No 10 signals Rishi Sunak no longer committed to blocking all new onshore windfarm developments – UK politics live

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No 10 signals Sunak no longer committed to blocking all new onshore windfarm developments

At the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM’s spokesperson signalled that Rishi Sunak is no longer trying to block new onshore windfarm developments.

The spokesperson did not accept that Grant Shapps’ comments in interviews this morning showed that the government had already implemented a U-turn. He claimed that Shapps’ references to community consent were a description of rules that are in force now.

And the spokesperson would not commit the government to accepting the Simon Clarke amendment that would lift what in practice amounts to a current ban on new onshore wind developments.

But the spokesperson did not commit the government to opposing it either, and he hinted that the government was open to some expansion of onshore wind. He said:

You’ll know there are quite detailed rules around onshore wind and what is allowed – it requires developers to consult with communities in advance [of making] a planning application. So I’m not going to predict what might happen in the future …
The prime minister has talked at great length about his views on where the focus should be on renewables, where he is talking about building more wind turbines offshore in order to boost energy security and also the importance of ensuring communities support any action the government takes on renewables.
So we will continue to have discussions [on the bill, and amendments] as we would do normally.

The spokesperson also said the government had not yet set a date for the next debate on the levelling up bill, when Clarke’s windfarm amendment is set to be considered by MPs.

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Alister Jack told the Scottish affairs that two things undermined democracy: losers’ consent, and adherence to the rule of law.

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He said the “rule of law” had just been expressed, by the supreme court judgment. And he went on:

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And we should have had losers’ consent from 2014.
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I would just say it is important to the Scottish government that they respect the principles that [underpin] democracy.
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Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, is giving evidence to the Commons Scottish affairs committee. He began with a lengthy opening statement about public spending in Scotland, at the end of which he made a brief comment about the supreme court judgment last week saying the Scottish government could not hold an independence referendum without Westminster’s permission. He said that the ruling was “unanimous and unequivocal”, and that this meant they did not have to talk about indepedence. They could focus on public services instead.

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But Pete Wishart, the SNP MP who chairs the committee, wasn’t put off that easily. Pointing out that in the Commons last week Jack repeatedly refused to say what the Scottish government could do to deliver on its mandate to hold an independence referendum, he asked if he accepted there could be another referendum.

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“Of course,” said Jack. He said that the union was voluntary, and that there was a referendum in 2014. But on that occasion there was consensus to hold one, involving the governments (the UK’s and Scotland’s), almost all the political parties and civil society.

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Wishart then asked if Jack would accept that Scotland had voted for independence if people voted for one in an electoral contest.

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Jack said Wishart was referring to Nicola Sturgeon’s plan to turn the next election into a de facto referendum on independence. But he said he did not accept that this was possible.

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He said that was not how people voted in elections, saying:

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I don’t believe that people vote on one specific issue.
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And he also said it would not be a reasonable proposition anyway.

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You can’t have a mandate for something we now know you legally don’t have any power over.
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As an example, Jack cited Trident. He said it was not reasonable for the SNP to go into an election promising to get rid of Trident from Scotland when it did not have the power to deliver that.

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Election administrators are extremely worried about the impact of new legislation that will require people to provide photographic ID when they vote.

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The Constitution Society has carried out a survey of local government staff in England who oversee elections and it found that 57% of them are very or extremely worried that the law will create problems on polling day.

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Under the Elections Act, people voting in parliamentary elections will have to provide photo ID at the polling station. The same rule will also apply to people voting in local elections in England, and it will be in force for the first time for the local elections next year.

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In a news release summarising the findings of the survey, the Constitution Society said:

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When asked whether the new measures would lead to problems on polling day, not a single respondent said they were not at all worried at the prospect. Over 57% said they were very or extremely worried.
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45% of respondents said they were either ‘not at all confident’ or ‘not so confident’ that they could train staff on the new voter ID requirements. The respondents also estimated on average that 16% of voters would apply for the new ‘voter card’ announced by the government earlier this month. This would result in millions of applications for these documents.
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Beyond this, when asked about the changes to elections brought about by the Election Act 2022, 100% of respondents suggested it would make their jobs either ‘more’ or ‘much more’ difficult. Not a single respondent suggested its effects would be neutral or make their job easier.
\n

","elementId":"3d4fc4e0-eb6a-4b07-a90b-1817489a80ab"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

As my colleague Polly Toynbee argued in a recent column, the new law is seen as likely to reduce the proportion of young people who vote – a move that would benefit the Tories.

","elementId":"e2366d37-0968-4cfd-af04-5057b60fa681"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/25/voter-id-laws-what-they-really-are-voter-suppression-and-an-attack-on-young-people","text":"Call these voter ID laws what they really are: voter suppression and an attack on young people","prefix":"Related: ","role":"thumbnail","elementId":"355851bd-c4c3-4e21-958e-77b0c71b3096"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1669645282000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"09.21 EST","blockLastUpdated":1669646031000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"09.33 EST","blockFirstPublished":1669646031000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"09.33 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"09.33","title":"Election administrators extremely worried about impact of photo ID voting law, survey suggests","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 28 Nov 2022 10.54 EST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 28 Nov 2022 04.29 EST"},{"id":"6384b2018f083bf29b8c77a8","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Downing Street has condemned the arrest of the BBC journalist Ed Lawrence while he was covering the protests in Shanghai. Speaking at the morning lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson said:

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\n
The arrest of this journalist who was simply going about their work is shocking and unacceptable. Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation.
\n

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But the spokesperson also said the government would not “conflate” its stance on human rights issues such as this with its desire to have a constructive relationship with China on other issues. The spokesperson said:

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\n
We will not seek to conflate the two issues.
\n
Our position on the importance of the right to protest will not change … and arresting journalists is unacceptable and we will not change that position.
\n
But that does not mean we will not seek to have constructive relationships with China on other issues and attempt to solve some of these global [problems].
\n

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In a speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet this evening, Rishi Sunak will say that the UK should adopt a policy of “robust pragmatism” in its dealing with countries like China. He will say:

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\n
We will make an evolutionary leap in our approach. This means being stronger in defending our values and the openness on which our prosperity depends.
\n
It means delivering a stronger economy at home – because it is the foundation of our strength abroad.
\n
And it means standing up to our competitors, not with grand rhetoric but with robust pragmatism.
\n

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This will be Sunak’s first major foreign policy speech as PM. My colleague Pippa Crerar has a preview here.

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At the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM’s spokesperson signalled that Rishi Sunak is no longer trying to block new onshore windfarm developments.

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And the spokesperson would not commit the government to accepting the Simon Clarke amendment that would lift what in practice amounts to a current ban on new onshore wind developments.

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But the spokesperson did not commit the government to opposing it either, and he hinted that the government was open to some expansion of onshore wind. He said:

","elementId":"11753c0c-82fe-4d9a-b470-e0ed0fe9b1ae"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"

\n
You’ll know there are quite detailed rules around onshore wind and what is allowed – it requires developers to consult with communities in advance [of making] a planning application. So I’m not going to predict what might happen in the future …
\n
The prime minister has talked at great length about his views on where the focus should be on renewables, where he is talking about building more wind turbines offshore in order to boost energy security and also the importance of ensuring communities support any action the government takes on renewables.
\n
So we will continue to have discussions [on the bill, and amendments] as we would do normally.
\n

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The spokesperson also said the government had not yet set a date for the next debate on the levelling up bill, when Clarke’s windfarm amendment is set to be considered by MPs.

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Amnesty International UK has criticised David Davis and fellow Tory for saying the UK is only obliged to offer asylum to people fleeing persecution from a state. (See 9.29am.) Commenting on the arguments used by Davis, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty’s refugee and migrant rights programme director in the UK, said the MP was wrong on several counts. He said:

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\n
There does seem to be quite a lot of nonsense here. The starting point is whether your government is unwilling or unable to provide protection from persecution. It doesn’t set out who your persecutors have to be.
\n

","elementId":"b394b78d-6f73-41e0-8fc5-cf05062c06f9"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Valdez-Symonds also said it was wrong to claim that all victims of trafficking could be sent home safely. He said:

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\n
Not every survivor of human trafficking is necessarily unsafe to be returned. But returning someone to where they were trafficked from is likely to deliver them into cruel exploitation all over again, unless there is some significant improvement to their circumstances in that place.
\n

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My colleague Peter Walker has more in his story here.

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A House of Lords committee has delivered a withering assessment of the measures in the autumn statement for adult social care.

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Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, announced a further £4.7bn for adult social care by 2024-25. But, in an open letter to Hunt and Steve Barclay, the health secretary, the Lords adult social care committee chair, Lady Andrews, said that this was less than the £7bn that Hunt himself said adult social care needed when he was chair of the Commons health committee.

","elementId":"c0f1d2dd-df5a-44a6-ac92-dbd2831383c5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

In her letter, Andrews (Lab) also said that finding extra money for adult social care by increasing council tax and delaying the introduction of the cap on adult social care costs was regressive. She said:

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\n
Increasing funding through council tax is a regressive solution, which will not allow for a properly and sustainably funded system. It does not translate as ring-fenced investment dedicated to adult social care. It is likely to create further inequalities from one locality to the next. In short, it is not a long-term plan for funding.
\n
Equally regressive is the government’s decision to delay the long overdue cap on care costs and extension to the means test. Although this is intended to unlock more funding for local authorities and provide them with breathing space, it also reflects the lack of a coherent strategy across adult social care. Delaying one policy to support another will ultimately compound problems; and it certainly does not allow for any priority to be given to choice, control and equality in the provision of adult social care.
\n

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Andrews also said there had been a “crippling failure” to invest sustainably in social care.

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The committee has been carrying out an inquiry into this subject, and its report will be published soon.

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Business leaders have warned that rail services across the north of England could “collapse into utter chaos” unless the government pushes urgently for a resolution to months of disruption, my colleague Jasper Jolly reports.

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Good morning. Rishi Sunak has only been prime minister for about a month, but already he is learning that a large part of his job consists of playing Whac-a-Mole with Tory party rebellions.

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All party leaders face backbench rebellions from time to time but, with its poll ratings still in landslide defeat territory and MPs rushing for the post-parliament lifeboats, the Conservative party is more ungovernable than usual.

","elementId":"c34d4fea-e313-4424-a532-043286221343"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Sunak has had to postpone votes on the levelling up and regeneration bill (originally scheduled for today) because of two rebellions on it. One group of Tory MPs (the anti-growth coalition, as Liz Truss would call them), want to amend the bill to ban mandatory housebuilding targets, while another group of Tories (from the pro-growth coalition) are backing an amendment tabled by Simon Clarke, the former levelling up secretary, that would lift the ban on onshore windfarms. Although only 25 Tories have signed the Clarke amendment (less than half the number backing the one on housebuilding targets), Clarke’s is more dangerous because it has Labour backing.

","elementId":"b4990912-7043-41d3-bba4-4dec4c7bb795"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

This morning Grant Shapps, the business secretary, was doing the morning interview round and he signalled that the Whac-a-Mole mallet is coming down on the Clarke rebellion. As my colleague Peter Walker reports, Shapps hinted that the government will avert the onshore windfarm rebellion by giving in.

","elementId":"efb37db0-a2bf-4abf-955f-573475e0c8d4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/28/no-10-set-to-allow-new-onshore-wind-projects-in-england-in-u-turn","text":"No 10 set to allow new onshore wind projects in England in U-turn","prefix":"Related: ","role":"thumbnail","elementId":"53aff204-3358-4185-bfd7-d5b81abcdeac"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Shapps claimed that Sunak had always been in favour of new onshore windfarms being built provided local communities were in favour, but, as Peter points out, this is not true.

","elementId":"e2dced57-a83f-45f7-b656-dcb4aafd2410"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement","html":"

Sunak was adamant in the summer leadership campaign that he would maintain the de facto ban on new onshore wind projects in England, in place since 2019. But the sheer number of Tory MPs backing the Clarke amendment means it looks like he's backing down.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) November 28, 2022

\n","url":"https://twitter.com/peterwalker99/status/1597131824446185473","id":"1597131824446185473","hasMedia":false,"role":"inline","isThirdPartyTracking":false,"source":"Twitter","elementId":"969fe0d0-e630-429a-adb3-e40753a440e0"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

And this is what the Sunak leadership campaign said in July.

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\n
In recognition of the distress and disruption that onshore windfarms can often cause, Rishi has also promised to scrap plans to relax the ban on onshore windfarms in England, providing certainty to rural communities.
\n

","elementId":"d382082c-9a61-497c-ab78-d751b5857b94"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

(To be fair, that was the campaign Sunak lost. He did not make this, or any, promises during the subsequent October campaign that he won.)

","elementId":"bfe447c2-aeb3-45ed-b11a-89b1e71eccb6"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

But just as one revolt gets the hammer treatment, up pops another. This morning, as the BBC reports, more than 50 Tory MPs have signed a letter to Sunak calling for a change in the law to make it easier for asylum seekers from countries like Albania, deemed safe, to be sent home.

","elementId":"bdd759d6-a32d-44b7-af2c-393746f34418"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The letter has been coordinated by David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, and in interviews this morning he claimed that the Home Office was currently interpreting asylum laws too easily because it was allowing Albanians to claim asylum if they were at risk in their home country from criminal gangs, when asylum should only be granted in response to a threat from state persecution. “That is a misinterpretation of the asylum laws,” he told Sky News. “It was never designed for that.”

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Here is the agenda for the day.

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11.30am: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.

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3pm: Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, gives evidence to the Commons Scottish affairs committee.

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After 3.30pm: MPs debate the second reading of the finance bill.

","elementId":"96364378-d09f-45bb-a7a4-04eb32b7a895"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions and, if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.

","elementId":"373175b5-376b-4649-bd10-5de9e98b2fb0"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.

","elementId":"a2e83663-a728-4875-8cd8-b5e22f70c7ef"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Alternatively, you can email me at [email protected]

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Key events

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