Boris Johnson has met US Vice President Kamala Harris, telling her the removal of the blanket travel ban on the UK was a "great improvement".
The Prime Minister was on whistle-stop diplomatic tour in Washington DC on Tuesday, and was due later to hold a meeting with President Joe Biden.
Mr Johnson praised the bravery of US troops in the Afghanistan evacuations and said "on trade we are seeing real progress", particularly over the "curious ban" on British beef, which provoked a chuckle from Ms Harris.
Speaking to journalists earlier in New York, where he has been attending a UN summit, Mr Johnson said there were "plenty of reason to be optimistic" about getting the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.
Follow the latest updates below.
09:25 PM
Biden warns on Northern Ireland
Warning shot from Biden over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Says he believes in NI peace agreements “very strongly”.
Here is Kamala Harris welcoming Boris Johnson earlier
NOW: @VP Kamala Harris greets British PM Boris Johnson from her ceremonial office. Harris says she looks forward to the US and UK’s “long-standing” transatlantic relationship. pic.twitter.com/phRGXHUrxx
Boris Johnson has been spotted arriving in the West Wing
The Prime Minister arrived at 4.42pm [9.42pm UK time].
08:00 PM
Xi tells UN China will stop funding coal projects overseas
Xi Jinping last night said China will stop funding coal projects overseas, reducing a key source of pollution behind climate change.
He told the United Nations in a recorded address: "China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low carbon energy and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad."
The Chinese leader also said China aims to provide two billion Covid-19 vaccines doses to the world by the end of the year.
China's President Xi Jinping remotely addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in a pre-recorded message - AP
He told other world leaders: "China will never invade or bully others or seek hegemony." Mr Xi said China was a "builder of world peace and defender of the international order." Mr Xi said China would promote "dialogue and inclusiveness over confrontation and exclusion".
He said: "The world is big enough to accommodate progress of all countries." The Chinese leader praised the "noble cause" of the UN and said China would take cooperation with the UN to a "new level".
He said the world was seeing "change unseen in a century" and all countries "long for peace". Beating Covid-19 was a "fight crucial to the future of humanity," he said.
07:55 PM
Boris thanks Kamala Harris for end of US's travel ban
Boris Johnson told US vice president Kamala Harris the removal of the blanket travel ban was a "great improvement", as they met in Washington DC.
Stood at podiums in the vice president's office in the White House complex, the Prime Minister said: "On trade we are seeing real progress."
He welcomed the end of the "curious ban" on imports of British beef.
He also thanked the US for the "great improvement on the previous arrangement" for allowing full vaccinated Britons to visit again.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Boris Johnson wave as they tour the balcony outside the Vice President's ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Building - Getty
Mr Johnson also praised the "brave" US military for its role in evacuating Kabul airport.
He welcomed the additional contribution to the 100 billion dollar pledge to tackle climate change made by president Joe Biden.
"Today was a great day for the world," Mr Johnson said. "It was," Ms Harris agreed.
The two then walked out onto a balcony where they waved to media standing below and continued their discussion.
07:51 PM
Boris says 'great honour' to meet VP Kamala Harris
Boris Johnson said it was a "great honour and privilege" to meet the US vice president as he praised the co-operation between the US and UK military on the Afghanistan evacuation effort.
He said: "Madame Vice President it's a great honour and privilege for me to be here to meet you for the first time.
"I've heard a lot about you but it's fantastic to be here and I want to thank the US government, your government, for the many ways in which we are co-operating now I think at a higher and more intense level than at any time I can remember.
"I want to signal out the amazing work, the brave work, of the US military is helping the Kabul airlift."
Boris Johnson & Kamala Harris take a stroll along the balcony of the Executive Office. pic.twitter.com/4kFtQkBwcM
On climate change, Mr Johnson added: "I just want to say, Madame Vice President, Kamala, on climate change I think that today was a really good day for the world.
"And I thank the US government and President Biden for the steps you've taken to reassure the world that America is committed to helping to tackle climate change."
06:12 PM
Iran's president says he wants nuclear talks to result in lifting of all sanctions
Iran wants a resumption of nuclear talks with world powers to lead to the removal of US sanctions, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told those gathered at the UN in a pre-recorded address.
Hardline cleric Raisi, who is under personal US sanctions over allegations of human rights abuses in his past as a judge, said the U.S. sanctions, imposed by former President Donald Trump in 2018, "were crimes against humanity during the coronavirus pandemic".
"The Islamic Republic of #Iran considers useful the talks whose ultimate outcome is the lifting of all oppressive sanctions... Iran is ready to play its part for a better world," Raisi said at the end of his speech, but not before a lengthy cricitism of the US, which he said was "failing miserably."
Indirect talks between Iran and the United States to revive the 2015 nuclear pact stopped two days after Raisi was elected as Iran's president in June.
05:45 PM
In dig at Trump, Johnson praises new US position on climate
Boris Johnson has praised the "very different mood in Washington" about the urgency of dealing with climate change since President Joe Biden replaced Donald Trump.
Johnson, who is due to meet Biden at the White House on Tuesday, said the US government was "passionately committed to fixing climate change."
Johnson is due to host a United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November, and has been using a visit to the UN General Assembly in New York this week to urge nations to contribute more to help poor countries tackle the crisis.
Britain welcomed Biden's announcement Tuesday that the U.S. would double its contribution.
Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew the US with the Paris climate accord during his presidency.
Boris Johnson prepares to board a train from Penn Station in New York to Washington DC where he will meet US President Biden later today. - PA
Johnson also downplayed the likelihood of a US-UK trade deal being struck soon, saying this week that Biden had "a lot of fish to fry."
"I have plenty of reason to be optimistic about (a trade deal)," Johnson said during interviews in New York on Tuesday with British broadcasters. "But the Americans do negotiate very hard."
04:58 PM
Biden hails Australia alliance in meeting with Morrison
Biden hailed the growing US-Australian alliance Tuesday in his first meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison since they announced a nuclear submarine project that triggered a diplomatic row with France.
"The United States has no closer and more reliable ally," Biden told Morrison on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Biden said their countries were committed to a "free and open Indo-Pacific" - code for the US-led push to contain the rising power of China.
President Joe Biden meets with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Intercontinental Barclay Hotel during the United Nations General Assembly - AP
He noted that they would meet again Friday in the White House at the first in-person session of leaders from the Quad group - Australia, India, Japan and the United States - which is likewise dedicated to preserving stability in the Indo-Pacific.
"It's a historic meeting and I think we're all looking forward to it," Biden said.
The US president, who earlier told the United Nations that Washington is focusing on alliance building and diplomacy after ending the failed 20-year war in Afghanistan, said the geopolitical situation requires watching carefully.
"The United States and Australia are working in lockstep," he said. "Democracy and setting the rules of the road for the 21st century - I mean what I said: we are at an inflection point. Things are changing."
04:54 PM
Truss to push Iran for release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
New Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would push for the immediate release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe during talks with Iran in New York.
Talking to reporters on the train to Washington DC, Ms Truss said she would be "hard headed" and "proactive" in her approach to securing the release of detained British-Iranians.
"I've already spoken to the families of the detainees in Iran. It's completely unacceptable that they're being held there and I'm going to be very proactive in pushing for their release," she said.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss boards RAF Voyager at Stansted Airport ahead of a visit to Washington alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson - PA
Asked what she will say to the Iranians, she said: "I'm pushing for her immediate release."
Ms Truss is expected to meet her Iranian counterpart on Wednesday after talks were postponed earlier this week.
03:31 PM
US seeks to double climate change aid for developing nations
Biden said he would work with Congress to double funds by 2024 for helping developing nations deal with climate change to $11.4 billion per year, which would help achieve a global goal set more than a decade ago to mobilize $100 billion per year to support climate action in vulnerable countries.
"In April, I announced the United States will double our public international financing to help developing nations tackling climate crisis. Today, I'm proud to announce that we'll work with the Congress to double that number again, including for adaptation efforts, to make the United States the leader of public climate finance," he told world leaders.
Biden's announcement comes with less than six weeks to go before the UN climate summit begins in Glasgow, Scotland.
British summit host Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said meeting that climate finance target is key to building trust between developing and developed nations ahead of new negotiations since developed countries have failed to mobilise the $100 billion per year pledge by the original goal year of 2020.
03:18 PM
Macron and Modi vow to ‘act jointly’ after submarine dispute
President Emmanuel Macron has discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Paris deals with the fallout from Australia’s cancellation of a $40bn French submarine order.
Australia said last week that it would scrap an earlier 2016 deal with France’s Naval Group to build a fleet of conventional submarines, and would instead build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with US and British technology after striking a trilateral security partnership dubbed Aukus.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is in New York for UN meetings, has called for Europeans to “think hard” about alliances after Paris was outraged by the loss of the mega submarine contract with Australia.
03:06 PM
And that's it - for our domestic coverage
My colleagues will be picking up to from now to bring you all the rest of the news from the US, with Boris Johnson on the train to Washington where he will meet Joe Biden.
It is the first time the two have met in the White House since Mr Biden became President last year.
But while the Prime Minister will be hoping to build on the relationship - and perhaps edge the trade deal a little closer to reality - back home his list of problems grows ever longer.
The energy crisis, potential food shortages, tax rises and cuts to Universal Credit are all threatening to come together in a perfect political storm.
Today Mr Johnson, and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, both appeared to soften their stance towards the end of the uplift to Universal Credit.
Our readers are split on the issue - with 50 per cent saying it should go ahead as planned, while 31 per cent say it should be extended over the winter. A further 19 per cent believe it should be made permanent.
For more news and analysis, carry on reading below.
02:57 PM
Analysis: Joe Biden made it plain - he won't shirk from a fight
Joe Biden’s 33 minute speech - more than twice the 15 minute cap delegates to UNGA are asked to keep through - was delivered as a manifesto, writes senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant.
The message was simple - this is a new and refreshed America, freed of 20 years of exhausting war to embrace the challenges of a new epoch.
Mostly, he suggested, that means climate change, Covid, and economic justice. Everyone, he urged, should work together. So far so warm and cuddly.
But this speech was also a warning to America's traditional adversaries. Some, like Iran, he mentioned by name. Others, like Russia, he referred to as he rebuked dictatorship and authoritarianism.
And while he never mentioned China, Beijing was present throughout the speech.
Mr Biden may have vowed not to reach for the hammer of American military might as a first resort. But he wants to make it plain he will not be shirking from a fight.
02:53 PM
Boris Johnson: Englishman in New York
Boris Johnson: You can hear it in his accent when he talks - PA
02:52 PM
Palestinian state 'best way' to resolve conflict with Israel, says Biden
Biden said that a sovereign and democratic Palestinian state is the "best way" to ensure Israel's future.
"The commitment of the United States to Israel's security is without question," Biden said in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
“I continue to believe that a two-state solution is the best way to ensure Israel's future as a Jewish democratic state, living in peace alongside a viable, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian state.”
02:40 PM
Watch: Who came up with 'build back better' first?
Boris Johnson and Joe Biden might not agree on Brexit, but there is one thing they share: the love of the phrase 'build back better'.
While the slogan might as yet appear somewhat empty, the two men have used it repeatedly. But who said it first?
Watch below.
02:35 PM
Joe Biden: World must call out abuses in Xinjiang and Ethiopia
The world "cannot give up " on trying to resolve "raging civil wars" including in Ethiopia, and call out abuses in Xinjiang, Joe Biden has said.
Globally the US will "champion the democratic values" of freedom, equality, opportunity and "a belief in the universals rights of all people", he says.
The US President reaffirms his commitment to Israel and a two-state solution, which he says we are "a long way" from.
The world must advocate for "women and girls to use their talents... and pursue their dreams", he adds.
02:27 PM
US will target resources to 'advance human dignity', says Joe Biden
The US will focus its efforts to "find ways to advance human dignity" around the world, such as good quality infrastructure Joe Biden has said.
The President says "transparent, sustainable investment in projects that respond to a country's needs and engage local workers", infrastructure can be a strong foundation for low income countries to grow and prosper.
"That is the idea behind the build back better world," he says, saying he wants to mobilise hundreds of billions in investment.
He confirms a $10bn commitment to end hunger and invest "in food systems at home and abroad".
02:25 PM
Joe Biden: US is not seeking a new Cold War
Joe Biden says "all the major powers in the world have a duty to carefully manage their relationships so we do not tip... into conflict", in a veiled threat to China and Russia.
The US will "stand up for our allies and friends" against those who try to dominate weaker countries, he says. He also highlights the need for all countries to follow jointly-agreed rules, such as maritime laws.
"But we are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks," he added. The US is ready to work with any nation that steps up... even if we have intense disagreements in other areas."
He says the US will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, but the country will be welcomed back to the joint agreement if it chooses, and calls on North Korea to desist with its nuclear missiles tests.
Terror threats will be met with a "full range" of tools, so that "large-scale military deployments" are not required.
02:19 PM
US moving away from "relentless war" to "relentless diplomacy", says Biden
US President Joe Biden told the UNGA that America is "opening a new era of relentless diplomacy" following the end of the war in Afghanistan.
Biden also said the United States would be prepared to use force "if necessary" but that military power must be a "tool of last resort."
"The mission must be clear and achievable, undertaken with informed consent of the American people and whenever possible in partnership with our allies," he added.
In his first speech at the UN as president, talks of the US moving away from "relentless war" to "relentless diplomacy." "Bombs cannot protect us against Covid-19," he said.
Biden is delivering the speech at a difficult time in his still new presidency after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a new deal with Australia and the United Kingdom that has angered France, one of America's oldest European allies.
02:18 PM
Joe Biden: Good climate policy will spur long-term economic growth
Joe Biden says good climate policy is an "enormous opportunity to create good-paying jobs in each of our countries and spur long-term economic growth".
But the world must also support those who are likely to be hit the hardest by climate change, he says.
The US will double its commitment to public climate finance, having already doubled it in April of this year, in a bid to help developing countries address the challenge.
02:15 PM
Joe Biden to announce new Covid commitments tomorrow
Joe Biden then turns to pandemic, saying planes from the US with Covid vaccines have landed in 100 countries, bringing people around the world "a little dose of hope".
The US President says he will announce "additional commitments" tomorrow, as he looks to "ourselves accountable to three challenges - saving lives now, vaccinating the world and building back better".
The "borderless" pandemic has been a "code red for humanity", he adds, as he returns to climate change.
Scientist are warning that we are reaching the point of no return, which will require leaders to keep "collectively raising our ambitions over time", including at Cop26 in November.
02:10 PM
The US is 'back at the table', says Joe Biden
The 21st century means that the success of each country is bound up in those of others, Joe Biden has said.
Security and prosperity is bound up "like never before", and so working to resolve challenges must be too.
The US has "reaffirmed our sacred Nato alliance" and is working with other allies, including the European Union, Australia, India and Japan.
"We are back at the table in international forums... to focus attention," he adds, saying the "power of our example" will be renewed.
Military power should be the US' "last resort", he adds.
02:07 PM
Joe Biden: World is at 'inflection point in history
Joe Biden says whether the world "chose to fight for our future or not" will have repercussions for generations to come.
It is an "inflection point in history", the US President adds. He pledges to work towards a more prosperous future "for all people".
Mr Biden says climate change must be grappled alongside other issues such as terrorism, saying the "relentless war" in Afghanistan has turned into "relentless diplomacy" instead.
Government "by and for the people is still the best way to deliver for all the people", regardless of the problem, he adds.
02:05 PM
Joe Biden: Pandemic is 'poignant reminder' of need to work together to protect future
Joe Biden has said it is his "honour" to speak to the UN General Assembly for the first time as US President.
He says the world is mourning more than 4.5m people as a result of the pandemic, and "our shared grief is a poignant reminder that our collective future" hinges on our ability to act together.
"This is a clear and urgent choice we face here a dawning of what must be a decisive decade for our world," he adds.
There are opportunities if the challenge is met - but there is a threat of extreme weather: droughts, intense fires, hurricanes, heat waves and rising seas, Mr Biden says.
02:02 PM
Harry Dunn's parents 'reach resolution' in civil claim against Anne Sacoolas
The parents of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn and their son's alleged killer have reached a "resolution" in a civil claim for damages filed in the US.
The Dunn family's spokesman Radd Seiger said an agreement had been "reached successfully between the parties and they can put this part of the campaign behind them".
US suspect Anne Sacoolas, who is charged with causing 19-year-old Harry's death by dangerous driving, was due to give evidence under oath last month as part of the damages claim until a last minute postponement.
Get involved: Submit your questions for our energy crisis Q&A
Do you have a question about the energy crisis? Leave it in this form for one of our experts to answer in a Q&A tomorrow at 12:00pm.
01:53 PM
European Court of Human Rights is 'fig leaf for tyranny', claims senior Tory MP
A former minister has urged the Government to replace the Human Rights Act, as he argued the European Court of Human Rights is a "fig leaf for tyranny".
Speaking during a debate about the charging of a third Russian agent in connection with the Salisbury attacks, Sir Edward Leigh told MPs: "The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which I am a member, pathetically has allowed Russia back into the Assembly for one reasons only: for money. Where these Putin's thugs strut around and ignore any motion passed by that assembly.
"Russia doesn't care a dime about the Court of Human Rights and will simply ignore it, but the same court is constantly invoked by human rights lawyers where we try and save lives at sea with dealing with migrants or how we run our prisons.
"This is just a fig leaf for tyranny. Maybe the time has come to replace the Human Rights Act with our own British Rights Act and perhaps get out of this European Court of Human Rights all together?"
But Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, insisted today's judgment from the European Court is an "important and significant" warning.
01:49 PM
Jeremy Hunt: The French can’t have their cake and eat it
One of the French phrases I learnt quickly as foreign secretary was “On ne peut avoir le beurre et l’argent du beurre”, which literally means “you can’t have the butter and the money from selling it”, writes Jeremy Hunt.
A more familiar translation would be “you can’t have your cake and eat it” – and this was the message that France hammered home with boring repetitiveness during the Brexit negotiations.
With the diplomatic row over the cancellation of their Australian submarine contract, it is time that the French reflected on this saying themselves.
Alarm over climate change 'ringing at fever pitch', says UN secretary general
The UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has said the alarm over climate change is "ringing at fever pitch".
"We see warning signs in every continent and region, scorching temperatures, shocking biodiversity loss, polluted air, water and natural spaces, climate related disasters at every turn," he told the UN General Assembly.
He said that to keep temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, as countries have pledged in the Paris Agreement on climate change, emissions have to be cut by 45 per cent by 2030.
But with emissions likely to rise by 16 per cent in that time, the world will become "a hellscape of temperature rises of 2.7C above pre-industrial levels: a catastrophe," he said.
The world is "light-years away from reaching our targets", he added, urging leaders not to wait for others to make the first move.
01:32 PM
Boris Johnson dodges questions over Universal Credit U-turn
Boris Johnson has declined to say whether he is considering a reversing plans to end the Universal Credit uplift, after the Business Secretary appeared to open the door to such a possibility.
Asked by the BBC on a visit to the US whether the decision would be reversed, Mr Johnson said: "We think that the best thing we can do is help people into high-wage, high-skilled jobs.
"Unemployment is falling very rapidly, jobs are being created and wages are rising, and rather than raising people's taxes to put more money into benefits we want to see companies paying their workers more."
Asked again if this meant there would not be a reversal of the decision, he stressed his preference was for "a high-wage, high-skill economy with controlled immigration" - but did not rule it out.
See more at 12:36pm and 8:22am and 8:01am - plus have your say at 1:45pm.
01:17 PM
Boris Johnson rejects suggestions that 'Global Britain is small fry'
Boris Johnson has rejected suggestions that 'Global Britain is small fry', after he said Joe Biden has "other fish to fry" before agreeing a UK-US trade deal.
The Prime Minister told Sky News: "Two years ago, Americans wouldn't even buy British beef... we have lifted the tariffs on Scotch whiskey."
He told the interviewer: "You're entitled to your gloom but you are wrong because what you are seeing is a massive improvement in trading relations... The Americans do negotiate very hard [but] we want a great trade deal and I am not going to settle for anything less."
Asked repeatedly if he would secure the deal before the next election, he only said: "We are going to go as fast as we can."
01:14 PM
Boris Johnson: Christmas is on
Boris Johnson walking through the streets of New York - No10 Downing Street
Boris Johnson has said he is "very confident" that there will be no return to a three-day week, despite warnings from the industry, saying the gas price spike is "short-term".
The Prime Minister said "the market will fix it", but the Government would support people int he meantime.
Asked if Christmas would be affected, he said:" I don't think we are going to have any problems on that scale.
"We need to work very, very hard with the businesses involved to address their problems," he added.
"Christmas is on."
01:10 PM
Boris Johnson rejects suggestions that 'life is getting harder' under his watch
Boris Johnson has rejected suggestions that "life is getting harder under" his watch, amid fears of a cost of living crisis.
During an interview with Sky News in New York, the Prime Minister was asked directly if that was the case, responding: "No".
He added: "I know how tough it can be for people at times, but we think the best way forward for the country is to do what we are doing now - keep opening up the economy - what you are seeing is wages growing for the first time in ages."
Mr Johnson said: "I sympathise with people's anxieties, but the supply chains are very secure."
01:05 PM
Boris Johnson: No guarantees of UK-US trade deal before next election
Boris Johnson has declined to commit to getting a free trade deal with the US by the next election.
Asked if he would get the deal by 2024, the Prime Minister told Sky News in New York: "We will keep going with free trade deals around the world, including in the United States.
"I have plenty of reason to be optimistic about that. But the Americans do negotiate very hard."
Asked if he may not get it done by the end of his premiership, he said: "We're going to go as fast as we can."
This morning one of his ministers said the trade deal was not "on the back-burner": See 8:39am for more.
12:58 PM
Sir Keir Starmer vows to overhaul Labour's leadership vote system
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil his reforms at the party conference, which starts on Saturday - Shutterstock
Sir Keir Starmer has briefed the shadow cabinet on his plans to overhaul the way his successor will be elected, and will set them out to trade union leaders tomorrow, ahead of the party conference.
Labour's leader plans to replace the one member, one vote (OMOV) system with a return to the electoral college made up of the unions and affiliate organisations, MPs and party members.
"Our rules as they are right now focus us inwards to spend too much time talking to and about ourselves, and they weaken the link with our unions," Sir Keir said. "These are two things that have got to change if we are serious about winning the next election."
But his plans have upset those to the left of the party, who claim it is a "cowardly attack on democracy".
See 10:25am for more.
12:45 PM
Have your say: Should the Government reverse its plan to end the Universal Credit uplift?
In recent weeks ministers have been pretty unanimous when it comes to Universal Credit, insisting the uplift was always meant to be temporary, and that with a surging economy now is the best time to turn the taps off.
But with the looming energy crisis meaning a "difficult winter" ahead, Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, has shown an apparent softening in the official stance, acknowledging that some people will be able to afford to heat their homes.
A reversal in the cut would be welcomed by several Tory backbenchers - and the opposition, although they will of course make political capital of such a move. And with borrowing higher than expected, there remain concerns about the state of public finances.
So should the Chancellor reverse these plans, or stick to his guns? Have your say in the poll below.
12:43 PM
Salisbury attack agents will be extradited if they ever leave Russia, says Home Secretary
Denis Sergeev aka Sergey Fedotov - the GRU senior officer - in Heathrow - Metropolitan Police Service
The UK will look to extradite the three men who have been charged with carrying out the Salisbury poisoning attack should they ever leave Russia, the Home Secretary has said.
Priti Patel told the Commons that arrest warrants are in place for Denis Sergeev aka Sergey Fedotov, as well as the men known as Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov.
"The police have applied for an Interpol notice against Fedotov mirroring those already in place against the other two suspects," she said. "Should any of these individuals ever travel outside Russia we will work with our international partners and take every possible step to detain and extradite them to face justice."
Ms Patel added: "We will continue to take robust steps to counter the threat posed by the Russian state."
12:33 PM
Clumsy Biden desperately trying to woo back France - but will Macron pick up the phone?
US officials are desperately trying to rebuild bridges with France after failing to anticipate the fallout over the nuclear submarine deal with Australia.
Behind the scenes it has emerged that, rather than being a calculated casting aside of America's oldest ally, the US state department simply did not expect France to be so enraged by the move.
It was a further example of clumsy policy execution by Joe Biden's administration which, with its eyes so firmly set on countering China, has repeatedly omitted to consider the impact of its actions on its closest allies.
Deal to resolve 'critical' CO2 shortage 'imminent', says minister
A deal to get "critical" CO2 production back up and running could be struck as early as today, a minister has said, as the Government races against time to prevent food shortages.
The British Retail Consortium said it expected to see food shortages by the end of the week, while pork suppliers warned of "farmageddon" within 10 days.
But Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, said he was hopeful a deal would be agreed today, following "candid" and "fairly frank" conversation with Tony Will, the American owner of CF Industries. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has also been involved in talks as it "may come at some cost" to the country.
Asked if the Government was prepared to subsidise a foreign company, he said he was "looking at different ways we can provide support", and insisted any support would be temporary.
The Government was "averse" to nationalising the company, but he was "prepared to look at every solution" to get production back up and running, Mr Kwarteng told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
He told Sky News: "It’s pretty imminent - this week, we will have a very clear plan to get CO2 production back up again... I am very confident, hopeful, we can sort it out by the end of the week."
12:16 PM
Theresa May: Bring Russian agents behind Salisbury attack to justice
Theresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the Salisbury attack, has called for the Government to do "all it can" to bring the suspected attackers to justice.
"The use of a chemical weapon - Novichok - on the streets of Salisbury was an appalling crime which sadly led to the death of an innocent British woman, Dawn Sturgess," she said.
"I congratulate the police and all those involved in identifying this third individual and in developing the evidence leading to charges against him. This is further confirmation that responsibility for this attack lies firmly in the hands of the Russian state.
"I urge the UK Government to do all it can to bring the individuals concerned to justice."
See 12:33pm for more
12:12 PM
Boris Johnson: Maybe Afghan withdrawal could have been handled differently
The withdrawal from Afghanistan could "maybe" have been handled differently, Boris Johnson has said.
In an interview with broadcaster NBC during his trip to the United Nations General Assembly in the US, the Prime Minister was asked whether it was the case that he had tried to contact President Joe Biden and had to wait 36 hours for a response.
Mr Johnson told NBC: "I don't discuss my calls with other leaders. To the best of my recollection, we talked very frankly about the whole thing."
He denied he felt snubbed and when asked if Mr Biden had been too "stubborn" over the withdrawal, he said: "America has been there for 20 years and it's a respectable argument to say that enough is enough. Look, I mean, could we have done it a bit differently? Maybe we could."
12:11 PM
Boris Johnson implies Britons love freedom more than the Land of the Free
Boris Johnson has implied that Britain is more freedom-loving than the so-called Land of the Free, ahead of his first visit to the White House since Joe Biden became President.
In an interview with US broadcaster NBC, the Prime Minister was asked about mandatory vaccination. President Biden has ordered that all firms employing more than 100 people must require their staff to be fully vaccinated or have weekly Covid tests.
Mr Johnson said: "Different strokes for different folks, okay? It's up to different countries to decide how they want to approach this. This is a very controversial area, people feel very strongly about not having the state mandate something.
"In my country, we're great lovers of liberty, we've had to do it by sweet reasoning and persuasion, and that's working."
Asked what happened if persuasion did not work, he said: "Keep going, more sweet reasoning."
12:05 PM
Ben Wallace: Case of murdered woman 'adds to sorrow' over data breach
Yvette Cooper tells MP s about a harrowing case in which a former contractor had "a specific directed threat from a senior Taliban official".
The man, who had sought to come to the UK via the Arap scheme, fled with his family, but his wife returned to the house - only to be shot in the head. She died a few days later.
The Labour MP calls for the case to be pursued, and for all applicants to have a personal response.
Ben Wallace says contractors are eligible and he will look at the case, but notes there are 900 cases still being brought forward.
The "most worrying part" of the case is that "despite the warm words of the Taliban we have seen a significant amount of that type of incident occurring, which only adds to my sense of sorrow for what happened yesterday."
11:59 AM
Eight interpreters 'not in comms' with UK since Operation Pitting ended
Eight out of the 260 Afghan interpreters whose data was breached have not been "in comms" since the end of Operation Pitting, Ben Wallace has confirmed.
Asked how many have not been heard from since the breach occured, he told MPs that as this took place at "about 5:30pm yesterday afternoon", it was too early to say, but the MoD team had "engaged with as many as possible".
He pledged to give the House of Commons a "rolling update to how many have responded", but noted that "a number of people have already changed their email address".
11:56 AM
Vice-Admiral Ben Key to led data breach probe
Vice-Admiral Ben Key, Chief of Joint Operations, commanded Operation Pitting, - AFP
Vice-Admiral Ben Key will be leading the investigation into the data breach in which the details of hundreds of Afghan interpreters were accidentally mass-emailed out.
Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, confirmed that the man who led Operation Pitting would now take charge of this probe.
He insisted security protocol were "fit for purpose - it's really about training and adherence of it".
Mr Wallace briefly joked that he was "the only saddo who actually knows what kind of lock needs to be on what kind of cabinet that leads to different kinds of security classification", but in a more serious tone warned that "information security is not something western governments are good at, which is why our adversaries seem to be."
11:49 AM
Get interpreters out of Afghanistan or they will be killed, Defence Secretary told
Tobias Ellswood, the chairman of the Commons defence committee, says "we must get these interpreters out or they will be hunted and killed".
He urged the Defence Secretary to find "clandestine means to get these people out of the country".
Ben Wallace says he cannot go into the details, but says "all means will be explored".
11:47 AM
Minister accepts some opposition criticism of Afghan data breach
Ben Wallace has said "some" of Labour's criticisms of the data breach are "deservedly landed".
John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, had challenged him as to "why on earth" the MoD was using mass emails, leaving people "in danger... needlessly".
The Labour frontbencher asked what assessment had been made of the increased risk and what was being done to evacuate them now.
The Defence Secretary has defended the use of mass email, and confirmed that "the vast majority of emails are not specific names" or use home addresses.
"That does not change the fundamental impact it could have had, and still could do," the minister tells MPs.
Assessment of the risk is "ongoing", which he said he would share with his shadow and the SNP's defence spokesman.
11:42 AM
Official suspended over Afghan data breach, confirms Defence Secretary
Ben Wallace has said it is an "understatement" to say he was angry about the data breach, exposing hundreds of Afghan interpreters this week.
Speaking in the Commons the Defence Secretary confirmed that one individual had been suspended, and people had been advised to change their emails.
"It was brought to my attention at 22:00 hours night that there had been a significant data breach," he told MPs. "To say I was angered by this was an understatement."
Mr Wallace he would give a more detailed statement after conference recess, when the investigation he has ordered will have reported fully by then.
"It is an unacceptable level of service... on behalf of the Ministry of Defence I apologise," he added.
11:36 AM
Minister dodges straight answer on Universal Credit again
Ministers have yet again been urged to cancel the cut to Universal Credit to spare millions of families from suffering a "Tory triple whammy" to their finances.
Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, told the Commons: "At least half a million families are going to be thrown into fuel poverty by the rise in energy prices and, on top of that along with National Insurance rises, millions of families are facing a £1,000-a-year cut in Universal Credit in just 10 days' time.
"It is a Tory triple whammy made in Downing Street.
"Will he stand up for the millions of people deeply worried about their bills and tell the Prime Minister he should cancel the Universal Credit cut?"
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, once again did not rule out a reversal, replying that "this issue is a matter for the Chancellor in discussion with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with regard to Universal Credit."
Have your say in our daily poll at 11:56am
11:33 AM
Lobby latest: Foreign Office to discuss new Salisbury attack charges with Russian ambassador
The Foreign Office (FCDO) will discuss Denis Sergeev with the Russian ambassador to the UK, after Scotland Yard charged the suspected ringleader behind the Novichok attack in Salisbury in 2018.
Mr Sergeev is accused of seven charges, including three of attempted murder as well as conspiracy to murder Sergei Skripal, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey, and possession and use of a chemical weapon.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have said throughout this was not a rogue operation and only the Russian state had the technical means and experience and the motive to carry out this attack.
"We obviously have ensured that, if possible, if these people who have been charged leave Russia we will do everything we can to extradite them and bring them to justice in the UK."
However he acknowledged it would be "futile" to seek to bring Mr Sergeev to justice while he remained in Russia.
Submarine row puts Brexit talks at risk, warns France
Britain’s secret security pact with the US and Australia has put Brexit negotiations over Northern Ireland at risk, France said this morning, as it warned the submarine row was now a “European issue”.
French Europe minister Clément Beaune, who on Monday called for an end to EU trade talks with Canberra, said the bloc was showing “solidarity” with Paris over the dispute.
“We see when we look at the Brexit agreements that are not well implemented, that are not fully respected, we see it with the Aukus project. There were some hidden things,” Mr Beaune said at the start of a meeting of EU Europe ministers in Brussels.
“We have different issues that we should not mix up. But basically, we see with Brexit, we see with the Aukus project, that we need first to rebuild confidence [...] We are not in this context at the moment.”
Tim Davie: 'Death knell' of BBC's sport coverage 'not even close to ringing'
The "death knell" of the BBC's sporting coverage is "not even close to ringing", the director-general has said.
Tim Davie told MPs that the corporation had "a fantastic portfolio", highlighting some of the summer's successes - including "the rather painful experience" of England losing in the Euros final.
Asked if the BBC could enter a partnership with ITV, he said he was open to doing so, saying that model already existed.
But he warned that sports coverage would remain "slightly skinnier" than in the past.
"We have to accept the reality of the market - I don't want to be spending half the licence on sport," he said. "It's the wrong thing to do, we need to have an offer that is slightly differentiated from the rest of the market."
10:59 AM
BBC's Olympic coverage 'fantastic' despite being 'priced out' of coverage
The BBC's director general has defended the corporation's coverage of the Olympics, but admitted that being "priced out" had affected what it could do.
Tim Davie told MPs there "are some things to reflect on, in terms of what package of rights" the BBC can secure, but insisted the teams "did a sensational job" working in Manchester and Tokyo.
"We actually saw some fantastic sporting drama," he said, adding that it "took a little bit of time for viewers to get their bearings around it because it was so different".
He noted it was "not going to get any easier" to secure good terms.
10:56 AM
Have your say: Should the Government reverse its plan to end the Universal Credit uplift?
In recent weeks ministers have been pretty unanimous when it comes to Universal Credit, insisting the uplift was always meant to be temporary, and that with a surging economy now is the best time to turn the taps off.
But with the looming energy crisis meaning a "difficult winter" ahead, Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, has shown an apparent softening in the official stance, acknowledging that some people will be able to afford to heat their homes.
A reversal in the cut would be welcomed by several Tory backbenchers - and the opposition, although they will of course make political capital of such a move. And with borrowing higher than expected, there remain concerns about the state of public finances.
So should the Chancellor reverse these plans, or stick to his guns? Have your say in the poll below.
10:37 AM
BBC 'orders more Telegraphs than Guardians'
The BBC "orders more Telegraphs than the Guardians now", Tim Davie has said.
Challenged about the left-leaning nature of the corporation, the director-general said "someone is running a story" about this.
"I look forward to getting the data - I have no idea whether that is true though," he added.
10:36 AM
BBC in 'real fight' to retain talent who are lured away with 'transformational wealth'
The BBC is losing talent because global broadcasters are able to offer "transformational wealth", Tim Davie has told MPs.
The director-general said the brain drain was "not just people going to Times Radio - it's the big deals with the Phoebe Waller"Bridges", saying it is "absolutely red hot out there".
He added: "We are in a global game now.... the demands have never been greater and there are the possibilities of transformational wealth.
"The BBC needs to do things differently," he added, saying the broadcaster should become "not just a making shop but an inventing and owning shop" to protect its IP.
"It's a real worry for us and we are in a fight," he added.
10:21 AM
Establishing the political leanings of Sage scientists 'is important', says BBC boss
Tim Davie has indicated that the BBC might highlight the political leanings of those who help set policy, such as Government scientists.
Steve Brine, the Conservative MP, asked if BBC presenters should challenge Sage members, who"arguably make policy more than backbench MPs do", as to their political affiliations.
The director-general said there was "no restriction as to the line of questioning" - but Mr Brine said he had never seen such questions asked during an interview.
Mr Davie then noted that a lot of research is carried out prior to covering reports, to ensure they are not partisan, adding: "I don't subscribe to exactly the formula you set out [but] these things are important."
10:15 AM
Stripping BBC investment 'will send broadcaster into spiral', warns DG
The BBC must not be "stripped" of investment to ensure it can compete against Netflix and other competitors, the director general has said.
Tim Davie told MPs "the existential threat" to the BBC is relevance, saying that while it was "rock solid" in terms of its perception as valuable institution, he wanted "every household to get value" through a "deep connection" with multiple services including radio, digital and the educational strand Bitesize.
"To preserve that we need investment - investment that is good value still," he said. "Netflix, Spotify - they have had price rises of 20-30 per cent this year - we have gone up one per cent."
He added: "We need to make sure we are not stripping the service, because we will then be into a spiral."
10:07 AM
Just under 7pc of of people evading BBC licence fee
Just under seven per cent of people are evading their BBC licence fee, chief operating officer Leigh Tavaziva has said.
Current rates are at 6.95 per cent, and are updated at the end of every financial year.
Addressing how many over-75s who are no longer eligible for a free TV licence are yet to pay, she said as of May 31 2020, there are "260,000 over-75 licence fee holders yet to set up a new payment plan", but nine out of ten over-75s have now set up their payment plan correctly.
She said: "We will continue to work hard with our over-75s, in the autumn we will be carrying out customer care visits to start to be able to engage with the individuals we haven't been able to speak to."
10:05 AM
UK at 'tipping point' for future of media industry, warns BBC boss
Tim Davie has said it is too early to "give you chapter and verse" on the implications of the promotion of Nadine Dorries as Culture Secretary on the BBC.
The director general told MPs: "The worst thing I can do is start second guessing them before I have met them.. I would hope that we deliver this settlement on the timings we talked about."
He said negotiations about the licence fee renewal was "constructive", but warned that the country is "at a tipping point for the UK media market, and the creative industries".
Mr Davie said: "Do we want to support a domestic, thriving UK market or not? We have made that case in data - not in speeches - in data."
09:56 AM
BBC is in 'battle' to protect impartiality in the media
The BBC is "in a battle" to create a space in which all views can be heard and healthy debate conducted, the director general has said.
Tim Davie told MPs: "We need to be comfortable with different opinion - I do worry about institutional group think, I do.
"We need to make sure groups of people making decisions, the ground of we attack to the BBC come from a wide economic background, have a diverse range of views. That is essential to us - it is mission critical."
This stance "puts us in a very different place to where the rest of the world is heading in my view, which is a dangerous place around partial media," he added.
"We are in a battle for this - we are not perfect... but to facilitate a pace where we can properly debate these issues."
09:51 AM
BBC boss: It's getting tougher to leave political opinions at the door
It is getting "tougher" for people to leave their political opinions at the BBC's door, Tim Davie has admitted.
Asked if he had hired anyone to the senior BBC team who supported Brexit, the director-general told MPs: "I don't know. We are hiring people all the time. I don't know where my top team is on Brexit. We don't talk like that."
Discussing the challenge of hiring journalists from across the political spectrum, he said: "It's absolutely appropriate to leave (political views) at the door. That is what we do. And, by the way, we have done it pretty well for 99 years.
"I think it is just tougher now, by the way. The culture wars are raging. I think we have got a real battle on our hands. I walk a tightrope every day on this. But we have got to fight for this. It is not an easy choice."
09:46 AM
BBC News boss' surprise exit 'absolutely nothing to do with Jess Brammar'
Jess Brammar's appointment has sparked controversy - PA
Fran Unsworth's departure from the BBC has "absolutely nothing to do with Jess Brammar," the corporation's director general has said.
Ms Unsworth, the BBC’s director of news, is to leave in January.
Tim Davie told MPs the two things were "not in the slightest" related. He added: "It has nothing to do with the latest incident. After 41 years.. this is a planned move. It has absolutely nothing to do with Jess Brammar."
He also defended the decision to hire Ms Brammar, saying once people "enter the building, impartiality is sacrosanct", but that people should not be excluded on the basis of historical tweets.
Mr Davie, who confirmed he had stood as a Conservative councillor but was never successful, warned that the row could have wider repercussions if people felt no one who had ever expressed opinions could be hired, noting that the BBC had recently hired individuals from The Telegraph and elsewhere.
09:37 AM
Jess Brammar appointment 'not tainted' by row, insists BBC chairman
The appointment of Jess Brammar as executive editor of the BBC's news channels has not been "tainted" by the row sparked after a former Downing Street adviser objected.
Richard Sharp, the new chairman of the BBC, told MPs that additional considerations had been undertaken "in light of some of things discussed in relation to Martin Bashir... reputational importance... impartiality, balance etc".
He suggested that concerns about her appointment were raised because "there were some people who didn't fully understand the changing nature" of the BBC's structure.
Asked about the appropriateness of board member Sir Robbie Gibb's intervention, Mr Sharp said "people are entitled to their fears and concerns, that doesn't mean they are right".
Asked if her appointment had been "tainted", he insisted the process "followed the right protocols", but declined to comment on private communication.
09:25 AM
'Cowardly attack on democracy': Labour left attack plans to overhaul leadership election
Westminster is rife with rumours that Labour's leadership team will shake-up the way future leaders are elected - sparking fury and concern among some of the left of the party.
Sir Keir Starmer - who is under pressure from unions - is mulling plans to overhaul the reforms introduced by Ed Miliband for nominating candidates.
John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, attacked plans to "bounce [this] through conference", saying it is "critical Labour MPs make it clear they reject this proposal and reassert right of members to elect leader".
Zarah Sultana, the Corbynite MP for Coventry, claimed it was a "cowardly attack on democracy", adding: "It would radically reduce members' say and hand wildly disproportionate power to MPs in Westminster."
And here is what the now-independent MP Jeremy Corbyn has to say:
Removing the current system of electing Labour's leader - again reducing the members' vote to one third, while increasing the vote of MPs to one third - would be deeply undemocratic.
It's time to stop attacking Labour members' democratic rights - and take the fight to the Tories
Key Boris Johnson ally joins DLUHC - but we still don't know how to say it
Boris Johnson's former personal secretary is to join Michael Gove at the newly beefed up Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Danny Kruger, one of the 2019 intake, is joining the team as Mr Gove's parliamentary private secretary - which he described as a "v junior non ministerial post".
The jury is still out on exactly how to pronounce DLUHC, however.
Eddie Hughes, one of the new Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) ministers, says the DLUHC has not yet decided how to pronounce DLUHC pic.twitter.com/gXH8v6Cn8j
A total of 857 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending September 10 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate - up 30 per cent on the previous week.
That means a total of 160,374 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, the ONS said.
The highest number on a single day was 1,484 on January 19. During the first wave of the virus, the daily toll peaked at 1,461 on April 8 2020.
09:02 AM
Travel ban expected to be dropped for British travellers who have had AstraZeneca jab
US chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci has suggested that British travellers who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca (AZ) jab will be allowed into the United States.
Dr Fauci told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't believe there's any reason to believe that people who have received the AZ vaccine should feel that there is going to be any problem with them."
But asked if he expects that anyone who has had other vaccines approved by the UK Government will be able to travel to the US, Dr Fauci told the programme: "I can't account for every vaccine that has been approved by the UK.
"I am not sure about all of them but the specific one about AZ, given that we have a substantial amount of information on the AZ vaccine - again without being definitive about it - I would predict that there would not be a problem there.
"The final decision goes with the CDC."
09:00 AM
Ask away: Join our Q&A on the energy crisis tomorrow
If you have any burning questions about the mounting energy crisis that you feel are going unanswered, we are on hand to help.
Just fill in the form below and join our Q&A session tomorrow.
08:55 AM
Watch: Climate change protesters walk out in the middle of M25 (again)
Climate change protesters have disrupted traffic on the M25 this morning yet again - but the police were on-hand to stop them from making a morning of it.
Ministers including Boris Johnson have warned that the likes of Isolate Britain are undermining their own cause.
Watch the moment they stepped out in front of speeding cars below.
Heart racing. Insulate Britain just rushed onto the main carriageway of the M25, blockading both sides near J10 Cobham. Police then launched into a sprint race to grab and drag them onto the hard shoulder. Road now reopened. Vid by @PaigeFCollierpic.twitter.com/rRa92kZtLn
Afghan data breach makes chances of escape 'pretty slim', claims former minister
The data breach at the Ministry of Defence is a "terrible" mistake and "it makes people's lives very difficult," Conservative MP Johnny Mercer has said.
The former minister and army veteran told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "this Afghan relocation programme has been behind the curve the entire time", adding the breach will "have a profound impact on the people who are still left in the country."
The chances of the people on this email list making it out safely were "pretty slim", he added.
"Moving around Afghanistan is pretty difficult for the people I am speaking (to). The Taliban have presented this united polished front but the reality is that they are a collection of tribes who run the country.
"Three weeks after the end of our withdrawal from Afghanistan no-one has been given the information of how we actually get people out and that is what I am interested in."
07:39 AM
US-UK trade deal 'not on the back-burner', minister insists
A trade deal between the UK and US is "not on the back-burner", the Business Secretary has insisted.
Speaking to reporters on his flight to New York, Boris Johnson played down hopes of a speedy breakthrough on free trade talks, telling them Joe Biden "has a lot of fish to fry" and he would rather wait to "get a deal that really works for the UK than get a quick deal."
Asked about these comments, Kwasi Kwarteng said: "What the Prime Minister said... is that it's much better to take our time to get a really good deal with the US, than simply to rush the process and get a bad deal."
Asked about timings for a potential deal, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I am not privy to those discussions. I am hopeful we can get there but I can't give you a time.
"Trade deals can take very different amounts of time, I can't possibly guess how long this particular one will take."
07:35 AM
CO2 shortage will cause gaps in shelves 'in about 10 days'
Shelves have already had gaps this summer because of a shortage of HGV drivers - Reuters
Shoppers may notice that products are missing from supermarket shelves "in about 10 days", the chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation has said.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ian Wright described the potential shortages of CO2 supply as "a real crisis" and said "the just-in-time system which underpins both supermarkets and hospitality industry is under the most strain it has ever been in the 40 years it has been there".
He said that poultry production will begin to erode very seriously by the end of this week, with the same being true of pig production and the making of bakery goods. Meat packaging is probably only about a week behind, he added.
He said: "We probably have about 10 days before this gets to the point where consumers, shoppers and diners notice that those products are not available."
07:28 AM
Energy firms will not get 'blank cheque' for taking on customers, says minister
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary - Reuters
Large energy companies who take on customers from firms that collapse this winter will not be handed "a blank cheque", the Business Secretary has vowed.
Kwasi Kwarteng told BBC Breakfast: "Any support for those larger companies will be in terms of working capital, will be a loan, it won't be just a grant, it won't be just a blank cheque.
"It will be something where - if we do have this facility, if we do have this policy - they will be expected to pay back the loans, whereas in the case of a bailout, that's what it is.
"It's just a bailout where you grant money, taxpayers' money, and the taxpayer doesn't see any return from that."
07:27 AM
Price cap may rise - but firms won't be able to set their own fees, says Business Secretary
The Business Secretary has not ruled out the energy price cap rising in April next year, but insisted companies will not be able to "set whatever fees they want".
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Kwasi Kwarteng said: "There are always fears that the price cap may go up, but, of course, it can also go down. We don't know, frankly, what the gas price is going to be in six months' time."
He added: "I'd love to be able to inform you six months ahead of time what the energy prices will be.
"All I'm saying is that we are going to have a cap, we're not going to go back to the world where a few ... companies essentially can set whatever fees they want, whatever prices they want. That's not something that I want to see again."
07:26 AM
Business Secretary: People may pay more for gas this winter
Gas prices are set to rise - PA
The Business Secretary has insisted there are "lots of schemes in place which protect [the poorest] from price increases", amid criticism for the timing of tax increases and benefit cuts as energy prices rise.
Kwasi Kwarteng rejected the suggestion that National Insurance would be part of the problem because it doesn't "kick in" for another six months.
"I fully accept that gas prices being where they are there is a risk that people will be paying more on their gas bills," he added. "But there are lots of scheme that protect the most vulnerable customers.
"Going forward we want to see a more stable market."
07:22 AM
Green levies will not be paused, says Business Secretary
Green levies will not be paused because they have been a "British success story", the Business Secretary has said, amid pressure to scrap them.
Some energy companies have called for the levies - which fund renewable energy subsidy schemes - to be dropped to ease pressure in the industry.
Asked on Sky News whether he had considered doing away with the scheme, Kwasi Kwarteng said: "No, I haven't. You'll appreciate that's an issue for the Chancellor, because it's a fiscal tax.
"But I think the green levies is pretty much in its infancy and, actually, we've been very successful at moving away from fossil fuels, to renewable sources of power, and that's a British success story."
07:22 AM
Business Secretary: It could be 'very difficult winter'
The Business Secretary has admitted it "could be a very difficult winter" with a number of pressures on family budgets, including removing the uplift of Universal Credit.
Kwasi Kwarteng insisted National Insurance was not a "winter issue" as the rise won't come into effect until next April, but the "global energy spike" would be challenging, which is why the price cap would remain in place.
"We've got the warm home discount, we've got winter fuel payments, which are again focused on the most vulnerable customers," he added. "So, we're completely focused on helping vulnerable customers through this winter, particularly with regard to energy prices."
Pushed on the issue of Universal Credit, he said: "It's a difficult situation, it could be a very difficult winter.
"That's why, as energy minister, I'm very focused on helping people that are fuel poor. Universal Credit, you will know, is an issue for the Chancellor and the Work and Pensions Secretary, I'm speaking to them a great deal about it."
07:18 AM
CO2 deal to be struck 'today', so food production can resume this week, says Business Secretary
There have been warnings of a 'farmaggedon' if CO2 production does not restart - iStockphoto
A deal to address the country's carbon dioxide shortage could be struck "today" so that food production can resume in the next couple of days, the Business Secretary has said.
Kwasi Kwarteng has said he had spoken to both the boss of CF Industries and Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, about this, noting that the issue was the cost of natural gas had risen above the price of ammonia and CO2.
Asked if the Government was prepared to subsidise a foreign company, he said he was "looking at different ways we can provide support", and insisted any support would be temporary.
"It may come at some cost, we are still hammering out the details," he added. He was "averse" to nationalising the company.
He was "prepared to look at every solution" to get production back up and running, Mr Kwarteng told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
07:14 AM
Chancellor 'determined to get public finances on track' as borrowing overshoots forecasts
UK borrowing shot higher in August to hit £20.5bn after July's fall, much higher than a consensus forecast of £15.6bn.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said last month's figure was the second highest August borrowing since records began in 1993, but it is down from £26 billion a year earlier.
The data shows borrowing so far this financial year has reached £93.8 billion since the end of March - £88.9 billion less than the same period a year ago.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, did not engage with the figures published this morning, but issued a statement saying:
“As we Build Back Better from the pandemic, we are continuing with our Plan for Jobs, getting more people into work, supporting businesses, and investing in our public services.
“At the same time, we are determined to get our public finances back on track – that’s why we have set out the focussed and responsible steps we are taking to keep debt under control.”
07:10 AM
Business Secretary admits some people won't be able to afford to heat homes
Supply is not an issue - but cost is, admits the Business Secretary - Reuters
The Business Secretary has conceded that some people might not be able to afford to heat their homes, but insisted that "the security of supply is not an issue".
Yesterday Kwasi Kwarteng insisted the lights would stay on this winter and there would be no return to the three-day week - but this has been challenged because of fears that people will have to choose between heating and eating.
He told Sky News it was a "myth" that supply could run out and added: "What I said yesterday was the security of supply is not an issue. We've got lots of diverse sources of gas."
But when it was put to him that some people would not be able to afford to use gas over the winter because of rising prices, he said: "Yes."
He added: "You are mixing up two things here. There are other reasons why people can't... it costs a lot of money."
07:05 AM
Afghan data breach 'deeply worrying', says minister
A data breach involving the email addresses of dozens of Afghan interpreters who worked for British forces is "deeply worrying", the Business Secretary has said.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ordered an urgent investigation after it emerged that more than 250 people seeking relocation to the UK - many of whom are in hiding - were mistakenly copied into an email from the Ministry of Defence.
Their email addresses could be seen by all recipients, showing people's names and some associated profile pictures, according to the BBC.
Kwasi Kwarteng said this was "very concerning,... it is deeply worrying, it will cause a lot of concern among our friends in Afghanistan."
He added: "It's very difficult when people know what others have been doing but let's get to the bottom of it first... it's a serious situation."
07:02 AM
Government softens stance on Universal Credit cut
Kwasi Kwarteng has again indicated an apparent softening in the Government's position towards ending the Universal Credit uplift next month.
Yesterday the Business Secretary skirted the question, about which he was asked repeatedly during a Commons debate, telling MPs it was a cross-government decision.
Today, Mr Kwarteng again fudged it.
He told Times Radio it was "not something I talk about", but "the Chancellor [Rishi Sunak] and Work and Pensions Secretary [Therese Coffey] are talking about it.
"In this energy situation, our number one priority is to protect vulnerable customers," he told Sky Nes. "We have the warm homes discount, winter fuel payout- there are lots of schemes to support people who are in fuel poverty."
07:00 AM
Energy crisis 'not a house of cards', minister insists, as crunch talks continue
The Business Secretary has said "the next few days are going to be quite challenging" as he battles to resolve the energy crisis.
Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News talks would continue today with smaller energy suppliers to ensure he has got "a full range of market opinion".
The minister argued that the market normally sees five-to-eight firms fail every year and that not every one should expect a bailout - but left the door open to doing so if they are a going concern.
State-backed loans could be given out to those firms who take on customers from failed groups, saying: "It costs a company to absorb up to 100,000 customers, there may well be provision for some sort of loan - that has been discussed."
The situation was "not a house of cards", he added.
06:50 AM
Johnson: I’d rather wait for a ‘great’ UK-US trade deal
Boris Johnson appears to have given up hope of securing a UK-US free trade deal any time soon, saying that Joe Biden, the US president, has other "fish to fry".
In comments underscoring how many steps remain until a final agreement is struck, Mr Johnson said he would rather wait for a "great" deal than hurry talks.
His official spokesman declined to say he believed a deal could be done and got through Congress before the US midterm elections next November. It means that, more than five years after the Brexit vote, it remains unclear how, when and in what form a UK-US deal – much touted in by eurosceptics – will happen.
With the weather feeling increasingly autumnal, the energy crisis looks set to get worse before it gets better.
Firms are calling for the price cap to be lifted - but there appears to be little appetite for such a move within Government, suggesting there is a high chance more companies will go under.
Samantha Davis, the wife of Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis and herself an actress, has died aged 53. Samantha co-founded the dwarfism charity Little People UK and featured in the final Harry Potter film, alongside Warwick. Warwick announced the news in a statement to the BBC, revealing she had died on 24 March.
While Western eyes are fixed on Tehran and Tel Aviv, Ukraine’s frontlines are showing clear signs of crumbling. There is a very real possibility they could crumble this summer if we do not throw the kitchen sink at Russia. Even if we do, it may already be too late for the weapons and munitions long promised by the West to save the day.
King Charles is said to have extended an olive branch to his youngest son and his wife by 'hinting' they should visit Balmoral this summer - but it could put the couple in a 'difficult position'.
We all know that drinking coffee or tea before bed is a bad idea, but it turns out there's another drink that's even worse for your sleep - and it's not what you'd expect
Meghan Markle was on hand to congratulate her husband Prince Harry and his Royal Salute Sentebale team after they won the Royal Salute Polo Cup in Wellington, Florida
Kate Garraway has taken to social media to issue a desperate plea for help after receiving 'unsettling post making demands' of her late husband Derek Draper
BBC Breakfast star Carol Kirkwood has been missing from the show this week. The weather presenter's absence comes after she shared an update on her health last week…
Louise Redknapp posed in a see-through lacy dress over black underwear as she enjoyed a night out for her friend's birthday, in a photo shared to social media on Wednesday
Meghan Markle is said to be missing "some aspects" of life in the UK and is worried that her children may grow up to "blame her" if they are "deprived" of the chance to be working royals in the UK.
Bayern Munich players were left furious with referee Danny Makkelie's decision during their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's daughter Lady Louise Windsor has to follow a very antiquated rule with regards to her younger brother James, Earl of Wessex
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