Brexit deal done: Rishi Sunak signs breakthrough agreement with EU over Northern Ireland protocol February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak has signed a breakthrough deal with the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland and will now seek to win the backing of unionists and Tory Eurosceptics. The Prime Minister and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen finalised the long-awaited agreement to ease the trading issues created by the Northern Ireland [...]
‘One of a kind’: Heartfelt tributes to former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd who dies age 93 February 27, 2023 Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons, has died at 93. The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle paid tribute to Lady Boothroyd as “one of a kind”. She became the first woman to be elected Speaker in April 1992, staying on in the role until October 2000. Sir Lindsay said: “Not [...]
Sunak must face down the vocal ‘hard Brexit’ minority within his own party February 27, 2023 The terms of our Brexit deal are too important to become mired in the internal politics of a divided Conservative party “We have to stop thinking if there is a deal that is about to be done, it means we’ve been done over in some way.” So said the rational Eurosceptic George Eustice over the [...]
Brexit breakthrough? Sunak meets EU’s von der Leyen for ‘final talks’ as Rees-Mogg threatens revolt February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen are set to sign off on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland as Conservative Eurosceptics warn the “devil is in the detail”. The Prime Minister and the European Commission President will hold “final talks” in Windsor, Berkshire, on Monday in what is expected to produce a breakthrough. [...]
Recession fears chill UK investment as CBI urges Jeremy Hunt to rethink tax grab at March budget February 27, 2023 British businesses are poised to mothball investment due to uncertainty over whether the country is on course to tip into a recession and a looming tax grab, a new survey out today indicates. Fears of a slowdown in spending caused by families’ finances being squeezed by the cost of living crisis has knocked optimism among [...]
Modi and India stop G20 calling Putin’s war in Ukraine a ‘war’ February 25, 2023 There is concern amongst rich nations about being unable to call a war started by Vladimir Putin just that, due to splits between global powers G20 finance chiefs have been unable to reach a consensus on describing the war in Ukraine and are likely to end a meeting in India on Saturday without a joint [...]
Sunak faces criticism over plans for European Union chief to ‘meet the King’ February 25, 2023 The Prime Minister’s political judgement has been criticised after a meeting between the King and the leader of the European Union was cancelled. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had been expected to travel to Britain on Saturday amid speculation a deal to fix issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol is near. The German [...]
Sunak to press on with Brexit deal talks as EU leader’s visit cancelled February 25, 2023 The Prime Minister will keep working towards securing a post-Brexit deal after plans for an in-person meeting with the European Commission president was called off.
Priti Patel calls on Jeremy Hunt to stop planned corporation tax rise February 25, 2023 Former home secretary Priti Patel has urged the Chancellor to use his Budget next month to halt the planned corporation tax rise. The senior Conservative has argued that “now is not the time” for an increase in the tax on big business. In plans agreed while she served in Boris Johnson’s cabinet, corporation tax is [...]
Unpaid overtime forcing public sector workers to quit February 25, 2023 Public sector workers are becoming “burnt out” and quitting their jobs after putting in millions of hours of unpaid overtime last year, according to a report. The TUC urged everyone to work their proper hours as part of its annual campaign against excessive unpaid overtime. The union organisation estimated that employers claimed £26bn of free [...]