Politics latest: Rishi Sunak targeting 'sick note culture' in welfare speech; Labour writes to police demanding probe into suspended Tory MP Mark Menzies (2024)

Rishi Sunak is on his feet at the Centre for Social Justice in London delivering a speech on welfare reforms.

Here are the key points of the PM's speech (this post will be updated):

• The PM opens by saying he wants to address "the growing number of people who've become economically inactive since the pandemic", saying it's a "moral mission" to reform the welfare system;
• He says some will never be able work due to severe conditions, and they must have "peace of mind" in knowing they "will always be supported";
• But the welfare state should be "to help people overcome whatever barriers they may face" to get back into work;
• Mr Sunak hails the creation of Universal Credit and the national living wage, as well as halving inflation and cutting national insurance;
• He wants to ensure that "hard work is always rewarded";

Rishi Sunak is on his feet and is starting a speech on reform to the welfare system.

The PM will announce plans to end "sick note culture" in the UK.

He will warn against "over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life", and shift the focus to "what people can do with the right support in place, rather than what they can't do".

We are also expecting the PM to address Israel's apparent strike on Iran overnight, and the wider situation in the Middle East.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

By Serena Barker-Singh, political correspondent

A former senior civil servant criticised some of the policymakers behind the illegal migration bill, accusing them of "harbouring racist views" about immigrants, it has emerged.

The senior policy official was in key ministerial meetings on the small boats policy, including in meetings with the then prime minister Boris Johnson.

Her claims emerged as part of an employment tribunal that has now concluded.

She says from her perspective the head of the illegal migration task force Michael Bourke and his deputy directors saw "the ultra-hostile environment towards unwanted foreigners as both being practical, necessary and gratifying".

In formal court documents seen by Sky News, the ex-head of policy in the illegal migration task force, who has been a civil servant for 12 years, said she had repeatedly tried to move conversations away from "prejudice and blame, to objective assessment and accountability".

Mr Bourke has stated his position is that his conduct towards the former civil servant was fair and during the time she was on the task force she was "negative and problematic, leading colleagues to feel disrespected, overburdened or undermined".

Read the full story here:

The prime minister is delivering a speech in London this morning where he will say the government will end "sick note culture" in the UK.

He will warn against "over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life", and shift the focus to "what people can do with the right support in place, rather than what they can't do".

Mr Sunak also wants sick notes to be issued by "specialist work and health professionals" rather than GPs in order to reduce workloads.

He will set out more detail in his speech, and we are also expecting him to be asked about Israel's apparent attack on Iran overnight.

Watch live on Sky News from 9.30am, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

Conservative MP Mark Menzies has been suspended from the parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local Tory party funds to pay off "bad people".

Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

On the Conservatives' investigation into the claims, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News: "There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information.

"I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it's important to mention that."

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political correspondent Darren McCaffrey to analyse how Westminster will cope with another scandal.

Plus, the Scottish government has come under fire for rowing back on its climate commitments.

Niall speaks to science correspondent Thomas Moore about the consequences of the government missing eight out of 12 of its annual climate commitments.

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As we reported earlier, Sky News understands Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds has written to Lancashire Police demanding an investigation into allegations of misuse of funds by Mark Menzies.

The MP for Fylde in Lancashire has been suspended from the Tory parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local party funds to pay off "bad people".

Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims, which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

Labour shadow minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed to Sky News the party has asked the police to investigate, saying it is "entirely right that we've done so".

"The reports that came out about this case are incredibly disturbing," he said.

"And there are a series of questions about whether an offence has been committed in relation to fraud by false representation or misconduct in public office.

"They're quite serious allegations. It's right that the police investigate."

He also said there are "questions about what the Conservative Party knew and when, why they've sat on this information for months".

"Do they have any information that the police could benefit from?" he questioned.

"If they do, they obviously need to hand it over.

"It's in the public interest that we get to the bottom of these allegations and the police investigate."

Rishi Sunak is to call for an end to the "sick note culture" in a major speech on welfare reform this morning - as he warns against "over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life".

We asked Labour's shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycook if the PM has a point, and he replied: "I think this announcement screams to me a government that after 14 years are out of ideas and out of time."

He said this announcement was previously suggested by Jeremy Hunt when he was health secretary in 2017, and since then, "we have seen the number of people transition onto long term sick at great cost to themselves, to businesses, to the economy, and to the taxpayer".

He went on: "We're still the only G7 country that hasn't returned to economic activity rates pre-pandemic. This is costing the country. Something's got to be done.

"I don't think tinkering with a call for evidence on the fit note system is near the scale of the challenge."

Mr Pennycook said waiting lists for healthcare need to be brought down, more needs to be done on mental health, and the job centre system needs reforming.

"This is a long term problem. This is entirely of the Tories making," he added.

We've just been speaking with shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycook, and we started by asking for Labour's reaction to the news of the apparent Israeli strike in Iran overnight.

He said: "I think it is a really concerning moment for peace and security in the Middle East."

The full details of the strike have not been officially confirmed yet, he said, but added: "Labour would urge all sides to show restraint and to de-escalate the situation because the real risk of a full-scale war in the region is there, and all sides need to step back."

Asked if Labour supports Israel's right to take retaliatory action following Iran's drone and missile attack on Saturday, Mr Pennycook replied: "We're asking Israel to show restraint in doing so.

"The repelling of the very significant drone and missile strike was successful.

"We want them to show restraint to de-escalate the situation because, as I said, the risk of a full scale conflagration in the region is very real, and the consequences will be dire."

Asked if there is a limit to Labour's support for Israel, he replied: " I don't think there's a limit to our support in terms of their right to respond."

But he reiterated that Labour is calling for restraint, alongside the UK's international partners.

"I think it is a very worrying moment for the Middle East," he added.

By Tim Baker, political reporter

Liz Truss's memoir broke the rules in place for ministers publishing works about their time in office.

The former prime minister's book, Ten Years To Save The West, came out earlier this week and tells of her time as the UK shortest-serving leader.

This includes how her government was run, and details of her conversation with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

While Ms Truss submitted the book to civil servants in the Cabinet Office for review, a final sign-off was not sought before publication.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said: "This book was submitted to the Cabinet Office for review. While we would not publicise the details of any discussions, we did not agree to the final wording. So the author is in breach of the Radcliffe Rules."

Read more here:

By Beth Rigby, political editor

This is a tale that's more than just a marmalade dropper. It's a story so astounding you have to pick yourself up off the floor.

Mark Menzies MP last December allegedly made a 3.15am phone call to an elderly party volunteer asking for £5,000 as a matter of "life or death" because he had been locked up by "bad people".

To secure his release, the money was paid by his office manager from her personal account and reimbursed from funds raised from donors, according to The Times. The newspaper also alleges Mr Menzies received thousands of pounds from campaign funds into his personal bank account which were used for personal medical expenses.

I will say from the outset that these are claims Mr Menzies, the MP for the Lancashire seat of Fylde, "strongly disputes".

In a statement to The Times, he said: "I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further."

But when the story broke, Conservative chief whip Simon Hart suspended Mr Menzies from the parliamentary party pending the outcome of an investigation.

It is a mega story. Not just because of the staggering, astounding, eye-popping - take your pick - nature of the allegations, but the questions it throws up: If this had happened over three months ago, why is it only now that the Conservative Party are suspending the whip? Was there misuse of money and what are the implications of that? Can Mr Menzies really continue as an MP?

Read Beth's full analysis below:

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