Boris Johnson news – live: UK to offer new route to citizenship for Hong Kongers, as Keir Starmer says PM ‘flippant’ on lockdown easing

Labour MP accuses Boris Johnson of lying about local authority data

Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and shadow minister for domestic violence, tweeted: "Boris Johnson is just lying. It has been incredibly hard for local authorities to get data and information from the beginning of the crisis.

"It won't be a shock that he's a liar but still makes my blood boil that he just stands and lies while people are sick and losing their jobs."

Government will introduce new route for Hong Kongers with British National status to enter UK

Boris Johnson told MPs he would introduce a new route for Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) status to enter the UK following the introduction of Beijing's new security law. 

Here's live reaction to today's Prime Minister's Questions with our chief political commentator John Rentoul and political correspondent Lizzy Buchan:

Labour call for greater transparency on how much Digital Services Tax will raise

Labour are calling for greater transparency on how much the government’s new Digital Services Tax will raise.

The 2 per cent tax on the revenues of tech giants is included in the government’s Finance Bill.

But given the controversy over the amount of tax some firms pay in the U.K., Labour have tabled an amendment calling for the government to report annually how much tax revenue  has been generated. 

Bridget Phillipson, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “A tax on tech giants is long overdue, but this is a lacklustre attempt to get a handle on this issue. For years, these companies have engaged in complex methods of tax avoidance that have seen the public purse lose billions.”

“We are calling on ministers to be clear about how much this tax is raising, so we know if bolder action is needed.”

'We respect China, China should respect its obligations'

That's the summary version of Dominic Raab's acknowledgement of China's huge sway in world events.

In the Commons, the foreign secretary has told MPs: "We want a positive relationship with China, we recognise its growth, its stature and the powerful role it can play in the world.

"And I would say it is precisely because we respect China as a leading member of the international community that we expect the Chinese government to meet its international obligations to live up to its international responsibilities.

"It has failed to do so with respect to Hong Kong by enacting legislation which violates its autonomy and threatens the strangulation of its freedoms.

"It is a sad day for the people of Hong Kong and one which can only undermine international trust in the Chinese government's willingness to keep its word and live up to its promises." 

Bereaved families condemn government's silence on Covid-19 inquiry

Bereaved families who lost loved ones to coronavirus have criticised Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock for failing to meet them or respond to calls for a public inquiry into the crisis, writes Lizzy Buchan.

The group, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, wrote to senior ministers in June to demand an immediate inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic to prevent further deaths.

More than 73,000 people have signed their petition calling for the government to learn lessons to prevent more families "needlessly going through the loss and trauma we are experiencing".

Raab faces calls for strategic approach to China after accusation government is 'deeply confused'

Dominic Raab is facing calls for the government to produce a long-term, strategic vision for relations with China.

Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said in the Commons: "Can I invite [Mr Raab] to take up [Lisa Nandy's] appeal for a long-term strategic approach to China.

"What can we learn from the disastrous mistake of the government just a few years ago who thought we were embarking on some new golden era with this dictatorship?"

Ms Nandy had earlier accused the government of a "deeply confused" approach to the emerging superpower.

The shadow foreign secretary said: "[Mr Raab's] counterparts at the Treasury see Chinese investment as a central plank of the UK's recovery and the government's approach remains deeply confused.

"For too long in relation to China we've had no strategy at home and no strategy abroad. I hope he can give us a commitment today that this marks the start of a very different era."  

Mr Raab told Sir Bernard: "We are increasingly across government looking at all aspects of our relationship with China."

He added: "Clearly as we bring forward the integrated review, China's role in the world and our relationship with China will be an absolutely essential element of that and that's work that is already under way." 

Johnson must extend furlough, Labour says

Labour has called for the furlough scheme to be extended for workers most at risk of losing their jobs, warning it is “the last chance to act”, writes Rob Merrick.

Keir Starmer pointed to worrying job culls at Airbus, Easyjet and elsewhere – even as the prime minister was pledging to rebuild the battered economy on Tuesday.

“There was nothing in the prime minister’s speech for the 3.2 million people in hospitality, or the 2.9 million in retail,” the Labour leader told Boris Johnson.

'An opportunity has passed us by'

A door closed yesterday on good sense and careful planning. This government is now hell-bent on rushing the UK’s final departure from the EU and nothing, let alone a global pandemic, is going to stand in its way, writes Caroline Lucas.

We have had four years of negotiations to reach a considered, mutually-beneficial EU trade deal, with little progress. The Brexit zealots in control of government now think they can achieve everything they want, with no trade-offs, in fewer than six months.

Even if this were achieved, it would mean negotiations which will set our relationship with our closest neighbours for the next generation are being rushed through - not in a spirit of compromise, but in a reckless game of chicken.