Boris denies claims supply chain chaos just part of ending UK's 'low wage' economy - Daily Mail

Furious business chiefs accuse PM of 'buck-passing' as he shrugs off supply chain chaos saying it is 'not my job' to fix them - and DISMISSES inflation fears despite Cabinet alarm over 'complacency' about soaring prices

• Boris Johnson has been giving a series of interviews from the Conservative Party conference in Manchester  
• The PM blamed the wave of supply chain chaos on Covid and Britain changing from a 'low wage' economy
• He insisted the disruption was like a 'giant waking' up and 'creaking' after the pandemic stalled activity
• Mr Johnson said 'not the job of government to come in and fix every problem' amid fears of Christmas misery
• He admitted that just 127 foreign lorry drivers have applied for emergency visas under government scheme 

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 07:52 BST, 5 October 2021 | Updated: 17:10 BST, 5 October 2021

How inflation threatens families and the public finances 

Headline CPI inflation has been spiking, reaching 3.2 per cent in August, and is expected to reach double the Bank of England's 2 per cent target 

Inflation has long been seen as one of the biggest threats to economies.

In extreme examples, it has spiralled out of control and sparked panic.

The German Weimar Republic effectively collapsed after the value of the mark went from around 90 marks to the US dollar in 1921 to 7,400 marks to the dollar in 1921.

In Zimbabwe between 2008 and 2009 the monthly inflation rate was estimated to have reached a mind-boggling 79.6billion per cent.

Although inflation has faded in the minds of Britons who have become used to ultra-low interest rates and stable prices, it caused chaos in the 1970s.

Deregulation of the mortgage market, the emergence of credit cards and an overheating economy drove the rate to an eye-watering 25 per cent in 1975.

People would rush to buy goods with their wages after pay-day, as the costs were rising so quickly.

Strikes erupted as there was pressure for pay packets to keep pace with prices. 

Unemployment rose as the economy tipped into recession, and the government had to pump up interest rates in a bid to bolster the pound and control the surge. 

That meant mortgage interest payments spiked into double digits. 

And as a result servicing the national debt became a serious problem.

The UK's headline CPI inflation rate hit 3.2 per cent in August, its highest level in nearly a decade and way above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target.

There was a record jump from July, but even though the Bank now expects the rate to peak above 4 per cent it still believes the spike will be 'transient'.

 

Boris Johnson defiantly dismissed fears over spiking inflation and supply chain chaos today, saying the UK is switching to a 'new approach' and it is not his job to fix all the problems for business.

In interviews at Tory conference that will spark fresh fury from industry, the PM denied that the country is in 'crisis' comparing the disruption to a 'giant waking up' and 'creaking' after the pandemic.  

Despite Cabinet ministers telling MailOnline they were concerned about 'complacency' about inflation, now on track to be double the Bank of England's target, Mr Johnson said he was not 'worried' about it running out of control.

He also pushed the responsibility for solving the problems back on the private sector, insisting it is 'not the job of government to come in and fix every problem'. 

Referencing Margaret Thatcher's 1980s dictum - which ironically she used to stress the need to control inflation - Mr Johnson said: 'In a famous phrase, there is no alternative. There is no alternative.

'The UK has got to - and we can - do much, much better by becoming a higher-wage, higher-productivity economy.'

But he admitted that Christmas might only be better from a 'low base' amid fears of ongoing shortages - after it was effectively cancelled during the pandemic last year.

And he conceded that the government's efforts to bring in more lorry drivers from abroad are having limited success, with just 127 having applied for emergency visas.  

The uncompromising line from Mr Johnson came as new figures showed pump prices have hit 136.10p per litre, the highest level since September 2013 

Tensions have been rising between ministers and business over the crisis, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warning that firms will be to blame if the festive season is blighted by shortages and price rises.

One Cabinet source told the Telegraph that companies have been 'drunk on cheap labour' and failed to plan for the changes. 

In other developments at the Tory conference builds towards the leaders' speech: 

• Mr Johnson has branded Insulate Britain protesters 'irresponsible crusties' as Priti Patel unveiled tougher measures to stop them blocking roads;
• The PM called for people to return to offices warning otherwise they will be 'gossiped' about and miss out on 'stimulus' and 'competition';
• Mr Johnson clashed bitterly with the BBC's Nick Robinson in his first Today programme interview in two years;
• The premier refused to rule out calling an early election but insisted he is focused 'on the job at hand'; 
• The number of offenders forced to wear electronic tags will double under a major initiative from Dominic Raab;   

In a round of interviews at the Tory conference in Manchester, the PM insisted the country is at a 'turning point' as businesses are weaned off cheap labour after Brexit

Mr Johnson tried out a bike as he toured stands at Tory conference in Manchester this morning 

The premier also tried out a hydrogen car as he was shown around the stands at the conference centre today

Boris Johnson compared the current disruption to a 'giant waking up', saying it was what you would expect of the global economy recovering and 'sucking in demand'

Mr Johnson's broadcast round included his first interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme in two years.

Has Boris just had his 'Ratner moment'? When politicians and business leaders have said things they come to regret 

Boris Johnson's comments today could come to be seen as his 'Ratner moment'. Here are six other famous gaffes by politicians and businessmen:

• Gerald Ratner: The jewellery company boss jokingly referred to a set of decanters sold by the company as 'total c**p' during a speech in 1991, which almost led to the business collapsing. The share price tanked and the group had to restructure financially, with Mr Ratner resigning the following year.

• Emily Thornberry: The Labour MP resigned from Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet in 2014 after tweeting a photo of a house in Kent draped in St George's flags with a white van outside, captioned: 'Image from Rochester.' She tried to rebuild her reputation and is now shadow international trade secretary.

• Mike Coupe: The Sainsbury's boss sang 'We're in the Money' from the musical 42nd Street in 2018 while waiting to be interviewed by ITV to talk about the proposed Asda merger, but later apologised. The deal was blocked the following year, and he is now chairman of Oak Furnitureland.

• Philip Green: The retail mogul apologised to the Irish to prevent a customer boycott after claiming in 2003 of the Guardian's then-financial editor Paul Murphy: 'He can't read English. Mind you, he is a f***ing Irishman.' His Arcadia group went into administration last year amid falling high street sales.

• Freddy Shepherd and Douglas Hall: The Newcastle United chairman and vice-chairman called Newcastle women 'dogs' and implied fans were paying too much for replica shirts while being recorded in 1998. They both apologised and resigned two weeks later. Shepherd died in 2017.

• Bill Clinton: The US president denied his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky in 1998, saying: 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman'. He was later impeached for lying about the matter under oath, but was acquitted at his Senate trial.

And it quickly descended into acrimony, with presenter Nick Robinson demanding that the PM 'stop talking' as he blustered through responses to questions.

A clearly stung Mr Johnson repeatedly referred to the rebuke, asking why he was there if he was not meant to be talking. 

In another wave of interviews this afternoon, Mr Johnson said he is 'not worried' about staffing shortages and rising energy prices and dismissed concerns about rising inflation.

He told BBC News in Manchester: 'We're moving to a new approach, and I do not want to go back to what I think is a tired old failed approach, which people voted against twice in 2016 and in 2019.

'Some of the people who would be writing to me, may be worried about this, but I'm not worried about this because, actually, I think it would be good for their businesses to invest in people.'

Asked about inflation having the possibility to eat up wage rises, he said: 'Actually I think that people have been worried about inflation for a long time and it hasn't materialised.'

Pressed if he is not worried about inflation, he said: 'I believe that supply will be encouraged, and we want to encourage people to invest in.'

Mr Johnson told GB News: 'It's not the job of government to come in and try and fix every problem in business and industry.

'We have fantastic supply chains in this country, fantastic logistics, there is a problem of demand.'

He said in the haulage industry has depended on low wage workers migrating to the UK to work under tough conditions.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the premier said: 'The supply chain problem is caused very largely by the strength of the economic recovery.

'What you will see is brilliant logistic experts in our supermarket chains, in our food processing industry, getting to grips with it, finding the staff that they need, we will help them in any way that we can.

'But the shortage is global.'

He went on: 'What you can't do is go back to the old, failed model where you mainline low-wage, low-skilled labour – very often very hard-working, brave, wonderful people – who come in, working in conditions that frankly are pretty tough and we shouldn't be going back to that.'

That had led to a situation where there was not investment in the industry and 'people had to urinate in bushes' because of the lack of facilities for drivers, he said.

Mr Johnson told LBC: 'I sympathise very much with the frustrations of people who have been queueing for petrol. I really, really do.

'I understand how infuriating it is when you can't get petrol at the pumps, but I must repeat that this has overwhelmingly been a problem of demand, not supply.'

He added: 'What I am getting at is that the tanker drivers, the lorry drivers, they have got more than the average week's supply to the pumps for the last few days, and that is the situation.'

Go to the office if you don't want to be 'gossiped' about, says PM 

Boris Johnson today warned Britons working from home that they risk being 'gossiped about' and missing out on 'stimulus and competition' unless they return to the office. 

The PM voiced growing confidence that Covid will not spark further lockdowns as he urged people to get 'back to work in the normal way'.

He said the government was always 'humble in the face of nature' and recognised that 'a new variant or another pandemic could always hit us'.

But he insisted: 'The data that I see at the moment is very clear that we are right to stick to Plan A, which is what we are on.'

He said getting back to offices was 'essential for young people in particular'. 

'If you are going to learn on the job, you can't just do it on Zoom,' he told LBC radio.

'You have got to be able to come in, you have got to know what everyone else is talking about – otherwise you are going to be gossiped about and you are going to lose out.'   

He also said: 'I think even the Petrol Retailers Association have been saying that the situation has been improving markedly.

'What you are seeing is the UK economy coming back into life, really sort of stretching its legs, starting to move again, and of course there's been a bit of creaking here and there because we haven't had such activity in a long time.'

Mr Johnson played down fears over spiralling inflation, saying the tackling underlying productivity problems was the way to 'fix' rising prices. 

He said the market would address current demand-led shortages and the shift away from fossil fuels would have a long-term effect on energy bills.

'This Government is going to fix it for the long-term by making investments in renewable power that we can rely on in this country,' he said.

Mr Johnson added: 'This Government is doing the difficult, long-term things. We got Brexit done, which was a very difficult thing to do, and we are now going to address the big, underlying issues that face the UK: long-term lack of productivity, long-term lack of investment in energy and infrastructure.

'We are going to fix that.

'That will have a big downward pressure on costs and that is the way to tackle inflation.'

He also defended ending the £20 a week boost to Universal Credit, arguing the taxpayer should not subsidise low wages. 

'I understand that people feel times are difficult at the moment because we have got an economy that's coming out of a very tough period with the Covid pandemic and it's growing strongly now,' he said.

'We've got the fastest economic growth in the G7.'  

However, Mr Johnson's relaxed attitude on inflation is not shared by all his top team.

One Cabinet minister told MailOnline the Bank of England is 'complacent' on inflation. 

'They should be unwinding quantitative easing now, before acting on interest rates. They could try reducing it a back and gauge the reaction,' they said.

'It might push the pound up, but that is not a bad thing as the pound has been falling and it would help reduce inflation.'

Despite the PM's stance, there is increasing frustration from many sectors. 

Ali Capper, executive chair of the trade body British Apples and Pears, who also runs a hop and fruit farm.

PM refuses to rule out calling early election 

Boris Johnson today refused to rule out an early general election in 2023 as he insisted he is 'focusing on the job in hand'. 

The Prime Minister said that 'nobody is thinking about that right now frankly' and 'we want to get on with delivering'. 

He repeatedly declined to commit to serving a full term, with the next election currently scheduled to take place in 2024. 

There is growing speculation that Mr Johnson could go to the country earlier than planned. 

The Government is in the process of repealing the Fixed-term Parliaments Act which was rolled out in 2011 and dictates that parliamentary terms last for up to five years. 

The legislation, introduced by the Coalition Government, dictates that following the election in 2019, the next national poll will take place on Thursday May 2, 2024.

The Conservative Party pledged in its most recent manifesto to get rid of the law, arguing that it should be up to the PM when elections are called.     

Currently an election can only be triggered outside of the normal parliamentary cycle if two thirds of MPs vote in favour of one or if the Government loses a vote of no confidence.    

'Like all British apple and pear growers, staff are short this year. On our own farm we're running 10 to 15 per cent short of the numbers we need, but I am speaking to farms that are 30 or 40 per cent short of staff.

'It's a combination - Brexit, Covid… but really what we need are sensible policies put in place. We have the seasonal workers scheme for our sector. This year it's bringing 30,000 workers. There is no doubt that needs to be expanded, probably doubled, and we need the number of permanent operators increased as well.'   

Mark Reynolds, chief executive of construction company Mace said: 'It's constantly a challenge (to get workers) and it's not helped through the effects of Brexit and the current fuel situation, getting people to work, is making things more difficult.

'I think we pay pretty well as a sector – the average salary for a construction professional in the UK is in excess £44,000 a year and in London is excess of £50,000. So I think the industry pays pretty well compared to most and has great opportunities.' 

Gary Parsons, of HR consultancy Talk Staff, said: 'Great leaders take the blame and pass on the credit, not point the finger and ignore the support being asked for. 

'SMEs account for 99.9 per cent of businesses in the UK and with the right support, government leadership and industry interventions they could be the answer to all of Boris Johnson's problems.' 

As the Conservative gathering enters its final stages, Home Secretary Priti Patel will today announce plans to hit eco-warriors with a new type of Asbo in an attempt to halt their motorway protests.

Justice Secretary Dominic has unveiled a deal to force criminals in 'chain gangs' to clear rubbish from waterways.

Mr Johnson said Insulate Britain protesters are 'irresponsible crusties' who have been 'doing considerable damage to the economy'. 

'There are some people who call those individuals legitimate protesters,' he said.

'They are not. I think they are irresponsible crusties who are basically trying to stop people going about their day's work and doing considerable damage to the economy.

'That is why we have taken the powers and why Priti Patel is doing the right thing to bring in powers so they can get six months or an unlimited fine.' 

Ms Patel has confirmed plans for tougher powers against the likes of Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion in her conference speech.

Protesters from Insulate Britain have blocked major roads including the M25 and the M4 in recent weeks.

A court injunction was taken out to prevent their blockade of the M25, but demonstrations have continued, most recently on roads across London on Monday.

Boris brands Insulate Britain protesters 'irresponsible crusties' 

Boris Johnson has branded protesters who have blocked major UK roads as 'irresponsible crusties'.

The PM said Insulate Britain protesters, who have blocked highways across the South East in recent weeks, have been 'doing considerable damage to the economy'.

His comments come ahead of Home Secretary Priti Patel's speech to conference, in which she will lay out new measures to deal with demonstrators deemed to be disruptive. 

Mr Johnson told LBC: 'There are some people who call those individuals legitimate protesters.

'They are not. I think they are irresponsible crusties who are basically trying to stop people going about their day's work and doing considerable damage to the economy.

'That is why we have taken the powers and why Priti Patel is doing the right thing to bring in powers so they can get six months or an unlimited fine.'

The Home Secretary is expected to confirm plans for tougher powers against the likes of Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion in her conference speech. 

A hearing on the original injunction, granted to National Highways on September 22, will take place at the High Court in central London later on Tuesday.

Ms Patel announced an increase in the maximum penalties for disrupting a motorway, while also criminalising interference with major roads, railways and the press.

The Home Office will also give the police and courts new powers to deal with the 'small minority of offenders' who are 'intent' on travelling around the country with the aim of 'causing disruption and misery across our communities'.

Ms Patel has unveiled a £15million expansion in testing suspects for drugs on arrest, and is expected to say that 'unconscionable crimes and acts of violence against women and girls have no place in our society'.

Mr Johnson is expected to use his Tory conference speech tomorrow to encourage a return to the workplace.

'He believes very strongly in the value of face-to-face working,' a senior source told the Daily Mail. 'It is critical for the training and development of young people. How can you learn a new job on Zoom?' 

Mr Johnson launched an ill-fated attempt to get office staff back to their desks last year, which was wrecked by the emergence of the second wave of Covid.

Scientific advisers have pressed him not to repeat the exercise this year because working from home is one of the most effective ways of slowing the spread of the virus.

Instead the Government left it up to employers to encourage a 'gradual return to the workplace'.

But a second Tory source said ministers were now hopeful they would not have to issue another work from home order this winter.

'You can never rule anything out with Covid,' the source said. 'But we are now in early October and hospitalisations are still running at manageable levels.

'We are not at the point of anyone thinking about Plan B.

'Even if we get to that point, it would start with things that cause relatively little disruption, such as mandatory masks and Covid certification.' 

Mr Johnson climbed on a digger as he carried out his whistlestop tour of the conference stands this morning

Dominic Raab has unveiled an initiative to double the number of offenders forced to wear electronic tags 

What are the higher costs coming down the track for Britons over the coming years? 

National insurance rise - from April 

The rates of national insurance are due to be pushed up by 1.25 percentage points from April, in a move that will cost households hundreds of pounds. 

The move will raise £12billion a year, which will initially go on bailing out the NHS and clearing backlogs after the pandemic. However, in the longer term it is meant to be used for social care.

Boris Johnson has promised that no-one will pay more than £86,000 towards their care costs. However, that does not include accommodation and some other costs, with fears of a 'postcode lottery' as local authorities set different rules.  

Initially the hike will look like a NI rise on pay slips, but later it will be billed a 'health and social care levy'. 

Ministers insist it is fairer than other tax options because it falls on business as well as individuals.

To raise the equivalent amount in income tax would require an increase in individuals' tax of 2 percentage points.

A typical basic rate taxpayer earning £24,100 will contribute £180 in extra NI in 2022/23.

A higher rate taxpayer earning £67,100 will contribute £715. For the first time, the NI will be charged on people working over the state pension age of 66.

Universal credit - £20 uplift ends 6 October 

The Government introduced a temporary £20 increase to universal credit payments in response to the pandemic in April last year, but the scheme is set to officially end on 6 October. 

Close to six million people currently claim universal credit, almost double the three million before the pandemic, with almost 40 per cent of them classed as being in employment. 

Thanks to the boost, a single person aged 25 or over has gone from earning £317.82 to £409.89 a month, a difference of £23 a week or £1,104.84 a year.

In that case, the £23 a week boost made up more than a fifth of the amount they were paid. 

Citizens Advice has warned that a third of people on universal credit will end up in debt when the uplift is removed, with the average shortfall set to be of around £50 a month. 

Research by another charity, Turn2us, has found that over half of people on universal credit will struggle to pay their bills when the cut comes into effect, with a further one in four unable to afford their rent or mortgage payments. 

'Due to the way Universal Credit is tapered as earnings increase, it's not just a case of people picking up an extra couple of hours of work to help fill the gap, instead they will likely have to make tough decisions about what to pay for and what to cut from the household costs,' notes Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell.

'Anyone who will be hit by the cut should check they're getting all the benefits they're entitled too – Citizens Advice is a good first port of call for help navigating the system.'   

Thomas Lawson, chief executive at Turn2us, said: 'The £20 per week cut to Universal Credit was already going to leave many families struggling to keep up with the cost of living. 

'This, now combined with a sudden surge in energy prices, could spell disaster and plunge thousands more people into financial insecurity or even poverty; especially those of us whose financial resilience has been worn away by the pandemic.'

Green revolution - coming years 

Homeowners are set to be hit with a new environmental tax on gas as ministers try to force them to abandon the fuel in favour of green alternatives.

Climate change levies currently added to domestic electricity, which average £159 per year, are expected to be axed and new payments added to gas to entice people to replace their central heating boilers and cookers.

The move is intended to encourage the take up of heat pumps and other electric alternatives as they seek to make the UK net zero for carbon emissions by 2050.

Ministers insist the change will mean no overall increase to bills and could help increase the take-up of electric cars as it become cheaper to charge them at home.

However critics doubt that will be the case, and the change comes at a time when UK gas prices have hit a record high.

Mr Johnson has also pledged to make all the UK's electricity supplies 'green' by 2030, although again the government argues this will cut prices for households rather than increase them. 

Stamp duty holiday - already over

The full stamp duty holiday came to an end in June, with the nil-rate band - the portion of a property purchase buyers don't need to pay stamp duty on - reduced from £500,000 to £250,000.

The tax break, which saved buyers up to £15,000 on their house purchases up until then, was cut back, with the maximum saving currently capped at £2,500. 

But from the 1 October, that went too, as the nil-rate band will revert to the normal £125,000.

Stamp duty has been blamed for pushing house prices higher over the past year, with many experts anticipating a drop in demand, and hence prices, after its end. 

And demand did indeed fall off a cliff between June and July, with the number of property transactions plummeting by 63 per cent, according to official figures from HMRC. 

But many believe prices will hold up well in the coming months thanks to cheap mortgages and demand continuing to be driven by people looking to relocate to larger homes in the countryside in the wake of the pandemic.

'While there is likely to be a surge of property purchases pushed through before the deadline and a small drop in the month after, the early signs are that the property market isn't headed for a large crash – particularly while borrowing is still so extraordinarily cheap,' Suter said.

VAT reduction - already over  

The reduced VAT rate on food and soft drinks for hospitality businesses was introduced during the pandemic to help out struggling pubs and restaurants, and has been extended a couple of times. 

However, it will now come to a close at the end of the month - and could see businesses hike prices to customers.

On 30 September 2021 the current 5 per cent reduced rate will rise to 12.5 per cent, which will last until 31 March 2022, when it will rise back to the old standard rate of 20 per cent.   

'Many hotels and restaurants decided to keep this reduction for themselves rather than pass it on to customers, to help shore up their finances post-pandemic,' said Suter.

'With food and energy costs rising it has provided a cushion for businesses and may have helped them put off increasing prices. 

'But once the rate shoots back up it will be another squeeze on margins for businesses and means we'll probably see higher prices when going out to eat or booking a trip away.'

Energy price cap - from October 1

On top of seeing much of Government support scrapped, many families and businesses are also facing rising energy bills thanks to the energy price cap.  

Some 11 million households on their suppliers' default energy tariffs will see an increase of £139 a year to £1,277, while bills will also increase by £153 to £1,309 a year for 4 million pre-payment meter customers.  

The increased bills will start from 1 October and last for the following six months until the cap is reviewed again.

'Usually you'd be far better off getting off your provider's standard variable tariff and locking in a fixed-rate deal, but the energy market is so barmy at the moment that no one is offering a fixed deal for a cheaper price than the energy cap,' Suter says.

'This means everyone needs to face up to rising energy bills, just as we head into the colder months.

'If your deal has ended you need to weigh up whether you want to secure a fixed-rate deal now, at a higher cost than your current price, with the expectation that you'll be protected from rising energy prices. 

'Or you can stick with the energy price cap rate and gamble that recent gas price rises end soon.'

Households struggling to pay their bills can also contact their supplier or ask for help from a debt advice charity.   

Rising inflation and food costs

Inflation fears were fuelled again this month, when the headline CPI rate recorded its largest jump ever in August to 3.2 per cent - with the Bank of England predicting it could soar above 4 per cent by the end of the year. 

Contributing to the rise was a jump in the price of food and drinks, partly as a result of the supply chain crisis gripping the country.

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose 1.1 per cent between July and August, and by 0.3 per cent over the year, according to the latest figures by the Office for National Statistics. 

The average price of a pint in the pub across the country could soon pass £4, the ONS said. 

Last year, the average household spent £277 a month on food expenses, but the latest inflation reading suggest this could increase to £285 a month this year, according to analysis by Royal London. 

'Anyone who has been to the supermarket recently will have noticed that their weekly bill has been rising,' said Suter. 

'A combination of shipping issues, driver shortages, supply chain issues and a leap in demand have all lead to a spike in prices – in July we saw the largest monthly rise in food costs. 

'While you can't directly combat rising prices, you can reduce your food bill. There are lots of offers out there for using online grocery delivery services for the first time, which can get decent discounts on a shop. 

'Or you can go back to the old fashioned methods of sticking to your list, meal planning and budgeting.'

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Insulate Britain apologises for disruption as PM calls group 'crusties' - ITV News

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1. Insulate Britain apologises for disruption as PM calls group 'crusties'  ITV News
2. Insulate Britain activists pulled off the road by drivers, police and a paramedic  The Telegraph
3. Drivers clash with Insulate Britain protesters  BBC News
4. Insulate Britain eco-warriors vow to fight on despite High Court injunction hearing  Evening Standard
5. Insulate Britain says sorry - but won't stop protests  Sky News
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2021-10-05 14:15:33Z
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Independent inquiry launched into police 'systematic failures' following the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer - Sky News

Priti Patel has announced an independent inquiry into the "systematic failures" by the police following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

Speaking at the Conservatives' party conference in Manchester, the home secretary said the incident had "exposed unimaginable failings" in policing and added that an inquiry will "ensure something like this can never happen again".

Read more: How policeman who murdered Sarah Everard tried to cover up his crime

The Home Office said the first part of the inquiry will examine Wayne Couzens' previous behaviour and will establish a definitive account of his conduct leading up to his conviction, as well as any opportunities missed by the Metropolitan Police.

Image: Priti Patel said there have been 'systemic failures' in policing

The second part will look at any specific issues raised by the first part of the inquiry, which could include wider issues across policing.

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Ms Patel has asked the independent police inspectorate to report back to her on vetting procedures by the end of this year.

"It is abhorrent that a serving police officer was able to abuse his position of power, authority and trust to commit such a horrific crime," the home secretary said.

More on Sarah Everard

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"The public have a right to know what systematic failures enabled his continued employment as a police officer.

"We need answers as to why this was allowed to happen."

Ms Patel said she would refuse to say the name of Sarah's killer, but called him a "monster".

"Women and girls have said enough's enough," she said.

Image: London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the inquiry must leave 'no stone unturned'

She added she would "toughen" sentences for the most serious offenders.

Wayne Couzens was given a whole life jail sentence for the abduction, rape, and murder of 33-year-old Sarah.

Responding to the announcement, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he and Ms Patel agreed that "the gravity of the situation required no less than a proper inquiry".

"This inquiry must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the failures that led to a serving police officer killing Sarah Everard can never happen again - and while I know the vast majority of officers are decent and dedicated public servants, the inquiry must also address reports of widespread cultural issues," the mayor said in a statement.

"All police officers must adhere to the highest possible standards, we must stamp out misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia, root out those who abuse their trusted position as officers, and ensure that tackling violence against women and girls is treated with the highest priority.

Important that it looks more widely at handling of allegations of violence against women and girls by police officers and staff. Real concerns that these are not dealt with properly - vital that they are in order to ensure women’s safety and rebuild trust.

— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) October 5, 2021

"There is no time to waste. So while this inquiry moves ahead, I'll continue to hold the Met to account so that we start to see the changes we need right now - both to rebuild trust in the police and to make our country safer for women and girls."

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Labour has been calling for a full independent inquiry for days, yet the prime minister refused to support one - now the home secretary has half-heartedly announced one, but not put it on a robust, statutory footing to ensure there are no barriers in the way to getting answers.

"Labour will study the details of what is proposed very carefully. But taking action on the issue of violence against women and girls cannot be delayed for months or even years pending the outcome of the inquiry."

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Labour MP and chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Yvette Cooper said the announcement was "very welcome".

Ms Patel also said she plans to increase the maximum penalties for disrupting a motorway following the actions of Insulate Britain protesters - who she referred to as "eco-warriors".

"It is because of our commitment to putting the needs of the hard-working, often silent, majority first that I will not tolerate so called eco-warriors trampling over our way of life and draining police resources," the home secretary told the conference hall.

"Their actions over recent weeks have amounted to some of the most self-defeating 'environmental' protests this country has ever seen. Freedom to protest is a fundamental right our party will forever fight to uphold. But it must be within the law."

Image: Ms Patel said she plans to increase the maximum penalties for disrupting a motorway

Moving on to the issue of people smuggling, the home secretary said the government is "going after" the criminals involved.

"France is a safe country, one not riven by war or conflict. There is no reason why any asylum seeker should come to the United Kingdom directly from France," Ms Patel told the conference audience.

"I make no apology for securing our borders and exploring all possible options to save lives by ending these horrific journeys."

On immigration, the home secretary told the conference audience that there are "long-standing problems" despite the system now being under British control.

What is happening in the Channel with small boats seeking to reach the UK is "unsafe, unfair and unacceptable", she added.

Image: Priti Patel said 'there is no reason why any asylum seeker should come to the United Kingdom directly from France'

Ms Patel said new sea tactics are being used to "turn back the boats", among other measures to respond to the issue, before adding: "I will never flinch from taking the difficult decisions needed to keep our country safe and secure."

The home secretary wrapped up her speech by telling delegates she will "never flinch from taking the difficult decisions needed to keep our country safe and secure".

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2021-10-05 12:22:30Z
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More than 100 Insulate Britain activists receive road-blocking injunctions - Daily Mail

More than 100 Insulate Britain protestors are served with road-blocking injunctions after weeks of chaos as eco mob gathers outside court amid calls for group to be classed as 'TERRORISTS'

• Protesters from Extinction Rebellion offshoot have blocked major roads in London over the past three weeks
• Three court injunctions have now been put in place against them but demonstrations continued yesterday
• First injunction on September 21 banned M25 protests and was followed by a second days later for Dover
• Third injunction was granted on Saturday, banning them from obstructing traffic and motorways in London

By Mark Duell for MailOnline

Published: 12:19 BST, 5 October 2021 | Updated: 15:35 BST, 5 October 2021

More than 100 Insulate Britain activists have been served with an injunction against road-blocking protests, the High Court heard today as members of the group held banners and demonstrated outside the building.

Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion offshoot have blocked major roads including the M25, M1 and M4 over the past three weeks, and three court injunctions have now been put in place but demonstrations have continued.

The original injunction, granted to National Highways on September 21, banned the demonstrations on the M25 and was followed by a second approved on September 24 which restricted protests around the Port of Dover.

A third injunction was granted on Saturday, banning them from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads in and around London – but this has not stopped the protests which again caused chaos yesterday.

The group, which is calling on the Government to insulate all homes across the UK by 2030 to help cut carbon emissions, has mostly focused on blockading the M25 but has sat down on other London roads since last Friday.

They have not yet carried out any road protests today, but their campaign of roadblocks caused fresh misery yesterday, as activists targeted three major sites of the Blackwall Tunnel, Wandsworth Bridge and Hanger Lane.  

Another 38 protesters were arrested yesterday, and it comes as GB News presenter Patrick Christys said Insulate Britain were 'a mentally unwell group of people who should be classed as a banned terror organisation'.

He quoted the Crown Prosecution Service's definition of terrorism, which says: 'Terrorism is the use or threat of action, both in and outside of the UK, designed to influence any international government organisation or to intimidate the public. It must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.'

He said: 'So Insulate Britain are terrorists then, in my opinion. The police need to step in, not just to uphold basic law and order and make sure that the ordinary man and woman on the street doesn't have their day massively disrupted, but actually I would argue to save Insulate Britain. I'm amazed none of them have been seriously hurt.'

Insulate Britain activist Tim Gough stands in front of fellow demonstrators outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London today

Members of Insulate Britain stand outside the Royal Courts of Justice this morning before a hearing over the injunction

Tim Gough, spokesman for Insulate Britain, stands outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London before today's hearing

In the first hearing open to journalists over the injunctions, David Elvin QC, representing National Highways, said that the agency wished to adjourn today's hearing so all three injunctions could be discussed together.

'These orders all seek to restrict various forms of disruption and nuisance of the strategic highways network,' he told the High Court in London.

Protesters could face six months' jail under law to keep Britain on the move 

Eco-fanatics will be hit with a new type of Asbo in a fresh attempt to bring their chaotic road protests to an end, Priti Patel will announce today.

The Home Secretary will reveal plans for measures to make it an offence to repeatedly obstruct roads or cause other delays.

The Criminal Disruption Prevention Orders – dubbed 'Asbos for crusties' – are intended to be quicker to enforce than the Government's current approach, which has been based on High Court injunctions.

In a separate move, Miss Patel will tell the Conservative Party conference that a specific new offence will be created to deal with protests by Extinction Rebellion and its offshoot Insulate Britain. It will be made a crime to 'interfere with critical national infrastructure', including major roads, railways, seaports, power stations and newspaper printing presses.

The new crime will carry up to six months' imprisonment and will be dealt with at magistrates' courts only – after sympathetic juries acquitted a series of XR activists in the Crown courts. It will give police new options when arresting offenders who block motorways or other sites, and make it more likely that protesters will face jail.

Mr Elvin said 111 demonstrators had been served with an injunction either in person or through alternative forms of service.

The case was adjourned until next Tuesday for a hearing expected to last two to three hours - where members of Insulate Britain may be able to make legal arguments.

Mr Justice Lavender said: 'I am prepared to adjourn these two matters for a week so that they can be dealt with at the same time.'

Speaking outside the High Court, Insulate Britain spokesman Liam Norton said today: 'Insulate Britain wishes to profoundly apologise for the disruption caused over the past three weeks. We cannot imagine undertaking such acts in normal circumstances. But we believe that the reality of our situation has to be faced. 

'The collapse of the climate is happening around us. We face economic chaos and the breakdown of law and order in a matter of years. We will lose our incomes, pensions, and savings while passing on an unwanted legacy to our children. They will be rightly furious. Around the world thousands of millions of people will lose their lives through slaughter and starvation as society collapses.'

He added: 'Here in front of the Royal Courts of Justice, we plead with our government to demonstrate leadership. We ask the Prime Minister to make the statement the country wants to hear - that our government will live up to its responsibilities to protect us, to defend law and order. That our government will take the lead needed to insulate and retrofit our homes.

'That it will 'get on with the job' so families can feed their children and keep their homes warm. So we can be secure in the knowledge that our government did everything it could to protect and defend our country. 

'As soon as we have a meaningful statement we can trust, we will call off the campaign. That is all we ask.

'But, if our government believes that our acts are outrageous and illegal, that there is no right of necessity to cause disruption, to prevent the far greater destruction of our economy and way of life, then it has a duty to act decisively.

'Take us to court, charge us, and put us in prison. We are more fearful of the loss of our country than we are of the courts. Throw injunctions at us, but we are going nowhere, there is nowhere to go.' 

Activists from Insulate Britain caused chaos on the A40 and North Circular at Hanger Lane in West London yesterday

GB News presenter Patrick Christys has said that Insulate Britain 'should be classed as a banned terror organisation'

The approximately ten-minute court hearing this morning came after Boris Johnson branded protesters who have blocked major UK roads as 'irresponsible crusties'. 

Insulate Britain: Timeline of chaos across London

September 13 - 78 Insulate Britain protesters are arrested after blocking junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31 of the M25

September 15 - More than 50 protesters are arrested after targeting junctions 1, 8, 9 and 23 of the M25.

September 17 - 48 protesters arrested after targeting junctions 3, 9 and 28 of the M25, as well as the M3

September 20 - 29 protesters are arrested after blocking the M25 at junctions 4 and 18, as well as the A1

September 21 - Protesters risk death by running into moving traffic to block the carriageway near Junction 10. Some 38 arrests are made. National Highways obtains an injunction against further protests on the M25

September 22 - Protesters burn copies of the injunction outside the Home Office, blocking the road outside the ministry. No arrests are made

September 24 - 39 protesters are arrested after blocking roads at three locations in Dover. They are all released under investigation. National Highways obtains a second injunction covering Dover.

September 27 - 53 protesters are arrested for blocking a slip road at Junction 14 of the M25. They are all released under investigation.

September 28 - National Highways says it is taking 'legal advice' over how to enforce its injunction

September 29 - 27 protesters are arrested for blocking a roundabout at Junction 3 of the M25 on two occasions

September 30 - Protesters return to junction 30 at Thurrock in Essex, and nine are arrested

October 1: The group block the M4 at junction 3, the M1 at junction 1 and M25 at junction 25. Some 39 arrests

October 2: Third injunction bans them from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads in and around London 

October 4: 38 arrests after protesters block three major roads in London - the Blackwall Tunnel, Wandsworth Bridge and A40 and North Circular at Hanger Lane. 

The Prime Minister said the Insulate Britain protesters, who have blocked highways across the South East in recent weeks, have been 'doing considerable damage to the economy'.

His comments come ahead of Home Secretary Priti Patel's speech to the Conservative Party Conference today, in which she will lay out new measures to deal with demonstrators deemed to be disruptive.

This morning, Mr Johnson told LBC: 'There are some people who call those individuals legitimate protesters.

'They are not. I think they are irresponsible crusties who are basically trying to stop people going about their day's work and doing considerable damage to the economy.

'That is why we have taken the powers and why Priti Patel is doing the right thing to bring in powers so they can get six months or an unlimited fine.'

The Home Secretary is expected to announce plans today for eco-fanatics to be hit with a new type of Asbo in a fresh attempt to bring their chaotic road protests to an end.

She will reveal plans for measures to make it an offence to repeatedly obstruct roads or cause other delays.

The Criminal Disruption Prevention Orders – dubbed 'Asbos for crusties' – are intended to be quicker to enforce than the Government's current approach, which has been based on High Court injunctions.

In a separate move, Miss Patel will tell the Conservative Party conference that a specific new offence will be created to deal with protests by Extinction Rebellion and its offshoot Insulate Britain. 

It will be made a crime to 'interfere with critical national infrastructure', including major roads, railways, seaports, power stations and newspaper printing presses.

The new crime will carry up to six months' imprisonment and will be dealt with at magistrates' courts only – after sympathetic juries acquitted a series of XR activists in the Crown courts.

It will give police new options when arresting offenders who block motorways or other sites, and make it more likely that protesters will face jail.

A Conservative source said police would 'now have no excuse' for not arresting and charging Insulate Britain troublemakers. 

However, the new powers will take months to come into force.

'Freedom to protest is a fundamental right our party will forever fight to uphold,' Miss Patel will tell the conference in Manchester later today. 'But it must be within the law. 

'Measures already going through Parliament will ensure these criminals can be brought to justice for the disruption they are causing. But we are going further to close down the legal loopholes exploited by these offenders. 

'I will increase the maximum penalties for disrupting a motorway; criminalise interference with key infrastructures such as roads, railways and our free press; and give the police and courts new powers to deal with the small minority of offender's intent on travelling around the country, causing disruption and misery across our communities.'

Another new criminal offence of 'disrupting a highway' – announced earlier this week – will carry up to six months' imprisonment. It will apply to motorways, A-roads and all types of local roads, a Conservative source said.

The Asbo-style orders, if breached, could carry up to two years' imprisonment for contempt of court, it is understood. 

Queuing traffic on the Blackwall Tunnel approach yesterday after activists from Insulate Britain blocked part of the tunnel

Police make arrests yesterday after Insulate Britain, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, block Wandsworth Bridge in London

Sources said it would be targeted at 'a small number of prolific offenders who travel around the country, causing disruption and misery to others'.

They would be enforced on individuals with a history of disruption or where there is 'intelligence suggesting they are likely to commit a criminal offence from attending particular protests'.

Crucially, police would be able to arrest individuals on the spot if they breached an order that had been imposed on them by a court. Anti-social behaviour orders, or Asbos, were introduced by Tony Blair's Labour government in 1998.

Human rights expert Adam Wagner, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London, criticised the plans for Criminal Disruption Prevention Orders in a series of tweets today

They were imposed on yobs whose behaviour 'caused or was likely to cause harm, harassment, alarm or distress'. Breaching the civil orders carried up to five years' imprisonment. They were repealed by the Tories in 2014.

All Miss Patel's new measures will be introduced to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill next month. If approved by Parliament, they are expected to be in force by spring next year.

The moves come after weeks of protests which the police seemed powerless to stop. 

The activists have repeatedly defied an interim injunction, granted by the High Court last month, which prevented named protesters from blocking the M25. 

Ministers are now understood to be seeking a more wide-ranging injunction, which could serve as a stop-gap before the new powers are introduced. 

But human rights legal expert Adam Wagner, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London, criticised the plans for Criminal Disruption Prevention Orders.

He said in a series of tweets: 'This is a highly illiberal measure. Preventing people exercising their free-speech rights in advance because they are 'disruptive' is fraught with risk for a democratic society.

'It is understandable that in the heat of the moment people want to 'crackdown' on disruptive protests, but protests are by definition disruptive. This law would, I assume, authorise the detention of a protester to prevent them attending a protest. That is illiberal.

'This government is already attempting to pass laws which criminalise 'noisy' protests. Our law is already finally balanced to protect free-speech and ensure police have powers to prevent illegal conduct arising from protest. These new laws tip the balance in the wrong direction.'

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2021-10-05 11:19:42Z
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Insulate Britain: PM calls climate change activists 'irresponsible crusties' as members continue to block roads across UK - Sky News

Boris Johnson has branded climate change activists who have blocked motorways and caused disruption in recent weeks "irresponsible crusties".

Speaking to LBC, the prime minister said the those involved are "doing considerable damage to the economy" and are "not" legitimate protesters.

Mr Johnson's father, Stanley Johnson - who is also an environmental campaigner and international ambassador for the Conservative Environment Network - told Sky News that the actions of Insulate Britain protestors are not helping their cause.

Image: Insulate Britain blocked both sides to the Blackwall tunnel earlier this week

It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to warn protesters who block the motorway could face unlimited fines and up to six months in jail during her conference speech on Tuesday.

Police will also be given powers to stop and search activists for "lock-on" equipment used to prevent them from being moved, it is believed.

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The move follows days of protests by Insulate Britain, which has staged sit-down demonstrations on a series of key roads around London - including on the M25, M1 and M4.

On 2 October, the government obtained a fresh injunction banning the group from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads around London.

More on Extinction Rebellion

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Image: The protests have caused traffic chaos for weeks

The new powers will be introduced by Ms Patel and added as an amendment in the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill, currently going through parliament.

The PM's father told Sky News that "Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain are making a mistake if they think antagonising ordinary people is going to help the cause".

He added: "It is not a good idea, it needs to stop - whether it needs to stop by legal means - Kit Malthouse or whatever - I do not know, but I am simply saying as a matter of practical politics those who lead Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain need to realise that this is not actually going to advance the cause they are seeking to support."

Ahead of her conference speech, Ms Patel said: "The right to protest is a fundamental principle of our democracy but we will not tolerate guerrilla tactics that obstruct people going about their day-to-day business.

"Whilst the Labour Party stand on the side of these so-called 'activists', the Conservative Party will always back the law-abiding, hard-working majority of people in this country."

Image: Stanley Johnson said Insulate Britain protestors are not advancing their cause through their actions

The PM added that his government "will give the police the powers they need to stop their reckless and selfish behaviour".

Speaking earlier on Sky News, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said Insulate Britain protestors have "crossed the line" of peaceful protest after video footage was released showing a paramedic removing an individual from the middle of the road.

Describing the footage as "deeply distressing", the policing minister said something "does" need to be done about the situation.

"While we obviously all value the right to protest, there is a difference between causing disruption and causing damage," he said.

Image: Protestors have glued themselves to railings and the roads

"We believe that these protesters and some of the others that we have seen in the last couple of years have crossed the line between exercising their right but also their responsibility towards the rest of us and something needs to be done."

Mr Malthouse added that the government will be "announcing a raft of new measures" to curb protests such as this later on Tuesday.

Ms Patel is due to make her conference speech in the main hall at 11.50am.

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2021-10-05 08:28:30Z
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