Boris Johnson news – live: Keir Starmer launches Labour reshuffle as Angela Rayner gives Tory sleaze speech

Sir Keir Starmer has launched a reshuffle of MPs on Labour’s frontbench, his spokesperson has confirmed.

His deputy Angela Rayner is claiming, through her spokesperson, that Sir Keir began a shake-up of the shadow cabinet without consulting her.

It comes as frontbencher Cat Smith announced her resignation after taking a call from Sir Keir regarding his reshuffle plans this morning.

The MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, shadow minister for democracy, said Sir Keir had invited her to carry on in her role but that she decided to step down to focus on her constituency.

In her resignation letter, she warned Sir Keir that the ongoing exclusion of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is causing “damage” to ordinary members.

Mr Corbyn, the socialist MP for Islington North, who was succeeded by Sir Keir as leader last year, had the whip withdrawn by his successor amid a row over anti-semitism allegations within the party.

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Key Points

• France calls for ‘serious’ talks with the UK

• EU border agency plane to patrol French coastline

• Continued exclusion of Corbyn ‘damaging’ Labour – Cat Smith

• Rayner ‘not consulted’ on Labour reshuffle, spokesperson says

• Rayner reveals she didn’t know reshuffle details in Q&A

• UK and Israel to work ‘day and night’ to prevent a nuclear Iran

08:13 , Celine Wadhera

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live politics blog. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

Angela Rayner lays out Labour’s plans to clean up sleaze in politics

11:14 , Celine Wadhera

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has begun her speech about standards in public life.

“Today because of this prime minister there is no respect for the rules and no consequences for breaking them,” she said.

“The truth is nobody could have predicted the corruption and the shamelessness of Boris Johnson...

“Our democracy cannot hinge on a gentleman’s agreement. It needs independent and robust protection.

“Today, I’m setting out how a Labour government will clean up our politics and restore that trust.

“And we will start by setting tougher rules. We will ensure tougher enforcement of those rules independent of political control, and we will protect taxpayers’ money against the abuses that we’ve seen from this government.”

Rayner: Standards are currently governed by an ‘alphabet soup’ of policies

11:24 , Celine Wadhera

Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner said that current standards on public life were insufficient and vulnerable to loopholes.

Speaking at the Institute for Government she said: “The current system is broken. The Committee on Standards on Public Life … found that the systems that are supposed to uphold the rules are not working well.

“Our standards are currently governed by an alphabet soup of different committees, advisers, rules and codes of conduct.

“Ministers and former ministers can hide behind the loopholes, the disjointed process and the lack of enforcement.

“And why is this the case? Because the rock starts at the top.

“Boris Johnson has lived his entire life bending and breaking the rules. He’s been investigated for breaking the rules in every office he has ever been elected to.”

UK and Israel to work ‘day and night’ to prevent a nuclear Iran

11:45 , Celine Wadhera

In other news, British and Israeli foreign ministers have issued a fresh commitment to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The two countries are preparing to reach a final agreement on a 10-year plan to strengthen ties.

Foreign secretary Liz Truss and Israel’s foreign affairs minister Yair Lapid are set to sign a memorandum of understanding in London on Monday, aimed at strengthening collaboration around cybersecurity, defence and trade.

Writing in the Telegraph, the ministers call the decade-long plan a “major step forward”.

“Israel and the UK are the closest of friends and today we are deepening that partnership to become even closer.

“This pact will spur technological breakthroughs which have the potential to change the world, create high-quality jobs in both our countries and provide tools to our security forces,” they wrote.

The two ministers added that the countries would work “day and night” to stop Iran from “ever becoming a nuclear power”.

The renewed commitment comes as indirect talks to revive Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal – meant to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons – begin in Vienna.

Starmer planning to reshuffle shadow cabinet before Christmas

12:00 , Celine Wadhera

Sir Keir Starmer is planning to reshuffle his shadow cabinet to demote poor performer, The Times and Express have reported.

Those at risk of losing their ministerial roles include shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow education secretary Kate Green, and shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens.

Mr Thomas-Symonds has recently been accused of failing to land blows against the home secretary over Channel crossings and security issues.

Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper could be promoted and return to the frontbench.

A party source told The Times that a reshuffle was to take place ahead of Christmas.

Vigil for 27 migrants who died attempting to reach the UK at Folkestone beach

12:19 , Celine Wadhera

A vigil has been held for the 27 migrants who died attempting to cross the English Channel last week.

Mourners gathered on Monday morning, placing flowers and signs at Folkestone Beach.

A message written in the sand said: “Safe routes now” while a sign read: “Nobody should die like this. We welcome all refugees. We are rich, safe and lucky – we can share”.

One speaker said: “We will try to honour your memory by creating a better future. You are in our hearts.”

Rayner ‘not consulted’ on reshuffle, spokesperson says

12:40 , Lamiat Sabin

Angela Rayner is claiming that Sir Keir Starmer has launched a shake-up of the Labour shadow cabinet without consulting her.

The claim from the deputy leader’s spokesperson came as frontbencher Cat Smith announced her resignation after taking a call from Sir Keir regarding his reshuffle plans this morning.

The MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, shadow minister for democracy, said Sir Keir had invited her to carry on in her role but that she decided to step down to focus on her constituency.

More here from Adam Forrest and Ashley Cowburn

Keir Starmer launches Labour reshuffle as frontbencher Cat Smith quits

Continued exclusion of Corbyn ‘damaging’ Labour – Cat Smith

12:50 , Lamiat Sabin

In a resignation letter, Labour frontbencher Cat Smith warned Sir Keir Starmer about the “damage” Labour was suffering because former leader Jeremy Corbyn is not being re-admitted to the party.

Her letter, that she posted on Twitter, says: “You will be aware that we had a meeting scheduled for later this week, during which I wanted to raise the issue of, and my concerns about, Jeremy not being readmitted to the Parliamentary Labour Party after he was readmitted into our party membership following due process.

“This position is utterly unsustainable and it is important that you truly understand how much damage this is causing in Constituency Labour Parties and amongst ordinary members, a number of whom are no longer campaigning.”

Rayner reveals she didn’t know reshuffle details in Q&A

13:10 , Lamiat Sabin

Angela Rayner said she did not know any details about Labour’s reshuffle when she took questions at the end of her speech on standards in public life.

Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy Ms Rayner gave a speech to the Institute for Government (IfG) where she said that Labour would “act to stamp out the corruption that Boris Johnson and his Government has polluted our democracy with.”

She added that Labour would introduce an independent watchdog able to launch investigations and demand the sacking of ministers under plans to prevent corruption and protect taxpayers’ money.

Former ministers would be banned from lobbying, consultancy or any paid work relating to their old roles for at least five years under the plans if Labour got into government.

During the Q&A session after her speech, she said she did not “know the details of any reshuffle” but that “we need some consistency in how we’re approaching things as an opposition”.

“I’ve been concentrating on the job that I’m doing,” she added.

She said had not been consulted over the reshuffle.

A spokesperson for Ms Rayner later said that she had a short conversation with Sir Keir between her morning media interviews and her IfG event and that she was aware there may be a reshuffle.

Moment that Angela Rayner was asked about shadow cabinet shuffle

13:29 , Celine Wadhera

Here’s the exact moment when deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner was asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle, following her speech on standards on public life at the Institute for Government.

UK and Israel join forces to prevent a nuclear Iran

13:48 , Celine Wadhera

The UK and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding this morning, agreeing to work towards stronger collaboration on cyber security, defence and trade.

Notably, the two countries will work to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear capabilities.

Speaking at a press conference following the signing, foreign secretary Liz Truss said: “On the subject of Iran, we are absolutely determined to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon and all options are on the table.

“Talks are starting in Vienna today. We want Iran to agree to the original JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known otherwise as the Iran Nuclear deal from 2015) – that is very important.

“And we want those talks to work. But if they don’t, all options are on the table.”

Israel and UK governments ‘mean business’ and could sign trade deal in less than two years

14:07 , Celine Wadhera

Speaking at a press conference, following a meeting between the two countries, Yair Lapid, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, said that a trade deal could be struck in less than two years if both sides were “quick on our feet”.

Mr Lapid, who is set to become Israel’s prime minister in 2023 as part of a coalition ruling deal, said that a bilateral trade agreement could be signed before he assumes power.

“I’m going to become prime minister in less than two years, and yes, I am hopeful that I am going to sign the agreement,” he said.

“And it is possible that Prime Minister Bennett will sign this before me, because we live in a fast-moving world, especially when we are talking about technology.

“And therefore we have to be quick on our feet in terms of promoting the relations – economic relations and strategic alliances – that we are working on in signing today.

“And therefore, the answer is yes: I wish that we will sign this as quickly as possible. Let me tell you one thing on behalf of our governments – we mean business.”

Jo Stevens becomes shadow secretary of state for Wales in Labour reshuffle

14:14 , Celine Wadhera

Jo Stevens, now the former shadow secretary for culture, has been moved into the role of shadow secretary of state for Wales, replacing Nia Griffith.

Ms Stevens said on Twitter: “Its been a privilege to closely work with hugely talented people in the DCMS sector, the fastest growing before the pandemic & one of the hardest hit”.

She added that she was looking forward to continuing the “great work” of her friend Nia Griffith.

14:33 , Celine Wadhera

New rules proposed to clean up Commons

The Commons Standards Committee have published a report proposing a series of reforms to combat sleaze throughout Westminster.

The report proposes an outright ban on MPs providing paid parliamentary advice, acting as consultants or providing other strategic services. This is in line with recommendations made by Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks.

MPs could also face investigation for launching “excessive” personal attacks online, as proposals include adding a new rule to the code of conduct that would ban MPs from subjecting anyone to “unreasonable and excessive personal attack” in any medium.

Other proposed reforms include:

• Requiring MPs to have a written contract for any outside work, which makes explicit that their duties cannot include lobbying ministers, fellow members of public officials

• Increasing the period during which lobbying is banned following receipt of payment from an outside interest from six to 12 months

• Introducing a new “safe harbour” provision that would protect MPs from investigation for potential breaches of the code of conduct if they seek out and follow official guidance before taking up a role.

The report, written by the cross-party group of MPs and lay members who make up the Standards Committee, also proposes tightening rules around ministers’ gifts and hospitality.

The report will now be the subject of a consultation, before a final set of recommendations is published in the new year.

Nick Thomas-Symonds demoted in shadow cabinet shuffle

14:36 , Ashley Cowburn

Sir Keir Starmer has demoted Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow home secretary, as part of the Labour leader’s shake-up of his top team, The Independent understands. It was not immediately clear, however, which alternative position Mr Thomas Symonds had been offered in the reshuffle.

Earlier, Jo Stevens also announced she had been moved from shadowing Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, to shadow secretary of state for Wales — replacing Nia Griffith.

Nicola Sturgeon announces £20-a-week payment for Scotland’s poorest families

14:55 , Celine Wadhera

Scotland’s first minister announced that a payment aimed to help low-income families will be doubled to £20-a-week from next year at the SNP conference on Monday.

Nicola Sturgeon claimed that the £10 increase of the Scottish Child Payment was the “boldest and most ambitious anti-poverty measure anywhere in the UK”.

The increased payments will reach over 100,000 children beginning in April, but Ms Sturgeon added that she planned to extend the benefit to all under-16s by the end of next year, which would make around 400,000 families eligible for the benefit.

My colleague Adam Forrest reports.

Nicola Sturgeon announces £20-a-week payment for Scotland’s poorest families

Covid booster jabs to be offered to all adults after three-month gap

15:08 , Celine Wadhera

In coronavirus-related news, the government has just announced that Covid booster jabs will now be offered to all adults who received their second dose at least three months ago.

The Independent’s health correspondent Rebecca Thomas reports.

Covid booster vaccine rolled out to all over-18s

France threatens to ‘end dialogue’ with UK over fish by 10 December

15:30 , Ashley Cowburn

France’s minister Clement Beaune said on Monday that he was eyeing a 10 December deadline for a resolution on a spat between France and Britain over the handing out of fishing licences in the wake of Brexit.

“If there is no big gesture between now and December 10, we will end our dialogue,” European affairs minister told France Inter radio.

Paris say London should have issued more French boats with licences to fish in British territorial waters after Brexit. But Downing Street insists it is respecting post-Brexit arrangements.

15:49 , Celine Wadhera

Identifying victims of channel tragedy may take weeks, charities say

Identifying the 27 victims of the Channel disaster is a “very complicated” process that could take weeks, according to humanitarian organisations engaged in the efforts.

While some details about the deceased have emerged, many families are still waiting to hear if their loved ones were among those who did not make it to shore last Wednesday.

A group of Calais-based charities is working to help provide this confirmation, according to Maya Konforti, from L’Auberges Des Migrants.

“It’s going to take days to actually identify all the bodies,” she told PA news agency.

“It’s very complicated and it’s extremely stressful, it’s a very big job.”

She said that organisations were using photographs sent by relatives to help and identify victims, adding that DNA identification and familial matching takes up to two weeks.

So far, the following people have been identified as having lost their lives in last week’s tragedy:

Maryam Nuri Mohamed Amin, 21, known to her family as Baran

Harem Pirot, 25, from Rayna, Iraq

Twana Mamand Muhammad, from Rayna, Iraq

Khazal Hussein, 45 and her children Haida, 22, Mubin, 16 and Hasti, 7.

Rayner: ‘Corruption is happening in plain sight’

16:08 , Celine Wadhera

Following her speech earlier today, and amid the Labour shadow cabinet shuffle, deputy leader Angela Rayner continued her attacks on sleaze in Boris Johnson’s government.

“Corruption is happening in plain sight and is rife in this government because of Boris Johnson,” she said on Twitter.

“This morning I set out my plan for what Labour will do to stamp out corruption.

“Tougher rules, proper enforcement of the rules and an independent watchdog.”

Ms Rayner also thanked outgoing shadow cabinet minister Cat Smith for her work, calling her a “brilliant local MP”.

Javid: MPs will get opportunity to debate and vote on new Covid regulations

16:27 , Celine Wadhera

Health secretary Sajid Javid told MPs that they would receive an opportunity to debate and vote on Covid restrictions set to enter into force tomorrow morning.

“The regulations for self-isolation and face coverings have been laid before the House today and will come into force at 4am tomorrow, but I can confirm to the House that there will be a debate and vote on these two measures to give the House the opportunity to have its say and to perform valuable scrutiny,” he said.

He added that more details about the debate and vote would be available “shortly” and said that all measures set out today would be reviewed after three weeks, to determine if they are still necessary.

Gove to announce measures to bring “some relief to leaseholders facing ‘unfair’ cladding bills

16:40 , Emily Atkinson

The Housing Secretary has hinted at further Government action to deal with “wholly unfair” bills as he agreed that the cladding crisis is on a par with recent major injustices.

It comes as MPs warned that people continue to be hit by “colossal” charges as part of building safety works.

The removal of unsafe cladding is among the measures being taken following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which killed 72 people in 2017.

Ministers have previously announced a multibillion-pound package in a bid to ensure no leaseholders in high-rise blocks in England face charges for the removal of cladding.

But critics of the Government’s response argue that this will not cover the costs faced by leaseholders, which have emerged through no fault of their own.

Mr Gove said: “In arriving in this role I was struck by two things. One, the combination of circumstances which come so unfairly on to the shoulders of people who bought their properties in good faith and now find themselves landed with bills which are wholly disproportionate and wholly unfair.”

He then went on to say his predecessors have “worked hard” to deal with an “intrinsically complex” situation, although he insisted there is an “urgent need” to tackle it.

Nicola Sturgeon announces £20-a-week payment for Scotland’s poorest families

16:50 , Emily Atkinson

A payment aimed at helped low-income families in Scotland will be doubled to £20-a-week from next year, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The SNP leader claimed the £10 increase of the Scottish Child Payment given to the country’s poorest families was the “boldest and most ambitious anti-poverty measure anywhere in the UK”.

While the doubled payments will reach over 100,000 children from April, Ms Sturgeon said she planned extend the child payment to all under-16s by the end of next year – making around 400,000 families eligible.

My colleague Adam Forrest reports:

Nicola Sturgeon announces £20-a-week payment for Scotland’s poorest families

Funding to be offered to allow GPs to make more appointments in Scotland

17:00 , Emily Atkinson

Nicola Sturgeon has announced a £30 million fund to help GPs offer more appointments as part of a “significant down payment” of extra money for the Scottish NHS.

The First Minister used her SNP conference speech to set out funding aimed at helping GPs hold more surgeries and face-to-face appointments during the winter months.

Support totalling £30 million will be spread over two payments and can be used to schedule more appointments or pay practice nurses and external locum GPs for additional hours.

She said: “GPs will be able to use this funding - which will be delivered in December and April, in two equal instalments - in ways they judge will deliver the greatest impact for patients.

“That might be through extra GP sessions or additional practice nurse time.

“In short, it will allow practices to target investment where it is most needed to improve access to primary care and help ensure patients get the care they need as close to home as possible.”

She added: “Just as the National Health Service became in the aftermath of the Second World War, this new National Care Service, if we get it right - as we must - will be a fitting legacy from the trauma of Covid.”

Boris Johnson and two cabinet ministers attended event linked to Covid cases

17:10 , Emily Atkinson

Boris Johnson and two cabinet ministers attended a conference in central London last week, several attendees of which have since developed Covid infections and been contacted by NHS test and trace.

Last Monday, the prime minister addressed business leaders and trade experts at think tank the Centre for Policy Studies’ (CPS) Margaret Thatcher Conference on Trade. The majority of attendees and the prime minister did not wear a face mask.

The NHS recommends wearing a “face covering when it’s hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors or in crowded places.”

The Prime Minister arrived at the Guildhall at around 7pm on Monday evening before giving a speech at a dinner organised in order to wrap up the conference.

Anna Isaac has the story:

Boris Johnson and two cabinet ministers attended event linked to Covid cases

France says UK ‘not taking its share’ of asylum seekers and Channel push-backs will not be accepted

17:20 , Emily Atkinson

France will not accept planned operations to force migrant boats out of British waters, its interior minister has said.

Gerald Darmanin told a press conference that the UK was “not taking its share” of asylum seekers, and that thousands were crossing the English Channel in dinghies because “they have no other way”.

Talks between the two governments have soured in the days since at least 27 people drowned off the coast of Calais in the worst disaster of its kind.

Our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden reports:

France says UK ‘not taking its share’ of asylum seekers

Vienna talks last opportunity for Iran to revive nuclear deal, says Liz Truss

17:30 , Emily Atkinson

International negotiations in Vienna mark the “last opportunity” for Iran to revive its original nuclear deal, the Foreign Secretary has warned, saying Britain will “work flat out” to prevent the Iranian regime from gaining access to such weapons.

It came as indirect talks to resuscitate Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, meant to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, began in the Austrian capital.

Ms Truss told reporters at a Foreign Office press conference: “We are absolutely determined to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon, and all options are on the table.

“Talks are starting in Vienna today. We want Iran to agree to the original JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran nuclear deal) - that is very important.

“And we want those talks to work. But if they don’t work, all options are on the table.”

Exclusive: Dying patients go without care as community nurses ‘on their knees’

17:40 , Emily Atkinson

Dying patients are going without care in their own homes because of a collapse in community nursing services, new data shared with The Independent reveals.

Across England a third of district nurses say they are now being forced to delay visits to end of life care patients because of surging demand and a lack of staff. This is up from just 2 per cent in 2015.

Health correspondent Shaun Lintern has the story:

Dying patients go without care as community nurses ‘on their knees’

MPs could face investigation for launching “excessive” personal attacks online

17:50 , Emily Atkinson

Rules around ministers’ gifts and hospitality could also be tightened under a package of reforms put forward to clean up Westminster.

The Commons Standards Committee also set out plans to ban MPs from providing paid parliamentary advice, consultancy or strategic services - echoing recommendations made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in recent weeks.

The committee’s report will be the subject of a consultation before a final set of recommendations is published in the new year.

The proposals would add a new rule to the code of conduct banning MPs from subjecting anyone to “unreasonable and excessive personal attack” in any medium.

MP James Cleverly shares positive lateral flow test for Covid-19

18:00 , Emily Atkinson

The minister for Middle East & North Africa has posted an image of a positive Covid-19 lateral flow test on Twitter.

As a result, he also said he will no longer be able to attend the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) oral questions taking place tomorrow.

It comes as the third known English case of the new and potentially troublesome omicron variant was discovered in someone who had spent time in the Westminster area.

Sajid Javid refuses to rule out return to lockdown in response to Omicron variant of Covid

18:10 , Emily Atkinson

Health secretary Sajid Javid has refused to rule out a new lockdown in England in response to the threat of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, writes Andrew Woodcock.

Mr Javid told MPs than no-one wanted to see a return to measures of the sort deployed when the coronavirus first emerged last year.

But he was unable to give a positive response to Tory MP Richard Drax’s plea for a pledge “that he will never ever go back to locking this country down”.

Javid refuses to rule out return to lockdown in response to Omicron variant of Covid

Maskless Tory MPs come under fire as Omicron variant sees measures stepped-up

18:20 , Emily Atkinson

A group of Conservative MPs have continued to shun mask-wearing in the House of Commons, despite tougher measures for the public in response to the new Omicron variant.

Face coverings will be compulsory on public transport and in shops in England from Tuesday.

But a handful of backbench Tories appeared maskless in the Commons chamber on Monday, with one openly shouting his opposition to pleas from Labour MPs to put one on.

Richard Wheeler reports:

Maskless Tory MPs come under fire as Omicron variant sees measures stepped up

MP second job contracts should ban lobbying, watchdog says

18:30 , Emily Atkinson

MPs with second jobs could be made to sign contracts that ban them from lobbying or political consultancy work, under proposals backed by the standards watchdog.

A new draft report drawn up by the parliamentary standards committee backs a call by Boris Johnson for an outright ban on any MPs providing paid parliamentary advice, consultancy or strategy services.

To enforce this, the committee says all second jobs must have a written contract outlining an MPs’ duties – and explicitly banning them from “lobbying Ministers, Members or public officials on behalf of that employer”.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:

MP second job contracts should ban lobbying, watchdog says

France to propose new accord between EU and UK to combat illegal immigration

18:40 , Emily Atkinson

France is gearing up to propose a new accord between Britain and the European Union on illegal immigration after many migrants lost their lives making the perilous crossing over the Channel in recent months.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex is set to outline details of the deal in a letter to Boris Johnson on Tuesday, the French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, told a press conference.

He said: “What we want is a balanced agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union that offers real solutions.”

He stressed that this would not be a “unilateral agreement”.

“We cannot accept - and this is a red line for the French government - the practice of turning boats back at sea.”

He said the accord could include ways to open legal routes for asylum seekers to the UK and to safely transfer unaccompanied minors.

Cabinet set to agree on encouraging people to restrict social activities in Ireland

18:50 , Emily Atkinson

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said she expects the Cabinet will agree to advise people to continue restricting their movements to help reduce the number of Covid cases.

Ms McEntee said ministers will meet this week to discuss advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

Nphet is meeting party leaders to discuss the Omicron Covid variant and its impact on health advice in Ireland.

The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday and are expected to agree a number of measures, including restrictions on school playdates, birthday parties and school gatherings.

Cabinet set to agree on encouraging people to restrict social activities

Watch: Jeremy Hunt says Omicron is 'a symptom of the failure of Western countries to share vaccines around the world'

19:10 , Emily Atkinson

France says UK ‘not taking its share’ of asylum seekers and Channel push-backs will not be accepted

19:20 , Emily Atkinson

The UK is “not taking its share” of asylum seekers and France will not accept planned operations to force small boats out of British waters, its interior minister has said.

Gerald Darmanin told a press conference that thousands of people were crossing the English Channel in dinghies because “they have no other way” of reaching the UK.

He said that France would not accept pushbacks at sea, or joint patrols involving British authorities to stop boats being launched.

“Can you imagine French police officers on British beaches?” he asked. “We are not the subcontractors of the British government.”

Our home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden reports:

France says UK ‘not taking its share’ of asylum seekers

MPs told unpaid carer ‘ not left house since June'

19:30 , Emily Atkinson

A wife caring for her husband has not left her house since June, a charity has said as it appealed for funds to ease the pressure on unpaid carers across the country.

Family carers are dealing with more complex situations without breaks and are “at the point of breakdown or crisis”, according to Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK.

She told MPs the charity is “extremely worried” about unpaid carers who are taking on increased responsibilities amid a shortage of hands-on care.

She told MPs the charity is “extremely worried” about unpaid carers who are taking on increased responsibilities amid a shortage of hands-on care.

She told the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee: “We have one carer who’s not been out the house since June, for example, since her husband was discharged from hospital, she hasn’t even been out for a walk, and they can’t get care workers in with the specialist services to give her that break.

“She’s absolutely at the end of her tether and local carers organisations are taking an increasing number of calls from people who are at the end of their tether.”

Via PA

MPs to vote on Covid-19 new restrictions tomorrow

19:40 , Emily Atkinson

MPs will debate and vote on new Covid restrictions in England, including face coverings in shops and public transport, on Tuesday.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the Commons, confirmed the scheduling in a statement to the House.

The rules will be reviewed in three weeks, by which time the government expects to have more information about the effect of the omicron variant on vaccinated people.

Poots blasts ‘illogical’ checks on food travelling from GB to NI

19:50 , Emily Atkinson

Stormont’s Agriculture Minister has described checks on food travelling from Great Britain to be consumed in Northern Ireland as “illogical”, writes Jonathan McCambridge.

DUP minister Edwin Poots blamed the EU and the impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol for delays in moving live animals across the Irish Sea

Under the protocol, Northern Ireland effectively remains in the EU’s single market for goods.

Poots blasts ‘illogical’ checks on food travelling from GB to NI

SNP urges prime minister to hold Cobra meeting over new Omicron variant

20:00 , Emily Atkinson

The SNP has called on Boris Johnson to convene an emergency Cobra meeting to show that he is “on top” of the emerging cases of omicron in the UK.

Richard Thomson, SNP MP for Gordon, asked Sajid Javid, the health secretary, if he would persuade the prime minister to hold a Cobra meeting with all four nations to show people that he is keepng abreast of developments.

Mr Javid replied: “In terms of meetings, and UK nations working together, I think that has been one of the successes of the UK response to this pandemic – the way that nations across the UK have worked together especially on vaccines, on testing, on surveillance and anti-virals – and it shows that we are stronger together.”

Keir Starmer brings Yvette Cooper back to Labour front bench in reshuffle

20:00 , Emily Atkinson

Keir Starmer brings Yvette Cooper back to Labour front bench in reshuffle

Miliband promises to deliver ‘climate and economic justice’ after Labour cabinet shuffle

20:23 , Emily Atkinson

Davey refers himself to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner

20:30 , Emily Atkinson

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in relation to an “oversight”, the party has said.

Sir Ed is listed on the website of the commissioner, Kathryn Stone as being under investigation for a possible breach of provisions in the MPs’ Code of Conduct relating to the full disclosure of financial interests.

A party spokesman said: “Ed referred himself to the commissioner last week after noticing an oversight.

“Ed has been asked by the commissioner not to provide any further comment on her communication with him at this time.”

Gavin Cordon has the full story:

Davey refers himself to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner

Labour cabinet reshuffle round-up

20:35 , Emily Atkinson

The new Labour cabinet has been announced after Sir Keir Starmer has launched a surprise shake-up of his inner-circle on Monday morning.

He has called his decision an opportunity to show the Labour Party “are once again a serious party of Government.”

Here is our round up of the major changes made:

• Yvette Cooper becomes shadow Home Secretary, replacing Nick Thomas-Symonds in the role.

• Ed Miliband will take on a stripped-back version is his previous position as shadow secretary of state of Climate Change and Net Zero. He will no longer be responsible for business policy.

• Jonathan Reynolds will instead be made shadow business secretary.

• Lisa Nandy moves from shadow foreign secretary to shadow Secretary of State for Levelling-up opposite Michael Gove.

• Bridget Philipson replaces Kate Green as shadow education secretary.

• Wes Streeting takes Jonathan Ashworth’s role in the shadow health brief.

• Former transport chief Jim McMahon will cover the environment brief. Louise Haigh taking over his previous job.

• Emily Thornberry has been moved to shadow attorney general.

Keir Starmer said: “The Labour Party I lead is focused on the priorities of the country. With this reshuffle, we are a smaller, more focused Shadow Cabinet that mirrors the shape of the Government we are shadowing.

“We must hold the Conservative Government to account on behalf of the public and demonstrate that we are the right choice to form the next Government.

“I want to thank all those who have left the Shadow Cabinet today for their great service to me and to our party.

“I look forward to working with the new team to show we are once again a serious party of Government, ready to fix the mess the Tories have got the country into and to inspire voters to believe that Britain’s best days are ahead of us.”