Political Headlines – Cyberwar, Brexit and the NHS

Today’s Political Headlines include May’s cyberwar with Russia, Barnier told MPs the Chequers plan was dead, new Brexit proposals from Eurosceptic Tories and Hancock to improve dangerous NHS IT systems. 

May orders cyberwar after accusing Russian spies of carrying out Salisbury attack
The Times reports that Theresa May has ordered a cyberwar against Russian spying operations, having yesterday accused two of the country’s agents of carrying out the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. She promised to do ‘whatever is necessary to keep our people safe’ and revealed that the operation was ‘almost certainly’ approved at a senior level in the Russian state.

Barnier told MPs Chequers plan was ‘dead’
The Guardian reports that Stephen Kinnock has revealed that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier told British MPs that Theresa May’s Chequers plan for Brexit was ‘dead’ earlier this week. The paper also says that Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed that Labour would vote against a Canadian-style EU-UK free trade deal, which is apparently now favoured by David Davis, Boris Johnson and Barnier.

Eurosceptic Tories plan to release their own Brexit proposals
The BBC says that the Eurosceptic European Research Group of Tory MPs is to make several days’ worth of announcements from Sunday onwards making the case for a free trade agreement with the EU, covering topics including money, migration, the Irish border, agriculture and fishing, with a major event expected to be held in Westminster on Monday.

Hancock promises to improve ‘dangerous’ NHS IT systems
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that NHS IT systems are ‘downright dangerous’. He promises to ‘bring the NHS into the 21^st century’ and to deal with the issue that different systems in use are not compatible. Today he will announce a £200m fund to develop cross-NHS systems and confirm that the new NHS app will begin testing in five parts of the country by the end of the month.

New agricultural workers scheme to be tested
The Financial Times reports that the Government is to test a new scheme for non-EU agricultural workers next year, similar to the old seasonal workers scheme which ran from 1945 to 2013, in a bid to assuage concerns. Growers have warned that labour shortages after Brexit could lead to crops being left to rot.

Government agrees to consider making misogyny a hate crime
The Guardian reports that the Government has announced a comprehensive review of hate crime legislation, including whether to consider misogyny as a hate crime. Labour MP Stella Creasy had tabled an amendment on misogyny to the Voyeurism Bill but withdrew it after the fully-funded review was promised.

Marriage age could increase to 18
The Times claims that the Government could increase the minimum age for marriage to 18 following an investigation by the paper into forced relationships. Equalities minister Baroness Williams of Trafford has agreed to look into the point, while backbench Conservative Pauline Latham has introduced a private members’ bill to make the change.

Grayling seeks to reach aviation agreements with other EU countries
The Daily Mail says that the Government is trying to reach agreements on aviation with the 27 individual EU countries in order to keep planes flying if a no-deal Brexit happens. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is to write to his counterparts across the EU, bypassing the European Commission.

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