Justine Greening: Yes, it’s time for a woman mayor of London June 11, 2018 Don’t groan. Don’t roll your eyes. We may be two years away from the next mayoral election but the runners and riders for 2020 are already being lined up. And so they should. After 2016’s excruciating campaign pittingZac Goldsmith against Sadiq Khan, the Conservatives need a better plan – and a better candidate. One name [...]
Education secretary Damian Hinds issues ‘call to arms’ to involve businesses in the running of schools June 9, 2018 Education secretary Damian Hinds will issue a “call to arms” for school governors and trustees, urging leading businesses and skilled professionals to support schools and education. In a keynote speech to the National Governance Association conference today, Hinds will call upon leading employers to “play their part in helping the next generation to thrive”. The [...]
Michel Barnier: Backstop cannot be applied to whole of UK June 8, 2018 The EU's chief negotiator has rejected a major component of the UK's proposal around a temporary customs arrangement, saying it cannot apply to the whole of the UK. Speaking from Brussels this afternoon Michel Barnier said: "Let me be clear – our backstop cannot be applied to the whole of the UK… What is feasible [...]
Michel Barnier: Backstop cannot be applied to the whole of UK June 8, 2018 The EU's chief negotiator has rejected a major component of the UK's proposal around a temporary customs arrangement, saying it cannot apply to the whole of the UK. Speaking from Brussels this afternoon Michel Barnier said: "Let me be clear – our backstop cannot be applied to the whole of the UK… What is feasible [...]
Ken Clarke: Pro-Brexit ministers should back Theresa May or resign June 8, 2018 Brexiter Cabinet ministers should either back the Prime Minister or resign, one of the most senior figures in the Commons has said. Father of the house Ken Clarke told City A.M. this week had seen "diabolical" behaviour by Eurosceptics on the front and backbenchers, resulting in a "fairly shambolic" couple of days in Westminster. In [...]
Abortion and customs deals collide over the Irish border June 8, 2018 It all started with wood pellets. The Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) launched in Northern Ireland in 2012, providing subsidies for switching to low-carbon energy sources, such as biomass generators that burned wood chips. Unfortunately, the subsidies were worth more than the fuel cost, and no cap was set. This led to a bizarre situation where [...]
EU Withdrawal bill “a warm up” for Tory rebels as Trade and Customs bills set to return before summer recess June 7, 2018 The return of a critical piece of Brexit legislation to the Commons will be a "warm up" to the bigger battles faced by the government, MPs have warned. After being defeated 15 times in the House of Lords, the EU Withdrawal Bill is to be debated for a second time on 12 and 13 June. [...]
Carillion collapse leaves taxpayer on the hook for nearly £150m June 7, 2018 The collapse of outsourcer Carillion will cost the taxpayer at least £148m, according to a report published today by the National Audit Office (NAO). The liquidation of Carillion is currently expected to cost £522m which includes a £50m payment for big four accountancy firm PwC which is acting as special manager. The net cost to [...]
Politicians must stand up for Britain’s post-Brexit future June 7, 2018 It is almost two years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Since the referendum, it is fair to say that the government’s Brexit strategy has been characterised by confusion, indecision, and political infighting – and that’s to put it mildly. With the clock ticking ahead of our scheduled exit in March, [...]
Prime Minister backs down on customs backstop deadline to keep Brexit secretary David Davis from resigning June 7, 2018 David Davis has backed down from his threats to resign after the Prime Minister added a date to the Brexit backstop proposal. According to the document published this afternoon, the government is proposing a UK-wide temporary customs arrangement with the EU in which the two sides will continue to trade on the same basis as [...]