Ministers draw up shortlist for £300m post-Brexit ferry contract September 20, 2019 Brittany Ferries, P&O, Stena and Eurotunnel have been shortlisted for a £300m contract to ensure Britain does not run out of medicines and crucial food after Brexit. The government said looking for transport companies that can beef up the UK’s freight capacity ahead of a potential no-deal Brexit. Read more: New £300m no-deal Brexit freight [...]
Harriet Harman won’t ‘back down’ in bid to replace Speaker John Bercow September 20, 2019 Labour MP Harriet Harman has refused to “back down” in her bid to become the next House of Commons speaker after her constituency party spoke out against her running for the post. The Camberwell and Peckham constituency party voiced “disquiet” after she threw her hat in the ring to succeed John Bercow, who has said [...]
Pound falls back below $1.25 after earlier rising on Juncker’s Brexit comments September 20, 2019 The sterling has fallen back below the $1.25 barrier despite rising earlier today on hopes of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. The pound has fallen by 0.34 per cent to 1.248 on the back of a strong dollar, which in turn weakens the pound. The fall has undone some of the pound’s gains from yesterday [...]
Medical cannabis could nip Britain’s growing opioid crisis in the bud September 20, 2019 The United States is suffering from an epidemic that is estimated to have claimed 400,000 lives. In what is now known as the opioid crisis, drug manufacturers have been raking in huge profits over the past two decades by mass prescribing a diverse class of addictive painkillers known as opioids. Now, about 130 people in [...]
By vowing to cancel Article 50, the Lib Dems are turning their backs on liberal democracy September 20, 2019 Liberalism has a proud history in European democracy. As a concept, liberal democracy has defined the West for over a century, but belief in the greater good can only come if the people decide what is good for them. For all the talk of bringing the country together, the Liberal Democrats are following the march [...]
DEBATE: Should companies be supportive of employees who want to take part in today’s climate strike? September 20, 2019 Should companies be supportive of employees who want to take part in today’s climate strike? YES, says Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party. Climate chaos does not mean business as normal, and it’s especially important that the business community sends this message. Already, the climate emergency is likely to cost the world’s largest [...]
Crossrail could need an extra £400m and open behind schedule, bosses warn September 19, 2019 Crossrail could end up needing an extra £400m in a worst case scenario and open later in 2021, bosses have revealed. Crossrail, also known as the Elizabeth Line, is already running £2bn over budget and years late, after it failed to open on time last December. Crossrail bosses told the Transport for London (TfL) board [...]
‘Displeasure’ at Buckingham Palace over Cameron revelations September 19, 2019 David Cameron’s revelations that he asked the Queen to “raise an eyebrow” about the Scottish independence referendum have gone down badly within the Palace. There is “an amount of displeasure” at his comments, a source has told the BBC, adding “it serves no one’s interests” for conversations between the PM and the Queen to be [...]
Brexit: UK submits ‘non-papers’ to EU September 19, 2019 The UK has submitted “non-papers” to the EU as part of renewed efforts to break the deadlock over Brexit. Pressure has been growing for Downing Street to put forward written proposals of alternatives to the Irish backstop, while the government has been holding out until the last minute for fear any suggestion would be “trashed” [...]
Barclay urges compromise as he likens Brexit talks to Good Friday Agreement September 19, 2019 Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has urged negotiators on both sides to compromise, comparing the situation to the background that led to the Good Friday Agreement. Speaking in Madrid today, Barclay called for “creativity and flexibility” to avoid a no deal Brexit by addressing the ongoing problems around the Irish backstop. He quoted Lord Trimble, one [...]