12:42

As well as a rebellion on Huawei, earlier today the government faced some – so far mild and very polite – objections to another area of policy from Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary and rival to Boris Johnson for the Tory leadership.

At health questions in the Commons, Hunt, who has so far been pointedly loyal since returning to the backbenches, asked about post-Brexit plans for immigration, and how a preferential system for health workers does not apply for social care staff – something the sector is deeply worried about.

Addressing the new junior health and social care minister, Helen Whateley, Hunt said:

Can I congratulate the department on securing this NHS visa, but as the minister knows, it does not apply to nurses and care workers in the social care sector. What is the department’s assessment of the gap there will be in the social care workforce as a result of this new immigration policy, and how are discussions going with the Home Office and No 10 on that issue?

Whateley replied that she was “well aware” of concerns in the social care sector, but indicated the government was not about to shift. She said:

It’s important that employers are taking the steps that they can take to make sure that social care jobs are attractive, and of course should be well paid.

This is a row which could run.