Your morning briefing: What you should know for Thursday, October 7

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Johnson hit by backlash from business leaders following conference speech

Boris Johnson’s conference speech has been heavily condemned by business leaders for lacking a coherent economic plan.

On the last day of the Conservative Party conference, Mr Johnson said he was setting out the “difficult” process of reshaping the British economy.

With labour shortages hitting supply chains, leading to empty shelves and queues at petrol stations, Mr Johnson defended his strategy of restricting the supply of cheap foreign labour after Brexit, insisting his new approach would ultimately create a “low-tax economy”.

Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland and Leave voter, complained about the Government treating businesses like an “endless sponge” when they can only weather so many cost increases at once.

UK gas prices fall from record high after Russia steps in

UK wholesale gas prices hit a record high before falling after Russia said it was boosting supplies to Europe.

Russia President Vladimir Putin intervention appeared to calm the market.

Prices had risen by 37 per cent in 24 hours to trade at 400p per therm on Wednesday.

UK gas was 60p per therm at the start of the year, but high global demand and reduced supply has driven the cost up.

The high price of wholesale gas has seen several UK energy firms collapse and halted production across industries.

Andrew’s legal team to receive document they believe will end Virginia Giuffre civil lawsuit

A US judge has agreed for the Duke of York’s lawyers to receive a copy of a 2009 settlement they believe will nullify the civil sexual assault case against the royal.

Andrew B Brettler, who represents Andrew, had argued at a previous hearing Virginia Giuffre – who is suing the Queen’s son for alleged sexual assault – had entered into a “settlement agreement” that would end her current lawsuit.

Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies was granted permission by Judge Loretta Preska to supply Andrew’s legal team with the previously sealed document, but the attorney believes it is “irrelevant to the case against Prince Andrew”.

Brighton footballer arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

A Brighton and Hove Albion footballer has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after a woman was allegedly attacked in the Sussex town.

Sussex Police said a man in his 40s and a man in his 20s were arrested following the alleged incident at a Brighton venue in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Premier League club later confirmed a player was involved in the investigation.

Gemma Collins: ‘I felt sick spending £1,450 on Salt Bae’s gold steak’

Gemma Collins told of her “utter shock” at receiving a £1,450 bill for a 24 carat Golden Tomahawk steak at Salt Bae’s restaurant in west London.

The reality star, 40, took boyfriend Rami Hawash, 45, and then shared clips on Instagram of their night out at Nusr-et, Knightsbridge.

In a video, Bae can be seen slicing meat covered in gold leaf and sprinkling salt using his signature flamboyant method - by dropping it from his fingertips to his forearm, and then on to the dish.

The cook - whose method of seasoning steak turned him into an internet meme in 2017 - then handed Collins a slice on the end of a knife to sample before leaving the table.

Despite the clip showing the couple in good spirits, former The Only Way Is Essex star Collins now says she was mortified by the mammoth bill.

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