UK politics live: Boris Johnson blamed for Chagos Islands return as future of Falklands questioned

Jonathan Powell, the prime minister’s special envoy for negotiations with Mauritius, has dismissed concerns that China could establish a military base in the Chagos Islands.

In an interview with Times radio, he emphasised the close involvement of US officials in the negotiation process, claiming that “every single sentence and paragraph” of the agreement underwent scrutiny by various agencies in Washington.

Mr Powell added that the Chinese base is just “hooey”. “It can’t happen, won’t happen,” he declared.

However, Tom Tugnedhtat raised concerns that the UK’s decision to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands could inadvertently pave the way for China to establish a military base there.

The Tory leadership candidate claimed that while Britain retains power over Diego Garcia, the only inhabited island and home to a key US/UK airbase, Mauritius has not assured that it will refrain from leasing other islands to foreign powers – including China.

Responding to the claims, Mr Powell said: “The fact that some of the newspapers have suggested Mauritius is an ally of China – it could hardly be further from the truth. Mauritius is very, very close to India and the Indians also have welcomed this agreement because they see it as so important for security in the Indian Ocean.

“Mauritius is one of only two countries in Africa that’s not a member of China’s Belt and Road (Initiative). So this notion that we’ve somehow given the Chagos Islands to an ally of China is rubbish, and anyway, the negotiations were started by the previous Tory government.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has called the UK’s current ban on assisted dying “cruel” and confirmed he will support a new Bill when it reaches parliament.

Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Miliband reiterated his long-standing position on the issue, stating: “I will be voting for the assisted dying Bill. It will be a free vote for Members of Parliament. These are very complex and difficult issues and there are very respectable views on both sides.”

He cited the plight of those in the late stages of terminal illness, arguing that people should have the right to control their own life and death.

Mr Milibands added: “Obviously there have to be proper safeguards and I understand the concerns of some people on these issues, but my personal view will to be vote in favour of this Bill.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has been doing the morning media round.

Speaking on Sky News, the minister declared that Labour’s plan to fund carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects will be a step for the UK’s green economy.

He has promised that it will revive jobs lost in industries like coal, adding: “Today a new era begins.”

Mr Miliband added: “A new era of a new industry, carbon capture and storage, as you describe, capturing the carbon and burying it underground rather than going up into the atmosphere.

“It’s about good jobs across the country, and it’s about a sign of where this government stands, which is we are going to invest in the future of this country.”

When pressed on how this investment will be financed, Mr Miliband was unequivocal: “Public investment. We believe in borrowing to invest. It’s absolutely the right thing to do for Britain.”

He also rejected claims that this move is merely an attempt to turn around the “doom and gloom” narrative that some suggest has undermined business confidence.

“I’m in politics for change and hope, not doom and gloom. And that’s what this is all about. And that’s what the prime minister is about,” he said.

The government has committed nearly £22 billion to accelerate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, a crucial part of its net zero strategy.

In a bid to meet stringent climate targets, ministers will invest up to £21.7 billion over 25 years, funding CCS projects in Teesside and Merseyside – two key industrial hubs.

Labour announced that subsidies will begin in 2028 aiming to drive private investment and create jobs in these regions.

The party has promised the initiative will generate £8 billion in private investment, create 4,000 direct jobs, and support 50,000 more, solidifying these regions as carbon capture “clusters”.

Sir Keir Starmer framed the announcement as a turning point for the UK’s industrial heartlands.

The prime minister said: “For the past 14 years, business has been second-guessing a dysfunctional government – which has set us back and caused an economic slump.

“Today’s announcement will give industry the certainty it needs – committing to 25 years of funding in this ground-breaking technology – to help deliver jobs, kickstart growth, and repair this country once and for all.”

Argentina has vowed to gain “full sovereignty” of the Falkland Islands after the UK gave up control of a remote archipelago.

The country’s foreign minister, Diana Mondino, welcomed the step taken by Sir Keir Starmer’s Government on Thursday towards ending “outdated practices” after Britain returned the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

She promised “concrete action” to ensure that the Falklands – the British-controlled archipelago that Argentina calls the Malvinas and claims as its own – are handed to Buenos Aires.

You can read the full story below:

Welcome back to the politics blog.

The government is poised to announce deals for two major carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Merseyside and Teesside as ministers push to meet increasingly stringent climate targets.

Labour claims these initiatives are set to create 4,000 direct jobs, with an additional 50,000 supported in the long term, a crucial boost for the North’s green economy.

Over the next 25 years, the government has pledged up to £21.7 billion in subsidies to support the development of these “clusters” with funding for both sites expected to begin from 2028.

In what will be a high-profile visit to the North West today, Sir Keir Starmer, alongside chancellor Rachel Reeves and energy secretary Ed Milliband will formally confirm this substantial investment.

We will be keeping a close eye on the PM’s comments during the visit, and you can expect full coverage here on the politics blog.

In other news, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is campaigning today for increased support for unpaid carers, a cause he has long championed. The Lib Dems are advocating for a £20 weekly increase to the Carer’s Allowance, raising it from £81.90 to £101.90.

Stay tuned for the latest developments in British politics today.

Former prime minister Liz Truss has hit back at claims that she was responsible for the UK losing the crucial Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean and claimed it was Boris Johnson’s fault.

An extraordinary row broke out yesterday when Keir Starmer’s government announced it was handing the islands to Muritius in a deal which guarantees the UK military air base on Muritius for at least 99 years.

Our political editor David Maddox has the full exclusive below:

The Tories’ science spokesman has slated the Chagos deal because it “puts at risk” one of the world’s largest marine protected areas.

Shadow science secretary Andrew Griffith said the area included the Great Chagos Bank, the world’s largest coral atoll, as well as deep-sea plains, limestone platforms and deep sea-knolls.

“Mauritius opposed this marine protection status, claiming their rights to fish it. They lack the navy to protect quarter of a million square miles of ocean… located over 1,000 miles away from Mauritius itself,” he said.

Filmmaker James Glancy said the move was a disaster for marine biodiversity.

Foreign secretary David Lammy has said he wanted the UK and Ireland to increase co-operation on “growth, climate and global issues” as he met the deputy prime minister.

Following the Chagos deal, some critics mocked him by asking whether he would be giving away Northern Ireland.