UK politics - latest: Inflation falls as Peter Bone suspension triggers byelection for Rishi Sunak in 2024
Falling petrol prices help drive a bigger-than-expected fall inflation
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UK inflation eased back to its lowest level for more than two years last month as falling petrol prices helped drive a bigger-than-expected fall, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 3.9 per cent in November, down from 4.6 per cent in October, and the lowest level since September 2021.
Most economists had been expecting inflation to fall to 4.3 per cent last month.
Elsewhere, Rishi Sunak will face another by-election test early next year after MP Peter Bone lost his seat in parliament in a recall petition.
The Northamptonshire MP was suspended from the Commons for six weeks in October after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct.
Some 13.2 per cent of eligible voters – 10,505 people – in Mr Bone’s Wellingborough constituency voted for the recall petition, surpassing the 10 per cent threshold needed to trigger a by-election.
Drakeford ‘optimistic’ about Labour’s election chances despite Welsh budget cuts
Mark Drakeford is “optimistic” about the next general election for Labour – despite proposed budget cuts by the Labour-run Welsh government.
The Labour first minister of Wales, who recently said he intends to stand down in March, also said his cabinet will not raise income tax to plug funding gaps because it would likely “add to the struggles” of those on modest incomes.
Drakeford ‘optimistic’ about Labour’s election chances despite Welsh budget cuts
The Labour First Minister of Wales ruled out income tax rises because they would ‘add to the struggles’ of those on modest incomes.
Patients could be forced to spend Christmas in hospital due to strikes – Atkins
Strikes by junior doctors in England will mean that some patients will not be sent home from hospital in time to spend Christmas with their loved ones, the Health Secretary has said.
Victoria Atkins echoed concerns from leading health and patient organisations, who warned patients could be left “stranded” in wards over Christmas due to the industrial action.
Full report:
Patients could be forced to spend Christmas in hospital due to strikes – Atkins
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins warned that patients could be left ‘stranded’ over the festive period.
Protest group opposed to new Sizewell nuclear plant loses appeal
Campaigners opposed to the building of a new nuclear power plant near Sizewell in Suffolk have lost the latest stage of a legal battle with the government.
Protest group Together Against Sizewell C objects to a decision, made in 2022 by then business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, to give the development the green light.
The group had mounted a Court of Appeal challenge after losing a High Court fight earlier this year.
But three appeal judges dismissed the group’s appeal on Wednesday. Sir Keith Lindblom, Lady Justice Andrews and Lord Justice Lewis had considered arguments at a Court of Appeal hearing in London in November.
Lawyers representing the group told judges the central issue relates to whether a “development consent order” was lawful “without any assessment” of the environmental impacts of an “essential” fresh water supply.
The group had taken legal action against energy security and net zero secretary Claire Coutinho and Sizewell C Ltd.
Lawyers representing the two defendants said the appeal should be dismissed.
Pressure on Bank of England to cut interest rates after surprise inflation fall
The Bank of England is under increasing pressure to help homeowners and cut interest rates after inflation fell to its lowest rate in two years.
Latest figures show it has slowed to 3.9 per cent, well below Rishi Sunak’s target of 5 per cent by the end of the year.
Kate Devlin reports:
Pressure on Bank of England to cut interest rates after surprise inflation fall
Labour say more than a million people face higher mortgage payments next year ‘after the Conservatives crashed the economy’
ICYMI: Why does Keir Starmer’s Labour consider Eddie Izzard unelectable?
As the comedian is thwarted in her latest bid to become a Labour candidate, Sean O’Grady hopes the reason for her ongoing failure to make headway in the ugly world of politics isn’t transphobia.
Read Sean’s full piece here:
Why does Keir Starmer’s Labour consider Eddie Izzard unelectable?
As the comedian is thwarted in her latest bid to become a Labour candidate, Sean O’Grady hopes the reason for her ongoing failure to make headway in the ugly world of politics isn’t transphobia
ICYMI: Rishi Sunak is the one Tory who still thinks he can win
The prime minister was determined to fight for every point when grilled by MPs, writes John Rentoul. And at the No 10 Christmas reception last night there was – perhaps – a slip of when in 2024 the election might be...
Read John’s full piece here:
Rishi Sunak is the one Tory who still thinks he can win | John Rentoul
The prime minister was determined to fight for every point when grilled by MPs, writes John Rentoul. And at the No 10 Christmas reception last night there was – perhaps – a slip of when in 2024 the election might be...
ICYMI: By-election triggered as suspended MP Peter Bone loses his seat
Rishi Sunak will face another by-election test early next year after MP Peter Bone lost his seat in parliament in a recall petition.
The Northamptonshire MP was suspended from the Commons for six weeks in October after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct.
By-election triggered as suspended MP Peter Bone loses his seat
Wellingborough MP was suspended fom Commons in October after bullying and sexual misconduct inquiry
Government sets ‘ambitious’ target to grow rail freight by 75%
An “ambitious” target of growing rail freight by at least 75 per cent by 2050 has been set by transport secretary Mark Harper.
The cabinet minister said this will lead to economic and environmental benefits.
Full report:
Government sets ‘ambitious’ target to grow rail freight by 75%
The Transport Secretary said setting a target for increasing the amount of goods moved by train would encourage more private sector investment.
Former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen quits Laurence Fox’s Reclaim Party
Laurence Fox’s fringe Reclaim Party has lost its only MP after disgraced former Tory Andrew Bridgen quit over a “difference in direction”.
The North West Leicestershire MP insisted he still supported the “policies and values” of Reclaim after his “incredibly difficult decision” to resign.
Adam Forrest reports:
Former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen quits Laurence Fox’s Reclaim Party
MP says she still supports ‘policies and values’ of former actor’s radical fringe outfit
Cabinet minister Mel Stride wants MPs to look again at legalising assisted dying
Cabinet minister Mel Stride has said it is time for parliament to look again at whether to legalise assisted dying in the UK.
Dame Esther Rantzen has called for free vote on assisted dying, after revealing that she has registered with the Swiss Dignitas clinic over her stage four lung cancer.
Adam Forrest reports:
Cabinet minister Mel Stride wants MPs to look again at legalising assisted dying
Support for fresh look follows Esther Rantzen’s call for new vote, as he reveals joining Dignitas
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