord Frost triggered a fresh crisis for Boris Johnson as it emerged on Saturday evening he had quit his post as Brexit minister, citing the “current direction of travel” of the government.In a blow to Mr Johnson, who suffered the largest rebellion of his premiership and a historic by-election loss this week, the former minister also voiced concerns over “coercive” Covid measures and the wish for the UK to become a “lightly regulated, low-tax” economy in his letter to No 10 on Saturday evening.His resignation, which resulted in fresh recriminations among Conservative MPs in leaked WhatsApp messages, was described as a “disaster” by one backbencher.The appointment of Ms Truss, who has consistently topped surveys as the most popular cabinet minister among the Tory faithful, will be seen as an attempt by Mr Johnson to stabilise his administration after weeks of turmoil on multiple fronts. Ms Truss, who was a prominent member of the Remain campaign during the 2016 EU referendum, will now become the UK’s co-chair of the Partnership Council and the Joint Committee, and will lead the ongoing negotiations to resolve the problems arising from the current operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, a statement said.She will continue to hold her existing responsibilities as foreign secretary and minister for women and equalities.European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said he hoped to continue negotiations with Ms Truss in the “same constructive spirit”, posting on his Twitter account: “I take note of the appointment of Liz Truss as co-chair of the Joint Committee and Partnership Council.“My team and I will continue to cooperate with the UK in the same constructive spirit on all important tasks ahead, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.”Downing Street added that Chris Heaton-Harris – previously a minister in the Department for Transport – will now become minister for Europe.In his resignation letter last night, Lord Frost told the prime minister he was disappointed about Covid restrictions, warning him not to be “tempted by the kind of coercive measures we have seen elsewhere”, but also hinted at other issues, saying: “You know my concerns about the current direction of travel.”The cabinet minister, who Mr Johnson had elevated to the Lords, helped negotiate the Brexit agreement and in recent months has been instrumental in negotiations with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol.Earlier Sajid Javid, the health secretary, defended the prime minister after Lord Frost’s resignation, telling Sky News: “I think Boris Johnson is the best person to take us through the challenges the country faces.”However Mr Javid, who resigned as chancellor in February 2020 in a row with No 10 over the appointment of his adviser before returning to cabinet in the summer, said he understood the reasons behind Lord Frost’s resignation and called him a “principled” man. More

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday announced the appointment of Britain’s foreign secretary to become the country’s lead negotiator with the European Union after long-time ally David Frost resigned after a week political upheaval in the Conservative Party Liz Truss will have ministerial responsibility with the EU and will lead negotiations to resolve problems arising from provisions of the Brexit agreement covering trade with Northern Ireland, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.In his resignation letter, Frost expressed concern about the government’s “current direction of travel.’’“I hope we will move as fast as possible to where we need to get to: a lightly regulated, low tax, entrepreneurial economy, at the cutting edge of modern science and economic change,’’ he wrote.Frost also expressed growing disillusionment with the Conservative government’s policies on taxation and COVID-19.The Mail on Sunday, which broke the story of his resignation, said Frost’s decision was triggered by last week’s introduction of new pandemic restrictions, including a requirement that people show proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test to enter nightclubs and other crowded venues.In his resignation letter to Johnson, Frost said the U.K. needed to “learn to live with COVID. … You took a brave decision in July, against considerable opposition, to open up the country again. Sadly it did not prove to be irreversible, as I wished, and believe you did too. I hope we can get back on track soon and not be tempted by the kind of coercive measures we have seen elsewhere.”___Follow all AP stories on post-Brexit developments at https://apnews.com/hub/Brexit. More

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is walking a political tightrope as he faces increasing attacks from both friends and enemies amid a surge in COVID-19 infections.For the second winter in a row, Johnson is betting vaccines will be his savior, urging everyone to get booster shots to slow the spread of the new omicron variant, hoping to avoid further politically unpalatable restrictions on business and social activity. The threat to Johnson and his Conservative Party was on stark display last week as the prime minister reeled from one political crisis to another. On Tuesday, Johnson faced the biggest parliamentary rebellion of his tenure as 97 Conservatives voted against new COVID-19 restrictions. Two days later he suffered a stinging by-election defeat in a normally safe Conservative area amid anger over reports that government employees held Christmas parties last year while the country was in lockdown. Then Saturday, one of his staunchest allies resigned from his Cabinet, citing discomfort with the new coronavirus rules.While Johnson’s policy on trying to restrict COVID-19 infections is sound, he will face increasing pressure from all wings of his party to change course, said Giles Wilkes, a senior fellow at the non-partisan Institute for Government. The challenge is to ignore the political noise and base his policies on science, said Wilkes, a former adviser to the prime minister’s predecessor, Theresa May.“The past month’s political spasms may mark a historical turning point in the story of this administration,” Wilkes said, highlighting pivotal decisions of former Prime Ministers John Major and Gordon Brown that ultimately undermined their standing with voters. “Those are not happy comparisons for the prime minister to contemplate.”On Sunday, British newspapers were filled with reports on potential contenders for the prime minister’s office, including Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak, Foreign Minister Liz Truss and former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The pressure on Johnson is being stoked by the highly transmissible omicron variant, which has pushed Britain’s COVID-19 infections to record highs in recent days. That has once again fueled concerns that U.K. hospitals will be overwhelmed this winter.In response, Johnson ordered the National Health Service to ramp up its vaccine program a week ago, promising that everyone 18 and over would be offered a booster shot this month. But he also introduced legislation requiring people to where face masks in shops and to show they have been double-vaccinated or had negative COVID-19 test to enter crowded venues like nightclubs.The results of Britain’s vaccination program have been impressive, with the number of booster shots administered jumping to more than 900,000 on Saturday from 550,000 a week earlier. Some vaccination centers are staying open 24 hours a day to offer shift workers easier access. But the new restrictions triggered howls from the libertarian wing of Johnson’s party, who say they were unnecessary and the precursor to further limits on personal freedoms. In the face of that opposition, Johnson had to rely on votes from the opposition Labour Party to approve the use of COVID-19 health passports.Now the government’s scientific advisers are recommending that Johnson go further. Limits on social interactions and a return to social distancing are needed to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, according to leaked minutes from a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.Tobias Ellwood, one of the Conservative rebels, criticized the government’s “off the bus, on the bus” approach to tackling the pandemic, saying the country needs consistency.“We need almost like a wartime leader, we need a strong No. 10, and the machinery of No. 10 around Boris Johnson. That’s what needs to be improved,’’ he told Times Radio. “The boosterism, the energy, is not enough in these current circumstances.”Meanwhile, Labour leaders say the “partygate” scandal has undermined public confidence in the Conservative government. It will be difficult for Johnson to impose any new coronavirus restrictions because government offices violated their own rules last year.Government ministers met Sunday with the leaders of governments in Scotland and Wales to discuss “shared challenges, including the economic disruption caused by COVID.” The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay not the prime minister.“He is hiding from his own backbenchers instead of leading,” Wes Streeting, Labour’s spokesman on health issues, told Sky News. “And that kind of weakness instead of leadership should really concern the public, because I think people out there know that measures are necessary.’’___Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. More

A Conservative MP has been arrested on suspicion of “driving whilst unfit” following a late-night crash.Jamie Wallis, the MP for Bridgend in Wales said he was “assisting police with their enquiries” following the collision on November 28, when a car hit a lamppost.A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said there were no reported injuries in the crash on Church Road in Llanblethian, Cowbridge, which happened at about 1.10am.

While this is ongoing he will not be commenting further.Spokesman for Jamie WallisThe spokeswoman said: “The incident involved a car that collided with a lamppost.“A 37-year-old man from Cowbridge was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit. He has been released under investigation.”A spokesman for Mr Wallis said: “Jamie was involved in an accident and is assisting police with their enquiries.“While this is ongoing he will not be commenting further.”The MP tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. More

Sadiq Khan has said he believes new restrictions are “inevitable” — less than 24 hours after he declared a major incident in the capital due to surging cases of Covid.The London mayor said the city had recorded almost 30,000 cases in one day and warned the NHS could “collapse” if measures are brought in too late.But he also demanded a “major, major package” of financial support for the hospitality industry if the UK government decides news restrictions are needed. “If we don’t bring in new restrictions sooner rather than later, you’re going to see even more positive cases, and potentially public services like the NHS on the verge of collapse, if not collapsing,” he said.While he suggested the public should be able to celebrate Christmas safely, Mr Khan added: “I think sooner rather than later we’re going to look at social distancing, we’re going to have to look at household mixing.“Because if we don’t, the number of cases is only going one way and the issue isn’t the seriousness of the consequences, not just that, it’s also the numbers of people who have the virus.”The decision to impose any restrictions in England ultimately lies with Boris Johnson, who presented his cabinet with the latest data on the spread of the Omicron variant on Saturday. A further Cobra meeting with the devolved nations is expected today.Speaking on Sky News, the health secretary Sajid Javid said ministers are discussing the latest coronavirus data almost hourly with scientific advisers, and said the Government will “do what is necessary” when asked about possible further measures.“We’ve shown in the past as government in dealing with this pandemic that we will do what is necessary but it’s got to be backed up by the data.”He added: “We are watching the data and discussing it with our scientists and our best advisors almost on an hourly basis. And we will monitor that very carefully. We will keep the situation under review.”He said various factors including vaccinations, antiviral medication and other treatments for Covid-19 mean “the situation today in terms of our defences is very different”.Mr Khan’s intervention on Sunday comes after government scientists warned tougher restrictions were needed before the new year to prevent “considerable pressure” on the NHS amid concern over the Omicron variant.Documents released on Saturday by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) – revealing the bleak advice given to ministers – emerged the government’s official dashboard recorded 90,418 cases of Covid in the UK in the last 24 hours.But the minutes published from a Sage meeting on Thursday stressed that “it is almost certain that there are now hundreds of thousands of new Omicron infections per day” – with the highest rates in London – suggesting that the official figures do not reflect the full picture.The scientists warned that the doubling time of Omicron infections in England was currently around two days – “faster than the growth rate seen in March 2020”.More follows More

Brexit minister Lord Frost ‘resigns from Cabinet’_Original Video_m205537.mp4Brexit minister David Frost has resigned from Boris Johnson’s cabinet in protest at “the direction of travel,” triggering a fresh crisis inside Downing Street after an already turbulent week for the prime minister.Lord Frost – one of the most popular members of the cabinet among the Conservative faithful – handed in his resignation a week ago and had been persuaded to stay in his post until January but last night said he would step down “with immediate effect.”His resignation represents a major political blow for the prime minister who is already facing a series of crises over “gatherings” in No 10 during Covid restrictions, growing discontent on the Tory backbenches over his leadership and this week’s historic loss in the North Shropshire by-election.Meanwhile, Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood has said the departure of Lord Frost could bring an opportunity to “press the reset button with the EU”.Former minister Mr Ellwood said: “We’re still not out of the woods with the Northern Ireland Protocol and we have some rather larger decisions and challenges, which actually unite both the EU, Europe and Britain.”He said: “As much as I think this is going to be seen as a hit for the Government, he was a critical character that’s been with Boris Johnson from the very start when it comes to Brexit, this is a chance for us to actually to sort of move forward on our relationship with the EU.”Show latest update

1639925155Sue Gray has ‘freedom’ to investigate own boss during No 10 Christmas party investigationThe senior civil servant newly tasked with leading the inquiry into the alleged Downing St parties which took place while the rest of the country endured Covid-19 restrictions will be able to “go wherever she wants.”Sue Gray has been chosen as the replacement for Cabinet Secretary Simon Case in running the investigation after he was found to have been aware of a gathering in his own department when restrictions were in place.On Sunday the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, said she would have complete freedom in what she investigated in relation to the reports of gatherings.Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Javid said: “She will be able to investigate what she wants. If she wants to investigate one particular individual, whatever…”Asked if she would be allowed to investigate Mr Case, who as head of the civil service is her boss, Mr Javid said: “She has the freedom as I understand to go wherever she wants with this investigation.“That’s the way it should be because people want to know the facts and that this is the best way to establish them.”Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:451639924901Cobra meeting scheduled to take place this afternoon amid omicron fearsCabinet Office minister Steve Barclay will chair a meeting between the government’s emergency committee, Cobra, and the leaders of the devolved nations at 5pm today.Confirmation of the meeting comes shortly after the Health Security Agency announced that 12,133 additional cases of the Omicron variant had been reported across the UK.This brings the total of confirmed Omicron cases in the UK to 37,101.Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:411639924255Forget Covid passes and masks – there are bigger threats to freedom in Britain right nowThe government is currently pushing through legislation that echoes elements of the authoritarian regimes I have lived and reported under during my career, writes Bel Trew.Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:301639923763Britain records additional 12,000 omicron cases Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:221639923258Lib Dem leader says Tories in ‘real trouble’ following North Shropshire by-election defeatSir Ed Davey has warned the Conservatives are in “real trouble” following their by-election defeat in North Shropshire after the Liberal Democrats took the seat by almost 6,000 votes on Thursday.The Lib Dem leader said there was a “real chance” of getting the Prime Minister out of office in the next election.He told Trevor Phillips On Sunday on Sky News: “We’ve proven that the Conservatives can be beaten anywhere, and I think we’ve confirmed the reality that if we’re going to get Johnson and the Tories out of office, it’s going to take the Liberal Democrats beating Conservative MPs in their blue wall seats.”Sir Ed went on to accuse the Conservatives of “letting people down”.He said: “They have taken people for granted, that is why the Liberal Democrats won in North Shropshire, why indeed we won in Chesham and Amersham, and why I’m so excited about the prospects ahead of us.“I think there’s a real chance of getting Boris Johnson and the Conservatives out of power in the next election and I think the Liberal Democrats have shown the way.”“I do have a smile on my face, I do think there’s new hope for our country and I do think the Conservatives are in real trouble.”Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:141639922455Sajid Javid says he may not hug his mother as much over ChristmasHealth Secretary Sajid Javid said he would be cutting down on hugs from his mother if he visits her over Christmas as he urged caution due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.He told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One: “If I’m going to see my mum, for example, who’s elderly, like most very old people, she’s more vulnerable than younger people.“You know, I will take a test and you know, I might, you know, just have not the usual amount of hugs I get from my mum.“You just take a little bit of caution. I think that’s a sensible response.”Sophie Wingate reports:Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 14:001639921555Watch: Sadiq Khan says further Covid restrictions ‘inevitable’Sadiq Khan says further Covid restrictions ‘inevitable’Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 13:451639920655Piers Corbyn arrested after video online shows him telling people to ‘burn down’ MPs officesAnti-vaxxer Piers Corbyn has been arrested on suspicion of encouraging people to “burn down MP’s offices”, the Met Police have confirmed.He was arrested in Southwark, south London, in the early hours of Sunday.The video shared on social media shows the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticising politicians who voted for Covid restrictions.Corbyn refers to his brother voting against the Goverment’s Plan B in the video, suggesting it was shot on December 15, the day after they were passed by a majority in the Commons.In the video, he says: “We have got to get a bit more physical. It means we have to take down these lying vaccinators and we got to take down these lying MPs and things.“We got to support and welcome all of those who have rebelled or voted against Boris, ie rebelled from the Tories or my brother and his mates – they voted against the measures yesterday, which is a step forward.“We have got to support all those and we’ve got to hammer to death those scum, those scum who have decided to go ahead with introducing new fascism.“You’ve got to get a list of them … and if your MP is one of them, go to their offices and, well, I would recommend burning them down, OK. But I can’t say that on air. I hope we’re not on air.”The comments have been widely condemned, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan calling them “despicable and dangerous”, and Home Secretary Priti Patel describing the video as “sickening”.Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 13:301639919404Work from home guidelines UK: Current government advice explainedEmily Atkinson19 December 2021 13:101639915804Andrew Marr signs off from BBC with Anchorman quoteAndrew Marr has signed off from his long-running BBC politics show with a line from his “mentor” – Anchorman character Ron Burgundy.The veteran broadcaster is leaving the BBC after more than two decades, including 16 years at the helm of his own Sunday morning show.Bringing his final programme to a close, he said: “That it is, all over, I have been so lucky and so privileged to share so many Sunday mornings with you.”Referring to the catchphrase of the fictional news anchor played by Will Ferrell in the 2004 hit comedy, he added: “I have been wondering how to close this final show, but I can’t do better than quoting my great mentor: “You stay classy, San Diego ”Laura Harding has the full story:Emily Atkinson19 December 2021 12:10 More