UK politics live: Priti Patel says four-day week would have ‘devastating impact’ as smoking ban faces backlash

Dame Priti Patel has warned Labour’s four-day week plan would be “devastating” for businesses as she launched her Conservative leadership campaign in London.

The former home secretary criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s speech in the Downing Street Rose Garden on Tuesday this week as “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.

She also accused Sir Keir of launching a “nasty financial assault” on pensioners with the decision to cut winter fuel payments.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faced backlash for moving a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher in No 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”.

The portrait controvercy has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs, who branded his decision as “petty” and a “vindictive” act.

The prime minister hinted at a potential smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens.

Speaking in Paris, he confirmed changes to smoking laws are under consideration, with details to be revealed soon. But the move has sparked concern among hospitality groups over potential negative impacts on the sector.

The potential new Tobacco and Vapes Bill also caused cabinet tensions with Business Department officials warning that the move could create financial challenges for the industry.

Key Points

• Patel accuses PM of launching ‘nasty financial assault’ on pensioners

• Patel mocks Starmer over decision to take down Thatcher painting

• Minister weighs in on Thatcher portrait row after outrage

• ‘Disgraceful:’ Public fury as Tory MP uses Holocaust poem to attack smoking ban

• Labour will ‘take decisions’ on potential outdoor smoking ban

• Free childcare rollout not ‘plain sailing’ for parents, says Education Secretary

Scots must take independence decision out of Westminster’s hands, says Brown

15:55 , Salma Ouaguira

The people of Scotland must take the decision over independence out of the hands of Westminster, the SNP’s depute leader has said.

Addressing the first day of the party’s conference in Edinburgh, Keith Brown said the “sovereign people of Scotland” were “supreme over the UK Supreme Court”.

Under Nicola Sturgeon, the court rejected a push for the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.

Support for the SNP at the next election, Mr Brown said, would also be support for a “convention of all democratically-elected representatives … who support Scotland’s right to choose”.

Such a convention could see the SNP working alongside former leader Alex Salmond and the Alba Party should they win seats.

In his address to members, Mr Brown said the ability to demonstrate how Scotland can achieve independence will be “central” to the SNP’s success in 2026.

“We have to first of all acknowledge Westminster’s stance – they’ve been clear,” he said.

Eton College tells parents fees likely to rise by 20% over Labour’s VAT plan

15:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Eton College will raise fees by 20 per cent as a result of the Government’s removal of the VAT exemption on independent schools, it said in a letter to parents.

The £52,749-a-year private boys’ school said fees will “likely” increase in January, meaning most parents will have to pay about £63,000.

Parents whose sons are in receipt of 100 per cent bursaries will not be affected by the increase, the college said.

From January, the government plans to remove the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools to enable funding for 6,500 new teachers in state schools.

Currently, independent schools do not have to charge 20 per cent VAT on their fees because there is an exemption for the supply of education.

In a letter to parents on Friday, the Berkshire boarding school said: “The Provost and Fellows regret that the government has chosen to tax education in this way.

“Furthermore, we are disappointed that the introduction of VAT will take place partway through an academic year and at short notice.

“We recognise the concern that will be felt by many parents following this announcement.”

COMMENT | Starmer’s making me hate myself for smoking more than I do already

15:45 , Salma Ouaguira

I’m not somebody who cries ‘nanny state!’ every time a new rule is introduced, writes Ryan Coogan.

But if Keir Starmer can ban us from sparking up in beer gardens, then where does it end?

Please, prime minister: Don’t make me hate myself for smoking more than I do already

Could Labour’s potential smoking ban plan reshape public spaces?

15:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Amid growing speculation, Sir Keir Starmer has not denied reports that Labour might introduce a smoking ban in certain outdoor areas, including pub gardens and small parks.

The prime minister emphasized the need to alleviate pressure on the NHS and reduce taxpayer burdens, hinting at stricter public health measures.

Currently, smoking is banned in encolsed public spaces and workplaces across the UK since 2007, with Scotland leading the charge a year earlier. violations can result in fines of up to £200 for individuals, while businesses face penalites of up to £2,500 for non-compliance.

This proposed expansion of smoking restrictions builds on the unfinished agenda of Rishi Sunak, whose “smoke-free generation” bill aimed to make the UK one of the toughest anti-smoking nations globally.

Although Labour supported the Tory initiative, it never materialised before the end of the last parliament.

The potential Labour-led smoking ban could target various outdoor venues, marking a significant shift in public health policy.

However, specific details remain unclear as the government deliberates on how to implement these changes if they ever happen.

Esther McVey’s ‘repugnant’ tweets show how unmoored the Tories now are

15:23 , Salma Ouaguira

By using a Holocaust poem about the horrors of Nazi persecution to criticise Keir Starmer’s proposals to ban smoking in pub beer gardens, the former ‘minister for common sense’ appears to have abandoned what little of it she may have had, says Sean O’Grady:

Esther McVey’s ‘repugnant’ tweets show how unmoored the Tories have become

Labour MP accused for renting out flats with mould and ant infestations

15:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Newly-elected MP Jas Athwal is facing crutiny after the BBC uncovered poor living conditions in some of his flats.

The MP for Ilford South is parliament’s largest landlord with 15 rental properties. Nearly half of the tenants in one block of seven flats reported regularly cleaning mould from their bathroom ceilings, with some dealing with ant infestations.

According to the broadcaster, one resident described the ant problem as severe, with insects found on children’s bodies and clothing.

Another tenant claimed they were threatened with eviction if they complained or applied for benefits.

Mr Athwal, who has long championed himself as a “renter’s champion| denied knowledge of these issues, attributing management to a third-party agency and refuted allegations of eviction threats.

The Labour MP claimed he avoided tenants on housing benefits to prevent conflicts with his council duties.

Conservative Andrew boff said he is “deeply concerned” adding: “I worry that there are people who are Jas Athwal’s tenants who are now frightened to speak for fear of being evicted.

“We’ve heard this time and time again about how the threat of eviction is used to excuse poor maintenance of properties.”

Owner of culled alpaca Geronimo demands answers from new Labour government

15:10 , Salma Ouaguira

The owner of an alpaca who was culled three years ago has called for the new Labour government to provide answers about how Geronimo died.

Helen Macdonald wants a meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed about her case.

Geronimo, who had twice tested positive for bovine TB, was put down by vets on August 31 2021 after his owner lost a lengthy legal fight to halt the culling.

Ms Macdonald was campaigning for the move to be halted after insisting bovine tuberculosis tests returned false positives.

She had wanted Geronimo to be tested for a third time or allowed to live to aid research into the disease.

The veterinary nurse argued the Enferplex test was fundamentally flawed and said Geronimo tested positive because he had repeatedly been primed with tuberculin – a purified protein derivative of bovine TB bacteria.

The alpaca was put down after police and staff from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) arrived at Ms Macdonald’s farm near Wickwar, south Gloucestershire.

In pictures: Priti Patel launches Tory leadership bid

15:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Watch: Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Farage as he lights up cigarette

14:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Nigel Farage as he lights up cigarette near pub

Number of prisoners in England and Wales hits record high

14:40 , Salma Ouaguira

TSSA suspends strike by London Underground managers

14:30 , Salma Ouaguira

A planned strike by hundreds of London Underground managers in a dispute over terms and conditions has been suspended.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) working as customer service managers were due to walk out next Wednesday.

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “Our members have been clear all along that continued threats to their roles, locations, terms and conditions will not stand unchallenged.

“Their determination in this dispute has now delivered some progress and, as a result, the decision has been taken to suspend strike action on 4 September.

“However, we remain in dispute and call on London Underground to respond positively and work constructively with us to reach a resolution which addresses our concerns.”

SNP needs to win back voters from Labour – Flynn

14:25 , Salma Ouaguira

The SNP needs to win back voters who defected to Labour rather than those who stayed at home, the party’s Westminster leader has said.

The party met for its first conference since the election loss last month which saw them drop dozens of MPs, an event starting with a behind-closed-doors post-mortem led by First Minister John Swinney.

Speaking to journalists after the session, Stephen Flynn said the party suffered from multiple “self-inflicted wounds” in the election campaign.

But with the party having dropped 15% of its share of the vote, and Labour seeing an almost 17% increase, Mr Flynn said the SNP would have to win back those who looked elsewhere.

“I actually think the bigger question there is those SNP voters who didn’t vote for the SNP, who voted for a different party, who voted for the Labour Party,” he said.

“It’s those people that we need to firstly acknowledge, and we need to win back their support and their trust, and the best way to do that is to get on with the business of delivery.”

Jewish group criticises ‘repugnant’ Tory MP tweet over smoking ban

14:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The UK’s largest Jewish community organisation has lambasted Tory MP Esther McVey over her “repugnant” use of a famed Holocaust poem warning of the horrors of Nazi persecution to criticise plans to ban smoking in pub gardens.

It emerged on Wednesday night that the government is considering a ban on outdoor smoking which would affect pub gardens, areas outside nightclubs, and locations such as hospitals and children’s play areas.

Read the full story below:

Jewish leaders hit out at Tory MP’s use of Holocaust to criticise smoking ban

Business groups say Labour should be cautious over four-day working week plan

14:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Business groups have called for caution over potential Labour plans to open up a “compressed hours” four-day work week to more of the workforce.

Ben Willmott, head of public policy for the CIPD, the professional body for human resources, said the government should “take stock” of recent rule changes around employment, which allow people to request flexible working when they start new jobs, before making more changes.

He said: “Flexible working arrangements such as compressed hours, job sharing and term-time working can help people balance their work and home life commitments, while also supporting employer efforts to recruit and retain staff.

“However, flexible working has to work for both the business and workers if it’s to be sustainable and this needs to be recognised in any changes to regulation.

“It would make sense for the government to take stock of the impact of recent changes introduced only in April to enable people to request flexible working from day one of employment, before seeking to make further changes.”

Earlier on Friday, the government denied it will force businesses to allow staff to work a four-day week but said it supports flexible working.

Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith dismissed a report in The Telegraph that Labour’s Make Work Pay plans could force businesses to accept employees’ demands for a four-day week.

Labour’s four-day week plan ‘devastating’ for businesses, warns Patel

14:01 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has warned Labour’s four-day week plan would be “devastating” for businesses.

Responding to the proposal for “compressed hours” the former home secretary argued: “In terms of the four day week, this absolutely sums up this Labour government, it really does, at every single level.

“Imposing more burdens and bureaucracy and red tape, regulation, onto businesses, the very people that employ people.”

She added: “This will have devastating impacts for those businesses but importantly for our economy. Labour claim to talk about growth. It is obvious that they do not have a growth plan.”

Meeting free childcare commitments ‘enormously big job’, says education minister

14:00 , Salma Ouaguira

An education minister has warned it will be “an enormously big job” for the Government to meet its commitments on free childcare.

From Monday the Government will fund 15 hours per week of free childcare for eligible working parents whose children are between nine months and two years old – in addition to an existing offer to parents of two-year-olds and 30 hours of free childcare already offered to parents of children aged three and four.

From September 2025, the Department for Education has committed to funding 30 hours of free childcare for most working parents of children between nine months and school age, in line with commitments made by the former Conservative government.

Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith described the 2025 expansion as “an enormous increase in capacity” which will be over double the increase in places seen in the past five years.

She told Times Radio: “What we’ve had to really buckle down and do is start the detailed planning about how that’s going to be delivered. So we’ll be making more announcements, for example, about our ideas to create 3,000 more nurseries in unused primary school places.

“We’re working hard on getting the staff in that are going to be needed with our Do Something Big campaign, so that we’re encouraging more people into the labour force, better training opportunities for young people, for example, to do early years apprenticeships, to do the new T-level for early years in education.

“So we recognise that this is going to be an enormously big job.”

Priti Patel brands general election campaign the ‘most gruelling’

13:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Conservative leadership candidate Dame Priti Patel has described this summer’s general election campaign as the “most gruelling” she has fought.

Answering questions about how the Tories can combat the challenge from Reform UK, she paid tribute to party campaigners as she said: “It was the most gruelling election campaign I have certainly fought in my lifetime as a Conservative activist.”

She went on: “Reform are just one factor, there’s no doubt about that. The reality is… we have to go back to being the true Conservative Party that we stopped being, effectively.

“We were trying to be all things to all people, and the key thing to all of this is that we do have to ensure that we always stand up for public values, the values of the country, the British people, and show that they’re our compass.”

Dame Priti added: “I am absolutely determined to ensure that we become that election-winning machine all over again, regardless who our political opponents are across the political spectrum, whether it’s Reform, the Lib Dems, the Greens, because it varies across the country.”

UK ‘deeply worried by the methods’ used by Israeli forces in West Bank

13:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The government is “deeply worried” by the “methods” employed by Israel in the West Bank, a Foreign Office statement has said.

The statement condemns “settler violence”, which has surged in the West Bank since the Hamas attack on 7 October ignited Israel’s war against Gaza.

At least 652 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli fire since the war began over 10 months ago, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Most have died during Israeli raids, which often trigger gun battles with militants.

Israel says the operations are required to dismantle Hamas and other militant groups and to prevent attacks on Israelis, which have also risen since the start of the war.

This week, Israel’s national security minister Ben-Gvir was criticised for saying he would build a Jewish synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque – a holy site for Muslims and Palestinian national symbol – compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

“We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Swinney’s former teacher joins environmental protest outside SNP conference

13:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Environmental protesters – including John Swinney’s former teacher – have declared the Scottish First Minister must “try harder to protect the climate”.

Caro Wilkinson, who taught Mr Swinney German when he was a pupil at Forrester High in Edinburgh, was among a group of campaigners from the Edinburgh Climate Coalition to stage a demonstration as the SNP conference got under way.

She recalled her former student as being “intelligent and caring”, adding: “His kindness was clear when he organised a class whip-round when I was pregnant to buy me a teddy bear for my new baby.”

However, she also insisted the First Minister was “clever enough to know how urgent the threat of climate change is”, adding that she hoped he “cares enough for the planet to take the action that’s needed”.

Ms Wilkinson said: “If he does, he’ll speak out against the huge Rosebank oil field, reject the proposed Peterhead gas-fired power station and do what he can to put the Scottish government back on course to fight climate change.”

Watch: Keir Starmer spending more time removing portraits than governing, says Priti Patel

12:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Keir Starmer spending more time removing portraits than governing, says Priti Patel

Tory leadership hopeful claims Labour has no plan on immigration

12:45 , Salma Ouaguira

Dame Priti Patel told Tory activists at her leadership campaign event in central London that on immigration “Keir Starmer, Yvette Cooper, the Labour government, simply do not have a plan, and one of the most damaging things that they have done is effectively tear up the operational delivery plans that I put in place.”

The former home secretary added if she was prime minister, she would implement the Nationality and Borders Act, and would keep the immigration plans from the last Conservative government, including the Rwanda scheme.

“We would have strong laws and deterrence in place, and we should be looking at a third country,” she said.

“The sad thing is, we will never know now whether that Rwanda policy will work, because the government has just torn it up.”

Watch: Priti Patel says Keir Starmer has launched nasty financial assault on pensioners

12:45 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel: Keir Starmer has launched nasty financial assault on pensioners

Priti Patel U-turns on return of death penalty

12:31 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has said she no longer supports the return of death penalty during her Tory leadership bid speech.

She said: “The answer is no and you know exactly where I stand on law and order and supporting the police and ensuring that our police officers are given the powers and the tools to do their job which is a complete contrast to this Labour Government... that voted against all the laws and legislation that I put forward on those issues.”

The former home secretary also ruled out suggestions that the Tory leadership election should be shortened, adding that “the rules have been set, they have been determined and that is the timeframe”.

Would Patel remove portrait of Tony Blair?

12:26 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has been asked whether she would remove a portrait of Tony Blair if she ever gets into Downing Street.

Laughing she said: “Margaret Thatcher is going back up on the wall.”

Addressing the smoking ban, she criticised the government claiming that the hospitality sector will be hit by Labour’s potential plans to change tobacco laws.

Patel urges Tories to stop trying to be ‘all things to all people’

12:23 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has Asked has said the Conservatives need to stop trying to be “all things to all people” to combat the electoral threat posed by Reform UK.

She said: “Reform are just one factor, there is no doubt about that. The reality is we have to go back to being the true Conservative Party that we stopped being, effectively.

“We were trying to be all things to all people. The key thing to all of this is that we do have to ensure that we always stand up for public values, the values of the country, the British people and show that they are our compass.”

Patel slams Starmer over Thatcher portrait row

12:16 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has attacked Sir Keir Starmer over his decision to move a portrait of Margaret Thatcher in No 10.

She said: “On Keir Starmer, where shall we start? 56 days in office and he seems to be spending more time removing portraits of great, strong, Conservative female leaders rather than getting on and doing the strong job of governance.”

Pointing at her campaign backdrop, she added:“If he wants a picture to replace Margaret Thatcher he can always have this one.”

She said: “I think it tells us everything really about his priorities. His priorities are not on serving the country.

“His priorities are literally just about tinkering at the margins, hiding behind great portraits of great Conservative female prime minister. That is why we need to get him out of office.”

‘I will make Conservatives professional, competent, election-winning machine'

12:11 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has promised Tory members that she will turn the Conservative Party into a “professional, competent, election-winning machine” if they back her.

Addressing all voters, she vowed to come create “credible and compelling plans for the future of our country”.

Where is smoking already banned?

12:10 , Salma Ouaguira

Authorities in England, Northern Ireland and Wales banned indoor smoking in 2007, with Scottish authorities bringing in a ban the previous year.

The laws apply to enclosed workplaces, public buildings and public transport, which includes pubs. Ministers gained powers to ban smoking in private cars in 2014, particularly where a person under the age of 18 is in the vehicle.

Drivers or passengers who smoke in cars with anyone under 18 inside could be fined £50 in England and Wales, with similar laws in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

New Zealand’s government tried to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009, and passed the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022.

But the change was repealed by a new government before it could come into effect from January 2027.

The City of Carlsbad, 32 miles north of San Diego in California, plans to ban smoking and vaping in and around apartments, condos, care facilities and other multiunit homes, except for certain designated outdoor spaces, from January next year.

Patel makes fun of Reform UK in leadership speech

12:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Former home secretary Priti Patel has poked fun at Reform UK after she promised to “take on and defeat” all the other parties from across the political spectrum.

She told the audience in London: “The reds, the yellows, the greens and that non-Conservative shade of blue which occasionally pops up at election time.”

Patel accuses Starmer of launching ‘nasty financial assault’ on pensioners

11:59 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has branded Sir Keir Starmer’s speech from Downing Street earlier this week “pitiful”.

The Tory leadership contender said the prime minister it was “one of the most feeble, pitiful and dishonest speeches you will ever hear”.

Attacking Sir Keir over the decision to cut winter fuel payments, she added: “He was completely dishonest with his complaints and his claims about the British economy that he has inherited which were clearly made to justify his nasty financial assault on the very people who deserve dignity in their retirement and who have spent their working lives contributing to the very fabric of our nation.

“That is our parents and our grandparents.”

Priti vows to take Conservatives ‘back to winning ways'

11:54 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel has proimised to take the Conservative party back to “winning ways” if she becomes the new Tory leader.

Speaking from an event in London, she said: “The Conservative and Unionist party is the greatest political party in the world.”

She added: “Under my leadership I will bring our party experience and strength and I will get us back to our winning ways.”

Tory Leader of Essex Council introduces Priti Patel

11:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Kevin Bentley, the Tory leader of Essex County Council, has introduced Priti Patel ahead of her major speech.

Mr Bentley praised work ethic and loyalty, adding: “People know Priti, people trust Priti, people know what she stands for.”

I would have won Westminster seat lost by Ross, says Duguid

11:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Ousted MP David Duguid has said he would have won the seat lost by party leader Douglas Ross.

Mr Duguid was barred by Scottish Conservative officials from running for the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat, citing health reasons.

Earlier this year, he suffered a spinal stroke and subsequently contracted pneumonia, telling the BBC he “flatlined” on two occasions.

But the former MP – who represented the now defunct Banff and Buchan seat since 2017 – said he would have won the contest Mr Ross lost to the SNP on 4 July.

Asked in an interview with the BBC if the party made the wrong decision in barring him from standing, Mr Duguid said: “Evidently – we lost the seat.

“I think I would have won it.

“The last official communication I had with the party when they came to visit me that last time, I didn’t know Douglas was going to be the candidate.”

He went on to say he “had the incumbency” and constituents “knew me, and I’m a half decent MP or a fully decent MP”.

He added: “I thought any new candidate was not going to have that incumbency, which may not be worth that many votes, but it could have made a difference between winning or losing.”

Priti Patel slogan: ‘Experience. Strength. Unity.’

11:42 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel is set to deliver her speech from a lectern featuring her campaign slogan: “Experience. Strength. Unity.”

Breaking: Prison population hits record high

11:34 , Salma Ouaguira

The prison population of England and Wales has hit a record high, Ministry of Justice figures show.

A total of 88,350 people were in prison as of August 30, up 116 from 88,234 a week ago and a jump of nearly 1,000 from 87,362 four weeks ago.

It is the highest end-of-week figure since weekly population data was first published in 2011.

It also surpasses the highest number of prisoners in England and Wales ever recorded, which was 88,336 at the end of February 2024, based on separate figures for the end-of-month population size.

In the aftermath of the summer 2011 riots, the prison population peaked at 88,179 on 2 December 2011.

Labour’s four-day week: How it will work and who can do it

11:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Employees could get the right to a four-day working week under new laws being considered by Labour as part of their new package for workers.

This would come in the form of “compressed hours,” where an employee is allowed to work their regular hours over four days instead of five, reports The Telegraph.

Angela Rayner is understood to be spearheading Labour’s plan for workers, consulting with trade unions and businesses ahead of new legislation expected in the autumn.

Under current rules, workers have the right to request flexible working, but employers aren’t legally obliged to agree.

Labour’s four-day week explained: How it will work and who can do it

Coming up: Priti Patel vows to ‘send Starmer packing'

11:28 , Salma Ouaguira

Tory leadership hopeful Priti Patel is set to deliver her first major speech in the race to replace Rishi Sunak at 11.30am.

Speakng in central London, the former home secretary will position herself as the best candidate to equip the Tories to challenge Labour and “send Starmer packing”.

Her address comes after Tom Tugendhat delivered his yesterday. He promised to impose a legally binding annual cap on net migration at 100,000 if elected leader.

The proposal is part of his campaign patform as he seeks to position himself as a candidate committed to control immigration.

Priti Patel takes on Farage

11:21 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel is making a bid to win back Reform voters, our political editor David Maddox writes.

The former home secretary has invited Howard Cox who stood for Reform in the London mayor contest to her launch event.

Ms Patel and her campaign manager Jonathan Gullis have worked closely with Cox in the past with the Fair Fuel Campaign.

Winning him back would be a major signal to the voters who switched to Nigel Farage and Reform in the election.

Mr Cox told The Independent: “Priti Patel has supported my Fair Fuel Campaign for over a decade and she has been instrumental in keeping fuel duty frozen since 2011. I am flattered to be invited to her launch event today because I think she is the only Thatcherite left in the Tory party.”

Foreign Office ‘deeply worried’ by ‘methods Israel employed’ in IDF attack

11:16 , Salma Ouaguira

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has said the UK is “deeply worried” by the “methods Israel has employed” in an IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement on Friday morning, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

“We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

“The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.

“The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel’s national security minister Ben-Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

“It is in no one’s interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.”

Priti Patel to launch Tory leadership campaign

11:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Dame Priti Patel is set to officially launch her Tory leadership bid at a major speech.

The former home secretary is expected to reveal her plan to change the Conservative party and her vision for improving the nation if she gets elected.

The Tory MP will tell Conservative members that she is the best candidate to ensure the party has “all the tools needed” to take on Labour and to “send Starmer packing”.

She is one of six candidates standing to replace Rishi Sunak, including James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch, Mel Stride, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat.

Watch: Starmer jokes about staying in ‘chilled’ Paris as he meets Team GB Paralympians

11:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Starmer jokes about staying in ‘chilled’ Paris as he meets Team GB Paralympians

Mortgage approvals for house purchase jump to highest levels since mini-budget

10:50 , Salma Ouaguira

The number of mortgages approved for home buyers has jumped to its highest level since the month the mini-budget was delivered under then-prime minister Liz Truss.

The Bank of England recorded 62,000 approvals for house purchases in July – the highest total since 65,100 were recorded in September 2022.

Mortgage rates surged after then-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s September 2022 statement delivered as part of a “growth plan”.

In recent weeks, mortgage rates have been edging down and earlier this month, the Bank of England base rate was cut by 0.25 percentage points to five per cent.

The Bank’s Money and Credit report said house purchase approvals increased from 60,600 in June.

By contrast, approvals for remortgaging (which only capture loans with a different lender) fell to 25,100 in July from 27,300 the previous month.

The figures were released as Nationwide Building Society said UK house prices fell by 0.2 per cent month-on-month in August, after taking account of seasonal effects, but the annual rate of house price growth continued to edge higher. Average prices were up 2.4 per cent year-on-year – the fastest rate since December 2022.

Minister: Starmer ‘can’t win’ on moving Margaret Thatcher portrait

10:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Ireland seeking legal advice over trade with Israel

10:39 , Salma Ouaguira

Ireland’s premier is seeking legal advice over trade with Israel.

While noting that international trade policy is an EU competency, Simon Harris said he was writing to Irish Attorney General Rossa Fanning for “fresh legal advice” on the domestic possibilities.

Mr Harris said that “every lever” must be pulled to maximise pressure on the Israeli government to bring forward a cessation of violence in Gaza.

The leaders of Ireland’s three coalition parties decided that the State would not procure any further defence or military equipment and contracts from Israel.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Harris said the action was “appropriate” in line with rulings of the International Court of Justice.

Mr Harris said: “I think it’s really important when an international court makes substantive findings, that those findings are given effect in every way.”

Starmer hopes Scholz and Macron can help him unpick the harms of Brexit - but is it a strategy doomed to fail?

10:25 , Salma Ouaguira

Britain’s new prime minister has struck up a close relationship with Paris and Berlin and needs their help to unpick problems caused by Brexit, says David Maddox. But it is a strategy full of risk...

Starmer hopes Scholz and Macron can help soften Brexit – will it work?

Gosal resigns as deputy Scottish Tory chairwoman and endorses Findlay as leader

10:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal has resigned as the party’s deputy chairwoman and endorsed leadership candidate Russell Findlay.

The West Scotland MSP wrote in the Scottish Daily Mail on Friday that she is stepping back from the role so she can “fully support the candidate I believe can bring our party together at every level”.

She added: “I’m backing Russell Findlay to unite us, lead us forward and get our party winning again.

“Russell has the support of far more MSPs than other candidates. He’s got the backing of dozens of councillors too. And I know our party members are behind him.”

Mr Findlay – who is contesting the top job against Meghan Gallacher and Murdo Fraser – welcomed her backing.

Union warns Starmer against watering down zero-hours ban

10:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resist diluting a planned ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, despite business leaders warning of potential economic damage if reforms are rushed.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the prime minister to prioritise the ban, highlighting new evidence of financial hardship among millions in insecure work.

Labour’s proposed overhaul of workers’ rights has sparked rension between the new governmnet and businesses.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds have reportedly assured employers of a phased approach to the reforms.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized a commitment to “co-design” policies with businesses, aiming for growth while improving workers’ conditions.

However, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak insisted banning zero-hours contracts is crucial, challenging business leaders to understand the instability faced by those on such contracts.

“I would challenge any business leader or politician to try and survive on a zero-hours contract not knowing from week to week how much work they will have,” he said.

“It’s time to drive up employment standards in this country and to make work pay for everyone. The government’s forthcoming employment rights bill will help create a level playing field – and stop good employers from being undercut by the bad.”

A recent poll showed 84 per cent of zero-hours workers desire regular hours, with many struggling financially due to insufficient work.

Starmer removes ‘unsettling’ £100,000 Thatcher portrait from 10 Downing Street

10:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has had a portrait of Margaret Thatcher removed from No 10 Downing Street, according to his biographer.

Tom Baldwin said that the prime minister found the £100,000 painting, which was commissioned by Gordon Brown, “unsettling” – sparking outrage among Conservative MPs.

Speaking at an event organised by Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival, Mr Baldwin said that after Sir Keir took office, they met at No 10 for a private conversation.

Read the full story below:

Starmer removes ‘unsettling’ £100,000 Thatcher portrait from 10 Downing Street

Swinney to begin SNP conference with post-mortem of election result

09:50 , Salma Ouaguira

John Swinney’s first party conference since returning as SNP leader is due to begin – with a post-mortem examination into what went wrong in the election campaign.

The SNP dropped to just nine seats in the July 4 poll, its worst return in more than a decade.

The first session of the Edinburgh conference will be a behind-closed-doors meeting led by Mr Swinney that will assess what went wrong in the campaign.

Speaking on Thursday, he described the election as “very difficult” for the party.

“There’s obviously a lesson that we’ve to learn from that, and that would be part of the discussion on Friday morning,” he said.

“What’s important is the SNP focuses on building for the future.

“We’ve got a great track record of serving the people of Scotland, we need to build on that to make sure we make the positive and hopeful case for independence and that will be at the heart of the party conference.”

Over the course of the weekend, speeches from depute leader Keith Brown, Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Mr Swinney will be punctuated by “policy discussions” with Scottish government ministers including Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson and Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

Mr Robertson will likely face questions from members about the recent controversy surrounding his meeting with the deputy Israeli ambassador.

What is the government’s policy on smoking and vaping?

09:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Asked about smoking on Thursday, Sir Keir told reporters he would “take decisions in this space”, and warned that smoking kills more than 80,000 each year.

“That’s a preventable death,” the prime minister said. “It’s a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer.” He added: “More details will be revealed.”

Labour’s election-winning 2024 manifesto pledged preventative public health measures, and policy makers said their quest for “longer, healthier lives… starts with smoking”.

The manifesto read: “Labour will ensure the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes and ensure all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. Labour will ban vapes from being branded and advertised to appeal to children to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine.”

Setting out their legislative agenda in the King’s Speech in July, ministers promised to table a Tobacco and Vapes Bill to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes, similar to a Bill of the same name tabled by the previous Conservative administration earlier this year – to ban shopkeepers from selling cigarettes to anybody born in 2009 or later.

Watch: Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Nigel Farage as he lights up cigarette near Downing Street pub

09:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Smokers ‘heroes of the nation’, says Nigel Farage as he lights up cigarette near pub

Cleverly accused of worsening asylum backlog by ‘dithering’ on key decisions

09:23 , Salma Ouaguira

Former home secretary James Cleverly has faced criticism after being accused of exacerbating the asylum backlog earlier this year by delaying crucial decisions, The Guardian reports.

Insiders and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) alleged thar Mr Cleverly’s hesitation led to a significant drop in asylum decisions between March and June, with approvals falling from 24,348 in the first quarter to just 15,965 in the second.

A leaked email from May revealed that senior Home Office officials were awaiting ministerial guidance, diverting staff to other tasks while the key decisions were stalled.

The delay coincided with the introduction of the Illegal Migration Act, which aimed to prevent the processing of many asylum claims after 7 March.

Critics argued that the government’s Rwanda deportation plan and the legal challenges it faced have contributed to a growing “perma-backlog”.

Fran Heathcote, the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents asylum caseworkers, said: “We’re aware of the slowdown in asylum decisions between March and June but this in no way reflects a lack of effort or performance from our members.

“Instead many of our members were diverted on to other workstreams whilst the Illegal Migration Act prevented decisions being made on asylum claims made since March 2023 and the previous government dithered on making the decisions required to unlock these.

“Our members tell us that processing of claims has started to ramp up again since replacement arrangements were introduced in the king’s speech.”

Ministers have ‘no plans’ to force businesses to accept four-day week demands

09:20 , Salma Ouaguira

The government has “no plans” to force businesses to accept employees’ four-day working week requests.

Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake claimed businesses were “petrified” about Labour’s Make Work Pay plans, which The Telegraph reported could include new rights for workers to demand a four-day week.

But a Department for Business and Trade spokesperson denied they would “impose” the working pattern on businesses.

The PA news agency understands any plan to open up “compressed hours” to more workers would not result in bank holiday-style weekends each week, and that employees would usually need to work their contracted hours, even if they choose to over fewer days.

The Whitehall spokesperson said: “We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees. Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business.

“Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around increasing productivity and creating the right conditions for businesses to support sustained economic growth. Many employers already provide good, family-friendly conditions for their workers because they know that doing so improves morale and retention.

“We are working in close partnership with business and civil society to find the balance between improving workers’ rights while supporting the brilliant businesses that pay people’s wages.”

Esther McVey defends controversial post comparing smoking ban to Holocaust

09:12 , Salma Ouaguira

Conservative MP Esther McVey has defended a controversial tweet citing a Holocaust-era poem to criticised the government’s proposed smoking ban, despite backlash from Jewish groups who condemned the comparison as “repugnant” and “tasteless”.

The MP for Tatton, who previously served as a minister, shared a shortened version of Martin Niemöller’s 1946 poem “First They Came” on social media.

Ms McVey used the poem to draw a parallel with Labour’s proposed outdoor smoking ban.

The post sparked widespread criticism, with Jewish groups and others denouncing the comparison as highly inappropiate.

Despite the outcry, the Tory MP has not retracter her comments, insisting on the relevance of the poem to her critique of the proposed smoking legislation.

Border Force staff at Heathrow to launch strike in rosters dispute

08:55 , Salma Ouaguira

Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport will launch a four-day strike on Saturday in a long-running dispute over rosters.

Around 650 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) will walk out amid complaints that new rosters are inflexible.

The staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from September 4 to 22.

The union said its research showed that four in five Heathrow Border Force workers suffer from stress at work.

More than one in four have taken time off due to stress or related mental health reasons since the introduction of the new rosters in April, said the union.

Most staff regularly worry about managing home commitments around work, according to the PCS.

General secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This survey shows how badly our members’ wellbeing is being affected by the new roster system.

“These inflexible rosters are preventing parents dropping off and picking up their children from school. Managers could easily resolve the issue by allowing greater flexibility and by agreeing fixed shifts that give our members the chance to plan their caring responsibilities.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We appreciate the tireless work that Border Force do to keep our borders safe and secure, and we are committed to continuing our conversations with the union so we can find an agreement that works for both the public and staff.

Poll: Majority of voters support banning outdoor smoking

08:40 , Salma Ouaguira

A YouGov poll has revealed the majority of Britons support banning smoking in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants.

Almost six in ten (58 per cent) of British adults would either tend to support or strongly support banning smoking in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants.

Just over a third (35 per cent) say they would tend to oppose or strongly oppose the idea.

Labour dismisses claims businesses being forced to accept four-day week

08:36 , Salma Ouaguira

Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has dismissed reports of abusinesses being forced to accept employees’ demands for a four-day week, saying the government’s plans for flexible working would enable fewer days to be worked through compressed hours.

She told LBC radio: “We think that flexible working is actually good for productivity. So the four-day week that I know is on the front of quite a lot of newspapers today, what we’re actually talking about there is the type of flexible working that enables you to use compressed hours.

“So perhaps instead of working eight hours a day for five days, you work 10 hours a day for four days.

“So you’re still doing the same amount of work, but perhaps you’re doing it in a way that enables you, for example, to need less childcare, to spend more time with your family, to do other things, that encourages more people into the workplace, which is an enormous part of that growth mission.”

Asked about jobs such as teachers who would not be able to do a four-day week using compressed hours, Lady Smith said: “Well, no, and nor can lots of other people, but that doesn’t mean that those people that can do it shouldn’t have the ability to do it.”

Government will ‘take decisions’ on potential outdoor smoking ban, Starmer says

08:33 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government will “take decisions” on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.

Industry leaders have warned that the proposed plans to ban outdoor smoking, including in beer gardens and outside stadiums, would be another “nail in the coffin” for pubs and bars.

According to leaked proposals seen by The Sun newspaper, the Government is set to ban smoking in some outdoor areas to improve public health.

The indoor smoking ban could be extended to cover other locations including small parks, outdoor restaurants and hospitals.

Sir Keir told reporters in Paris: “My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That’s a preventable death.

“It’s a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer. So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space.

“More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths, and we’ve got to take the action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”

Minister: 'Biggest nail in the coffin of most people is smoking’

08:28 , Salma Ouaguira

The government’s outdoor smoking ban will aim to make “fewer places where you actually can smoke”, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said.

Responding to calls from industry that an outdoor smoking ban would be another ‘nail in the coffin’ for hospitality, Lady Smith told Sky News: “The biggest nail in the coffin of most people in this country is smoking – 80,000 people die every year from smoking related diseases.”

She added: “We will think about all sorts of different ways, as the last time I was in government, we introduced the smoking ban, the first smoking ban, there was a lot of concern at that point about how it was actually going to work.

“I think most people now, including in the hospitality industry, would say our pubs, our restaurants, are much better places because they’re no longer filled with smoke.”

Lady Smith further stated: “What we’re trying to do is to make, both through lifting the age at which you can start smoking, by providing ways in which you can get out of smoking, and by making fewer places where you actually can smoke, we want to make it much more likely that people who are direct active smokers will actually want to give up smoking, and by doing that, safeguard their own health and safeguard the NHS and the pressures that smoking brings onto it.”

Nurseries should provide options to parents - Education minister

08:16 , Salma Ouaguira

Nurseries will have to provide options to parents rather than charge for additional provisions such as food or nappies during Government-funded childcare hours, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said.

She told Sky News: “What we’ve been very clear about in our guidance is where providers feel that they they need to charge for food, for example, or for nappies within the government-funded childcare hours, that has to be something that is optional, so parents need to be able to provide their own nappies or provide the lunch themselves.

“But I do take the point that there is a real challenge for early years providers in delivering this big ramping up of provision.

“It is a very good thing, it’s a very good thing for children, and it’s a very good thing for parents in terms of their work choices, but it is something where we need to continue working very hard alongside the providers, and we will do over the next year to make sure that we’ve got those 85,000 extra places and the 40,000 extra staff that will be necessary in order to enable us to get at least close to that to that entitlement next year.”

Free childcare rollout not ‘plain sailing’ for parents, says Education Secretary

08:08 , Salma Ouaguira

government-funded childcare support may not be “plain sailing” for working parents, the Education Secretary has warned.

Bridget Phillipson said early years support is her “number one priority” in government, but her department claimed it must find around 85,000 more childcare places by September 2025 compared with 2023, to expand its free childcare offer.

The government will fund 15 hours per week of free childcare for eligible working parents whose children are between nine months and two years old from Monday 2 September, in addition to an existing similar offer to parents of two-year-olds and 30 hours of free childcare already offered to parents of children aged three and four.

From September 2025, the Department for Education has committed to funding 30 hours of free childcare for most working parents of children between nine months and school age, in line with commitments made by the former Conservative administration.

“This inherited plan comes with significant delivery challenges,” Ms Phillipson said.

“I must warn that for some parents it will not be plain sailing, and while I am excited to see children starting nursery for the first time, or parents being able to increase their working hours, the work for government starts now.”

Education minister defends smoking ban and warns more unhealthy behaviours crackdown to come

08:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Public health interventions, like the government’s proposal to ban outdoor smoking, is “the type of thing that perhaps you would expect a government” to implement, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said.

Asked if the government would be taking further action against other unhealthy behaviours such as tackling obesity, Lady Smith told Times Radio: “Actually, what this is, is it’s support for people to be able to live healthy lives.

“It’s support for people to be able to get into the workplace.”

She added: “We want the economy to be growing. We want healthy people able to go into the workplace.

“That strikes me as being the type of thing that perhaps you would expect a government to be doing and I’m pleased that those are the things that we are in the very early days of our government putting into place.”

COMMENT | Doesn’t the prime minister realise smoking outside pubs is the best thing about Britain?

07:50 , Salma Ouaguira

I’m not somebody who cries ‘nanny state!’ every time a new rule is introduced, writes Ryan Coogan. But if Keir Starmer can ban us from sparking up in beer gardens, then where does it end?

Doesn’t Starmer realise smoking outside pubs is the best thing about Britain?

Starmer removes Thatcher portrait from No 10 sparking Tory backlash

07:29 , Salma Ouaguira

Sir Keir Starmer has removes a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No 10 Downing Street, according to biographer Tom Baldwin.

The portrait, commissioned by Gordon Brown in 2009, was displayed in the room once used by Ms Thatcher, now known as the Thatcher room.

Baldwin revealed that Sir keir found the portrait “unsettling” and agreed to remove it when asked.

The decision has drawn criticism from Conservative MPs, who accused him of “pettiness” and a lack of respect for historical figures.

The painting, created by Richard Stone and costing £100,000 was the first of a former prime minister to be commissioned in No 10.

Some Tories viewed the removal as a slight against Thatcher’s legacy, with MP Greg Smith calling it a sign of disrespect.

Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory leadership candidate, also said: “It seems like a churlish move, but perhaps Sir Keir Starmer was intimidated by the gaze of a world-renowned leader whose achievements he will never come close to matching.”

Despite the controversy, the PM recently acknowledged Thatcher’s role in bringing “meaninful change” to Britain.

‘Disgraceful:’ Public fury as Tory MP uses Holocaust poem to attack smoking ban

07:09 , Salma Ouaguira

A social media post by Conservative MP Esther McVey has been branded as “repugnant” by the Board of Deputies of British Jews for likening the Labour government’s proposed smoking ban to the Holocaust.

The MP for Tatton took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share Martin Niemoller’s 1946 poem “First They Came”.

The poem includes the lines: “Then they came for the Jews. And I did not speak out.”

However, the former cabinet minister for common sense ended her version with a twist: “Pertinent words re Starmer’s smoking ban.”

In response, the Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the Tory MP for her choice of words, and dubbed her social media stunt as “repugnant” and “breathtakingly thoughtless”.

The Board said in a statement: “The use of Martin Niemoller’s poem about the horrors of the Nazis to describe a potential smoking ban is an ill-considered and repugnant action.

“We would strongly encourage the MP for Tatton to delete her tweet and apologise for this breathtakingly thoughtless comparison.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded to Ms McVey with: “No, I do not think the postwar confessional of Martin Niemoller about the silent complicity of the German intelligentsia and clergy in the Nazi rise to power is pertinent to a Smoking Bill that was in your manifesto and ours to tackle one of the biggest killers.”

He added: “Get a grip.

Rabbi David Mason, executive director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, said: “Tasteless. Utterly tasteless. How can you not see that?”