Summary

  • Liz Truss's first Conservative Party conference as prime minister is being overshadowed by splits among MPs and rows over policy

  • She is facing mounting pressure over her refusal to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation

  • Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt broke ranks to call for the increase - promised under Boris Johnson's government - to be honoured

  • The fresh row follows a U-turn on scrapping the 45p tax rate of income tax for higher earners

  • Home Secretary Suella Braverman said MPs undermined the PM on that policy and effectively mounted a coup to force her hand

  • But Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch hit back, saying Braverman's comments were "inflammatory"

  1. Braverman praises her predecessors and Rwanda policypublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    We're now hearing from Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

    She starts by praising her predecessors' policies, particularly the controversial Rwanda policy of Priti Patel, under Boris Johnson's premiership.

    The five-year trial will see some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK sent to Rwanda on a one-way ticket, to claim asylum there.

    They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a "safe third country".

    The government hopes the Rwanda policy will deter people who arrive in the UK through what it calls "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats which cross the English Channel.

  2. Home Secretary Suella Braverman takes to the stagepublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Suella Braverman on stage at the Tory conference

    Next to speak to the conference is the home secretary.

    Suella Braverman has already made some headlines today having called out some Tory MPs for "staging a coup" against the government which forced a U-turn on the now abolished 45p tax cut.

    She is just about to start her speech.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest on what she says.

  3. 'It's like getting jam before you've baked your scones' - former No 10 adviserpublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    One of those critics of the government that Kemi Badenoch may well have been referring to is Jonathan Haslam, former director of communications at No 10, when John Major was prime minister.

    Commenting on the current situation in government, Haslam says it is "quite chaotic" and not showing a lot of coherence.

    He says markets were "spooked" as the fiscal plan was not published at the same time as the 45p tax cut was announced.

    "It's like getting jam before you've baked your scones", he says.

    Asked about Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's credibility among Conservative Party members and the general public, Haslam says "they need to grow up, and perhaps they'll grow up very quickly over the course of this week".

    Haslam says the chancellor and the prime minister are fighting for their jobs.

    "The trouble at the moment is that you are probably looking at a prime minister who will limp on for a period of time, not getting all the policy issues through, because they haven't thought them through properly. And that's their problem."

  4. Conference marred by grenade-lobbing critics - Badenochpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Kemi BadenochImage source, EPA

    In the last few moments Kemi Badenoch has said she feels the Tory conference has been "marred" by critics "trying to lob grenades" at Liz Truss.

    Speaking at a ConservativeHome fringe event, the trade secretary said: "I've been very frustrated with a lot of the attacks the prime minister has had.

    "Because the most difficult part of our jobs, whether you become an MP or a minister, is those initial first few weeks when there's so much information flooding in.

    "It's the time when we're most likely to make mistakes and that's when we need to rally round, it's not the time to lob grenades."

    Tory members in the room applauded as Badenoch said the prime minister needed support.

  5. Government needs to 'think again' - Rachel Reevespublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Britain's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks at Britain's Labour Party's annual conference in LiverpoolImage source, Reuters

    We're hearing some more reaction from the Labour Party to the government's economic plans, with the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves saying the government should "think again" and "honour the commitments that they've made previously".

    The prime minister today faced growing unrest, even among her own MPs, over her refusal to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation - despite it being promised under Boris Johnson's government.

    "We're talking here about people with disabilities, people on low incomes, more than half of them in work, who are already struggling with the rising cost of living", said the shadow chancellor.

    Speaking on a visit to Peterborough, she said parliament needs to be recalled and the budget should be reversed, adding that "then we wouldn't be having these conversations about spending cuts elsewhere".

  6. Coffey pledges to ensure NHS can 'deliver'published at 16:40 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Thérèse CoffeyImage source, Getty Images

    We've just heard from Health Secretary Thérèse Coffey, who is also the deputy prime minister.

    Coffey has been telling the Tory party conference that despite severe challenges in the global economy, war in Ukraine and Covid-19, the government will "deliver, deliver, deliver".

    She praised the NHS and all its staff, as well as carers in communities, for going the extra mile.

    Some £173bn will be spent this year on health and social care in England alone, she says.

    Coffey's speech comes after her NHS plan was announced last month, which left many unimpressed.

    NHS backlogsImage source, .

    She says now is the time to have an "honest discussion" with the NHS, as backlogs are expected to rise before they fall. But, she says, those numbers are not all due to Covid and the situation must change.

    Coffey says her government will create more hospital capacity, equivalent to 7,000 extra beds by this winter. And it is speeding up its plans to ramp up and improve community diagnosis, she says.

    On staffing across the health sector, Coffey says her government will honour its manifesto, which stated that 50,000 nurses would be recruited by 2024.

  7. Transport secretary pledges to fix '10 million potholes a year'published at 16:35 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Transport Secretary Anne-Marie TrevelyanImage source, Reuters

    In her speech to the Conservative Party conference Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan told members she plans to fix "10 million potholes a year".

    She said this pledge will be achieved through a special "pothole fund".

    Earlier this year, the AA said that from April 2018 to June 2021, there were over 1.5m potholes on local roads reported, external to the 51 UK councils the firm spoke to.

    A statement along with the data added: "The total number is likely to be much higher than that due to this figure not including potholes on motorways and major roads, and many being unreported."

  8. Braverman: Benefits system 'needs more stick'published at 16:31 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    There's more from Suella Braverman on benefits, the hot topic on Day Three of the Tory party conference.

    The home secretary claimed there is a "stubborn core of our population that sees welfare as the go-to option [and] is not motivated... to get out and work", adding that the system needed to add "a bit more stick" to make sure it paid for people to get themselves into work.

    Speaking at the conference, Braverman told The Telegraph's Christopher Hope there are "far too many people" who are able to work but don't. Instead, she said, "they choose to top up their salaries with tax credits or whatever".

    Referencing the popular Channel 4 TV series - which aired in the mid-2010s - Braverman said she believed that the "Benefits Street kind of culture is a feature of modern Britain".

    As we've reported, there's been some in-government fighting today after PM Liz Truss refused to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation. Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt swiftly broke ranks to call for the increase - promised under Boris Johnson - to be honoured.

    Suella Braverman wears a blue dress on Day Three of the Tory party conferenceImage source, PA Media
  9. Braverman tells of Rwanda deportation 'dream' front pagepublished at 16:24 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Suella Braverman has been telling the Tory Party conference that it would be "her dream" to have a Daily Telegraph front page with a photo of a plane taking off to Rwanda with asylum seekers on board.

    The plan aims to discourage illegal crossings of the English Channel, but Braverman says it could be a long time before the controversial policy happens as it is fought through the courts.

    "Unfortunately we have got to let that play out," she says.

    The Home Secretary also defended the French border force for thwarting around 40 or 50% of Channel crossings annually.

    "That's not good enough, but it is better than nothing," she says.

    Braverman says the French want to solve the migrant issue as it is "a blight" on the Calais region.

    She believes the interception rate should be at 80% or 90%.

  10. In pictures: Third day of Conservative Party conference under waypublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    It's the third day of the Conservative party conference, with plenty going on both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.

    Here's a selection of pictures from Birmingham:

    Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng wearing high vis vests and hard hatsImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng kicked off the day with a visit to a construction site in Birmingham

    Iain Duncan SmithImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Iain Duncan Smith at a Conservative Home event on universal credit

    An attendee carries a bag featuring former Conservative Prime Ministers' illustrations at the Conservative Party ConferencImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    An attendee sports a bag featuring former Conservative prime ministers' faces

    Former Home Secretary Priti PatelImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Earlier, former home secretary Priti Patel gave a speech at the Conservative Party conference

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife SusannahImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his wife Susannah

  11. There's still more to come today...published at 16:01 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    It’s been another busy day at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, but the main event hasn't even happened yet.

    It will start at 16:00, when Home Secretary Suella Braverman joins a host of cabinet ministers – including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Health Secretary Therese Coffey and Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis – for an event titled “Delivering Better Public Services”.

    It will be followed by plenty of fringe events, and one that might draw attention begins at 18:00 titled "The Future of Conservatism".

    Speakers include Braverman and Tory heavyweight Michael Gove. Earlier today Braverman accused Tory MPs, including Gove, of staging a "coup" that led to the government axing its decision to cut the top rate of tax - Gove was perhaps the most critical of the policy. Expect fireworks.

  12. Tory MP hits back at home secretary's 'coup' commentpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Some reaction to the home secretary's comments about Conservative Party MPs "staging a coup" to force a U-turn on the 45p tax cut for higher earners.

    One Tory backbench MP - Steve Double - has hit back at Suella Braverman's remark.

    The St Austell and Newquay MP tweets, external: "Doing what we believe to be right for our constituents is not 'a coup' or unprofessional.

    "It is called doing our job as backbench MPs.

    "If this is the approach the cabinet take we're in for a bumpy ride."

  13. I believe in the benefits safety net, says Welsh secretarypublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Media caption,

    BBC Newsnight’s Nick Watt asks Robert Buckland if benefits should rise in line with inflation

    Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland says Liz Truss will “listen and act accordingly” to calls for benefits to rise in line with inflation.

    Asked directly if he believes benefits should rise in line with inflation, Mr Buckland told BBC Newsnight’s Nick Watt he’s a “one nation compassionate conservative” who “believes in the safety net”.

    He added that every Conservative government he’s been part of has maintained the safety net and “this one will be the same”.

  14. Will Kwarteng's fiscal plan be brought forward?published at 15:20 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng outside a hotel in Birmingham on Day Two of the Tory party conferenceImage source, Reuters

    There's been some confusion over when Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will publish his medium-term fiscal plan to support the tax-cutting proposals set out in his mini-budget.

    It was originally due to come out on 23 November, but political editors were briefed last night that the government was planning to bring this date forward.

    Today, though, Kwarteng rejected these reports, telling GB News, external "it's going to be the 23rd."

    Despite the chancellor's remarks to GB News, it’s understood the date will in fact be moved forward once a new date can be announced to parliament.

    We'll keep you updated when we hear more.

  15. Braverman says benefits question 'under review'published at 14:57 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    BRavermanImage source, Reuters

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman has also been talking about the benefits issue.

    She sticks to the PM's line, that the issue of raising benefits in line with inflation is “under review” and there are “lots of issues to consider”.

    She says the government needs to keep public spending under control, “but we’ve also got to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported”.

    Speaking to BBC Newsnight’s Nick Watt she acknowledged that it was currently “very difficult” for people on benefits and for that reason she was “proud of the energy support package”.

  16. 'This government is just spinning round in circles' - Yvette Cooperpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    We're now hearing some reaction to Suella Braverman's remarks from the shadow home secretary, Labour MP Yvette Cooper.

    Earlier on, Braverman said she was disappointed by the government's reversal of the 45p tax cut for higher earners. And she went on to say members of the Tory Party had "staged a coup".

    In light of these comments, Cooper said: "So the Home Secretary now wants the government to do a U-turn on a U-turn.

    "Unbelievable. This government is just spinning round in circles."

  17. Coup claims, a growing benefits row and tax U-turn fall outpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Tory conferenceImage source, Reuters

    It's been a busy morning for the Tories at their conference, amid the ongoing debate over the government's tax and spending plans.

    For anyone just joining us or in need of a catch up, here's a quick summary of the days events so far:

    Tax U-turn

    • Home Secretary Suella Braverman has accused fellow Tory MPs of staging a "coup" to force the government to drop its plans to get rid of the 45p tax rate on high earners
    • She singled out one colleague in particular, former Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, telling an audience he had got it wrong by publicly objecting to the policy
    • There is also continuing public unrest within the Conservative Party following yesterday's U-turn on scrapping the top tax rate
    • But in her latest interview with BBC News, Truss restated her support for the idea of ditching the higher rate, while noting she is "not contemplating that now"

    Benefits

    • Meanwhile, Prime Minister Liz Truss is facing growing unrest among Conservative MPs over her refusal to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation - despite it being promised under Boris Johnson's government
    • Truss committed to increase pensions at the pace of rising prices - known as the 'triple lock' - but on benefits has said the government "must be fiscally responsible"
    • Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt is the most high profile Tory to break ranks and call for the increase to be introduced, joining but a raft of former ministers and prominent backbenchers in doing so

    There will be further speeches from conference this afternoon and evening, with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly among the keynote speakers to come.

    Stick with us and we'll bring you all the latest updates from Birmingham.

  18. Too many foreign students coming into the UK - Suella Bravermanpublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been speaking at a Telegraph fringe event at the Tory Party Conference and we've been bringing you some of her key comments here.

    In the last hour, she said she thinks "too many students" are coming into the UK who are "frankly propping up substandard courses in inadequate institutions". She said this after claiming "net migration needs to come down".

    "I think poor universities are being bankrolled by foreign students and I would really like to see that number come down."

    She said the UK was seeing "quite a large number" of foreign students bringing in their family members.

    When asked if she feels anything stopping others coming into the country as her parents are from Mauritius and Kenya, she said: "I have no qualms about that".

    She added that she "delights" in annoying the left.

  19. I do trust the chancellor - Trusspublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    We reported earlier that the prime minister did not directly answer, when asked in an interview this morning, whether she trusts her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng.

    But asked the same question on TalkTV just a short while ago, she said: "I do trust the chancellor, absolutely.

    "The chancellor is a very close colleague of mine, we work very closely together."

  20. ‘I’m working five jobs and my finances are still stretched’published at 13:38 British Summer Time 4 October 2022

    RebeccaImage source, Rebecca

    Rebecca in Norfolk is a single mum who works five jobs and also relies on universal credit.

    Speaking to Radio 5 Live she says her budget is “stretched so much that I no longer have one, everything that’s happening means I can’t even budget”.

    “We’re cutting back massively on the energy we use,” she says. “I have it on for half an hour when my daughter wakes up and just before bed.”

    Speaking about Liz Truss’ refusal to say whether benefits will rise with inflation, Rebecca says she believes the role of government is to “support everybody in the country, not just the most wealthy”.

    “Yes I understand that spending on universal credit and the legacy benefits costs money, but that should be the priority they factor in to their financial working outs.”