Political Headlines – NHS Funding, Galileo, Corbyn in Northern Ireland
Today’s Political Headlines include NHS Funding, the UK’s exclusion from the Galileo programme and Corbyn’s visit to Northern Ireland.
Households need to pay £2000 a year extra to fund NHS, report says
The Guardian says that a new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Health Foundation shows that British households will need to pay an extra £2000 a year in tax so that the NHS can cope with the country’s aging population. The report was commissioned by the NHS Confederation, which represents 85% of NHS bodies, and its Chief Executive, Niall Dickson, warned that ‘the current system and funding levels are not sustainable’.
Efforts to exclude UK from Galileo programme driven by ‘German-led clique’
According to The Times, the EU’s attempts to exclude the UK from the Galileo satellite navigation programme are being driven by a ‘German-led clique’ and have caused a rift between Germany and France, which has joined other countries in objecting to the policy. In an official document, the Government will today say that it will reopen the ‘divorce settlement’ if it is not allowed to participate.
Corbyn to visit Northern Ireland
The BBC reports that Jeremy Corbyn is to make his first visit to Northern Ireland as Labour leader today and will pledge that Labour will not support any Brexit deal which leads to a hard border. The Daily Telegraph adds that Corbyn has sparked anger among unionists by renewing his calls for a united Ireland.
UK to request second Brexit transition period
The Times claims that the Government is to request a second Brexit transition period until 2023 to avoid a hard border in Ireland. The proposal, which has not yet been put forward, would see UK maintain customs and regulatory alignment with the EU. Additionally, MPs will vote on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill next month, despite reports that this might be delayed.
Gauke to announce changes to prisoners’ education
The Daily Telegraph reports that Justice Secretary David Gauke is to announce changes to education and employment support for prisoners today. He will say that prisoners should be ready to enter work when they leave prison, as part of a plan to cut reoffending rates in which prison governors will be given greater freedom over education.
HMRC head claims that ‘max fac’ could cost businesses £20bn
The Financial Times reports that Jon Thompson, Head of HM Revenue & Customs, has claimed that the ‘max fac’ Brexit customs proposal could cost businesses up to £20bn a year in extra bureaucracy. He said that there would be negligible extra costs with the Prime Minister’s proposed customs partnership, but that the EU was unlikely to reciprocate it.
Pro-EU campaign’s plans leaked
The Daily Mail has obtained a leaked document from the pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain showing its six-month plan to stop Brexit. The group, backed by George Soros, aims to spend almost £6m on the campaign to get MPs to vote down the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal in October.The group’s plans include working with trade unions, a Labour against Brexit speaker tour, and advertising, social media and local campaigns.
Almost 300 schools not inspected for over a decade
The Independent says that a National Audit Office report has revealed that changes to school inspections introduced by Michael Gove have led to 296 schools not being inspected for over a decade, with over 1600 not having been inspected for at least six years. Under the policy, which Ofsted wants to be changed, schools rated ‘outstanding’ are not routinely reinspected.
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