Latest news with #AlexBurghart
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
The Philpster exhausts his repertoire with return to Rwanda at PMQs
Thoughts and prayers with Alex Burghart. Not so long ago, the shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster was allowed out by Kemi Badenoch to stand in for her at prime minister's questions when Keir Starmer was otherwise engaged. Though this may be a memory Alex wishes to forget. It wasn't his finest hour. Angela Rayner ran rings around him without even breaking sweat. So, on Wednesday, Alex found himself sidelined. Not wanted on voyage. From time to time, he would check his phone for messages. Just in case he had missed something. Willing his phone to ping with a late call-up. Nothing. He just had to suck it up. Take his place on the opposition frontbench and cheer on some other poor sucker. Maybe it was for the best. Some men are born failures. Some achieve failure. Some have failure thrust upon them. Alex is unique. A combination of all three. Instead it was Chris Philp who got the job. Given the nod by Kemi shortly after breakfast and with next to no time to prepare. The last man standing who can be trusted to be loyal. Or more or less competent. In his own way. At least some of his neural pathways function as they should. The Philpster is Team Kemi through and through. Up until Team Kemi is no longer a thing. Much as he was with Team Truss. Then he will be his own man. Left to ponder that no one will ever be Team Philp. Chris even looks and sounds a bit like Kemi. Just not as good. Imagine. But this was his moment. His time. It might never happen again. He could be a hero. Just for one day. Also having an unexpectedly good day was Keir. Of all the days to miss PMQs, this was a good one. A nice snooze on the flight back from Canada. No tricky questions on why the G7 turned into the G6. No having to cover for a US president who seemed to imagine he was the star of his own first-person-shooter computer game. No having to look his own MPs in the eye as his government published its new welfare bill. Over to Angie. Philp stuck to what he knew. Grooming gangs and immigrants. Which all felt rather familiar. As if we all knew what everyone was going to say before they said it. After all, Kemi had had her say in answer to Yvette Cooper's Commons statement on Monday. The next day she and the Philpster had held their own press conference to fill in any gaps. And now? Now, it was third time lucky. So far, they had consistently struck the wrong note. Maybe this was the chance they needed. And it wasn't as if Chris was capable of coming up with any other questions. This was all about the survivors, said Philp. Which was a decent place to start, given that he and Kemi had previously made it all about them. A bit of a stretch given that neither had shown much interest in the scandal when they had been in government. Rayner thanked him for his tone and assured the house that the inquiry would be comprehensive and would put the victims first. After that, it was all rather downhill. Maybe it was nerves, but the Philpster got increasingly shouty and squeaky. His voice racing through the octaves. Starmer should apologise for calling people 'far right' and 'racist' for having demanded an inquiry. Ange corrected him. Keir had only been calling out those who had previously shown no interest in grooming gangs and, besides, he had also done more to secure convictions as director of public prosecutions than the Tory government had managed in 14 years. It was just weird to think that Philp and Kemi were now positioning themselves as the champions of the survivors, but we were where we were. Chris moved on to his next pet subject. Illegal immigrants. One or two of the people who had arrived on small boats were implicated in child sexual exploitation. Therefore, it followed that every illegal immigrant was probably a paedophile. And should be killed. Or something. And another thing … The Philpster was racing through his desperately limited repertoire and was already struggling. Rwanda. If only Labour hadn't closed down the Rwanda scheme, then already more than a million immigrants – although why stop at those arriving by small boat? Why not go for those with visas too? – would have been safely rehoused in Rwanda to fight in the war with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'The deputy prime minister has a brass neck,' he declared. For … for stating the obvious. That Rwanda was always going to fail. Rishi Sunak would never have called a general election last July if he had believed in the scheme. But to his dying breath, Chris will insist otherwise. He just needed a few more days, a week, even. Then he coulda been a contender. We ended where we always end on these occasions. Nowhere very much. Philp may have disappointed the Tory benches who had been hoping for a miracle, but Rayner hadn't exactly shone. It was as though she didn't believe the lines she had been given to read out. Was starting to wonder if neither the Tories nor Labour had all the answers. A revelation that comes to all sentient politicians in the end. You could chalk it up as a win for Ange. Largely because she's the more engaging. She connects to people. They believe her. Well, not all. Labour's Sarah Champion managed to throw a dampener on proceedings, saying she had had enough of point scoring from all sides of the house over the grooming gangs. The victims had even been failed by the criminal injuries compensation scheme. Time for everyone to up their game.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Government is 'blowing £270million a year on army of 6,500 spin doctors' instead of cutting public services
Labour is being urged to slash the 6,500-strong army of government spin doctors instead of cutting public services. New figures reveal that some Whitehall departments and quangos are employing more than 100 civil servants in press offices, marketing and social media. With an average salary of £41,800, it could mean the total annual bill for the 6,500 staff in the Government communication service is a staggering £271 million. And the costs to taxpayers of the state spin machine are set to rise further still as the Government is advertising a £1.7 billion contract for media and advertising. Last night, Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart told the Mail: 'This is an absurd waste of taxpayers' money. 'They're growing an army of spin doctors to defend indefensible decisions, like snatching winter fuel payments from vulnerable pensioners.' The figures, which the Tories obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show that NHS England had the most staff in communications roles, with 289 last year. Next is HM Revenue & Customs with 235. UK Research and Innovation had 191 communication workers last year. Labour sources insisted that the Government already has a target of reducing departmental administration costs by 15 per cent over the next five years. This is including communications teams, delivering savings of more than £2 billion a year by 2030 and targeting spending on frontline services. A Cabinet Office source said: 'These officials were nearly all recruited on the Tories' watch as they broke their promises over and over again by repeatedly increasing the size of the civil service.'
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
China's proposed ‘super embassy poses super risk' to security, Tories claim
China's proposed 'super embassy poses a super risk', the Tories have claimed as they warned the project risks compromising communications infrastructure serving the City of London. More than a thousand demonstrators took to the streets of central London earlier this year to protest against the proposed embassy. Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the redevelopment plans at the historic former site of the Royal Mint, after it was rejected by the local council, Tower Hamlets. Speaking in the Commons, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart accused the Government of being 'too weak' to block the plans. He said: 'The Government's own cyber experts, Innovate UK, have warned the Government that the proposed Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint threatens to compromise the telephone and internet exchange that serves the financial City of London. 'The experts are now telling the Government what everyone else has known all along: the super embassy poses a super risk. 'Yet the Deputy Prime Minister's office has said that any representations on the planning application have to be made available to the applicants. 'So perhaps the real Deputy Prime Minister can clear this up – is the Government seriously saying that if MI5 or GCHQ have concerns about security on this site, those concerns will have to be passed to the Chinese Communist Party or has the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) got it wrong?' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden replied: 'When it comes to both engagement with China and with an issue like this, we will of course engage properly and always bear in mind our own national security considerations.' He also accused Tory governments of opting to 'withdraw' from engaging with China for a number of years after they had previously sought a 'golden era' with Beijing. A spokesperson for Innovate UK said it 'has not raised any concerns', adding: 'Innovate UK does not have responsibility for cyber security.' Comments referred to by Mr Burghart are understood to have been made in a personal capacity. Mr Burghart went on to say: 'At the heart of this are two simple facts. First, the Government already knows that this site is a security risk; it's a security risk to the City of London and through it our economy and the economies of all nations that trade in London. 'Second, the Government has the power to block it. Ireland and Australia have both already blocked similar embassy developments. Why is this Government too weak to act?' In his reply, Mr McFadden said: 'A decision on this application will be taken in full consideration of our national security considerations. That is always part of this and it is part of our engagement with China and with other countries.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to China in January to meet with the country's leaders and set out a path towards further investment into Britain. Elsewhere in Cabinet Office questions, Mr McFadden said the Civil Service should be more representative of the UK and speak with 'all the accents of the country'. This came in response to Labour MP for Dudley, Sonia Kumar, who said: 'I welcome the relocation of the Civil Service across the country and with a recent study showing that Dudley has high levels of economic inactivity, what reassurances can (he) give me that young people in Dudley want every opportunity to build their career in the Civil Service, whether that's training, apprenticeships, or any mentorships?' Mr McFadden replied: '(Ms Kumar) will not be surprised to hear my strong enthusiasm for greater employment opportunities for young people in the Black Country. 'When we made the announcement last week about the relocation, we also announced a new apprentice scheme because we don't just have to change location, we have to change recruitment patterns too if we're really going (to) get that Civil Service that speaks with all the accents of the country.' Later in the session, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) asked for reassurance that 'no Cabinet Office ministers will be attending Glastonbury this year', because 'controversial Ulster rap band' Kneecap remain part of the festival's line-up. Mr McFadden replied: 'I will not be going to Glastonbury, but I'm very much looking forward to going to see Bruce Springsteen at Anfield Stadium on Saturday night.'
South Wales Argus
05-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
China's proposed ‘super embassy poses super risk' to security, Tories claim
More than a thousand demonstrators took to the streets of central London earlier this year to protest against the proposed embassy. Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the redevelopment plans at the historic former site of the Royal Mint, after it was rejected by the local council, Tower Hamlets. Speaking in the Commons, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart accused the Government of being 'too weak' to block the plans. He said: 'The Government's own cyber experts, Innovate UK, have warned the Government that the proposed Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint threatens to compromise the telephone and internet exchange that serves the financial City of London. 'The experts are now telling the Government what everyone else has known all along: the super embassy poses a super risk. 'Yet the Deputy Prime Minister's office has said that any representations on the planning application have to be made available to the applicants. 'So perhaps the real Deputy Prime Minister can clear this up – is the Government seriously saying that if MI5 or GCHQ have concerns about security on this site, those concerns will have to be passed to the Chinese Communist Party or has the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) got it wrong?' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden replied: 'When it comes to both engagement with China and with an issue like this, we will of course engage properly and always bear in mind our own national security considerations.' Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart (Ben Whitley/PA) He also accused Tory governments of opting to 'withdraw' from engaging with China for a number of years after they had previously sought a 'golden era' with Beijing. A spokesperson for Innovate UK said it 'has not raised any concerns', adding: 'Innovate UK does not have responsibility for cyber security.' Comments referred to by Mr Burghart are understood to have been made in a personal capacity. Mr Burghart went on to say: 'At the heart of this are two simple facts. First, the Government already knows that this site is a security risk; it's a security risk to the City of London and through it our economy and the economies of all nations that trade in London. 'Second, the Government has the power to block it. Ireland and Australia have both already blocked similar embassy developments. Why is this Government too weak to act?' In his reply, Mr McFadden said: 'A decision on this application will be taken in full consideration of our national security considerations. That is always part of this and it is part of our engagement with China and with other countries.' Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to China in January to meet with the country's leaders and set out a path towards further investment into Britain. Elsewhere in Cabinet Office questions, Mr McFadden said the Civil Service should be more representative of the UK and speak with 'all the accents of the country'. This came in response to Labour MP for Dudley, Sonia Kumar, who said: 'I welcome the relocation of the Civil Service across the country and with a recent study showing that Dudley has high levels of economic inactivity, what reassurances can (he) give me that young people in Dudley want every opportunity to build their career in the Civil Service, whether that's training, apprenticeships, or any mentorships?' Mr McFadden replied: '(Ms Kumar) will not be surprised to hear my strong enthusiasm for greater employment opportunities for young people in the Black Country. 'When we made the announcement last week about the relocation, we also announced a new apprentice scheme because we don't just have to change location, we have to change recruitment patterns too if we're really going (to) get that Civil Service that speaks with all the accents of the country.' Later in the session, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) asked for reassurance that 'no Cabinet Office ministers will be attending Glastonbury this year', because 'controversial Ulster rap band' Kneecap remain part of the festival's line-up. Mr McFadden replied: 'I will not be going to Glastonbury, but I'm very much looking forward to going to see Bruce Springsteen at Anfield Stadium on Saturday night.'
Glasgow Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
China's proposed ‘super embassy poses super risk' to security, Tories claim
More than a thousand demonstrators took to the streets of central London earlier this year to protest against the proposed embassy. Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the redevelopment plans at the historic former site of the Royal Mint, after it was rejected by the local council, Tower Hamlets. Speaking in the Commons, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart accused the Government of being 'too weak' to block the plans. He said: 'The Government's own cyber experts, Innovate UK, have warned the Government that the proposed Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint threatens to compromise the telephone and internet exchange that serves the financial City of London. 'The experts are now telling the Government what everyone else has known all along: the super embassy poses a super risk. 'Yet the Deputy Prime Minister's office has said that any representations on the planning application have to be made available to the applicants. 'So perhaps the real Deputy Prime Minister can clear this up – is the Government seriously saying that if MI5 or GCHQ have concerns about security on this site, those concerns will have to be passed to the Chinese Communist Party or has the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) got it wrong?' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden replied: 'When it comes to both engagement with China and with an issue like this, we will of course engage properly and always bear in mind our own national security considerations.' Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart (Ben Whitley/PA) He also accused Tory governments of opting to 'withdraw' from engaging with China for a number of years after they had previously sought a 'golden era' with Beijing. A spokesperson for Innovate UK said it 'has not raised any concerns', adding: 'Innovate UK does not have responsibility for cyber security.' Comments referred to by Mr Burghart are understood to have been made in a personal capacity. Mr Burghart went on to say: 'At the heart of this are two simple facts. First, the Government already knows that this site is a security risk; it's a security risk to the City of London and through it our economy and the economies of all nations that trade in London. 'Second, the Government has the power to block it. Ireland and Australia have both already blocked similar embassy developments. Why is this Government too weak to act?' In his reply, Mr McFadden said: 'A decision on this application will be taken in full consideration of our national security considerations. That is always part of this and it is part of our engagement with China and with other countries.' Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to China in January to meet with the country's leaders and set out a path towards further investment into Britain. Elsewhere in Cabinet Office questions, Mr McFadden said the Civil Service should be more representative of the UK and speak with 'all the accents of the country'. This came in response to Labour MP for Dudley, Sonia Kumar, who said: 'I welcome the relocation of the Civil Service across the country and with a recent study showing that Dudley has high levels of economic inactivity, what reassurances can (he) give me that young people in Dudley want every opportunity to build their career in the Civil Service, whether that's training, apprenticeships, or any mentorships?' Mr McFadden replied: '(Ms Kumar) will not be surprised to hear my strong enthusiasm for greater employment opportunities for young people in the Black Country. 'When we made the announcement last week about the relocation, we also announced a new apprentice scheme because we don't just have to change location, we have to change recruitment patterns too if we're really going (to) get that Civil Service that speaks with all the accents of the country.' Later in the session, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) asked for reassurance that 'no Cabinet Office ministers will be attending Glastonbury this year', because 'controversial Ulster rap band' Kneecap remain part of the festival's line-up. Mr McFadden replied: 'I will not be going to Glastonbury, but I'm very much looking forward to going to see Bruce Springsteen at Anfield Stadium on Saturday night.'
