Decision to approve Cumbria coalmine is ‘bad policy, bad politics’ and ‘environmental vandalism’, says Labour – as it happened

The former Woodhouse colliery in Whitehaven, Cumbria. Ministers have allowed Britain’s first new coalmine in 30 years. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

5.25pm GMT

Afternoon summary

• Suella Braverman, the home secretary, has urged people to rethink flying during the Christmas break as she warned of “undeniable, serious disruption” for thousands if planned Border Force strikes go ahead.

• Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, has backed widening the list of workers banned from striking, suggesting it could include NHS staff and others in “critical infrastructure” jobs.

• Ministers giving the green light to Britain’s first coalmine in 30 years is “like celebrating the opening of a Betamax factory”, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has said.

• A major campaign will target more than 60 seats to oust Conservatives by tactical voting, in order to build a Commons majority among progressive parties.

4.58pm GMT

Cumbria coalmine is owned by private equity firm with Caymans base

The first deep coalmine to be dug in the UK in a generation is ultimately owned by an international private equity company, with executives whose mining interests have stretched to Russia, Asia, Africa and across Australia, my colleague Sandra Laville reports.