Reform UK has topped a Sky News-YouGov poll for the first time, pushing Labour into second just six months after its huge general election win. But the government is allowing several local authorities to raise council tax by more than the maximum amount this year, which will hit millions of people. We asked government minister Karin Smyth if that is fair on the local residents in those areas, the minister said it's a result of "the state of councils, as much of the public sector, that we inherited in July" that is "dire".
As a result, some places are being given the power to raise more money through higher council taxes. She went on to say that "many more councils" asked to be able to increase council taxes than have been granted permission, and insisted that each request was "scrutinised very closely because we don't want to see taxes increase for people in those areas, but those areas are particularly desperate and need that in order to keep basic services running".
NHS England has been urged to change its decision not to publish a full report into care received by Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane. A summary of the independent mental health homicide report is set to be made publicly available this week, but the full version will be kept confidential due to "data protection legislation relating to patient information". Sky's Kay Burley asked health minister Karin Smyth why the NHS is not publishing the report, and she replied that it is "such a tragic case", and her "understanding is the report, part that is shared with the family and [there are] discussions with the family".
Asked in her capacity as health minister if she things the report should be published, Ms Smyth replied: "There may be reasons that things aren't published. Burley put to her that Calocane relinquished his right to privacy when he murdered three people, and the minister said: "I think we have to think about the victims and supporting the family in this.
Asked if the decision not to publish the report should be looked at again, Ms Smyth said: "I think all of these things should be looked at and learned from in time. Overnight, President Trump decided paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico but pressed ahead with imposing them on China. They've retaliated by putting imports on American gas, coal, oil and farming equipment. But will be the consequences for the UK? Sam and Anne discuss how the UK maps outs its position and asks if the UK could come out on top of this global shoot out thanks to Brexit, and if a limited US trade deal could be on the card within months.
