UK politics live: Government condemns ‘thuggish and intimidating’ far-right protesters in Portsmouth

The chairman of Reform UK has expressed “full support” to those protesting borders in a peaceful way, but affirmed that his party would ban all face coverings in public and condemned attacks on police.

Lee Anderson said on social media: “I fully support the British people who turn up in huge numbers to peacefully protest just as the Pink Ladies have done over the migrant hotels. But Reforms policy is to ban burkhas, balaclavas and all face coverings being worn in public and we condemn attacks on our police.

“So please if you’re going to protest then be careful, do it the right way then you have my full support because the left are just looking for an excuse to label you all as far right thugs. You’re not, you are decent patriotic Brits who’ve had enough.”

The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the last 24 hours had seen “multiple violations of the UK border by mega dinghies full of illegal immigrants which the French authorities have allowed to depart”.

He also accused Andy Burnham and home secretary Shabana Mahmood of “boasting about French action, but hundreds of illegal immigrants arriving in just a few hours shows this is not working. Their weak approach is leaving our border wide open, with almost 20,000 illegal immigrants crossing so far this year. Only rough seas have prevented even more crossings.”

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:

John Healey has refused to be drawn on questions regarding whether he will raise tax at the Budget

The chancellor is set to deliver his first Budget in October, amid challenging economic conditions and speculation he may raise taxes.

But asked about potential tax rises on Monday, he said: “if I respond to speculation now, that will only fuel more speculation, and it’s quite right.

“And every chancellor would say that’s for the budget, and I’ll set out my plans and the future route for government for this country at that budget.”

British car giant Jaguar Land Rover has announced 4,000 job cuts as John Healey gave his speech on a “new story “ for the UK economy this morning.

The cuts will happen over the next two years and are reportedly affecting office roles the most.

John Healey is now taking questions from the media.

Here are five things we learned from his speech:

• Chancellor John Healey stated the UK economy is “turning a corner” during his first major Treasury speech in Coventry.

• He pledged to control government spending, meet fiscal rules, and reduce borrowing to tackle inflation in the Budget.

• Mr Healey said: “The prime minister and I are in lockstep in our commitment to meeting the fiscal rules at the upcoming Budget, to balancing the books with a buffer to protect against uncertainty.

• Mr Healey acknowledged high debt interest costs while highlighting the nation’s latent potential to embrace new technologies.

• He emphasised the necessity of fiscal discipline despite ongoing global uncertainties, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Chancellor John Healey said he wanted twice as many “unicorn” firms in the UK and to make it easier for businesses to test new technology.

Mr Healey said: “So, I’m setting an ambition now to double the number of unicorn firms in this country.”

He said he would also aim to have “sandboxing” powers in place so businesses and innovators can test technology from pavement robots to drones to life-saving medical equipment, which he said regulation currently prevents.

A unicorn firm is a private startup company valued at over $1 billion (roughly £760m) that is not listed on a public stock exchange.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Chancellor John Healey has promised to end the “consultation culture” in government in order to reduce the burden of business regulation.

“I will take an axe to the thicket of consultation, litigation, and administration that has a stranglehold too often on private investment”, he said, adding: “I confirm today my commitment to reducing the burden of business regulation by 25 per cent by the end of this Parliament.

“I announce we will extend the reforms of judicial review from energy to all major infrastructure, so that vexatious legislation and vexatious litigation and challenge can’t block economic growth.”

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:

John Healey has vowed to peel back business regulations in order to boost economic growth and private investment.

The chancellor vowed to “take an axe to the thicket of consultation, litigation, and administration” in his first major speech in the role on Monday.“

I confirm today my commitment to reducing the burden of business regulation by 25 per cent by the end of this parliament,” he said.

He also announced he will extend reforms of judicial review from energy to all major infrastructure in order to prevent “vexatious” legislation, litigation and challenges that block economic growth.

John Healey said he would set out plans for “a permanent transfer of power and resources” away from Whitehall at the Budget.

The Chancellor said: “The next chapter of Britain’s growth story will be written in more places.

“That’s not sentimentality, that is supply-side economics. A transport bottleneck in South Yorkshire is too often invisible from Whitehall, but it can have a real impact on economic growth and on business investment decisions.

“That’s why, at the Budget, I will set out a roadmap to fiscal devolution, a permanent transfer of power and resources from Whitehall to our regions, with greater business rates retention for local councils and strategic authorities, grants from central government replaced by a share of local income tax for every mayoral strategic authority beginning in 2028.

“London, of course, is our powerhouse, but if our city regions could emulate the success of those in France or Germany, growth in our country would be transformed.”

Mr Healey also announced £150 million from the British Business Bank for fast-growing firms in the north of England and the creation of the “northern 500”, bringing together “the North’s most ambitious mid-sized businesses” in a group led by mayors.

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:

John Healey has set out his ambition to bring growth to more places in Britain, as he boosts Andy Burnham’s commitment to boost northern economies.

The chancellor said communities have seen “a loss of belief that anyone in politics” as he promised a “fundamental shift”.

“A shift that starts with putting power and resources with local leaders to build infrastructure, boost private investment, and deliver local industrial strategies, supported by de-risking public investment that matches local needs,” he said.

“To unlock the potential of their region to do things in the best way that Whitehall can’t.

“And I am determined that the next chapter of Britain’s growth story will be written in more places. That’s not sentimentality; that is supply-side economics.”