Boris Johnson live news: PM warns of leadership challenge and No 10 staff tell ‘get out’ after Christmas check

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose from 4.2% in October to 5.1% in November – the highest level since September. 2011 and is a bigger leap than scary.

The Treasury Department’s Shadow Chief Secretary, Pat McFadden, said: “These numbers are a stark illustration of the cost-of-living crisis facing families this Christmas.

“From the increase in energy price ceilings, soaring food costs and fuel prices hitting another record high – the list of prices grows as inflation continues to rise.

“Instead of acting, the government is looking the other way, blaming ‘global problems’ while they trap us in a cycle of low growth, high taxes.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has denied Boris Johnson’s authority has been undermined by the Tory uprising on the Covid passes.

Mr Shapps told LBC: “In terms of his authority, I saw the prime minister on Sunday night ask the country to get the boost shot and yesterday went through huge queues around the mass of people. to answer the prime minister’s plea.

“The man who put this country first ahead of every other major economy and now strengthens it ahead of every other country, personally comes down under the prime minister.”

Grant Shapps has confirmed that Congress will be reconvened if any further Covid restrictions on the big holidays are needed.

However, the transport minister told BBC Breakfast he hoped the “plan B” measures, which MPs passed last night, would “send us off to Tet”.

Our political reporter Ashley Cowburn There’s more to this breach story:

No 10 staff members who stayed at Downing Street to take a Christmas test were asked to “go to the back”, it was alleged.

The Daily Mirror reported that the December 15 test – which the prime minister helped organize – was held virtual, but with many participants from the office.

Boris Johnson has been warned that a leadership challenge is the “card” in the New Year after 99 Conservative MPs defied him over Plan B Covid restrictions in the biggest rebellion of his term. his general.

The Prime Minister is forced to rely on the votes of Labor MPs to win Commons approval for the introduction of Covid passes into nightclubs as well as sports and entertainment venues, with effect in the UK today.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock and political reporter Ashley Cowburn full story: