Today’s political headlines include the Queen’s call on people to seek out the common ground, Ministers speak out against no-deal Brexit, EU split over no-deal legislation and Gov to announce new food-labelling plans.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Queen in call to seek \u2018common ground\u2019<\/span> Ministers speak out against no-deal Brexit<\/span> EU split over no-deal legislation<\/span> Gove to announce new food-labelling plans<\/span> Government considers extending protection from redundancy for new mothers<\/span> Universities criticised over unconditional offers<\/span> Salmond charged with attempted rape<\/span> Conservatives struggle to raise funds<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the Queen used a speech yesterday to call on people to \u2018seek out the common ground\u2019 and not to lose \u2018sight of the bigger picture\u2019, in remarks interpreted as a reference to the Brexit debate. The paper adds that other royals are expected to make similar interventions \u2018in the coming days\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>According<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0The Daily Telegraph<\/em>, yesterday \u2018Remain ministers went to war\u2019 by raising their concerns about a no-deal Brexit. Business minister Richard Harrington warned that it would be \u2018a disaster for business\u2019, while Chancellor Philip Hammond used a speech at Davos to warn that a no-deal Brexit would be a \u2018betrayal\u2019 of the Brexit vote. Appearing on\u00a0Newsnight<\/em>\u00a0Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd refused to rule out resigning in order to vote for Yvette Cooper\u2019s amendment blocking a no-deal Brexit four times.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The BBC\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that some EU countries are calling for the EU\u2019s no-deal legislation to be made more generous, for example by giving UK hauliers the right to operate within the EU and allowing UK airlines to fly connecting flights within the bloc. However, the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told the BBC that his country\u2019s \u2018clear red line\u2019 was that the UK could not get \u2018the benefits of the single market\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The\u00a0Daily Mail<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that Michael Gove is to announce new plans to force food retailers to list all ingredients in their products, in response to the death of a 15-year-old girl after eating a Pret A Manger baguette which contained sesame seeds. Various options are being consulted on, ranging from listing all ingredients in their products (which the paper believes Gove backs) to insisting on labels reminding consumers to ask staff about allergens.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the Government is launching a consultation on extending protection against redundancy for pregnant or new mothers so that it would continue for six months after they\u2019ve given birth. The consultation will also consider extending the protection to those returning from adoption or shared parental leave.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Sun<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that universities have been warned by the Office for Students that if they continue to make unconditional offers which stipulate that students must make them their \u2018firm choice\u2019, they could be breaching consumer law. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said that the increase in unconditional offers is \u2018disturbing\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The BBC\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond appeared in court yesterday. He has been charged on 14 counts – two of attempted rape, nine of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one of breach of the peace. He said \u2018I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The\u00a0Financial Times<\/em>\u00a0claims<\/a>\u00a0that the Conservatives are struggling to attract money from large donors, with one former minister warning that the party is \u2018facing emerging financial difficulties\u2019. The paper claims that there are two sets of \u2018disgruntled donors\u2019: Brexiteers who oppose Theresa May\u2019s Brexit plan and the network of businesses built up by David Cameron.<\/p>\n