Today’s political headlines includes May blaming MPs for Brexit delay and EU countries prepared to block Brexit extension unless MPs approve deal.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
May blames MPs for Brexit delay EU countries prepared to block Brexit extension unless MPs approve deal Corbyn to meet Barnier MPs to get fresh chance to take control of Brexit Hinds claims that truancy contributes to knife crime Hancock criticised over genetic test claim Labour hints at fuel duty increase NHS won\u2019t be able to solve GP shortage
\n<\/strong>As\u00a0The Times<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>, Theresa May used a public statement last night to try and put pressure on MPs to back her Brexit deal, claiming that \u2018you the public have had enough\u2019 of arguments about Brexit when there are \u2018real concerns\u2019 about issues such as the NHS. She claimed that the Brexit extension she had requested was a \u2018matter of great personal regret\u2019, blaming MPs for the delay. Labour MP Wes Streeting claimed that May\u2019s speech was \u2018incendiary and irresponsible\u2019 given the background of \u2018very credible\u2019 death threats to MPs. Prior to the address, May had convened a meeting of opposition leaders, but Jeremy Corbyn had walked out because Chukka Umunna, spokesperson for The Independent Group, was present.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Daily Telegraph<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that at least three EU countries, including France, are prepared to block any approval of Theresa May\u2019s requested Brexit extension at today\u2019s summit unless she can convince them that she has a credible strategy to pass her Brexit deal. European Council President Donald Tusk said that he thought that a short extension would be granted, subject to the Withdrawal Agreement being approved by the House of Commons.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The<\/em>\u00a0Guardian\u00a0<\/em>says<\/a>\u00a0that Jeremy Corbyn will hold talks with the EU\u2019s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier ahead of today\u2019s European Council summit, outlining his Brexit vision and the progress of cross-party talks. He will also attend a gathering in Brussels of European socialist prime ministers and opposition leaders.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The\u00a0Financial Times<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that on Monday MPs will get a further chance to take control of the Brexit process from the Government by voting on an amendment to a Brexit motion tabled by Theresa May. The amendment would allow indicative votes later in the week on different Brexit options and is similar to one which was narrowly rejected last week.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Daily Telegraph\u00a0<\/em>reports<\/a>\u00a0that Education Secretary Damian Hinds has denied claims that an increase in pupils being excluded from school is contributing to the rise in knife crime. He insisted that the situation is more complex, with truancy levels a \u2018much bigger concern\u2019, with absent students more at risk of committing crime and unable to be helped by schools.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has been criticised after he claimed that his life may have been saved by a genetic test. Angela Culhane of Prostate Cancer UK warned about the accuracy of such tests, while David Curtis of University College London claimed that Hancock had \u2018massively misinterpreted\u2019 the meaning of his test results\u2019 and had ended up wasting \u2018the NHS\u2019s scarce resources\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Sun\u00a0<\/em>reports<\/a>\u00a0that Labour\u2019s Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald has hinted that his party would end the nine year freeze of fuel duty, saying that it was \u2018not a sensible approach\u2019 when train and bus fares were rising. A spokesperson later clarified that the party was not pledging to do so. He also suggested that Air Passenger Duty might also increase.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian\u00a0<\/em>carries details<\/a>\u00a0of a report by the health think tanks the King\u2019s Fund, the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation which warns that the NHS will never be able to solve the GP shortage and that instead it will have to use the skills of other health professionals, such as pharmacists and physiotherapists, \u2018much more widely and routinely\u2019.<\/p>\n