Political Headlines – Boris Johnson, rail ticket prices and the intergenerational contract

Today’s Political Headlines include Boris’ criticism of the ‘crazy’ customs plans, rail firms propose fares overhaul, tax old people to fund young people and the reduction in the Department for International Trade. 

Boris criticises ‘crazy’ customs partnership plans
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has told the Daily Mail that Downing Street’s proposed post-Brexit customs partnership plans are ‘crazy’ and would create ‘a whole new web of bureaucracy’. The Daily Telegraph has spoken to Jacob Rees-Mogg, chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, who tells the paper that Boris Johnson would be ‘more aggressive’ in negotiations than Theresa May, but that this could lead to a better deal. According to The Guardian, more work is being done on the customs proposals and they will not be discussed at this week’s cabinet Brexit sub-committee.

Rail firms to propose fares overhaul
The Times carries the news that rail companies are to propose what the paper calls ‘the biggest overhaul of the fares system since privatisation’. A public consultation will begin next month, with a report containing recommendations for the Government to be published in late autumn. Issues expected to be addressed include ‘split ticketing’, journeys which are both peak and off-peak, and part-time season tickets.

Give 25-year-olds £10,000 to fix intergenerational contract, think tank say
The Guardian says that a think tank has called for every person in Britain to receive £10,000 when they turn 25 in order to tackle the ‘broken’ intergenerational contract between millennials and baby boomers. The suggestion is made in the final report of the Resolution Foundation’s intergenerational commission, chaired by former Conservative minister David Willetts.

Department for International Trade axes 10% of trade promotion jobs
The Financial Times reports that the Department for International Trade is to cut hundreds of jobs promoting UK exports to countries such as China and Brazil, undermining the Government’s claims to be creating a ‘global Britain’. 10% of trade promotion jobs are expected to be cut owing to a budget squeeze which has pitted International Trade Secretary Liam Fox against the Treasury.

Williamson says that the UK is considering creating its own satellite navigation system
The Daily Telegraph says that it has been told by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson that the UK has ordered experts to start drawing-up plans for the UK’s own £3bn satellite navigation system as a replacement for the EU’s Galileo scheme. He has suggested that it could be delivered in partnership with countries such as Japan, South Korea or Australia.

MPs to debate children ‘farmed out’ to care homes
The BBC reports that Labour MP Ann Coffey is to use a Commons debate to accuse the Government of breaking a promise to cut the number of children being ‘farmed out’ to children’s homes out of their area, warning that they could fall prey to paedophile and drugs gangs. The Daily Telegraph quotes Nadhim Zahawi, the children’s minister, as saying that children from broken homes should have the right to keep in touch with their grandparents.

Labour MPs revive progressive alliance debate
According to The Guardian, MPs from different wings of the Labour Party have revived the debate about a progressive alliance. Jon Cruddas and Clive Lewis have signed a letter to the paper calling for the reinstatement of three members expelled for supporting a National Health Action candidate against Jeremy Hunt at the last general election.

Editors criticise Labour press regulation amendments
The Times reports that editors have criticised two Labour amendments to the Data Protection Bill, which will be voted on tomorrow. They have warned that the amendments would ‘harm local democracy’ and ‘bring in stricter press regulation by the back door’. One would impose sanctions on publishers that didn’t join a state-recognised regulator, while the other would establish a new Leveson-style inquiry.

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