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Former PM of UK Rishi Sunak - performance watch

Rafts of Cabinet ministers resigning. I sense bad blood in the back benchers! Sunak will need to be on his A game.
 
Rishi Sunak has become the new UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace

In his first speech outside No 10, he says the UK is facing a "profound economic crisis" and that he has been chosen as the new Tory leader to fix some of Liz Truss's mistakes

The prime minister is now starting to shape his cabinet

Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of Boris Johnson's most loyal supporters, has resigned as business secretary while Brandon Lewis has stepped down as justice secretary

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith, Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena, Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland and Tory Party chairman Jake Berry have also left their roles

In a short farewell speech earlier, Liz Truss defended her legacy of trying to push through tax cuts and said leaders needed to be bold

Sunak is the UK's third leader in seven weeks after winning a Tory leadership contest triggered by Truss stepping down

Sunak has ruled out an early general election, despite calls from Labour, the Scottish National Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party
 
Rishi Sunak has warned of "difficult decisions" ahead as his government grapples with a "profound economic crisis", in his first speech as prime minister.

He said he had been elected as Tory leader to "fix" the "mistakes" made by his predecessor, Liz Truss.

Mr Sunak promised to deliver the manifesto that won the Conservatives a landslide election victory in 2019.

His speech outside No 10 came after he was appointed PM by King Charles.

The UK's first British Asian prime minister, Mr Sunak is announcing his cabinet this afternoon, after telling Tory MPs to unify or face electoral oblivion.

A large majority of those MPs backed him for the leadership and when his only remaining rival Penny Mordaunt withdrew, there was no need for a ballot of Tory members.

Following Mr Sunak's speech, opposition parties repeated their demand for an immediate general election and argued Mr Sunak had no mandate from the public.

Mr Sunak's effective coronation as Tory leader on Monday spelled the end of Ms Truss's turbulent premiership, just 49 days after she took office.

Ms Truss became prime minister after defeating Mr Sunak in a ballot of Tory members during the summer, winning over members with her tax-cutting economic agenda.

But her government was destabilised by political and economic turmoil, exacerbated by her mini-budget, whose package of unfunded tax cuts has mostly been ditched.

In her farewell speech, Ms Truss defended her economic policies and said her time as prime minister convinced her of the need to be "bold".

In his own speech, Mr Sunak paid tribute to his predecessors Boris Johnson and Ms Truss, saying she "was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country - it is a noble aim".

"But some mistake were made," Mr Sunak said. "Not born of ill will or bad intentions, quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes nonetheless.

"I have been elected as leader of the party and as prime minister in part to fix them. And that work begins immediately."

Mr Sunak - who was chancellor until July this year - said he would place "economic componence and stability at the heart of this government's agenda", warning that "will mean difficult decisions to come".

He gave no details about what those decisions were, but how to fund support for energy bills, and bring down government debt, are likely to be among them.

Mr Sunak is expected to cut public spending to plug an estimated £40bn hole in the public finances.

The economic challenges ahead for Mr Sunak loomed large in his speech, which he delivered in a solemn tone, outside his new residence at Downing Street.

He appeared on his own without his wife, Akshata Murty, and two daughters beside him.

He reminded the public of his decisions when he was chancellor during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme to help employers pay their staff.

While "there are always limits", Mr Sunak said, "I promise you this: I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today."

Other than a brief, television statement on Monday evening, this was the first the public will have heard from Mr Sunak since he was elected Tory leader.

The 42-year-old former hedge fund boss, who has only been an MP for seven years, enters office at a time when his party is cratering in the polls.

As the party searched for its third leader this year, Mr Sunak's former boss - Mr Johnson - insisted he was the only person who could unite the Conservatives and win the next election.

Mr Johnson, who only resigned as prime minister in September, ultimately withdrew from the Tory leadership contest, admitting it was not the "right time" for a comeback.

Mr Sunak reflected on Mr Johnson's "incredible achievements" in his speech, but downplayed his sole ownership of the party's 2019 election victory.

The prime minister said "the mandate my party earned in 2019 is not the sole property of any one individual - it is a mandate that belongs to and unites all of us".

"And the heart of that mandate is our manifesto," he said. "I will deliver on its promise."

If Mr Sunak moves too far away from his party's 2019 manifesto - which promised to "level up" the country - calls for an early general election may grow louder.

The next one is not due until 2024 and Mr Sunak is under no obligation to hold one under the UK's parliamentary system.

But Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said the country needed "a fresh start" after "12 years of Conservative failure", which Mr Sunak had been part of.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Sunak's refusal to call a general election showed his party "does not trust the British people", who "will be rightly furious that they have been denied a say".

BBC
 
KingKhanWC said:
Come bro, you are smart enough to understand these are all puppets of elites more accurately he is on the world economic forum. The people who say you will own nothing and be happy. Rishi will own a lot but he will send the Brits further down the gutter.

They say Lizzard Truss failed in her economic plans ,this is rubbish . Her economic plan was genius. Work as PM for a few weeks but will get paid £110k a year for the rest of her miserable life.
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Yes Rishi seems to lack the common touch as seen by two infamous PR stunts. He didn't know the price of bread, and when trying to pay via contactless - instead of tapping his card on the machine, he put his card up to the barcode scanner.
 
Also he has questions regarding the non-dom tax status.

You cannot be putting up taxes when your family ain't paying your own.
 
Alok Sharma removed from cabinet but continues with his role.

He had a reasonably important job and I find it out how he has been removed.

Is there a limit to how many people can be in the cabinet?
 
From signs like Indians and dogs not allowed in elite white only clubs during the British Raj to an Indian origin Pm of Britain, this is a proud moment for all South- Asian people.
 
Manunited18 said:
Rafts of Cabinet ministers resigning. I sense bad blood in the back benchers! Sunak will need to be on his A game.
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The divisions and rebellion are set.

Boris has 40 MPs on his side, and that wipes the 70+ margin the Tory party has.

Meaning, Rishi is not passing any bills with any degree of ease or hardship, he will be shut out by a faction of his own party.
 
Austerity, inflation , public spending cuts , job losses , increased cheap labour immigration and public tax increases to pay of the debt that's what's gonna happen.
 
mazkhan said:
Austerity, inflation , public spending cuts , job losses , increased cheap labour immigration and public tax increases to pay of the debt that's what's gonna happen.
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Yet the ukraine Russia war will continue to be funded!
 
Markhor said:
Also he has questions regarding the non-dom tax status.

You cannot be putting up taxes when your family ain't paying your own.
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AFAIK, his wife aint doing anything illegal. If she can prove that she is non-dom in Britain, how can anybody question her legal choices? Its her dad’s money & her choice to be an Indian citizen & Rishi shouldnt be raked to coals over it.
 
dildilpak said:
AFAIK, his wife aint doing anything illegal. If she can prove that she is non-dom in Britain, how can anybody question her legal choices? Its her dad’s money & her choice to be an Indian citizen & Rishi shouldnt be raked to coals over it.
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I said that Akshata Murthy had the right to no pay taxes in UK as per the law and the agreement between UK and India.

But with Rishi now PM, it will reflect poorly if his wife continues to hold foreign citizenship.
 
cricketjoshila said:
I said that Akshata Murthy had the right to no pay taxes in UK as per the law and the agreement between UK and India.

But with Rishi now PM, it will reflect poorly if his wife continues to hold foreign citizenship.
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True that, it will be hard for Ms. Murty to represent Britain as the PM’s wife in official ceremonies.. But thats for his wife to decide, you cannot question somebody why they dont give up their country of birth.
 
Surprised he never got rid of Therese Coffee.

Looks like he has gathered together some of the boys club too.

Cruella is also back.
 
The world should realise one fact, Rishi Sunak was NOT voted into power by the public/electorate but installed by Tory MPs.
 
Great Daily Show clip on Rishi Sunak becoming PM. Keep an eye out for the LBC caller!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meet Rishi Sunak, Britain's new PM who is only 42, meaning he'll probably serve well into his 42-and-a-halves <a href="https://t.co/I7fP8Ohi0j">pic.twitter.com/I7fP8Ohi0j</a></p>— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow/status/1584878439944921088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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dildilpak said:
True that, it will be hard for Ms. Murty to represent Britain as the PM’s wife in official ceremonies.. But thats for his wife to decide, you cannot question somebody why they dont give up their country of birth.
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Well, then she must distance herself from 10 downing then. If you are going to take priviledges of being the wife of a UK PM, start acting like one.

It will be easier for Sunak if she stays away from his office and residence till he is PM.
 
Rishi Sunak has stood by his decision to re-appoint Suella Braverman as home secretary, despite calls for an investigation into security breaches she committed.

Ms Braverman resigned from the role seven days ago, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email, and left with scathing remarks about Liz Truss's government.

But she was hired back by the new prime minister yesterday as he chose a number of familiar faces to make up his cabinet.

Politics live updates: Sunak under pressure over Braverman appointment

Asked by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at his first Prime Minister's Questions whether it was right the home secretary quit last week, Mr Sunak said he accepted she had "made an error of judgement".

But the prime minister added: "[Ms Braverman] recognised that she raised the matter and she accepted her mistake.

"And that's why I was delighted to welcome her back into a united cabinet that brings experience and stability to the heart of government."

Sir Keir pushed the PM on the issue, accusing him of doing "a grubby deal" with the home secretary to secure her support in the latest Tory leadership race.

And he asked whether officials had raised concerns about bringing Mrs Braverman back, saying: "I ran the Crown Prosecution Service for five years. I worked with home secretaries to take on terrorists and serious organised crime.

"And I know first-hand how important it is that we have a home secretary who's integrity and professionalism is beyond question."

But Mr Sunak did not answer, instead calling on the opposition leader to celebrate the increase in police officers tackling burglaries, rather than "backing the lunatic protesting fringe".

SKY
 
Just watched Rishi’s first ever PMQ.

He was ok, usual stock answers, but was grilled on tax domicile, his wealth, reappointment of HS, and disconnect with the working class.

Of only the questions were not fed before hand (usual practice), then PMQ would be far more interesting, opposed to being staged.
 
MenInG said:
Rishi Sunak has stood by his decision to re-appoint Suella Braverman as home secretary, despite calls for an investigation into security breaches she committed.

Ms Braverman resigned from the role seven days ago, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email, and left with scathing remarks about Liz Truss's government.

But she was hired back by the new prime minister yesterday as he chose a number of familiar faces to make up his cabinet.

Politics live updates: Sunak under pressure over Braverman appointment

Asked by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at his first Prime Minister's Questions whether it was right the home secretary quit last week, Mr Sunak said he accepted she had "made an error of judgement".

But the prime minister added: "[Ms Braverman] recognised that she raised the matter and she accepted her mistake.

"And that's why I was delighted to welcome her back into a united cabinet that brings experience and stability to the heart of government."

Sir Keir pushed the PM on the issue, accusing him of doing "a grubby deal" with the home secretary to secure her support in the latest Tory leadership race.

And he asked whether officials had raised concerns about bringing Mrs Braverman back, saying: "I ran the Crown Prosecution Service for five years. I worked with home secretaries to take on terrorists and serious organised crime.

"And I know first-hand how important it is that we have a home secretary who's integrity and professionalism is beyond question."

But Mr Sunak did not answer, instead calling on the opposition leader to celebrate the increase in police officers tackling burglaries, rather than "backing the lunatic protesting fringe".

SKY
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Why on earth would he bring her back to give the opposition so much ammunition, maybe solidarity with his brethren, Priti Patel could be back if not already
 
shaz619 said:
Why on earth would he bring her back to give the opposition so much ammunition, maybe solidarity with his brethren, Priti Patel could be back if not already
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She is very popular with Tory voters. It was his way of keeping that side of the party happy.
 
Shariq7 said:
Conservation of elite rule, for one. Although it may be different in the U.K. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with U.K. politics.
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This.

The conservative puts his trust in establishment structures which protect his networks and his power and influence. He is also good at scaring those outside his power structure that some Other (Muslims, immigrants, the Woke) are taking something away from them. Which is why the British middle class and much of the working class votes Tory.

The socialist is a radical who seeks to redistribute the income from the wealthy to the poor.

Whereas the liberal is a radical who seeks to pull down any conservative structure which disempowers ordinary folk, and give them equality of opportunity to all.
 
The moratorium on fracking in England has been restored by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Downing Street confirmed Mr Sunak was committed to the ban on fracking in England set out in his party's 2019 manifesto.

His predecessor Liz Truss lifted the ban, saying fracking could take place where there was local consent.

But this provoked a backlash from many Conservative MPs because of concerns about earth tremors linked to fracking.

The controversial process, which involves drilling into the earth to recover gas from shale rock, was halted in 2019 following opposition from environmental groups and local communities.

Labour and other opposition parties are also against the return of fracking.

Mr Sunak was asked about the issue during his first Prime Minister's Questions earlier.

Green MP Caroline Lucas asked if the new PM would restore the moratorium on fracking pledged in the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto.

He replied: "I have already said I stand by the manifesto on that."

The Tories' general election manifesto said the party would not support fracking unless the science showed "categorically" that it could be carried out safely.

The PM's official spokesman later confirmed Mr Sunak was committed to this promise.

Mr Sunak has previously expressed support for fracking. Just a week ago he voted against a Labour motion to ban the practice.

Asked during a Tory leadership debate with Ms Truss in July whether he would support fracking, he replied: "Yes, if local communities support it."

Labour's shadow climate and net zero secretary Ed Miliband said: "Whatever their latest position, the truth is that the Tories have shown that they cannot be trusted on the issue of fracking. The only way to guarantee that fracking will be banned for good is to elect a Labour government."

The move was welcomed by environmental groups, with Friends of the Earth campaigner Danny Gross describing it as a "fantastic victory for common sense".

Sam Hall, director of the Conservative Environment Network, said: "[Fracking] is unpopular, and few communities would approve fracking projects locally, meaning little or no gas would be extracted, despite the high political cost.

"Instead, the government should focus on building more cheap and popular renewables, including onshore wind and solar where there is local support."
 
One MP who backed Mrs Braverman’s summer leadership bid said: “The attacks on Suella are evidence of the fact that she stands for a position that the Left can’t tolerate but which they can’t oppose directly either because they know that the voters they need to win are on her side.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politic...d-publicity-suella-braverman-new-queen-right/

Economy and Immigration are on the top of the list of concerns for Brits.
 
Sunak is a clever guy, he is gradually moving through Labour’s own policy platform line by line and dripping it back into the Conservative Party to remove Starmer’s appeal.
 
Sunak is considering abolishing the triple pension lock. If he does, he will lose the pensioner vote.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Sunak is considering abolishing the triple pension lock. If he does, he will lose the pensioner vote.
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ishi Sunak, the new British prime minister, has toned down his zeal for the speedy axing of EU legislation, amid warnings that such an exercise could tie up hundreds of civil servants at a time of national crisis.

Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak
© Provided by The Financial Times
Sunak promised in August, during his first bid for the Conservative leadership, that he would create a new “Brexit delivery unit”, a pledge illustrated by a video of an official shredding EU laws to the strains of “Ode to Joy”, the European anthem.

But Sunak’s aides admitted on Wednesday that the new unit would not be created. “The time for changes in the machinery of government has passed,” said one ally.

The video also stated that: “In his first 100 days as prime minister, Rishi Sunak will review or repeal post-Brexit EU laws. All 2,400 of them.” That target will also not be met, government officials confirmed.

Meanwhile Sunak has not named a dedicated “Brexit opportunities minister”, a title handed by Boris Johnson to Jacob Rees-Mogg, who took the title with him when he became business secretary under Liz Truss.

Rees-Mogg was sacked by Sunak and Downing Street said the job of overseeing Brexit opportunities would now be given to another minister in the business department, but it would not be a “standalone” job.

Meanwhile, Sunak is also said by government officials to be considering whether to press ahead with a 2023 “sunset clause” for EU regulation, the centrepiece of a bill passing through parliament.

Ministers have been warned that hundreds of civil servants would have to be deployed to assess all 2,400 pieces of retained EU law and to decide whether they should be repealed or transferred into UK legislation.

Rees-Mogg was warned that his business department alone would need to deploy 400 staff to review or repeal the 300 pieces of EU law for which it was responsible.

The Department of Health estimated it would need 100 staff to carry out the same exercise, according to officials briefed on the process.

Although some ministers believe the civil service has exaggerated the scale of the task, one said: “What a waste.”

Government officials said Sunak and Grant Shapps, the new business secretary, had yet to decide whether to stick to the 2023 deadline, or push it back. “As it stands, it’s 2023,” Number 10 said. “It’s too early to say.”

The Retained EU Law Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday, does contain “a power of extension” that could allow the deadline to be pushed back to 2026, if necessary.

Rees-Mogg believed that some ministers would drag their feet, according to his allies, but that others such as Steve Barclay, the new health secretary, would accelerate work and repeal unwanted EU laws.

Speaking in Tuesday’s debate, Tory MP Richard Graham expressed “severe doubts” about the practicality of the exercise, in answer to which Rees-Mogg claimed that Graham had “never liked the decision to leave the European Union”.

Ahead of the second reading, a coalition of bodies including the Trades Union Congress, the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts urged Sunak to kill the legislation outright.

In a joint statement they said: “We are concerned that if passed into law, it could cause significant confusion and disruption for businesses, working people and those seeking to protect the natural environment.”

One senior MP from the pro-Brexit European Research Group said Sunak had assured the group that he was committed to the Retained EU Law Bill and also to legislation to overturn the Northern Ireland protocol, part of Johnson’s Brexit deal.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...sedgntp&cvid=5aec2822d067438a987f270a72716c6d
 
<b>Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has chosen ITV News journalist Amber de Botton as his new director of communications.</b>

She will leave the broadcaster, where she is head of UK news, to run Downing Street's media operation.

Downing Street confirmed the hire after ITV's political editor Robert Peston revealed his colleague would be joining the prime minister's team.

It comes as removal vans were spotted in Downing Street on Saturday as Mr Sunak and his family moved into No 10.

The prime minister, along with his wife and two daughters, previously lived in the flat above No 10 when he was chancellor under Boris Johnson.

Ms De Botton was previously head of politics at ITV and deputy head of politics at Sky News, after starting her career as a parliamentary reporter.

She will be a special advisor, responsible for selling the merits of the government.

Mr Peston tweeted that she is "a brilliant news editor and journalist" and "leaves a huge hole at ITV News".

The new prime minister has previously poached journalists from ITV.

In 2020, the then-chancellor appointed the broadcaster's national editor Allegra Stratton as his director of strategic communications, before she was picked by Mr Johnson to lead No 10's daily televised press briefings.

Ms Stratton later resigned after ITV published a video laughing at how to describe a Downing Street staff party held during a period of pandemic restrictions.

Salaries for the role can vary.

Ex-BBC correspondent Guto Harri, Downing Street director of communications under Boris Johnson in 2022, received £140,000 to £144,999 annually for the role.

While Adam Jones, Liz Truss's director of communications, was on a £80,000 to £84,999 salary during her short time in office as prime minister, figures showed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63440024
 
Suella Braverman email could throw fresh doubt over security breach claims

An email sent from Suella Braverman's personal account on the day she had to resign over a security breach could throw fresh doubt over her claims about the speed with which she took action.

The email, seen by the BBC, told the recipient of a highly sensitive message that Ms Braverman had sent in error to "delete and ignore" it.

She has said she reported the mistake "rapidly" to officials.

But the BBC understands it took hours for her to respond.

Ms Braverman quit as home secretary 10 days ago because she had breached security rules relating to email use. She was then reappointed by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Her reappointment has drawn criticism, with calls for an inquiry and Labour demanding Mr Sunak "comes clean" and releases assessments of the security breach.

In her defence, the home secretary said "as soon as I realised my mistake I rapidly reported this on official channels". She said she reported it to the cabinet secretary - the head of the civil service.

But the BBC understands she sent the original email from her personal Gmail account to the wrong person, a member of parliamentary staff, at 7:25 BST on 19 October.

The document was a draft written ministerial statement related to immigration visas containing highly sensitive information about government policy.

At 8:30 the recipient sent her a message saying that it had been sent in error.

At 10:02 a message was then sent from the home secretary's personal Gmail account saying: "Please can you delete the message and ignore".

It is understood the chief whip at the time, Wendy Morton, was told what had happened around half an hour later by the office that had received the message in error. Ms Morton then urgently tried to track down the home secretary to discuss the issue, it is understood.

One source told the BBC there was no evidence that Ms Braverman had raised the incident herself before she was confronted with the mistake later that afternoon, and subsequently had to resign.

But a source close to Ms Braverman said around 12:00, she instructed officials to raise the breach with the cabinet secretary. That is still more than four hours after her original email that broke the rules and two hours after she had asked the recipient to "delete and ignore".

"The home secretary has been clear that once she realised she'd made this error of judgment she proactively reported it on official channels.

"These events need to be seen in the context of a very packed schedule. She recognises she made a mistake, apologised and offered her resignation to the PM," the source said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63444573
 
Some awful things being said about Rishi and his religious belief online by the racists. Rishi with his Pakistani roots is one of us as well. I have a feeling that he won't be PM for long.
 
PakLFC said:
Some awful things being said about Rishi and his religious belief online by the racists. Rishi with his Pakistani roots is one of us as well. I have a feeling that he won't be PM for long.
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He will be PM for a couple of years at least I think. He’s got a thick skin.
 
As new PM Rishi Sunak begins his first full week in office, pressure is already mounting on him over his Home Secretary's handling of the growing migrant issue - and over his own snub of the upcoming climate summit.

It emerged on Monday that more than 110 refugee charities have signed an open, and pointed, letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman, calling for a "kind and effective system" for those seeking asylum in the UK.

Almost 1,000 migrants arrived in Dover on Saturday, and just a day later, a man hurled three homemade bombs from his car window at the Border Force centre where they were being processed.

The suspect then took his own life following the incident, Reuters news agency said.

At a fringe event during the Conservative Party conference earlier this month, Ms Braverman had said her "dream" and "obsession" would be seeing a plane taking off to Rwanda with migrants.

She has also said the only way for refugees to get into the UK is through a "safe and legal route".

The letter read: "Home Secretary, when you talk of 'safe and legal routes', you must be aware that it is impossible to ask refugees to come exclusively through such a path when even Afghan interpreters who are eligible for one of our few existing schemes remain in hiding from the Taliban.

"When you talk of 'illegal migrants', you must be aware that the top nationalities of people making dangerous journeys include Afghanistan, Eritrea and Syria, and that at least 97% of asylum claims made by people from these countries are successful."

Sonya Sceats, chief executive of Freedom from Torture, said: "Every day in our therapy rooms, torture survivors tell us about the hardship that 12 years of anti-refugee policies have caused them.

"Suella Braverman's policy proposals promise to intensify their cruelty."

Six days after she was forced out for sending a sensitive document to a Tory backbencher and parliamentary staffer from a personal account without permission, wider questions about Ms Braverman's return to the Home Office, continue to dog the Prime Minister.

Read more:
Explainer: Why is Suella Braverman's reappointment so controversial?
Suella Braverman is 'first-rate politician,' colleague says

The government is also facing demands for a probe into another security issue, amid reports former PM Liz Truss's phone was hacked by Russian agents.

Meanwhile, there is growing disquiet with Mr Sunak, from within his own party, about his decision not to attend the United Nations climate conference in Egypt next week.

Mr Sunak's earlier insistence he must focus on the "depressing domestic challenges" rather than go to the summit sparked a backlash in the Tory ranks.

The government's climate tsar Alok Sharma said he was "disappointed" by the move, while Tory former chancellor George Osborne asked why Mr Sunak would "trash" the party's record on the environment.

Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, urged people to judge the government "by our actions" on the environment rather than COP27 attendance.

But then reports appeared in Monday's papers the PM might, in fact, be U-turning on the decision and go to the conference after all.

Of the migrant issue, a Home Office spokesperson said the UK had a "proud history" of providing protection "for those who genuinely need it".

They added: "The public rightly expects us to control immigration, at a time when the number of people arriving in the UK via small boats has reached record levels, placing pressure on the asylum system and stretching our capacity to support those in need.

"We are using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration, disrupt the business model of people smugglers and relocate to Rwanda, those with no right to be in the UK."

Downing Street has also been contacted for comment.

SKY
 
Rishi Sunak to review leadership campaign pledges

Rishi Sunak will review the pledges he made during his summer Tory leadership campaign, No 10 has said.

The prime minister will examine "whether now is the right time to bring them forward," his spokeswoman said.

Mr Sunak lost to Liz Truss in a ballot of Tory members - but was selected to replace her by Tory MPs when her premiership fell apart.

He announced dozens of policies during his summer campaign, including tax cuts.

But his spokeswoman said the economic "context" had changed since the promises were made.

"We need to take some time to make sure what is deliverable and what is possible," she added.

Unlike his summer campaign, Mr Sunak did not make any policy pledges during the four-day contest to replace Ms Truss as prime minister last month.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63488785
 
Rishi Sunak is facing growing questions over his judgement after reports a minister he appointed to the cabinet last week is embroiled in allegations of misconduct.

Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner called for an “urgent” investigation.

The allegations, against cabinet minister Gavin Williamson, were reported by the media organisation Tortoise.

Ms Rayner said: "These new revelations raise fresh questions about Rishi Sunak’s woeful judgment in resurrecting ministers who left government under a cloud of misconduct.

“Gavin Williamson was sacked from cabinet twice, yet despite risking national security he has now been put at the heart of the government’s corporate headquarters.

"Given his new role and the seriousness of these allegations, there must be an urgent and independent investigation.

"Far from restoring integrity, professionalism, and accountability, Rishi Sunak is failing to stop the rot. He promised that appointing an independent ethics adviser would be one of the first things he would do as Prime Minister, but instead he has given us more of the same old sleaze."

Mr Williamson left Theresa May’s government amid claims of a security breach. A Conservative Party spokesperson said the party had “a robust complaints process in place”.

A friend of Williamson also told Tortoise “strongly refutes these allegations” and is “very happy to share all communications with the former chief whip with CCHQ if needed”.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...sedgntp&cvid=c3509804cf454bab92f7c83cb01a962b
 
Ed Miliband has called for an "urgent independent investigation" into the reappointment of Sir Gavin Williamson who faces bullying allegations.

The new Cabinet Office minister allegedly sent abusive text messages to ex-chief whip Wendy Morton complaining that he and other colleagues had been excluded from the Queen's funeral for political reasons.
 
<b>Dominic Raab is facing an investigation into his behaviour after two formal complaints were made against him.</b>

The deputy PM has been accused of bullying officials when he held previous government roles, in a string of media reports over the past week.

He denied the allegations but when formal complaints were lodged earlier on Wednesday, he asked Rishi Sunak to launch an inquiry into his own conduct.

He said he would "thoroughly rebut and refute" the claims against him.

In a letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Raab said the complaints related to his time as justice secretary and foreign secretary under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He added he had "never tolerated bullying" and had "always sought to reinforce and empower" civil servants.

Mr Raab's letter came ahead of Prime Minister's Questions, where he stood in for Mr Sunak - who is at the G20 summit in Indonesia.

Mr Raab told MPs he understood the complaints against him were made on Tuesday, and he was notified on Wednesday morning.

He added he was "confident that I have behaved professionally throughout".

"I will thoroughly rebut and refute any of the claims that have been made," he added.

Mr Sunak told reporters on Tuesday morning UK time he was unaware of any formal complaints against his deputy PM.

In a letter replying to Mr Raab, Mr Sunak said: "I know that you will be keen to address the complaints made against you and agree that proceeding in this way is the right course of action."

Downing Street said work had begun to find an independent investigator, adding that the person appointed would come from outside government and would not be a serving civil servant.

The spokesperson also said the prime minister would remain the "ultimate arbiter" of the ministerial code, and the investigator will pass their findings to him.

Such a probe would normally fall within the remit of the PM's adviser on ministerial conduct.

However, that position has been vacant since the previous occupant Lord Geidt quit in June after conceding Mr Johnson may have broken ministerial rules over Partygate.

Asked by Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner at PMQs when a replacement would be appointed, Mr Raab replied a recruitment process was under way and "taking place at pace".

Ms Rayner criticised the absent prime minister for the lack of a replacement so far, saying it showed "no ethics, no integrity".

She added that Mr Raab "had to demand an investigation into himself because the prime minister is too weak to get a grip".

Mr Raab was sacked as justice secretary and deputy prime minister by former PM Liz Truss when she took power in September.

But the Esher and Walton MP was reappointed to both roles by Mr Sunak following his election as Conservative leader by the party's MPs.

On Tuesday, the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office said colleagues were "scared" to go into Mr Raab's office when he was foreign secretary.

Lord McDonald told Times Radio Mr Raab was "very curt with people" and "people felt demeaned."

The peer said he "had several conversations" with Mr Raab about his behaviour, but was not aware of any formal complaints about it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63647341
 
<b>Rishi Sunak has said the "golden era" between the UK and China is over as he called for a new approach to the Chinese government.</b>


The prime minister, speaking at the Lord Mayor's Banquet at London's Guildhall, criticised China's human rights abuses but said the UK "cannot simply ignore China's significance in world affairs".

Mr Sunak was criticised during this summer's leadership campaign for being soft on China but he used his speech on Monday to show he will not stand for its actions, saying things are not black and white when it comes to China.

"We also need to evolve our approach to China," he said, as he laid out his stance on foreign policy.

"Let's be clear, the so-called 'golden era' is over, along with the naïve idea that trade would lead to social and political reform.

"But nor should we rely on simplistic Cold War rhetoric.

"We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests, a challenge that grows more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism."

In 2015, then chancellor George Osborne echoed the Chinese ambassador's claims that China and the UK were in a "golden era" of bilateral relations, but by 2020 relations had somewhat soured under Boris Johnson's government.

Mr Sunak acknowledged the current protests against COVID lockdowns in China - a rare sight in a country where demonstrations are not a common sight, and have not been since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

He said, instead of listening to people's concerns, the Chinese government "has chosen to crack down further" as he mentioned the arrest and beating of a BBC journalist this weekend.

Mr Sunak was set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Indonesia during the G20 summit earlier this month but the meeting was cancelled after NATO members had to hold an emergency meeting after a Polish village near the Ukrainian border was bombed.

The PM hit out at China's lack of freedom of expression as he said both the media and British MPs must be able to report on human rights abuses, such as those in Xinjiang and Hong Kong "without sanction".

But, he said there is no way the UK can "simply ignore China's significance in world affairs - to global stability or issues like climate change".

He added that the US, Canada, Australia, Japan "and many others understand this too" as he said together they can "manage this sharpening competition, including with diplomacy and engagement".

"Much of this is about dramatically improving our resilience, particularly our economic security," he said.

The PM listed actions the UK government has taken to stop China from limiting China's influence in the UK, including new powers under the National Security and Investment Act.

He also mentioned the government blocking the £63m sale of semiconductor manufacturer Newport Wafer Fab to Chinese-owned Nexperia two weeks ago and the removal of Huawei's 5G network from the UK.

Mr Sunak also spoke of the UK being a country "that stands up for our values, that defends democracy by actions not just words" but as the world evolves "so does our application of those values".

He said the UK's "adversaries and competitors plan for the long-term" as he mentioned Russia and China and said the UK will "make an evolutionary leap in our approach".

The PM said the UK will increase the "quality and depth" of partnerships with like-minded countries around the world and said more details will come next year, including how the UK will work with "friends in the Commonwealth, the US, the Gulf states, Israel and others".

And just hours after meeting Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska in Downing Street, he said there should be no doubt the UK "will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes".

Mr Sunak concluded his speech by saying: "Under my leadership we won't choose the status quo. We will do things differently.

"We will evolve, anchored always by our enduring belief in freedom, openness and the rule of law and confident that in this moment of challenge and competition our interests will be protected and our values will prevail."


Sky News
 
Rishi Sunak has said the so-called "golden era" of relations with China is over, as he vowed to "evolve" the UK's stance towards the country.

In his first foreign policy speech, the PM said the closer economic ties of the previous decade had been "naïve".

He said the UK now needed to replace wishful thinking with "robust pragmatism" towards competitors.

But he warned against "Cold War rhetoric", adding that China's global significance could not be ignored.

Mr Sunak has faced pressure from Tory backbenchers to toughen the UK's stance on China since he took over as Tory leader and UK prime minister last month.

The speech, to the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London, comes after protests in China over the weekend against the country's strict Covid lockdown laws.

Police have made several arrests, and a BBC journalist was detained while covering a protest in Shanghai on Sunday. He was beaten and kicked by the police during his arrest, and held for several hours before being released.

Mr Sunak told the audience of business leaders and foreign policy experts that, in the face of the protests, China had "chosen to crack down further, including by assaulting a BBC journalist".

"We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests, a challenge that grows more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism," he said.

BBC
 
MenInG said:
Rishi Sunak has said the so-called "golden era" of relations with China is over, as he vowed to "evolve" the UK's stance towards the country.

In his first foreign policy speech, the PM said the closer economic ties of the previous decade had been "naïve".
Click to expand...

Big talk but I he knows, we all know China will soon be the largest economy in the world and it'll be in our interests to maintain trade with them. The rest of the world is already making more and more trade deals with the Chinese it would be stupid bordering on insanity for the UK not to do the same.

That said, this is all talk when push comes to shove cheaper Chinese services and goods will be preferred..
 
bones said:
Big talk but I he knows, we all know China will soon be the largest economy in the world and it'll be in our interests to maintain trade with them. The ..
Click to expand...

They will not, all signs point to the chinese slowdown continuing. Almost all major companies are diversifying from China plus their largest sector ie. housing construction is battling the massive debt bubble. No doubt it still has a massive domestic market, but it cannot sustain current capacities.

Albeit I agree with the fact that UK must maintain strong trading relations with the world's second largest economy. More importantly leverage it to attract more chinese investments, FDIs are severely lacking in the UK.
 
<b>Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said whenever we see racism "we must confront it" following the race row engulfing Buckingham Palace.</b>

A black domestic abuse campaigner from London said she was repeatedly asked where she "really came from" by Prince William's godmother during a reception at the palace this week.

Although he refused to comment directly on the incident or anything to do with the monarchy, Mr Sunak said he has experienced racism but does not think what he experienced as a child would happen today - however, there is still work to be done.

"Our country's made incredible progress in tackling racism," he said.

"But the job is never done. And that's why whenever we see it, we must confront it.

"And it's right that we continually learn the lessons and move to a better future."

Lady Susan Hussey, who was the Queen's lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years, resigned from her role in the royal household and apologised over the incident during an event held on Tuesday by the Queen Consort.

Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of charity Sistah Space, said Lady Hussey moved her hair to see her name badge and asked her "what part of Africa" she was from after she told her several times she was British.

The charity boss earlier today told Sky News she felt abused, verbally attacked and "trapped" when Lady Hussey kept asking her where she was "really from".

Ms Fulani described the exchange with Lady Hussey, who was made a lady of the household after the Queen's death, as a "violation" and said it was abuse when she moved her hair.

"I was not giving the answer that she wanted me to give. And so we could not move on," Ms Fulani told Sky News.

"And it was when she said 'I knew you'd get there in the end' - that proved to me, you were determined to prove that I had no right to British citizenship.

"Now, that reminds me of the Windrush conversation, where 50 or 60 years on people who were born here, worked here or you know, have given so much, can just be thrown out.

"Now, abuse doesn't have to be physical. But if you move my hair without permission, to me, that's abuse.

"When you verbally attack, because that to me is what it is - you are determined that the answer that I gave you is not one you want to hear, you do not recognise me as British.

"And until I acknowledge that I'm not, you're not going to stop. What do I do? What do I do at that point? So I become silent. And I hoped she would go away and she eventually did."

Prince William, who is on a three-day US visit with his wife Kate, is understood to agree it was right for Lady Hussey to step down from her honorary role as Lady of the Household with immediate effect.

A Kensington Palace spokesman told reporters in the US before the Prince and Princess of Wales' Boston trip - which has been overshadowed by the palace controversy - that Lady Hussey's comments were "unacceptable" and "racism has no place in our society".

Later, during an NBA game William and Kate attended, the royal couple were booed by some members of the crowd, and at an Earthshot Prize event, they heard a speech on race equality by a black reverend.

https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-su...nfronted-after-buckingham-palace-row-12759618
 
<b>As a winter of strike action looms, and a growing list of unions threaten to grind the county to a halt, the PM Rishi Sunak is under pressure.</b>

Rishi Sunak is attempting a more constructive, less combative, approach with the unions.

A government source said the meetings involving Mick Lynch and the transport secretary and rail minister were "courteous" and "constructive".

He said the government is treading a careful line between "being tough but also being human and treating people with respect".

There is a certain amount of public sympathy for industrial action, particularly when it comes to health care workers, but some Conservatives want tougher action on the unions.

A senior Tory backbencher told me the government needs to go "further and faster" with laws to curb public sector rights, and "outcome not process" is needed.

One option we understand is on the table is to expand plans to ensure transport services run during strike action.

The plans, which were brought to parliament under Liz Truss, ensure minimum staffing levels are maintained at all times or transport unions risk losing legal protections.

No decisions have yet been made, civil servants are working all weekend and preparing a number of options to limit strike action.

A government source said there remains a "small window" of opportunity to restore the Christmas rail timetable, but there is "a mountain to climb".

The source said, "we are tempering optimism with realism". The reality is the time to avert a bleak December of strikes is running out.

But this is about more than Christmas, without a breakthrough, and the government making clear sweeping inflation-level pay rises are unaffordable, the row will persist next year.

As the strain of strike action drags and a general election slowly creeps into view, industrial action will focus minds and swing votes.

The tone may have changed, but there's no easy fix to the problem of public sector pay.

https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-su...out-to-avoid-bleak-winter-of-strikes-12761045
 
UK PM Rishi Sunak Faces New Challenge In A Divided Conservative Party

British Conservative politicians on Sunday launched two campaigns to address concerns about the direction of the party and the government, the latest challenge to new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's attempts to unite a fractured party.

The Conservative Party has already ousted two prime ministers in 2022 - Boris Johnson and Liz Truss - and trails the opposition Labour party in the polls by double digits, with another national election expected in 2024.

Mr Sunak became Prime Minister in October when Truss resigned after less than two months. Her chaotic tenure was fatally damaged when her fiscal plan for unfunded tax cuts lost the confidence of markets.

Mr Sunak has reversed those plans and instead raised taxes, reassuring financial markets, but upsetting some Conservative lawmakers.

"In the recent budget, the government decided to tax the British public at levels not seen since the end of the Second World War," a group of 40 Conservative lawmakers wrote to finance minister Jeremy Hunt on Sunday.

"We need to be able to reassure our constituents, who are worried about the cost of living crisis, that every penny of taxpayers' money spent on their behalf provides value for money and is not wasted."

The group, which calls itself Conservative Way Forward, said it would publish a report on Monday outlining 7 billion pounds ($8.58 billion) of "waste" that could be shed, allowing the government to cut taxes or spend more on frontline services.

Mr Sunak's first six weeks as prime minister have been calmer than his predecessor's, but restive backbench lawmakers have already forced policy concessions on housebuilding targets and onshore wind farms.

He is also having to deal with the impact of surging energy bills, a cost-of-living crisis, and industrial action set to disrupt hospitals and transport in the run-up to Christmas.

A separate group - Conservative Democratic Organisation - was also launched on Sunday aiming to "take back control" of the party on behalf of the party's membership, after Johnson and Truss were ousted - and Sunak selected - by the parliamentary party. Johnson and Truss were both chosen via a vote by the Conservative Party's membership of around 170,000.

The group, supported by former interior minister Priti Patel, said that the selection of Mr Sunak by lawmakers, just weeks after members voted for Truss, "had finally ended members faith in any party democracy existing within the Conservative Party."

NDTV
 
<b>Rishi Sunak refusing to budge on pay as strike action escalates</b>

Rishi Sunak has insisted he will not back down against striking workers, as nurses walked out in England, Northern Ireland and Wales for a second day.

Nurses' union boss Pat Cullen has urged the prime minister to resolve the crisis before Christmas.

But there is no sign of a breakthrough between the sides.

Speaking to MPs, Mr Sunak argued the best way to help workers would be to reduce inflation as quickly as possible.

The UK is facing its biggest week of industrial strikes in recent history in the run up to Christmas, with ambulance workers, customs and immigration staff, bus drivers and postal workers all staging walk outs.

The armed forces have been drafted in to cover some jobs - but concern is growing about Wednesday's ambulance drivers strike in England and Wales, with a health minister warning people to avoid "risky activity".

Head of the NHS confederation, and a former Labour adviser, Matthew Taylor has warned that hospital leaders cannot guarantee patient safety during the strikes.

In a letter to Mr Sunak, he said: "It is clear that we have entered dangerous territory and we hope this warning from NHS leaders should serve to focus minds in government and in the unions that a swift resolution to this damaging dispute is needed."

Mr Sunak is facing calls to reopen talks on nurses' pay and deal with the growing wave of strikes across the public services.

Conservative backbencher Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said that both sides "need to get round the table and see what can be done."

But addressing the Liaison Committee of senior MPs Mr Sunak said: "I've acknowledged it is difficult for everybody, because inflation is where it is.

"The best way to help them and help everyone else in the country is for us to get a grip and reduce inflation as quickly as possible."

He said sticking to the wage levels set by the pay review boards earlier this year was an important part of tackling high inflation.

Despite the prime minister's insistence that he is holding firm, some Conservative MPs have said he will need to budge on nurses' pay.

So far only a handful have said so publicly, but others have expressed concern in private conversations with the BBC.

One former minister said the government would have to shift eventually and come up with more money,

Another suggested ministers should consider offering a slightly increased offer, albeit still well below the 19% being called for, or a one-off payment to help with rising prices.

A third senior Conservative added: "I'd be surprised if the pay offer as is on the table wins - unless they are prepared to carry this on for six months."

However, even behind the scenes, government officials do not want to get into details about possible compromises.

And some Tory MPs are urging the PM to maintain his stance, fearing any concessions would encourage future strikes.

"Give in to one group then the whole lot will cascade around him," said one former minister.

Earlier, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said she was "truly sorry" for every patient who would have their care disrupted.

Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, Ms Cullen said she would negotiate with the government, saying "we won't dig in if they don't dig in."

"But we have no opportunity to do that because we can't get to a table to talk to government."

She has warned that if the government isn't "prepared to do the right thing" her union would have "no choice" but to continue striking in January.

The Royal College of Nursing has called for a 19% pay rise (5% above the RPI inflation rate) but the government has said this is unaffordable.
Ambulance staff - who are set to walk out on Wednesday - also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not set a specific figure.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay met unions ahead of the strike on Tuesday afternoon, however Unite representative Onay Kasab described the meeting as "entirely pointless" because Mr Barclay had refused to discuss pay.

Following the meeting, Mr Barclay said the pay demands were "unaffordable" but added that he was open to "engaging with unions on how to make the NHS a better place to work".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64037292
 
The worst thing about Conservatives now is the fact that they know these are their last years in power and that they have absolutely nothing to lose. Scorched earth, broken britain, impoverished working class, collapsed economy...... they do not care. As long as the true conservative faithful and the donors are taken care of..... the public can go fork themselves!
 
<b>Sir Laurie Magnus: Rishi Sunak appoints veteran banker as ethics chief</b>

Rishi Sunak has appointed veteran banker Sir Laurie Magnus as his new adviser on ministerial behaviour.

The prime minister has been facing pressure to fill the role, which has been empty since the previous holder quit six months ago.

Sir Laurie, who also chairs Historic England, has been appointed to a non-renewable five-year term.

He will be responsible for advising Mr Sunak on whether ministers are complying with their conduct rulebook.

However, the prime minister will retain the power to decide whether ministers have broken the code, and on any subsequent punishments.

Boris Johnson's ethics adviser Lord Geidt quit in June after conceding Mr Johnson may have himself broken ministerial rules over Partygate.

His predecessor, Sir Alex Allan, quit in 2020 after Mr Johnson overruled him over a report into alleged bullying by Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Mr Sunak's predecessor as prime minister Liz Truss signalled during the summer Tory leadership she would not appoint anyone to the role, telling party members "I don't think you can outsource ethics to an adviser".

But Mr Sunak said filling the role was a priority when he took office in October, promising to restore "integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level".

Sir Laurie will not lead the ongoing investigation into deputy PM Dominic Raab, who is facing eight complaints about his behaviour in previous government roles.

A senior lawyer, Adam Tolley KC, was appointed to lead that probe last month, when the PM's adviser role was still unfilled.

Mr Raab faces allegations he bullied staff, which he denies.

Opposition parties and the Committee on Standards in Public Life, an anti-sleaze watchdog, have long called for the PM's adviser role to be beefed up.

They argue the role is ineffective because the adviser cannot decide to launch their own investigations, and the PM decides whether the ministerial code has been broken.

Mr Sunak, however, has decided that Sir Laurie should keep the same remit and powers as the previous holders of the role.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner criticised Mr Sunak for keeping the "rotten ethics regime he inherited from his predecessors".

"This weak prime minister is failing to deliver the integrity he promised, and instead has installed yet another toothless watchdog," she added.

Dave Penman, the boss of the FDA union representing senior civil servants, said Mr Sunak had missed an opportunity to "reset the relationship" between ministers and officials.

"Instead of that, he's followed exactly the same path as Boris Johnson did. So essentially he's continuity Johnson when it comes to the ministerial code," he added.

Historic England, a public body, is responsible for caring for and listing historic buildings and sites.

As chairman, Sir Laurie oversaw the body's response to the toppling of a statue of 17th Century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol in 2020 - which prompted a debate about the public commemoration of figures linked to the slave trade.

Later that year, Sir Laurie told MPs that Historic England's preference was to keep "contested" statues standing in public places - but to "re-contextualise and reinterpret" them through actions like updated inscriptions and artistic installations.

"If we do not do that, our collective past is going to be torn away slowly, piece-by-piece," he added.

"If we start tampering with the historic fabric associated with our collective past because things are contentious, we start changing the basis on which we can understand it."

— BBC News
 
Rishi Sunak has warned the UK's problems will not "go away" in 2023 after a "tough" 12 months in his New Year message.

The prime minister promised the "very best of Britain" will be on display in the coming months as he pledged continuing support for Ukraine.

And he also predicted King Charles's coronation on 6 May would bring the country together.

But he admitted last year was "tough".

"Just as we recovered from an unprecedented global pandemic, Russia launched a barbaric and illegal invasion across Ukraine," Mr Sunak said.

"This has had a profound economic impact around the world, which the UK is not immune to.

"Now, I know many of you have felt that impact at home. That's why this government has taken difficult but fair decisions to get borrowing and debt under control.

SKY
 
All pupils in England to study maths until 18 under Rishi Sunak's 'new mission'
Rishi Sunak will make a pledge to "reimagine our approach to numeracy" as part of his first speech of 2023

Pupils in England will study maths up until the age of 18 under plans to be unveiled by Rishi Sunak.

The prime minister will say there is a need to "reimagine our approach to numeracy" in his first speech of the year today, adding: "Letting our children out into the world without those skills is letting our children down."

The details of the prime minister's "new mission" will be announced "in due course", Number 10 said, though the government did not "envisage" making maths A-level compulsory.

Labour said it would be "an empty pledge" if they could not recruit more maths teachers.

Around eight million adults in England have the numeracy skills of primary school children, according to government figures, while 60% of disadvantaged pupils do not have basic maths skills at 16.

"One of the biggest changes in mindset we need in education today is to reimagine our approach to numeracy," Mr Sunak is expected to say.

...
https://news.sky.com/story/all-pupi...il-18-under-rishi-sunaks-new-mission-12779266
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As your Prime Minister you need to know what my focus will be, so you can hold me to account directly on whether it is delivered.<br><br>These are my five promises 👇 <a href="https://t.co/XyXrlMshdG">pic.twitter.com/XyXrlMshdG</a></p>— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1610638780704194567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<b>PM Sunak welcomes 'valuable' talks with health leaders</b>

Rishi Sunak found a meeting with health leaders to tackle the pressures in the NHS "highly valuable", Downing Street has said.

The prime minister, health secretary and Treasury ministers met health experts from across England on Saturday to discuss "crucial challenges".

Reports have emerged of patients spending days on trolleys because of shortages of beds in some hospitals.

On Wednesday, Mr Sunak promised to cut NHS waiting lists within two years.

Following the Downing Street talks, a government spokeswoman said the prime minister and his health ministers "found today's discussions highly valuable for sharing ideas and best practices that could be spread nationwide to improve care for patients throughout the country".

The spokeswoman added that Mr Sunak "expressed his deep gratitude to the health and social care experts who attended today's forum - and to the wider workforce they represent for all their hard work and dedication especially during the pandemic".

Representatives from the public and private sectors attended Saturday's forum, alongside chief executives and clinical leaders of NHS organisations, local areas and councils from across the country, plus medical and social care experts.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, and Sir Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, also took part in the meeting.

The spokeswoman reiterated that Mr Sunak has made it one of his top five priorities to reduce NHS waiting lists and said that "the government is investing a record amount in the health service, including in recruiting a record number of doctors and nurses".

She added: "Next steps will be set out in due course."

Labour said patients deserve "more than a talking shop" and the Lib Dems said the meeting was "too little too late".

Senior doctors have said the NHS is on a knife-edge, with long waits for emergency care, routine operations, GP appointments and care for patients when they are discharged from hospital.

High levels of flu and Covid, a wave of strike action and a cost-of-living crisis are also putting huge pressure on the health service.

On Monday, health unions have been invited to meet Health Secretary Steve Barclay to discuss pay for 2023-24 from April - but union leaders say the government must act on the current pay dispute for this year, and the talks will not stop planned strikes in January.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64189116
 
shortbread said:
The worst thing about Conservatives now is the fact that they know these are their last years in power and that they have absolutely nothing to lose. Scorched earth, broken britain, impoverished working class, collapsed economy...... they do not care. As long as the true conservative faithful and the donors are taken care of..... the public can go fork themselves!
Click to expand...

When he lost the race to replace Boris to Liz Truss I remember cricketjoshila wonderingi if he should go abroad, maybe Canada or the US. He could probably go anywhere his/hers money.
 
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly refused to say whether he uses private healthcare, insisting it is "not really relevant".

Mr Sunak told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that his healthcare was "a personal choice".

Nursing union leader Pat Cullen said the PM "needed to come clean as a public servant".

And when asked the same question, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said he did not use private healthcare.

In the interview, Laura Kuenssberg suggested there was huge public interest in Mr Sunak's decisions and that former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher was open about her choice to use a private GP.

Mr Sunak said healthcare was "something that is private", adding he "grew up in an NHS family", with a dad who was GP, and a mum who was a pharmacist.

But when pressed again, Mr Sunak did not answer the question and instead said, in general, "we should be making use of the independent sector" so patients could choose where they have treatment.

BBC
 
<b>Rishi Sunak's openness to talks has offered a "chink of optimism" that a deal can be reached over nurses' pay, the head of the nursing union has said.</b>

The prime minister told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he was open to a pay deal that is "responsible" and "affordable".

Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The prime minister talked about coming to the table. Now that's a move for me."

But she said strikes will go ahead as this year's pay was still in dispute.

The health secretary is due to hold a meeting with unions on Monday, but the government has so far only agreed to discuss a settlement for the next financial year.

Nurses are already set to receive a rise for the current year, 2022-23, an average of 4.75%.

This is in line with a recommendation by the independent NHS Pay Review Body in July - but the RCN says the figure is not enough to cushion the rising cost of living.

In an interview on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Sunak was asked if he would be willing to talk about nurses' pay for this year.

"The government has always been clear that it's happy to talk about pay that is responsible, that's affordable for the country. That's always been clear," he said.

"We want to have a reasonable, honest, two-way conversation about pay and everything else that is relevant.

"The most important thing is that we are talking.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64201968
 
<b>Sunak vows to tackle NHS backlogs and illegal migration in party broadcast</b>

Rishi Sunak has vowed he will “not let you down” in reducing NHS waiting lists, repairing the economy and tackling illegal migration in his first party political broadcast as Prime Minister.

He blamed the pandemic for creating huge backlogs in the health service, and promised “hard-headed common sense” in approaching the migration issue.

“Our country faces some of the biggest challenges any of us will have seen in our lifetimes, with our economy, in our NHS on our borders,” Mr Sunak said in the clip, first broadcast on ITV.

“Covid has done huge harm to the NHS.

“It’s created massive backlogs, which we’re working through, but Britain’s heroic response to Covid shows that where the political will exists to really grip a problem we can bring everyone together and achieve the unthinkable.

“That takes leadership so I’ve immediately set in train a new approach and taken the best of our experience from fighting Covid to reduce NHS backlogs and get patients treated quicker…

“I’m determined to get the number of people on waiting lists falling and I will not let you down.”

The Prime Minister admitted earlier on Wednesday that he had used private healthcare following weeks of speculation about whether he relied on NHS services.

He said he was registered with an NHS GP but told MPs he had used “independent” healthcare in the past.

On addressing illegal migration, Mr Sunak said in the pre-recorded video:

“We’re taking decisive action already, deploying hundreds of new agents to tackle immigration criminals, putting an end to the appalling situation where taxpayers are paying to keep illegal migrants in hotels.

“And we’re introducing new laws that make it unambiguously clear that if you come to our country illegally, you will not have the right to stay and will be removed.

“Britain will always be a place for global talent and those in dire need.

“But basic human decency must be accompanied by hard-headed common sense.”

In the clip, set to dramatic music, the Prime Minister also touted the “difficult but fair decisions” he had taken to get borrowing and debt under control.

He reiterated some of the five priorities announced in his new year’s speech last week, halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting NHS waiting lists and stopping small boat Channel crossings.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...sedgntp&cvid=9bfe3e53b9c548f7b7227341922069f9
 
Rishi Sunak has apologised for making a "brief error of judgement" after being caught on video not wearing a seatbelt.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "That was a brief error of judgement. The PM removed his seatbelt to film a small clip. He fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises about it."
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is rule of law where no one is above it; this differentiates prosperous nations from poor ones. No NROs,no qabza gps,no custodial torture for tweeting truth abt the powerful bec justice system protects the weak. Justice was bedrock of Riyasat e Madina <a href="https://t.co/W3nKMJQkkg">https://t.co/W3nKMJQkkg</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1616514115815542786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Rishi Sunak has been branded a "total liability" and "hapless" as he faced a backlash for being fined for a second time, with police handing him a fixed penalty notice over not wearing a seatbelt.

Lancashire Police issued the notice after the prime minister appeared without a belt in a clip on Instagram as he promoted his levelling-up funding in Lancashire.

Mr Sunak has accepted the fine, with Downing Street saying he "fully accepts this was a mistake" and will "of course comply with the fixed penalty".

Critics are now accusing the PM of showing "the same disregard for rules" as his Number 10 predecessor Boris Johnson.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: "Rishi Sunak is a total liability."

Sir Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, said: "Sunak promised honesty, integrity and accountability on the steps of Number 10. Not only has he been fined again for breaking the law, but Zahawi has been fined as well. It's time they all went. It's time for a general election."

SKY
 
Number 10 has said Rishi Sunak has never paid a tax penalty as the row over Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs continues.

The prime minister's spokeswoman earlier on Wednesday declined multiple times to say whether Mr Sunak had ever paid a tax penalty during questions to journalists.

"You wouldn't expect me to get into the prime minister's tax affairs, they are confidential," she said, adding: "The tax affairs of an individual, irrespective of who they are, are confidential."

She added that the PM will publish his tax return "in due course".

But five hours later, a No 10 spokesman told Sky News: "The prime minister has never paid a penalty to HMRC."

SKYNEWS
 
Rishi Sunak Plans Mini Cabinet Reshuffle To Revive UK Economy: Report

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to launch a mini reshuffle on Tuesday, breaking up two departments to better suit his pledge to spur the economy and turn around his party's fortunes before an election expected next year.

Sources confirmed reports from the Sun and the Times newspapers late on Monday that there were plans to break up the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)and the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The timing surprised some in his party, but after firing his party chairman over his tax affairs and with an investigation into bullying allegations against his deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab ongoing, several lawmakers said he might be seizing a chance to stamp his mark on his government.

Raab denies the allegations.

One source said Sunak was planning to merge the business arm of BEIS with the trade department and to create a new science and digital unit by bringing together the digital arm of DCMS with the science and innovation part of BEIS.

He was also expected to name the new chair of the party, a position made ever more important before the next national election expected in 2024, after Nadhim Zahawi was sacked over his tax affairs.

Downing Street declined to comment.

Since entering Downing Street in October, Sunak has been under pressure to stamp his authority not only on his government but also over his party, which ousted two prime ministers last year over scandal and economic chaos.

He has so far failed to reduce the commanding lead in the opinion polls held by the opposition Labour Party, which is increasingly presenting itself as Britain's next government.

He promised in January to tackle Britain's most serious problems, from cutting inflation to reducing illegal migration, in a move aimed at convincing his lawmakers he can lead them into the next election.

NDTV
 
Final talks on post-Brexit deal as Rishi Sunak prepares to meet EU chief in sign of breakthrough
Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet today for a crucial summit about the Northern Ireland Protocol; Dominic Raab has said the government is "on the cusp" of a deal with the EU.
Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet today for "final talks" about the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak "wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, ensures trade flows freely within the whole of the UK, safeguards Northern Ireland's place in our Union and returns sovereignty to the people of Northern Ireland."

...
https://news.sky.com/story/politics...eet-eu-chief-in-sign-of-breakthrough-12593360
 
With the current incarnation of the Conservative Party in a death spiral and their popularity with the voters in terminal decline, Sunak’s prime ministership is effectively on a hiding to nothing, because he’ll be replaced by Starmer and Labour no matter how well he does (or doesn’t do). But to me he seems to have been quietly going about his business and getting a few useful bits & bobs over the line.
 
James said:
With the current incarnation of the Conservative Party in a death spiral and their popularity with the voters in terminal decline, Sunak’s prime ministership is effectively on a hiding to nothing, because he’ll be replaced by Starmer and Labour no matter how well he does (or doesn’t do). But to me he seems to have been quietly going about his business and getting a few useful bits & bobs over the line.
Click to expand...

Sunak got lucky. The war in Ukraine is a burden on the EU, forcing their hand to negotiate and settle a deal.

Instead of Blue and Yellow lines, we now have Green and Red.
 
James said:
With the current incarnation of the Conservative Party in a death spiral and their popularity with the voters in terminal decline, Sunak’s prime ministership is effectively on a hiding to nothing, because he’ll be replaced by Starmer and Labour no matter how well he does (or doesn’t do). But to me he seems to have been quietly going about his business and getting a few useful bits & bobs over the line.
Click to expand...

I’m actually impressed by what he did yesterday. Statesmanlike of him. It’s a return to competent politics after all the chaos and madness since Cameron resigned. Who knows, European countries might start trusting UK again.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Sunak got lucky. The war in Ukraine is a burden on the EU, forcing their hand to negotiate and settle a deal.

Instead of Blue and Yellow lines, we now have Green and Red.
Click to expand...

He's a Tory version of Blair. All nice soundbites and trendy image, but just not sure he actually stands for anything. Although he has defended the extremist Hindu leader of India, so I guess he stands for that.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
He's a Tory version of Blair. All nice soundbites and trendy image, but just not sure he actually stands for anything. Although he has defended the extremist Hindu leader of India, so I guess he stands for that.
Click to expand...

Agree, what is more worrying is that pro EU supporters see Sunak as statesman like after he signed the NI Brexit deal, forgetting the tax controversy and the shady financial dealings he was involved in.

Sunak only stands for his rich mates, Hindutva, and his in-laws.
 
James said:
With the current incarnation of the Conservative Party in a death spiral and their popularity with the voters in terminal decline, Sunak’s prime ministership is effectively on a hiding to nothing, because he’ll be replaced by Starmer and Labour no matter how well he does (or doesn’t do). But to me he seems to have been quietly going about his business and getting a few useful bits & bobs over the line.
Click to expand...


He's had a couple of big successes.

This NI deal was a good one and he knocked the SNP for 6 by blocking the GRR.

I think the plan for the Tory's is to get rid of the crazies, sit in opposition for one term and plan a come back as a more centre right party with Rishi at the helm.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
I think the plan for the Tory's is to get rid of the crazies, sit in opposition for one term and plan a come back as a more centre right party with Rishi at the helm.
Click to expand...

Could be but I doubt that the ERG will give up that easily. Could take years before the Conservative Party figures out what it is for. The Europhile moderates got purged and the Breiteers will never be happy, because the mirage of Brexit can never be a solution to anything.
 
Robert said:
Could be but I doubt that the ERG will give up that easily. Could take years before the Conservative Party figures out what it is for. The Europhile moderates got purged and the Breiteers will never be happy, because the mirage of Brexit can never be a solution to anything.
Click to expand...

Rishi is an upgrade over Crazy Johnson but is he a fit as a tory leader. Will the traditional conservative voter vote for a none white?

How does he compare with Stramer?
 
cricketjoshila said:
Rishi is an upgrade over Crazy Johnson but is he a fit as a tory leader. Will the traditional conservative voter vote for a none white?

How does he compare with Stramer?
Click to expand...
I am not white lol but I think the traditional Tory voter will vote Rishi over Starmer any day of the week.

Rishi wont win an election but the majority of the blame lies with Truss and Bojo.

Rishi is generally well liked but his image took a big hit with the issue related to his Indian wife.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Rishi is an upgrade over Crazy Johnson but is he a fit as a tory leader. Will the traditional conservative voter vote for a none white?

How does he compare with Stramer?
Click to expand...

Some won't, and that's why the nationalist / nativist / populist hard right Reform UK are taking their support. Some members said they voted for Truss "because she is white" and you here others saying "Sunak is not English" despite him being born here.
 
Robert said:
Could be but I doubt that the ERG will give up that easily. Could take years before the Conservative Party figures out what it is for. The Europhile moderates got purged and the Breiteers will never be happy, because the mirage of Brexit can never be a solution to anything.
Click to expand...

The ERG and these types of politicians will fade away and the public will embrace a pro European stance under Starmer.

I have a feeling that a dark cloud will be lifted from us once this bunch of torys go.

Did you see Rishi speaking about Northern Ireland. He said they were in a brilliant position of being able to access the Single Market and remain part of the UK and it was attractive to investors.

We were all in this brilliant position a few yeaes ago :))
 
DeadlyVenom said:
He's had a couple of big successes.

This NI deal was a good one and he knocked the SNP for 6 by blocking the GRR.

I think the plan for the Tory's is to get rid of the crazies, sit in opposition for one term and plan a come back as a more centre right party with Rishi at the helm.
Click to expand...

This is an astute reading. Sunak is a clever man and he could indeed be playing the (very) long game here.

The Conservative Party has won so many elections and survived for so long because it knows how to adapt to the territory. It’s only really Blair who had them sussed for a long period and truly humiliated them. So they promoted their own Eton Blair (DC) and he eventually won back power for them.

Polarisation has been so utterly exhausting. With Starmer’s centrist sensibilities, we could be about to enter a period of mundanely moderate politics last seen in the 2010 election with Brown / DC / Clegg where the three parties were all basically the same.
 
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