Starmer hits out at ‘completely unacceptable’ leaks against ministers – latest

political editor of The Independent David Maddox reports:

As junior doctors are expected to strike next week, the prime minister warned they were losing the support of the public and their NHS colleagues.

Sir Keir Starmer was forced to join the strike by junior doctors during an appearance before the House of Commons liaison committee over the Christmas period.

And although more than 80 per cent of doctors voted to support strike action against the demand for an eye-watering 29 per cent pay rise, Sir Keir said they were in trouble with public perception.

He told MPs on the committee: “I will be calling on the doctors themselves to push back against the BMA.

“They’re losing public sympathy. They’re losing the support of their colleagues.”

Political correspondent for The Independent Millie Cooke reports:

Sir Keir Starmer said he was “disgruntled” about impending strikes by BMA resident doctors and described them as irresponsible.

Asked how exhausted he was on a scale of 1 to 10, the Prime Minister said: “It’s very draining. 10 out of 10. That’s irresponsible behavior at any time, especially at the moment.”

“This follows a very significant pay rise over the last year. There is a deal we have put on the table that can be taken forward and so I think this is irresponsible behavior by the BMA, and not for the first time.”

Whitehall editor of The Independent Kate Devlin Reports from the Covid-19 investigation:

Describing the Covid inquiry into help for the self-employed, the former chancellor suggests the taxpayer should get some of the money back if it happens again.

Mr Sunak suggested that in these circumstances the Treasury “might consider clawing back if turnover does not ultimately fall, you could claw that back through self-assessment through tax returns the following year”.

Political correspondent for The Independent Millie Cooke reports:

Saying that Europe has spent enough money on defense for years, the prime minister promised to initiate a conversation on increasing defense capabilities in the face of “very real” threats from Russia.

Addressing the Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister said: “For many years, I think that all European countries have not done enough on defense and security, and I think we need to step up, not only in terms of spending, but also in terms of capacity and coordination.

“And it’s now up to the leaders to make that argument, because the threat from Russia is very clear, very real. It’s not just in Ukraine. And part of the conversation, as I see it, is that I need to lead, and quite rightly, to make the argument for more defense and security… so that Europe can better defend itself.”

The public inquiry into the Covid outbreak has cost the government more than £100 million so far, according to official figures.

Transparency data from the Cabinet Office shows the overall cost of responding to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, including dedicated staff working on legal advice and evidence preparation.

The investigation has now entered its third phase. It is planned to continue until summer 2026.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Sir Keir Starmer said he “understands the concerns” farmers have about a plan to impose an inheritance tax on agricultural properties.

He added: “I met with the NFU president last week, as I have done before, to address his specific concerns.

“I think there needs to be sensible reform of agricultural property and property assistance.”

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has responded to allegations of nepotism following the appointment of football regulator David Kogan.

Mr Kogan donated £2,500 to the Prime Minister’s local Labor Party Holborn and St Pancras branch in May 2024 and also donated to Sir Keir’s Labor leadership campaign in 2020.

£2,900 was also donated to Culture Minister Lisa Nandy, whose candidate for the Labor leadership in 2020 was made. Asked about the allegations, he told the Liaison Committee: “In relation to David Kogan, this was the first time he had been approached for this post by the previous government and I therefore reject the allegation of nepotism, which I do not think needs to be properly put.

“It was subsequently approved by the cross-party committee and was pursued by the previous government because of its suitability for the task appointed by this government and was also approved by the cross-party committee. I had recused myself in relation to the bill.”

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted the government needs to “get the balance right” when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system.

Speaking to the Liaison Committee, Andy Slaughter MP expressed concern that the prime minister was putting “AI at the heart of the government’s growth issue”. He asked the Prime Minister how he could ensure that the increased use of artificial intelligence would not lead to a weakening of the protection of human rights.

He said: “AI may contain personal data, be discriminatory and lack transparency, and this requires some human oversight.”

Keir Starmer said: “We need to get the balance right with artificial intelligence, there is huge potential. In healthcare, it can detect blood clots in stroke victims and literally save lives. In criminal justice, it is already used in probation.”

“We need to make sure the balance is right and take precautions where there are risk potentials,” he added.

political editor of The Independent David Maddox reports:

With public service union FDA threatening strikes in the event of a Reform government, Danny Kruger said the party plans to change strike laws.

This suggests they intend to repeal Labour’s employment rights legislation and are likely to go further than the ruling Conservatives have in restricting union powers.

Mr Kruger also said Reform would renegotiate union agreements in the public sector.

One of the justifications for this is that civil servants who work from home “without any valid reason” will also face dismissal if they refuse to return to the office.