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Raab known for robustness, says ex-cabinet colleague
Dominic Raab is known for his “robustness”, a former cabinet minister said yesterday, as he confirmed that he and the deputy prime minister had “a disagreement” over a policy. Sir Robert Buckland said Mr Raab, who is being investigated over bullying allegations, was “at the top end of the robustness scale”. Sir Robert acknowledged that he had “a disagreement” with Mr Raab over a Daily Telegraph article he wrote criticising his plans for a British Bill of Rights. But he added that they had “moved
on now” and that he didn’t want to “rake back through the coals”.
Downing Street has repeatedly stressed that Mr Sunak was not aware of any formal complaints about Mr Raab’s behaviour when he appointed him as deputy PM in October 2022, although No 10 has refused to say whether he knew of any informal concerns. PA
Largest-ever NHS strike will cause ‘huge disruption’
The NHS is facing a “hugely disrupted day” after tens of thousands of workers began the biggest walkout in the service’s history. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said strikes will continue for “as long as it takes”, while the Unite union warned of a “constant cycle” of industrial action. Union leaders have implored the government to act to prevent further strike action but ministers in England have indicated that they will not budge on one of the main points of contention – pay for 2022-23.
Upheaval is expected across England as nurses from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stage walkouts alongside GMB and Unite paramedics, call handlers and other staff at ambulance trusts. It is the first time ambulance workers and nurses have walked out on the same day. Nurses will strike again today, ambulance workers again on Friday and physiotherapists on Thursday. PA
Prisoners to be held in police cells
Prisoners are set to be held in police cells within weeks as plans to cut “acute and sudden” overcrowding in jails were put into action. Last year, the government announced it had asked to use 400 police cells to hold inmates after a surge in overcrowding in male prisons and youth jails over the last few months. Justice minister Damian Hinds told MPs it was the “first time ever” such a rapid increase had occurred, while the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) described an “unprecedented increase” in the number of offenders coming into prisons in the north of England.
Yesterday, the MoJ gave the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) 14 days to make cells in the north of England and the West Midlands available to hold prisoners after there had been a rise in the number of inmates behind bars since the start of the year. Neither body would confirm how many cells had been requested for use so far. But the PA news agency understands it may be in the region of around 100. PA
Army cuts must be halted, says Labour MP
British army cuts must be “halted” to show the UK is a leading European nation in Nato, Labour’s shadow defence secretary is set to argue. John Healey, in a speech to be given in London today, will declare that support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s invading forces will continue if Labour wins the next general election. The shadow cabinet minister will also urge defence secretary Ben Wallace to announce there will be no further cuts to the army, in the update to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, which is due in the spring.
It comes as Mr Wallace last week conceded that the armed forces had been “hollowed out and underfunded” prior to a new spending settlement in 2020. In a speech hosted by the defence and security think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Labour said Mr Healey will challenge the government to “secure Britain as Nato’s leading European nation” and ensure the UK’s obligations to the alliance are “fulfilled in full”. PA
Zero-emissions flights receive £100m boost
The development of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft has been given a boost with a £113m investment, paving the way for more sustainable flying. The government and industry are jointly supporting new zero-carbon technologies to enable “guilt-free flying” in the future, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced.
Projects benefiting from the funding include the development of lightweight batteries for small aircraft by Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace, and the building of a zero-emission liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine led by Rolls-Royce.
The projects will support green jobs and help secure hundreds of millions in private investment across the UK, according to BEIS. The business secretary Grant Shapps said: “Guilt-free flying is within our reach, and we are backing the world-leading UK firms whose skills and ingenuity are going to make that dream a reality.”
Climber dies after falling from Snowdonia
A climber died after falling “a considerable distance” from a Snowdonia mountain ridge at the weekend. He was climbing the 3,200ft Y Gribin with two others on Saturday when a handhold broke, the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (Ovmro) said. Mountain rescue teams were called to the scene, between the Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach peaks, and had recovered the man’s body with the help of a coastguard helicopter by Sunday afternoon.
An Ovmro spokesperson said: “Three young men were ascending the Gribin ridge when a handhold broke away, causing one to fall a considerable distance. Sadly, he did not survive his injuries. The recovery continued through to Sunday lunchtime with the help of the coastguard rescue helicopter. The thoughts of all team members are with the casualty’s family and friends.” PA
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