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UK Covid live: Boris Johnson questioned by MPs from liaison committee UK Covid live: Boris Johnson refuses to accept claim he often misleads parliament
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: prime minister gives evidence to committee on Cop26, Covid and Brexit; Labour leader condemns Johnson’s ‘reckless’ unlocking in England Latest updates: prime minister faces questions from liaison committee; Labour leader condemns Johnson’s ‘reckless’ unlocking in England
Tom Tugendhat (Con), chair of the foreign affairs committee, goes next.
Q: At the G7 you did not get our six closest allies to abandon investment in coal production. How will you get China to do this?
Johnson says the UK has to engage with China.
Q: Why did you not call in the Chinese purchase of Newport Wafer Fab?
Johnson says he has asked the national security adviser to look at this again.
He says they have to judge whether there are real national security implications.
Caroline Nokes (Con), chair of the women and equalities committee, goes next.
Q: Will there be any gender-specific commitments from Cop26.
Johnson says Cop26 will benefit everyone. Tackling climate change will help tackle inequality, and that will help women, he says.
Q: Will the cuts to aid help women?
Johnson says the government has put more money into women’s education.
Clive Betts (Lab), chair of the housing committee, goes next.
Q: Where can we read the government’s plan to get to net zero?
Johnson says he does not accept Betts’ claim there has been minimal progress.
Betts says he was talking about minimal progress in the last few years.
Johnson says decarbonising homes is very difficult. The government is working on this with the market, he says.
But it would be unreasonable for people to be faced with unreasonable costs for something like a heat pump.
Q: Last year just 38,000 heat pumps installed. But by 2033 everyone will need one, or a hydrogen boiler, which does not exist.
Johnson says heat pumps cost about £10,000. He says the government can meet this target. But at the moment the price is to high, he says.
Q: We were shocked to see reports of Amazon destroying unsold computers. What will you do about this?
Johnson says he was shocked by this, although he says Amazon has denied the story as reported.
At the G7 they got an agreement to set a minimum level of tax for companies like Amazon, he says.
Johnson says, when the UK took over running Cop26, only 30% of the world was committed to net zero by 2050. Now it is 70%, he says.
This is from my colleague Peter Walker.
And this is from the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves.
Q: Why do you rarely correct the record when you say wrong things in parliament?
Johnson asks for examples.
Bryant says there are many examples.
Johnson turns to the Brexit £350m claim. He starts defending it.
Bryant asks Johnson if he sacked Matt Hancock.
Johnson carries on defending the £350m figure.
Bryant asks again about Hancock,
On Hancock, Johnson says he read about the Hancock story on the Friday and there was a new health secretary on a Saturday. That was “quite fast going”, he claims.
Bryant says there are four different registers for MPs and ministers to comply with.
And he asks why Johnson has not registered everything in connection with his ministerial flat.
Johnson does not accept that. He says he has registered everything necessary.
Johnson say the government is looking at addressing the loophole that means Rob Roberts, the MP suspended for sexual harassment, is not facing a recall election.
But Johnson does not sound keen to close the loophole. He says it is a matter for parliament. Byrant says the government has to back it. Johnson says he sees no reason why this won’t be addressed, and Bryant takes that as agreement to address the issue.
Chris Bryant (Lab), chair of the standards committee, asks what the PM will do to ensure that miners get the excess in the miners’ pension fund.
Johnson say the trustees have the discretion to be less risk adverse.
Q: But the government has said the miners will not get the money.
Johnson say miners are getting more than they would have done.
Jenkin says the answer is unsatisfactory. He asks the PM to write to the committee about this, and Johnson agrees.
Sir Bernard Jenkin opens the session.Sir Bernard Jenkin opens the session.
He says there will be a few “flying questions” in addition to the three topics agreed. (See 3.26pm)He says there will be a few “flying questions” in addition to the three topics agreed. (See 3.26pm)
Tom Tugendhat (Con), chair of the foreign affairs committee, says the PM will make a statement about the withdrawal from Afghanistan tomorrow.Tom Tugendhat (Con), chair of the foreign affairs committee, says the PM will make a statement about the withdrawal from Afghanistan tomorrow.
Johnson says he is not happy about the situation. It is fraught with risk.Johnson says he is not happy about the situation. It is fraught with risk.
Eventually there will have to be an accommodation with the Taliban.Eventually there will have to be an accommodation with the Taliban.
He says he hopes the blood and treasure spent will not be in vain.He says he hopes the blood and treasure spent will not be in vain.
As for whether there will be an inquiry, Johnson says Tugendhat is ahead of him.As for whether there will be an inquiry, Johnson says Tugendhat is ahead of him.
Q: How will we learn the lessons?Q: How will we learn the lessons?
Johnson says he does not want to anticipate what he will say tomorrow.Johnson says he does not want to anticipate what he will say tomorrow.
Boris Johnson is about to give evidence to the liaison committee, which comprises the chairs of all the Commons select committees. It is regarded as the most senior of all the Commons committees (although it rarely produces reports or recommendations) and it is chaired by Sir Bernard Jenkin.Boris Johnson is about to give evidence to the liaison committee, which comprises the chairs of all the Commons select committees. It is regarded as the most senior of all the Commons committees (although it rarely produces reports or recommendations) and it is chaired by Sir Bernard Jenkin.
The questions will cover Cop26, Covid and Brexit.The questions will cover Cop26, Covid and Brexit.
The preliminary findings from the People’s Covid Inquiry do not seem to be on its website yet, but one of the main recommendations is for the public inquiry into the pandemic to start now. In its news release it says:The preliminary findings from the People’s Covid Inquiry do not seem to be on its website yet, but one of the main recommendations is for the public inquiry into the pandemic to start now. In its news release it says:
Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, told the Commons work and pensions committee this morning that the Government does not have its “head in the sand” over the removal of the universal credit (UC) uplift in autumn.Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, told the Commons work and pensions committee this morning that the Government does not have its “head in the sand” over the removal of the universal credit (UC) uplift in autumn.
As PA Media reports, Coffey said the temporary £20 uplift, introduced to help protect people during the coronavirus pandemic, would start to be “phased out” from late September. She said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be contacting claimants so they are aware that their payments will change and they will be directed to support for things like budgeting.As PA Media reports, Coffey said the temporary £20 uplift, introduced to help protect people during the coronavirus pandemic, would start to be “phased out” from late September. She said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be contacting claimants so they are aware that their payments will change and they will be directed to support for things like budgeting.
The latest edition of the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast is out. Heather Stewart is joined by Sonia Sodha to discuss the government’s announcement that it will remove most of the coronavirus restrictions in England on the 19 July. Plus, after last week’s win at Batley and Spen, Labour feels emboldened. But how does Sir Keir Starmer use this victory to his advantage?The latest edition of the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast is out. Heather Stewart is joined by Sonia Sodha to discuss the government’s announcement that it will remove most of the coronavirus restrictions in England on the 19 July. Plus, after last week’s win at Batley and Spen, Labour feels emboldened. But how does Sir Keir Starmer use this victory to his advantage?
Government advisers are to investigate the effect ending freedom of movement after Brexit is having on the social care sector and its workers, PA Media reports. PA says:Government advisers are to investigate the effect ending freedom of movement after Brexit is having on the social care sector and its workers, PA Media reports. PA says:
In his letter (pdf) to the MAC Foster said:In his letter (pdf) to the MAC Foster said:
On the World at One Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, did provide an answer to the question as to what Labour would do to prevent millions of people being told to isolate over the summer as cases go up. The exchanges at PMQs suggested the party did not have a line on this.On the World at One Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, did provide an answer to the question as to what Labour would do to prevent millions of people being told to isolate over the summer as cases go up. The exchanges at PMQs suggested the party did not have a line on this.
Asked if Labour was in favour of bringing forward from 16 August the date when people who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to isolate if they have had contact with someone testing positive, Ashworth said:Asked if Labour was in favour of bringing forward from 16 August the date when people who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to isolate if they have had contact with someone testing positive, Ashworth said:
Here is the moment at PMQs when the Labour MP Tan Dhesi challenged Boris Johnson over his failure to sack Dominic Cummings last year for breaking lockdown rules. (See 12.48pm.)Here is the moment at PMQs when the Labour MP Tan Dhesi challenged Boris Johnson over his failure to sack Dominic Cummings last year for breaking lockdown rules. (See 12.48pm.)
Johnson did deliver an apology of sorts, saying he apologised for the suffering people have endured. In terms of wording, Johnson did not seem to go beyond the generalised apology he has come out with before, but her perhaps managed to show more contrition than before.Johnson did deliver an apology of sorts, saying he apologised for the suffering people have endured. In terms of wording, Johnson did not seem to go beyond the generalised apology he has come out with before, but her perhaps managed to show more contrition than before.
The government has announced a temporary extension to lorry drivers’ hours amid a shortage of workers. Charlotte Vere, a transport minister, announced the move on Twitter.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, later posted a tweet saying the government would also be looking at other measures to address the shortage.
James Brokenshire has resigned as security minister because his recovery from lung cancer treatment is taking longer than expected, No 10 has announced.
In a resignation letter Brokenshire said that his recovery was “taking longer than anticipated” and that he wanted to stand down from his ministerial role and focus on regaining his health.
In his response, Boris Johnson thanks Brokenshire for his work and said he looked forward to welcoming him back “as soon as possible”.
Brokenshire quit his job as Northern Ireland secretary in January 2018 so that he could get treatment for lung cancer. He returned to government later that year, but in January he had to step back from his role as security minister for treatment for a recurrence of his tumour.
Here is some more on Sir Graham Brady’s re-election as chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee.
From Tom Newton Dunn from Times Radio
From the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy
Sir Graham Brady has been re-elected as chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, after a challenge from Heather Wheeler, who had garnered support from 2019 intake MPs.Supporters of Brady, who has held the role for 11 years, had briefed that Wheeler was the “Number 10 candidate” whom Downing Street hoped would replace Brady, an outspoken critic of lockdown measures who has developed a significant public platform.Wheeler, a former whip and minister who wanted to become the first woman to head the group, had argued Brady does not effectively communicate the breadth of Tory MPs’ frustrations – particularly from the 2019 intake. Her supporters had accused him of being “too presidential”.Brady, who is understood to have won by a significant margin, said:
The 1922 Committee is a powerful body that is the channel for backbenchers to express views to the government, including handling votes of no confidence which Brady oversaw for Theresa May.
Grenfell victims have accused the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea of “seeking to avoid justice” by trying to delay court claims for millions of pounds in compensation and damages until next year.
Lawyers for 87 of the survivors of the fire and people who lived in neighbouring blocks told a high court hearing today to establish how to handle over 1,000 personal injury claims against the council and other corporate entities that the council’s desire to stay proceedings until next spring was extending their suffering.
RBKC told the judge that it wanted proceedings to be stayed until April or May next year to allow for a process of “alternative dispute resolution” to handle nearly the welter of other claims from the bereaved, relatives and survivors as well as 142 firefighters and police officers. It said the handling of these claims would be likely to trigger a supreme court case to reconsider limits on who can receive compensation set in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. In addition the public inquiry into the disaster is unlikely to conclude until at least January 2023.
But Susan Rodway QC, representing 87 residents of the tower and surrounding housing, told Ms Justice Barbara Fontaine, her clients were “desperate” for their cases to be resolved and said: “This has all the flavour or two defendants seeking to avoid justice.” She urged the council and the Kensington and Chelsea Management Tenants Management Organisation to “go ahead and admit your liability” for the disaster in June 2017 which claimed 72 lives.
However, lawyers representing the majority of claimants - who also seek compensation from the cladding manufacturers, builders and architects - backed calls for a delay while attempts to settle claims out of court were continued. The judge said she would stay the case to allow that to happen.
Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady has been re-elected as the powerful chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs after defeating a challenge from a former minister regarded as No 10’s favoured candidate, PA Media reports. PA says:
For an opposition leader, the easiest way to score a hit at PMQs is to scan the newspapers in the morning, identify an issue on which the government is taking a pasting (preferably from papers from the left and from the right, and preferably on an issue on which the government has no straightforward answer), and then hammer away. This was essentially what Sir Keir Starmer did today and it worked.
The key question was the one Starmer asked about the prospect of millions of people being pinged over the summer. How many people would be affected? Boris Johnson would not answer, prompted Starmer to retort: “The question was simply how many people are going to be asked to self-isolate if there are 100,000 infections a day and he won’t answer it.”
But Starmer started with another question, one which journalists have been asking all week. How many deaths, hospitalisations and cases of long Covid are expected following the announcement that almost all restrictions in England will be lifted from 19 July? Again, Johnson refused to give an answer.
Overall Starmer’s approach worked well. His questions were fair and reasonable, and Johnson’s answers were evasive. But it was a qualified win because, as Johnson pointed out accurately, there was an inherent contradiction in Starmer’s line of attack. Johnson told the Labour leader:
It is common to argue that, because it is prime minister’s questions, it is not for the opposition leader to have to say what he would do, and this was a point that Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, made forcefully today. And generally, when the PM resorts to the ‘What would you do?’ backstop, it sounds like a distraction. But most members of the public are less concerned about Commons standing orders than Hoyle, and today it felt as this was an appropriate issue for Johnson to raise.
On lockdown easing generally, Starmer had a perfectly good answer. He said:
But as for what Labour would do about the problems faced by the millions of people likely to be pinged as case numbers go up in the summer, Starmer does not seem to have an answer at all. Johnson would have done better today if he had challenged Starmer more forcefully on this point. And a bit more candour about what the modelling says about hospitalisations and deaths would have helped too, particularly since these figures will come out relatively soon.
One final piece of advice for Johnson; it’s time to bin his PMQs peroration. Today he concluded his final response to Starmer with: “We vaccinate, they vacillate. We inoculate, while they’re invertebrate.” Johnson seemed particularly proud of the final half-rhyme, a new edition to this silly spiel. But it’s a terrible slogan because it involves arcane language and it has clearly been formulated not to make a point but to show off Johnson’s verbal dexterity. One suspects that if someone like Lynton Crosby were in No 10 vetting the PM’s scripts - someone forceful, with the authority to stop him talking nonsense - this joke would have been banned weeks ago.
UPDATE: Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, did subsequently set out Labour’s alternative to the government’s policy on isolation rules on the World at One. See 2.57pm.
Tan Dhesi (Lab) recalls not being allowed to visit his grandmother while she was dying. He says people have had to follow the Covid guidance while “spineless, hypocritical” ministers defended Dominic Cummings when he broke lockdown rules. This was a “disgrace”, he says. He asks if the PM will finally apologise for not having the courage to sack Cummings.
It is a long, angry passionate question. And it prompts a rare display of contrition from Johnson, who of course is famous for not apologising for anything.
Johnson says no one who has not been through what Dhesi describes can imagine what it’s like. He says he takes Dhesi’s criticisms seriously. And he says he apologises for the suffering people of this country have gone through. He says he is “deeply, deeply sorry” about how people were not able to spent time with their loved ones as they were dying.
Matt Western (Lab) asks why the Tory MP Rob Roberts is being allowed to return to the Commons, and not subject to a recall vote. Will the PM allow a vote tomorrow to close the loophole that meant Roberts avoided recall.
Johnson says Roberts’ punishment has come to an end. He says Roberts is no longer a Tory MP.
Caroline Nokes (Con) asks about a diesel spill into the river Test.
Johnson says the Environment Agency is working on this.