Basic Points
- Car crash at Downing Street gate - man arrested
- Despite the Conservatives' pledge in the Manifesto, the net rate of immigration has reached a new record high.
- Ali Fortescue:Be that as it may, the immigration numbers are still going in the wrong direction for the government.
- Farage says the numbers would have been lower under his watch
- "Where is the Minister of the Interior?" - Braverman doesn't show up for Commons questions
- Sunak denies letting Braverman "out of harm's way" for speeding
- Chancellor is "ready to do whatever it takes" to support energy
- Live coverage by Ben Bloch, (formerly) Faith Ridler and Katie Williams
On site: As the investigation continues, there is calm
By Joe Pike, Downing Street Political Correspondent
She seems pretty calm at the moment.
In the last few minutes, the isolation of this entire street has been reduced, bringing us much closer to the silver hatchback with the trunk open.
The police also seem calm - not far-sighted - although there are armed police and two red squad cars.
The investigations seem not to have ended yet. The officers are chatting alongside the cars, but the fact that the line is much shorter suggests that the officers think the danger is less.
Downing Street has big, strong black metal gates at the end. They were built after the IRA attacks, but that means the heart of power here, the prime minister's office at number 10, is heavily guarded.
The Whitehall Cordon Is Overthrown
The Whitehall cordon is now being demolished after a car crashed into Downing Street gates.
Met Police said a man had been arrested by armed officers on suspicion of vandalism and dangerous driving.
Here is a video of the Downing Street gates showing the car parking in front of the iconic gates:
One arrested after car slammed into Downing Street gate - Whitehall ruled out
A car crashed into a gate off Downing Street, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Footage on social media shows a large barrier in Whitehall preventing traffic and the public from walking in the street.
The Met Police tweeted: "At around 4.20pm a car crashed into Downing Street gates in Whitehall.
"Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal mischief and dangerous driving.
"There are no reports of injuries. Investigations are ongoing."
Complaint against Labor MPs over failed mayoral campaign spending upheld
A parliamentary inquiry upheld a claim against MP Liam Byrne over the use of the costs of his failed 2021 West Midlands mayoral bid.
According to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), there was "overwhelming evidence" that a member of Byrne's parliamentary staff was working on his mayoral campaign during office hours.
This means that he was paid by the taxpayer while working on a political campaign - which is not allowed.
Mr. Byrne argued that the employee was "not punctual" in relation to his Ipsa employment contract when engaging in political activities.
But he also accepted that he should have formal work agreements to avoid duplication.
Birmingham MP Hodge Hill said the campaign was licensed or voluntary.
Ipsa accepted the claim but did not follow any refund instructions and said it was unable to calculate what the penalty would be.
In a statement issued on behalf of Mr. Byrne, he said he was "grateful" to the investigator, adding, "Mr. Byrne fully agrees with the conclusion that stronger safeguards are needed for MPs, such as voluntary agreements and contractual clarity." fixed amounts”. Hours when time could be used flexibly to avoid “blurring” the boundaries between politics and parliamentary work.
The government is not trying to suspend a deputy who violates the COVID rule
You may recall that in the autumn of 2020, then-SNP MP Margaret Ferrier broke COVID rules by speaking in the House of Commons and taking public transport home despite testing positive for the virus.
After an investigation, the Common Standards Committee recommended that Parliament suspend it for 30 days, and its appeal against the decision was rejected on Monday without reason.
MPs should have agreed to the suspension in a vote minutes ago, but Sky News understands that the government did not make the motion because the House of Commons lacked a quorum - meaning there were not enough MPs to consider voting on the motion.
Needless to say, voting will take place after the holidays.
Conservative animal rights group slams Rishi Sunak for breaking promise to lead campaign
We were informed this afternoon that the government is abandoning its main animal welfare law and instead passing the measures one by one (see post at 2.40pm).
The opposition responded predictably with anger, but a group called the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation also said it was "disappointed" by the decision and that it "represents a missed opportunity to further strengthen animal welfare across the UK". ".
And they pointed out that current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had promised to pass the bill during the summer leadership dispute.
In a letter to Naturewatch and other NGOs last summer, Sunak's group wrote: "Rishi looks forward to supporting this bill as it continues to be considered in Parliament."
Chris and Lorraine Platt, co-founders of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, said in a statement today: "Nearly 14 million people elected this government on the basis of a program that promised to help animals."
“More recently, as part of his leadership campaign, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged that this bill would continue into 2022.
"We call on the government today to deliver on these promises and ensure that the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act to improve the lives of large numbers of animals are enacted into legislation."
The government "lost the ability to pass its own laws through Parliament"
As we reported some time ago, the government announced that it would drop its main animal welfare law and instead pass the measures one by one (see post at 2:40 pm).
The Labor Party has now reacted to the announcement, with Environment Secretary Jim McMahon saying: "Today's announcement that the Government has withdrawn the Captive Animals Act is further evidence of the Conservatives' commitment to animal welfare. ”.
"The government's decision to repeal the Captive Animals Act shows that it has lost the ability to get its own legislation through Parliament."
He added: “Labour is the animal welfare party and we have long called for the Captive Animals Bill to be sent back to Parliament as soon as possible. Only a Labor government can be trusted to protect animals.”
Ask the immigration experts - submit your question now for a live Q&A
At 7pm, Kamali Melbourne will host an immigration Q&A live on Sky News.
You can submit your question using the link below - or call 020 8167 2200 to leave it on voicemail.
Government scraps animal welfare bill in favor of smaller projects
The government has announced that the Animal Welfare (Animals in Captivity) Bill, which has been stalled in parliament since 2021, will be scrapped.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, Defra secretary Mark Spencer said the legislation had become so comprehensive that ministers had decided to pass the measures one by one.
The bill would have introduced a number of animal welfare measures, including:
- Stricter rules on transporting pets to stop "dog smuggling".
- A ban on the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening - and Britain would be the first European country to do so.
- Prohibition of keeping primates as pets.
- More powers for police to stop dogs from harming animals.
- Stricter rules for zoos.
Spencer insisted the government was "still committed to the measures" promised in the 2019 Conservative Manifesto and tabled in the House of Commons two years ago.
However, he accused the opposition of trying to extend the bill's reach far beyond the government's initial promises by deciding to repeal it.
"Unfortunately, this cross-cutting nature means that there has been significant progress," he told lawmakers. “The bill runs the risk of going far beyond the original commitments of the Manifesto and the Plan of Action.
"And, in particular, the Labor Party is clearly determined to play political games in expanding the scope of this bill."
But he announced the immediate steps the government would be taking, including an "animal awareness commission" to advise on animal welfare and a consultation on new fines of up to £5,000 for killing animals, such as those kept in poor conditions.
He also said the government will continue to support private member bills, including those banning the import of hunting trophies and shark fins.
The chancellor is "ready to do whatever is necessary" to support the Energy Act in the future
The chancellor said he was "ready to do whatever is necessary" to increase support for households if energy bills rise again in the autumn.
Sky News'Business and Data Editor Ed Conway;Jeremy Hunt asked if he could guarantee that he would intervene if energy bills started to rise again.
"All I can say is that I believe I showed in the fall statement and spring budget, where I extended the energy price guarantee for another three months, financed in part by a windfall tax on oil companies, that we're going ready to anything." Mr. Hunt said.
“We are well aware of the pressures families face and we want to do everything we can to support them,” he added.
However, he said the Government does not expect a significant increase in Ofgem's energy price cap, which today guides average bills to £2,074 a year, down £426 a year from the previous cap and which will be revised to every three months.
Read all of the Chancellor's comments here:
FAQs
When was Downing Street gated off? ›
The barriers were taken down in 1922 when the Irish Free State was created. Vehicle access was curtailed in 1973 when metal barriers were placed across the entrance to the street.
How many rooms does 10 Downing Street have? ›Colloquially known as Number 10, the building is in Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London. It is over 300 years old and contains approximately 100 rooms.
Why is there no 10 Downing Street? ›Number 10 has 3 overlapping functions. It is the official residence of the British Prime Minister: it is their office, and it is also the place where the Prime Minister entertains guests from Her Majesty The Queen to presidents of the United States and other world leaders.
Where does the Prime Minister live? ›10 Downing Street is the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister.
Does Downing Street have gates? ›In 1989, large black steel gates were erected at the entrance of Downing Street to protect the Prime Minister (then Margaret Thatcher) from terrorist attack, particularly from the Provisional IRA.
Can you walk down Downing Street? ›For obvious safety reasons, the public is not allowed to walk on Downing Street, let alone go into the residence of the Prime Minister (PM). There have been barriers erected along both sides of Downing Street since the 1920s.
Why are the bricks in Downing Street black? ›Look carefully at the document showing 10 Downing Street. Fascinating Fact: 10 Downing Street was built out of yellow bricks. Due to London's pollution problems, the house got darker and darker. Today, the bricks are painted black because no one would recognise the building if it was yellow.
Are there tunnels under 10 Downing Street? ›Is there a 10 Downing Street secret tunnel? It is a well-known fact that there is a tunnel that links number 10 Downing Street with number 12, running under number 11.
Is 11 Downing Street bigger than 10? ›Soane was at the same time also responsible for the state dining room of 10 Downing Street, and although Number 11's is much smaller, it is no less impressive for that.
How is number 10 door so shiny? ›The door is made of bomb-proof metal with high-quality gloss paint as a coating. Originally made of black oak, the high-security replacement was installed after 1991's IRA attack, in which a mortar launched from a van parked in nearby Whitehall exploded in Number 10's back garden.
Who opens the door at 10 Downing Street? ›
So the question remains who opens the 10 Downing Street door? It turns out that the door of 10 Downing Street cannot be opened from the outside and does not have a keyhole. The door can only be opened from the inside by a guard who is stationed 24 hours a day.
Can the public see 10 Downing Street? ›About. 10 Downing Street is home to the British Prime Minister. Look through the gates from Whitehall, and see the famous 10 Downing Street door which can only be opened from the inside. There is no access to the house or street for the general public, and it is not possible to do a 10 Downing Street tour.
What is the prime minister's real name? ›| Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Flag of the United Kingdom | |
| Incumbent Rishi Sunak since 25 October 2022 | |
| Government of the United Kingdom Prime Minister's Office Cabinet Office | |
| Style | The Right Honourable His Excellency (diplomatic) |
11 Downing Street in London, also known colloquially in the United Kingdom as Number 11, is the official residence of Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer (who traditionally also has the title of Second Lord of the Treasury).
Why is it called Chequers? ›Origin of the name
The name "Chequers" may derive from an early owner of the manor of Ellesborough in the 12th century, Elias Ostiarius (or de Scaccario). The name "Ostiarius" meant an usher of the Court of the Exchequer and scacchiera means a chessboard in Italian.
Remember that it is not actually possible to walk up to the entrance of 10 Downing Street as it is restricted by a metal fence. This site is very close to Horseguards and the Churchill's War Rooms, so definitely worth combining when you go to see Number 10.
Is Downing Street door metal? ›1991. The black oak door is replaced by a blast-proof steel door following an IRA mortar attack on Downing Street. There are two doors which are alternated approximately every two years to be repainted.
Where is the fake Downing Street? ›You'll find it at 10 Adam Street, about 800 metres away, just off Strand. Its similarities to its more famous counterpart have made it a bit of a hotspot for tourists taking photos.
Can you smoke in Downing Street? ›But from July 1, new anti-smoking laws south of the Border mean the entrance of 10 Downing Street will have to display a circular No Smoking sign. All visitors to the Prime Minister's residence, including foreign heads of state, will be warned that smoking inside is banned.
Can you take photos of 10 Downing Street? ›Residence of the British Prime Minister just off Whitehall. However, because of security reasons, you will get nowhere near for taking a photo as the road is fenced off and you'll get only a faint glimpse of the door to #10.
What is the nearest tube to Downing Street? ›
Downing Street is off Whitehall. The nearest tube station is Westminster.
What paint do they use on 10 Downing Street door? ›Futura Aqua 80 is a high gloss paint that will be sure to create the 'Downing Street Door' look. It provides a glossy and durable finish indoors and out on metal and wood.
What color is the Number 10 on Downing Street door? ›The black exterior of 10 Downing Street, is famous worldwide. But the iconic black facade was not always this colour. During extensive renovations to Number 10 in the 1960s, workers discovered that the bricks were actually yellow. Hundreds of years of heavy pollution had stained the bricks black.
What are the black bricks made of at Downing Street? ›During the extensive renovation of the 1950s – aimed at repairing the damage sustained during WW2 – it was found that the dark black exterior was actually the result of pollution. The bricks were, in fact, yellow in colour. They were painted black in subsequent renovations.
What are the secret tunnels under Whitehall? ›Spur tunnels, 5 ft (1.5 m) in diameter, were built to provide protected cable routes to the major service buildings either side of Whitehall. The Whitehall tunnels appear to have been extended in the early 1950s.
Is there a nuclear bunker in London? ›The government's permanent joint headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, has its own bunker that is permanently staffed by security. Below Whitehall is the £126.3m defence crisis management centre known as Pindar, which is believed to be connected to Downing Street via tunnels.
Is there a tube station under Buckingham Palace? ›The nearest Tube station to the palace is St James's Park, which is served by the Circle and District lines.
Has the Queen ever been to 10 Downing Street? ›To mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 the Queen attended a Cabinet meeting in No. 10 Downing Street. This was the first time she had done so during her reign, though Her Majesty receives a copy of the confidential Cabinet minutes each week. She sat in the Prime Minister's chair, the only seat with arms.
Did 10 Downing Street have a party? ›a source told the BBC that staff had impromptu drinks at their desks to mark the leaving of Lee Cain, the prime minister's departing director of communications at 10 Downing Street, and that the gathering was over by 20:30.
Does anyone live in 11 Downing Street? ›The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer and Second Lord of the Treasury lives at 11 Downing Street which is currently Jeremy Hunt.
What is the most famous door in the world? ›
Peter's Basilica, Rome. One of the most striking doors in the world, the holy door at St Peter's Basilica is only opened in a holy year, once every 25 years. The door is sealed from the inside with a brick wall to prevent entry.
Who is the best Colour in the door? ›The best colour front door to sell your home is a classic colour that's in keeping with the style and location. Black, greys, blues, deep reds, natural woods and classic greens are all safe options you should opt for.
How do I get a high gloss finish on my front door? ›The process involves first rough-sanding the door then priming it with an oil primer. Once dry, the door gets skim-coated with Swedish Putty, an oil-based high-performance spackle, which then gets sanded with a fine-grit paper (220 or finer) until the surface shines like a sheet of glass.
What is written on No 10 letter box? ›The engraving on the brass letterbox, 'First Lord of the Treasury', bears the title originally held by Walpole and the same title that all Prime Ministers hold today. The actual door itself has not always been black.
Does Number 10 have a letterbox? ›The letterbox is inscribed 'First Lord of the Treasury', the title held by every Prime Minister since Sir Robert Walpole. The '0' in the number 10 is painted at an angle as a nod to the original door, which had a badly-fixed zero, although some people think the '0' was painted at angle to replicate the Roman style.
Does 10 Downing Street have a garden? ›The garden at No. 10 Downing Street has been enjoyed by Prime Ministers and their families, as well as visitors to the building, for over 285 years. The terrace and garden were constructed in 1736, shortly after Sir Robert Walpole moved into No. 10.
What is Downing Street postcode? ›The British Prime Minister's postcode at 10 Downing Street is SW1A 2AA.
Who is the PM of the UK? ›| The Right Honourable Kim Campbell PC CC OBC KC | |
|---|---|
| Campbell in 2012 | |
| 19th Prime Minister of Canada | |
| In office June 25, 1993 – November 4, 1993 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
What are the powers of the prime minister? ›
The prime minister acts as the leader of the house of the chamber of parliament—generally the Lok Sabha—they belongs to. In this role, the prime minister is tasked with representing the executive in the legislature, announces important legislation, and is further expected to respond to the opposition's concerns.
How many rooms does Downing Street have? ›Colloquially known as Number 10, the building is in Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London. It is over 300 years old and contains approximately 100 rooms. A private residence for the prime minister occupies the third floor and there is a kitchen in the basement.
Which prime minister did not live at Number 10? ›The Marquess of Salisbury, who succeeded Gladstone on one occasion, was the last Prime Minister not to live at Number 10.
What film is about Number 10 Downing Street? ›Following his actions in 'He Who Dares,' Christopher Lowe is summoned to 10 Downing Street to be dishonourably discharged from the SAS for disobeying a direct order, despite the fact that hi... Read all.
Why is Boris at Chequers? ›When Chequers was gifted to the nation a century ago, the intent was to allow prime ministers two days a week of relaxation in the Chiltern hills, because “the better the health of our rulers, the more sanely will they rule”.
Is it Chequers or checkers? ›Checkers (American English), also known as draughts (/drɑːfts, dræfts/; British English), is a group of strategy board games for two players which involve diagonal moves of uniform game pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over opponent pieces. Checkers is developed from alquerque.
Is 10 Downing Street open to the public? ›Unfortunately for tourists, 10 Downing Street is not open to the public. As a matter of fact, you can't even walk up to the residence, let alone walk down Downing Street. However, if you're hoping to see the prime minister enter or leave the residence, check to see if the gates are open.
What happened to 10 Downing Street door? ›The black oak door is replaced by a blast-proof steel door following an IRA mortar attack on Downing Street. There are two doors which are alternated approximately every two years to be repainted. The door cannot be opened from the outside and the letter plate is purely decorative.
When was Downing Street bombed? ›...
| Downing Street mortar attack | |
|---|---|
| Location | 10 Downing Street, London, England, UK |
| Coordinates | 51°30′13″N 00°07′41″W |
| Date | 7 February 1991 10:08 am (GMT) |
| Target | John Major |
So the question remains who opens the 10 Downing Street door? It turns out that the door of 10 Downing Street cannot be opened from the outside and does not have a keyhole. The door can only be opened from the inside by a guard who is stationed 24 hours a day.
Why does 10 Downing Street have two doors? ›
The original Number 10 door is a centrepiece of the Churchill museum in London. It was replaced with two identical doors that are swapped over whenever they need a spot of maintenance.
Why is No 10 door so shiny? ›Upkeep and door maintenance for Number 10
In fact, there are actually two doors which are rotated every six months. The outgoing door is sent for a retouch and repaint before it is reinstalled at No. 10, which explains why it always looks so perfectly shiny.
For his safety, Churchill lived in the heavily bunkered Annex of Number 10 during most of the Second World War. However, he did insist on using Number 10 for work and dining. Macmillan lived in Admiralty House from 1960 to 1964 while Number 10 was restored.
When did Churchill leave Downing Street? ›Election result and cabinet appointments
The Conservatives won the general election in October 1951 with an overall majority of 17 seats and Churchill again became prime minister, remaining in office until his resignation on 5 April 1955.
Campbell-Bannerman resigned as prime minister in April 1908 due to ill-health and was replaced by his chancellor, H. H. Asquith. He died 19 days later – the only prime minister to die in the official residence, 10 Downing Street.
What does it say on Number 10 door? ›Answer. Answer: The title of the Prime Minister, before he was called Prime Minister, was the First Lord of the Treasury. And that is what is written on the letterbox of 10 Downing Street.
Which underground for Downing Street? ›Downing Street is off Whitehall. The nearest tube station is Westminster.
Did they use the real Downing Street in Love Actually? ›The film's producers were granted some supervised access to the iconic location. However, most of the scenes set in 10 Downing Street, were not actually shot on location but at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. This is where sets were used to recreate the look of the iconic home.