Advertisement

Boris Johnson news – live: ‘Cost of freedom worth paying’ says PM as inflation soars

Boris Johnson has sought to justify his government’s increase in defence spending by saying that the “cost of freedom is always worth paying” amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

At a Nato summit in Madrid, the PM announced a further £55 billion in defence spending until 2030, while spiralling inflation – currently at 9 per cent – continues to erode people’s spending power and living standards are dropping.

When asked at the summit if he is worried about “Ukraine fatigue”, amid a cost of living crisis at home, Mr Johnson replied: “The point I would make about the cost of freedom is that, actually, it is always worth paying.

“Unless we get the right result in Ukraine, Putin will be in a position to commit further acts of aggression against other parts of the former Soviet Union more or less with impunity.

“That will drive further global uncertainty, further oil shocks, further panics and more economic distress for the whole world.”

Earlier, former Labour PM Gordon Brown accused the government of not seeming to “have a clue” about how to deal with the cost of living crisis.

Key Points

  • Johnson commits to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence

  • PM doesn’t ‘have a clue’ how to deal with cost of living crisis

  • Truss dismisses idea Partygate ‘lies’ inquiry will be ‘Kangaroo court'

  • Government ‘not speculating about elections’, minister says

  • Boris Johnson rules out early general election

UK government ‘destroying trust’ with Ireland over protocol

16:39 , PA

A former Downing Street chief of staff and architect of the Good Friday Agreement has accused the British government of destroying its trust with the Irish government over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Jonathan Powell, who worked for Tony Blair and was involved in negotiations that forged the Good Friday Agreement, said the relationship between both governments was “terrible”.

Mr Powell told the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee - an Irish parliamentary committee - that the compromises made in the 1998 accord had been “upended” by the impact of Brexit.

He said trust was vital to negotiations and had been crucial in the years leading up to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

He accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government of “casually destroying something through vandalism”, and trashing the UK’s reputation.

“We spent a decade building trust, but the current (British) government is spending its time destroying trust. It is catastrophic. The relationship is terrible but it can be restored quickly,” Mr Powell said.

“Any new British government would do its best to rebuild relationships as it is so important.”

Starmer ‘sorry’ to see Amesbury leave Labour frontbench

16:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that he was “sorry” to receive a resignation from one of his frontbenchers.

Shadow local government minister Mike Amesbury announced he would quit to “put his constituents first”.

Labour MP Mike Amesbury (UK Parliament)
Labour MP Mike Amesbury (UK Parliament)

The MP for Weaver Vale in Cheshire said it had been an “honour” to serve under Sir Keir but he wants to “continue to put my constituents first as their MP”.

In response, Sir Keir wrote: “I know you had said before that you wanted to step back from the frontbench to have more time for your constituents, but I am still sorry to receive your resignation and want to thank you for your service.”

He praised Mr Amesbury’s “vital” role on the shadow frontbench team and said he is “grateful for your continuing support”.

Zahawi scraps bid to gain more control over academy trusts

15:30 , Lamiat Sabin

The government has made a U-turn on key elements of its schools bill that would have given the Department for Education (DfE) more control over academy trusts in England.

The bill, tabled by education secretary Nadhim Zahawi, is being opposed by some Conservative and crossbench peers because it gives him a veto over appointments as school trustees, the power to cancel funding agreements, and determine the length of the school day within each trust.

Kenneth Baker, the former Tory education secretary under Margaret Thatcher, said in the Lords: “It increases the powers of the secretary of state and the DfE in a way unprecedented since 1870.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “We are listening to concerns from peers about how the provisions in the bill would operate in practice, and will make sure the bill protects and strengthens the fundamental freedoms academies enjoy.

“That is why we are supporting the temporary removal of clauses 1-18 from the bill, in advance of bringing back revised clauses later in the bill’s passage through parliament.”

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said Mr Zahawi “has ripped up his own plans and is back to the drawing board with his very first piece of primary legislation”.

Barristers offered 15 per cent hike in fees just days after striking for better pay

14:42 , Matt Mathers

Criminal barristers are to receive a 15 per cent fee rise from the end of September, the government announced just days after they closed courts by going on strike.

The rise will see a typical criminal barrister receive an additional £7,000 a year, said the Ministry of Justice.

Our politics editor Andrew Woodcock will have more on this breaking story as it comes in.

Barristers offered 15 per cent hike in fees just days after striking for better pay

Defence spending pledge ‘too little, too late'

14:32 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson’s pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 is “too little, too late,” a senior Tory has said.

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence secretary, also said now is “not the time to cut the army by 10,000”.

Wallace welcomes increased defence spending

14:15 , Matt Mathers

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has lobbied for increased spending.

A source close to Mr Wallace said: "The defence secretary has always been clear that as the threat changes, so should defence spending.

"In 2020 the prime minister reversed decades of under-investment in defence and he rightly responded to Russia's danger by continuing to invest in defence, for which the defence secretary is very grateful."

Boris Johnson tells Britons that ‘cost of freedom worth paying’ amid Ukraine ‘fatigue’ fears

13:47 , Matt Mathers

As we’ve been reporting, Boris Johnson is attending the Nato summit, where he is discussing with other world leaders the war in Ukraine among other issues.

Speaking in Madrid, the prime minister said the “cost of freedom is always worth paying” as he warned that the economic outlooking at home is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick has the story:

PM tells Britons that ‘cost of freedom worth paying’ amid Ukraine ‘fatigue’ fears

13:30 , Matt Mathers

One of Keir Starmer‘s shadow ministers has walked away from the Labour leader’s frontbench team.

In a resignation letter issued on Thursday Mike Amesbury said he wanted to have more freedom to campaign in his local constituency.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:

Labour shadow minister quits Keir Starmer’s frontbench

Boris Johnson commits to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by end of decade

13:13 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson has said the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by the end of this decade.

Speaking from the Nato conference in Madrid, the prime minister said: "We need to invest for the long-term in vital capabilities like future combat air whilst simultaneously adapting to a more dangerous and more competitive world.

"The logical conclusion of the investments on which we propose to embark, these decisions, is that we'll reach 2. 5 per cent of GDP on defence by the end of the decade."

Rishi Sunak’s ‘stealth tax’ creates 2 million new higher rate payers in just 3 years

13:00 , Matt Mathers

Nearly two million more people are paying higher rate income tax because Rishi Sunak has scrapped normal increases in allowances, new figures reveal.

The numbers paying the higher 40 per cent rate or the additional 45 per cent rate has soared since Boris Johnson came to power in 2019 because of the “stealth tax”, they show.

Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:

Rishi Sunak’s ‘stealth tax’ creates 2 million new higher rate payers in 3 years

Women and children among latest to make Channel crossing in small boats

12:40 , Matt Mathers

Women and children were among 269 people who made the latest crossings to the UK in small boats.

Six boats were intercepted by UK authorities crossing the English Channel on Wednesday, with Border Force and RNLI vessels bringing the migrants ashore at Dover and Dungeness in Kent.

The crossings bring the total to have arrived in the UK so far this year to 12,606, compared with 5,911 at this point in 2021 and 2,449 in 2020.

The Nationality and Borders Act came into force on Tuesday, and anyone caught piloting a boat carrying migrants in the Channel could face life behind bars.

Give MPs vote on plans to cut army by 10,000, ex-defence minister says

12:20 , Matt Mathers

A Tory former defence minister believes MPs would vote to reverse government plans to axe 9,500 troops by 2025.

Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the defence select committee, pressed ministers to hold a Commons vote to decide whether to halt the proposals in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The government wants to cut the size of the regular British army from 82,000 troops to 72,500.

Mr Ellwood told the Commons: "Can I strongly commend the government's exemplary support for Ukraine, but when the head of the British army compares today to 1937 we must listen and we must act.

"It's clearly not time to be cutting our Army by 10,000 troops because this sends a clear message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin that we're not in it for the long haul, we can't sustain two battlegroups in Estonia and place pressure on the Army to conduct all its other duties to keep the nation safe.

"Can we have a debate and indeed a vote on reversing these cuts?

"If there was a free vote I know how the house would act and they'd have the nation's support."

More than half of Scots don’t want Indyref2, poll says

12:00 , Matt Mathers

More than half of people in Scotland do not want another independence referendum next year, according to a new poll.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans for a second vote on the issue on 19 October, 2023.

With the UK government refusing to grant consent for such a ballot to be held, Ms Sturgeon is asking UK Supreme Court judges to rule if Holyrood can hold a referendum without the backing of Westminster.

However, when asked whether a referendum should take place next October, 53 per cent of people said it should not, 40 per cent said it should, and the remainder were undecided, a poll for The Scotsman found.

Full report:

More than half of Scots do not want indyref2 next October, poll finds

Boris Johnson doesn’t ‘have a clue’ how to deal with cost of living crisis

11:44 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson's government doesn't seem to "have a clue" about how to deal with the cost of living crisis, Gordon Brown has said.

The former Labour prime minister and chancellor spoke to Sky News in a wide-ranging interview set to be aired tonight.

He also claimed that Britain is "at war" with America "over Ireland" amid opposition from US politicians to plans by London to take unilateral action to override parts of Brexit's Northern Ireland protocol.

UK crackdown failing to stem flow of Russian dirty money through London, MPs warns

11:15 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson‘s pledge to crack down on Russian dirty money in London will fail because of a lack of funding and expert staff, MPs have warned.

The prime minister’s “rhetoric” in quickly pushing through the Economic Crime Act – following the Ukraine invasion – is not matched by the “reality” of resources available, a foreign affairs committee report said.

Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:

UK crackdown failing to stem flow of Russian dirty money through London, MPs warns

West must ensure Taiwan can defend itself, Truss says

11:00 , Matt Mathers

As we've been reporting Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, has been speaking to broadcasters this morning, discussing the Nato summit, Putin's war in Ukraine and UK defence spending.

In an interview with Times Radio, she also said that the West should ensure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself against the growing threat from China.

She did not answer directly questions on whether that meant sending arms to the East Asian island.

Watch part of her interview here:

Tony Blair says voters must be told ‘what Labour stands for’ ahead of ‘Future of Britain’ festival

10:45 , Matt Mathers

Tony Blair has warned Keir Starmer he cannot win power until voters are “clear what Labour stands for”, as he holds a festival to push forward new political ideas.

The Future of Britain conference has raised eyebrows because of appearances by former Conservative Cabinet ministers – but without boasting any senior Labour figures.

Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:

Tony Blair tells Starmer he must show voters ‘what Labour stands for’

Britain ‘at war with America over Ireland and Brexit’, says Gordon Brown

10:30 , Matt Mathers

The UK is “at war” with the United States over Ireland and Brexit, Gordon Brown has said.

The former Labour prime minister said Boris Johnson‘s government would never be able to sign a trade deal with the US until the issues were solved.

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has the story:

Britain ‘at war with America over Ireland and Brexit’, says Gordon Brown

'Embarrasing' that government is cutting 10,000 soldiers from army, Labour says

10:11 , Matt Mathers

It is "embarrassing" that the government is cutting 10,000 soldiers from the British army while sending more troops to Nato, Labour has said.

John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, spoke to Sky News earlier on the final day of the Nato summit in Spain

Watch part of his interview below:

Ask me Anything with John Rentoul: Boris Johnson’s future

09:48 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson narrowly survived a confidence vote on his leadership earlier this month.

But questions about his future have only intensified since then. Can he continue to fight another general election, how could Tory MPs remove him?

John Rentoul, our chief politics commentator, will be answering all your burning questions later today in his ‘Ask Me Anything’ event.

If you want to get involved, just put your question in the comments section of the article below and Johnson will answer as many as he can from 1pm:

John Rentoul to host an ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Boris Johnson’s future

‘New impetus’ to cut food tariffs to address cost of living crisis

09:36 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson has backed reductions in food tariffs as a way of cutting the cost of living.

The prime minister said his fellow world leaders have a "new impetus" to cut tariffs levied on imports of food.

Asked if the cost of living crisis is going to get worse before it gets better, Mr Johnson said: "I wouldn't want to put it in exactly that way.

"But what I would say is that it is going to continue to be an issue for a while.

"But I do think that we will find solutions."

MPs not allowed to bring babies to Commons, review concludes

09:17 , Matt Mathers

MPs should not be allowed to bring babies into the House of Commons chamber during debates, a cross-party review has recommended.

The procedure committee report was ordered amid an outcry over Labour's Stella Creasy being told she can no longer have her baby son with her.

The group ruled that MPs should not bring babies into the chamber or nearby Westminster Hall if they want to "observe, initiate, speak or intervene in proceedings".

But they said there should be a "degree of de-facto discretion" that "should be exercised sparingly".

The committee did, however, back on the "overwhelming balance of evidence" the extension of proxy voting for "serious long-term illness".

Truss dismisses idea Partygate ‘lies’ inquiry will be ‘Kangaroo court'

08:44 , Zoe Tidman

Liz Truss has rejected claims from Boris Johnson’s allies that the inquiry into whether he lied to parliament over the Partygate scandal will be “a Kangaroo court”, our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports.

No 10 appears to have mounted a whispering campaign against the crucial probe – after it announced that whistleblowers can give anonymous evidence about what the prime minister knew.

Liz Truss rejects No 10 claim that Partygate inquiry will be ‘kangaroo court’

UK ‘at war with America over Ireland’, Gordon Brown says

08:38 , Zoe Tidman

An interview with Gordon Brown is set to air on Sky News tonight.

The former prime minister said the UK was “at war” with both Europe and the US in a preview.

“We are at war with America over Ireland because America will not sign a trade treaty with Britain as long as we cannot sort out the issues related to Ireland,” he said.

See here:

EU tells UK to ‘come back to the table'

08:20 , Zoe Tidman

The EU has issued a plea to the UK to “come back to the table” to solve the crisis over Northern Ireland, as it set out the huge economic damage from Brexit, Rob Merrick writes.

In a speech in London, the vice-president of the European Commission joked that it is now Brussels that wants to get “Brexit done” – while London has refused face-to-face talks for four months.

EU urges UK to ‘come back to the table’ as it highlights economic harm from Brexit

Truss says government ‘not speculating about elections'

08:07 , Zoe Tidman

Liz Truss has said the government is “not speculating about elections” but refused to rule out a snap poll.

“We are focused on delivering for the British people,” the foreign secretary told Sky News.

“We’re facing the worst war in Europe for decades, we’ve got the aftershock of the pandemic, which is having huge effects around the world and inflation, on people’s incomes, on economic growth.

“We are spending our time focused on dealing with those challenges, not speculating about elections.”

Asked whether the next election should be in 2024 as scheduled, Ms Truss said: “We’re not thinking about that, we’re thinking about getting on with the job.”

PA

Truss won’t say if she agrees with Wallace on defence budget

07:53 , Adam Forrest

Liz Truss has declined to say if she agrees with defence secretary Ben Wallace’s plea for a significant increase in defence spending, but said the budget must be “fit for purpose”.

Speaking from the Nato summit in Madrid, the foreign secretary told Sky News: “We need to make sure that all of the Western alliance is spending more on defence and putting more into ... supporting our eastern allies.”

Ms Truss added: “I’m not going to get into details of the negotiations of the spending review.”

Male MPs try menopause ‘hot flush vest’ - and can’t take the heat

07:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Male MPs have tried out vests that simulate the feeling of menopausal hot flushes - and they couldn’t take the heat.

Taking part in an event to raise awareness for the sharp increase in demand for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs amid widespread shortages, politicians - including Wes Streeting, Stephen Kinnock and Nick Thomas-Symonds - donned the garments which contained heated pads which are said to mimic the bothersome and often debilitating symptom.

“It’s deeply unpleasant and an enveloping heat,” said the shadow health secretary after trying on the vest.

“How you would crack on with life, I don’t know. I can’t wait to take this off.”

Emily Atkinson has more.

Male MPs try menopause ‘hot flush vest’ - and can’t take the heat

Tory MP attacks Sadiq Khan over Met police

07:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Britain’s policing minister has claimed that Sadiq Khan should “share responsibility” for the Metropolitan Police’s slide into special measures.

Kit Malthouse suggested, as police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the force, the mayor of London should “consider his position”.

But four of the six police forces currently in special measures have Conservative PCCs.

The elected role was created by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government to replace policing boards previously tasked with controlling regional forces’ finances and holding them to account.

Lizzie Dearden reports.

Minister attacks Khan over Met – but most forces in special measures have Tory PCCs

MPs ‘should not bring babies to Commons’

06:47 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A cross-party review has recommended that MPs should not be allowed to bring babies into the House of Commons chamber during debates.

The report was ordered after an outcry when Labour member Stella Creasy was told not to bring her newborn son to work during debates.

According to the committee, MPs should not bring babies into the main chamber or Westminster Hall if they wanted to “observe, initiate, speak or intervene in proceedings”, The Guardian reported.

Raab under fire for spending £1m on private jets

06:32 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Dominic Raab spent more than £1m on private jets in just nine months as the foreign secretary instead of using regular flights, Labour claims.

The deputy prime minister is also under fire for taking up to nine officials with him on government trips – wasting money during a cost of living crisis, the party says.“

There are serious questions for the government about how these extortionate costs were run up and what we’re paying for,” Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader said.

“The public will want to know if they’re footing the bill for Tory ministers’ expensive in-flight hospitality while working families struggle to put food on their own tables.”

Rob Merrick has more.

Dominic Raab under fire for spending £1m on private jets in just nine months

Partygate inquiry to wait until autumn

06:17 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Prime minister Boris Johnson will not face a grilling by the committee investigating whether he lied to parliament over Downing Street parties until the autumn.

A Conservative bid to block Harriet Harman from leading the investigation failed after the senior Labour MP was confirmed as chair today.

But no decision has yet been taken on whether oral evidence sessions of questioning by the Commons Privileges Committee will be held in public and before the TV cameras.

The Commons voted in April for the committee to conduct an investigation into whether Mr Johnson’s repeated denials that Covid lockdown rules were broken at No 10 amounted to a contempt of parliament.

Boris Johnson rules out early general election

06:04 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Prime minister Boris Johnson has ruled out calling an early general election, as allies admitted that voters would not welcome a snap vote aimed at saving his premiership.

A source close to Mr Johnson dismissed the chances of him calling an early election this year, conceding that cutting and running at a time when he holds a commanding majority in the Commons would not be credible to voters.

“The PM won an 80-seat majority, people want us to use it to get s*** done, rather than hold another vote,” the source said.

Adam Forrest and Andrew Woodcock report.

Boris Johnson rules out early election ‘because voters want him to get s*** done’

04:51 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on everything related to politics in the UK.