Dominic Cummings’ war on conventions is just getting going February 19, 2020 Much is being made of Dominic Cummings’ supposed overreach this week. His attack on the BBC proved so brutal that even Auntie-sceptic John Whittingdale blanched, while one of Number 10’s newly-hired “weirdos and misfits” had voiced his support for marital rape and sympathy for eugenics in online forums. Andrew Sabinsky’s Downing Street career lasted just [...]
Employers told to break reliance on ‘cheap EU labour’ February 18, 2020 Employer groups are already pushing back after being warned that the UK’s new work visa system will block them from relying on “cheap EU labour”. Home secretary Priti Patel will today add more detail to plans for expanding the points-based work visa system to include EU migrant workers — which will replace freedom of movement [...]
Brexit: EU hints at demand for Elgin Marbles in trade talks February 18, 2020 The EU is fighting back over Downing Street’s rejection of so-called level-playing field rules – and hinted that it may call for “cultural objects” to be removed from the UK. In a revised version of the negotiating mandate that Michel Barnier is expected to use when talks resume next week, the EU Council made clear [...]
Chancellor and Prime Minister to thrash out details of Budget as March deadline stays February 18, 2020 The new chancellor Rishi Sunak will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Westminster tomorrow, as the pair thrash out the details of next month’s Budget. Sunak, who was parachuted into the role on Thursday after Sajid Javid’s surprise resignation, confirmed this morning that the Budget will be going ahead on 11 March, despite the shake-up [...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirms 11 March Budget February 18, 2020 New chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the Budget will go ahead on 11 March. City A.M. understands Sunak, who was parachuted into the role after his former boss Sajid Javid quit last week, will not attend this weekend’s G20 meeting of finance ministers, in order to focus on preparations for the fiscal event, the [...]
EU ‘fails to see the point’ on UK’s trade stance, claims Frost February 17, 2020 Britain’s desire to step away from the EU’s rules is not “some clever tactical position” but the entire point of Brexit, Boris Johnson’s chief negotiator has told Brussels. In a stark warning that the UK would not capitulate to demands over the so-called level-playing field – which includes rules around competition, the environment and tax [...]
DfT unveils plan to head off Brexit-induced mega traffic jams in Kent February 17, 2020 The government is to deploy a San Francisco-style moveable barrier in the hope of avoiding Brexit-induced mega traffic jams throughout Kent. The £60m moveable barrier, creating a temporary contraflow system, can be set up “within hours” and will be available from December, transport secretary Grant Shapps revealed this morning. Although the UK has officially left the [...]
Conservative MPs blast Number 10’s BBC ‘vendetta’ February 17, 2020 Senior Tory MPs have blasted Number 10’s “vendetta” against the BBC, describing plans scrap the licence fee and push the broadcaster towards a new subscription model as “cultural vandalism”. Yesterday the Sunday Times reported plans were being readied to overhaul the BBC by forcing it to sell off the majority of its radio stations and [...]
Exclusive: Reform comes to City of London after ‘inappropriate’ questions asked of gay candidate February 13, 2020 The City of London Corporation has revealed sweeping changes to the process of selecting the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs as part of a drive to increase the diversity of candidates. The new system will include a more structured interview procedure, with independent representatives “closely” involved and an independent professional firm being brought in to observe [...]
Javid launches parting shot over Treasury ‘impartiality’ February 13, 2020 Sajid Javid launched a parting shot at the Prime Minister yesterday after sensationally quitting as Chancellor, warning that Johnson and his aides were risking the “credibility” of the Treasury. Tensions between Number 10 and Number 11 dramatically came to a head during yesterday’s reshuffle, with Javid resigning in protest over plans to fire his advisers [...]
