Boris Johnson faces new rebellion over 10pm curfew amid accusations of creating 'nanny state'

Cat Neilan
·53-min read
MPs and local mayors are unhappy about Boris Johnson's latest coronavirus restrictions - Pool
MPs and local mayors are unhappy about Boris Johnson's latest coronavirus restrictions - Pool

Boris Johnson is facing a new rebellion on the backbenchers, after his Government was accused of presiding over a "nanny state".

Philip Davies, the MP for Shipley, told the Commons the 10pm hospitality curfew was doing untold damage to businesses and prompting "jobs to be lost, all just to see people congregating on the streets again".

"When will the Secretary of State act like a Conservative and stop this arbitrary nanny state socialist approach, which is serving no purpose at all apart from to further collapse the economy and erode our freedoms," he asked Matt Hancock.

Noting Mr Davies had voted against renewing the Coronavirus Act yesterday, the Health Secretary said the "hundreds of thousands of deaths that would follow is not price to pay" for his colleague's preferred option of "just letting it rip".

He added: "I do believe in individual responsibility and the promotion of freedom - subject to not harming others."

During the same debate Sir Desmond Swayne claimed the curfew was "rather unfair given [New Forest's] very low infection rate and restauranteurs and landlords have invested a great deal in Covid-secure measures and reduced capacity".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for the Government to consider whether the 10pm curfew should remain in place.

Sir Keir said: "We are supporting the package the Government has put in. But I think [Greater Manchester Mayor]Andy Burnham in particular has questioned whether the 10pm curfew is working as intended.

"He has pointed, understandably, to lots of people coming out of venues at the same time.

"I suggest it might be a good idea for the Government to reflect on what Andy Burnham is saying and ask themselves the question whether that should stay in place."

See the rest of the day's news below

03:30 PM

And that's it for another day...

MPs are clearly starting to take the working from home advice seriously, with Westminster feeling quiet this afternoon - but despite that it was still a busy day in politics. 

  • Ursula von der Leyen made good on her promise to bring legal proceedings against the UK over the Internal Market Bill - a piece of legislation that one former senior judge damned as "a cack-handed negotiating tactic". 
  • Matt Hancock confirmed that Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough would come under the same lockdown restrictions in place for the North East, prompting one local mayor to threaten to "defy" him, while other local leaders called for more than the "drop in the ocean" £7m financial support. 
  • Yet another leaks inquiry has been launched to uncover who has been passing details of proposals for responding to asylum seekers after Brexit. 
  • Meanwhile Stanley Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have apologised for being in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, after both men were pictured flouting the lockdown rules. 

Labour frontbencher Rosenna Allin-Khan said they should both pay a fine - while Jeremy Hunt said the police should be "lenient". But what did you think? 

Today's poll split opinion with 51 per cent saying both men should pay the £200 penalty to set an example - while 39 per cent said they should both be let off.

A further nine per cent said the former Labour leader should face the punishment alone - just one per cent said the Prime Minister's father should. 

That's it from me today - I'll be back from 8am tomorrow, to bring you the latest news from SW1. 

02:53 PM

Amnesty International welcomes EU's legal steps to ensure government respects international law

The human rights organisation welcomed today's announcement by the European Commission that it is initiating legal action against the UK Government as a result of the Internal Market Bill.

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland Programme Director, said that the initiation of legal proceedings by the European Commission was "a welcome attempt to ensure that the UK abides by its international treaty commitments". 

“The Internal Market Bill, as it currently stands, fundamentally undermines the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the principle of no diminution of rights and equality safeguards for people in Northern Ireland," he said.

A who’s-who of official bodies in Northern Ireland – from the Human Rights Commission to the Lord Chief Justice – have spoken publicly of their concerns that this Bill threatens the peace agreement, the protection of human rights and the rule of law.The Government must start listening to those voices. Before this Bill ends up in international court, the UK should reconsider its attitude to international law and withdraw the offending provisions in this Bill.

02:41 PM

Nicola Sturgeon warns support for independence will increase over Internal Market Bill

Scotland's First Minister said independence will increase if Westminster disregards a Holyrood vote on the Internal Market Bill.

The Scottish Government has recommended the Scottish Parliament rejects the legislative consent motion- which gives permission for the UK Government to legislate in a devolved area- it will vote on in the coming weeks.

"If the Scottish Parliament refuses to give its consent to this Bill, any UK government worth its salt would do the right thing and respect the views of this Parliament," she told First Minister's Questions.

"If it doesn't do that, if it insists in legislating over the heads of this Parliament in devolved areas, then all the UK Government succeeds in doing is demonstrating that is has no respect for this Parliament and if this Parliament is to have the power to make its own decisions then it needs to stop being a devolved parliament and become an independent parliament so the UK Government can't do that."

02:28 PM

Sir Keir questions 10pm curfew

The Labour leader has called on the Government to consider whether the 10pm curfew should remain in place, following concerns raised by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and others.

We are supporting the package the Government has put in. But I think Andy Burnham in particular has questioned whether the 10pm curfew is working as intended.He has pointed, understandably, to lots of people coming out of venues at the same time.I suggest it might be a good idea for the Government to reflect on what Andy Burnham is saying and ask themselves the question whether that should stay in place.

02:09 PM

Labour leader slams 'inhuman' asylum seeker proposals

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "inhuman" ideas being suggested for dealing with asylum seekers.

He told reporters in Westminster: "This isn't creative thinking, this is lurching from one ridiculous proposition to the next - these suggestions are inhuman and the Government shouldn't be pursuing them.

"Everybody knows that the biggest problem with asylum seekers' claims is that it takes a long time for the Home Office to process them, that's the problem, it's been there for years.

"Get your house in order, get that sorted out instead of lurching from one ridiculous proposition to another."

Sir Keir acknowledged that "there is of course an issue with people trying to get to the United Kingdom, but people are fleeing often from persecution".

Calling for international co-operation he added: "We should be talking to France about how we handle this, not coming up with ever more ridiculous suggestions that have been floating round in the last couple of days."

02:06 PM

EU and UK should end 'absurd' legal row, says Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said both sides in the UK-EU talks needed to get around the table and end the "absurd" legal row.

Echoing comments by shadow frontbencher Rachel Reeves earlier today, the Labour leader told reporters at Westminster: "Here we are in October of 2020, weeks away from the deadline for a deal and we are in this absurd situation of threatening court action.

"A deal can be done here, the issues that are there are quite capable of being resolved. Both sides need to sit down, resolve them, get a deal. That's in the national interest - it's in our interest and the EU's interest."

He added: "It's absurd that with weeks to go the focus and the energy is not on their negotiations, it's on threatened court proceedings.

"We need everybody around the table, we need to get a deal. The Prime Minister said he had an 'oven-ready deal', get on, deliver it - that's in the national interest."

01:57 PM

Nicola Sturgeon clashes with Ruth Davidson during fiery FMQs

Nicola Sturgeon has hit back at claims she is not co-operating with the Holyrood committee set up to investigate her Government's botched handling of harassment allegations against her predecessor Alex Salmond.

During a fiery First Minister's Questions today Ms Sturgeon refused to answer questions about messages reportedly sent by her husband, SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, relating to Mr Salmond.

Scottish Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson challenged her on the messages, which reportedly said it is a "good time to be pressuring" police and that the "more fronts" Mr Salmond is "having to fire-fight on the better".

Ms Sturgeon refused to say if the messages were genuine, noting that police were investigating how they had been obtained.

She told Ms Davidson: "I do not think it is reasonable for me to be asked questions about things that other people might or might not have done. 

"Call the people who the messages are purported to come from and ask them the questions.

"Call me and I will answer for myself."

Nicola Sturgeon arrives to attend First Minister's Questions today - AFP

01:49 PM

Jeremy Corbyn 'knows' he should follow coronavirus rules, says Sir Keir Starmer

Jeremy Corbyn 'knows' that he should be obeying the rule of six, Sir Keir Starmer has said - but stopped short of saying his predecessor should be fined.

The current Labour leader said: "All of us should obey the rules, Jeremy knows that, I know that, all of us have to comply with the rules.

"I have said throughout that whatever the Government rules are, we should all follow them. We have got a duty to so."

Asked whether Mr Corbyn should be fined, he told reporters at Westminster: "It's not for me to decide who should be fined, but it is for me to say that everybody should follow the rules."

Earlier today shadow mental health minister Rosena Allin-Khan said her former boss should pay the £200 penalty.

"He should be fined. Everybody should be fined who breaks the rules," she told Sky News. "That also includes government advisers and the parents of the Prime Minister."

Sir Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn - AFP

01:44 PM

Labour MP attacks 'disgraceful' local lockdown

Labour's MP for Hartlepool has hit out at the new local lockdown, claiming measures announced today were being imposed " without consulting local MP’s (sic) and Leaders.

Mike Hill said: "Absolutely disgraceful one size fits all approach. Totally angered by this."

Just yesterday the MP had tweeted a link to an article in which he called for restrictions on household mixing. 

But neighbouring MP, Conservative Simon Clarke, countered his was an "untenable argument", saying local councils had asked for local restrictions to be put in place.

The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP emphasised there were "consistent measures across NE now".

01:36 PM

The politics of Covid-19: Four reasons why Boris Johnson is struggling right now

Nine months on from winning the largest majority win since Margaret Thatcher, Boris Johnson is now struggling with his premiership.

Amid the most trying times of any peacetime government, the once-popular Prime Minister has now found himself in a sea of uncertainty, and the politics of coronavirus is just one of the challenges he's facing.

Watch the video below for Camilla Tominey's analysis of the four reasons why Mr Johnson appears to be floundering right now.

01:29 PM

Help students return home safely now, say university unions

Students should be allowed to return home from university and study online if they wish to do so, unions representing academics and students have said.

The National Union of Students and  University and College Union have called for students to study from home "where possible", alongside a "radical overhaul" of campuses for those who remain. 

Larissa Kennedy, NUS president, said students have been left "trapped in halls" and are struggling to access food and wellbeing resources, which she warned is needlessly risking lives.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU, said: "Ministers need to act now and tell universities to halt in-person teaching where possible and move the majority of work online, in line with other workplaces."

The joint statement from the two unions says: "Students must not be forced to quarantine in halls of residence with no familiar support network, pastoral care and more serious restrictions than the rest of society.

"Staff must not be forced to carry out work on site that could be conducted more safely from home. Students must be allowed to safely return home if they wish to, without fear of financial penalty for leaving their student accommodation."

 

01:10 PM

Further 44 people die with coronavirus in English hospitals

A further 44 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, taking the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in England to 30,049.

Patients were aged between 60 and 99 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.

Date of death ranges from 18 September to 30 September 2020.

The worst affected region was the North West, where 15 deaths were registered. The South West continued to record no Covid-related hospital fatalities. 

01:03 PM

Legal proceedings against UK 'to be expected', claims Irish Taoiseach

Irish premier Micheal Martin has said the European Commission legal proceedings against the UK were "to be expected".

The Taoiseach added: "It gave the United Kingdom a month to respond in relation to withdrawing the Internal Market Bill and the unilateral action it took in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol.

"I met with the President, she appraised me of the decision taken by the Commission. We also discussed how we will deal with Brexit over the coming weeks and obviously there is an obligation and concern across Europe at the unilateral action by the British government and for the UK Government to resile from that.

"But parallel with that we are conscious of the need to conclude a comprehensive relationship agreement with the UK which is in the best interests of the people of Europe, the UK and Ireland.

"A sensible free trade agreement is something that we are seeking also."

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin - Reuters

12:50 PM

Internal Market Bill a 'cack-handed negotiating tactic', claims Lord Sumption

Boris Johnson's decision to press ahead with the UK Internal Market Bill has weakened the country's negotiating position with Brussels during the ongoing post-Brexit trade talks, Lord Sumption has claimed.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World At One programme, the former Justice of the Supreme Court said: "I think there is very little doubt this is a negotiating ploy."

The retired judge said it was a "gigantic bluff on the part of the British government" because he did not believe it was prepared to install either a hard border in Ireland or collapse the trade talks over the current state aid stalemate.

He added: "This is a cack-handed negotiating tactic. Unfortunately, you don't get an agreement with somebody by threats, tantrums and bad faith. All you do is destroy trust and weaken your own position."

Lord Sumption

 Brexit's Internal Market Bill explained: what is it, and why is it so controversial?

12:32 PM

Lobby latest: Brexit talks to conclude with Barnier-Frost meeting

The final formal round of talks will conclude with a meeting between lead negotiators Lord Frost and Michel Barnier on Friday, Downing Street has confirmed.

Despite the legal action over the Withdrawal Agreement, trade talks with the European Union were being carried out in a "constructive spirit".

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The discussions are carrying on today. They have been conducted in a constructive spirit and we certainly are committed to continuing to work constructively this week to reach an agreement with the EU."

It was "certainly possible" for informal discussions to continue next week, the spokesman added.

Michel Barnier and David Frost will meet tomorrow - AFP

12:26 PM

Lobby latest: Downing Street dodges questions over asylum processing plans

Downing Street has refused to comment on speculation that the Scottish islands could be turned into asylum processing centres, saying only "work is ongoing".

Multiple proposals have leaked from the Home Office in recent days, including the creation of "floating walls" and the relocation of processing centres to Ascension Island or buying retired ferries and converting the vessels into processing centres. Another option is said to include building a detention centre on a remote Scottish island.

Asked about this, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We are developing plans to reform our policies around illegal migration and asylum to ensure that we are able to provide protection to those who need it while preventing abuse of the system and the criminality associated with it.

"That includes looking at what a whole host of other countries do. But that work is ongoing."

Asked whether Scottish islands could be turned into asylum processing centres, the spokesman said there were "lots of ideas reported today" and "there are a significant number of them that I really don't recognise".

12:21 PM

Lobby latest: Test turnaround times must speed up, Downing Street admits

Downing Street has acknowledged that test results must come back quicker, after figures published today showed NHS Test and Trace was still not hitting Boris Johnson's target. 

The Prime Minister had pledged that, by the end of June, the results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours.

Last week, 38.1 per cent of people who were tested for Covid-19 in England at a regional site, local site or mobile testing unit - a so-called "in-person" test - received their result within this timeframe.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have seen demand grow for tests. What we need to do is to work hard to turn test results round as quickly as possible.

"What we are doing to achieve that is getting more labs joining the network, investing in new technology to process results faster.

"We are automating parts of the testing process and we are hiring more permanent staff."

The measures include "the greater use of robot technology in order to allow us to process tests as quickly as we can".

12:09 PM

Lobby latest: Liverpool lockdown rules come in from Saturday

New coronavirus restrictions in Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will come into force on Saturday morning at one minute past midnight, Downing Street has said.

Matt Hancock failed to tell the Commons when the new restrictions would come into force during his statement earlier today. 

The Prime Minister's spokesman said the measures "mirror" those already announced for the North East of England and followed discussions with local leaders. However he was unable to confirm how many people will be under lockdown from that point. 

"The regulations are formally approved by the Health Secretary," the spokesman said. "That obviously follows discussions with local leaders and based on advice by Public Health England, JBC (Joint Biosecurity Centre) and others.

"It was determined that this was the right package of measures in order to reduce the spread of the virus."

12:08 PM

Lobby latest: Prime Minister's dad understands the rules (now)

He might not have been "fully up to speed" on the face mask rules when he was caught entering a shop without one - but Boris Johnson's dad is now. 

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "You have heard the Prime Minister's father apologise for his mistake.

"He recognises his error and fully understands that it is vital for everyone to abide by the rules on face coverings and social-distancing.

"The PM is certainly clear that the rules apply to everyone and everybody should follow them.

Stanley Johnson 'recognises his error', Downing Street says - Dimitris Kareklidis

Downing Street said it was up to the police to decide whether action should be taken against Jeremy Corbyn following reports that he broke social-distancing rules.

"In relation to individuals, it is up to the police to determine what action to take," the PM's spokesman said. "What the Prime Minister is clear on is that the rules apply to everyone and everyone should follow them."

11:59 AM

Patrick O'Flynn: Von der Leyen's risible sabre-rattling will have no impact on Britain's Brexit position

The European Commission is engaging in the most risible episode of legal sabre-rattling in the political sphere since Emily Thornberry threatened to sue Caroline Flint for claiming she had called another MP’s constituents thick, writes Patrick O'Flynn.

That court case has never seen the light of day and while Brussels may end up going a little further with the legal notice served on the United Kingdom by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, it is still an act of laughable pointlessness.

Read Patrick's response to the latest salvo in the Brexit wars here.

11:48 AM

Minister rules out fully postal elections next May if Covid still widespread

A Government minister has ruled out using all-out postal voting for local elections if Covid-19 continues to be widespread into next May.

Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith warned that relying solely on a postal vote would not be "wise" and that other countries have proven that elections can be run safely in person during the pandemic.

But Labour's Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent, said all-out postal voting would allow "safe participation" in the coming elections.

Ms Smith replied: "We want those elections in May next year to go ahead because it is extremely important that we do so and that we are able to continue with our normal way of life as a country rather than seeing any further postponement of important elections.

"I don't take the view that all-postal elections would be a wise move though, and that is for the following reason: it is principally that we have already seen around the world that elections can be run in person safely during this pandemic.

"We are confident that that can be the case here as well and I am doing all of the work necessary with the electoral community to make sure that is so."

11:39 AM

Middlesbrough South MP urges residents to pull together and 'get this done'

In contrast to the Mayor of Middlesbrough, who has said he will defy the new lockdown measures, a local MP has urged local residents to come together and "get this done".

Simon Clarke, the former minister and MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said new measures were "very regrettable" but urged people to "focus on obeying the rules, bringing the infection rate down and getting back to normal as quickly as possible".

He added: "People in Middlesbrough are incredibly resilient and community-minded, and together we will come through the weeks ahead. It’s going to be tough, but let’s get this done.

 Mr Clarke also paid tribute to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, saying: "He is working tirelessly in the most challenging circumstances."

11:34 AM

Middlesbrough Mayor to 'defy Government' over lockdown

The independent Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston said he was prepared to defy the new tighter restrictions announced by the Government.

In a video statement, he said: "I have to tell you I think this measure has been introduced based on factual inaccuracies and a monstrous and frightening lack of communication, and ignorance.

"I do not accept the statement at all.  I do not accept these measures... As things stand, we defy the Government and we do not accept these measures.

"We need to get Covid under control and we need to work with people to find a way of preserving jobs and mental health."

Matt Hancock has announced that Middlesbrough and Hartlepool should face the same restrictions as elsewhere in the North East - including not to mix households in pubs.

11:30 AM

Have your say on: Stanley and Jeremy's rule breaking

Two high profile men were in the papers this morning for having broken the rules - but it's not clear yet whether they will be fined. 

Stanley Johnson was pictured in a shop without a face mask, while Jeremy Corbyn attended a dinner party for nine people, in breach of the rule of six. 

Both men have apologised - but their actions carry a penalty of £200. 

Should they be made an example of, and told to pay a fine? Or are we at the top of a slippery slope of snitching? Have your say in the poll below. 

11:18 AM

Health Secretary urged to consider devolving curfew powers

Coronavirus refusenik Sir Desmond Swayne has urged Matt Hancock to consider devolving curfew powers to help incentivise pub-goers to behave "sensibly and properly".

The Conservative MP - one of a handful to vote against renewing emergency powers yesterday - told the Commons a curfew affecting his constituency of the New Forest was "rather unfair given our very low infection rate and restauranteurs and landlords have invested a great deal in Covid-secure measures and reduced capacity".

"The loss of the extra hour reduces the throughput, particularly if you want a second sitting to come through for dinner. It makes it very uneconomic."

Devolving powers would be "a powerful incentive on landlords to ensure that their patrons behaved sensibly and properly," he added.

The Health Secretary welcomed Sir Desmond's "constructive suggestion", adding: "As we constantly have these policies under review, it's that sort of working together that will help us improve the response."

11:11 AM

Rise in 24-hour turnaround test results

There has been a rise in the proportion of people who have an "in-person" Covid-19 test getting their result within 24 hours.

New data from NHS Test and Trace shows that 38.1 per cent of people who were tested for Covid-19 in England in the week ending September 23 at a regional site, local site or mobile testing unit - a so-called "in-person" test - received their result within this timeframe.

This is up from 28.2 per cent in the previous week and follows weeks of problems with people accessing tests.

The best performance since the programme began was in the week ending July 1, when 94.3 per cent of in-person test results were returned in 24 hours.

Just 2.9 per cent of people in England who used a home test kit for Covid-19 received their result within 24 hours, up slightly from 1.8 per cent in the previous week.

Some 30.4 per cent of people received the result of a home test within 48 hours, up from 11.3 per cent in the previous week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had pledged that, by the end of June, the results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours.

11:10 AM

Allister Heath: This Jekyll and Hyde government is infuriating even Boris loyalists

This is a Jekyll and Hyde government. When it’s good, it is truly spectacular, a fearlessly reformist, visionary administration devoted to rebooting Britain.

When it’s bad, it is unfathomably terrible, and certainly as hopeless as Miliband, Brown or May would have been. Unlike ordinary governments, nothing this one does is ever merely average: the Johnson administration’s performance is either great or disastrous.

Bob's cartoon today - Bob

Read Allister Heath's latest column here.

10:58 AM

Financial support for Liverpool lockdown is 'drop in the ocean', says Mayor

The Mayor of Liverpool has said he is "deeply worried" there was no financial support for businesses and the £7m for local authorities was a "drop in the ocean".

Joe Anderson told BBC Merseyside he recognised the infection rate was "basically out of control" but said hotels, bars and restaurants were at danger of closing.

He said: "It's nowhere near enough, £7m wouldn't be enough for Liverpool alone, let alone across the city region.

"It's got to be in the hundreds of millions that we need to support businesses to survive just for a matter of weeks.

"A local lockdown is fine if it helps curtail the virus but there has to be a local furlough financial scheme for local businesses to survive.

"The city and the city region are in a desperate position financially and we need that financial support and we need it now."

10:52 AM

MPs are going on a Hallowe'en holiday...

The news ministers and some MPs have been waiting for has just been confirmed by Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg - they will get a week off at the end of October. 

With party conferences cancelled, the Commons continued sitting throughout September rather than rising for three weeks.

The House usually rises for a three-day recess in November but nothing had previously been announced for this year.

Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs: "Subject to the progress of business, the House will rise at the conclusion of business on Friday October 23 and return on Monday November 2."

MPs will be unable to challenge ministers during this period if there are any further coronavirus restrictions brought in.

Similarly there will be no update on the Brexit process - which is entering a key phase as the end of the transition period nears - or other matters of importance should recess go-ahead.

10:41 AM

And here's the letter...

The European Commission has published the letter that it has sent to the UK Government for all to see. 

10:29 AM

Leaks investigation underway after asylum seeker proposals made public

The Cabinet Office has launched an investigation into the leaks on ideas of how to process asylum seekers, the most senior civil servant at the Home Office has said. 

Permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft has repeatedly dodged questions by the Public Accounts Committee about proposals relating to asylum seekers, after successive leaks saw plans such as relocating migrants to far-flung locations such as the Ascension Islands or putting people on old ferries offshore.

"No decision has been taken," the official said. "We are at the stage of looking at all sorts of options and responding to ministers' requests for us to do so. And it is entirely proper for us to do that... But all of that needs to happen privately in order for the civil service to give ministers the very best advice that we can and that is what we are here for."

Asked whether he thought the investigation will take account of the timing of the leaks and whether they were politically motivated, he said: "I'm sure they will look at all relevant factors."

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, by Border Force - PA

10:24 AM

Matt Hancock happy to consider 'imaginative ideas' to boost economic activity despite curfews

Matt Hancock has said he will consider an "imaginative approach" towards restrictions, such as allowing hotel bars to stay open beyond the 10pm curfew.

Conservative MP Jeremy Wright, the former culture secretary, asked whether the Government could "allow economic activity where it does not cut across public health objectives".

"For example, looking at how we might be able to allow hotel guests to stay in hotel bars where they are resident in the hotel for longer than 10 O'clock, recognising that for some hotels, they depend very substantially on that income."

The Health Secretary responded: "I'm always happy to look at, as he calls it, imaginative ideas like that. He will know that there's a tension between the clarity of the rules and bringing in additional nuances into the rules.

"He'll see how as a society we have struggled with that balance all the way through this."

10:20 AM

Brussels and Downing Street should 'drop the posturing' and get a deal, says Labour MP

Labour has told both the European Commission and UK Government to "drop the posturing" and get a trade deal done in the remaining time. 

This morning Ursula von der Leyen confirmed Brussels was launching legal action against the UK over the Internal Market Bill, which includes provisions that could break international law. 

Responding, Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:  “There is clearly a deal to be done. Both sides need to drop the posturing and the threats by getting back round the negotiating table and getting a trade deal done.

“The country wants the Government to move on from past divisions, secure the trade agreement we need and focus on defeating this pandemic.”

10:17 AM

Former minister questions thinking behind 'concentrating' time in pubs

A former minister has questioned the thinking being "concentrating" the time being are allowed to drink in a pub or restaurant, calling for Matt Hancock to set out the evidence he has received. 

Greg Clark, the former business secretary, said it was "strange to think that concentrating trade in a smaller number of hours, and making everyone leave a pub or restaurant at the same time, rather than spacing them out over the course of an evening should suppress rather than spread the virus."

The Health Secretary said the advice was that "later at night social distancing becomes harder", noting that the people partying outside "would have been inside the establishments" otherwise. 

"We all know outside is safer," he added. "Of course, we are keeping this under review but we have got to look at both sides of the evidence to try to get this right."

10:05 AM

Use Black History Month to 'thank figures we haven't always thanked before', says Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has urged the country to "say thank you to figures from our past we haven’t always thanked before" as part of Black History Month.

The annual observance, which began in the United States, is particularly prominent this October following the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year. 

The Prime Minister added: "Black history is our history, and if we all learn from it, we will build a better future for us all."

10:01 AM

Newspapers 'mischief-making' over Parliamentary bar story, says Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Matt Hancock is challenged over reports that bars on the Parliamentary estate were selling alcohol after 10pm, despite the national curfew. 

But he kicks this over to the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who takes the opportunity to correct the record. 

"The newspapers were mischief-making - those bars were not open after 10pm, let's get that clear, I think we ought not to believe sometimes what newspapers say," he says. 

Newspapers 'mischief-making', says Sir Lindsay Hoyle - AFP

09:57 AM

Matt Hancock defends 'nanny state socialist' curfew

Matt Hancock has delivered an impassioned defence of his strategy for dealing with the pandemic, after a Conservative backbencher accused him of taking an "arbitrary nanny state socialist approach". 

Philip Davies, the MP for Shipley, told the Commons the 10pm hospitality curfew was doing untold damage to businesses and prompting "jobs to be lost, all just to see people congregating on the streets again". 

"When will the Secretary of State act like a Conservative and stop this arbitrary nanny state socialist approach, which is serving no purpose at all apart from to further collapse the economy and erode our freedoms". 

But Mr Hancock said the measures were "collectively vital for the strategy we are pursuing". 

Noting Mr Davies had voted against renewing the Coronavirus Act yesterday, the Health Secretary said the "hundreds of thousands of deaths that would follow is not price to pay" for his colleague's preferred option of "just letting it rip". 

He added: "I do believe in individual responsibility and the promotion of freedom - subject to not harming others... [by] giving them a disease that leads to their deaths without even knowing about it."

09:45 AM

'Why are the moles not getting whacked?' shadow health secretary asks

Matt Hancock tells MPs: "I know these measures are hard and yet another sacrifice after so many" but stresses there are "some signs that what we are doing is starting to work so don't let up".

He concludes by saying: "One day over this virus we will prevail."

His opposite number Jon Ashworth says he understands the need for further restrictions, but says on behalf of MPs in the affected area he will "press" the Health Secretary for more details on financial support. 

He then turns to the millions of people in the North and the Midlands who have been under lockdown for months, saying they "just need some reassurance that an end is in sight". 

The shadow health secretary asks him to confirm if the circuit break has been ruled out and "why it is the moles not getting whacked". 

09:40 AM

Household mixing banned indoors in Liverpool, Matt Hancock confirms

Matt Hancock details what those new restrictions are - but not when they will come in. 

"All social mixing between people of different households" is being recommended against. Legislation will be brought in to ban it in all settings except outdoor hospitality and parks. 

People are being advised against attending all sporting events as spectators, and people are told to avoid care homes unless in "exceptional circumstances". 

People are also advised against essential travel, although that allows for people travelling for work. 

"The more people follow the rules and reduce their social contact, the quicker we can get Liverpool and the North East back on their feet," he adds. 

09:36 AM

Local lockdowns for Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, Matt Hancock confirms

Matt Hancock is now giving a statement "about the work to tackle coronavirus". 

The Health Secretary tells the Commons that while it is spreading "there are early signs" that measures are  having an impact. 

He points to the study of more than 80,000 volunteers which suggests that our combined efforts "maybe beginning to work - I put it no stronger than that. Cases are still rising". 

But he notes that cases are localised and rising fast in some areas. 

Today new measures are being extended to Liverpool City, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, he says. 

"We will provide £7 million to local authorities in these areas to support them with their vital work."

09:31 AM

EU's legal action backed by... Nigel Farage

The EU has received support from one person they are probably not used to being backed by - Nigel Farage. 

Following Ursula von der Leyen's statement this morning the Brexit Party leader tweeted: "Whilst the EU always acts in bad faith, all they are doing today is asking Boris to keep his promises."

09:28 AM

Government shrugs off EU's legal action

The Government has responded to the European Commission's threat of legal action this morning emphasising the need for "a legal safety net" for the UK's internal market. 

"We have clearly set out our reasons for introducing the measures related to the Northern Ireland protocol. We need to create a legal safety net to protect the integrity of the UK's internal market, ensure ministers can always deliver on their obligations to Northern Ireland and protect the gains from the peace process."

But I understand that Number 10 is taking a relaxed view of the formal notice of legal proceedings, which is considered to be a commonly-used tool by the EU against member states. 

09:23 AM

Leave.EU apologises to MP for libellous 'grooming gangs' Facebook post

Leave.EU has apologised to a Labour MP over a libellous Facebook post claiming she was a "grooming gangs apologist".

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, took libel action against the pro-Brexit group for the social media post made following the election in December. 

In a statement, the group said: "While the publication had been intended to be satirical; we appreciate that it was ill-judged and untrue. We accept that Ms Shah is not an 'apologist' for grooming gangs but is a vociferous campaigner for victims of grooming gangs.

"We apologise for the distress caused by it and have paid Ms Shah damages for libel."

The libellous comment was part of a post making fun of possible contenders to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party.

It was taken down on the same day but had already been shared and commented on thousands of times, including on Twitter.

09:09 AM

UK has a month to respond to 'formal notice' of legal action, says Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen has given a short statement, confirming the letter of formal notice is being sent to the UK Government this morning, triggering legal action over the UK's controversial new Brexit legislation. 

Speaking in Brussels, the European Commission president said the Internal Market Bill is "by its very nature a breach of obligation of good faith laid down in the Withdrawal Agreement."

Moreover, "if adopted as is it will be in full contradiction" of the Northern Ireland protocol, she added. 

The "problematic" clauses had not been removed by the deadline, and as a result the letter of formal notice has been sent as "the first step in the infringement procedure", Ms von der Leyen said. 

The UK has a month to respond.

09:03 AM

Legal action to 'satisfy honour without rocking boat'

While we await the statement from Ursula von der Leyen, my colleague James Crisp has been tweeting his take on the latest move. 

Some commentators believe it will make a no deal Brexit more likely - but he is not convinced.

08:55 AM

Planet Normal: Restrictions are an overreaction when serious Covid-19 cases are 'on the floor'

Increased restrictions are an overreaction when serious cases of Covid-19 are "on the floor", says Ivor Cummins.

He believes the Government has got caught in a "logic trap" and is pursuing rigorous new restrictions to ensure it cannot be blamed for a second wave, and can use the measures as evidence of why a potentially good outcome is achieved.

"What they're doing is an enormous reaction when the numbers are still on the floor," he told The Telegraph's Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to on the audio player above. 

"We've got Covid-mania, to be quite honest."

08:33 AM

European Commission poised to confirm legal action against the UK over Internal Market Bill

Ursula von der Leyen is to make a statement which could be notice that the EU is taking legal action against the United Kingdom.

The European  Commission  president is expected to confirm the start of infringement proceedings, after Britain failed to withdraw the law-breaking provisions from the Internal Market Bill within the September deadline.  

The legal action can end in hefty daily fines in the European Court of Justice but there is plenty of time to withdraw provisions if there is a trade deal agreed before that point.

Here's what RTE's Europe Editor has to say:

However our Brussels correspondent James Crisp is optimistic that this is not necessarily the end of trade talks. 

 

08:21 AM

'No room for complacency' despite encouraging study, says George Eustice

Recent data from a study suggesting the rates of coronavirus transmission are slowing is "encouraging", but there is "no room for complacency", a Cabinet minister has said. 

The study, based on more than 80,000 volunteers and published this morning, suggests coronavirus restrictions in the north of England may be helping to slow the growth of the epidemic

George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, told Times Radio: "I think it's a little too early to tell, because this is just one study.

"Obviously it is an encouraging study, but we're not able to make any final decisions based on this one alone."

Detailing the rise of cases in recent weeks, he added: "There's no room for complacency, which is why we're continuing to refine our approach, continuing to take forward local lockdowns, where that's necessary.

"But it may be that some of the measures we have taken are starting to have an impact, and let's hope so."

Yesterday afternoon, Boris Johnson insisted the "only way" to fight a second wave of the virus is by making sacrifices which might have to get worse.

08:17 AM

Police should be 'lenient' towards former Labour leader over rule breach, says Jeremy Hunt

A former Cabinet minister has said police should be "lenient" towards Jeremy Corbyn and let him off without a fine, after the former Labour leader was pictured breaking the rule of six. 

The Islington MP was photographed at a dinner party with eight other people. He has since apologised. 

Asked about it this morning, Jeremy Hunt told Sky News his "instinct" was that the police should "show a little bit of leniency". 

He added: "I actually think we should be a little bit lenient. When the first time around people break these rules, I think we should be a little bit British, show some common sense and I am sure he won't do it again, he has apologised."

The former health secretary stressed it was ultimately "a matter for police".

08:13 AM

Jeremy Corbyn should pay fine for 'wrong' rule of six breach, says Labour shadow minister

A shadow minister has said Jeremy Corbyn should pay a fine for breaking the rule of six saying she is "disappointed" in her former boss and that what he did was "wrong". 

Rosena Allin-Khan, the shadow minister for mental health, told Sky News: "It is absolutely inexcusable for people to break the rules. The rules apply to everyone

"Rightly, he should be paying the fine.

"He should be fined. Everybody should be fined who breaks the rules," she added. "That also includes government advisers and the parents of the Prime Minister."

The Tooting MP who is also a medical doctor said she had "seen the devastation" caused by the virus, saying everyone has a "responsibility" to protect themselves and each other. 

Politicians had an additional responsibility to "lead by example", she added. 

Rosena Allin-Khan - Rii Schroer

08:01 AM

Liverpool lockdown announcement expected at 10:30am today

George Eustice said this morning that no decisions had been taken regarding a Liverpool lockdown - but it looks like we are going to hear very soon indeed. 

Matt Hancock had been expected to respond to an urgent question about the hospitality curfew from 10:30 - however this has been changed to a ministerial statement.

Despite Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper's hope that the statement will be about scrapping the curfew, it seems far more likely the Health Secretary is about to impose more restrictions.

07:57 AM

UK on course for only fraction of Covid-19 cases projected by government scientists

If current rates of confirmed Covid-19 infections continue, the UK is on course for around 11,000 new cases a day by mid-October - a fraction of a projection made by the Government's chief scientists last week, Telegraph analysis has found.

Yet the latest data also shows over 10 million people live in areas where the number of new coronavirus cases confirmed each day has already risen faster than the rate used in the scientists' scenario.

My colleagues Dominic Gilbert and Alex Clark have been crunching the numbers.

Here's what they have found. 

07:51 AM

Have your say on: Stanley and Jeremy's rule breaking

Two high profile men are in the papers this morning for having broken the rules - but it's not clear yet whether they will be fined. 

Stanley Johnson was pictured in a shop without a face mask, while Jeremy Corbyn attended a dinner party for nine people, in breach of the rule of six. 

Both men have apologised - but their actions now carry a penalty of £200. 

Should they be made an example of and told to pay a fine? Or are we at the top of a slippery slope of snitching? Have your say in the poll below. 

07:45 AM

Police will take 'proportionate and pragmatic' response to Stanley Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn's rule-breaking

The police will decide if Stanley Johnson should be fined after he was pictured in a shop without a face mask, George Eustice has said. 

Jeremy Corbyn was also pictured breaking the rules, by attending a dinner party with eight other people.

The Environment Secretary stressed that punishments should only be handed out to those showing a "willful and reckless" disregard for the restrictions regarding face coverings.

He told Radio 4's Today programme: "The police will decide what approach they should take but the appropriate response is to act in a proportionate and pragmatic way.

"They are only using fines as a last resort where you have willful and reckless disobedience of the regulations we have in place.

"As a general rule, whether it is on public transport or in other venues, it will be a matter of either directing people to comply with the rules or to leave the premises or to leave public transport and that is the approach that is working most effectively.

"I think in both these cases, the [former] leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister's father, in both cases they have admitted to making an error and have apologised for doing so."

Jeremy Corbyn was pictured at a dinner party for nine people - PA

07:40 AM

UK must deter migrants - but needs a more 'civilised' system than Australia, says Tory MP

The Home Office was "completely right" to look at ways of deterring asylum seekers from coming to the UK but any solution must be "civilised", a Kent MP has said. 

Adam Holloway, the Conservative MP for Gravesham, said there was a "humanitarian duty to make sure people don't make these extremely dangerous journeys". 

But he claimed the only way to do that was to "send out a message around the world that if you get to Europe or you get to Britain, you're unlikely to stay there".

He added: "You've got to have some sort of deterrent, you can't just know that you get to Britain, you'll be put in a hotel, you'll eventually be housed and you'll probably end up staying here."

However "talk of oil rigs and Moldova and Papua New Guinea, to me, is somewhat bizarre", he added.

"You're determined for me to say it is a great idea to put people on islands - I'm not saying that.

"The Home Office is completely right to look at other options so there is some sort of deterrent but not the Australian model where you have poor welfare standards and everything else.

"We've got to find a civilised version of that."

A migrant family is taken into port after being intercepted by Border Force officials in the English Channel - Getty

07:32 AM

Local lockdowns cannot be blocked by MPs, minister confirms

MPs will not be able to stop local lockdowns, but will have "debates and votes" on any "further major changes", a Cabinet minister has confirmed. 

A brewing revolt was called off yesterday after the Government agreed a concession with rebel leader Sir Graham Brady, giving Parliament a vote on any further national lockdown. 

"But when it comes to local lockdowns there are powers there in the Coronavirus Act that was passed earlier this year to enable those targeted measures to happen, and to happen quickly," said George Eustice. 

"Throughout this had we have had to be able to act expeditiously with an evolving situation," he added. "We can't wait for there to be long deliberation on these things - we need the powers to act quickly." 

07:24 AM

Minister insists local lockdowns are not 'Hotel California' traps

George Eustice has insisted that some areas under local lockdown have been able to come out, as the Government fends off criticisms that targeted restrictions end up as kind of "Hotel California". 

Yesterday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed Luton was the only town to have emerged from a local lockdown - something which Boris Johnson did not dispute. 

However this morning his Environment Secretary stressed that there were "one or two others in the northern area" who also saw a reduction in measures. 

He told the Today programme: "They didn't come fully out but were able to start easing those restrictions."

Mr Eustice added: "The short answer is they will be able to come out of local lockdowns once the infection rate in those areas get back more in line with the national trend."

07:20 AM

No decision taken on Liverpool yet, says Cabinet minister

George Eustice has said a decision had not yet been made on further coronavirus restrictions being put in place in Merseyside.

"I know that there are some discussions, I understand, that are going on about the situation in Liverpool, but no decisions have been taken yet," he told BBC Breakfast.

"It's not really possible for me to say what they may or may not do since I think there's currently dialogue between health officials and the local council there," the Environment Secretary added. 

When pressed further, he added: "My understanding is a decision hasn't been made, but I am aware that discussions have been taking place about what further restrictions might be needed, I think particularly around Merseyside and Liverpool."

07:18 AM

Liverpool Metro Mayor urges Government to avoid 'Hotel California' lockdowns

The Metro Mayor of Liverpool has urged the Government against creating a "Hotel California" lockdown "where you can never check out" as the city faces a new set of restrictions. 

Steve Rotheram told Radio 4's Today programme there was "frustration" at the lack of engagement from the Government, pointing to the fact that he and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had been forced to "go to the press and media to get the data in the first place because the Government wouldn't share that with us".

He added: "When we were allowed to see our own data sets we were able to interrogate it and saw some trends that were worrying. 

"All the areas that have had had further restrictions find it difficult to come out. We understand what they need to do but what is the road map. 

"We don't want to be in Hotel California where you can never check out."

07:11 AM

Local lockdowns 'containing' national transmission, says Jeremy Hunt

Local lockdowns may be preventing the current second wave of infections from taking hold across the country, Jeremy Hunt has said.

A study of more than 80,000 suggest that infections increased substantially across the country last month, before the R Rate fell to around 1.1, suggesting the growth of infection may be slowing. It is estimated 1 in 200 people in England were infected with the virus, reinforcing the need to remain vigilant.

The former health secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme said the findings gave "hope after a difficult few months" - but people must not rest on their laurels. 

"Acting early, decisively, quickly, is actually the best way to contain the spread of the virus and that's what I think Chris Whitty and the Prime Minister are saying," he said. 

"One of the things that is often not noted about Italy was the successful way in which they managed to contain the outbreak of the virus in northern Italy, in Lombardy, and avoid it spreading to the rest of the country.

"Now, we didn't manage to do that first time round but it just may be that these local lockdowns, although we haven't seen a big reduction in transmission within those areas, they may just have contained it and stopped it from becoming the national outbreak that we had before."

07:08 AM

Test NHS staff in hotspots to reduce preventable deaths, says Jeremy Hunt

Jeremy Hunt has renewed his plea for regular testing for NHS staff in order to reduce preventable deaths. 

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Commons Health Committee chairman and former health secretary said: "I am puzzled and I know there are some capacity issues.

"(Professor) Chris Whitty actually moved towards this position somewhat when he said in July that he did agree with routine testing of asymptomatic NHS staff in hotspot areas - I would like it to be everywhere, but he accepted it was the right thing to do in areas where there is growth.

"But that is not happening.

"Some of those hospitals are trying really hard to test all their staff using their own laboratories but to do that on a weekly basis, they need support from NHS Test and Trace, they need additional reagents and what we really need is for the Government to say, 'You need to make this happen at least in areas where there is high prevalence and we will help you if you can't do it yourself'."

06:51 AM

UK fishing deal with Norway 'about acceptable' says NFFO

A transition period of three years to allow fishing communities in Europe to adjust to a change in how much they can catch in British waters would be "about acceptable", according to the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO).

As the Telegraph reported this morning, the UK has offered a fisheries adjustment period as part of a concession in the post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union in a bid to secure a deal.

Chief executive Barrie Deas told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think three years is about acceptable, within this context, as long as we see movement in equal steps.

"We need to see an improvement from day one.

"But I think three years could be acceptable. Anything longer, I think, would be a stretch."

Mr Deas said he did not think the Government was preparing to concede in the talks with Brussels in a way that would be difficult for UK fishermen to accept, adding: "I don't have that expectation.

"I think fishing is right at the top of the priorities for the UK, so there might be some room for compromise around the edges, but I think on the fundamentals the UK is absolutely adamant that what we have to have is something very similar to the Norway agreement."

06:02 AM

Government must focus on Covid's economic impact, says No 10 ally

A No 10 ally has called on Boris Johnson's Government to change its coronavirus strategy and focus more on the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, amid mounting criticism over the Government's handling of the crisis.

James Frayne, who is close to Mr Johnson's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, and until recently carried out focus group research for the Cabinet Office, accused the Government of "dicing with political death in recent times" and warned that Downing Street's draconian approach "will come back to haunt them in calmer times". 

MPs spent Wednesday widely circulating Mr Frayne's article for the Conservative Home website, which urged Number 10 to "downgrade scientists".

It also called on the Government and "unleash" Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, to be "honest with the public" about the risks to the economy and jobs caused by Covid-19.

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