UK Politics

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe head of Britain’s trade unions has slammed the country’s “broken” sick pay system, as new figures show women are more than twice as likely as men to miss out on statutory payments.Across the UK, 1.3 million people do not meet the £123 a week earning threshold to qualify for statutory sick pay, and 7 in 10 of these are women.Figures compiled by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents Britain’s biggest unions, show that 6.5 per cent of women do not earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay, compared to just 2.8 per cent of men.And the figures, seen by The Independent, show that Black and minority ethnic (BME) women are the most likely to miss out on statutory sick pay, with 7 per cent ineligible, compared with just 2.7 per cent of white men.Women are less likely to qualify for the payments as they are more likely to work in lower-paid jobs.TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told The Independent it is a “national scandal” that so many people, most of them women, are “forced to go without financial support when sick”.Paul Nowak said the low level of statutory sick pay is a ‘national scandal’ that primarily hits women While campaigner Amanda Walters, director of Safe Sick Pay, said: “Women already suffer disproportionately from low pay.“To add insult to injury these new figures show that many working women are also losing out when they need time off ill.”Mr Nowak also said the UK’s statutory sick pay system – under which workers are entitled to £109.40 per week for 28 weeks from their employer if they cannot work – is “broken”.The TUC’s intervention comes after former Tory health secretary Matt Hancock told the Covid inquiry statutory sick pay was “far, far too low” and “far lower than the European average”.Mr Hancock added that low sick pay “encourages people to go to work when they should be getting better” and aids the spread of illnesses.The TUC called the £109.40 figure “paltry” and not enough to live on – noting it is just 18 per cent of the average weekly wage in Britain.Mr Nowak said: “It’s a national scandal that so many low-paid, insecure workers up and down the country – most of them women – are forced to go without financial support when sick.“And for those who do get it, it’s not nearly enough to live on.“Ministers could have boosted sick pay and made sure everyone got it, but they chose to turn a blind eye to the problem during the pandemic.“The failure to provide proper financial support was an act of self-sabotage that left millions brutally exposed to the virus – especially those in low-paid, insecure work.Ms Walters added: “The UK’s statutory sick pay system is unequal, unfair and ripe for reform. By paying a higher weekly amount to every worker from day one, we’ll all see the benefits of a happy healthy workforce.”Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner is in charge of delivering the party’s New Deal for Working People (PA)Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner told The Independent the pandemic “exposed just how precarious work is” for those on low incomes, forcing people to choose between their health and finances.She said: “It is simply unacceptable that the safety net of sick pay should not be available to those who need it most.”Labour has promised to raise statutory sick pay and make it available all workers, including the self-employed and those on low wages currently cut out by the lower earnings limit for eligibility.Mr Nowak said: “Enough is enough – it’s time for a new deal for workers, like Labour is proposing – which includes stronger sick pay and a ban on zero hours contracts.”A spokesman for the government said: “Statutory Sick Pay is part of a wider financial safety net, including Universal Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance for those who need extra financial help.“Employers can also decide to pay occupational sick to those who do not meet the criteria for Statutory Sick Pay.” More

Robert Jenrick urged MPs to “find a way through” the “entirely foreseeable” prospect of European judges challenging the Rwanda plan.The former immigration minister is leading Tory efforts to rewrite the legislation in the House of Commons.Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (17 January), Mr Jenrick said: “It is, as I’ve said before, a bit like pulling the pin out of a grenade but not being prepared to throw it. “Setting this scheme in train without knowing what you would do when this happens – it’s entirely foreseeable, let’s find a way through this challenge.” More

Rishi Sunak’s weakness was “exploited” by Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions this week, The Independent’s Political Editor Kate Devlin has said.Mr Sunak was grilled by the Labour leader in the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 January, ahead of a crunch vote on his flagship Rwanda plan.Speaking to the BBC’s Naga Munchetty, Ms Devlin said that while Sir Keir didn’t have a “resounding victory” in PMQs, he spotted Mr Sunak’s “weakness” over the Rwanda policy and “exploited it”.“He spotted the weakness, went for it and exploited it, and it was going to be difficult for Rishi to win today,” she said. More

Tory rebel Robert Jenrick says he is prepared to vote against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda billSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer has attacked Rishi Sunak’s “farcical” government in a brusing PMQs showdown, as the prime minister faces the biggest test of his premiership in a crunch Commons vote on his flagship Rwanda policy.A group of 60 right-wing Tory MPs, backed by Boris Johnson, threatened the PM’s plan by backing amendments aimed at toughening it up on Tuesday evening, with both Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith quitting as deputy chairmen to vote with the rebels.If around 30 of the rebels carry out their threats to vote against Mr Sunak again on Wednesday night, the PM will be handed a humiliating defeat – potentially sparking yet another Tory leadership contest or a general election within weeks.One senior Sunak ally claimed to The Independent that the risk of an early election – with an almost certain Labour victory – will make the rebels will back off, allowing the PM and his battered administration to live to fight another day.Show latest update
1705501237Tory Rwanda rebels hold Sunak’s fate in their handsJane Dalton17 January 2024 14:201705503217UK departure from ECHR would be Brexit 2.0Campaigners have warned that Britain’s departure from the ECHR would amount to “Brexit 2.0” and further damage to the UK’s international reputation.The European Movement UK called on Rishi Sunak to commit to protecting Britain’s membership of the court, amid the push from right-wing rebels to ignore European judges and consider quitting the convention altogether.Sir Nick Harvey, chief executive of European Movement UK, said: “While the government’s Rwanda policy is concerning in itself, the possible departure of the UK from the ECHR would be utterly catastrophic. In terms of the impact it would have on our human rights and justice system, the departure would be an event on a scale akin to Brexit 2.0.”Adam Forrest17 January 2024 14:531705502917Rebels predicted to ‘melt like snowflakes’One MP who plans to vote against the government’s Rwanda Bill has predicted that Tory rebels will ‘melt like snowflakes on a deck’ when the crunch comes later.No 10 is quietly confident it will get the legislation though the Commons.A number 10 source said: “We don’t take any vote for granted but this is the toughest legislation ever brought before parliament to tackle illegal migration. It will make it clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay.”Jane Dalton17 January 2024 14:481705502437No 10 says ‘guidance’ coming for civil servantsRishi Sunak’s official spokesman said there would be “additional guidance” for civil servants to give “clarity” on following ministers decisions in the application of the legislation, denying the code would be rewritten.The spokesman said the guidance will make clear civil servants can “continue to abide by the code” and “carry out the request of ministers” if they decide to ignore injunctions on Rwanda flights.Despite warnings from Robert Jenrick and others that the bill will not let ministers ignore injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights, the No 10 official insisted the bill “deliberately legislating to give ministers the power” to do so.Jane Dalton17 January 2024 14:401705500927I’m here to ensure policy works, insists JenrickRobert Jenrick told the Government he was “here to help” with his amendment aimed at safeguarding against Rule 39 orders.The Tory former immigration minister told MPs: “We have the power to fix this and we have the responsibility. So let’s use the opportunity we have today with the amendment that we have brought forward to resolve this.“Or else we will be here in two months’ time, the Strasbourg court will impose a Rule 39, the Government will be scrambling around how to resolve this, and the Government will have no-one else to blame.“I am here to help the Government to ensure this policy works, because I like everyone, at least on this side of the House, believes passionately that we have to make this policy work and to stop the boats.“So I strongly encourage the Prime Minister to support the amendment in my name, and that of many others, and encourage everyone else on all sides of this House who share my determination to fix this problem to do exactly the same.” More

Rishi Sunak accused Sir Keir Starmer of having provided legal representation to Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist political group that the UK is now planning to ban as a terror organisation, during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (17 January).The prime minister appeared to reference the Labour leader being part of a team of lawyers who represented the group in 2008 when it tried to overturn a ban in Germany, which was unsuccessful.“When I see a group chanting jihad on our streets I ban them, he invoices them,” Mr Sunak added.Sir Keir’s spokesperson said choosing to give legal advice to a group is very different from agreeing with or endorsing the views of that organisation. More

Rishi Sunak was reprimanded by Sir Lindsay Hoyle for using a “prop” during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 17 January.The prime minister was told to sit down as the speaker rose from his seat after Mr Sunak said “[Sir Keir Starmer] always been more interested in what lefty lawyers have to say… I’ve even got here the textbook that he authored for them.”Mr Sunak appeared to hold a photocopy of the cover of the Labour leader’s book European Human Rights Law.“When I stand up, please sit down… We don’t use props in this house,” Sir Lindsay said. More

An MP has revealed he suffered a heart attack just five months ago and thanked those who helped save his life.Dean Russell, MP for Watford, used his time during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (17 January) to thank those who helped him.Mr Russell said: “Unexpectedly, five months ago, I had a heart attack. Thanks to the swift action of the NHS and emergency services, it was caught early. So one stent operation later, I was on a swift path to rehabilitation and recovery, and I’m now sat here today fighting fit, and a bit lighter too.” More

Aerial footage shows moment RAF Typhoon strikes Yemen military targetFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsPakistan has vowed to respond to neighboring Iran after they hit a civilian region across the border in an unannounced attack.Iran launched airstrikes on Tuesday that Tehran claimed targeted bases for a militant Sunni separatist group.In state media reports, which were later withdrawn without explanation, Iran said its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard targeted bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl, or the “Army of Justice”. The group, which seeks an independent Baluchistan and has spread across Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, acknowledged the assault in a statement shared online.Islamabad, which has frosty relationships with Tehran, angrily denounced the attack as a “blatant violation” of its airspace and said it killed two children.Jan Achakzai, a spokesperson for the Baluchistan province, where the strike hit, also condemned the attack, and vowed to react.“Pakistan has always sought cooperation from all the countries of the region — including Iran — to combat terrorism,” he said. “This is unacceptable and Pakistan has a right to respond to any aggression committed against its sovereignty.”The attack threatens to escalate tensions in a region that has become increasingly unstable after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October.Show latest update
1705501819Mapped: How the US and UK attacks on Houthi rebels took place and what weapons were used?Huge explosions were seen in Yemeni cities including Sana’a and Hodeidah in the early hours of 12 January, with the US military saying 60 strikes were launched against 16 sites linked to the Houthis’ military operations.Below, The Independent looks at how the attacks unfolded and what weapons were used in the strikes.Tom Watling17 January 2024 14:301705500019Here are some more details on the Iran strikes on Pakistan Officials in Pakistan‘s southwestern province of Balochistan, which borders Iran, have said that four missiles had hit the Panjgur district close to the Iranian border on Tuesday. “Four missiles were fired in the village of Koh-i-Sabaz which is around 50 km inside Pakistan soil,” a senior official of the Panjgur administration told Reuters.“A mosque and three houses were damaged in the attack,” another official said, adding that two young girls had been killed and three other family members injured.Tom Watling17 January 2024 14:001705498219Two Navy SEALs lost at sea were on mission targeting Houthi weapons shipment, says PentagonTwo US Navy SEALs were lost at sea on a mission targeting Iranian weapons deliveries to Houthis in Yemen, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.The night-time mission ended with the seizure of a small sailing boat that was transporting “advanced lethal aid” to the Yemeni rebel group as part of its “campaign of attacks against international merchant shipping,” the Pentagon said in a statement.The SEALs had been reported missing in the days following the mission, which took place on 11 January off the coast of Somalia, but its purpose had not been revealed. The two SEALs were still lost at sea as of Tuesday morning.Tom Watling17 January 2024 13:301705495519US national security adviser says stopping Houthi Red Sea attacks is an ‘all hands on deck’ problemA senior White House official said Tuesday that addressing the ongoing threat by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea is an “all hands on deck” problem that the U.S. and allies must address together to minimize impact on the global economy.“How long this goes on and how bad it gets comes down not just to the decisions of the countries in the coalition that took strikes last week,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.Tom Watling17 January 2024 12:451705492819Pope condemns Iran strike on Iraq, appeals against escalationPope Francis has condemned the Iranian missile attack on the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, and urged all parties to avoid an escalation of conflicts in the Middle East.The strike has deepened worries about worsening instability across the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on Oct. 7, with Iran’s allies also entering the fray from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.“I express my closeness and solidarity with the victims, all civilians, of the missile attack that hit an urban area of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan,” Francis said during his weekly audience at the Vatican.“Good relations between neighbours are not built with similar actions, but with dialogue and collaboration. I ask everyone to avoid any step that fuels tension in the Middle East and other war scenarios,” he added.Francis called for prayers for the “many victims of war”, mentioning specifically Ukraine, Gaza and other Palestinian territory, and Israel. More