Today’s political headlines include Sturgeon’s conference speech, the IMF’s calls for a spending increase in the event of a hard Brexit, Hammond under pressure to back digital tax and May accused of trying to avoid public scrutiny.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Sturgeon to use conference speech to deliver message of \u2018hope\u2019<\/span> IMF calls for spending increase in hard Brexit scenario<\/span> Hammond under pressure to back digital tax<\/span> May accused of \u2018trying to avoid public scrutiny\u2019 by not updating Commons on Brexit<\/span> Water companies should be able to force every household to have a water meter<\/span> CBI calls for \u00a32bn package to support businesses<\/span> Brussels delays trade plan after UK signals more concessions<\/span> Mordaunt to replace taxpayers\u2019 aid funding with cash from private investors<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The BBC\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to use her speech to her party\u2019s conference to set out a message of \u2018hope and optimism\u2019, contrasting Scotland\u2019s \u2018progressive values\u2019 with the \u2018unfolding calamity\u2019 at Westminster, claiming that \u2018much more hope will be possible\u2019 when the country becomes independent.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The\u00a0Financial Times<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the International Monetary Fund has advised Philip Hammond to increase public spending after a hard Brexit, contrary to his warning that there was no money for a fiscal stimulus in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The IMF urged the UK to adopt a \u2018flexible\u2019 monetary policy, suggesting interest rates might be lowered in this scenario, and cut its growth forecast for the country.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0claims<\/a>\u00a0that Chancellor Philip Hammond is facing \u2018mounting pressure\u2019 to include a digital tax in the budget later this month, after the release of Facebook\u2019s UK results shows that it paid just \u00a37.4m in tax last year, on revenues of \u00a31.27bn. Damian Collins, Chair of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the firm should be \u2018should be paying a level of tax which more accurately reflects the value of their business in the UK\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that Labour has accused Theresa May of \u2018trying to avoid public scrutiny\u2019 by not appearing in the House of Commons to give a statement on the Salzburg summit. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to deliver an update on the negotiations today.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Daily Telegraph<\/em>\u00a0carries details<\/a>\u00a0of a new report by the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which calls for all water companies to be allowed to force every household to have a water meter. The committee admits that this may lead to \u2018significant bill increases\u2019 but chair Neil Parish said that it would make sure that all \u2018companies have the same tools at their disposal to reduce consumption of water in their regions\u2019. The\u00a0Financial Times<\/em>\u00a0adds<\/a>\u00a0that the report criticises Ofwat for letting water firms put investors ahead of consumers.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the CBI is calling on Philip Hammond to unveil a \u00a32bn package of measures to support businesses in the budget. Its proposals include increasing the annual investment allowance, making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to access funding from the apprenticeship levy, and changes to business rates.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0expects<\/a>\u00a0that the EU\u2019s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to delay the publication of a draft political declaration on a future trade deal, originally scheduled for tomorrow, so that it can be redrafted to show areas of agreement and disagreement between the sides and take into account a changed negotiating position. Downing Street has played down suggestions that a border deal is imminent, claiming that more concessions are necessary.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>According<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0The Sun<\/em>, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt will use a speech today to outline her plan to use private investors to fund overseas aid, reducing the amount contributed by taxpayers. According to the plans, non-Government money will be allowed to be used in order to reach the 0.7% of GDP on aid target.<\/p>\n