Single Market for goods, not services is only way to solve Brexit headaches, argues CER boss Charles Grant June 20, 2018 The only way to resolve the Irish border problem and prevent disruption of manufacturers' supply chains is for the UK to remain in the Single Market for goods, the head of a leading think tank has claimed. Writing for the Financial Times, Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform, claimed that "it is a [...]
Spend more on defence to tackle rising Russia threat, MPs say June 18, 2018 The government should increase its spending on defence in order to deal with rising threats from rogue states such as Russia, a group of MPs have said. A report, published by the Defence Select Committee this morning, has called for spending to rise from two per cent – the target recommended by Nato – to [...]
Tesco boss and CBI president John Allan calls for ‘orderly’ Brexit June 17, 2018 The chairman of Tesco and Barratt Developments, John Allan, has hit out at the government and called for an “orderly” Brexit that is best for business. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Allan said that leaving the EU is “going to have an impact on the economy” and said the UK needs to the [...]
Sajid Javid’s plan to drop doctors and nurses from skilled worker ‘tier 2’ visa cap will boost business – but it’s only ‘a good first move’, says CBI June 14, 2018 Government plans to relax immigration rules by stripping out doctors and nurses from the visa cap have been welcomed by businesses – but the Home Office is still being urged to do more. The cap – introduced by Theresa May when she was home secretary – sets a limit for all non-EU skilled workers at [...]
Brexit: Prime Minister agrees to Remainer rebel MPs’ demands for meaningful vote on withdrawal deal in February June 14, 2018 Update: The victory rebel MPs thought they had secured has collapsed, after a last-minute change rendered the amendment "unacceptable". Read the full story here. Conservative rebel MPs appear to have secured victory over the meaningful vote amendment, with the Prime Minister reported to have agreed to her backbenchers' demands. One source close to the discussions [...]
Shadow minister Laura Smith and five other Labour frontbenchers have resigned over Brexit whip June 13, 2018 Labour shadow minister Laura Smith and four other opposition MPs have resigned from party roles, over a whip forbidding them from voting in favour of the Lords amendment to keep the UK in the European Economic Area (EEA). Ged Killen, Ellie Reeves, Tonia Antoniazzi, Rosie Duffield and Anna McMorrin all handed in their resignations as [...]
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell admits party is “walking a tightrope” on Brexit June 13, 2018 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has admitted Labour is "walking a tightrope" on Brexit, calling for people outside the Westminster bubble to start making their voices heard. The Labour frontbencher said he was "worried by the experience of the last 24 hours", referring to the debate and series of votes on the EU Withdrawal Bill yesterday, [...]
DEBATE: Should MPs reject each of the 15 House of Lords amendments to the Brexit bill today? June 12, 2018 Should MPs reject each of the 15 House of Lords amendments to the Brexit bill today? David Campbell Bannerman, MEP and board member of Leave Means Leave, says YES. The job of the House of Lords is to amend and improve, not to wreck, sabotage, or unconstitutionally reverse the decision of the British people, nor [...]
Ivan Rogers warns it’s ‘crunch time’ as max fac customs option will not be accepted by Brussels June 12, 2018 The UK's former ambassador to the EU has rubbished both the government's customs proposals saying they would not fly "in the real world", warning: "We're heading for a major crunch". Ivan Rogers, who was one of the most senior civil servants until he resigned last year in frustration at Theresa May's handling of the Brexit [...]
Youth justice minister Phillip Lee resigns over Brexit: I want to ‘look my children in the eye’ June 12, 2018 A government minister and ally of Theresa May has resigned over the UK's Brexit policy, saying he wants to "look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them". Phillip Lee, the youth justice minister, announced he was quitting this morning, claiming the current government policy was "detrimental to [...]