Plans to increase the national living wage to £9.50 an hour risks pushing more people into unemployment, without support for smaller businesses, Rishi Sunak has been warned.
The Chancellor has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation for the increase from the current minimum of £8.91 per hour. The 59p hourly boost will mean a full-time worker on the living wage will get a pay rise of more than £1,000 per year.
The move chimes with Boris Johnson’s public calls during the Tory conference earlier this month for the UK to become a “high-skill, high wage” economy.
But the Federation of Small Businesses has called on the Treasury to lift the small business employment allowance (EA), currently set at £4,000, or risk further job losses. Last month it warned that the 1.25 per cent increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) could lead to 50,000 more people left out of work.
Mike Cherry, the trade body's chairman, said: "The Treasury must play its part to secure wage increases - the taxman will gain almost £500 for every worker whose pay increases to £9.50 an hour...
"Without an increase in the EA, the combination in April of higher wage bills and higher tax bills will see many more than the forecast of 50,000 people added to unemployment queues."
Labour, which used its conference to adopt a position to call for at least £10 an hour, called the increase "underwhelming".
Bridget Phillipson, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "Much of it will be swallowed up by the Government’s tax rises, Universal Credit cuts and failure to get a grip on energy bills."
The TUC also called on the Government to "set its sights higher" and raise the national living wage to £10 an hour.
Frances O'Grady, the secretary general, said: "This increase won't come into effect until next spring, by which time many household budgets will have been hammered by rising bills and the Universal Credit cut."
03:05 PM
And that's it for another day...
Rishi Sunak might be hoping to set the tone ahead of Wednesday's Budget - but presumably he was looking for something a bit different to the responses to some of the announcements so far.
The Chancellor received a stern rebuke from the Speaker in the Commons this afternoon, with Sir Lindsay Hoyle hauling a health minster in to answer questions about the funding announced over the weekend as he noted that in the past ministers who pre-briefed Budget details resigned.
And what of the announcements themselves? Well, the national living wage increase seems to have angered both business owners and unions while singularly lacking to impress the IFS.
The NHS funding similarly has failed to win much in the way of support, with practitioners warning that while there may be new equipment, there might not be anyone around to operate it.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson's gambit to set up his climate summit with a few softball questions from children (who he told were journalists) resulted in him admitting the success of Cop26 was "touch and go", and suggesting recycling was a "red herring".
Instead, he said, the focus should be on feeding humans to animals, stopping cows from burping and developing municipal toothpaste dispensers.
For more news and analysis, carry on reading below.
02:53 PM
Four reasons why (the IFS is underwhelmed by the national living wage increase)
The Government's living wage rise increase will be blunted by inflation hikes, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned.
Tom Waters, senior research economist at the think tank, said: "First, while this boosts earnings for full-time minimum wage workers by over £1,000 per year, those on Universal Credit will see their disposable income go up by just £250 because their taxes rise and benefit receipt falls as their earnings increase.
"Second, minimum wage workers are most heavily concentrated around the middle of the household income distribution - not the bottom - often because they live with a higher earning partner. That means that the minimum wage is a very imperfect tool to offset cuts to benefits, which are much more targeted at the poorest households.
"Third, rising inflation will also blunt the real-terms value of this minimum wage hike - and of course while prices are rising now, the increase in the minimum wage won't kick in until April."
02:44 PM
Speaker rebukes Treasury for pre-briefing Budget details
The Speaker has criticised the Treasury for having briefed journalists on the contents of the Budget over the weekend.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had scheduled an urgent question because it was "not acceptable" that ministers tried to "run roughshod" over parliamentary rules.
"Ministers will be called to account to this chamber at the earliest possible opportunity," he added. "At one time ministers did the right thing if they breached before a budget -they walked - absolutely, they resigned.
"It seems to me we have got to a position where if it's not put out five days before, it's not worth it."
Edward Argar, the health minister, said his comments would be heard "by colleagues in my department and in Her Majesty's Treasury".
02:28 PM
Critical: MPs urged to act on Facebook failures
Facebook makes hate "unquestionably worse", a former employee turned whistleblower has told MPs and peers.
Frances Haugen said: "When I worked on counter espionage, I saw things where I was concerned about national security and I had no idea how to escalate those because I didn't have faith in my chain of command.
"I flagged repeatedly when I worked on integrity that I felt that critical teams were understaffed. Right now there's no incentives internally, that if you make noise, saying we need more help - people will not get rallied around for help, because everyone is underwater."
Ms Haugen likened failures at Facebook to an oil spill, telling the joint committee scrutinising the Online Safety Bill that she "came forward now because now is the most critical time to act".
"When we see something like an oil spill, that oil spill doesn't make it harder for a society to regulate oil companies. But right now the failures of Facebook are making it harder for us to regulate Facebook."
02:22 PM
TUC: Government must raise living wage to £10 an hour
The Government must "set its sights higher" and raise the national living wage to £10 an hour, the TUC general secretary has said.
Frances O'Grady welcomed today's announcement, saying: "With Britain in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, boosting the minimum wage is vital."
But she added: "This increase won't come into effect until next spring, by which time many household budgets will have been hammered by rising bills and the Universal Credit cut."
Ms O'Grady also called on the Chancellor to "fully fund" public sector pay rises above the rising cost of living.
"Otherwise, he will force departments to choose between pay cuts or service cuts," she said.
02:20 PM
Lift National Insurance threshold for small businesses or risk job losses, Treasury told
The Federation of Small Businesses has called on the Treasury to lift the small business employment allowance, or risk job losses on the back of the national living wage increase.
Mike Cherry, the trade body's chairman, said: "The Treasury must play its part to secure wage increases - the taxman will gain almost £500 for every worker whose pay increases to £9.50 an hour.
"Larger-than-expected increases in the living wage must be matched by support for those who will struggle to afford to maintain jobs," he added. "These are the smallest employers, up and down the country, who need to see the extension of the small business employment allowance, which covers the first £4,000 of Employer National Insurance contributions.
"Without an increase in the EA, the combination in April of higher wage bills and higher tax bills will see many more than the forecast of 50,000 people added to unemployment queues."
02:15 PM
Jon Ashworth's karaoke turn gets the better of him
Labour has been wrestling with its identity for some time - but (presumably) MPs have never confused themselves with each other. Until now.
Jon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, took a Buzzfeed quiz - only to find out he is actually his departmental junior Rosena Allin-Khan. Presumably his Covid-defying karaoke turn was what did for him.
Perhaps the Budget will clarify which Labour MPs are currently working in the Treasury...
Budget briefing drives further wedge between ministers and Speaker
The Treasury's detailed briefing of key Budget announcements ahead of the big day appears to be driving a further wedge between ministers and the Speaker's team.
Dame Eleanor Laing, the Deputy Speaker, says the ministerial code may have been breached, Tony Diver writes.
"It is disappointing, to say the least, that the Treasury ministers have made announcements outside of Parliament and well in advance of the Chancellor's Budget on Wednesday," she said. "MPs have to be given the opportunity to hold the Government to account. That is the job to be done on behalf of constituents by MPs, not by journalists."
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, questioned whether there is any point in having a formal Budget when most of the detail has already been announced. "It's not that long ago that people were sacked for breaking confidence," he said.
A frustrated Government insider described the briefing this weekend as “ridiculous,” and the Treasury as a “law unto itself”.
"Last week I was thinking, ‘wow, pretty good that so little has been briefed out,’" the grumpy official said. "Safe to say I think otherwise this morning."
01:55 PM
Michael Gove: Boris leadership challenge was 'unexploded bomb in my hands'
Michael Gove quoted Sir Malcolm Rifkind, saying: "One of things about committing political suicide is that you always live to regret it." - AFP
Michael Gove has compared his 2016 challenge to Boris Johnson's leadership bid as "an unexploded bomb going off in my own hands".
Ruth Cadbury, Labour's shadow planning minister, compared changes to the planning whitepaper with his "torpedo" of Mr Johnson's bid in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit referendum.
To much laughter, Mr Gove thanked her for taking him back to the "halcyon days of 2016", but added: "It wasn't so much of a torpedo being launched as an unexploded bomb going off in my own hands.
"But as the former member for Kensington and Chelsea, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, pointed out, one of things about committing political suicide is that you always live to regret it."
Mr Gove stressed the planning white paper had been "mischaracterised by many", insisting "there is so much that is good in it, but it is also important to listen to the concerns expressed to make sure the powerful and compelling set of proposals is even more effective".
01:43 PM
Planning reforms will take in views of local people, Michael Gove says
Michael Gove has vowed to listen to local residents when it comes to planning reforms, in his first question time as Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary.
Speaking from the backbenches, Caroline Dinenage, the MP for Gosport and former culture minister, urged the minister not to "impose outdated housing numbers on us"
Mr Gove replied: "I completely understand the unique issues faced by her constituency... not just in meeting the local housing needs but also respecting the environment and nature of the communities and the special, cherishable heritage.
"As we take forward proposals for planning reforms, we will be balancing the need for new housing with environmental concerns and also the vital importance of listening to local people."
01:29 PM
Covid booster programme reaches 6.1m people in UK
At least 6.1 million booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine are estimated to have been delivered in the UK, new figures show.
A total of 5,235,928 doses had been delivered in England as of October 24, along with 511,807 in Scotland and 51,053 in Northern Ireland.
In Wales, 322,591 booster doses had been delivered as of October 21 - the latest figure available.
It means at least one in eight people in the UK who have received a first and second dose of vaccine are likely to have also received a booster.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, described the programme as "stalling", as he called for mandatory masks and home-working advice to be reimposed. (See 12:53pm)
01:18 PM
'Draconian' Covid restrictions may be reintroduced if people don't follow rules in Wales
More "draconian" measures could be reintroduced in Wales if cases of Covid continue to soar, the country's chief medical officer has warned.
Dr Frank Atherton said he was "disappointed" to see many people have stopped carrying out the most basic measures recommended to keep safe, such as wearing masks and social distancing.
He told BBC Radio Wales: "This is how the virus is spreading. Unless we as a society organise ourselves in a way that we follow the guidance that we know will stop transmission of the virus then unfortunately more draconian measures and legislative requirements may need to be brought back in."
Wales' infection rate is at its highest level since the pandemic began, with 3,152 new positive cases reported on Sunday October 24, and a further 12 deaths. The Welsh Government will announce another review of the Covid rules on Friday.
01:12 PM
Living wage rise being 'snatched away' by National Insurance, claims Lib Dems
Nearly half the proposed increase of a full-time worker on the national living wage will be "wiped out" on tax and the National Insurance increase, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats.
Under the current 12 per cent rate of National Insurance, a full-time employee's take-home pay would rise by £835, but once that increases to 13.25 per cent this will fall to £707. This means that they would have been able to keep over two thirds (68 per cent) of their pay rise, whereas now they will only take home just over half (58 per cent).
Once combined with the cut to Universal Credit, the same worker could be left poorer by £780 a year.
Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, said: "Ahead of the Budget, people will be looking to the Chancellor's announcement of a pay rise to help them. Instead they will be bitterly disappointed to see almost half of any rise snatched away by the Treasury before it even reaches their bank accounts...
"Instead of a fair deal, families across the country are facing a Budget nightmare with a soaring rise to the cost of living paired with tax hikes left right and centre."
01:03 PM
Lobby latest: No 10 tries to smooth over Boris Johnson's recycling comments
Downing Street has sought to smooth over Boris Johnson's comments about recycling, insisting the Prime Minister encourages people to recycle, despite describing it as a "red herring".
Following Mr Johnson's comments at a climate press conference with children, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Yes, the Prime Minister was setting out that recycling alone is not the answer.
"We're taking a wide range of action across society to cut plastic pollution.
"Simply relying on recycling alone as the Prime Minister set out would be a red herring, we need to go further and take wider action."
But they have already prompted criticism from the industry. See 11:46am and 1:38pm for more
12:52 PM
Lobby latest: 'No plan to move to Plan B'
Downing Street again insisted it was not the time to move to Plan B to tackle rising numbers of coronavirus in England - which would involve the use of vaccine passports, mandatory face coverings in certain settings and advice to work from home.
"If the public continue to abide by the behaviours and guidance we have set out, and those eligible get their booster jabs, we believe we can further curb cases and bring rates down, along with hospitalisation and deaths," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
"There is no plan to move to Plan B at this stage."
12:38 PM
Boris Johnson has 'completely lost the plastic plot' on recycling, claims association
The Recycling Association said Boris Johnson has "completely lost the plastic plot" by telling people recycling does not work when trying to solve the climate crisis (see 11:46am).
Chief executive Simon Ellin told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme said his initial reaction to the Prime Minister's comments was "wow".
He added: "It's very disappointing. I think he has completely lost the plastic plot here, if I'm honest.
"We need to reduce and I would completely agree with him on that but his own Government has just invested in the resources and waste strategy, which is the most ground-breaking recycling legislation and plan that we've ever seen, with recycling right at the front of it.
"So he seems to be completely conflicting with his own Government's policy."
12:36 PM
National living wage increase 'underwhelming', says Labour
Labour has condemned the Government's move to put the national living wage up to £9.50 as "underwhelming".
Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour’s shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said the sum worked out at £1,000 a year - noting this was less than people would get under Labour’s call for at least £10 per hour for people working full-time.
"Much of it will be swallowed up by the Government’s tax rises, universal credit cuts and failure to get a grip on energy bills," she added.
“It’s clear that Labour is the only party serious about improving the prospects of working people.”
12:28 PM
Lobby latest: Downing Street downplays PM's coal mine comments
Downing Street has insisted Boris Johnson was talking in "broader terms" rather than saying ministers would block a new coal mine in Cumbria when he said he does not "want to support new coal mines" (see 12:27pm).
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I think the Prime Minister was talking in broader terms about our stated aim to phase out the use of coal in the long term.
"There are specific reviews into individual applications that pre-date that and those are ongoing."
12:28 PM
Lobby latest: Boris Johnson being 'realistic' about Cop26
Boris Johnson said success at Cop26 was 'touch and go' - AFP
Downing Street has said Boris Johnson was setting out the "realistic situation" when he presented a downbeat assessment of his chances of success at Cop26.
The Prime Minister said it was "touch and go" whether the summit would be a success (see 11:32am).
His official spokesman said: "We have made some progress with a number of countries, Saudi Arabia has come forward with some commitments, for example.
"But the Prime Minister was simply setting out the realistic situation that bringing together countries from around the world to sign up to ambitious targets such as these that require tangible commitments is difficult and challenging and will require some intense negotiation."
12:25 PM
Budget analysis: How much headroom will the Chancellor have?
One of the key questions ahead of Wednesday's Budget is how much headroom the Chancellor will have to cover the spending commitments.
Thus far Rishi Sunak has announced around £32bn worth of funds. Neither he nor Boris Johnson ruled out further tax rises during the party conference earlier this month, although they will face deep unhappiness from the Tory benches if they break (yet another) manifesto commitment so early.
Much will rest on the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecasts. If the OBR improves its long-term outlook, the amount Mr Sunak has to play with could rise by billions. If it falls - and the Bank of England recently revised its third quarter growth predictions - he has less in the kitty.
Inflation is of course the spectre at the feast, with rising interest rates eroding any gains made by what economic growth there has been. With government spending expected to settle at 42 per cent of GDP, the Chancellor's options are narrowing just as he was hoping to take a wider approach.
12:07 PM
Nick Timothy: The state needs total reform – and Sunak must reveal the small print
Ahead of the Budget, spare a thought for Rishi Sunak, writes Nick Timothy.
The Chancellor is due to set out his spending plans amid great economic turbulence: a huge fiscal hangover from the pandemic, demands from public services to fund the Covid catch-up, rising infection rates, disrupted global supply chains, an energy crunch, inflation concerns and predictions of an interest rate rise.
On top of that, Sunak must contend with old national woes – poor productivity and over-dependence on low-skilled, low-paid work – and more recent political promises to “level up” the country, increase spending on public services, invest in infrastructure and keep the principal revenue-raising tax rates down.
He must also contend with a sometimes tense relationship with the man next door, Boris Johnson.
Sir Keir Starmer has said working from home and mandatory masks are "sensible" measures to prevent another lockdown amid a "stalling" booster programme.
Speaking to Sky News, the Labour leader said: "We've got to assess the risk here. These are common sense measures that prevent the one thing everybody doesn't want, which is deeper restrictions, even a lockdown. Those in hospitality would argue that a lockdown would be very, very difficult for them. So they are sensible measures."
"The real issue is the rollout of the booster regime," he added. "I'm afraid the vaccination programme is stalling now. I think we should have pop up vaccination centres reinstated, community pharmacists are saying they can do more and bring back retired health workers.
"That is where the focus should be because in the end masks aren't going to do the heavy lifting, it's the vaccine."
11:41 AM
The Telegraph View: This Government is more Keynes than Thatcher
This week’s Budget is, unusually, the second of the calendar year. The move from spring to an autumn package was stymied by the pandemic last year and so the Budget shifted to March. To restore the annual fiscal rhythm, the Chancellor will dust down his red box for another on Wednesday.
Equally unusually, since this week’s statement is about spending as well as revenues, there has been little obvious controversy about that side of the government balance sheet. This is principally because there is little obvious Treasury parsimony on show. Far from it.
While Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak declare themselves to be low tax, small-state Tories, this conflicts both with what we see and with what they want to happen next.
Boris Johnson: We don't want to support new coal mines
Boris Johnson has said he does not "want to support new coal mines", as ministers face pressure over a site opening in Cumbria.
Asked at a children's press conference if he will continue to support new coal mines being created in the UK, the Prime Minister said: "We don't want to support new coal mines but what we want to do is to continue our progress to a zero-carbon future."
Earlier this year more than 30 Conservative MPs backed the new mine, saying it would create jobs and remain within the net zero targets. However opponents argue that it will undermine efforts.
Planning inspector Stephen Normington said he will make his recommendation in late December or early January.
11:16 AM
World leaders must show 'significant uplift' in climate ambitions, says Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon delivers a keynote speech ahead of Cop26 - Getty
Failure to act on climate change will be a "betrayal of young people around the world" and risks life on earth becoming "unrecognisable", Scotland's First Minister has said.
Speaking ahead of Cop26, which starts on Sunday, Nicola Sturgeon called on countries which have the highest emissions levels - such as China, Russia, the US and India - to do more to tackle the climate emergency and keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees.
The First Minister continued: "The hard fact is this: 'Keeping 1.5 alive' - which has become the strapline almost for Cop26 - is vital. It mustn't become a face-saving slogan. It must be real. Both in the run-up to and at Cop itself, there needs to be a significant uplift in ambition from the world's biggest-emitting countries to make that real.
"Each and every country gathered round the negotiating table also knows the action that is needed to prevent it. So there is not excuse for failing to act."
11:04 AM
Feed humans to animals - and stop cows burping - to address climate change, says Prime Minister
Boris Johnson has joked that feeding people to animals could address the imbalance in nature.
WWF UK's Tanya Steele, appearing alongside the Prime Minister, said: "I think we need to bring nature back... Our planet, 97 per cent of the mass of mammals on this planet is humans and our animals, our domestic animals.
"Just three per cent is left for the wild."
The Prime Minister said it was "so sad" and added: "We could feed some of the human beings to the animals."
Ms Steele replied: "We could have a vote later and ask if there's any candidates."
Mr Johnson later suggested that "we should encourage cows to stop burping".
10:58 AM
Budget row over NHS cash as critics say funding won't be enough to solve staffing crisis
Critics have warned the new £5.9bn NHS funding set to be confirmed in Wednesday's Budget won't be enough to tackle waiting lists as it will not resolve the staffing shortages.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, this morning side-stepped any guarantee that the new investment would clear waiting lists that have built up over the pandemic, only telling Sky News it was "a huge amount of money".
Challenged over the impact it would have on the backlog, Mr Javid stressed it was capital investment rather than staff, which he said was already covered by the Health and Social Care Levy, adding: "We want to support them in bringing down the waiting list." He told Times Radio it would go towards tackling a "large part of that waiting list".
But the chief executive of respected think tank The King's Fund said while the capital investment was "welcome", there were "very deep shortages across the NHS".
Richard Murray told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "The real challenge is as we build these new facilities will we have any staff to put in them, to actually work them?"
He added: "It's increasingly odd that as we look towards the future this one great big keystone- how we're going to handle NHS workforces and health and social care staffing - is still the missing piece."
10:46 AM
Recycling is a 'red herring', says Boris Johnson
A seven-year old asks about plastic in the ocean and what can be done to stop people and businesses producing so much.
Boris Johnson suggests there is need for a "municipal toothpaste" holder.
He adds that recycling "isn't the answer - you're not going to live this but recycling doesn't begin to address the problem."
What has to be done is "stop the production of plastics" in the first place, he says and talks over Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF UK, who suggests it can be helpful.
Recycling is a "red herring", he adds. "If people think we can recycle our way out of the problem they will be making a huge mistake."
10:44 AM
Climate progress 'far from clear', says Boris Johnson
Asked if world leaders are listening to the UK on climate change, Boris Johnson says "they are starting to see how urgent this is... and they are making some good commitments".
The Prime Minister pointed to Australia's net zero commitment, he says it was "very difficult" because of their dependence on fossil fuels, but the government has "done a heroic thing".
He adds that others will "want to follow the example of their friends and neighbours... I hope - but it's very far from clear that we will get the progress we need".
10:38 AM
Boris Johnson names and shames Coca-Cola as plastic polluter
Plastic is "a massive problem", Boris Johnson has told children as part of a climate change press conference with kids aged eight to 12.
Microplastics "are turning up absolutely everywhere," the Prime Minister said. "Everyone has got to learn to use much less plastic. Just look at when you buy clothes - everything is covered in plastic, so we have got to move away from that."
He said there were "ways of moving beyond plastic - making stuff our of seeds, banana leaves - it works, we just need to get on and do it".
Mr Johnson said there were 12 corporations "producing the overwhelming bulk of the world's plastics".
Having initially said he wouldn't name any firms, he added: "Coco-Cola and others are responsible for producing huge amounts of plastic... it's ending up in the eco-system."
10:35 AM
Boris Johnson: I must get leaders to agree 'difficult' climate targets
Asked what one thing he could do to tackle climate change, Boris Johnson says it is Cop26.
"It's going to be the biggest gathering of world leaders since the pandemic began", he tells the children's press conference on climate change.
"I've to to get each of them to agree to do something to help the planet... something that is difficult for them," the Prime Minister said. "These things won't be easy."
He noted that "we have been at it for a very long time", identifying the start of the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands as the beginning of man-made climate change.
10:32 AM
Cop 26 is 'touch and go', Boris Johnson tells children
Greenhouses gasses are "swaddling the earth like a tea cosy", Boris Johnson has told a group of children as he looks to explain the importance of Cop26.
The Prime Minister said he was looking for "as many people as possible to promise to get to net zero" and "plant a gazillion trees.. we need to halt and reverse the deforestation of the planet... by 2030".
But he said he was "very worried" about the chances of convincing leaders next week, saying it was "touch and go" whether the aims would be met. "It might go wrong," he said. "We might not get the agreements we need... it's touch and go."
He told the children "you are all journalists" as he opened up the press conference to questions from the attendees, who are aged 8-12.
10:18 AM
Cop26 will be era-defining, says Boris Johnson
Cop26 will be "one of the defining summits of our time", Boris Johnson has said - with just a week to go before the climate summit kicks off.
The Prime Minister, how is facing pressure over whether the conference will live up to its expectations, told the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) business and investment summit: "Cop26 marks our last best chance to begin the global push to net zero.
"And if we can use that opportunity to deliver real, substantive action on coal, cars, cash and trees, then I really do believe that we can not only keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees, but also usher in a worldwide green industrial revolution - growing economies by cutting emissions.
"There's no choice to be made between going green and creating jobs - they are two sides of the same coin.
"And there's no doubt at all that green investment is the future."
10:10 AM
Government urged to 'at least' keep fuel duty freeze as cost of petrol soars
A senior Conservative MP has called on the Government to "at least" maintain the freeze on fuel duty, after the average price of petrol reached a record high.
Petrol reached 142.94p a litre on Sunday, while diesel is a little off its all-time high, the AA has said.
Robert Halfon, a long-time campaigner for the freeze, told The Telegraph: "The cost of petrol and diesel at the pumps have a major impact on the cost of living for working people.
"It isn't just motorists - it also increases the costs of public services. It should be a major priority for the Government to at least keep the freeze."
He added: "I'd be very surprised if it was scrapped, given the recent fuel crises. We need to deal with the world as it is, as well as the world we would like it to be - people depend on their cars."
09:59 AM
Number of EU citizens claiming benefits doubled during pandemic
The number of EU citizens claiming benefits doubled in the pandemic, new figures show, amid fears many are living abroad while still receiving the money.
At least 100,000 quit to return to Europe, according to new analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), although some experts claim it could be many multiples of that because of problems with the way the data is collated.
Neither the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are able to say how many of those that left have claimed benefits from abroad.
A senior government source said: “This is an issue we are worried about. There are 6.2 million EU nationals who have access to benefits, tax credits, furlough during the pandemic.
“This money can often be claimed by those who have returned home to another country, which may not be fair or sustainable in the long run. It’s something we are going to have to look at.”
Poland's PM warns EU against starting 'World War Three'
Poland has vowed to "defend our rights with any weapons which are at our disposal" as it warned the EU against starting "World War Three" by imposing financial sanctions over Warsaw’s challenge to the supremacy of European law.
In an attempt to give ground in the rule-of-law dispute, Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s prime minister, promised to dismantle a controversial disciplinary chamber for judges that the European Court of Justice ruled to be illegal by the end of the year.
But Brussels must withdraw threats of legal or financial sanctions if it wants to resolve the long-running spat, he said.
The European Commission has threatened Poland with punitive sanctions, such as withholding tens of billions of euros in EU funding, after the country’s top court ruled that EU treaties do not override national law.
Boris Johnson to be quizzed by children on climate
Boris Johnson: Will he face the UK's answer to Greta? - AFP
Boris Johnson will answer questions from schoolchildren about climate change on Monday as he prepares to host world leaders for the Cop26 summit.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister will host a press conference with children from around the UK on tackling climate change, alongside WWF UK's chief executive Tanya Steele."
Leaders will begin gathering in Glasgow from Sunday for the United Nations Cop26 summit.
09:23 AM
Analysis: What to expect when you're expecting a Budget
Much expectation is weighing on Rishi Sunak's shoulders, as the Chancellor looks to deliver his first Budget out of the teeth of the pandemic.
There is no way to avoid the long shadow that Covid will cast, as already evidenced by the £5.9bn of new money for the NHS announced overnight. But he is keen to finally get on the front foot and start delivering some levelling up manifesto pledges in the form of £6.9 billion to improve local transport links and £3 billion of skills investment for more training bootcamps and classroom hours for technical qualifications.
Post-Brexit Britain will also take centre-stage, with £700 million to strengthen the borders and a new £1.4 billion Global Britain Investment Fund among others.
But Mr Sunak will struggle to shrug off the biggest political issues, with Labour having gone hard on the cost-of-living crisis and the stretched public finances during conference season, as the opposition looks to park their tanks on the Tory lawn when it comes to economic competence.
09:06 AM
Tory MPs fight back over sewage vote outcry
Conservative MPs are fighting back against criticism for voting against an amendment that would have legally compelled water companies to reduce their discharge of raw sewage into rivers and seas.
Just 22 Tories rebelled against the Government over the amendment to the Environment Bill - provoking intense backlash from constituents and campaigners, with some Twitter users posting images of MPs who blocked the change.
Maria Caulfield, the nursing minister, said: "None of us voted to discharge sewage into the sea and those of who have spread lies and misinformation should hang their heads in shame. Don’t ask why MPs get death threats if you have been part of this today."
That was echoed by Andrew Stephenson, the MP for Pendle.
"Facts matter. Shocking to see Labour supporters spreading fake news online to try and demonise Conservative MPs so soon after the murder of Sir David Amess," he said.
08:51 AM
Coronavirus cases to slump this winter, say scientists
Labour has called on the Government to introduce its Plan B for dealing with Covid immediately.
Both Sir Keir Starmer, the party leader, and Jon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, have called for restrictions to be imposed to tackle the rise in cases, which currently stand at around one in 55 people.
But modelling seen by the Government suggests that Covid cases will plummet in November even without Plan B restrictions.
One model, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, suggests that cases will soon peak before falling steeply in the winter months.
Jacinda Ardern admits Covid plan will lead to two-tier society in New Zealand
Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged that Covid policies will create a two-tier system in New Zealand where non-vaccinated citizens do not enjoy the same rights as those who have received the jab.
During a video interview, the prime minister said the current rules had granted vaccinated citizens more freedoms.
"You've basically said, and you probably don't see it like this, but two different classes of people if you're vaccinated or unvaccinated. If you're vaccinated you have all these rights," asked a journalist from the New Zealand Herald.
"That is what it is," said Ardern, nodding. She said the new plans were designed to boost vaccination rates and public confidence.
NEW - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, when asked by a reporter if she was creating two classes of people, with the vaccinated receiving special privileges, confirmed, "That is what it is, yep".pic.twitter.com/4VDULQN7Xd
Patrick O'Flynn: Boris Johnson must hold firm against 'Winter Plan' doom-mongers
The drumbeat of doom, urging a “Plan B” of further restrictions on freedom to aid our war against Covid, grows louder each day, writes Patrick O'Flynn.
Recent media reports suggest that something called the “UK Health Security Agency” has been contacting local authorities to canvass support for the “immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B”.
Pressed by Andrew Marr yesterday morning on whether Labour supported moving to Plan B, the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves replied: “Yes, but let’s not let the Government off the hook with Plan A either.”
All this follows a week in which a number of health sector lobby groups, such as the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association have catapulted their demands for new restrictions to the top of the news agenda of every mainstream broadcaster with ease.
Yet were we really living in an age of reason, Covid would no longer be dominating our public discourse at all.
Sajid Javid was pretty vague about the prospects of a pay boost for NHS workers this morning (see 8:32am). But the threat of industrial action over the Government's three per cent increase is building.
The GMB union is balloting tens of thousands of its NHS members in England about possible strikes in the new year. The ballot opens on November 10 and closes on December 15.
More than nine out of 10 GMB members in the NHS have already rejected what it described as a "miserable pay cut".
Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: "The NHS is facing a staffing crisis and is creaking under the pressure of the pandemic.
"A pay award like this is a slap in the face for all health workers and is not the way to fix things. NHS workers deserve a restorative 15 per cent pay increase, not this derisory offering."
08:01 AM
Sajid Javid: Public has 'role to play' in keeping Christmas 'safe'
Everyone has "a role to play" in keeping Christmas "safe" from restrictions, Sajid Javid has said.
The Health Secretary told LBC radio: "We all want a fantastic Christmas and we can ensure that by getting out there and getting our vaccines. There are still some five million people out there that haven't had a single dose of the vaccine and and we need to basically tell them they need to do that."
Mr Javid also highlighted other "sensible behaviours" that people should adopt. saying: "It's getting darker, we can see it's getting colder, we will spend more time indoors, and so we should think about hand hygiene, about getting tested regularly, especially if you're going to meet your more vulnerable... perhaps an elderly relative or someone - so if we can do all that, I'm sure that we're going to have a great Christmas."
But he rejected Labour's call to move to Plan B now, saying the data does not demand it "right here, right now".
He added: "I couldn't appeal more strongly to people to play their part in Plan A, and top of the list, as I say, are the vaccines."
07:49 AM
Insulate Britain returns as campaigners target Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street
Back to their old tricks: Insulate Britain returns to disrupting roads - AFP
Insulate Britain has targeted Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street as it renews its roadblock campaign after a pause.
The group had put its campaign on ice for 10 days, but vowed to return in the run-up to the Budget. True to their word, dozens of activists are now sitting in the road carrying Insulate Britain banners. Police are in attendance.
An offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, the group wants the Government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.
It blocked roads on 14 days over the five weeks to October 14, with activists often gluing their hands to the carriageway to increase the length of time it takes for police to remove them.
Hundreds of arrests were made, with some people detained several times.
07:42 AM
Ministers urged to reintroduce 'sensible' Covid measures
A Government scientist has urged ministers to reintroduce "sensible" measures such as mandatory face masks in indoor spaces and working from home to drive down "unacceptable" case rates.
Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the Nervtag, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "I don't think it's a binary go for Plan B or nothing, it's very clear that the measures that are in included in Plan B are sensible and not very disruptive.
"It's not problematic to give clear leadership about the use of face masks, and working at home if you can is also not particularly disruptive for many people," he added. "Those measures are likely to lead to a pretty good reduction in the really unacceptable number of cases that we've got at the moment.
"To my mind, the introduction of vaccine passports is also fine - it's been accepted very easily in most other western European countries."
07:37 AM
Sajid Javid: I will wear face mask on 'packed' Budget day
Conservative MPs have been criticised for not wearing masks in the Commons - PA
Sajid Javid has said he will be wearing a face mask during this week's Budget - but defended his colleagues' rights not to do so.
Asked if he would wear a mask on Wednesday, the Health Secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If I am in the Chamber on Budget day, given it will be packed, I will be yeah."
Asked if he would urge Conservative MPs to do likewise, he said: "The guidelines are clear - people will make a personal decision on how they see the risk for them and those around them. This is obviously a workplace setting, so it's a decision for them. But I will be."
Challenged over comments made by Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mr Javid said: "Our guidance is just that, it is not mandatory in any setting. It's important that guidance is there for everyone to look at and make their own decision."
07:32 AM
Sajid Javid swerves questions over NHS pay
Sajid Javid has swerved questions about whether NHS workers will get a pay rise in this week's Budget - despite the Chancellor dropping some heavy hints over the weekend (see 7:50am).
Asked if the sector was likely to see a pay rise, following a series of real-term cuts, the Health Secretary - and former resident of Number 11 - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have just announced a few weeks ago the pay settlement of three per cent increase across the board, based on independent advice we get.
"It is based on independent advice, I do think that's important - to have people other than ministers go into the detail."
He added: "If we look at the total investment in the NHS, especially during the pandemic.... it makes it clear this is our absolute total priority. We want to see more and more people getting the treatment they need."
07:24 AM
Play your part if you want a 'normal Christmas', says Sajid Javid
Sajid Javid has said people must follow official advice and get their booster jab to ensure "we'll have a normal Christmas" this year.
The Health Secretary told BBC Breakfast it was not necessary to implement Plan B of the winter Covid-19 precautions "at this point", but admitted the virus was "unpredictable" and he could not "predict exactly where we're going to be in three months' time, or six months' time".
He urged people to get vaccinated and take daily precautions.
"For all those people like me that are hoping and planning for a normal Christmas - which I do by the way, I think that's where we'll be, we'll have a normal Christmas - if we want let's just keep playing our part," Mr Javid said.
He said he "of course" agrees with Boris Johnson that it will be a better Christmas than last year.
07:22 AM
Sajid Javid condemns anti-vaxx 'idiots' after school clashes
Sajid Javid has criticised "idiots" who campaign against vaccines and spread lies and falsehoods outside schools, and said action should be taken against those who injured children.
At least one school in London was told to close early by the police and their local authority, due to risk posed to pupils and staff by a large-scale protest by anti-vaxxers, The Telegraph revealed this morning. Meanwhile, in more than a dozen first-hand accounts from heads across the country, it has emerged that anti-vaxxers have violently clashed with pupils.
The Health Secretary told Sky News it was "heart-breaking" that children had been injured as they went to school because of "these idiots outside their school spreading vicious lies".
He added: "It is becoming a growing problem as time goes by. There are options, in terms of whether it's an exclusion zone, or other potential action, I think it's got to be done at a local level.
"If you've injured children, that is a criminal act and I hope in that case police are able to track those people down."
07:18 AM
Health Secretary 'heading towards' mandatory NHS vaccines
Sajid Javid said a final decision on making vaccination mandatory for all NHS staff had not been taken yet "but it is something that I'm heading towards".
The Health Secretary told Times Radio: "We've been very clear and open about this, working with our friends in the NHS, and the reason for this is if you're working in the NHS, that fantastic work you're doing every day, you yourself are more susceptible to this virus because you're just much more likely to come into contact with it.
"But also the people that you're looking after are more vulnerable and that's why they're in hospital, they've got health needs, and this is about protecting them and protecting yourself."
07:17 AM
Sajid Javid: No guarantee that new NHS funding will clear backlog
Sajid Javid has admitted he can't guarantee the new £6bn NHS funding will clear the Covid backlog after three years.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I can't do that - I don't think anyone can do that... I've been very open about this [the number of people on the waiting list] is going to go up before it goes down."
The Health Secretary said he estimated the current level of 5.9m would rise to around 7m, but stressed the capital investment, alongside the £12bn from the levy, would "drive down that waiting list and make sure more people get seen more quickly".
But he would not be drawn on the overall impact on the backlog, saying only that modelling suggested "at least nine million more scans, tests and check-ups".
07:14 AM
Sajid Javid 'leaning towards' mandatory vaccinations for NHS workers
Sajid Javid has given the clearest indication yet that he is looking to make jabs mandatory for NHS workers, telling Sky News he was "leaning towards doing it".
However he said it would be "months and months" before being imposed, noting that the consultation has only just ended and it would have to pass through parliament, with a grace period to allow workers to get the jab.
Challenged about the impact that would have on staff shortages - which are already around 100,000 - he added: "If you keep in mind more than one million people work in the NHS, and the figure so far is around 94-93 per cent of workers vaccinated...
"In the care sector, when we announced this policy, we saw many more people come forward and do the right thing and get vaccinated. That is why I hope if we do the same thing with the NHS we will get the same result."
07:04 AM
Refusal to enact Plan B has 'nothing to do with Cop26' says Health Secretary
Sajid Javid has rejected suggestions that the Government was delaying imposing new restrictions until after the climate summit due next week, saying the decision has "nothing to do with Cop26".
The Health Secretary told Times Radio: "It has everything to do with having the best clinical advice from world leading scientists.
"We don't think the data shows we need to move to Plan B, but that said it is really important we need to play our part and get vaccinated... It's also just about being cautious on a daily basis and following the advice."
06:50 AM
Sunak hints public sector pay could rise in this week’s Budget
Rishi Sunak has suggested that public sector pay will rise in this week’s Budget.
It would mean an end to last year’s public sector pay freeze, with wage increases for 2.6 million workers including teachers, police and civil servants.
The Chancellor said he would set out a “new pay policy” on Wednesday, after imposing the freeze last November from which only NHS staff and public servants earning less than £24,000 were exempted.
Asked if public sector workers could expect pay increases, Mr Sunak said: “That will be one of the things that we talk about in the spending review.
“Obviously over the past year, we took a decision to have a more targeted approach to public sector pay, given that the year before there were large increases and obviously the private sector was seeing pay decreases last year, and people were on furlough.”
06:50 AM
Good Morning
It's Budget week, which means speculation about the Chancellor's spending (and taxing) plan is reaching fever pitch.
Sajid Javid is on the broadcast round this morning, touting a new £6bn bung that will go towards capital investment. The Health Secretary has also been asked about waiting lists and whether Plan B needs to be brought in now.
But The Telegraph has seen government modeling suggesting Covid cases will fall in November even without Plan B. Here's today's front page.
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