Starmer says Boris Johnson’s social care plans are a ‘complete betrayal’ of north of England – UK politics live

Article 2 of the protocol commits the UK to ensuring that Brexit will see “no diminution” of the extensive rights provisions that were enshrined in Northern Ireland as a result of the Good Friday peace agreement.

EU law underpinned many of the equality and anti-discrimination laws that flowed from the 1998 accord.

Amnesty International wrote to Frost expressing concern that article 2 could be jeopardised if the UK government follows through with its threat to suspend elements of the protocol amid its dispute with the EU over post-Brexit Irish Sea trade disruption.

Frost has now replied to the human rights organisation to provide assurances. In the letter, seen by PA, Frost said: “The government has always strongly supported article 2 of the protocol, which became operational when the protocol was signed.

“Since that point, the government has worked closely with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to set up the dedicated mechanism, funding and supporting both commissions and creating a system in which rights are safeguarded. We have absolutely guaranteed that there will be no diminution of these rights as a result of the UK leaving the EU.”

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out in a dispute over rosters.

The union said new shifts are being imposed on staff which will affect their work-life balance.

A 24-hour strike on night tube lines – Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria – will start at 4.30am on Friday, with further walkouts planned in the coming weeks.

Transport for London warned of disruption to services and advised people to check before travelling.

This strike is about the ripping apart of popular and family-friendly agreements that helped make the original night tube such a success. Instead the company want to cut costs and lump all drivers into a pool where they can be kicked from pillar to post at the behest of the management.

This strike action, and its serious consequences in the run-up to Christmas, was avoidable if the tube management hadn’t axed dedicated Night Tube staff and perfectly workable arrangements in order to cut staffing numbers and costs.

The RMT’s planned strike action is needless and it will threaten London’s recovery from the pandemic, despite no job losses and more flexibility and job certainty for drivers.

“While every other union has agreed to these changes and our staff have been enjoying the benefits of the changes since August, we’re willing to work with the RMT and review the changes after night tube services have returned.