Lex Greensill was given ‘extraordinarily privileged’ access to government, finds report July 22, 2021 A Boris Johnson-sanctioned probe into the lobbying efforts of Greensill Capital has found its owner was given “extraordinarily privileged” access to the highest reaches of government. The report also critiqued the government’s handling of the UK’s lobbying system, which it said gives access to a “privileged few” like former Prime Minister and Greensill Capital adviser [...]
Government monitoring ‘concerning’ supermarket shortages caused by ‘pingdemic’ July 22, 2021 Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said he is “monitoring” the growing supermarket shortages caused by workers being forced to self-isolate as Covid cases surge. Pictures of empty shelves circulated across social media last night, leading supermarkets to apologise for the Test and Trace-caused shortages. More than 600,000 people have been told to self-isolate by the [...]
‘We cannot go on as we are’: UK outlines proposed changes to Northern Ireland Protocol July 21, 2021 The UK has today outlined proposed changes to the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol, with a cabinet minister saying that “we cannot go on as we are”. The move is set to ignite a furious row with the EU, with one of its top officials saying there is no room for renegotiation of the protocol. Northern [...]
Keir Starmer calls for clarity over which businesses can get self-isolation exemption July 21, 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for clarity over which businesses can get an exemption to the government’s self-isolation rules. Downing Street yesterday said some businesses in vital industries can apply to have their staff exempt from self-isolating when pinged by the NHS Track and Trace app. It comes as more than 1m people [...]
Tory MPs face suspension for trying to influence court case involving ex-colleague July 21, 2021 Five Tory MPs breached parliament’s code of conduct for trying to influence a legal case involving an ex-colleague, the Commons Standards Committee has found. Theresa Villiers, Natalie Elphicke, Sir Roger Gale, Adam Holloway and Bob Stewart sought to interfere in a decision regarding ex-MP Charlie Elphicke, who was convicted of sex offences. The committee has [...]
Government to urge people to ‘keep life moving’ in new Covid slogan July 21, 2021 The government is set to drop its “hand, face, space” Covid slogan and replace it with “keep life moving” as it urges people to enjoy newfound freedoms while still taking some precautions. Restrictions were lifted en masse in England on Monday, however more than 1m are currently being forced to self-isolate due to the so-called [...]
UK set for major EU row as Frost prepares to redraw Northern Ireland Protocol July 21, 2021 The UK is set to force another major post-Brexit row with the EU as it prepares to demand significant changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol today. Defacto Brexit minister Lord David Frost will reportedly call for almost all checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be removed to avoid economic and civil disruption. The [...]
UK sets out plan for greater free trade for green technologies in lead up to Cop26 July 20, 2021 The UK has today set out its plan for greater free trade in green technologies in the lead up to the Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow later this year. A new Board of Trade report calls for the UK to “encourage” other countries to cut tariffs on green technology and to use its diplomatic standing [...]
Dominic Cummings plotted to oust Boris Johnson days after 2019 election July 20, 2021 Dominic Cummings has today revealed he was plotting to oust Boris Johnson from Downing Street just days after his landslide 2019 General Election victory. Johnson’s former chief aide made the explosive revelation in an upcoming BBC 2 interview tonight, after months of attacks on the Prime Minister. Cummings said the influence of Johnson’s wife, then [...]
Farmers’ union to renew row as UK trade deal to see tariffs slashed on New Zealand meat July 20, 2021 The UK’s farmers’ union and Labour are ready to renew a row with the government over British farming as the UK prepares to cut all tariffs on New Zealand meat in an upcoming trade deal. A senior Department for International Trade source told City A.M. that the UK-New Zealand trade deal is still on track [...]
