UK Politics

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailDavid Cameron will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders during a visit to the Middle East in a bid to ease the “desperate” situation in Gaza. The foreign secretary will hold talks with Benjamin Netanyahu in which he will raise concerns about the high number of civilian casualties and call for more and faster action to get life-saving aid into the besieged enclave. He is also expected to press the need for water, fuel and electricity to be restored as he calls for an “urgent humanitarian pause” . And he will reiterate demands that Hamas agree to release of all hostages and give up control of Gaza, as well as hold talks with Qatar and Turkey. He will arrive in the Middle East as tensions run high, following deadliest day for Israeli forces of the Gaza war. President Netanyahu is also facing increasing pressure over his leadership and his handling of the war effort. Rishi Sunak has resisted calls to back an immediate ceasefire, arguing for ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow politicians to build a cessation in the fighting that can last. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “No-one wants to see this conflict go on a moment longer than necessary. An immediate pause is now necessary to get aid in and hostages out. The situation is desperate. “This week I am in the Middle East working with partners to help build a plan to move from that pause to a sustainable, permanent ceasefire without a return to hostilities. “Such a plan would require Hamas to agree to the release of all hostages, Hamas to no longer be in charge of Gaza launching rocket attacks at Israel, and an agreement in place for the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza in order to provide governance and services and, increasingly, security.” Twenty-four people were killed on Monday in the deadliest day for Israeli forces in its three-month war against Hamas, as Palestinian casualties also continue to climb. During his visit Lord Cameron will travel to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as Qatar and Turkey, both key players in the region. In Israel, the Foreign Secretary will also speak to the Israeli foreign minister as he calls for more crossing points for aid to be opened for longer. Foreign secretary Lord Cameron (James Manning/PA)He will also meet President Abbas from the Palestinian Authority to highlight the UK’s long-term support for a two-state solution. In Qatar, he is expected to hold talks on efforts to secure the safe release of hostages, pressing the cases of British and dual nationals. The war has displaced an estimated 85 per cent of Gaza’s population and left more than 25,000 Palestinians dead, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.The United Nations and international aid agencies also warn the fighting has caused a humanitarian disaster, with a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million people facing starvation. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailUnavoidable hidden charges for online consumers – or “drip pricing” – is set to be banned under new laws to force businesses to be upfront with their customers.Fake reviews will also be added to a list of banned business practices, and firms will have to provide clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said, following a consultation into consumer transparency.The measures will be legislated for as part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill as it progresses through Parliament.Drip pricing occurs when consumers are shown an initial price for an item or service, only to find additional fees are revealed later in the checkout process.Research suggested it was widespread and used by 54% of entertainment providers, across 56% of the hospitality industry, and 72% of the transport and communication sectors, the DBT said.We are committed to ensuring information given to consumers is clear and they are not misled in any wayGraham Wynn, British Retail ConsortiumUnavoidable fees cost consumers £2.2 billion every year, it added.Under the new rules, mandatory fees must be included in the headline price or at the start of the shopping process, including booking fees for cinema and train tickets.Optional fees such as airline seat and luggage upgrades for flights will not be included in the measures.Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: “From supermarket shelves to digital baskets, modern day shopping provides customers with more choice than ever before. But with that comes the increased risk of confusion, scams and traps that can easily cost the public more than they had planned.“Today’s announcement demonstrates the clear steps we’re taking as a government to ensure customers can compare purchases with ease, aren’t duped by fake reviews, and have the sting of hidden fees taken away.”The DBT said reviews were found to be used by 90% of consumers and contributed to the £224 billion spent in online retail markets in 2022.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has contributed to new guidance to tackle fake reviews, which would make website hosts accountable for reviews on their pages.Meanwhile, the Price Marking Order (PMO), which requires traders to display the final selling price, and where appropriate the final unit price – for example the price per kilogram – will also be reformed.The DBT said proposed changes would ensure unit pricing was consistently applied, including to promotions and special offers, to help consumers compare products easily and identify what items represent the best value.These are expected to be issued in the spring.British Retail Consortium assistant director Graham Wynn said: “The BRC looks forward to continuing to work with officials as practical detailed implementation plans are developed. We are committed to ensuring information given to consumers is clear and they are not misled in any way.”A CMA spokeswoman said: “It’s positive to see the Government pushing ahead with changes to tackle behaviour that misleads shoppers or leaves them out of pocket – which includes accepting the CMA’s recommendations for clearer groceries pricing.“Stronger laws and tools, including giving the CMA the power to fine companies for breaching consumer law under the DMCC Bill, will bolster the work we are already doing to protect consumers.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailJeremy Hunt has been handed a boost ahead of his March Budget after government borrowing came in less than expected in December.The chancellor, who has compared himself to his tax-cutting predecessor Nigel Lawson and vowed a giveaway this spring, will now have more wiggle room to lower taxes.The government borrowed less last month than in any December for four years, but debt remains at historical highs, official figures showed.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that public sector net borrowing hit £7.8bn during the month.Hunt was handed a boost ahead of his March budget by lower than expected borrowing figures That was around half, or £8.4bn less than, a year earlier and the lowest in any December since 2019. Experts had expected it to hit £11.4bn.And, thanks to lower inflation, the interest that the government paid on loans was £4bn in December 2023, which is £14.1bn less than a year earlier.The Resolution Foundation think tank said Mr Hunt had been handed a “timely boost” ahead of the March Budget.Senior economist Cara Pacitti said: “Lower-than-expected inflation late last year has reduced debt interest costs and given the chancellor a timely fiscal boost ahead of his Budget in March.”And analysts Capital Economics said Mr Hunt could still meet his fiscal rule, that debt should be falling as a share of national income in five years’ time, with about £20bn to spare for tax cuts.Deputy chief UK economist Ruth Gregory said that will probably allow Mr Hunt to freeze fuel duty in April 2024 at a cost of around £6bn a year, but perhaps also to announce more crowd-pleasing measures. She added that a a 1p cut to income tax would cost £6.9bn a year and “maintain fiscally prudent appearances”.It comes after Mr Hunt claimed that the government’s “careful management of the economy” meant he could “start cutting taxes again”.Hunt and Rishi Sunak hope a tax giveaway will help turnaround the Tories’ dire poll ratings He went on to liken his record to that of the late Lord Lawson, who presided over a turnaround in the economy with a tax-cutting policy to help Margaret Thatcher win her third term in 1987.Mr Hunt wrote: “Just as Nigel Lawson positioned the City of London for the finance boom in the 1980s, this period of Conservative government has seen the UK positioned for the massive technological boom we’re set to see in the coming years.”It is thought that Mr Hunt will opt for personal tax cuts, through either national insurance or income tax, to please voters ahead of an election expected this autumn, as the Tories lag Labour in the polls.Mr Sunak has also promised there is “more to come” in March, after the government cut the rate of national insurance in November’s autumn statement.But Ms Pacitti warned that lower inflation is also likely to mean lower tax receipts, affecting how much room for manoeuvre Mr Hunt will have.And total net debt was still £2.69 trillion at the end of the year, which is around 97.7 per cent of the size of the economy, or gross domestic product (GDP).Despite the fall in net borrowing last month, the debt to GDP ratio is 1.9 percentage points above last December and still at levels not seen since the early 1960s.“Protecting millions of lives and livelihoods during Putin’s energy shock and a once-in-a-century pandemic has created economic challenges,” said chief secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott.“However, it is right that we pay back these debts so future generations are not left to pick up the tab. Because of this government’s decisive action, the economy is now beginning to turn a corner. Inflation has more than halved.“Debt is on track to fall as a share of the economy. And we have been able to afford tax cuts for 27 million working people, and an £11bn tax cut to drive business investment.”Interactive Investor’s head of investment Victoria Scholar said: “The reduction in December’s borrowing is a win for the government, providing some fiscal wiggle room to cut taxes in a crucially important year for the Conservatives.”“The fall in inflation acts as a tailwind to the public purse by reducing the government’s debt interest costs which jumped on the back of rising inflation and interest rates,” she added. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has said the UK will not hesitate to launch further airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels if attacks on ships in the Red Sea continue.The prime minister issued the warning to the group hours after RAF jets took part in a second wave of joint US-UK action against them on Monday night. Mr Sunak told MPs: “We are not seeking a confrontation. We urge the Houthis and those who enable them to stop these illegal and unacceptable attacks.“But, if necessary, the United Kingdom will not hesitate to respond again in self-defence. We cannot stand by and allow these attacks to go unchallenged. Inaction is also a choice.”He also rejected the Yemen-based group’s claims that its attacks have been prompted by the war in Gaza. The prime minister said there was “no link between our actions of self-defence in the Red Sea and the situation in Israel and Gaza”.Rishi Sunak making a statement to MPs in the House of CommonsHe added: “Those who make that link do the Houthis’ work for them. I want to be clear that those here at home who glorify the Houthis’ attacks are glorifying terrorism, plain and simple. They will be met with a zero tolerance approach.” However, despite successfully hitting the designated targets, Mr Sunak admitted that there ”may be a difference between reducing and eliminating” their capability. The Houthis, meanwhile, warned this latest strike “will not go unanswered or unpunished”.Since the last UK-US action 10 days ago, there had been more than 12 attacks on shipping by the Houthis in the Red Sea.David Cameron said Britain ‘backs up our words and warnings with action’ Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gave his support, for what he described as “targeted action”, but again called on ministers to again release their legal justification.He also said he “totally” rejected the idea that the Houthi attacks were linked to the situation in Gaza, as Mr Sunak faced calls from left-wing Labour MPs, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, for the UK to back calls for an immediate ceasefire.Sir Keir was not told in advance of the latest round of strikes, despite being informed when a similar decision was taken earlier this month. Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the government’s preference was to inform the opposition leader, adding “that wasn’t a possibility in this instance”.Officials say the joint operation by British and American warplanes took out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers. Monday’s strikes were significantly smaller in scale than the first joint operation, which hit as many as 60 different targets spanning the length and breadth of Houthi-controlled Yemen.The Ministry of Defence said fresh strikes were carried out against Houthi targetsDespite those strikes, the Houthis have continued to target ships along the vital Red Sea and Gulf of Aden trade routes. The Houthis initially said they were targeting vessels linked to Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, and have since expanded their missile attacks to include British and American ships.In a joint statement, the governments of the US, UK, Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands said the “precision strikes” were “intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners”. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNorthern Ireland’s scientific and engineering heritage is being reawakened with companies embracing new high-tech industries, Professor Brian Cox has said.The broadcaster and professor of particle physics said the foundations already exist in the region to encourage many more young people towards careers in science.He was in Ballymena to host the Science Summer School Northern Ireland alongside educators and influencers from the world of science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths.Four hundred young people from local schools attended the event which included seminars, discussions and hands-on experiments.Professor Cox, who was formerly a keyboard player with pop group D:Ream, will also lead an evening panel session for students and parents to highlight the career pathways and opportunities available to the future workforce.When I was growing up I thought I can’t be an astronomer, it is ridiculous. I don’t know anyone who has done that, it is impossible for meProfessor Brian CoxHe told the PA news agency: “The idea is to bring local schools, local students into an environment where they can be inspired.“But it is also really important that we have local industry here and there is a tremendous growth in high-tech industry in this region.“The idea is to make connections between the students and industry so if they want to they can become inspired to become a scientist or an engineer or anything.“The road, which is not always clear for young people into an industry or a career, so hopefully this helps so they can see it more clearly.”The broadcaster said young students are fascinated by big questions in science.He added: “I never see any shortage of enthusiasm or interest or ability. What you can see is a lack of understanding of how to have a career in that area.“I came from a place with similar history, Oldham, which had this tremendous industrial history and then it has gone through a lot of changes and now it is trying to become a high-tech industry hub again.“When I was growing up I thought I can’t be an astronomer, it is ridiculous. I don’t know anyone who has done that, it is impossible for me.“That is the most important thing, to say to these students, you can be anything you want to be.”He said: “If you want to work in a very high-tech engineering company there are a lot of them on the doorstep here. Or if you want to be an astronomer, Armagh is one of the world centres for astronomy.“There is a space sciences industry here. You can build satellites, you can build aircraft, all those things are here, but I think sometimes people just think it is not for them.“When you talk to the industries here, they are short of people, there are more jobs than there are people who are qualified or trained to do those jobs.“We need, whether it is basic science or research or industry, to draw talent from as wide a pool as possible.There is a tremendous historic and scientific and engineering heritage that is being reawakened here“This area is making that transformation into the new industries of the 21st century really successfully.“You see a great deal of high tech engineering companies in this area because the infrastructure is here and the heritage is here.“Those are things that are very difficult to get. What you see in this region is that the foundations are solid, they stretch back a long time.“It reminds me of my part of the world, there is a tremendous historic and scientific and engineering heritage that is being reawakened here.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA senior health official allegedly advised Humza Yousaf on how to avoid wearing a mask during the pandemic, the Covid inquiry has heard. Scotland’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, apparently told Mr Yousaf, now first minister but then health secretary, that “literally no-one” wears a mask under official guidance as he advised him to keep a drink in his hands to get round the rules. Messages shown to the inquiry on Tuesday reveal Mr Yousaf whatsapped Professor Leitch to ask advice on attending an event in November 2021. He wrote: “I know sitting at the table, I don’t need my mask. If I’m standing talking to folk, need my mask on? [sic]”Professor Leitch responded: “Officially yes. But literally no-one does. Have a drink in your hands at ALL times. Then you’re exempt. So if someone comes over and you stand, lift your drink.”At the time, Covid rules in Scotland meant someone would not have to wear a mask while they were sitting down to eat or drink, but would if they were moving around a bar or restaurant while not drinking.First Minister Humza Yousaf (Andy Buchanan/PA)Questioning Professor Leitch, the counsel to the inquiry Jamie Dawson KC said he gave Mr Yousaf a “work around to enable him to attend the function, not wear a mask and get out of complying with the rules”.Responding, the national clinical director said: “No, that follows the rules. If he has a drink and it’s a drinks reception-type environment, then that follows the rules.“I gave him advice to show him how to comply.”When Mr Dawson pointed to the professor telling Mr Yousaf to “have a drink in your hands at ALL times”, he replied: “Having a drink in your hands means you don’t have to wear a mask.”He added: “The nuance here is somebody approaches you because you’re the Cabinet Secretary for Health, or the national clinical director, talks to you at the table and you stand to speak to them.”The national clinical director has also maintained that he deleted WhatsApp messages in line with the Scottish government’s policy on the use and retention of informal messaging, despite telling the inquiry last week that his WhatsApp deletion was a “pre-bed ritual”.Jason Leitch played a key role in public health communication and awareness in Scotland during the pandemic Asked about it on Tuesday, Professor Leitch said the comment was “slightly flippant” and “an exaggeration”.“I didn’t daily delete my WhatsApps.”My position is – as I have just described to you – that I tried to do today’s work today, and if I could assure myself that that work had been managed and dealt with, then I deleted the informal messaging that had led to that moment.”But this was a flippant exaggeration in an informal messaging group, and it wasn’t done every day before I went to bed.”He then assured the inquiry that his actions were in line with Scottish government policy.Screengrab from the inquiry showing messages between Professor Leitch and Mr Yousaf “As you’ve heard, the record retention policy was that you could use informal messaging systems for Scottish government business.“If you did, you should ensure that any advice or any decisions or anything that should be in the corporate record was then placed in that corporate record by email, briefing, etc, and then you should delete the informal messaging, and that’s the guidance I followed,” he explained. A woman who lost her brother to Covid-19 has now questioned why the national clinical director Jason Leitch is “still in a job” following these revelations.Ms Stewart told journalists: “I would just like to say he (Prof Leitch) was a very confident man, but when he left, he wasn’t so confident because he was caught out, not only by King’s Counsel and the judge, and we are very grateful for that.“I would like him to be answering: why are people still dying from Covid in hospitals (and) in care settings?“If he’s still in that job, let him answer that question: what is he doing now to stop the death from Covid-19?”Ms Stewart said it was “heart-breaking” to hear the revelations in Tuesday’s evidence.Mr Leitch is the national clinical director in the Health and Social Care Directorate, meaning he played a key role in public health communication and engagement. As such, he held some responsibility for communicating the rules and guidance to the Scottish public.Last week, former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon also came under fire after the inquiry heard that she had erased all messages sent and recieved during the pandemic.The former leader of the SNP claimed previously she had never used informal messages to make decisions during the pandemic.Ms Sturgeon has since announced on twitter that she did not conduct any actions during the Covid response through Whatsapp. Posting on X, she said:“To be clear, I conducted the COVID response through formal processes from my office in St Andrews House, not through WhatsApp or any other informal messaging platform. I was not a member of any Whatsapp groups.“The number of people I communicated with through informal messaging at all was limited.“Also, any handwritten notes made by me were passed to my private office to be dealt with and recorded as appropriate. Throughout the entire process, I acted in line with Scottish government policy.” More