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Cameron dismisses Johnson's DfID/FCO merger as 'mistake' that will lessen respect for UK - live news Cameron dismisses Johnson's DfID/FCO merger as 'mistake' that will lessen respect for UK - live news
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson makes U-turn on free school meals after Marcus Rashford campaign; Scotland and Wales also announce free schools meals will continue PM announces merger in Commons; Johnson makes U-turn on free school meals after Rashford campaign; UK official death toll rises by 233
Tony Blair has said that he is “utterly dismayed” by the decision to merge DfID with the FCO.
Boris Johnson has now managed to unite three former prime ministers - two Labour ones and one Conservative - in opposition to his plan to get rid of DfID as a stand-alone department.
We are yet to hear from Sir John Major and Theresa May on the subject. But Major never set up an independent department for international aid himself, and so is unlikely to feel any attachment to DfID, and May showed little interest in this area during her short, Brexit-dominated premiership.
Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland, has said she will be proposing the extension of free school meal support to the region’s pupils over the summer holidays. She told told the Northern Ireland assembly she would make the proposal to colleagues in the power-sharing coalition. The measure would be dependent on the necessary funds being found, she said.Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland, has said she will be proposing the extension of free school meal support to the region’s pupils over the summer holidays. She told told the Northern Ireland assembly she would make the proposal to colleagues in the power-sharing coalition. The measure would be dependent on the necessary funds being found, she said.
For the record, this list shows how today’s UK coronavirus daily death figure, 233 (see 3.36pm), compares to the equivalent figures for the past two weeks.For the record, this list shows how today’s UK coronavirus daily death figure, 233 (see 3.36pm), compares to the equivalent figures for the past two weeks.
Tuesday 2 June - 324Tuesday 2 June - 324
Wednesday 3 June - 359Wednesday 3 June - 359
Thursday 4 June - 176Thursday 4 June - 176
Friday 5 June - 357Friday 5 June - 357
Saturday 6 June - 204Saturday 6 June - 204
Sunday 7 June - 77Sunday 7 June - 77
Monday 8 June - 55Monday 8 June - 55
Tuesday 9 June - 286Tuesday 9 June - 286
Wednesday 10 June - 245Wednesday 10 June - 245
Thursday 11 June - 151Thursday 11 June - 151
Friday 12 June - 202Friday 12 June - 202
Saturday 13 June - 181Saturday 13 June - 181
Sunday 14 June - 36Sunday 14 June - 36
Monday 15 June - 38Monday 15 June - 38
The Department of Health and Social Care has released the latest coronavirus death figures for the UK. There have been a further 233 deaths, taking the total to 41,969.The Department of Health and Social Care has released the latest coronavirus death figures for the UK. There have been a further 233 deaths, taking the total to 41,969.
These headline figures only include deaths where someone tested positive for coronavirus. But thousands of people have died without having a test, which is why the ONS totals are higher. (See 10.19am.)These headline figures only include deaths where someone tested positive for coronavirus. But thousands of people have died without having a test, which is why the ONS totals are higher. (See 10.19am.)
NHS England today recorded a further 79 hospital deaths in England. The full details are here.NHS England today recorded a further 79 hospital deaths in England. The full details are here.
In Wales a further eight deaths have been recorded.In Wales a further eight deaths have been recorded.
Scotland has recorded five more deaths today.Scotland has recorded five more deaths today.
And there has been one further death in Northern Ireland.And there has been one further death in Northern Ireland.
Another former prime minister, Gordon Brown, has also criticised the decision to merge DfID and the FCO. He says Boris Johnson is “abolishing one of the UK’s great international assets”.Another former prime minister, Gordon Brown, has also criticised the decision to merge DfID and the FCO. He says Boris Johnson is “abolishing one of the UK’s great international assets”.
In the Commons Labour’s Emma Hardy asks Johnson if he agrees with David Cameron. (See 2.46pm.)In the Commons Labour’s Emma Hardy asks Johnson if he agrees with David Cameron. (See 2.46pm.)
Johnson says he does not. He says at the moment there is “an incoherence” in foreign policy. He says the merger will make aid specialists more influential.Johnson says he does not. He says at the moment there is “an incoherence” in foreign policy. He says the merger will make aid specialists more influential.
And David Cameron, who appointed Andrew Mitchell as international development secretary and who was PM when the UK finally hit the 0.7% aid spending target (which was never popular with Tory activists), has also criticised the move. He says it is a “mistake” that will lead to the UK being less respected abroad.And David Cameron, who appointed Andrew Mitchell as international development secretary and who was PM when the UK finally hit the 0.7% aid spending target (which was never popular with Tory activists), has also criticised the move. He says it is a “mistake” that will lead to the UK being less respected abroad.
For Cameron, speaking out in these terms is quite a big deal. Since leaving No 10 in 2016 he has largely avoided criticising his successors, even though Theresa May and Boris Johnson have both pursued policies that he would not support.For Cameron, speaking out in these terms is quite a big deal. Since leaving No 10 in 2016 he has largely avoided criticising his successors, even though Theresa May and Boris Johnson have both pursued policies that he would not support.
Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said Andrew Mitchell, the Conservative international development secretary when David Cameron was PM, had described the DfID/FCO merger as a mistake. The Birmingham Mail has the full quote from Mitchell. Mitchell said:Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said Andrew Mitchell, the Conservative international development secretary when David Cameron was PM, had described the DfID/FCO merger as a mistake. The Birmingham Mail has the full quote from Mitchell. Mitchell said:
These are from Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, on the DfID/FCO merger.These are from Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, on the DfID/FCO merger.
The Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse says the PM seems to be saying the UK will only help the poorest in the world if they are buying British goods.The Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse says the PM seems to be saying the UK will only help the poorest in the world if they are buying British goods.
Johnson says Hobhouse should be proud of what the UK is doing around the world.Johnson says Hobhouse should be proud of what the UK is doing around the world.
Labour’s Kevin Brennan asks if Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the international development secretary, will both have to apply for the post to run the new department.Labour’s Kevin Brennan asks if Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the international development secretary, will both have to apply for the post to run the new department.
Johnson sidesteps the questions.Johnson sidesteps the questions.
The SNP’s Kirsty Blackman asks if the purpose of the new department will be to help the poorest in the world, or if it will be to enhance British power abroad?The SNP’s Kirsty Blackman asks if the purpose of the new department will be to help the poorest in the world, or if it will be to enhance British power abroad?
Both, says Johnson.Both, says Johnson.
He says there is no point in having a British ambassador asking a foreign leader not to chop the head off one of his rivals if another British official is going to turn up a day later with a cheque for £250,000. He says there is no point in having a British ambassador asking a foreign leader not to cut the head off one of his rivals if another British official is going to turn up a day later with a cheque for £250,000.
Johnson says British ambassadors will be listened to more seriously if they represent a department in charge of all UK government overseas spending.Johnson says British ambassadors will be listened to more seriously if they represent a department in charge of all UK government overseas spending.