Watchdog slams Number 10 for failing to prepare Brexit borders November 6, 2020 The UK faces “widespread disruption” after the government failed to prepare for post-Brexit border controls for British businesses, the public spending watchdog has warned. In an 85-page document released today, the National Audit Office (NAO) slammed the government for insufficient customs brokers, unprepared border sites and failure to develop adequate customs software. The report found [...]
Facebook and Twitter start removing violent rhetoric as US election tensions rise November 6, 2020 Facebook removed last night a fast-growing group in which supporters of US President Donald Trump posted violent rhetoric, as the social media giant, as well as Twitter, step up efforts to take down baseless claims and avoid potential violence after a contentious election. The “Stop the Steal” group, which called for “boots on the ground to [...]
EU Commissioner: ’50/50 chance’ UK and EU will strike Brexit deal November 6, 2020 There is a “50/50” chance that Britain and the European Union will be able to reach a deal over the terms of Britain’s exit from the bloc, a member of the European Commission said earlier this morning. “We are extremely clear on the conditions and the access to our European market,” EU Internal Market Commissioner [...]
Michel Barnier tells EU that UK has ‘blocked’ Brexit trade deal progress November 6, 2020 The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier reportedly told the bloc’s diplomats that the UK has “blocked” progress in key areas of trade deal talks. At a confidential meeting yesterday afternoon, Barnier briefed representatives from the EU’s 27 member states, saying that “fundamental differences” remain between the two sides, Sky News reported. According to [...]
America fought the drugs — and this week, the drugs won November 6, 2020 As the results continue to trickle in across America, there is one clear winner from the 2020 US election: drugs. From Montana to New Jersey, South Dakota to Arizona, in every state that had relaxing restrictions on the use of cannabis on the ballot, voters backed pot over prohibition. Oregon went further, with the sweeping [...]
US election: What are the recount rules in key states? November 5, 2020 Joe Biden is in touching distance of winning the US election, however several close races are still yet to record a final result and the Trump campaign is already requesting recounts in some states. CNN has given the former Vice President 253 Electoral College votes to Donald Trump’s 213, with 270 the number needed to [...]
Rishi Sunak’s furlough extension ‘to cost £6.2bn a month’ November 5, 2020 The chancellor’s extension of the furlough scheme until March will cost around £6.2bn per month, the Resolution Foundation think tank has said. Sunak today announced a major U-turn, saying he would extend the scheme until the end of March rather than ending it this year. The job retention scheme – commonly known as furlough – [...]
Editorial: Chancellor’s move is a five-point-turn that has already cost jobs November 5, 2020 If it wasn’t such a serious matter, Rishi Sunak’s description of his furlough u-turn today as the result of a flexible and agile approach would have been darkly comic. Because a U-turn it most certainly is, albeit not of the handbrake variety. Instead, it has been by degree, a five-point turn that has already cost [...]
Chancellor’s furlough extension ‘the right call’, say business bodies November 5, 2020 Business bodies have welcomed the chancellor’s extension of the furlough scheme until the end of March as “the right call”, but warned there was “more to do” to help businesses through winter lockdowns. Rishi Sunak today announced additional financial support for employees across the UK unable to work amid national lockdowns. The government will pay up [...]
Rishi Sunak extends furlough scheme until end of March November 5, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme until the end of March, following days of wrangling over fresh financial support for businesses during the second national lockdown. The furlough scheme, which was due to wind down last Saturday, will be rolled out for the next five months — a year after it was first [...]