Boris Johnson government ‘always hoped’ Northern Ireland protocol would collapse – as it happened

Customs signs directing lorry drivers to the correct lanes for administration checks at Holyhead port in Wales. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

6.00pm BST

Early evening summary

• Angela Rayner has given a “cast iron guarantee” that Labour would bring in a new bill to ban zero-hours contracts and repeal anti-strike laws within 100 days of a new government.

• The former Conservative leader William Hague has said it is time to ditch the triple lock on pensions – as figures showed the policy meant the state pension was likely to rise by 8.5% in April.

• Lord Frost has said that, when he and Boris Johnson negotiated the Northern Ireland protocol ahead of Brexit, they “always hoped” it would eventually collapse. (See 4.02pm.)

• Suella Braverman’s plan to clamp down on police officers who dance at Pride or wear badges could open the door to discrimination against marginalised communities, a senior police officer has claimed.

• The government and regulators may have broken the law by failing to stem raw sewage dumping into rivers by water companies in England, the new independent environmental watchdog has said.

• Two in five people admitted to hospital for planned care in England last year had their health worsen while they were on the NHS waiting list, a major survey reveals.

Angela Rayner at the TUC conference. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

5.59pm BST

This is from Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, on hints that the Tories might drop their commitment to the triple lock for pensions at the next election.

“PM, between Boris, Truss & you there’s only 1 part of the Vote Leave coalition we haven’t totally screwed: pensioners.” Sunak: Mmm I know, abolish the triple lock! Forsyth: Brilliant PM, shows you take unpopular decisions, totally on brand!

"PM, between Boris, Truss & you there's only 1 part of the Vote Leave coalition we haven't totally screwed: pensioners."
Sunak: Mmm I know, abolish the triple lock!
Forsyth: Brilliant PM, shows you take unpopular decisions, totally on brand!

— Dominic Cummings (@Dominic2306) September 12, 2023