BP and Shell: Will the mega profits of energy giants power our greener future? February 20, 2023 BP and Shell have pledged to ramp up renewable spending to meet the UK's climate and energy security goals, but can we trust them?
Culture war concerns are creating new divisions for Conservatives to traverse February 20, 2023 Rishi Sunak has dug a line in the sand on culture war issues, but it's already created new ideological division which could split the Conservative Party, writes Eliot Wilson
To stay out of a recession, we need to get on with hashing out a deal on Northern Ireland February 20, 2023 Since the UK voted for Brexit, Northern Ireland has been a headache for politicians and businesses alike. Time to finally end the madness, writes Chris Hayward.
UK defence budget needs £3bn boost for ‘broken’ armed forces, top general warns February 19, 2023 A top general has warned Britain’s armed forces are “at their most broken since the Cold War” and need a £3bn boost to ramp up the UK’s military capabilities. General Sir Richard Barrons has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to fund the replacement of weapons and tanks given to Ukraine in the budget next month. Barrons, [...]
‘Great mistake’: Boris Johnson warns Rishi Sunak over post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol February 19, 2023 Boris Johnson has warned Rishi Sunak it would be a “great mistake” to drop the Northern Ireland protocol amid speculation a deal between the UK and the EU is close. It comes as a new post-Brexit trading arrangement for Northern Ireland is expected to emerge within days after the Prime Minister met with Stormont leaders [...]
Explainer: A solution – finally – in sight for the Northern Ireland protocol February 17, 2023 After countless back and forth and failed negotiations attempts on the Northern Ireland protocol, Rishi Sunak is in Belfast today to present the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) with a deal. If they accept it, we might have a solution by early next week. In the meantime, foreign secretary James Cleverly is in Brussels for meetings [...]
Brexit: Sunak holding urgent talks with Northern Ireland’s leaders amid speculation protocol deal is close February 17, 2023 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is holding talks with Stormont leaders as speculation mounts that a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol could be close. Sunak and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris are meeting the politicians near Belfast to discuss the contentious post-Brexit trading arrangements. Following his visit to Northern Ireland, Sunak is set to join [...]
Liz Truss: Former PM urges nations to ‘learn lessons of Russian aggression and stand up to China’ February 17, 2023 Liz Truss has urged democratic nations to stand up to China and learn the lessons of not taking earlier and tougher action against Russia. Speaking in Japan in her first public speech since her resignation as prime minister, Ms Truss called on the international community to agree a co-ordinated package of defence, economic and political [...]
UK military risks NATO downgrade, security think tank warns February 16, 2023 Britain risks no longer being NATO’s top military power in Europe, a think tank report has warned, in the midst of growing security issues. The French military has more troops, jets and ships than the UK, despite spending £13bn less on defence, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) found. France boasts 203,250 personnel compared [...]
If Europe keeps us out of Horizon and other R&I funds, our universities will suffer February 16, 2023 Post-Brexit alternatives to European funding for research and innovation must match previous sums. Without this vital cash, our universities will suffer a terrible blow, writes Paul Boyle