Boris Johnson news – live: PM given fresh no-deal Brexit warnings, as No 10 puts ‘full confidence’ in under-pressure minister
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Boris Johnson’s government has been warned that UK drug exports to the EU would slump by more than a fifth if the Brexit transition period ends without a deal. Experts have also warned that a no-deal scenario may have a more severe impact on food supplies than the coronavirus.
It comes as home secretary Priti Patel is set to update MPs on the Reading stabbing attack after visiting the scene of the suspected terror incident. She said the attack was believed to have been “the actions of one lone individual”.
Elsewhere, No 10 said Mr Johnson still has “full confidence” in his communities secretary Robert Jenrick after Tory donor Richard Desmond revealed he showed Mr Jenrick a promo video of his property development before the minister approved the application.
Here are the day's events as they happened:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of events at Westminster and beyond.
PM set to ditch two-metre rule
Boris Johnson is meeting with his most senior ministers today to finalise the next steps for easing the lockdown, before announcing plans for reopening pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers in England from 4 July on Tuesday.
A loosening of the two-metre social distancing rule is also widely expected to be on the cards to help businesses and boost the economy.
The replacement is reportedly set to be branded “one metre plus”. It will mean one metre social distancing guidelines, alongside various “mitigation” measures such as Perspex screens and table service to help the hospitality industry reopen safely from 4 July.
Pubs could require drinkers to leave contact details
Government officials are understood to be looking at a “guest book” measures which would require customers to leave their contact details at pubs and bars so they can be swiftly traced if they contract coronavirus.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday it was possible pubs and restaurants might have to create a register of customers before opening on 4 July, although no final decision has been taken on the potential move.
What else is set to change on 4 July?
According to The Times this morning, Boris Johnson is ready to use the date as an opportunity to allow staycation travel again and an expansion of household “bubbles” allowing millions more grandparents to reunite with the grandkids.
He is expected to make an announcement about the next stage in lockdown easing to parliament on Tuesday.
Liam Fox being lined up as British candidate to lead WTO
Former Tory minister Liam Fox being lined up for a possible return to a big political job as the UK’s candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The former trade secretary was sacked by Boris Johnson last year, but has remained loyal to the prime minister ever since.
His biggest rival for the nomination is thought to be Peter Mandelson, the former Labour cabinet minister and EU trade commissioner, who appears unlikely to get the nod from Downing Street.
Ministers have until July 8 to nominate a candidate and will meet this week to discuss the issue.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has more.
‘Grave risk’ of another Windrush-style scandal, says review author
The Home Office has been warned there is a “grave risk” of something similar to the Windrush scandal happening again if ministers fail to implement the recommendations set out in an independent report.
Wendy Williams, who authored the comprehensive Lessons Learned Review into the scandal, also said the compensation scheme for victims “is not demonstrating the benefits that it should” in a warning to the government.
Monday also marks 72 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948 carrying some 500 people from Jamaica.
‘Great deal of work’ gone into examining two-metre rule, says minister
When asked if the two-metre social distancing rule is going to be reduced, security minister James Brokenshire told BBC’s Breakfast: “There has been a great deal of work that’s been taking place at pace over the last number of days, informed by the science, informed by experience from around the world as well, as to how we can appropriately look at easements and appropriately also reflect on the two-metre rule as well.”
He was later asked for his response after it was reported the R number in Germany had risen over the weekend.
Brokenshire said: “It is concerning to see the situation in Germany and it’s why we are informed in our actions by experience from around the world, why the chief scientific officer, the chief medical officer, speak to their counterparts in different parts of the world to ensure that we are applying the best learning and the best experience in informing our next steps.”
Chancellor should consider emergency VAT cut, says Alistair Darling
An emergency VAT cut should be considered to boost consumer spending as the UK emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, the former chancellor Alistair Darling has said.
The Labour peer urged ministers not to hike taxes and instead said they should utilise favourable conditions for borrowing and invest in capital spending.
Lord Darling made the comments in a report by the Policy Exchange think tank that calls for the prime minister and chancellor to fund new infrastructure projects, even if it means breaking or changing the fiscal rules.
In the foreword, Lord Darling warns that the economy "reels from an even more profound shock" from the coronavirus crisis than in his time as chancellor.
Rishi Sunak is said to be considering slashing VAT. Reports at the weekend suggested the chancellor has ordered Treasury and HMRC officials to prepare options for reducing the sales tax.
Councils in affluent areas could be hit hardest by pandemic
Councils in more affluent areas could face the biggest short-term financial hit as a result of the coronavirus crisis, it has been suggested.
In a report published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), researchers indicate that the locally generated incomes of councils are more likely to be affected than their spending due to the crisis.
They outline that income from local taxes - council tax and business rates - and especially sales, fees, charges and commercial activities will all be hit by the economic effects of lockdown and social distancing.
And with councils in more affluent areas tending to be more dependent on those income streams, they could be harder hit, the report concludes.
An additional £3.2bn of general-purpose funding has been set out by the government for English councils to help support them through the coronavirus crisis, with the IFS estimating that this will increase their budgets by just over 5 per cent on average.
However, researchers suggest that the government should consider relaxing the rules which prevent councils from borrowing to cover day-to-day spending.
End ‘hostile environment’ once and for all, says Sadiq Khan
London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the government to learn from the suffering endured by the Windrush generation and end the “hostile environment” faced by immigrants in the capital.
Ministers should help Londoners by increasing funding to the immigration sector and cutting its “extortionate” fees, Khan said in a statement.
“Many of the Windrush generation and their families are still struggling to access the advice and support they need, and it is clear that too many Londoners are still being failed by an immigration system that is prohibitively expensive and simply not fit for purpose,” he said.
“I’m proud that our funding is helping Londoners of all backgrounds to get the legal advice and support they need, but the Government must end its hostile immigration policies now to ensure these Londoners can secure their future in our city.”
Khan will join community leaders to mark Windrush Day on Monday at a virtual event co-hosted by the Greater London Authority and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
The day marks 72 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bearing some 500 people from Jamaica.
Priti Patel visits scene of Reading stabbing attack
Home secretary Priti Patel has paid a visit to the scene of the Reading stabbing attack this morning, where she is meeting senior police officers involved in the arrest of a terror suspect.
Patel joined at minute’s silence at 10am and laid flowers at Forbury Gardens park. She is expected to hold talks with Thames Valley Police chief constable John Campbell and several other officers.
The home secretary will update MPs on the Reading attack later on Monday. The Commons Leader’s office confirmed she will make a statement in parliament.
Priti Patel at Forbury Gardens park in Reading (Reuters)
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