Tory MP backtracks on criticising Marcus Rashford for missed penalty July 12, 2021 Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has backtracked on comments criticising England forward Marcus Rashford for missing a penalty in last night’s Euro 2020 final. The Dover MP said in a private message to a Conservative WhatsApp group last night that Rashford should have spent more time practicing penalties than politics in reference to the footballer’s campaigning [...]
Minister: Covid announcement on 19 July freedom day will give ‘clarity’ on face masks July 12, 2021 A health minister has said Boris Johnson’s announcement tonight on the 19 July shedding of restrictions will “give people more clarity” on the government’s stance on face masks after recent mixed messaging. Health minister Edward Argar also said the government’s stance on face masks is not confusing and that people will be able to “form [...]
Civil servants have to get back to the office, says former senior Johnson aide July 11, 2021 One of Boris Johnson’s former top aides has called for civil servants to get back to the office among warnings that “Whitehall is dead”. Lord Eddie Lister said that government departments in Whitehall had “corridors of empty rooms” and that young civil servants would not be able to learn on the job like this. Boris Johnson [...]
Liz Truss reportedly thinks UK-US trade deal before 2023 is unlikely July 11, 2021 International trade secretary Liz Truss is reportedly resigned to not closing a UK-US trade deal before 2023 as she prepares to travel to Washington today. Truss will go to the US to meet Joe Biden’s Trade Representative Katherine Tai as a part of a five-day working trip, which will also include a stop in California. [...]
Nadhim Zahawi denies gap between vaccines will be cut to four weeks July 11, 2021 There are no plans to cut the gap between first and second Covid vaccines from eight weeks to four, according to vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi. Zahawi said that protection from two doses of any of the approved Covid vaccines is more optimal at eight weeks than from four weeks. The Sunday Times reported today that [...]
Minister says people are ‘expected to wear face masks indoor’ after 19 July July 11, 2021 Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said people will be “expected” to wear face masks indoors after 19 July in an apparent shift in the government’s previous position. Boris Johnson said last week that face masks would be a “personal choice” after 19 July, but that the government would advise people that wearing them indoors is [...]
Patriot Pact: Ministers urged not to say ‘It’s Coming Home’ ahead of England final July 9, 2021 Ministers have reportedly been urged not to say ‘It’s Coming Home’ ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final on Sunday night amid fears of offending other countries. In a briefing note sent by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) mandarins warned the phrase “does not go down well overseas” and might damage a [...]
Downing Street clashes with Brussels over €47.5bn Brexit divorce bill July 9, 2021 The UK has hit back at the EU over its hefty Brexit divorce bill, saying it did not recognise the figure and insisting the final payment would remain within the government’s own projections. The bloc last night said Britain was liable to pay €47.5bn (£41bn) to the EU as part of a post-Brexit financial settlement. [...]
Ryanair, BA, Easyjet and Stansted in court today suing over traffic light travel system July 9, 2021 Ryanair, BA, Easyjet and Stansted owner MAG are in court today suing over traffic light travel system
Payouts may be given to families to offset higher gas bills under new green government plan July 9, 2021 Families may be provided with cash payouts to offset the cost of higher gas bills under a new green government plan. Whitehall advisors have been discussing plans to compensate households for the more expensive gas bills which will arise from the government push to reduce carbon emissions. The proposals will be aimed at encouraging households [...]