Archive for: Political Database

A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Michael Gove’s farm subsidy U-turn, the Government has been accused of failing to stop the NHS crisis, Labour’s minimum wage increase could lead to job losses and money from dormant bank accounts being spent on good causes.  

Michael Gove in farm subsidies U-turn
The Times reports that Michael Gove, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will announce a U-turn, maintaining farm subsidies until March 2024. Gove has criticised the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy for paying farmers according to the amount of land they own, but is expected to admit that reforms, such as linking subsidies to wildlife protection, will be delayed. However, the largest landowners may see payments capped before 2024.

Government accused of failing to stop NHS crisis
The Guardian reports on claims that the Government is failing to stop a growing crisis in the NHS, with at least 21 hospital trusts on black alert. John Kell, the Patients Association’s head of policy, said: ‘The policy decisions that have left the NHS in this position are taken by the government’. The Daily Telegraph adds that some hospitals have called on families to look after elderly patients at home, and that Prime Minister Theresa May said, ‘The NHS has been better prepared for this winter than ever before, we have put extra funding in.’

Labour’s minimum wage increase could lead to job losses
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded that Labour’s minimum wage increase could put jobs at risk, The Daily Telegraph says. As workers become more expensive to employ, low-paid jobs could be replaced by robots and automation, but it is not clear where the tipping point is. However, the analysis also says there is a case for a higher minimum wage, but that it should be based on evidence rather than a ‘political bidding war’.

Money from dormant bank accounts to be spent on good causes
The Financial Times reports that up to £330m from dormant bank and building society accounts will be spent on ‘a fairer society’. Money from accounts that have been unused for 15 years will be spent by the Big Lottery Fund, Big Society Capital, and local charities.

Government defends appointment of Toby Young
The Department for Education has defended the appointment of Toby Young to the board of the new Office for Students. The appointment had been criticised over comments he has made about women, working class people and eugenics, according to The Guardian. Young has deleted tens of thousands of his old tweets, whilst a departmental spokesman said that he had ‘expressed his regrets’.

Tony Blair: Labour will become ‘the handmaiden of Brexit’
Tony Blair has warned that Labour risks becoming ‘the handmaiden of Brexit’ if it continues to be timid over the issue, in an article on his own website. He argues that the party should ‘be on the high ground of progressive politics, explaining why membership of the European Union is right as a matter of principle, for profound political as well as economic reasons.’ Separately, The Times reports that Blair warned Donald Trump’s aides that British intelligence may have spied on them during the election.

Research on political party members published
Queen Mary University of London has published research on the members of different political parties. The Guardian claims that Conservative members are ‘a breed apart’, with stronger tendencies towards socially illiberal and authoritarian attitudes, and different views on Brexit.

Anti-slavery tsar under investigation
The Times reports that Kevin Hyland, appointed as anti-slavery commissioner when Theresa May was Home Secretary, is under investigation after Unseen, the charity that runs the modern slavery helpline, raised ‘serious concerns’ about his conduct.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including May’s cabinet reshuffle, David Davis saying the EU cannot cherry pick terms and rail fares.  

May plans new cabinet reshuffle with Boris Johnson leading a new Brexit ‘super-ministry’
Following reports over the last few days that the Foreign Secretary will now take on a new Brexit delivery role, The Independent reports David Davis’s role in the Cabinet will be further weakened if a looming reshuffle hands Boris Johnson a new job directly involved in the Brexit negotiations. The Telegraph reports that Mr Johnson could be asked to replace Greg Clark, the Business Secretary.

David Davis says EU cannot ‘cherry pick’ terms of free trade deal
As The Guardian reports, the Brexit Secretary has used the phrase of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to say UK wants ‘full sweep of economic cooperation’. The Daily Mail reports that David Davis warned of more ‘thunder and lightning’ to come in Brexit talks today – as he vowed that financial services must be covered by any deal with the EU.

Whitehall warned there can be no ‘excuses’ for going slow on Brexit preparations
The Telegraph have reported that Ministers have warned Whitehall that there can be no more ‘excuses’ for going slow on Brexit preparations, including readying the UK for the prospect of leaving the EU without a deal. The Times have reported that Senior government officials have accused Brussels of trying to undermine David Davis before the next round of Brexit negotiations.

Rail fares: unions and Labour condemn ‘staggering’ increase
Sky News are reporting commuters are being ‘priced out of going to work’ by the largest rail fare increase in five years, according to a campaign group. The Guardian reports that Labour and trade unions have condemned ‘staggering’ annual increases to rail fares, which come into force today, triggering protests at dozens of stations in England.

Theresa May is preparing to take international students out of immigration figures
The Independent reports that the Prime Minister is facing a humiliating climb down on including international students in official immigration figures. A new Immigration Bill to be brought forward this year will allow MPs to force – and almost certainly win – a vote on the controversy.

Priti Patel demands investigation of Remain campaign spending
The Times reports that former International Development Secretary Priti Patel is calling for an investigation into claims of unlawful co-ordination between the campaigns pushing Britain to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum campaign. She is writing to the Electoral Commission to urge an investigation into Britain Stronger in Europe (BSE), now Open Britain, over whether it breached the rules to get round strict spending limits.

Timewasting patients are costing NHS £1bn a year
The Times have reported that missed hospital appointments cost the NHS almost £1 billion a year and deprive patients of vital care. The article cites claims made by Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England, who has called for the public to be more responsible about wasting time and resources.

300,000 jobless Britons not claiming benefits
The Guardian reports that many people are not claiming support they are entitled to, with about 300,000 people without jobs or on very low wages missing out on at least £73 a week.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Damian Green’s ‘resignation’, the movable EU Withdrawal date, unfair leasehold practices and how Brexit is damaging the UK economy.  

Damian Green ordered to resign after Cabinet Office investigation
As The Times reports, Damian Green was ordered to resign as First Secretary of State last night, after a Cabinet Office investigation found that he had made ‘misleading and inaccurate’ statements about his knowledge of pornography found on an office computer during a police raid in 2008, while allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by Conservative activist and journalist Kate Maltby were ‘plausible’.

Government backs down on Brexit date amendment
The Guardian says the Government has accepted a compromise over its plans to set the Brexit date in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill. The Government had tabled an amendment setting the Brexit date (29 March 2019), but climbed down by also backing an amendment tabled by Oliver Letwin allowing this date to be changed by MPs with EU agreement. As a result, the Bill passed committee stage, and will move onto report stage in the new year.

Government goes further than expected in leasehold crackdown
The Government has gone further than expected in its plans to crackdown on unfair leasehold practices, The Times claims. Ground rents will be outlawed on newly built flats, it will be made easier and cheaper for leaseholders to buy out their freeholds and better information will be made available on redress for those facing the most onerous terms.

IMF: Brexit vote damaging UK economy
The International Monetary Fund has said that the UK’s vote to leave the EU is damaging the economy. As the Financial Times reports, the IMF’s report shows that economic growth rates have declined in the UK while they have grown in Europe, the US and Japan. The IMF’s UK growth forecast for the next year has been cut from 1.7% to 1.6%.

Gove: UK will not compromise with US food standards and will support hill farmers
The Guardian reports that Michael Gove told the Environment Select Committee that the UK will not compromise on ‘high animal welfare and environmental standards’, for example chlorine-washed chicken or use of neonicotinoid pesticides, when seeking to reach a trade deal with the US. The Times adds that Gove confirmed that hill farmers will continue to receive subsidies after 2022.

Barnier: Brexit transition must end in December 2020
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said that it would be ‘logical’ for the Brexit transition period to end on December 31 2017, according to the Financial Times. The European Commission has published its directives for the negotiation. A spokesperson for No 10 said that the UK was looking at a period of around two years, adding that ‘The commission have said just over 21 months, but it’s a negotiation.’

UK building cyber deterrent
The annual report of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee reveals that the UK is building a cyber deterrent to ward off attacks from countries such as China, Iran and Russia. As The Daily Telegraph says, the report also raises concerns about so-called Islamic State’s ability to hack infrastructure using cyber weapons available for sale online.

Zac Goldsmith wished ‘cancerous new year’
Zac Goldsmith posted an image on Twitter of what he dubbed a ‘sweet Christmas message from a local Remain group’, The Daily Telegraph reports. The card carried a variety of abusive messages, including one wishing him a ‘cancerous new year’.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including no special deal for the City, May’s third Brexit speech, Paradise Papers legal action and racial bias in the justice system.  

No special deal for the City
Featuring on the front page of the Guardian this morning is EU negotiator Michel Barnier’s ruling out of a special arrangement that would protect City firms. Barnier has warned that upon leaving the Single Market, the UK’s financial services sector will lose the right to trade freely.

Theresa May is preparing her third major Brexit speech
Theresa May has started preparing for her third major Brexit speech that will outline the UK’s future relationship with the EU. According to The Financial Times, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson all back regulatory divergence from the EU as part of an ambitious trade deal.

Paradise Papers legal action condemned
Key media partners in the Paradise Papers investigation have spoken out against legal action that would force the BBC and the Guardian to disclose documents used by reporters. The Guardian has reported that the editor-in-chief of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists have reacted to Appleby’s launch of breach-of-confidence proceedings against the BBC and the Guardian.

Government steps up to call to address racial bias in the justice system
Secretary of State for Justice David Lidington has today announced measures to implement recommendations made in David Lammy MP’s Government commissioned review of race disparity. The Guardian has reported that a pilot programme being considered by the Government could mean that prosecutions of suspects in London could be deferred or dropped.

Department for Transport has the widest gender pay gap in Government
The BBC has reported that the Department for Transport has the widest gender pay gap of any government department, with women earning on average 16.9% less than their male counterparts. According to new government figures, the Department for Culture, Media, Digital and Sport has the narrowest gender pay gap, with men earning 3% more than women.

Ministry of Defence confirms £3.1bn aircraft carrier leaks
Both the Guardian and The Financial Times have reported confirmation from the Ministry of Defence that the £3.1bn HMS Queen Elizabeth is leaking. After less than a month in service, the most expensive warship to ever be commissioned by the Royal Navy has a problem with a shaft seal.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Theresa May at the European Council summit, Government to drop the Brexit date amendment, the threat of Russian cyber attacks and the Scottish government increasing income tax. 

May lobbies for swift transition agreement at European Council summit
As the Guardian reports, Theresa May lobbied for a swift agreement on a transition period at the European Council summit last night. Leaders are due to agree today that sufficient progress has been made in the first part of the talks, while Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister said that talks about the new trading relationship would have to wait for another three months.

Government to drop Brexit date amendment
The Times claims that the Government is to drop its amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill setting the date of the UK’s departure from the European Union, as it aims to avoid a second defeat in the House of Commons. Dominic Grieve, who has received death threats for his role in this week’s backbench Tory rebellion, has said that he believes more MPs are prepared to oppose this amendment. The paper also says that May is planning to create more Conservative peers ‘within weeks’, improving the Government’s position in the Lords.

Russian attack could disrupt the UK’s internet access
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach has said that Russia’s navy has the ability to disrupt the UK’s internet access, The Daily Telegraph says. He has called for naval forces to be strengthened to combat the threat. Peach’s intervention comes amid an effort by the Ministry of Defence to secure more funding from the Treasury.

Scottish government increases income tax
The Guardian reports on the decision by Derek Mackay, Scottish finance secretary, to make use of the Scottish Government’s recently-strengthened tax powers. He will increase the higher and top rates of tax, whilst introducing a new starter rate for low earners, freezing the basic rate, and introducing a new intermediate rate. This will fund pay increases for public sector workers, and £400m extra for the NHS.

Northern transport needs £60bn over 30 years
Transport for the North has announced that it will unveil its 30-year plan in January, according to the Financial Times. The body’s chair has said that for its plans to succeed, Government transport spending in the region would have to increase by a third, whilst fixing the transport system will cost at least £60bn over 30 years.

Government targets for gender and ethnic diversity in quangos
A report in the Guardian says that the Government is to set targets for the proportion of women and people from ethnic minority groups across all public appointments. Within five years, half should be women, and 14% from ethnic minorities. The paper also reports that the only female Downing Street communications director since 2010 was paid £15,000 less than the three men who held the position in that time.

442 civil servants paid more than the Prime Minister
The Sun reports that 442 civil servants are paid more than the Prime Minister. The Network Rail chief Mark Carne topped the list, earning £750,000. 50 of those on the list work for HS2, which The Times says is to be accused of covering-up unauthorised redundancy payments, in a Commons Public Accounts Committee report today.

‘Youthquake’ is the word of the year
The Daily Telegraph reports that Oxford Dictionaries has picked ‘youthquake’ as the word of the year, in reference to Jeremy Corbyn’s youthful supporters in the general election. The word apparently saw a 400% increase in usage between 2016 and 2017.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including David Davis’ effort to save relations with Brussels, May’s attempt to see off Brexit rebellion and Anne-Marie Morris’ reinstatement. 

David Davis in effort to save relations with Brussels
The Guardian reports that Brexit Secretary David Davis is attempting to salvage the UK’s relationship with the EU, after his claim over the weekend that last week’s agreement had no legal status. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that he ‘would not accept any backtracking’ and rejected Davis’s claim that a trade treaty could be signed the day after the UK leaves the EU. Meanwhile, The Times breaks the news that European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker has been embroiled in a criminal investigation over ‘tampered’ evidence about wiretapping.

May aims to see off Brexit rebellion by promising clarity
The Daily Telegraph says that the Government is planning to offer ‘greater clarity’, in a bid to see off a revolt by Tory backbenchers. Dominic Grieve said that there was a ‘real possibility’ that the Government could be defeated with an amendment requiring the final deal with the EU to be approved by a separate act of Parliament. Fellow backbencher Heidi Allen has written in the paper supporting the amendment.

Anne-Marie Morris reinstated, whilst Damian Green may be cleared
Anne-Marie Morris, who had the Conservative whip suspended after a recording of her using a racist remark was release, has been reinstated, reports The Times. Morris apologised and said that she had ‘learnt from this experience’, but Labour’s Jon Trickett described the decision as a ‘disgrace’. According to The Guardian, friends of Kate Maltby, who accused Damián Green of inappropriate behaviour, fear that he may be cleared of wrongdoing because the alleged behaviour took place before he was a cabinet minister.

Investigative journalism under threat
The Daily Telegraph warns that proposed amendments to the Data Protection Act in the House of Lords could restrict press freedom. The amendments would limit journalists’ public interest exemption and effectively require newspapers to join an officially recognised press regulator. The Government opposes the amendments, but Labour plans to support some of them, meaning that they might pass.

Ruth Davidson refuses to rule out standing for Westminster
Scottish Conservative Leader, Ruth Davidson, has refused to rule out standing for selection as an MP, The Sun reports. However, she said that she would only consider it if she failed to be elected as First Minister of Scotland in 2021.

May to use foreign aid cash to reduce plastic waste
The Daily Mail reports that Theresa May pledged to use cash from the UK’s foreign aid budget to tackle plastic pollution at a climate change summit in Paris. The paper claims that the environment has been put at the heart of attempts to rebrand the Conservatives as ‘the caring party’.

Public inquiries are a waste of time and money
A new report by the Institute for Government will claim that public inquiries are a waste of time and money, The Times says. £639m has been spent on 68 inquiries since 1990, but many recommendations have not been implemented.

Tory MP’s aide on trial for rape
The BBC reports on the trial for rape of Samuel Armstrong, who was chief of staff for Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay. He is accused of raping a woman who also worked in Parliament in the MP’s office after an evening of drinking last October.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the Ireland’s Brexit warning, Labour’s Brexit stance, chemical and pharma companies desiring EU rules and ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. 

Ireland in Brexit deal warning
The Times warns that Theresa May’s Brexit deal is in danger of ‘unravelling’, after Ireland and the EU questioned the Government’s commitment to it. This followed the appearance of David Davis on television yesterday, describing the deal as a non-legally enforceable ‘statement of intent’ and insisting that the divorce bill would only be paid if a trade deal was secured. The paper reported that a Government source ‘appeared to contradict’ these claims.

Labour in favour of a ‘Norway style agreement’ with EU
The Guardian reports that Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer has set out his party’s vision for Brexit. Appearing on The Andrew Marr Show, Starmer said that Labour was prepared to consider ongoing payments to the EU, accept the ‘easy movement’ of workers, wanted continued alignment of regulations and standards, and was seeking a ‘Norway style agreement for the 21st century.’

Chemical and pharmaceutical industries want to retain EU rules
According to the Financial Times, the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries have written to Michael Gove urging the Government to let them remain within EU rules. A Government spokesperson said that it was working ‘to ensure a smooth transition for the chemical industry’.

‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British mother being held prisoner in Iran, has expressed hope after a trial scheduled for Sunday was postponed, after Boris Johnson met the country’s President, as The Daily Telegraph reports.

Labour considers moving Bank of England to Birmingham
Consultants commissioned by John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, have recommended moving some functions of the Bank of England to Birmingham, the Financial Times says. The report says that co-locating these functions with Labour’s planned National Investment Bank and Strategic Investment Board would ‘create a new ‘economic policy’ hub.’

Calls for Government to ban pension cold-calls
The Work and Pensions Select Committee is to call on the Government to fast-forward legislation to halt the use of cold-calling by scammers targeting people’s pension pots, The Guardian reports. The committee is to publish its report on pensions freedoms today. The paper reports that almost £5m has been lost to fraudsters in the first five months of 2017, but a ban is unlikely to come into effect before 2020.

Ministers back straight civil partnerships
The Times says that the Government is to back a proposed change in the law to allow straight couples to enter civil partnerships. The paper reports that a private members’ bill by Tim Loughton has gained support from ministers, and that ‘it’s just a question of getting wording sorted out’.

AA calls for parking fines cap
In an exclusive, The Sun says that the AA is demanding a cap on the level of parking fines a council can issue each month, as well as more lenient treatment for first-time offenders. The organisation is launching a campaign ‘asking for Government intervention to restore fairness.’

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including several Brexit issues, supporters of David Davis to oust May by Christmas and Hammond’s remarks. 

Brexit: 48 hours to agree deal
According to The Guardian, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has told member states that the UK has just 48 hours to agree to a text on a potential deal, or negotiations will not move on to the next stage. A DUP source told The Sun that there would be no deal on the Irish border this week, saying that ‘This is a battle of who blinks first, and we’ve cut off our eyelids.’ The Daily Telegraph adds that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has indicated his willingness to continue discussions into next week.
Brexit: Davis admits impact assessments don’t exist
The Financial Times reports that David Davis has avoided being censured for alleged contempt of parliament by the Brexit select committee, after admitting that ‘There’s no sort of systemic impact assessment.’ Critics have suggested that this contradicts statements made by him in the past. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said ‘Whether it is through incompetence or insincerity, David Davis has been misleading parliament from the start.’
Brexit: Article 50 extension amendment attracts Conservative rebels’ support
The Times says that as many as 24 Tory MPs are prepared to rebel against the Government next week, in support of an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, allowing MPs to seek an extension to Article 50 negotiations if there is no satisfactory trade agreement by March 2019. Tory MP Anna Soubry and Labour MP Chukka Umunna have written an article for the paper supporting the amendment.
Supporters of David Davis plot to oust Theresa May ‘by Christmas’
An exclusive in The Sun claims that supporters of David Davis are plotting to out Theresa May as Prime Minister. His ally Andrew Mitchell is organising drinks evenings with Davis and the new generation of Tory MPs, whilst an ally said that May will ‘be gone by Christmas’.
Hammond causes a storm with remarks on defence, disability and Brexit
The Guardian reports that remarks made by Philip Hammond to the Treasury select committee have offended disabled groups, after he claimed that the UK’s low productivity could be attributed to disabled people in the workforce. The Daily Telegraph reported that the Chancellor said that Cabinet members still have not been allowed to discuss the end state of Brexit. The Times adds that Hammond told the committee he’d welcome a chance to discuss the defence budget with new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson once Williamson had got ‘his head around the defence budget’.
Drug shortage causes patients to wait
The Times also reports that a shortage of drugs is causing patients with cancer and severe mental illness to go without essential medicines. The shortage has cost the NHS £180m in six months, with ministers now investigating fears that the market is being manipulated.
Labour Lords’ chief whip to stand down over expenses claims
Steve Bassam, Labour’s chief whip in the House of Lords is to stand down in early 2018, following questions about his expenses, The Guardian reports. He has offered to repay the claims in question, but insists that he has not breached parliamentary rules.
Gavin Williamson interviewed by the Mail
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has claimed that British citizens who fought for Islamic State should not be allowed to return to the country in an interview with the Daily Mail. He told the paper that ‘Quite simply, my view is a dead terrorist can’t cause any harm to Britain.’

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the lack of Brexit deal, Philip Hammond’s army views and the abandoned ‘workers on boards’ plan. 

No Brexit deal yesterday
Despite expectations that Theresa May would secure a Brexit deal in Brussels yesterday, she has returned empty-handed. As the Financial Times puts it, her plan was ‘in effect blocked’ by Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP, over concerns about proposed ‘regulatory alignment’ between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Sun suggests that the UK and the UK had also failed to reach agreement on the role of the ECJ in citizens’ rights.
Chancellor: army only needs 50,000 troops
The Sun, in an exclusive, reveals that Philip Hammond told the Prime Minister that the Army only needs 50,000 troops, which the paper claims would make it the smallest since the time of the French Revolution, as well as leaving it smaller than those of France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Conservative MP Johnny Mercer suggested that Hammond was ‘deluded’.
May’s pledge to put workers on boards abandoned
The Guardian reports that the Government appears to have abandoned Theresa May’s plans to put workers on boards. Proposals to be published today would not force firms to put workers on boards, instead giving them a choice in how they intend to listen to employees’ views.
Robert Halfon calls for earnings cap reduction
Robert Halfon, chair of the education select committee, has called for the earnings cap below which parents are eligible for 30 free hours a week of childcare for three- and four-years olds to be reduced, according to the Daily Mail. The money saved would be diverted to unemployed parents, currently only entitled to 15 hours.
Biggest rail fare increase for five years
The Telegraph has details of the largest rail fare increase for five years. From January 2, average ticket fare will go up by 3.4% – the largest increase since 2013. Passenger watchdog Transport Focus described the news as a ‘chill wind’ but the Rail Delivery Group said that over 97p in the pound was spent on running and improving the railway.
Former Metropolitan Police officers commended over Damian Green claims
Cressida Dick, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has said that former police officers who have spoken publicly about allegations of pornographic material being found on the computer of Damian Green, now First Secretary of State, could be prosecuted, The Guardian reports. She said that she condemned what they had done, and that her professional standards department was reviewing it.
Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham Conservatives under investigation
The Times says that the Conservatives are investigating their Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham branch amid complaints about its deselection of six councillors, including the only black Conservative on Kensington and Chelsea council, and ‘autocratic’ leadership.
Adam Afriye being sued over discrimination claims
The Daily Mail reports that Conservative MP Adam Afriye is being sued over allegations that he discriminated against a disabled staff member. He has not commented on the allegations.

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including DUP’s Irish border deal warning, calls to cancel Trump’s visit and the £1bn care home funding gap. 

DUP in Irish border deal warning
The Financial Times says that the DUP has warned that if the Government treats Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the UK in Brexit negotiations, it will withdraw its support. However, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkhar is maintaining his instance on Northern Ireland remaining part of the EU customs union, and avoiding a hard border.

Calls to cancel Trump visit
The Times reports that President Trump is still expected to visit the UK in February in order to open the US embassy, despite criticism from MPs and other politicians, including Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn. However, The Daily Telegraph claims that US diplomats have ‘dropped plans’ for Trump’s visit and that it has been ‘pushed into the long grass’.

Warning over £1bn care home funding gap
According to the Financial Times, the UK’s care home sector has a £1bn annual funding gap. A report by the Competition and Markets found that the ‘current model of service provision cannot be sustained without additional public funding’. The Labour Party called for an end to cuts to local authorities, but the Government pointed to increases in social care spending.

Corbyn: ‘we’re a threat’ to banks
The Guardian reports Jeremy Corbyn’s response to a warning from investment bank Morgan Stanley that he poses just as much of a threat to business as Brexit. In a video, he said ‘So when they say we’re a threat, they’re right. We’re a threat to a damaging and failed system that’s rigged for the few.’

Damian Green faces ‘desperate fight’ to save job
In an exclusive, The Sun says that the Cabinet Office’s investigation into First Secretary of State Damian Green’s conduct ‘will say it is unclear whether he broke the ministerial code, which is a sackable offence.’ Having seen the initial findings, the paper claims that Downing Street has been working on ‘a desperate plan’ to save Green’s job.

Record migration fall after Brexit vote
The Times has details of the largest ever annual fall in net migration ever recorded. Overall net migration fell by 106,000 to 230,000 in the year after the vote to leave the EU. Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said, ‘With more Europeans continuing to arrive than leave, these figures show that claims of a ‘Brexodus’ are misguided.’

NHS patients to face treatment rationing and longer waits
Simon Stevens, the NHS England Chief Executive, has announced plans to ‘make taxpayers’ money go further’, drawing up a list of 36 conditions which don’t need treatment, and saying that new guidance expected from NICE could not be implemented without advance funding agreement. According to The Times, Government sources dismissed this as ‘grandstanding’.

Changes to ‘snooper’s charter’ see police lose powers
A series of changes to the ‘snooper’s charter’ will see senior police officers ‘lose the power to self-authorise access to personal phone and web browsing records’, The Guardian reports. A consultation paper published by the Home Office makes it clear that the changes, being made to comply with a European court ruling, will limit access to personal communications data by the police and other bodies to crimes with a prison sentence of six months or more. Labour’s Tom Watson said the proposals were ‘flawed’ and didn’t go far enough.

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