Political Headlines – ageism, Bercow and Brexit

Today’s political headlines include Sajid Javid’s review of whether ageism and misogyny should be made hate crimes, Barron’s calls for Bercow to quit, May’s last-ditch appeal and settling the Brexit position. 

Ageism may become a hate crime
The Daily Telegraph reports that Home Secretary Sajid Javid is to ask the Law Commission to review whether ageism and misogyny should be made hate crimes. Javid said that the Government’s ‘refreshed action plan’ would outline how it planned to tackle the causes of hate crime, support victims and ‘ensure offenders face the full force of the law’. He also revealed the racial abuse he has faced personally. Figures to be published today will show that hate crimes have doubled in the UK since 2012-13.

Barron calls for Bercow to quit following publication of harassment report
Writing in The Times, Sir Kevin Barron, the outgoing chair of the Commons Standards Committee, calls for John Bercow to quit as Speaker after a report by Dame Laura Cox found that allegations of sexual harassment by MPs had been ‘tolerated and concealed’. Last night Kate Green, one of three MPs who blocked the opening of an inquiry into Bercow’s behaviour in May, was elected unopposed as Barron’s replacement.

May to make ‘last-ditch appeal’
The Times says that Theresa May is to ‘make a last-ditch appeal’ to fellow EU leaders tomorrow  before they meet for dinner without her, after admitting in the House of Commons yesterday that the EU had rejected her proposed UK-wide customs arrangement but insisting that progress had been made in the negotiations. European Council President Donald Tusk has warned that a no-deal Brexit is now ‘more likely than ever before’.

EU gives UK a day to settle Brexit position
The Financial Times claims that the EU has decided to give the UK a day to settle its position on Brexit before responding, with deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand telling diplomats that the bloc was waiting to see if May could get support from her cabinet and the DUP.

Eight cabinet ministers attend Brexit ‘pizza summit’
The Daily Telegraph says that eight cabinet ministers concerned about Theresa May’s Brexit plans gathered in Andrea Leadsom’s office yesterday evening, including Dominic Raab, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Penny Mordaunt, Chris Grayling, Liz Truss and Geoffrey Cox, with the paper suggesting that this is likely to cause Downing Street ‘concern’.

Universal Credit faces further delay
Leaked documents seen by the BBC suggest that the rollout of Universal Credit may be delayed by a further nine months, with new measures to reduce the impact of moving to the benefit on claimants. These include continuing to pay previous benefits for two weeks after a claim has been made, reducing the amount taken per month to repay advance payments, and more help for the self-employed.

Hammond mulls increasing tax on gas
According to The Sun, Philip Hammond is considering increasing the Climate Change Levy paid by firms on gas to match the tax rate on electricity, nearly doubling it, encouraging them to reduce their carbon usage and raising money to spend on the NHS. The Treasury is already committed to equalising the rates by 2025.

Asylum seekers could contribute £42m to economy if employment restrictions lifted
The Guardian carries details of a report by the Lift the Ban coalition of businesses, faith groups, thinktanks and non-profit groups which claims that asylum seekers would contribute £42m to the UK economy if restrictions on them working were eased. The organisation is calling for them to be allowed to work after six months waiting for a decision rather than a year and in any occupation, rather than only if they can fill a role on a shortage list.

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