Ukraine: Number 10 warns of ‘grave possibility’ of Russian invasion this week February 14, 2022 Number 10 has warned there is a “grave possibility” of Russia invading Ukraine this week as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis continue to falter. Boris Johnson’s official spokesman told journalists today that “there remains a window of opportunity to deescalate and pursue a diplomatic path … we stand ready to have further discussions with [...]
Potential breakthrough as West may concede to Putin: Ukraine to drop NATO to avoid war with Russia, says diplomat in UK February 14, 2022 Ukraine may consider dropping its ambition to join NATO to avoid war with Russia, its country’s ambassador in the UK has suggested. Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5 that the country would, due to threats and blackmail, consider “serious concessions” including removing the goal of joining the NATO alliance from the Ukrainian constitution. It comes [...]
Rees-Mogg backs post-Brexit push for UK to adopt other countries’ regulations February 14, 2022 Jacob Rees-Mogg has thrown his weight behind calls for the UK to unilaterally adopt other countries’ product regulations post-Brexit to avoid creating new red tape for international trade. Rees-Mogg, who is the new minister for Brexit opportunities, said proposals drawn up by the free market Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) think tank should be welcomed [...]
Hundreds of bus routes face axe within weeks without emergency funding February 14, 2022 Dozens of bus routes may have to be axed from the end of next month if emergency government funding support is not extended, councils and bus operators are warning. Experts are warning of a 30 per cent reduction in current bus services when current funding support ends. The Local Government Association, ADEPT, Urban Transport Group [...]
Transport crisis: Key bus routes set to be axed as government support nears end February 14, 2022 Essential bus routes may be axed as soon as the end of this month if emergency government funding support is not extended, transport firms have warned.
Stall in tax-free childcare spells danger for closing gender pay gap February 14, 2022 Government spend on Tax-Free Childcare rose by just two per cent to £240.5m in the past year, despite enhanced take-up by parents, and rocketing prices further straining the return to the office. There are fears that the sharp slowdown in government spending in this area could make childcare unaffordable for some parents, especially as the [...]
A Nato divided: UK accused of causing further Nato rift over Ukraine crisis February 13, 2022 Ben Wallace was today accused of stoking further division between Nato allies in its response to the Ukraine -Russia crisis, after invoking appeasement of Nazi Germany. The defence secretary, who today announced he would cut short a family holiday to deal with the crisis, was rebuked by Ukraine’s UK ambassador Vadym Prystaiko for saying there [...]
UK has reserve diesel supplies if Russia turns off the tap, government says February 13, 2022 The government has moved to assure people that it has wells of reserve diesel supplies in the event that Russia shuts off its supply to the UK. Russia supplies 18 per cent of the UK’s diesel, despite being less reliant on the country for other forms of gas compared to other European countries. The UK [...]
Boris Johnson will ‘restore smaller state’ in Number 10 reset, says Barclay February 13, 2022 Boris Johnson’s government will take a “step back from people’s lives” as a part of a pivot to a more traditional conservative platform, new Number 10 chief of staff Steve Barclay has said. Barclay said the government will “restore a smaller state” and “make the centre of government work like the best-run companies” as Johnson [...]
UK minister: Nato will not tolerate Russian ‘bullying or threats’ over Ukraine February 13, 2022 Nato will not allow Ukraine to be bullied or intimidated by Russian threats, Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has said. Lewis also restated the UK’s position that it will not send troops into Ukraine if it faces an invasion by Russia. It comes as defence secretary Ben Wallace yesterday compared the response of some western [...]