Political Headlines – Airbus relocating, Brexit no-deal, Greg Hands

Today’s Political Headlines include Airbus preparing to relocate outside of the UK, Juncker increasing preparations for a no-deal Brexit and Greg Hands’ resignation.  

Airbus prepares to relocate business over Brexit fears
The Times reports that Airbus is preparing to abandon plans to build aircraft wings in the UK, assuming a ‘worst-case scenario’ and stockpiling components. A risk assessment warns that the company, which employs 14,000 people in the UK with a further 110,000 jobs in its UK supply chain, would have to ‘reconsider its footprint’ in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The firm delivered its warnings privately to the Prime Minister three weeks ago.

Juncker warns that EU is increasing no deal preparations
According to The Guardian, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned the Irish parliament that he was increasing preparations for a no-deal Brexit, including a new peace programme in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Daily Telegraph reports that the US ambassador, Woody Johnson, has told the British to be less ‘defeatist’ towards Brexit. The paper also warns that ‘violent criminals’ could be among the 4m EU citizens given the right to stay after Brexit, with Iain Duncan Smith claiming that the scheme is too generous. The Sun claims that Theresa May is to launch a tour of European capitals at the end of July, in a bid to ‘jump-start’ trade talks.

Hands quits over Heathrow, increasing pressure on Johnson
The Guardian claims that the Prime Minister is ‘facing a fresh crisis’ after Greg Hands, an international trade minister, quit his post so that he could vote against the third runway at Heathrow. The paper says this has increased pressure on Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, to vote against the runway. He is currently scheduled to be out of the country.

Probation system in a ‘mess’ after failed reforms, MPs say
The BBC says that a report by the Commons Justice Committee has concluded that the probation system is in a ‘mess’ and that it was ‘unconvinced’ that reforms introduced in 2014 could ever deliver an effective service. The Government has acknowledged that there had been ‘challenges’ and that a review would be published next month.

Hammond pledges to fight for the City in Brexit talks
The Financial Times reports that Philip Hammond used his annual address at Mansion House to promise to fight for the City of London in Brexit talks. He accused the EU of not putting forward a ‘credible’ alternative to UK proposals. Hammond said that the Treasury was not ‘the enemy of Brexit’ but wanted to work ‘closely’ with the EU.

Commons spent £2.4m on gagging clauses
The BBC’s Newsnight has learnt that the House of Commons has spent £2.4m on ‘gagging clauses’ for former staff since 2013. A spokesperson claimed that these were used ‘to resolve employment disputes’, but Jill Rutter of the Institute for Government said their use was ‘impossible to justify’.

Government to promote fruit-picking to jobseekers
According to The Times, the Government is producing guidance to convince unemployed people to work in fruit-picking. Two thirds of farms have reported a shortage of applicants this year, and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has met industry representatives.

Increase in defence funding unlikely, despite Williamson’s campaign
The Guardian says that ‘Whitehall sources’ have claimed that there is unlikely to be an increase in defence spending over the next year, despite a campaign by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, Theresa May yesterday refused to confirm that the UK was still a ‘top-tier’ military power.

Want political news specific to your sector? Find out more about Vuelio Political Services.