{"id":111140,"date":"2017-12-21T09:29:57","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T09:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk?p=111140&preview=true&preview_id=111140"},"modified":"2017-12-21T09:29:57","modified_gmt":"2017-12-21T09:29:57","slug":"todays-political-headlines-21-december-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/blog\/todays-political-headlines-21-december-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s Political Headlines – 21 December 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Damian Green ordered to resign after Cabinet Office investigation<\/strong><\/span>
\nAs The Times reports<\/a>, Damian Green was ordered to resign as First Secretary of State last night, after a Cabinet Office investigation found that he had made \u2018misleading and inaccurate\u2019 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 \u2018plausible\u2019.<\/p>\n

Government backs down on Brexit date amendment<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Guardian says<\/a>\u00a0the 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.<\/p>\n

Government goes further than expected in leasehold crackdown<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Government has gone further than expected in its plans to crackdown on unfair leasehold practices, The Times claims<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

IMF: Brexit vote damaging UK economy<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe International Monetary Fund has said that the UK\u2019s vote to leave the EU is damaging the economy. As the Financial Times reports<\/a>, the IMF\u2019s report shows that economic growth rates have declined in the UK while they have grown in Europe, the US and Japan. The IMF\u2019s UK growth forecast for the next year has been cut from 1.7% to 1.6%.<\/p>\n

Gove: UK will not compromise with US food standards and will support hill farmers<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Guardian reports<\/a> that Michael Gove told the Environment Select Committee that the UK will not compromise on \u2018high animal welfare and environmental standards\u2019, for example chlorine-washed chicken or use of neonicotinoid pesticides, when seeking to reach a trade deal with the US. The Times adds<\/a> that Gove confirmed that hill farmers will continue to receive subsidies after 2022.<\/p>\n

Barnier: Brexit transition must end in December 2020<\/strong><\/span>
\nEU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said that it would be \u2018logical\u2019 for the Brexit transition period to end on December 31 2017, according<\/a> 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 \u2018The commission have said just over 21 months, but it\u2019s a negotiation.\u2019<\/p>\n

UK building cyber deterrent<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe annual report of Parliament\u2019s 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<\/a>, the report also raises concerns about so-called Islamic State\u2019s ability to hack infrastructure using cyber weapons available for sale online.<\/p>\n

Zac Goldsmith wished \u2018cancerous new year\u2019<\/strong><\/span>
\nZac Goldsmith posted an image on Twitter of what he dubbed a \u2018sweet Christmas message from a local Remain group\u2019, The Daily Telegraph reports<\/a>. The card carried a variety of abusive messages, including one wishing him a \u2018cancerous new year\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Find out more about\u00a0Vuelio political services<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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