The government squandered £10bn of taxpayer money on PPE while using an “inherently biased” ‘VIP lane’ to prioritise suppliers with political connections during the Covid pandemic, the latest UK Covid-19 inquiry report concludes.
Vast sums of public money were wasted as the government sought to respond to the massive demand in equipment needed during the pandemic, it finds.
The report, published on Tuesday, found that of around £14.9bn spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds - almost £10bn - was wasted.
It said there were clearly risks of waste caused by “overbuying and large sums of public money being lost”, and of “buying substandard equipment”.
Inquiry chair Heather Hallett’s report also found the government’s so-called ‘VIP lane’ - which allowed referrals of potential government PPE suppliers from politicians and senior officials - was “misguided” and should not be repeated.
The supply chain - which was later ruled unlawful - was established to identify more credible offers as officials struggled to assess the high number of suppliers offering PPE during the pandemic.
Although the inquiry did not identify cronyism or corruption, it did, however, find examples of favourable treatment given to such offers referred by MPs, Peers, ministers and senior officials.
Key Points
- Government wasted £10bn of taxpayer money on PPE
- Government’s ‘VIP Lane’ was misguided and was ‘inherently biased’ towards PPE suppliers with government connections
- Who were the main beneficiaries of the Covid 'VIP' lane?
- Bereaved urge Covid Inquiry not to ‘pull punches’ in report on PPE procurement
- Why Medpro details won't be included in this report
The main beneficiaries of the Covid 'VIP' lane
16:20 , Jane DaltonMore than 50 firms were awarded fast-track PPE contracts through the government’s high-priority lane. Here are some of the most notable beneficiaries:
Baroness Mone
Today’s report doesnot include evidence on PPE firm Medpro, which was ordered to repay £148 million to the Government after the High Court found it had breached a contract to supply millions of surgical gowns.
The firm, linked to Conservative peer Baroness Michelle Mone via her husband Doug Barrowman - who both deny wrongdoing - has also been the subject of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation since 2021 over its supplying of PPE during the pandemic.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.
Meller Designs
Meller Designs secured six contracts worth up to £164m from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Up until January 2021, the firm was owned by David Meller, a Tory donor who backed Michael Gove’s party leadership bid.
When the contracts were awarded, Mr Gove was a minister in the Cabinet Office - the department responsible for government procurement.
Uniserve
Logistics firm Uniserve received the highest total value of contracts from the the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) during the pandemic without open tender.
By December 2020, the government had awarded £777 million worth of contracts to the Essex-based transport company without offering other companies the chance to bid for them.
Burnham ‘scared of scrutiny’ by failing to face MPs, Tories say
16:00 , Jane DaltonAndy Burnham has been accused of “running scared of public scrutiny before he can even take office” by not taking questions from MPs before they break for the summer.
Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman said the Conservatives wanted a vote on delaying the summer recess so MPs can question Mr Burnham when his premiership begins next week.
Mr Burnham will formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday July 20.
The House of Commons is due to rise on Thursday, with MPs set to return to the debating chambers on September 1.
If the Government wishes to recall Parliament during the break, ministers may lodge a request with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who would decide based on the public interest.
Mr Norman said the decision not to debate adding sitting days this side of the recess was “a total humiliation and embarrassment for the Government”.
'Vast' waste of taxpayer cash under fire
15:30 , Jane DaltonIn the fifth report of her inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett criticised the “vast” waste in pandemic procurement, amounting to £9.9 billion – two-thirds of the £14.9 billion the UK and devolved governments spent on PPE.
Lady Hallett said: “The waste of taxpayers’ money was vast. The public must be able to trust that their money is being spent with propriety, fairness and transparency.
“Public confidence – so important in an emergency – was undermined by failures in procurement.”
Boris Johnson government wasted £10bn of taxpayer cash on unusable PPE, inquiry finds: full report
15:00 , Jane Dalton
Johnson’s government wasted £10bn of taxpayer money on unusable PPE, inquiry finds
Labour cancel Opposition day debates to spare Burnham blushes
14:41 , Jane DaltonThe government has cancelled Wednesday’s Opposition day debate by the Tories in a move that appears to be designed to remove scrutiny of Andy Burnham.
A Conservative motion was due to be voted on to force a vote on extending Parliament’s sitting to Monday to ensure the Commons could scrutinise Mr Burnham’s government as he took over as PM.
But in a rare move, the debate has been replaced with a different debate by Labour whips who control the business of the House.
The Tories had pointed out that Boris Johnson faced MPs for one day before the summer recess when he was made PM in 2019. Now MPs will have to wait until September before Mr Burnham appears before them as the new prime minister.
Families urge crime agency bosses to work quickly to uncover truth
13:44 , Jane DaltonNaomi Fulop, a member of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice’s board, urged the National Crime Agency to conclude its inquiry swiftly so the public could see “the full extent of the PPE scandal”.
She said: “We demand the full truth and urge the NCA not to allow its investigation to drag on indefinitely.”
Covid Inquiry report 'makes for difficult reading', Downing Street says
13:05 , Millie CookeThe Covid Inquiry report makes for "difficult reading", Downing Street has said.
The prime minister's official spokesperson added: "The pandemic had a profound and lasting impact across our society and this government is committed to learning the lessons from the Covid Inquiry so we are protected and prepared for the future."
Key recommendations from report
13:04 , Athena StavrouInquiry chair Heather Hallett has made 11 recommendations following today’s report into the government’s procurement process.
The key points are as follows:
- Establishing systems for the emergency procurement and distribution of healthcare equipment, with a radical overhaul of supply chain resilience and emergency procurement and distribution systems;
- Creating an emergency international trade and domestic industrial strategy as part of pandemic planning, in which key healthcare equipment is regarded as a strategic national asset worthy of investment;
- Setting specific objectives for international trade and domestic industry during a pandemic, creating an environment to encourage investment, research and development in the advanced manufacturing of healthcare equipment to increase self-sufficiency; and
- Deploying technology and the effective use of real-time data, which must be interoperable across the UK government and devolved administrations.
Britain was ‘unprepared’ to procure PPE amid ‘skyrocketing’ global demand
12:57 , Athena StavrouThe UK’s existing stockpiles of PPE “in a perilous state” when the Covid pandemic hit, leaving the country “unprepared” as global demand skyrocketed.
Today’s Covid Inquiry report found that there were large quantities of expired equipment in the UK’s stockpiles, with only a third of the masks in England’s pre-pandemic stockpile deemed usable,
Meanwhile, plans to procure more equipment had never been stress-tested before, leaving officials to “improvise” new systems within days.
“Vital healthcare equipment – including the PPE, testing equipment and ventilators examined in this Report – became a valuable commodity,” the report said. “International demand skyrocketed, global supply chains came under strain and prices rose uncontrollably.”
Lack of government transparency and ‘unfair’ VIP Lane diminished public trust
12:49 , Athena StavrouThe government’s lack of transparency when it came to contracts with suppliers of medical equipment during the pandemic damaged public trust, a report has found.
The Covid inquiry has found that while it was “understandable” that rapid procurement of equipment was prioritised initially, the lack of openness continued.
“It meant that public trust in the emergency procurement system was diminished when criticisms surfaced (for example, about the High Priority Lane),” the report said.
“Had the UK government and devolved administrations been better prepared for the emergency procurement and distribution response, there would have been less waste, more trust and greater confidence in the system.”
Healthcare workers left without adequate PPE to protect themselves and loved ones
12:40 , Athena StavrouToday’s Covid inquiry report has found the lack of effective preparation for PPE procurement left them without adequate equipment to protect themselves.
The report found that the UK entered the pandemic with it’s stockpile of PPE in a “perilous condition”.
It found that as equipment was being distributed, health and social care workers were forced to report shortages and concerns about the quality and safety of the equipment that was being supplied
“There were also no proper plans for the procurement and distribution of key healthcare equipment in any emergency,” it said.
“This left health and social care workers without adequate PPE to protect themselves, and those for whom they cared, from infection.”
'VIP lane' was 'misguided' and 'undermined public trust', chair says
12:36 , Dan HaygarthInquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett criticised the “VIP lane” used to fast-track PPE procurement from companies with connections to the Government.
She said: “Officials, under intense pressure from ministers to ensure that offers of help were being managed properly, established the high-priority lane.
“However, it was a misguided attempt at prioritisation.
“In responding to the crisis, some suppliers were given favourable treatment simply on account of their connections with the government.”
It “embedded unfairness” at a time when billions of pounds were at stake and it “undermined public trust”.
“It should not have been set up, and it should not be repeated,” she said.
UK’s over-reliance on China for PPE left it dangerously exposed
12:32 , Athena StavrouBritain’s over-reliance on China left it dangerously exposed when it came to procuring PPE during the pandemic, a report has found.
The latest UK Covid-19 inquiry report has found that the UK’s supplier base was “too concentrated” in China, while domestic manufacturing capabilities had not been adequately considered in planning, leaving the country “vulnerable at a critical moment”.
Inquiry chair Heather Hallett said that in future, the UK must diversify its international supplier base and increase its own domestic industrial resilience.
“The UK’s strengths in life sciences and advanced manufacturing should be recognised and supported,” she said “They will be vital in the response to a future pandemic.”
Key findings of damning report
12:22 , Athena StavrouThe government squandered £10 billion of taxpayer money on PPE
The report, published on Tuesday, found that of approximately £14.9bn spent on PPE, nearly two thirds - almost £10bn - was wasted. It said there were clearly risks of waste caused by “overbuying and large sums of public money being lost”, and of “buying substandard equipment”.
Government’s ‘VIP Lane’ ‘inherently biased’ towards suppliers with government connections
The report found the government’s so-called ‘VIP Lane’ - which allowed referrals of potential government PPE suppliers from politicians and senior officials - was “misguided” and should not be repeated. The report found that although it was not intended, the system was “inherently biased” towards those with connections to the UK government which ‘heightened the risk of abuse”.
VIP Lane suppliers 13 times more likely to be awarded contracts - but also more likely to have issues with performance
Healthcare workers were left ‘vulnerable’ by shortages of PPE
Britain was ‘unprepared’ to procure PPE amid ‘skyrocketing’ global demand
The UK’s over-reliance on China for PPE left it dangerously exposed
Report shows UK needs 'fundamental change'
12:19 , Dan HaygarthCovid inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett said her findings showed the need for a “fundamental change in how the UK prepares for emergency procurement”.
In a statement, Lady Hallett said: “The waste of taxpayers’ money was vast.
“It is a stark fact that of the approximately £15bn spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds – almost £10bn – was wasted, with tens of millions of pounds more spent by governments across the UK on equipment that simply could not be used.
“These figures demand a fundamental change in how the UK prepares for emergency procurement.
“Had ministers and officials been better equipped with appropriate plans, information and systems, procurement decisions would have been easier, fairer and far less costly – and equipment would have reached those who needed it faster.”
Only 1/3 of England's stockpile of masks usable while Scotland had none needed by healthcare professionals
12:07 , Daniel HaygarthIn her report, Lady Hallett found the UK was underprepared for the pandemic, with existing stockpiles of PPE “in a perilous state”, with large quantities of expired equipment.
She found only a third of the masks in England’s pre-pandemic stockpile were usable, while Scotland had no supplies of the top-level FFP3 masks needed by healthcare professionals.
VIP Lane suppliers 13x more likely to be awarded contracts - but also more likely to have issues with performance
12:02 , Athena StavrouPotential suppliers put through the government’s highly controversial ‘VIP Lane’ were 13 times more likely to be awarded government contracts - but were also more likely to have issues with performance.
Figures published in today’s Covid-19 inquiry report state that of the 15,194 suppliers who offered the government PPE through the non-high priority lane, just 160 were awarded contracts.
By comparison, of the 430 suppliers who went through the ‘VIP Lane’, 54 were awarded contracts, meaning 13 per cent were given contracts while just 1 per cent of non-priority suppliers were awarded them.
However, the Department of Health and Social Care found that proportionally, more VIP Lane contracts were judged to have had issues with contractual performance.
Issues ranged from incorrect technical documents to the supply of the wrong type of equipment.
Government’s ‘VIP Lane’ was misguided and was ‘inherently biased’ towards PPE suppliers with government connections
12:01 , Athena StavrouThe government’s so called ‘VIP Lane’ - which allowed referrals of potential government PPE suppliers from politicians and senior officials - was “misguided” and should not be repeated.
In its latest report on Tuesday, the UK Covid-19 inquiry found the highly controversial supply chain favoured suppliers with government connections and undermined public trust.
The lane - which was later ruled unlawful - was established in order to identify more credible offers as officials struggled to assess the high number of suppliers offering PPE during the pandemic.
The system meant suppliers referred by MPs, Peers, ministers and senior officials were effectively given special treatment and prioritised by a separate team of officials. Although the inquiry did not identify cronyism or corruption, it did find examples of favourable treatment given to such offers.
The report found: “Public confidence in the emergency procurement system was undermined by the lack of transparency, the lack of adequate processes to control spending and the unfairness of the High Priority Lane which tended to favour suppliers with a connection to the UK government.”
Government wasted £10bn of taxpayer money on PPE
12:01 , Athena StavrouThere was a ‘vast waste’ of taxpayer money spent on PPE which could have been avoided, the Covid inquiry has found.
The latest report, published on Tuesday, found that Of approximately £14.9bn spent on PPE, nearly two thirds - almost £10bn - was wasted.
The report found the “significant waste” came due to both overbuying and the buying of substandard equipment.
Inquiry chair Heather Hallett said that the level of waste will only be avoided in future if the UK invests in high-quality information systems and modern technology are placed at the heart of emergency procurement and distribution.
She said: “They are key to ensuring that the UK is better prepared for the next pandemic and that public resources are spent wisely.”
Why Medpro details won't be included in this report
11:44 , Dan HaygarthToday’s report include evidence on PPE firm Medpro, which was ordered to repay £148m to the Government after the High Court found it had breached a contract to supply millions of surgical gowns to the government.
The firm, linked to Conservative peer Baroness Michelle Mone via her husband Doug Barrowman, has also been the subject of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation since 2021 over its supplying of PPE during the pandemic.
Both Lady Mone, 54, and Mr Barrowman, 61, deny wrongdoing.
Although the Covid Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, has heard evidence relating to Medpro, Tuesday’s report will not include those details because of the ongoing NCA investigation.
The inquiry has said it will release its findings on Medpro once any criminal proceedings had concluded.
Nicola Brook, a solicitor from law firm Broudie Jackson Canter which represents families from the Covid-19 Families for Justice group, said the report “risks being a total whitewash” because of the decision not to include its findings on Medpro.
Ms Brook said: “The Medpro scandal is at the very heart of everything that was wrong about procurement during the pandemic, yet it is being kept secret from the people who need answers most, my clients the bereaved.”
She added that her clients hope the report would “reveal the true extent of the shambolic and wasteful attempts by the government to get PPE as medical staff treated those dying from Covid wearing bin bags” and that Lady Hallett would “pull no punches in her assessment of one of the biggest scandals ever seen in this country”.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded government contracts worth more than £200m to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.
But the firm found itself at the centre of the controversy over so-called “VIP lane” contracts granted to some suppliers during the pandemic.
Despite being ordered to repay £148 million by the High Court, the company was wound up last year, meaning the Government is unlikely to see most of that money.
The NCA probe remains ongoing, and in June 2024, the agency said an unnamed 46-year-old man from Barnet, north London, had been arrested as part of the investigation.
No criminal charges have been brought.
Who were the main beneficiaries of the Covid 'VIP' lane?
11:43 , Millie CookeThe Covid Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, is set to publish its findings on procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) at midday, and is expected to address controversies including the so-called “VIP lane” contracts granted to some suppliers during the pandemic.
More than 50 firms were awarded fast-track PPE contracts through the UK government’s high-priority lane. Here, The Independent looks at some of the most notable beneficiaries.
Baroness Mone
Today’s report will not include evidence on PPE firm Medpro, which was ordered to repay £148 million to the Government after the High Court found it had breached a contract to supply millions of surgical gowns to the government.
The firm, linked to Conservative peer Baroness Michelle Mone via her husband Doug Barrowman - who both deny wrongdoing - has also been the subject of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation since 2021 over its supplying of PPE during the pandemic.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.
Although the Covid Inquiry has heard evidence relating to Medpro, Tuesday’s report will not include those details because of the ongoing NCA investigation, instead releasing its findings on Medpro once any criminal proceedings have concluded.
Meller Designs
Meller Designs secured six contracts worth up to £164m from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Up until January 2021, the firm was owned by David Meller, a Tory donor who backed Michael Gove’s party leadership bid.
At the time the contracts were awarded, Mr Gove was servings as a minister in the Cabinet Office - the department responsible for government procurement.
Uniserve
Logistics firm Uniserve received the highest total value of contracts from the the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) during the pandemic without open tender.
By December 2020, the government had awarded £777 million worth of contracts to the Essex based transport company without offering other companies the chance to bid for them.
Bereaved urge Covid Inquiry not to ‘pull punches’ in report on PPE procurement
11:40 , Dan HaygarthFamilies bereaved by Covid-19 have said they fear a “whitewash” when the inquiry into the pandemic publishes its next report on Tuesday.
The Covid Inquiry is set to publish its findings on procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) at midday.
It is expected to address controversies including the so-called “VIP lane” contracts granted to some suppliers during the pandemic.
Read more:
Bereaved urge Covid Inquiry not to ‘pull punches’ in report on PPE procurement
What are Andy Burnham’s key policies?
11:21 , Dan HaygarthWith less than a week until Sir Keir Starmer officially leaves No 10, Andy Burnham is effectively prime minister in all but name.
The Makerfield MP is expected to take office on Monday, having secured the backing of over 300 Labour MPs.
His tenure in No 10 has been highly anticipated for many months, with his path to Downing Street having been without obstacles since his by-election win last month.
During his campaign trail and since returning to parliament, the prime-minister-in-waiting has delivered a number of speeches laying out his policy intentions.
Read below for some of his key policies:
What are Andy Burnham’s key policies?
Bank of England boss warns Andy Burnham ‘big issue’ is slow economic growth
10:27 , Kate DevlinAndrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, has said his key message to Andy Burnham’s government is that slow economic growth is the “big issue” affecting the UK .
He warned that the problem had been affecting Britain for the guts of almost two decades.
He told MPs on the Commons Treasury Committee: “The overall message I would give is that I think the big issue is growth in the economy.
“I do actually think that there are signs of a very resilient financial system.
“What I think is much more challenging is we’ve had low growth in the economy now for the best part of 16 to 17 years.”
But he stressed: “We will not get growth if we don’t have financial stability”.
Starmer attends Bastille Day parade in Paris before saying au revoir to No 10
10:07 , Dan Haygarth
Sir Keir Starmer attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as one of his final engagements on the international stage.
The prime minister met British troops involved in the ceremonial events in the French capital before watching the parade alongside Emmanuel Macron and other leaders including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir will be succeeded as prime minister by Andy Burnham on Monday after the former Greater Manchester mayor secured enough support to make it mathematically impossible for anyone to stand against him for the Labour leadership.
Sir Keir and other European leaders watched a military parade and flypast in Paris.
Troops from the Grenadier Guards marched alongside the French Garde Republicaine.
Mahmood issues plan to close loophole blocking deportation of Rochdale grooming gang leader
09:38 , Dan Haygarth
Mahmood sets out plan to allow deportation of Rochdale grooming gang leader
Sir Keir Starmer eyes dash to World Cup final and flight home in time for Burnham’s coronation
09:14 , Dan Haygarth
Sir Keir Starmer is eyeing a last-minute dash to the US for the World Cup final if England beat Argentina on Wednesday as one of his final acts as prime minister, reports suggest.
The outgoing prime minister would plan to watch the game at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday before touching back down in London for his final morning in the top job, sources told The Times.
The newspaper reports the final details of the plan are still being drawn up, but that a No 10 source said there would be no delay to the transfer of power.
Timings would be tight on the day, but should allow the prime minister to enjoy the potential clash at 3pm local time on the east coast before flying back to London to arrive at around 7:30am.
Burnham vows to restore Labour’s ‘broad church’ in pledge to change party culture to MPs
09:05 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham has made a pitch to Labour MPs promising a change of culture in the way their views are valued after some complained that Keir Starmer had presided over “a reign of terror”.
In a one-candidate leadership hustings to MPs over Zoom on Monday evening, The Independent understands that Mr Burnham emphasised his desire to recognise that Labour “is a broad church” with a wide range of views.
The hustings took place as Mr Burnham was confirmed at the next prime minister after receiving an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs on Monday, taking his total to 349.
Read more below.
Burnham vows to restore Labour’s ‘broad church’ in pledge to MPs
There may need to be 'another look' at security arrangements for people in public life, Lucy Rigby says
08:50 , Millie CookeA government minister has admitted there may need to be "another look" at security arrangements for people in public life following the death of Ann Widdecombe.
Lucy Rigby told Sky News: "The home secretary said yesterday she is going to look at security for former MPs specifically, and there may well be be others, other categories of people who are involved in public life but not currently serving members of the House of Commons or of the House of Lords, where there needs to be another look at the security arrangements which are provided.
"But look, across across the piece, this is it's grim, frankly, that those in public life or those thinking about gaining public life have to consider this."
She added: "I remember exactly where I was when I found out what had happened to Jo Cox... it sticks with you."
Burnham expected to speak in Commons for first time since returning to parliament
08:36 , Dan Haygarth
Andy Burnham is expected to speak in parliament today, for the first time since he was elected as Makerfield MP, to hail the Hillsborough Law as a force for redistributive justice in Britain.
The law was a key promise in Labour’s 2024 manifesto, but has been delayed by wrangling over how the “duty of candour” would apply to spies.
A planned debate on the legislation, officially the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, was pulled earlier this year because of the row, with campaigners saying they could not accept a version of the law that gave the heads of the intelligence services a veto over whether their officers could disclose sensitive information.
The law takes its name from the 1989 disaster at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, when 97 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush during an FA Cup semi-final match.
Writing in the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday, Merseyside-born Mr Burnham said that speaking at the 20th anniversary memorial service at Anfield in 2009, when he was secretary of state for culture, media and sport, “changed” him.
Mr Burnham wrote: “It forced me to confront uncomfortable questions about how power operates in our country, and why an entire city could spend twenty years telling the truth only to be ignored.
“How could Liverpool be right all along, yet dismissed for so long? How could so many voices be raised, and so few people in authority be prepared to listen?”
His speech in parliament today is expected to echo those sentiments.
Starmer continues farewell tour with Burnham set for No 10
08:23 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer will continue his final visit to France as prime minister on Tuesday after Andy Burnham was effectively confirmed as his successor.
He is expected to attend Bastille Day celebrations alongside other world leaders in Paris, where troops from the Grenadier Guards will march alongside the French Garde Republicaine.
The celebrations follow Sir Keir’s final “coalition of the willing” summit on Monday, at which fellow leaders Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky and Friedrich Merz paid tribute to his impact on the world stage.
French president Mr Macron told Sir Keir that “we owe you a lot, prime minister”, while Mr Merz, the German chancellor, said he would “phone you occasionally to get your opinion on this or that”.
Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, thanked Sir Keir for his “constant, steadfast support”, which the Prime Minister said would continue under his successor.
That successor is now guaranteed to be Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, who secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs on Monday.
Full story: Tony Blair warns Andy Burnham ‘you are not going to be loved’ in leadership advice
08:00 , Dan Haygarth
Blair warns Burnham ‘you are not going to be loved’ in leadership advice
Fears over safety are deterrent from entering public life, minister says
07:48 , Millie CookeFears over safety act as a deterrent from people entering public life, a minister has said, adding she considered not becoming an MP over concerns for her wellbeing.
Lucy Rigby, chief secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News: “There are issues of safety, and this climate of abuse - including on social media, intimidation in some of the horrific cases we’ve seen, violence - is really really troubling.
“It's not just peculiar to the UK but it is nevertheless something which we are dealing with in this country.”
She added: “Speaking from a personal point of view, I thought twice about standing for Parliament - I know what I believe and I wanted to stand up and speak for my community … - but particularly as a woman and particularly as one with a family, I’ve thought about my own safety and my families safety.”
“This is something that we shouldn’t need those that want to be in public life to have to consider… it’s a deterrent. It’s awful”, she said.
'We did not stay silent': Hillsborough campaigners welcome third reading of bill
07:34 , Dan HaygarthThe Hillsborough Law Now campaign has welcomed the tabling of the third reading of the Public Office Accountability bill (Hillsborough Law) today.
The watershed bill will introduce a statutory duty of candour on all public officials and authorities as well as expand the availability of non-means-tested funding for bereaved families to be legally represented at inquests where the state is represented.
In a joint statement, campaigners Charlotte Hennessy, Sue Roberts, Steve Kelly and Margaret Aspinall said: "Following the conclusions of the fresh Hillsborough Inquests in 2016, we knew that we could not stand by and let professionals and organisations continue to abuse their positions of power.
“For 10 years we have campaigned for a change in the law to stop cover ups, and enable bereaved families, access to legal aid at a time when they need it the most.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to fight for this monumental change of law alongside so many other strong, dedicated campaigners.
“We have shown that true power belongs to ordinary people.
“We did not stay silent, we were not ground down, we were not afraid to speak truth to power.
“This is not just about legislation, but about changing the way the bereaved and survivors are treated and a change in culture and it is deeply empowering knowing that this protect others, forever.”
Earlier this year, The Independent spoke to Ms Aspinall about her tireless campaigning for a Hillsborough Law as she featured on our influence list on International Women’s Day. You can read that piece below.
Margaret Aspinall: Why I’m not afraid to tell Starmer how it is
Hillsborough Law to return to Commons after deal on transparency for spies
07:28 , Dan HaygarthThe Hillsborough Law is to clear the Commons on Tuesday after ministers agreed its duty of candour would apply to the intelligence services.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was “proud” to bring back the legislation, which aims to prevent cover-ups by requiring officials to be transparent during investigations and inquiries into failures by the state.
The prime minister will personally steer the legislation through its final Commons stages as he seeks to secure his legacy in the closing days of his premiership.
He has pushed back what is expected to be his final Cabinet meeting to Wednesday in order to speak at the third reading stage of the legislation.
The law was a key promise in Labour’s 2024 manifesto, but has been delayed by wrangling over how the “duty of candour” would apply to spies.
A planned debate on the legislation, officially the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, was pulled earlier this year because of the row, with campaigners saying they could not accept a version of the law that gave the heads of the intelligence services a veto over whether their officers could disclose sensitive information.
On Tuesday, ministers will amend the Bill to bring spies within the scope of the duty of candour, but with a “secure process” for disclosing information that could affect national security.
Lib Dem leader warns Burnham to change voting system 'before it is too late'
07:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Ed Davey will warn incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to introduce proportional representation before the next election amid fears delaying would mean change would come "too late".
Speaking to the Institute for Government on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrat leader is expected to warn Labour may be “powerless to do anything” to change the voting system after the next election.
And he will urge Mr Burnham to work with him in office, saying if he is “serious about changing the way we do politics” then his “door is open”.
Mr Burnham, the incoming prime minister, has previously spoken in favour of changing the voting system in parliamentary elections to more closely reflect the support parties receive across the country.
But during his campaign in Makerfield, he suggested he would not change the voting system immediately if he became prime minister, but would instead include the commitment in Labour’s next manifesto in order to secure a mandate from the public for change.
On Tuesday, Sir Ed will tell Mr Burnham to “be bold, be brave” in pushing for proportional representation, adding: “And do it now. Don’t wait until it is too late.
“Don’t wait until after the next election – when you might be powerless to do anything about it.”
Blair urges Burnham to maintain close ties with US 'whoever the president is'
07:25 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Sir Tony Blair has urged Andy Burnham to keep up a strong relationship with the US regardless of who the president is.
Speaking at the Tony Blair Institute (TBI)’s summer drinks reception at the National Theatre in London on Monday night, the former prime minister said Mr Burnham needed to maintain close ties because of the threat of an invasion to Europe from Russia.
He also warned warned the former Greater Manchester mayor about continuing with energy secretary Ed Miliband’s net zero policies, and told him that despite riding a wave of popularity that has propelled him to No 10, “you are not going to be loved”.
Andy Burnham votes in favour of controversial asylum reforms
07:23 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Prime minister-to-be Andy Burnham has voted in favour of Shabana Mahmood's controversial plans for asylum reform less than a week before he is expected to take on the premiership.
On Monday night the Immigration and Asylum Bill passed its second reading by 264 votes to 90, with a majority of 174.
The proposals aim to cut the number of small boat crossings and instead direct people to alternative “safe and legal routes”.
They include new tighter rules on how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers an individual’s right to a private and family life, will be applied, which the Home Office hopes will cut the number of asylum appeals being granted.
But the plans have been criticised by a number of backbenchers, 14 of whom rebelled against the government.
