Robert Jenrick ducks questioning on his role in ‘unlawful’ planning decision June 11, 2020 Housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick has been criticised for refusing to answer questions from MPs about his part in unlwafully granting planning permission to a £1bn property development. Jenrick instead sent his deputy Chris Pincher to face parliamentary scrutiny about the planning approval, drawing claims from Labour that he was “hiding from scrutiny”. Jenrick [...]
Government launches review into false Post Office fraud claims June 11, 2020 The government has launched a review into the Fujitsu Horizon IT system that caused Post Office branch mangers to be falsely accused of fraud. Business minister Paul Scully confirmed yesterday that there would be a review of “the failings that occurred at Post Office Ltd” in the scandal. More than 550 Post Office branch mangers [...]
This government’s oversight risks destroying my business June 11, 2020 Despite my strenuous efforts to find some help (submitting evidence to the Treasury Select Committee, writing to the chancellor, the economic secretary to the Treasury, the Welsh secretary, and the first minister of Wales), this government stands on the brink of bringing my business down. My business was not “in difficulty” before Covid-19 struck, it [...]
Coronavirus lockdown: England zoos and outdoor attractions reopened June 10, 2020 Zoos and outdoor attractions such as drive-in cinemas will be able to open in England from Monday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today that the government would allow these businesses to open, with social distancing restrictions required. In the case of zoos, they will need to close all inside areas such as reptile houses and [...]
Boris OKs a bunk-up: Household ‘bubbles’ announced for people alone in lockdown June 10, 2020 Boris Johnson has announced that people living alone and single parents with children under 18 in England will be able to visit one other household and form “safety bubbles”. The new policy will allow people who live alone, or with children, to visit the other household in their bubble, with no social distancing required. The [...]
Brexit: Michel Barnier says he cannot allow UK to ‘cherry pick’ in negotiations June 10, 2020 Brussels’ chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said he will not allow the UK to “cherry pick” benefits of EU membership in a free trade deal. Barnier told the EU’s Economic and Social Committee today that the UK was asking for “a lot more than Canada, Japan or any of our other free trade agreement [...]
Boris Johnson’s approval rating continues to plummet in new poll June 10, 2020 Public confidence in Boris Johnson continues to plummet, as new polling shows his approval rating drop to minus 7 per cent. A new YouGov poll shows that 43 per cent of Britons think the Prime Minister is doing a good job, with 50 per cent saying he is performing poorly. This is down from a [...]
Boris Johnson confirms pubs and restaurants will not open before 4 July June 10, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that pubs and restaurants will not reopen fully before 4 July. Johnson told MPs today that the government would follow its original plan to open the hospitality sector next month, despite speculation to the contrary. Some pubs and restaurants are still open for limited takeaway orders, however this has [...]
Mike Pompeo slams HSBC for ‘corporate kowtow’ to China June 10, 2020 US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has criticised HSBC for backing China’s moves to limit Hong Kong’s autonomy, accusing the British bank of a “corporate kowtow” to Beijing. Pompeo said the US stood ready to help Britain with alternatives after Beijing reportedly threatened to punish HSBC and break commitments to build nuclear power plants in [...]
O2 amps up pressure for UK networks to snub Huawei June 10, 2020 O2 today announced a partnership with Ericsson to upgrade its 5G technology, adding pressure for other telecoms firms to seek alternatives to Huawei as force grows for the UK to cut ties with the Chinese vendor. The UK telecoms firm last October confirmed plans for Ericsson to develop part of its 5G infrastructure. O2 today [...]