Things we learned at the Tory Party conference

Here are five things we learned at the Conservative Party Conference on Monday:

– Jeremy Hunt may have a different style to predecessor Boris Johnson, but this Foreign Secretary can still cause a diplomatic storm.

Senior figures from Brussels and European Union nations, along with former Foreign Office mandarins, reacted with fury to Mr Hunt comparing the EU to the Soviet Union. In a message to Mr Hunt, EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis wrote: “I was born in (a) Soviet gulag and been imprisoned by KGB a few times in my life. Happy to brief you on the main differences between EU and Soviet Union.”

– A new “one click” system will help delayed rail passengers claim compensation.

Chris Grayling, who has been under fire over the chaos on the nation’s railways, announced the measure in his keynote speech. The Transport Secretary is obviously no stranger to delays as he arrived on stage seven minutes late.

– Chancellor Philip Hammond warned tech firms they could face a new tax.

In his keynote speech to the Tory conference in Birmingham, Mr Hammond said that, with international talks stalling, Britain was ready to go it alone with a levy on internet giants. The proposal was part of a programme to “regenerate capitalism” which the Chancellor said was needed to tackle the challenges of the modern world and renew the appeal of the free market to a new generation.

– Tory divisions over Brexit continued to surface.

Former minister Phillip Lee said three serving frontbenchers could “see the argument” for a second referendum. Meanwhile David Davis accused the Chancellor of using forecasts he knew were inaccurate during preparations for a no-deal Brexit. The former Brexit secretary accused Mr Hammond of undermining the negotiations.

– Citizens Advice will be handed £39 million to help Universal Credit claimants.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said the money would fund advisers to help claimants get their first payment on time. The benefits system has been the target of sustained criticism but Ms McVey said the new partnership “will ensure everyone, and in particular the most vulnerable claimants, get the best possible support”.