Politics live: Government statement expected on ‘China hack’; Sunak making nuclear

Several developments are expected around the UK-China relationship – it’s a bit complicated, so let’s unpack what’s going on.

First up, as reported in the Politics at Jack and Sam’s podcast, the UK is expected to introduce new sanctions on individuals which it believes were involved in a hack on the Electoral Commission in 2021 – and is set to blame China.

There’s no hard and fast time for when we will know more, so make sure to check in with us regularly.

Elsewhere, MPs are set to be briefed on the threat posed to the UK by China, with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden asking permission from the Speaker to make a statement to the Commons.

The earliest this will take place is 3.30pm, due to the way parliament works, but it could be later if there are other urgent questions or statements – the order is in the gift of the Speaker.

Separately, a small group of MPs and a peer – all of whom are hawkish on China – will be briefed privately about specific cyber threats to them from the superpower.

Again, we don’t have a time frame for this.

However, later on in the day it looks like the group will host a news conference, according to a now-deleted tweet from Stewart McDonald – an SNP MP among the group being briefed.

If this takes place, it will likely happen after the events in the Commons.

And then this evening, Tory MPs are set to have a meeting with Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron – who will likely be grilled on the developments.

All the while, Rishi Sunak is making an announcement about the UK’s nuclear future while visiting Barrow-in-Furness – the town responsible for maintaining the UK’s nuclear fleet.

He has so far declined to label China a “threat” despite pressure from some wings of his party, and last night a Number 10 source reinforced that the government is not willing to “cut all links” with the nation.

But with an election coming, it may be that the prime minister looks to toughen his stance on foreign policy.