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Nicola Sturgeon rejects opposition claim 'something rotten at core of SNP' - live updates Nicola Sturgeon rejects opposition claim 'something rotten at core of SNP' - live updates
(32 minutes later)
Scottish first minister questioned about Alex Salmond claims at first minister’s questionsScottish first minister questioned about Alex Salmond claims at first minister’s questions
Boris Johnson has described the plans to school exam grades in England to be based on teacher assessments as a good compromise. Speaking on a visit to Accrington academy in Lancashire, he said:
He also insisted he had confidence in the much-criticised education secretary, Gavin Williamson. Asked if he did, he replied: “Of course, and I think that what we are doing is the right thing to get all our students, our pupils, back on March 8.
Here are two tweets on first minister’s questions from opposition MSPs.
From Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader
From Adam Tomkins, a Scottish Conservative and convenor of the parliament’s justice committee
And this is from the SNP’s Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s justice minister
Here is a clip of Jackie Baillie, the acting Scottish Labour leader at Holyrood, telling Nicola Sturgeon at FMQs there is “something rotten at the core of the SNP”.Here is a clip of Jackie Baillie, the acting Scottish Labour leader at Holyrood, telling Nicola Sturgeon at FMQs there is “something rotten at the core of the SNP”.
Willie Rennie, the Lib Dem leader, asks Sturgeon if the name of her complainant was handed over to Alex Salmond. Willie Rennie, the Lib Dem leader, asks Sturgeon if the name of a complainant was handed over to Alex Salmond.
Sturgeon says to the best of her knowledge that did not happen.Sturgeon says to the best of her knowledge that did not happen.
So are people lying, Rennie asks.So are people lying, Rennie asks.
Sturgeon says a process is underway that is investigating this.Sturgeon says a process is underway that is investigating this.
Jackie Baillie, the acting Labour leader, asks who authorised a meeting with Alex Salmond’s former chief of staff.Jackie Baillie, the acting Labour leader, asks who authorised a meeting with Alex Salmond’s former chief of staff.
Sturgeon says Baillie is accepting Salmond’s version of this. She doesn’t, she says.Sturgeon says Baillie is accepting Salmond’s version of this. She doesn’t, she says.
She says she wants a culture where people feel able to come forward with sexual harassment allegations. Accepting Salmond’s account of events is not a good way of promoting that culture, she says.She says she wants a culture where people feel able to come forward with sexual harassment allegations. Accepting Salmond’s account of events is not a good way of promoting that culture, she says.
Baillie says standing up for women takes more than warm words. She says it is beyond belief that anyone would pass on the name of a complainant.Baillie says standing up for women takes more than warm words. She says it is beyond belief that anyone would pass on the name of a complainant.
Given what Sturgeon said about Salmond in her briefing yesterday, why did she agree to meet Salmond?Given what Sturgeon said about Salmond in her briefing yesterday, why did she agree to meet Salmond?
Sturgeon says Salmond claims the name of a complainant was given. That does not mean it is true, she says. She says she did not seek to intervene.Sturgeon says Salmond claims the name of a complainant was given. That does not mean it is true, she says. She says she did not seek to intervene.
She says some time ago Baillie gave an interview suggesting she should have intervened to promote mediation. Sometimes she is accused of intervening; sometimes of not intervening, she says.She says some time ago Baillie gave an interview suggesting she should have intervened to promote mediation. Sometimes she is accused of intervening; sometimes of not intervening, she says.
She says in the past these allegations might have been “swept under the carpet”. But she does not regret not doing this.She says in the past these allegations might have been “swept under the carpet”. But she does not regret not doing this.
Davidson says Sturgeon has been desperate to shut down comment on the secret meeting in her office, which suggests she misled parliament about when she first heard of the allegations against Alex Salmond. She says this looks like a cover-up.Davidson says Sturgeon has been desperate to shut down comment on the secret meeting in her office, which suggests she misled parliament about when she first heard of the allegations against Alex Salmond. She says this looks like a cover-up.
Sturgeon says she has already submitted written evidence on this. So it cannot be a cover-up. The evidence is on the Scottish parliament’s website. She will give evidence on Wednesday. This was the sixth date given for this hearing, because it has been repeatedly postponed.Sturgeon says she has already submitted written evidence on this. So it cannot be a cover-up. The evidence is on the Scottish parliament’s website. She will give evidence on Wednesday. This was the sixth date given for this hearing, because it has been repeatedly postponed.
Just because Davidson does not like this government, she should not trash the reputation of legal officers. She says their reputation is being sacrificed on the “altar of the ego of one man”.Just because Davidson does not like this government, she should not trash the reputation of legal officers. She says their reputation is being sacrificed on the “altar of the ego of one man”.
Davidson says a culture of secrets and cover-up is growing. “Is saving your own skin worth all the damage your are doing?”Davidson says a culture of secrets and cover-up is growing. “Is saving your own skin worth all the damage your are doing?”
Sturgeon says what matters to her is the integrity of our institutions. She says Davidson’s own reputation is at risk. She has provided “a litany of nonsense”. It cannot be a cover-up if she is giving evidence. It used to be possible to have a proper debate “without a scorched earth policy of conspiracy theory”.Sturgeon says what matters to her is the integrity of our institutions. She says Davidson’s own reputation is at risk. She has provided “a litany of nonsense”. It cannot be a cover-up if she is giving evidence. It used to be possible to have a proper debate “without a scorched earth policy of conspiracy theory”.
She says Davidson talks about democratic integrity. But she is about to take a seat in the House of Lords and pursue a political career without the endorsement of voters.She says Davidson talks about democratic integrity. But she is about to take a seat in the House of Lords and pursue a political career without the endorsement of voters.
Ruth Davidson, the Tory leader at Holyrood, says Sturgeon said she had nothing to hide in relation to this affair. So will she publish her evidence to the Hamilton inquiry?Ruth Davidson, the Tory leader at Holyrood, says Sturgeon said she had nothing to hide in relation to this affair. So will she publish her evidence to the Hamilton inquiry?
Sturgeon says she has no problem with that being published. But that is up to James Hamilton.Sturgeon says she has no problem with that being published. But that is up to James Hamilton.
Davidson says on Monday Sturgeon summoned journalists to her office and challenged Alex Salmond to provide his evidence. But when Salmond did publish, bits of of evidence were removed.Davidson says on Monday Sturgeon summoned journalists to her office and challenged Alex Salmond to provide his evidence. But when Salmond did publish, bits of of evidence were removed.
Sturgeon says the fact that Davidson is quoting Salmond’s claims means they are in the public realm. She says she expects to be questioned on these matters when she gives evidence to the comittee next week.Sturgeon says the fact that Davidson is quoting Salmond’s claims means they are in the public realm. She says she expects to be questioned on these matters when she gives evidence to the comittee next week.
Scrutiny of her, and of the Scottish government, is not just legitimate; it is necessary, she says. She says she looks forward to giving her evidence. But anyone suggesting that there was political interference in prosecution decisions are wrong. It is a “deluded” theory, she says.Scrutiny of her, and of the Scottish government, is not just legitimate; it is necessary, she says. She says she looks forward to giving her evidence. But anyone suggesting that there was political interference in prosecution decisions are wrong. It is a “deluded” theory, she says.
She says politics is not for the faint-hearted. But politicians should not trash the reputation of people doing their jobs.She says politics is not for the faint-hearted. But politicians should not trash the reputation of people doing their jobs.
Nicola Sturgeon is taking first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament.Nicola Sturgeon is taking first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament.
Here is our latest story about the latest in her feud with Alex Salmond.Here is our latest story about the latest in her feud with Alex Salmond.
This is what Ealing council in London is saying about the decision to extend surge testing in the borough. (See 11.37am.)This is what Ealing council in London is saying about the decision to extend surge testing in the borough. (See 11.37am.)
The new surge testing initiative in the borough will build on one launched at the start of the month, which just covered Hanwell and West Ealing.The new surge testing initiative in the borough will build on one launched at the start of the month, which just covered Hanwell and West Ealing.
Responding to Williamson, Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, says Williamson blamed the algorithm for what happened last summer. But the algorithm was not responsible; he was.Responding to Williamson, Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, says Williamson blamed the algorithm for what happened last summer. But the algorithm was not responsible; he was.
She says the government should have started training teachers to carry out the new assessments weeks ago.She says the government should have started training teachers to carry out the new assessments weeks ago.
And she says the money announced for catch-up programmes is not enough. It amounts to just 43p per pupil per day, she says.And she says the money announced for catch-up programmes is not enough. It amounts to just 43p per pupil per day, she says.
Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, is making his statement to MPs about how exam grades in England will be awarded this summer.
He says pupils will have their grades determined by teachers, with assessments based on what they have been taught, not what they would have been taught if the pandemic had not interrupted teaching.
He says teachers will be able to use a range of evidence when making their assessments, including coursework and mock exams.
He says they will get guidance to ensure their assessments are fair. They will be pegged to performance in previous years, he says.
There will be an appeals system, he says.
And he says “no algorithm” will be used. (The Department for Education used an algorithm in determining grades last summer, although the system had to be abandoned after mass protests about how it led to some pupils getting grades that were manifestly unfair.)
Williamson ends by saying he hopes pupils will be able to go on to the next stage of their lives with confidence.
More surge testing is being rolled out in Ealing in London after further cases of the South African variant were discovered, Sky News is reporting. This will be an extension of the surge testing in the borough launched earlier this month.
The European Research Group, which represents Tory MPs who favoured a hard Brexit, has produced a report urging Boris Johnson to scrap the Northern Ireland protocol, PA Media reports. PA says:
Mark Francois, the ERG chairman, said:
Francois said the protocol had to go or “we will not let matters rest there”.
In an interview on the Today programme this morning Rupert Soames, the Serco chief executive, claimed “very little” of the profits announced for 2020 (see 9.47am) were a result of the pandemic.
Serco is one of the main private contracting firms working on NHS Test and Trace (which, despite its official name, is not run by the NHS). But Soames told Today:
When it was put to him that test and trace work accounted for about £350m of revenue, Soames accepted it made a material contribution. But he went on:
Soames also said test and trace was now a “remarkable success”. He said:
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is promoting a story by Mure Dickie and John-Burn Murdoch in the Financial Times today (paywall) saying that her Covid policies over the winter have been more successful than England’s. It says:
As is often the case, the graphics tell the story more powerfully than the text. Here is the FT’s chart for excess deaths (widely seen as the best measure of the impact of Covid on mortality).
And here are the figures for excess deaths in care homes.
The Salvation Army, a charity working with the homeless, has also expressed reservations about today’s rough sleeping figures. (See 10.25am.) Lorrita Johnson, its director of homelessness services, said:
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has released its rough sleeping snapshot for England for the autumn of last year. This is an estimate for how many people are sleeping rough on a typical night in October or November. Some local authorities carry out an actual count, and others produce an actual estimate, and so the figure is not tied to any one particular date.
The figure for autumn 2020 was 2,688, MHCLG says. It says that this down 37% from last year, that this is the third year in a row there has been a decline, but that this is still 52% higher than the figure for 2010. It says 44% of rough sleepers were in London or the south-east.
MHLG says that the snapshot coincided with the November lockdown and that one reason for the reduction was the “Everyone In” scheme to house rough sleeper, which by November had helped around 33,000 people.
But Labour said the rough sleeping snapshot was an underestimate. It said the Greater London Authority’s CHAIN (Combined Homelessness and Information Network) figures said there were 3,307 rough sleepers in London during this period, not 714 (the figure produced by the snapshot).
Thangam Debbonaire, the shadow housing secretary, said:
Outsourcing giant Serco will start paying a dividend to shareholders due to soaring profits and a post-Covid outlook that promises future growth, PA Media reports. PA says:
It will not be compulsory for school pupils in England to take Covid tests twice a week, nor wear face coverings in class, the schools minister Nick Gibb has confirmed. Gibb did a round of broadcast interviews this morning, ahead of the statement in the Commons later about how exam grades will be awarded this summer and he talked about Covid testing for pupils, masks, the risks of grade inflation and how the appeals process will work. My colleague Helen Pidd has written up the story here.
Good morning. A week today we’ll be digesting the contents of the budget, which Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, will deliver on Wednesday 3 March. And this morning there is an unwelcome intervention from his predecessor-but-one, Philip Hammond (now Lord Hammond), who has told the BBC the government should now ditch some of its “extravagant” spending promises made during the general election.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Hammond said that ministers had “made very extravagant commitments to the British electorate in good faith before the coronavirus crisis”. He went on:
Hammond, who had the Tory whip removed by Boris Johnson in 2019 after he joined a rebellion over Brexit (although Johnson subsequently sent him to the Lords as a Conservative peer), said the government needed to tell the public “some difficult home truths”. Government borrowing this year is now estimated to be £340bn higher than it would have been without Covid.
Hammond said he was confident that Sunak’s instincts were “the right ones” (ie, that Sunak wanted to take a responsible approach to spending, in Hammond’s view). But he said Sunak was part of a government and he said not sure “the top leadership of the current government” (ie, Johnson) “really has that appetite for being unpopular, in order to do the right thing”. He said:
Here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: The Home Office publishes annual immigration figures, as well as figures for the EU settlement scheme.
9.30am: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publishes annual figures on rough sleeping.
11am: NHS Test and Trace publishes its weekly performance figures.
Around 11.30am: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, makes a statement to MPs about his plans to allow teachers to decide exam grades in England this summer.
12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing.
12.30pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, takes questions in the Scottish parliament.
2pm: Public Health England publishes its weekly Covid surveillance report.
4pm: Anneliese Dodds, the shadow chancellor, gives a speech on the economy.
Politics Live is now doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog and, given the way the Covid crisis eclipses everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we will be covering non-Covid political stories too, and when they seem more important or more interesting, they will take precedence.
Here is our global coronavirus live blog.
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