Summary of the day …
Cross-party talks over the future of social care will begin next month as health secretary Wes Streeting hit back over criticism that a commission on the issue would take too long to bring about change
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has signalled his party’s willingness to cooperate on a cross-party basis, though cast some doubt on the extent to which he believes the government is truly ready to listen
An independent commission to reform adult social care in England was launched on Friday, but attracted criticism for kicking much-needed reforms “into the long grass”. Its final recommendations will not be made until 2028
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has reiterated calls for an inquiry into grooming gangs. Badenoch held the ministerial role for women and equalities in Rishi Sunak’s government from October 2022 to July 2024
Streeting said he is in favour of local authorities setting up further historical child sexual abuse inquiries where appropriate, and that the government would implement the recommendations of the 2022 independent report into child sexual abuse in full, while also suggesting that Elon Musk should “roll his sleeves up” and help work on ending child sexual exploitation instead of making “misjudged and certainly misinformed” comments
Health minister Andrew Gwynne told LBC that Musk should “perhaps ought to focus on issues on the other side of the Atlantic” after the tech billionaire attempted to stage another intervention into British politics
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he will give a “full response” to what he described as Badenoch’s “crazy conspiracy theories” about the organisation. Farage is speaking at a Reform UK event in Leicester tonight. Over the Christmas period Badenoch accused the Reform UK website of faking membership data, which the organisation has denied
Leicester South’s independent MP Shockat Adam has issued a statement about the Reform UK East Midlands conference after contituents expressed concerns attendees would stir division. Adam said “Many people voted for Reform because they have been left behind by the system and betrayed by the traditional political parties. However, the policies proposed by Reform are fundamentally flawed … what the people of Leicester truly need is a break from the poverty and austerity that have plagued our communities for too long. Reform, despite all their rhetoric, won’t deliver this change any more than Labour or the Tories will
Badenoch instructed her department to write to the Treasury about a potential tax break after an intervention from James Dyson, documents have revealed
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in England has quadrupled in a month, as health leaders said “huge” pressure in the NHS will only get worse as temperatures plummet this weekend. Hospital admissions in Scotland caused by the flu have increased by 12% in just a week. Scotland’s NHS is still facing “significant” winter pressures, health minister Neil Gray has said
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said she is “in tune on many issues” with her British counterpart, Keir Starmer, especially “the fight against mass illegal immigration” and the need to explore “innovative solutions” when it comes to processing asylum claims, touting Italy’s controversial agreement with Albania
New data from the Bank of England has shown there has been a slowdown in mortgage lending
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has made almost $19m (£15.3m) from the sale of shares in Meta since he joined the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp six years ago. He announced on Thursday he was leaving his role as president of global affairs and communications
That is it from me, Martin Belam, for today. Thanks you for all your comments – I will see you again soon.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said flu admissions are having a “high impact” on hospitals in England.
Prof Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, said:
For many of us, the festive period is marked with parties and socialising with friends and family, meaning it’s not unusual to see an increase in flu at this time of year and this was anticipated. This is why we have been urging those eligible to take up a free flu vaccine.
PA Media reports the admission rate for flu patients in England stood at 14.1 per 100,000 people last week, up from 10.7 the previous week and the highest level so far this season.
In Scotland, where the NHS is also dealing with a large number of flu patients, health secretary Neil Gray earlier offered a similar message urging take-up of vaccinations.
