Cabinet ministers back Tory push against Sunak for lower taxes post-Covid April 21, 2021 Some of Boris Johnson’s highest profile cabinet members are among 46 Tory MPs that today backed a new campaign group aiming to push Rishi Sunak to adopt a more low-tax agenda post-Covid. The Free Market Forum, run by the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, will look to “refocus the political debate” toward “free enterprise [...]
Downing Street cancels televised press briefings after spending £2.6m on new studio April 20, 2021 Boris Johnson has moved to cancel plans to start White House style televised press briefings, after spending £2.6m on a new studio in Number 9 Downing Street. The Times is reporting that Allegra Stratton, previously hired as press secretary to run the press conferences, would become the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for the COP26 climate conference. [...]
Veterans minister Johnny Mercer sacked by Boris Johnson April 20, 2021 Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has been sacked by Boris Johnson, after earlier reports that he was preparing to resign over court cases involving ex-British soldiers in the Troubles. It was reported earlier today that Mercer had clashed with defence secretary Ben Wallace and Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis over the government not halting investigations into [...]
Quarter of people meant to isolate after arriving in the UK are not checked for compliance April 20, 2021 Up to a quarter of people who are meant to isolate at home when entering the UK from abroad do not get checked on by the authorities, the Home Office has admitted. In a letter to MP Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, home secretary Priti Patel admitted that for the week [...]
Pubs and restaurants to reopen in Scotland next Monday April 20, 2021 Scotland will reopen its pubs and restaurants for the first time in months from Monday 26 April, in a move that broadly brings Scotland into line with England’s current Covid-19 restrictions. Cafes, restaurants and beer gardens can open, along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums as lockdown eases. Rules and restrictions around the precise nature [...]
Who is Angela Merkel’s likely successor Armin Laschet? April 20, 2021 Armin Laschet was today chosen by grandees of Germany’s ruling centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to run in September’s German election, becoming the likely successor to chancellor Angela Merkel. Laschet was already leader of the CDU, however he still faced a challenge by Bavarian state premier Markus Söder to represent the party at the country’s [...]
Treasury Select Committee chair calls out UK banks for treatment of SMEs during Covid crisis April 20, 2021 Treasury Select Committee chair calls out UK banks for treatment of SME during Covid crisis
UK scraps post-Brexit Kent permit for lorries April 20, 2021 The UK has decided to scrap the post-Brexit Kent Access Permit required for lorry drivers to enter the county on their way to the EU. The government has said the permit is no longer necessary as lorry companies are now used to new customs rules and are coming prepared with the right paperwork for border [...]
Amazon executive in conflict of interest row over UK space role April 20, 2021 A senior Amazon executive is said to be in the running for a role as government space adviser despite concerns over serious conflicts of interest. Peter Marquez, head of space policy at Amazon, has been put forward to serve as a temporary, unpaid adviser to the government. He would take up the position alongside his [...]
Furious landlord kicks Keir Starmer out of Bath pub following heated row over lockdown restrictions April 19, 2021 A furious pub landlord today shouted at Labour leader Keir Starmer to “get out of my pub” following a heated exchange between the two about coronavirus restrictions. Rod Humphris, landlord of The Raven pub in Bath, shouted “that man is not allowed in my pub” while being restrained by a person who appeared to be [...]