Political Headlines – plastic bottles, NHS funding, antisemitism and referendum ‘fraud’

Today’s Political Headlines include a plastic drinks bottles deposit, extra funding for the NHS, Labour tackling antisemitism and the referendum that was won through ‘fraud’.  

Deposit for drinks bottles and cans to be introduced
The Government has announced that customers will have to pay a deposit when they buy drinks bottles and cans, the BBC reports. While the deposit will increase prices, customers will get their money back if the container is returned. Full details are subject to consultation, including the size of the deposit. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove said, ‘We need to see a change in attitudes and behaviour. And the evidence shows that reward and return schemes are a powerful agent of change.’

Prime Minister indicates extra funding for the NHS is imminent
The Financial Times says that Theresa May has indicated that extra funding for the NHS is imminent. Giving evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister said that she was considering a ‘multiyear’ funding settlement and the NHS would not have to wait for next year’s spending review. She wants to develop a ‘long-term plan’ and ensure that it ‘is properly resourced’.

Shadow cabinet agrees Labour needs to change to tackle antisemitism
According to The Guardian the shadow cabinet has held a debate on Labour’s antisemitism crisis and agree that the party needs to make radical changes to deal with the problem. The paper says that informal agreement was reached to implement the recommendations from Shami Chakrabarti’s report into antisemitism and other forms of racism in full.

Referendum won through fraud, whistleblower says
The whistleblower Christopher Wylie has told MPs that the EU referendum was won through fraud, The Guardian says. He told the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee that the pro-Brexit campaign had a ‘common plan’ to use a network of companies to get around restrictions. Vote Leave denies allegations of collusion and deliberate overspending.

UK to launch counter-propaganda war against Russia
The Daily Telegraph reports that a major overhaul of the UK’s security capabilities announced by Theresa May will include a counter-propaganda war against the Russians. The plan, known as the Fusion Doctrine, will tackle the threats of cyber warfare and fake news, as well as bombs. May will ensure that every Government department views national security as a priority. The plans are outlined in the new National Security Capability Review.

May hints that EU customs transition could be extended
The Times says that Theresa May suggested yesterday that the UK may not be ready to enter into a new customs arrangement with the EU when the transition agreement runs out. She was responding to comments made by HMRC officials who told the Commons Treasury Committee that it could take five years to set up a new customs partnership with the EU.

Committee to call for rent increases after fee ban to be stopped by Government
In an exclusive, The Sun reports that the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is to call for ministers to prevent landlords from increasing rents when tenancy fees are banned. Other recommendations by the committee include capping deposits at five weeks’ rent, forcing landlords to provide reasons for evictions, and giving Trading Standards the powers and resources to tackle revenge evictions.

Northern Ireland same-sex marriage bill to be introduced to Commons
The BBC reports that the Labour MP Conor McGinn is to introduce a bill to Parliament later today, calling for same-sex marriage to be made legal in Northern Ireland. The private member’s bill is to be laid as a ten-minute rule bill and there is no guarantee that it will get to its next stage. A similar bill has already been laid before the House of Lords.

These political headlines are created by Vuelio Political Services team.