{"id":111102,"date":"2017-12-20T09:42:41","date_gmt":"2017-12-20T09:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk?p=111102&preview=true&preview_id=111102"},"modified":"2017-12-20T09:42:41","modified_gmt":"2017-12-20T09:42:41","slug":"todays-political-headlines-20-december-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/blog\/todays-political-headlines-20-december-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s Political Headlines – 20 December 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the removal of the council tax rise cap, criticism of the Government’s homelessness policy, the UK having no major warships overseas and Theresa May’s tour of Britain. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Government breaks cap on council tax rises<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Daily Telegraph reports<\/a> that Sajid Javid has announced the lifting of a cap on council tax rises, in a move that could increase household bills by up to \u00a3200. Councils will be allowed to raise bills by up to 6%, and police forces will be allowed to charge an extra \u00a312 per household.<\/p>\n

Government\u2019s homelessness policy criticised<\/span><\/strong>
\nA report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee criticises the Government\u2019s approach to tackling homelessness, according<\/a> to the Guardian. Committee chair, Meg Hillier, said \u2018The latest official figures hammer home the shameful state of homelessness in England and the abject failure of the government\u2019s approach to addressing the misery suffered by many thousands of families and individuals.\u2019<\/p>\n

UK left with no major warships overseas<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Times claims<\/a> that the UK has no major warships on operations anywhere in the world for the first time since the Royal Navy was formed around 500 years ago. A \u2018senior serving military officer\u2019 said that this was a \u2018strategic embarrassment for the country and a strategic embarrassment for defence\u2019, according to the paper.<\/p>\n

May plans question and answer tour of Britain<\/strong><\/span>
\nTheresa May is planning a nationwide tour, the Daily Mail reports<\/a>. The Prime Minister will revive the informal question-and-answer sessions run by David Cameron, as part of an attempt to \u2018show off more of her personality and connect with voters\u2019.<\/p>\n

Gibraltar becomes latest Brexit sticking point<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Financial Times says<\/a> that Brussels is pressuring the UK to resolve its dispute with Spain over the Rock of Gibraltar in order to secure a quick deal on the Brexit transition period. The paper reports that the European Commission will adopt a four-page mandate covering the second phase of Brexit negotiations on Wednesday, including a requirement for a UK-Spain bilateral agreement if Gibraltar is to be covered by the transition deal.<\/p>\n

Department for Transport plans new rules for lasers and driverless cars<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Daily Telegraph reports<\/a> that the Government is planning to introduce unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to five years for people who shine a laser at aircraft, cars or ships. The plans will be in the draft Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill, to be published by the Department for Transport. Another consultation by the department covers proposed changes to regulations which would allow cars to be parked remotely, according<\/a> to The Times.<\/p>\n

Subsidy for rural post offices and Universal Service Obligation for rural broadband<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Government is to announce a \u00a3160m fund to safeguard the future of rural Post Offices, The Daily Telegraph reports<\/a>, with a further \u00a3210m to modernise branches. The move comes as the Post Office makes its first profit in 16 years. Separately, the Financial Times claims<\/a> that the Government is to reject BT\u2019s offer to connect 1.1m rural homes to superfast broadband and instead give rural homeowners the legal right to demand an upgrade through a Universal Service Obligation.<\/p>\n

Guy Verhofstadt calls on May to condemn Poland<\/strong><\/span>
\nGuy Verhofstadt, head of the European Parliament\u2019s Brexit working group, told<\/a> The Daily Telegraph that Theresa May\u2019s visit to Warsaw would be a \u2018test\u2019 of the UK\u2019s commitment to European values. The European Commission meets today to decide whether to launch proceedings against Poland for violating commitments to democracy and human rights.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How can\u00a0Vuelio political services<\/a>\u00a0help you?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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