Sir Keir Starmer will this morning give a speech on his plans to cut NHS waiting lists – a key election pledge from Labour. But the PM is likely to face questions about Elon Musk’s attacks on his government over past grooming gang cases as well as his health plan.
Monday 6 January 2025 09:03, UK
By James Sillars, business reporter
More than half of private sector firms are planning price hikes to help offset looming tax increases announced in the chancellor’s first budget , according to a corporate lobby group.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned business confidence was at its lowest level since the market meltdown that followed the Conservatives’ mini budget of autumn 2022.
Its survey of almost 5,000 firms found worries about tax stood at levels not seen since 2017.
Labour had fought a growth-focused election on the back of an improved working relationship with business but there was a widespread sense of shock when the 30 October budget put businesses on the hook for the bulk of £40bn of tax increases.
The new government argued the hikes were necessary to lock in long overdue investment in public services due to an alleged black hole in the public finances inherited from the Tories.
But companies widely warned the higher costs, from measures such as higher employer National Insurance contributions and National Living Wage increases from April, would be passed on to customers and hit wage growth, employment and investment.
The chair of a national inquiry into child sex abuse has called on the government to implement the changes recommended in 2022.
Professor Alexis Jay released an open letter yesterday, in which she distanced herself from the calls for a new, national inquiry.
Instead, she said the recommendations she made more than two years ago should be implemented.
The Home Office said this morning it is “working at pace across government to drive forward real action to implement the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse”.
Among the changes Professor Jay – who chaired the IICSA – wants is a child protection authority.
Starmer’s previously ‘saw the case’ for inquiry
Part of the furore over calls for an inquiry came after the government rejected such a plea from Oldham council.
The position appears to be that inquiries should be carried out locally.
However, back in 2012 when he was head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Sir Keir Starmer said he recognised the case for a nationwide probe.
He told a parliamentary committee: “I recognise there may be a case for an overarching inquiry… I can see the case for an overarching inquiry at some stage to pull all of the strands together and to ensure that all of the findings are put in one place and all the best practice is brought together for everybody to share.”
He was speaking in the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal as well as the Rotherham child sex abuse scandal, and before the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was set up.
Elon Musk and Nigel Farage appear to have fallen out over support for Tommy Robinson.
The X owner posted on social media yesterday following days of headlines over his comments about the historical grooming scandal that took place across UK towns and cities more than a decade ago.
Mr Farage had previously been reported to be attempting to solicit donations from Mr Musk.
Political correspondent Tamara Cohen goes through the whole story below.
Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard are back for 2025 with their guide to the day ahead in politics in under 20 minutes.
The drama is also back – with Elon Musk causing more than a stir in British politics after changing his mind about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
It comes after Musk launched an attack on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips over their handling of past grooming gang cases.
How can the government respond to the richest man in the world’s running commentary on British politics?
Also – the prime minister launches the government’s full plan for the NHS this morning, but can it really bring down waiting lists?
You can send a WhatsApp to Jack and Sam on 07511 867 633 or email them: jackandsam@sky.uk
👉Listen to Politics At Jack And Sam’s on your podcast app👈
Health minister Karin Smyth is speaking to Sky News this morning.
She is asked about Labour’s plans to reduce the NHS waiting lists – including new seven day hubs community hubs.
The minister is asked if NHS staff are ready to embrace the changes being implemented by the government.
“I think they are up for the change,” she says, adding that they know they are working “inefficiently” and not providing ideal care due to the way the NHS is currently set up.
Fixing this includes providing a more comprehensive digital offering as well, Ms Smyth says.
Asked how the government can be judged on tackling waiting lists, the minister says the plan is for an extra 500,000 appointments each year.
Starmer able to defend himself
Ms Smyth is asked about the ongoing criticisms of the government coming from Elon Musk.
In the past few hours, the Tesla chief has posted on social media that Sir Keir Starmer should be in “jail”.
Ms Smyth says the PM was “lauded” for his response to child sex exploitation when he was head of the Crown Prosecution Service – and he will defend that record.
She adds that Sir Keir is “not after praise” and that it should be the victims who are focused on.
The prime minister has written an article in The Times laying out his plans for the NHS – and why he believes it is in the situation it is.
Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “The NHS exhibits all the symptoms of chronic illness caused by the Conservative government’s choices.
“Under-resourced. Overstretched. Inefficient. Patients and staff failed.
“Too many doctors, nurses and other dedicated staff are no longer able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.”
The PM says his “prescription” for the NHS includes a plan to “drag” social care out of hospitals and into the community, “harness technology”, “regear” it to improve efficiency, cut “pointless appointments” and give staff “the tools they need to deliver”.
Sir Keir adds “patients must be able to manage appointments, get test results and access help” within an app.
While he says “not everyone will welcome” his plans, the prime minister said he promised change – and he wants to deliver it.
He will be giving more details for his plans in a speech later this morning – follow live in the Politics Hub.
Welcome back to the Politics Hub.
Sir Keir Starmer is giving a speech this morning where he will lay out his plans to reduce waiting lists in the health service, and also improve the NHS in general.
The PM will be hoping to start the new year strong, following his administration drawing criticism at the end of 2024 for its economic policies.
Sir Keir is likely to be asked for his views on Elon Musk, following the Tesla chief’s criticism of his handling of past grooming gang cases.
Mr Musk – who is joining the Trump government when it takes office later this month – has also engaged in a war of words with Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Parliament is returning today as well, following the Christmas recess.
Health minister Karin Smyth is speaking to Sky News just after 7am.
And Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper is on just after 8am.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning for the start of a new week in Westminster – the first Monday of the year.
But until then, you can scroll through the page to catch up on Sunday, and see the highlights from Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
Thanks for joining us!
Reform’s deputy leader has praised Elon Musk as “popular” and “appreciated” by the British public – as a government minister criticised the tech tycoon for “ridiculous” and “ill informed” comments on the UK grooming scandal.
Speaking to Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Richard Tice defended the owner of X and Tesla as “one of the greatest entrepreneurs in history”.
He said he was content to have Mr Musk, who is considering making a donation to Reform UK, support his party, adding: “He has a great interest in and the politics of this country and in the economy growing.”
It comes in contrast to the stance taken by Wes Streeting, the health secretary, who said he was “not interested” in what Mr Musk had to say on the grooming scandal that took place across a swathe of UK towns and cities more than a decade ago.
Girls as young as 11 were groomed and raped across a number of towns in England – including Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford – over a decade ago in a national scandal that was exposed in 2013.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
