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Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

5 Sep

@Keir_Starmer

EXCL: Labour leader @Keir_Starmer opposes Boris Johnson's National Insurance hike to fund social care.

"We don't agree that is the appropriate way to do it. Do we accept we need more investment? Yes. Do we accept NI is the right way to do it? No."
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

Starmer tells me it's "inevitable" taxes will have to rise to help solve social care crisis.

Amid pressure to back hike to capital gains instead of NI he hints he might be prepared to accept over-65s shd contribute.

"We need a fair way to raise the money that is needed."

After summer tour round UK, Starmer tells me:
🌹hostility to Labour under Corbyn has gone
🌹public now "open to being persuaded" by party
🌹he has no plans to welcome Andy Burnham back to Westminster
🌹it's "not a problem" if Corbyn comes to conference
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

Read 5 tweets

Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

21 Jul

BREAKING: Government confirms 3% pay rise for NHS staff including nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists and salaried GPs.

Ministers originally suggested a rise of just 1% - a real terms pay cut - which was branded "insulting" by NHS workers.

It would have been politically *extremely* difficult for Health Secretary Sajid Javid to ignore recommendation of independent pay review body.

It comes after a chaotic few days of the pay announcement being on, off, then on again etc.

No 10 insiders suggesting there was some last minute wrangling over the detail. Not sure which bits.

Read 4 tweets

Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

21 Jul

Keir Starmer kicks off with PM's "get out of isolation free card" - asking if public should self-isolate if pinged.

Boris Johnson says isolation remains a "vital tool" but apologises to businesses/ public sector who are "experiencing any inconvenience".

Final #PMQs of session.

Starmer: "The British people are trying to follow the rules, how can they when his ministers keep making them up as they go along?"

(ref to ministers y'day saying app was "advisory" and "allow you to make informed decision" - No 10 insiders admit they didn't get "tone" right)

"We'll be heading for a summer of chaos" - Starmer

One million children out of school.

Businesses closing b/c staff self-isolating.

No 10 changing advice on which businesses exempt changing "hour by hour".

"Which workers will be exempt fr isolating before 16 Aug?"

Read 5 tweets

Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

10 Jun

@GregClarkMP

Science committee chair @GregClarkMP confirms that Dominic Cummings hasn't produced any evidence to back up his allegations - and says they must be regarded as "unproven".

"If serious allegations are made against an individual, they must be corroborated with evidence".

Clark going through Cummings allegations...

Did you knowingly lie to the PM?
Hancock: "No"

Did you claim that everybody received treatment they needed?
Hancock: "I did absolutely say that everybody got the Covid treatment that they needed".

Did you blame devastating PPE shortages on NHS chief Simon Stevens and Chancellor?

"No that is not a fair recollection of the situation".

He adds there were "huge challenges" including removing bureaucracy/ ripping up red tape.

Read 4 tweets

Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

9 Jun

Excited to be at my first in-person press conference since the pandemic began, courtesy of the EU 🇪🇺 and Maroš Šefčovič. Looking forward to UK govt 🇬🇧following suit!

Maroš Šefčovič says still “numerous and fundamental” gaps in UK implementation of Brexit deal.

EU is “at a crossroads” in its relationship w/ UK. “Trust, which should be at the heart, needs to be restored”

Will act “swiftly, firmly and resolutely” if UK takes unilateral action

Šefčovič warns patience w/ UK is wearing “very very thin” & EU will “assess all options” at disposal.

These incl “cross-retaliation” such as suspending cooperation in some sectors & quota tariffs.

He adds: “I do not want this to happen...”

Read 6 tweets

Pippa Crerar

@PippaCrerar

9 Jun

Keir Starmer goes on Kevan Collins £15bn school catch-up plan at #PMQs.

(Which ended up as £3bn after Rishi Sunak said it was too expensive).

"The PM roles over, and children lose out. So much for levelling up."

Keir Starmer contrasts UK's catch-up funding for pupils at £50 p/ppl p/yr with US at £1,600 and
Netherlands £2,500.

Labour leader highlights free school meals, exam fiasco, now catch-up.

"The PM has been all over the place on education and he's on the wrong side of it again"

Schools are fertile electoral territory for Labour after years of cuts and more recent rows over free school meals, exam chaos & now catch-up funding.

School-funding was a massive issue at the 2017 general election... theguardian.com/education/2017…

Read 4 tweets

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