Sajid Javid to nationalise GPs in effort to reduce hospitalisations January 29, 2022 Health secretary Sajid Javid is considering whether to nationalise GPs as a way to reduce hospitalisations. Shaking to the core the 70-year-old NHS structure, Javid’s plan could mark the end of GP surgeries as doctors would directly be employed by hospital trusts. “Whilst there are some strengths to the system of primary care, it’s also [...]
Sue Gray furious after police intervention as Scotland Yard contacts ‘partygate’ suspects January 29, 2022 Sue Gray, the civil servant looking into the lockdown-breaking parties allegedly held at No 10, is furious after the Met’s intervention. Gray, who was told by Scotland Yard on Friday to make “minimal reference” to the parties, was frustrated and angered by the situation, as her report is expected to be published within days, the [...]
Ukraine: Boris Johnson to call Putin and visit Eastern Europe January 29, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to call Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next days, visiting Eastern Europe as part of the UK’s diplomatic efforts to solve the Ukrainian crisis. Downing Street said Johnson will focus on Russia’s need to “engage diplomatically”, reiterating “the need for Russia to step back,” the BBC reported. In [...]
Sadiq Khan: London home-building ‘at risk of stalling’ amid hiked construction costs January 28, 2022 Skyrocketing construction materials are slowing house-building progress in London, Sadiq Khan has warned. The Mayor of London warned new-build developments and extension projects were being hit by a cocktail of rising costs thanks to Brexit and the pandemic. Prices for materials, including steel, timber, and concrete, shot up 23 per cent last year, according to [...]
Scotland Yard urges Sue Gray to make only ‘minimal reference’ to events investigated by police January 28, 2022 Scotland Yard asked for the Whitehall inquiry into allegations of lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street to make only “minimal reference” to the events being investigated by police. In a statement, it said: “For the events the Met is investigating, we asked for minimal reference to be made in the Cabinet Office report. “The Met did [...]
PM mulls tax hike U-turn as govt awaits Sue Gray’s report: ‘Boris would now do anything to survive’ January 28, 2022 While questions loom over the future of Boris Johnson’s premiership in light of an official inquiry into partygate allegations, the prime minister is reportedly wavering on controversial plans to raise national insurance. The PM is under pressure from some Tory MPs to scrap the tax hike to win back support as he awaits the findings [...]
FCA requested to review buildings insurers as Gove says leaseholders hit with ‘rapidly escalating’ costs January 28, 2022 The financial services regulator has been requested to review the buildings insurance market for blocks of flats. In a letter to the regulator, housing minister Micheal Gove said he was “extremely concerned” to hear from leaseholders about their experience of “rapidly escalating” insurance premiums on high and medium-rise blocks. There have been cases where insurance [...]
US and UK threaten Putin with personal sanctions if Russia does invade Ukraine January 27, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK is not ruling out support for personal sanctions against President Vladimir Putin in the event Russia invades Ukraine. Ms Truss made the comments after US President Joe Biden suggested moving to penalise the Russian president could be an option in the case of an invasion. When asked on [...]
Did he or did he not? Boris Johnson under pressure to clarify role in Afghan animal airlift January 27, 2022 The Prime Minister is coming under increasing pressure to explain his role in the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan amid reports he did influence their removal from Kabul, despite his denials. No 10 has repeatedly said Johnson had no involvement in pushing for help for the charity Nowzad, after accusations that officials’ time was taken [...]
Westminster nervously awaits Sue Gray report on partygate as police probe shoots to top of Boris Johnson’s priority list January 26, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said No 10 had still not received the Sue Gray report on Wednesday morning. Truss was asked on Sky News this morning: “Are we right in saying that Downing Street hasn’t yet received the Sue Gray report?” She responded: “That’s correct. And, of course, it’s an independent report, it’s a matter [...]