Care visa restrictions imposed as ministers scramble to cut record legal migration
“Care workers will be barred from bringing family members to the UK within weeks amid “significant concerns” over visa abuses. Legal Migration Minister Tom Pursglove said immigration “is not the long-term answer to our social care needs” as the Home Office laid the changes in Parliament on Monday. Only firms registered with the watchdog – Care Quality Commission – will be able to sponsor visas, under the Government’s new plans. Some 123,000 foreign care workers were granted visas in just 18 months and an additional 145,000 family members came with them, Home Office figures show. Care workers were added to the Shortage Occupation List – which lowers the amount foreign workers have to earn in a job – in 2021 amid staff shortages in the sector.” – Daily Express
- Post-Brexit deal with EU border agency boosts ‘stop the boats’ plan – Daily Telegraph
- ‘Hundreds of high-risk flights’ land in the UK unchecked – Daily Mail
More:
- SAS blocked Afghan special forces from seeking refuge amid fears of an attempted war crimes cover-up – Daily Mail
- Closure of family scheme for Ukrainians described as ‘cruel’ move – The Guardian
Ministers 1) Badenoch claims sacked Post Office boss faced bullying investigation
“The former chairman of the Post Office has been accused of lying and a “cavalier attitude to governance” as it emerged he faced a bullying investigation before he was sacked. Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, accused Henry Staunton of “spreading falsehoods” and said his interview with The Sunday Times – in which he claimed he had been told to stall compensation for victims of the Horizon scandal – was a “disgrace” and “a blatant attempt to seek revenge” for her decision to dismiss him. In a statement to the House of Commons she said he had been under “formal investigation” for misconduct, including “serious matters such as bullying”, and that there were concerns Staunton was refusing to cooperate with an investigation.” – The Times
- She vowed to release official Whitehall minutes of the call to put the record straight – The Sun
Sketches:
- Queen Kemi knows how to stiffen Conservative sinews – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
- Bare-knuckle Badenoch lands punch at Post Office critic – Tom Peck, The Times
Comment:
- The NHS and Royal Mail are in a race to put the public last – Catherine Pepinster, Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Badenoch demonstrates tremendous fighting spirit in the Post Office row
Ministers 2) Headteachers told to search pupils for phones
“Headteachers will be told to search pupils for mobile phones as part of a government ban on the devices in schools. Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, said phones were an “unwanted distraction in the classroom” and banishing them would reduce disruption and improve behaviour. In guidance to be published on Monday, headteachers will be given four options on how to implement the ban, with the most severe being a prohibition on mobile phones on school property, meaning children will have to leave their phones at home. Other options include making pupils hand in their phones at the door, put them away in lockers all day, or a “never used, seen or heard” policy under which they can keep them but could have them confiscated if they use them.” – Daily Telegraph
- Secretary of State unveils four ways schools can ban mobiles – Daily Mail
- Headteachers believe the new guidance will teach children independence – The Times
More:
- Majority of parents back extending free school meals to all primary school children – Daily Express
Comment:
- Why the school ‘phone ban’ is a gimmick – Rachel Sylvester, The Times
Editorial:
- The more pressing challenge is regulating children’s use of social media – The Times
>Yesterday: Flick Drummond MP in Comment: A register of children not in school will help families on the fringes of our education system
Ministers 3) Trigger warnings don’t belong in British books and theatres, Culture Sec says
“Trigger warnings on the works of Shakespeare are a Bard idea and fiction should not be “whitewashed”, the Culture Secretary warned today. Snowflake campaigners have called for the works of Britain’s most famous playwright to come with warnings of upsetting content. But Lucy Frazer blasted the idea, telling The Sun: “If you go to see Macbeth, you pretty much know before you’re going in that it’s going to contain uncomfortable issues.” She warned against treating audiences with kid gloves, saying: “I think we should treat people who go to the theatre in an adult way.” … Ms Frazer took a shot at Sir Keir Starmer and Labour for talking down Britain and wanting to topple statues.” – The Sun
- She demands classic literature is not ‘whitewashed’ – Daily Mail
>Yesterday: James Harris in Comment: To beat Labour, Conservatives should shut up about the culture wars – and start building some houses
Ministers 4) Home Secretary orders ‘urgent’ investigation after antisemitic incident
“A father who sent off a passport application to the Home Office for his baby daughter was shocked to receive her defaced birth certificate in the post. Her parents sent the application two weeks ago with their six-month-old baby’s birth certificate to the Home Office. But today, her birth certificate was returned ripped, with the word ‘Israel’ scribbled out. The group Campaign Against Antisemitism is now asking the Home Office to investigate. Home Secretary James Cleverly posted on X: ‘I have asked my officials to investigate this urgently and will see that appropriate action is taken’… After a photo of the defaced birth certificate was posted online, social media users were furious.” – The Guardian
Ministers 5) Cameron visits Falkland Islands
“Lord Cameron today visited the Falkland Islands in a show of strength – despite fresh calls from Argentina over the islands’ future. The Foreign Secretary said that Britain’s ownership of the Falklands is “not up for discussion”… He arrived at Mount Pleasant airbase and will pay his respects at some of the key battlefields of the 1982 Falklands War. Cameron is the first foreign secretary to visit the Falklands for 30 years. His trip comes after Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei called for Britain to hand over the islands… Last month Cameron and Milei had a “warm and cordial” meeting at the Davos summit in Switzerland. The Foreign Office said that Britain and Argentina would “agree to disagree” about the Falklands – and “do so politely”.” – The Sun
- Houthi terrorists ‘sink British ship in the Red Sea’ as Middle East tensions flare – Daily Express
>Today: ToryDiary: Cameron has gone native at the Foreign Office
Minister rules out swap for Briton jailed in Russia
“A Foreign Office minister has ruled out a prisoner swap for the imprisoned Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British citizen, who MPs have expressed concern about after the death of Alexei Navalny. Kara-Murza’s wife was now adamant that she wanted everything to be done to get her her husband out of Russia, said the Conservative backbencher Bob Seely, who urged the government to countenance swapping imprisoned spies for the pro-democracy activist who was now the most high-profile Russian political prisoner. Seely, who is in contact with the Kara-Murza and Navalny families, said when he had discussed prisoners swaps with the Foreign Office it had been made clear to him that such moves only encouraged state hostage taking.” – The Guardian
- US Army says it will run out of money to protect Europe and Africa by May if aid isn’t approved – Daily Mail
Comment:
- Time to punish Putin by using Russian assets – William Hague, The Times
>Today: Bob Seely MP in Comment: Navalny’s death is a wake-up call to the West. We can, and must, stop Putin in Ukraine.
‘Clarkson clause’ could waive planning permission for farm shops
“Rishi Sunak will allow farmers to open shops, offices and other rural businesses without full planning permission in a Clarkson-inspired pitch to rural voters. The prime minister is also promising more robots to help with planting and harvesting to reduce the need for seasonal agricultural workers. In a speech to the National Farmers’ Union on Tuesday, Sunak will promise to put food security at the “top of the agenda” by committing to a UK-wide index to measure Britain’s reliance on imported produce. It comes as polling shows a collapse in Conservative support in their traditional rural heartlands, with Labour making a pitch to become “the party of the countryside”. Sunak will tell farmers he will “cut bureaucratic red tape” to make it easier for them to set up farm shops, other commercial space and community sports venues.” – The Times
- We’re on the new road to serfdom: our property is no longer our own – Lord Frost, Daily Telegraph
Editorial:
- Labour wants class war on rural Britain – Daily Telegraph
- Hunt would be crazy not to extend 5p fuel duty cut in next month’s Budget – The Sun
>Today:
>Yesterday:
GB News investigated for possible impartiality breach with Sunak Q&A
“Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether a GB News programme where Rishi Sunak took questions from the public breached impartiality rules by failing to include other political views. The broadcast watchdog said it had received 500 complaints about People’s Forum: The Prime Minister, held in County Durham on 12 February on Monday last week. GB News has previously faced complaints and other Ofcom investigations over its employment of several Conservative MPs as hosts, who have sometimes interviewed Tory colleagues. Last year, Ofcom ruled that the channel breached impartiality rules with a programme in which Esther McVey, now a minister, and her husband, the longstanding Tory backbencher Philip Davies, interviewed Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, before the spring budget…” – The Guardian
- Impartiality concerns drew 500 complaints – The Times
More:
- I know it’s tough, but our plan will boost Britain, Prime Minister tells readers – Daily Express
I’ll do all I can to help Labour succeed, says ex-Tory minister
“A former Tory minister and arch-Remainer has vowed to do everything he can to help Labour succeed as he advises Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet on preparing for power. Nick Boles, who quit the Conservative Party five years ago over its “refusal to compromise” on Brexit, is helping Labour get ready for government, with a general election expected in the autumn. The former skills minister, who served under Lord Cameron, voted Labour in the 2022 local elections and went on to endorse Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, arguing that they “best fit the bill”. He is now offering informal advice to shadow ministers on the transition to power… The arrangement, first reported by Politics Home, shows that Mr Boles has completely cut ties with the Tories.” – Daily Telegraph
- Reform UK ‘could make the difference’ between 192-seat Labour majority and a hung Parliament – Daily Mail
- Yousaf likens Labour to Thatcher over oil and gas plans – The Guardian
Pressure mounts on Starmer ahead of ceasefire vote
“Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from shadow ministers to back an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza amid the threat of another rebellion in parliament. Labour officials are drawing up a motion likely to move closer towards the position and in line with Starmer’s speech over the weekend calling for a “ceasefire that lasts”. But some frontbenchers fear he will not go far enough and believe the party will be seen to be “equivocating” on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It came after Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, criticised Israel for “going beyond reasonable self-defence” in a conscious escalation of Labour’s language on the issue… Labour insiders said MPs are likely to be whipped and that, traditionally, the party does not vote for or against other parties’ motions.” – The Times
- Israel has gone ‘beyond self-defence’ in Gaza, says Streeting… – The Guardian
- …but says he’d spoil his ballot if I was voting in Rochdale – Daily Telegraph
More:
- America warns Israel against assault on Rafah – Daily Mail
Comment:
- Islamists and the hard left got me sacked: I’m not the real racist – Lord Austin, The Times
Editorial:
- Judge who decided not to imprison Hamas sympathisers has undermined trust in the judiciary – The Times
Labour backtracks over Gray’s announcement on citizen assemblies
“Labour has backtracked on plans to create dozens of citizens’ assemblies to deliberate on new laws following a backlash against the “stupid idea”. Sue Gray, the party’s chief of staff, had said in an interview that she would introduce the measure as part of efforts to devolve power from Whitehall. But just over 12 hours after her remarks were published, Labour was already rowing back, with officials insisting that the plan was not a formal policy. Under the proposals, modelled on a system in Ireland, juries made up of members of the public would discuss key issues. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told the BBC that they could have been used to put forward laws on sensitive subjects like assisted dying.” – Daily Telegraph
- Flip-flopping Labour commits ‘humiliating policy u-turn’ in just 12 hours – Daily Express
More:
- Gray says investigating No 10 behaviour during lockdown was ‘heartbreaking’ – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
- Give us more referendums, not citizens’ assemblies – Melanie McDonagh, The Times
- Labour is paying the price in the polls for fudge and flip-flopping – Chris Hopkins, Daily Express
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: An arch-mandarin like Gray must know that citizens’ assemblies only enhance the bureaucracy’s power
Milkshakes could be hit with 24p-a-litre ‘fat tax’ if Lib Dems gain power, official party docs reveal
“A new “fat tax” would be slapped on milkshakes under barmy plans from the Lib Dems. Official party policy documents show a previously unnoticed tax trap lined up for their election manifesto that could hurt the nearly 12,000 dairy farmers in Britain. The party would extend the sugar tax to beloved milk-based drinks, slapping an extra 18p to 24p per litre. This means the prices of fruity or chocolatey drinks could surge but also negatively impact dairy farmers as people might start buying fewer of their products. The plans have resurfaced as Lib Dem environment spokesman Tim Farron is set to attend the National Farmers’ Union Conference this week and potentially face the backlash from producers and farmers.” – The Sun
>Yesterday: Kenny Ferguson in Comment: Good stories, not big numbers, are what really make the difference when lobbying the Treasury
Haley says she would pardon Trump
“Nikki Haley has said she would pardon Donald Trump if she became president, insisting it would be “important for the country to move on”. The Republican presidential contender made the comment days away from the primary contest in her home state of South Carolina, where polls show her lagging well behind Mr Trump. Her intervention prompted speculation that she is extending an olive branch to her former boss, who appointed her UN ambassador during his time in the White House. Mr Trump is a heavy favourite to win the Republican nomination but is facing dozens of criminal charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and handling of classified documents that threaten to derail his campaign.” – Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: Lord Ashcroft in Comment: My latest poll finds Trump and Biden neck and neck in the race for the White House – but a generic Democrat ahead
News in Brief:
- Britain’s boarded-up shops would make excellent homes – Harry Phibbs, CapX
- Gove’s holiday let crackdown could trash the tourist industry – Ross Clark, The Spectator
- Levelling Up Secretary’s convenient conversion won’t be enough – Henry Oliver, The Critic
- Inside the Lib Dems’ plan to “squeeze Labour” – Freddie Hayward, New Statesman
- Biden’s age won’t scare off voters – James Kanagasooriam and James Alster, UnHerd
- The State of the Culture, 2024 – Ted Gioia, Substack
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