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| Labour accuses Boris Johnson of trivialising sexual violence with ‘jabber’ quip at PMQs – live | Labour accuses Boris Johnson of trivialising sexual violence with ‘jabber’ quip at PMQs – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence, condemns Johnson for remark at PMQs | Latest updates: Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence, condemns Johnson for remark at PMQs |
| The number of fatalities in Scotland linked to Covid-19 has doubled over the past week, up from six recorded deaths in the second week of June up to 13 in the seven days ending 20 June. | The number of fatalities in Scotland linked to Covid-19 has doubled over the past week, up from six recorded deaths in the second week of June up to 13 in the seven days ending 20 June. |
| National Records of Scotland, the population statistics agency, said there were four deaths registered in Glasgow last week where Covid was mentioned on the death certificate, and other fatalities spread across mainland Scotland. | National Records of Scotland, the population statistics agency, said there were four deaths registered in Glasgow last week where Covid was mentioned on the death certificate, and other fatalities spread across mainland Scotland. |
| The data follows a marked increase in Covid-19 infections in Scotland linked to the highly infectious and more transmissible Delta variant, which has led the Scottish government to delay the lifting of travel and distancing regulations. | |
| Scotland’s averaged-out daily infection rate jumped by 40% in a week, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs yesterday, with 2,167 cases recorded yesterday against 1,250 on Monday. | Scotland’s averaged-out daily infection rate jumped by 40% in a week, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs yesterday, with 2,167 cases recorded yesterday against 1,250 on Monday. |
| The seven-day positivity rate per 100,000 has hit 295 in Dundee, 242 in Edinburgh, 226 in East Ayrshire and 176 in Glasgow. There were 171 people in hospital on Tuesday, with 18 in intensive care, but those levels are much lower as a proportion of overall cases seen in previous surges. | The seven-day positivity rate per 100,000 has hit 295 in Dundee, 242 in Edinburgh, 226 in East Ayrshire and 176 in Glasgow. There were 171 people in hospital on Tuesday, with 18 in intensive care, but those levels are much lower as a proportion of overall cases seen in previous surges. |
| Most people did not change their lifestyles after being vaccinated, even as the vaccination programme expanded to cover younger age groups, according to an ONS survey on how our behaviours have changed between the two lockdowns. | Most people did not change their lifestyles after being vaccinated, even as the vaccination programme expanded to cover younger age groups, according to an ONS survey on how our behaviours have changed between the two lockdowns. |
| Non-vaccinated people, more likely to be younger and employed in jobs outside healthcare, spent marginally more time socialising, working and travelling and less time sleeping in the second lockdown than the first, than those who received a vaccine. | Non-vaccinated people, more likely to be younger and employed in jobs outside healthcare, spent marginally more time socialising, working and travelling and less time sleeping in the second lockdown than the first, than those who received a vaccine. |
| The research found that the gender gap in unpaid work was smaller than it was at the start of the pandemic but was still substantial, with women spending almost an hour more time per day than men on housework during the second lockdown - totalling three hours on average per day. | The research found that the gender gap in unpaid work was smaller than it was at the start of the pandemic but was still substantial, with women spending almost an hour more time per day than men on housework during the second lockdown - totalling three hours on average per day. |
| The big difference in behaviours between unvaccinated and vaccinated over the 12-month period was that those who had not received a vaccine worked roughly an extra hour per day, whereas there was virtually no change for the vaccinated group. Individuals without a vaccine worked more regularly, and for longer on a working day, compared with a year ago. | The big difference in behaviours between unvaccinated and vaccinated over the 12-month period was that those who had not received a vaccine worked roughly an extra hour per day, whereas there was virtually no change for the vaccinated group. Individuals without a vaccine worked more regularly, and for longer on a working day, compared with a year ago. |
| “These differences in working times are likely explained by the different jobs both groups worked in. Healthcare professionals, who were extremely busy in the first lockdown, had predominantly received at least one vaccine dose, whereas those without a vaccine were much more likely to include professions like teachers, who could not work as much during the first lockdown,” the report found. | |
| The report also found we reduced our watching of TV or other video entertainment but still watched an average of 2 hours, 45 minutes a day during the second lockdown. | The report also found we reduced our watching of TV or other video entertainment but still watched an average of 2 hours, 45 minutes a day during the second lockdown. |
| In his Q&A for his Substack subscribers on Monday Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former chief adviser, had some advice for Labour as to what it should be doing to bring down Boris Johnson (an objective Cummings and Sir Keir Starmer now share). It was simple, Cummings implied: “Kick Tories up and down the street on violent crime.” Not for the first time on a matter of political strategy, Cummings was probably right. | In his Q&A for his Substack subscribers on Monday Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former chief adviser, had some advice for Labour as to what it should be doing to bring down Boris Johnson (an objective Cummings and Sir Keir Starmer now share). It was simple, Cummings implied: “Kick Tories up and down the street on violent crime.” Not for the first time on a matter of political strategy, Cummings was probably right. |
| Traditionally law and order is seen as a Tory issue, and as long as the issue is defined in authoritarian terms (tougher sentences), that is how it will usually play out. The Labour party as a whole will always be queasy about addressing crime by locking up offenders for ever longer periods, not least because in many respects that does not work. But, as Tony Blair demonstrated in 1997, crime can be a Labour issue too (“tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime”), and Starmer demonstrated that very well today by focusing on the rape prosecutions and convictions, not sentencing. | Traditionally law and order is seen as a Tory issue, and as long as the issue is defined in authoritarian terms (tougher sentences), that is how it will usually play out. The Labour party as a whole will always be queasy about addressing crime by locking up offenders for ever longer periods, not least because in many respects that does not work. But, as Tony Blair demonstrated in 1997, crime can be a Labour issue too (“tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime”), and Starmer demonstrated that very well today by focusing on the rape prosecutions and convictions, not sentencing. |
| Given that there is currently an enormous backlog of cases waiting to be heard by the courts (more than 50,000 in the queue for a crown court hearing), there is a wider failure here that Labour could exploit. And it is an issue on which Labour could play to both sides. If you want to see criminals locked up, then long waits for trials are clearly unacceptable. But if you believe the primary role of the criminal justice system is to clear the innocent, the status quo is clearly unacceptable too. | Given that there is currently an enormous backlog of cases waiting to be heard by the courts (more than 50,000 in the queue for a crown court hearing), there is a wider failure here that Labour could exploit. And it is an issue on which Labour could play to both sides. If you want to see criminals locked up, then long waits for trials are clearly unacceptable. But if you believe the primary role of the criminal justice system is to clear the innocent, the status quo is clearly unacceptable too. |
| Starmer just focused on the problems identified by the rape review in his questions today and he quite easily had Johnson floundering. It was one of Starmer’s clearest wins for a while. | |
| As a former DPP, Starmer was of course on home territory. But he also started with a very short question (normally the best sort) and he focused relentlessly on the question as to why prosecutions and convictions for rape are so low. Johnson had half an answer - he cited the difficulty obtaining evidence, and how the increasing importance of mobile phone messages has made the process more complicated - but he did seem to know enough to be able to handle repeated questioning on this point, and soon he was veering off into weak irrelevancies. Citing the sentence-toughening measures in the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill that Labour did not vote for was only half effective, because Starmer was able to resurrect the point that it does more to protect statues than women. And trying to claim that recruiting more women police officers would help seemed particularly lame. | As a former DPP, Starmer was of course on home territory. But he also started with a very short question (normally the best sort) and he focused relentlessly on the question as to why prosecutions and convictions for rape are so low. Johnson had half an answer - he cited the difficulty obtaining evidence, and how the increasing importance of mobile phone messages has made the process more complicated - but he did seem to know enough to be able to handle repeated questioning on this point, and soon he was veering off into weak irrelevancies. Citing the sentence-toughening measures in the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill that Labour did not vote for was only half effective, because Starmer was able to resurrect the point that it does more to protect statues than women. And trying to claim that recruiting more women police officers would help seemed particularly lame. |
| A more emotionally astute PM than Johnson would have apologised profusely from the start. Johnson would have blunted much of what Starmer had to say if he had done this, but apologising has never been one of his strengths. | A more emotionally astute PM than Johnson would have apologised profusely from the start. Johnson would have blunted much of what Starmer had to say if he had done this, but apologising has never been one of his strengths. |
| And Johnson ended with a silly soundbite. Jess Phillips (the Labour politician who also crafted the “protecting statues not women” line) has now dismissed that forcefully. (See 12.49pm.) | |
| For the record, this is what the rape review report (pdf) said in its summary about why so few rape complaints reach court. | For the record, this is what the rape review report (pdf) said in its summary about why so few rape complaints reach court. |
| At the end of his exchanges with Sir Keir Starmer, in a familiar, pre-cooked soundbite for TV, Boris Johnson said that while Labour were engaging in “jabber”, the government was delivering jabs. The FT’s Jim Pickard has the full quip here. | At the end of his exchanges with Sir Keir Starmer, in a familiar, pre-cooked soundbite for TV, Boris Johnson said that while Labour were engaging in “jabber”, the government was delivering jabs. The FT’s Jim Pickard has the full quip here. |
| Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence, has condemned Johnson for this remark, accusing him of trivialising sexual violence. She said: | Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence, has condemned Johnson for this remark, accusing him of trivialising sexual violence. She said: |
| Johnson says he does not want to allow his planning reforms to be misrepresented. He says it is intended to extend home ownership, and to allow levelling up. | Johnson says he does not want to allow his planning reforms to be misrepresented. He says it is intended to extend home ownership, and to allow levelling up. |
| And that’s it. PMQs is over. | And that’s it. PMQs is over. |
| Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Lab) asks about the Delta Plus variant, and asks if the PM will support a vaccine intellectual property waiver. The G7’s efforts were negligible, she claims. | Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Lab) asks about the Delta Plus variant, and asks if the PM will support a vaccine intellectual property waiver. The G7’s efforts were negligible, she claims. |
| Johnson says he does not accept Ribeiro-Addy’s point about the G7. And she says the scientists say the current vaccines are effective against all variants. | Johnson says he does not accept Ribeiro-Addy’s point about the G7. And she says the scientists say the current vaccines are effective against all variants. |
| Esther McVey (Con) urges the PM to ditch HS2 and invest in high-speed broadband instead. | Esther McVey (Con) urges the PM to ditch HS2 and invest in high-speed broadband instead. |
| Johnson says the government is rolling out gigabit broadband. But he does not agree with McVey on HS2. | Johnson says the government is rolling out gigabit broadband. But he does not agree with McVey on HS2. |
| Janet Daby (Lab) says yesterday was Windrush day. It was a reminder of the “appalling failure” of the government’s compensation scheme. Does the PM accept this scheme must be handed over to an independent body? | Janet Daby (Lab) says yesterday was Windrush day. It was a reminder of the “appalling failure” of the government’s compensation scheme. Does the PM accept this scheme must be handed over to an independent body? |
| Johnson says he accepts the injustice done, and he renews the apologies already offered. He says he hopes in time the name Windrush will be a positive name, associated with the amazing contribution of that generation. He says he hopes Windrush will be seen as the UK’s Mayflower. | Johnson says he accepts the injustice done, and he renews the apologies already offered. He says he hopes in time the name Windrush will be a positive name, associated with the amazing contribution of that generation. He says he hopes Windrush will be seen as the UK’s Mayflower. |
| Andrew Mitchell (Con) asks the PM if he accepts that there must be a meaningful vote on the decision to cut the aid budget, as the Speaker demanded. | Andrew Mitchell (Con) asks the PM if he accepts that there must be a meaningful vote on the decision to cut the aid budget, as the Speaker demanded. |
| Johnson says there will be an estimates day debate on overseas aid. But he says he does not accept Mitchell’s account of how calamitous the aid cuts will be. | Johnson says there will be an estimates day debate on overseas aid. But he says he does not accept Mitchell’s account of how calamitous the aid cuts will be. |
| Owen Thompson (SNP) asks what the government is planning that requires it to neuter the Electoral Commission. | Owen Thompson (SNP) asks what the government is planning that requires it to neuter the Electoral Commission. |
| Absolutely nothing, Johnson replies. | Absolutely nothing, Johnson replies. |
| James Davies (Con) asks about poor broadband in his constituency. | James Davies (Con) asks about poor broadband in his constituency. |
| Johnson says BT has agreed to extend its service in the area. | Johnson says BT has agreed to extend its service in the area. |
| Philippa Whitford (SNP) says the PM claimed during the referendum there would be no change to the rights of EU citizens after Brexit. Will he extend the deadline for the EU settlement scheme. | Philippa Whitford (SNP) says the PM claimed during the referendum there would be no change to the rights of EU citizens after Brexit. Will he extend the deadline for the EU settlement scheme. |
| Johnson says the scheme has produced 5.6m applications already. He says they were told only 3m EU citizens were living in the UK. | Johnson says the scheme has produced 5.6m applications already. He says they were told only 3m EU citizens were living in the UK. |
| John Nicolson (SNP) condemns the trade deal with Australia, and says he hopes Johnson is coming to Scotland soon, because every visit he makes is “toxic” for the unionist cause. | John Nicolson (SNP) condemns the trade deal with Australia, and says he hopes Johnson is coming to Scotland soon, because every visit he makes is “toxic” for the unionist cause. |
| Johnson says he can’t wait to return to Scotland. And he says Nicolson should have more faith in Scottish farmers. | Johnson says he can’t wait to return to Scotland. And he says Nicolson should have more faith in Scottish farmers. |
| Julie Elliott (Lab) says Amazon was throwing brand new equipment into landfill when parents were searching for laptops to help children learn at home. Will the PM condemn this? | Julie Elliott (Lab) says Amazon was throwing brand new equipment into landfill when parents were searching for laptops to help children learn at home. Will the PM condemn this? |
| Johnson says he was “shocked and amazed” by this. He says all MPs will think this is “bizarre and unacceptable”. He says he is sure Amazon will rectify this. | Johnson says he was “shocked and amazed” by this. He says all MPs will think this is “bizarre and unacceptable”. He says he is sure Amazon will rectify this. |
| Steve Double (Con) says the housing crisis in Cornwall is getting worse. Will the planning reforms help local people buy homes? | Steve Double (Con) says the housing crisis in Cornwall is getting worse. Will the planning reforms help local people buy homes? |
| Johnson says this point has been raised with him repeatedly. He wants to ensure local homes are built for local people. | Johnson says this point has been raised with him repeatedly. He wants to ensure local homes are built for local people. |
| Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says at the Chesham and Amersham byelection he spoke to carers who felt the PM was not interested in them. When will he stop taking working family carers for granted? | Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says at the Chesham and Amersham byelection he spoke to carers who felt the PM was not interested in them. When will he stop taking working family carers for granted? |
| Johnson says he salutes carers. The government has supported carers, and it putting unprecedented sums into social care. But no words could express the value of what carers do. | Johnson says he salutes carers. The government has supported carers, and it putting unprecedented sums into social care. But no words could express the value of what carers do. |
| Mark Pawsey (Con) asks if the PM will support plans for a gigafactory at Coventry airport. | Mark Pawsey (Con) asks if the PM will support plans for a gigafactory at Coventry airport. |
| Johnson says he wants to ensure that Coventry is in the lead for building new electric vehicles. | Johnson says he wants to ensure that Coventry is in the lead for building new electric vehicles. |
| Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks about the Herald story (see 12.04pm) saying Covid funds were used to carry out polling on Scottish independence. Did the government use this fund for political campaigning? | Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks about the Herald story (see 12.04pm) saying Covid funds were used to carry out polling on Scottish independence. Did the government use this fund for political campaigning? |
| Johnson says he is not aware of this contract. | Johnson says he is not aware of this contract. |
| Blackford says Johnson has demonstrated his does not have a clue. The answer is yes. The Tories cannot be trusted, he says. He says these emergency contracts were meant to be used for things like PPE. But this emergency contract was used to research attitudes to the union. He says this was political campaigning. He calls for an inquiry into the misuse of public funds. | Blackford says Johnson has demonstrated his does not have a clue. The answer is yes. The Tories cannot be trusted, he says. He says these emergency contracts were meant to be used for things like PPE. But this emergency contract was used to research attitudes to the union. He says this was political campaigning. He calls for an inquiry into the misuse of public funds. |
| Johnson says he cannot think of a better use of public funds than ensuring the UK fights Covid together. | Johnson says he cannot think of a better use of public funds than ensuring the UK fights Covid together. |
| Starmer seems unimpressed by Johnson’s reply, saying you can always tell when Johnson is on weak ground. He says the justice secretary has apologised. Will Johnson? | Starmer seems unimpressed by Johnson’s reply, saying you can always tell when Johnson is on weak ground. He says the justice secretary has apologised. Will Johnson? |
| Johnson says of course he is sorry for what people have experienced. He says the government is addressing that. The government wants to get the courts moving, and the best way to do that is to get the country moving. He says Labour vacillates, while the government vaccinates. | Johnson says of course he is sorry for what people have experienced. He says the government is addressing that. The government wants to get the courts moving, and the best way to do that is to get the country moving. He says Labour vacillates, while the government vaccinates. |