Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he is looking at changes to smoking laws after a leaked government document reportedly revealed Labour’s intention to ban smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants and near football stadiums.
The prime minister is facing cabinet tensions over possible stricter Tobacco and Vapes Bill with Business Department officials warning that the move could create financial tensions for the industry.
It comes as he raised concerns about a potential fuel duty increase after refusing to rule out a tax rise in the autumn Budget during a press conference in Berlin.
Despite reiterating his manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, the prime minister remained noncommital on fuel duty, marking the first potential rise since 2010.
Sir Keir is continuing efforts to build bridges with European leaders as he holds talks with Emmanuel Macron today.
He was welcomed by the French President while he visited Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony, after meeting in Germany with chancellor Olaf Scholz as the prime minister pursues his post-Brexit reset agenda.
The PM said a new treaty between Britain and Germany will help “deliver for working people” and create “deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, and culture”.
Key Points
- PM doesn't deny plans for potential outdoor smoking ban
- Plan to ban smoking in pub gardens sparks cabinet tensions
- Starmer refuses to rule out fuel duty increase in autumn budget
- Tugendhat accuses Starmer of dragging the UK back to the 1970s
- Starmer continues push for closer EU ties in meeting with Macron
Tughendat rules out Tory merger with Reform
16:00
Salma Ouaguira
Tom Tugendhat has rejected a merger with Reform UK, saying the Conservatives lost the election because their voters “just stayed at home”.
Responding to polling suggesting that four in 10 Conservative Party members support a merger with Reform, Mr Tugendhat said: “What Conservative Party members want to do is to win the next general election.
“And the way that we’re going to win the next general election is by winning back voters from wherever they happen to go. Now it’s true many went to Reform, it’s absolutely true, and we need to win back voters from Reform. It’s also true they went to many other parties too.”
He added: “We need to recognise that actually most people who voted Conservative and chose not to support us this time actually just stayed at home.”
Starmer continues push for closer EU ties in meeting with Macron
15:51
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has said he discussed his plans to reset relations with France and the European Union as a whole during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The Prime Minister held talks with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace after meeting some of Team GB’s Paralympic athletes this morning.
Sir Keir said of his meeting with the French president: “We discussed the situation in Ukraine, as you would expect, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security, but also the wider reset that I want in relation to our relations, not just with France, but with the EU in general.
“They were the topics that we discussed as part of the reset, rebuild and making sure that our number one mission, which is growing the economy, is absolutely central to everything that we do.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The leaders reflected on the success of the European Political Community meeting, held at Blenheim Palace last month, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months.”
The real story behind Starmer, Reeves and a very painful Budget...
15:45
Salma Ouaguira
Although they wouldn’t admit it, the model for the PM and his chancellor is less Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – and more David Cameron and George Osborne, writes Andrew Grice:
Keir Starmer attempts to recreate David Cameron’s 2010 deal
15:30
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister is looking to recreate David Cameron’s 2010 deal with France during his European tour in Germany and France.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy at the time signed the The Lancaster House treaties in a bid to strengthen defense security with the UK.
Keir Starmer now wants to forge new agreements on defence and security with Berlin and France - with immigration and trade also on top of the agenda.
Sir Keir has faced pressure from the opposition over his move to reset relations with Europe.
But the PM previosuly reiterated he wil not reverse Brexit measures.
Tugendhat brands NHS ‘biggest unaccountable quango in the western world'
15:10
Salma Ouaguira
Conservative leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat said his party created “the biggest unaccountable quango in the western world” by making NHS England independent.
He said: “I’ve already said elsewhere that my party needs to acknowledge our own failures. We said migration would come down, it went up. We said taxes would come down, and overall, they went up.
“We also need to accept that our attempts in the coalition period to reform the NHS, made with the best of intentions, failed. By making NHS England independent we created the biggest unaccountable quango in the western world.
“By allowing it to centralise power we stopped trusting frontline professionals and local staff. By creating complex clinical commissioning procedures we created a bureaucracy instead of eliminating it. By putting so much power into the hands of the NHS chief executive, we made her responsible for everything but accountable for nothing.”
He added: “We did not keep our promises on rebuilding hospitals. We did not manage to get waiting lists down.
“Now we can blame inflation, and we can point to Covid. Both of these are important factors, but no matter, we did promise more than we delivered. Now, Labour look like they’re about to make the same mistake. We need a new approach.”
Tom Tugendhat accuses Starmer of dragging the UK back to the 1970s
15:00
Salma Ouaguira
Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s government would drag the UK back to the 1970s by caving in to unions’ pay demands.
In a speech in central London, Mr Tugendhat warned the government’s actions could result in rising inflation.
Mr Tugendhat said: “(Sir Keir) is already losing control of pay across the public sector, with other unions now demanding more and threatening more strike action. It feels like we are heading back towards the 1970s and the days of wage-price spirals.
“Just as importantly, it’s a missed opportunity for reform and a chance to make our public services better.”
He claimed Labour was “owned lock, stock and barrel by the unions”.
“The unions gave Labour more than £25 million over the last parliament and in return Labour are giving in to the unions’ demands: scrapping laws that guarantee minimum services during strikes, ending rules that make sure strikes only happen when members actually want them and showering unions with public money, no strings attached.”
He said Sir Keir was right to warn of a “painful” budget to come because “he has splashed the cash on his friends and left you to pick up the bill”.
GMB Scotland members back 5.6% pay deal
14:40
Salma Ouaguira
GMB Scotland members have voted to accept a new pay offer, cancelling planned strikes among cleansing workers.
The union was one of three which had planned to walk out, but 78% of members instead voted to back the deal, which offers up to 5.6% for frontline staff.
But, despite the planned action being scrapped, Keir Greenaway, the union’s senior organiser in public services, said: “Council leaders’ lack of urgency and stubborn refusal to ask the Scottish Government for support meant negotiations and uncertainty went on far longer than necessary.
“It should not take imminent strike action to deliver a fair offer but, while it came too late, the deal was above inflation for all staff and weighted to benefit frontline workers most.”
He added: “Ministers implying a fair pay offer for our members means cuts to spending are only diverting attention from the real cause of the crisis in our public services.
“We have endured more than a decade of cuts not because of staff being paid fairly but because our governments, at Westminster and Holyrood, have failed to properly fund the public sector.”
I will be mindful of arts funding despite difficult choices, vows Swinney
14:25
Salma Ouaguira
First Minister John Swinney has said he will be “very mindful” of funding for the arts despite “difficult choices” facing the Scottish government, after some of the country’s top musicians called for more cash.
Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and Franz Ferdinand were among more than 170 figures to sign an open letter addressed to the First Minister in response to the closure of Creative Scotland’s open fund due to financial pressures.
They have joined a chorus of discontent from the arts sector, after 130 individuals and organisations urged the Scottish Government to restore funding last week.
The move was described as “disappointingly short-sighted” by Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos, while the letter warned of a “cultural catastrophe”.
The First Minister said: “I understand the concerns that have been expressed by members of the artistic community about funding for culture and the arts.
“It’s a very important part of our country that we support and nurture investment in cultural and artistic activity.
“The government already spends over £50 million in the Creative Scotland budget, and we’re obviously facing very challenging economic and financial times at this particular moment and we obviously want to continue to invest in artistic and cultural activity.”
Starmer’s big Brexit ‘reset’ is really nothing of the sort
14:10
Salma Ouaguira
As the PM speaks in Germany in an attempt to undo some of the damage of the previous administration, Sean O’Grady weighs up the options for mending our relationship with the EU
UK to join CPTPP trade area by December
13:50
Salma Ouaguira
The UK will join a trade bloc with countries including Australia and Canada before Christmas, after ratification was agreed by a sixth country.
The UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will happen by 15 December, the Department for Business and Trade said on Thursday.
The announcement comes after Peru became the sixth country to ratify the UK’s deal, after Japan, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Vietnam.
Currently there are 11 countries signed up to the CPTPP deal, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia and Brunei.
According to the Department, more than 99 per cent of current UK goods exports to CPTPP members will be tariff-free once the deal comes into force, and could boost the economy by about £2 billion annually by 2040.
The UK concluded its negotiations to join the CPTPP in March 2023, and a Bill received Royal Assent in March this year.
Trade minister Douglas Alexander said confirmation that the UK will join the bloc was “good news for UK businesses”.
Pictured: Starmer meets Macron in Paris
13:30
Salma Ouaguira
Net spend on temporary accommodation for homelessness up by 42% in a year
13:15
Salma Ouaguira
Spending by councils in England on temporary accommodation for homelessness has soared by more than 40 per cent in a year, as charities branded it “unfathomable” and “absurd”.
Net spending – which is different between the total outgoings for local authorities and their income – for the year to March was £1.06 billion.
This was a rise of 42.5% on the previous year, when expenditure stood at £743 million.
Both housing charity Shelter and homelessness charity Crisis criticised the lack of investment in long-term solutions such as new social housing, describing temporary accommodation as “grim” and “often damp and mouldy”.
Figures published earlier this month showed a record high of more than 150,000 children living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of March.
A total of 117,450 households were in this situation at that point, some 74,530 of which were households with children.
Government will ‘take decisions’ on potential outdoor smoking ban, Starmer says
13:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government will “take decisions” on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.
Industry leaders have warned that the proposed plans to ban outdoor smoking, including in beer gardens and outside stadiums, would be another “nail in the coffin” for pubs and bars.
According to leaked proposals seen by The Sun newspaper, the Government is set to ban smoking in some outdoor areas to improve public health.
The indoor smoking ban could be extended to cover other locations including small parks, outdoor restaurants and hospitals.
Sir Keir told reporters in Paris: “My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That’s a preventable death.
“It’s a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer. So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space.
“More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths, and we’ve got to take the action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”
Watch: Starmer meets Macron in Paris after talks in Germany
12:45
Salma Ouaguira
Pub boss warns smoking ban could drive customers away
12:31
Salma Ouaguira
A pub boss has criticised the proposed smoking ban in pub gardens, warning it could drive smokers away and increase social isolation.
Chris Jowsey, chief executive of Admiral Taverns, which runs more than 1,600 pubs in the UK, said: “This proposed ban is going to drive people who smoke away from the pub. It increases isolation.
“I’m no fan of smoking, but I just can’t see how this will improve health outcomes if you move people from smoking in a pub garden to smoking at home.
“It doesn’t really make any sense to me. It feels really ill-thought through.
“It would also reduce footfall and revenue into pubs.
“A pub is the last community asset left standing in many communities. Anything that undermines their ability to survive and grow their business is a bad thing, not just for the pub, but for the community.
“What are we going to do? Will we have to employ people now to just patrol the gardens to make sure nobody’s smoking? It seems a bit nuts.”
In full: Starmer plans outdoor smoking ban for pub gardens and sports venues
12:15
Salma Ouaguira
Ministers are considering a ban on outdoor smoking as part of a way to end the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products for future generations, according to reports.
Papers seen by The Sun, suggest that Sir Keir Starmer’s government is considering a ban in specific outdoor areas such as pub gardens and outside hositpals as an extension of proposed legislation first introduced by Rishi Sunak’s Tory government.
The ban would also extend to small parks, outside nightclubs and sports venues according to “secret Whitehall papers”.
When contacted about the report, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks.
Read the full story below:
Starmer defends ‘preventative model’ for smoking laws
12:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer said it was important to “get the balance right” when asked whether new laws to reduce smoking would break his post-election pledge for politics to “tread more lightly” on voters’ lives.
He said: “It is important to get the balance right, but everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that it’s on its knees.
“We have to relieve the burden and that’s why I spoke before the election about moving to a preventative model when it comes to health.
“I want the NHS back on its feet, but I also want it fit for the next 75 years, just as we’ve had a brilliant 75 years already, and that means taking action in relation to preventable deaths.”
Pub bosses hit out at government’s plan to ban outdoor smoking
11:50
Salma Ouaguira
Clive Watson, pub entrepreneur and chairman of Inda pub group, has called reports of government plans to ban smoking in some outdoor areas “bonkers”.
He said: “I think it’s a bonkers idea – it will encourage customers to stay at home, meaning there is no health upside.”
Mr Watson, who also founded City Pub Group, added: “It’s just another example of the government stifling the customers’ experience in the pub – surely after all the pub industry has been through we should be allowed a period of stability.”
Starmer confirms changes in smoking laws
11:45
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer told journalists in Paris that he is looking at changes to smoking laws.
He said: “My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking.
“That is a preventable death, it’s a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it is a burden on the taxpayer.
“So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths and we’ve got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer.”
Home Office’s ‘woeful budgeting’ blamed for asylum spending crisis, says IFS
11:38
Salma Ouaguira
The Home Office’s “mismanagement” has led to repeated overspending on asylum and immigration services, according to a damning report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
The report highlights a staggering discrepancy between the department’s initial budgets and actual expenditures, with a £7.6 billion overspend over the past three years alone.
The IFs report reveals that between 2021 and 2024, the Home Office budgeted an average of just £110 million annually for asylum operations but ended up spending £2.6 billion per year - more than 23 the original allocation.
The institue claimed that the “woeful way” the Home Office and HM Treasury have budgeted for asylum costs is central of the recent disagreement between Rachel Reeves and her predecessor Jeremy Hunt.
Watch: Lib Dems will ‘attempt to reverse’ Labour’s winter fuel payments cut
11:20
Salma Ouaguira
Keir Starmer on post-Brexit tour to seek EU partnerships
11:12
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer met Emmanuel Macron in Paris in a move to recalibrate the UK’s relationship with the European Union.
The high-profile meeting at the Elysee Palace followed Sir Keir’s talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, underscoring the prime minister’s strategy to forge stronger ties with key EU figures.
His visit coincided with the Paralymic Games opening ceremony where he and Mr Macron were among the attendees.
Despite speculation, the PM reiterated his stance that he is not “reversing brexit,” instead advocating for a new treaty with Germany that promises “deeper links” across various sectors.
The proposed treaty, expected to be finalised by this year, includes a joint action plan to address migration, a significant point of collaboration between the UK and Germany.
However, the prospect of a youth mobility agreement has sparked debate, with Sir Keir maintaining “clear red lines” against the restoration of free movement.
Small boat arrivals reach up to 20,000 this year
11:02
Salma Ouaguira
The number of migrants who have crossed the English Channel this year has passed 20,000, according to provisional figures from the Home Office.
Some 614 migrants were detected crossing the Channel on Wednesday, taking the cumulative number of arrivals so far in 2024 to 20,433.
It is the second highest number of arrivals on a single day since the general election, after 703 arrivals on 11 August.
The highest number on any day so far this year was 882, on June 18.
The cumulative total of 20,433 migrants is three per cent higher than the equivalent figure at this point last year, which was 19,801, but 18 per cent lower than the total at this stage in 2022, which was 25,065.
Government drops legal defence for Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields
10:50
Salma Ouaguira
The government has said it will not challenge judicial reviews brought against developments for the Rosebank and Jackdaw offshore oil and gas fields in the North Sea, in order to “save the taxpayer money”.
The move has been welcomed by climate action groups, despite the licences for drilling at the sites not being withdrawn.
The Rosebank oil field was approved by the previous government in September 2023. Located 80 miles west of Shetland, it is the UK’s largest untapped oil field and is estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels of oil.
The Jackdaw gas condensate field is being developed 155 miles east of Aberdeen and is expected to start production in 2025.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed prior to the election that Labour would respect the Conservative government’s decision to approve the fields and would uphold existing oil and gas licences, whilst banning any new ones.
The new government also said it would be consulting on the implementation of that manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences, in light of a Supreme Court ruling that has implications for the assessment of development consents.
The landmark Finch ruling requires regulators to consider the impact of burning oil and gas in the Environmental Impact Assessment for new projects.
Starmer arrives at the Elysee Palace
10:37
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at the Elysee Palace for his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by Mr Macron and an honour guard of French soldiers.
The two men hugged, shook hands and paused for photos before heading into the palace.
Think tank: Smoking ban ‘another nail in the coffin for the pub industry’
10:35
Salma Ouaguira
Reem Ibrahim, acting director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs thinktank, said: “Banning outdoor smoking would be another nail in the coffin for the pub industry.
“The government’s own impact assessment concluded that banning smoking outdoors will lead to pub closures and job losses.
“Pubs and other private venues should be able to determine their own outdoor smoking rules – just as they should be allowed to decide whether to play music, serve food or show football on TV.
“Smoking rates are already declining in the UK, in large part due to smokers switching to safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes.
“The government should look to countries like Sweden, which has attained the lowest prevalence of smoking in the world not by implementing nanny state measures like this proposal, but by allowing adults to choose safer and healthier products.”
Pictured: Starmer poses with British athletes during visit of Paris training centre
10:20
Salma Ouaguira
Hospitality industry chiefs claim outdoors smoking ban ‘caused concern across the sector'
10:10
Salma Ouaguira
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said reports of government plans to ban smoking in some outdoor areas “have understandably caused concern across the sector”.
He said: “This raises the critical question: Are we on the brink of becoming a nanny state? What is next?
“While these measures may rightly be driven by public health considerations, they risk dividing opinion and imposing yet another regulatory burden on businesses already facing considerable challenges.
“At a time when our industry desperately needs the freedom to trade, the last thing we need is further barriers.
“Although many will not be personally affected by these potential changes, it’s important to recognise that 6.4 million people in the UK still smoke, many of whom enjoy doing so in social settings like beer gardens.
“These leaked regulations could significantly impact their lifestyle choices and the businesses that serve them.
“As we consider the implications of these potential restrictions, we must question whether such an approach is truly in the public interest, or whether it risks over-regulation at the cost of personal freedom and business viability.”
Lib Dems to push vote on winter fuel payment cut
09:55
Salma Ouaguira
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has announced plans to force a vote on the government’s proposed cut to winter fuel pauments.
All 72 Lib dem MPs are backing a motion to block the changes before they take effect on 16 September.
The move comes as analysis by the party found pensioners could face £670 hit this winter due to rising energy costs, the end of the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment and cuts to the winter fuel allowance.
Age UK previously warned that two million pensioners could struggle to pay their energy bills, with 800,000 of th elowest-income pensioners missing out on the support.
Mr Davey urged the government to reconsider the measures, adding: “Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners, just when energy bills are set to rise again this winter, is the wrong thing to do.”
Pictured: Starmer meets British athletes during Paralympics in Paris
09:45
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has met Paralympics GB athletes at their prep camp in Saint-German-en-Laye, west Paris.
The Prime Minister spoke to coaches Maria Adey and Pamela Robson, before meeting shotputters Aled Davies and Funmi Oduwaiye and javelin thrower Ben Pembroke.
They discussed their preparation for the Paralympics, disabled people’s access to sport and inspiring the next generation before Davies and Oduwaiye demonstrated shotputting technique for the Prime Minister.
Probation chief warns of risks as early prisoner releases begin
09:30
Salma Ouaguira
The chief inspector of probation has warned that “things will go wrong” as thousands of prisoners are released early to tackle overcrowding in England and Wales.
Under the government’s temporary scheme, around 5,500 offenders, excluding those convicted of serious crimes, will be released in September and October under strict community supervision.
Martin Jones acknowledged that while the eight-week preparation period gives probation service a “fighting chance” to manage the influx, the sheer number of early releases could lead to some reoffending.
Mr Jones told The Times: “I think it’s inevitable, being realistic about it, that things will go wrong. I wish we could live in a perfect world where that doesn’t happen.”
NHS Confederation ‘heartened’ to see progress on smoking ban
09:15
Salma Ouaguira
Dr Layla McCay of the NHS Confederation has expressed optimism about progress towards abolishing smoking, calling it “the health challenge of our time”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she highlighted the strong commitment from both past and present governments to tackle smoking.
She said: “It’s the leading cause of preventable illness in the UK. So, we are heartened to see that progress is being made and that the intention is moving forward to really address one of Britain’s main drivers of health inequalities.
“Ultimately, all of these steps are steps in the same journey, which is towards a smoke-free future for Britain, reducing those health inequalities, reducing the huge problems that are caused to the individual and to society from smoking.
“So, it’s not surprising but in this journey there will be different types of decisions, and there will be hard decisions that need to be made.
“I think that, as a society, we do recognise that this is the right direction of travel, that has been very clear for many years.”
Davey: Cutting winter fuel allowance is government’s ‘first big mistake’
08:59
Salma Ouaguira
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has said his party will attempt to block the government’s proposed move to end the winter fuel allowance to some pensioners, describing the move as the new administration’s “first big mistake”.
Sir Ed said Labour MPs and others across the House will be “genuinely worried” about the move after correspondence with constituents.
The policy is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up-to-£300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving some £1.4 billion this financial year.
The Liberal Democrat leader said the move would “hit millions” so a vote in Parliament is needed.
He told the BBC: “We haven’t had a vote. We haven’t had a proper debate. So what all the 72 Liberal Democrat MPs have done, we’re signing what’s called a prayer, which is a parliamentary process, to trigger a debate so we can represent people who have elected us.
“Liberal Democrats said, in the election, we’d fight for a fair deal for people, for our communities and I think the least the Parliament needs to do is have a debate, have a vote and hopefully reject this proposal.
“It looks like the government’s first big mistake, and I think pensioners will be going into this winter, really worried if Parliament doesn’t stop the government from doing this.”
Starmer refuses to rule out first fuel duty rise in 15 years as Labour seeks to close Budget black hole
08:45
Salma Ouaguira
Motorists could be hit by the first fuel duty rise in 15 years as Labour tries to balance the books.
Sir Keir Starmer was unable to say if fuel duty would be frozen again when questioned by journalists on a whistlestop tour of Germany and France as his government seeks to fill a £22 billion budget black hole it claims the Tories left behind.
It comes amid speculation that there will also be a series of wealth taxes including a hike in rates for capital gains and inheritance after the prime minister warned earlier this week of “a really painful Budget” on 30 October.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:
Starmer’s plan to ban smoking in pub gardens sparks cabinet tensions
08:30
Salma Ouaguira
Leaked government plans have revealed Sir Keir Starmer’s intention to ban smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and near football stadiums as part of a strictier Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The proposed measures would also extend to outdoor areas at clubs, universities, hospitals, and playgrounds, The Sun reported.
While the ban will not apply to private homes or large parks, the Business Department warned the move could create financial tensions for the industry.
Despite cabinet concerns about economic imacts, the prime minister is pushing forward with the ban, supported by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.
Ministers will argue that the health benefits outweight the costs, pointing to the £21.8 billion smoking burden on the Treasury.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.
“We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”
Germany says youth mobility scheme should be in the ‘British interest’
08:03
Salma Ouaguira
Germany’s ambassador to the UK has said an agreement with the European Union on youth mobility “should be in the British interest”.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: “There are many misunderstandings about what youth mobility really means. It is not freedom of movement, it has nothing to do with migration.
“It means that young people, who are really those who have most lost because of Brexit, that they have the possibility to come to the European Union, to come to the United Kingdom, for a limited amount of time, and then they will leave.
“So, it’s enhancing the possibilities for young people. That’s what we want. And it’s not only Germany, I can tell you all the 27 in the European Union want to enhance that.”
Mr Berger went on: “Youth mobility should also be in the British interest. Young people from this country might want to live for a year in Berlin or in Madrid or in Paris, and the youth mobility scheme would open that possibility.
“I think we all could gain, for example, by a veterinary agreement, which would reduce prices in the supermarket.”
Government sets up dedicated team tasked with speeding up housing delivery
08:00
Salma Ouaguira
A dedicated team tasked with speeding up the delivery of housing has been established by the government, as part of its commitment to overhaul the planning system and build 1.5 million homes.
The New Homes Accelerator will “support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground”, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said, ahead of its launch today.
As part of the scheme, planning experts will be deployed to potential housing sites to work through blockages and local issues.
There are 200 sites across England with outline or detailed planning permission for up to 300,000 new homes, which are yet to be built, according to Government analysis.
Ms Rayner said: “For far too long, the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes has been held back by a failure to make sure the development system is working as it should.
“This government has a moral obligation to do everything within our power to build the homes that people desperately need and we won’t hesitate to intervene where we need to.
“Our New Homes Accelerator will quickly identify blockages, fix problems and support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground.”
The government is calling on landowners, local authorities and housebuilders to come forward with details of blocked sites that have significant planning issues, so it can tackle the obstacles that are preventing the delivery of new homes.
More than 10,000 homes could be built at three “stalled sites” – Stretton Hall in Leicestershire, Tendring in Essex, and Biggleswade Garden Community in Central Bedfordshire – as part of the team’s plans.
Pictured: Keir Starmer meets Macron in France
07:48
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer continues UK-EU ‘reset’ effort with Macron talks in Paris
07:32
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer will continue efforts to build bridges with European leaders as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron today.
The prime minister travelled from Berlin to Paris as he undertakes two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to “reset” its relationship with the European Union following years of Brexit troubles.
Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.
A breakfast meeting with French business leaders is scheduled for Sir Keir, and a summit with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace.
On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not “reversing Brexit” as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany – including “deeper links” in several areas.
He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, and also noted it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
The two countries also agreed to develop a “joint action plan to tackle illegal migration”.
VOICES The real story behind Starmer, Reeves and a very painful Budget...
07:30
Salma Ouaguira
Although they wouldn’t admit it, the model for the PM and his chancellor is less Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – and more David Cameron and George Osborne, writes Andrew Grice:
