By Rory Murphy
Boris Johnson is being grilled over the government’s response to the pandemic after he arrived three hours early to the UK Covid Inquiry to dodge protesters waiting outside.
The former prime minister’s apology to the nation was interrupted by four people who staged a protest in the hearing room and were ejected as he said he was sorry “for the loss, pain and suffering” of Covid victims.
Lee Cain, his No 10 director of communications, said the pandemic was the “wrong crisis” for Mr Johnson’s “skill set”, describing dither and delay – a criticism made by multiple other witnesses to the inquiry.
Last week allies of Mr Johnson said that he would issue an “unreserved apology” and admit his government was “initially far too complacent” about the threats posed by the virus.
According to The Times, he will also give his backing to back Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, who has also been repeatedly criticised by other witnesses.
Mr Hancock appeared in front of the inquiry last week and was questioned over his handling of the Covid crisis.
@@@@@
TV licence fee to go up by £10.50 next year – Government confirms how much you will be paying
On Thursday, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also announced a review into the licence fee model, which will look at alternative funding
The household payment, which funds much of the BBC’s operations, had been frozen at £159 and was set to rise in line with inflation next year. However, the expected 9% increase – which would have meant a rise of around £15 from April 2024, has been reduced, the Government said.
@@@@@
Fireworks ban called for by Police and Fire Brigade
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland have urged the UK Government to restrict the sale of fireworks after chaos on Bonfire Night.
The unions have called on Westminster to ban fireworks from general public sale or to give the Scottish Government powers to do so.
This follows eight officers being injured on Bonfire Night as fire crews and police were attacked.
A House of Commons Library request from Alba MP Kenny MacAskill revealed that the sale of fireworks is reserved to Westminster. The use of them is devolved to Holyrood.
@@@@@
Scottish Labour has reiterated calls for Health Secretary Michael Matheson, right, to go as the strain on the NHS continues to rise.
A series of new reports have exposed the dangerous pressure services are under, with crippling workforce shortages, A&E overwhelmed, delayed discharge sky-high, and operations being cancelled because hospitals cannot cope.
Latest NHS workforce statistics show vacancies remain rampant across services, with a total of 6,820 posts currently unfilled. This includes 5,447 vacancies in nursing and midwifery alone.
A&E performance in October declined to its lowest point since March 2023, with just 68.3 per cent of patients being seen within the target 4 hours.
Over the course of the month 14,203 people were forced to wait more than eight hours to be seen and admitted, transferred or discharged, and a shocking 6,097 people waited more than half a day.
One of the key drivers behind this ongoing A&E crisis is the lack of hospital capacity linked to rising levels of delayed discharge.
Meanwhile on Thursday, commenting on the news that the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body’s investigation into Michael Matheson will run into 2024, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said “This arrogant and out of touch SNP government cannot keep hiding behind the investigation into Michael Matheson’s dodgy expenses claim.
“The Scottish Parliament’s investigation into this scandal will take until next year – but Humza Yousaf can act now.
“It is outrageous that our NHS is heading into one of the most difficult winters of its history with a dishonest and distracted Health Secretary.
“Michael Matheson has been caught red handed lying to the public – he must go now.”
@@@@@
The secretive Scottish Parliament refused to name the MSPs who refused calls to fly the Israeli flag from the building following October 7 terror attack in Gaza. We previously reported how the decision not to do so caused an uproar across the country, especially because the UK Government lit up the House of Commons and Downing Street in the flag.
A request was made to Holyrood officials to fly the flag by Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane and also to light up the building in the colours of the country. The building does not have the capability to do this so this was rejected.
Anti-Israeli campaigners have blockaded a defence company’s shipyard they called for attacks on Hamas to stop. Workers for a Free Palestine say BAE Systems in Govan has links to the Middle Eastern democracy and has urged it to end ties with the country.
It is part of a morning of action across the UK with four BAE sites targeted. The group claims more than 1,000 workers and trade unionists have blockaded the factories. Workers for a Free Palestine wants BAE to cease supplying defence material to Israel.
@@@@@
A refreshed Design Standard for all new West Dunbartonshire Council homes has been introduced to ensure continued high quality accommodation across the area. The Design Standard was first introduced in 2015 to ensure social homes being developed in West Dunbartonshire provided tenants with a welcoming and safe home environment regardless of age, ability or health.
According to the Council, as well as exceeding statutory requirements for floor space, accessibility and energy efficiency, Council homes will also help address the need for larger family homes by encouraging developers to develop a better match of housing mix with identified need.
In addition, the updated Design Standard will ensure all newly developed homes will be net zero; have measures which improve accessibility to bathroom and shower facilities as tenants’ needs change; and have environmental sensors fitted to allow tenants to track temperature and humidity to prevent condensation.
Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, pictured left, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: “This Design Standard will be extremely beneficial to our tenants and future tenants as it will enhance the already high standard of our homes and ensure that they are future proofed for long-term use.
“We are committed to improving the lives of our tenants and we are proud of the steps we have taken so far to ensure our housing is not only affordable but also pleasant to live in.”
@@@@@
The SNP MPs were given a sharp ticking off at Westminster today after failing to attend a debate on tackling shoplifting and town centre crime. This is despite the Nats turning out in force for an earlier debate on the war in Gaza.
Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone told MPs: “It is a pity that the Scottish National Party Members are not here, because normally they would waste no opportunity to stand up and say how well they do things in Scotland, and how much better they do them than the rest of the UK. We have six police officers for the whole county of Sutherland, which is 2,028 square miles.”
@@@@@
Great picture from Alister Paton of the Haldane Primary School team who won the Russell Cup at Millburn Park, Vale of Leven, in the ‘Sixties. Can anyone name the players and management?