Archive for: Political Services

Today’s political headlines include May securing an improved Brexit deal, Watson’s Future Britain Group holding its first meeting, the ICO using its powers to prevent a second Molly Russell and Begum’s mother pleads with Home Office. 

May secures ‘improved Brexit deal’
The Times says that Theresa May has claimed ‘victory’ in the Brexit negotiations after travelling to Strasbourg yesterday, having secured what she called an ‘improved Brexit deal’ ahead of a vote today, made up of three parts: a legal document giving more weight to guarantees that the backstop won’t be permanent, alterations to the political declaration committing negotiators to work to find alternatives to the backstop, and a unilateral statement explaining why the Government doesn’t expect the UK to be trapped in the backstop. The paper adds that the EU is preparing for a Brexit delay of at least a year.

Watson’s Future Britain Group holds first meeting
The BBC reports that Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson’s new Future Britain Group, established in the wake of the defections to The Independent Group, held its first meeting last night, which was attended by around 130 Labour politicians, including Lord Mandelson, Lord Kinnock and Yvette Cooper. Kinnock called for ‘democratic socialist values’ and ‘achievable, possible and affordable policies’.

Information Commissioner would use new powers to prevent a ‘second Molly Russell’
Interviewed by The Daily Telegraph, Elizabeth Denham, the Information Commissioner, has said that she would use new powers and block ‘addictive’ technology to ‘break’ the ‘cycle’ of children being exposed to ‘ever more provocative content’. She vowed to prevent a ‘second Molly Russell’, a 14-year-old girl for whose suicide Instagram has been accused of contributing towards.

Begum’s mother pleads for Home Office to reconsider its decision
The Guardian reports that the mother of Shamima Begum has written to the Home Office, requesting it to reconsider its decision to stop the 19-year-old who joined Isis of her British citizenship as an ‘act of mercy’. Yesterday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid rejected suggestions that he was responsible for the death of her baby.

Officials accused of trying to cover up costs of Johnson’s trip
The Daily Mirror claims that officials have been blamed for trying to cover up the cost of a trip made by Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary, to Afghanistan to avoid a vote on expanding Heathrow. The Foreign Office gave details to a member of the public while delaying journalists’ freedom of information requests, blaming an ‘IT issue’ for this, the details of which cannot be revealed owing to ‘national security’ concerns, and has now admitted breaking rules by internally identifying journalists’ requests.

Raab pitches for leadership in speech
The Times says that former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab ‘made his pitch for the Tory leadership’ in a speech yesterday. He called for a ‘second-chance society’, arguing that his life had taught him that ‘no one-off meritocratic process will ever be perfect’ and that young people need ‘a genuine opportunity to fulfil their potential’.

Grayling accused of keeping residents ‘in the dark’ over Heathrow noise pollution
The Daily Telegraph claims that lawyers for five London councils, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Greenpeace are to tell the High Court today that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling understated the impact of an expanded Heathrow Airport on residents in order to keep them ‘in the dark’ about the effect of noise pollution on them.

Stronger auditing regulator to be introduced
The Financial Times reports that Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark has announced that the audit regulator the Financial Reporting Council is to be replaced by a new Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority with greater powers, following the conclusions of a review by Sir John Kingman into the FRC.

The Brexit vote is tonight – keep up with breaking political news that matters to you with Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include May appealing to EU to help her deal pass, Zaghari-Ratcliffe granted diplomatic protection, Bradley accepts there are ‘no excuses’ for her comments and Conservatives scared they could lose 1,000 councillors in local elections. 

May appeals to EU to help her deal pass
The BBC reports that the Prime Minister will ask the EU to agree to legally binding changes to the backstop in order for her deal to pass through the House of Commons. She will tell EU negotiators that they will have a deciding role on whether the deal can pass next Wednesday. The EU has maintained the view that it is for the UK to come up with solutions to break the current deadlock.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe granted diplomatic protection
The Guardian reports on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe being granted diplomatic protection thus raising her case to the level of dispute between the UK and Iran, if she suffers any injury it will be seen as an injury to the UK. This comes after Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said her human rights were not being met after the denial of better medical treatment. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Iran on charges of spying. Hunt said the decision was not one he took lightly and it is down to the lack of progress in the talks.

Bradley accepts there are ‘no excuses’ for her comments
Sky News reports on Northern Ireland Secretary, Karen Bradley, accepting there are ‘no excuses’ for the comments she made about killings by the police and military during the Troubles not being crimes. Bradley has been under pressure to resign for her comments and has had to clarify she is not referring to any case. Prosecutors will next week announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings amplifying the impact of the remarks. Bradley apologised for the remarks and any offence he caused.

Conservatives scared they could lose 1,000 councillors in local elections
The Sun has an exclusive that reveals that senior figures in the Conservative Party are worried they could lose 1,000 councillors in the upcoming local elections. If this scenario does play out it is expected that critics of the Prime Minister will begin demanding she step aside. However those close to May in the Cabinet are asking her to reshuffle her top team after the elections and bring in some fresh faces.

IDS criticises Khan for handling of violent crime in London
The Express reports on remarks made by Iain Duncan Smith on the Mayor of London’s handling of violent crime in London, IDS said that Khan is playing political games and not taking responsibility for what is going on. Khan has defended himself from any criticism by saying that the Metropolitan Police have lost vast amounts of funding in the last few years and this is having a direct impact. In his remarks IDS spoke of the effectiveness of stop and search in stopping knife crime.

Bercow blocks release of bullying inquiry emails
The Huffington Post reports on John Bercow using a veto to block the release of his correspondence with officials concerning bullying in Parliament. The post has been trying to get hold of the correspondence as it is rumoured that Bercow and senior staff are seen as part of the problem in them. Bercow has been criticised for this move saying that it is preventing public discussion of the issues and is harming the confidence people will have in Parliament.

Conservative Leadership candidates posturing themselves
The Financial Times looks at the possible candidates to replace Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party. They indicate that those who fancy the position for themselves are beginning to put themselves in the best possible position. The FT picks out Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Dominic Raab, James Cleverly, Penny Mordaunt and Matt Hancock as those making moves. The report looks at the different direction each possible candidate would look to take the party in and who they would appeal to.

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Today’s political headlines include May’s latest attempts to woo Labour, Javid clashes with May and Hammond on knife crime, Home Office ‘remains complacent’ despite Windrush and Corbyn’s office accused of intervening in antisemitism investigations. 

May announces workers’ rights pledge as Labour MP vows to vote for her deal
The BBC says that Theresa May is to promise MPs that they will get to vote on any change to workers’ rights after Brexit, allowing them to choose whether to adopt new protections introduced by the EU. However, the TUC has warned that the plans are ‘flimsy procedural tweaks’ and that ‘our hard-won rights are still under threat’. The Daily Mirror adds that Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey accused the Government of an ‘attempt to bribe workers to back their botched Brexit deal’, although Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick told the paper that he would now be backing the deal.

Javid clashes with May and Hammond over knife crime
The Daily Telegraph claims that Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, clashed with a ‘defensive’ Theresa May over knife crime at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in a ‘testy’ exchange. Javid argued in favour of extra resources and expanded stop and search powers, but Chancellor Philip Hammond said the police should ‘prioritise’ current, rather than historic, cases. Writing in the paper, Javid says that it is ‘vital we give the police the powers they need’.

MPs say Home Office remains complacent despite Windrush
The Guardian carries details of a new report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee which finds that the Home Office remains complacent about ‘systemic and cultural problems’ despite the Windrush scandal and is making ‘life-changing decisions based on incorrect data’. It accuses the department of doing ‘as little, rather than as much, as possible’ to help those affected by its actions.

Corbyn’s office accused of intervening in antisemitism investigations
The Daily Telegraph says it has been told by a ‘former Labour official’ that ‘senior allies’ of Jeremy Corbyn routinely intervened in antisemitism investigations, with a leaked email showing that senior aides Seumas Milne, Katie Murphy and Andrew Murray had been copied into one case. Labour dismissed the claims as ‘malicious lies from a disgruntled former employee’, adding that Corbyn’s office had been asked to help clear a backlog of cases.

Chief Whip warns MPs could force soft Brexit
According to The Sun, the Chief Whip Julian Smith has warned the Cabinet that if Theresa May’s Brexit deal is rejected next week, MPs may take back control from the Government and force the UK into a softer Brexit and a customs union with the EU, through an extension to Article 50 followed by an ‘indicative vote’.

Hatton attends event with shadow cabinet members days after suspension
The Times reveals that Derek Hatton, who was suspended from the Labour Party over antisemitism allegations just days after being readmitted, attended a fundraising event in Liverpool alongside three shadow cabinet members within a week of his suspension. He was pictured sharing a table with the Labour Mayor of Liverpool City Council, Joe Anderson.

Independent Group in talks to form political party
The Daily Mirror reports that the Independent Group has confirmed that it has held talks with the Electoral Commission about forming a political party, although it has not set a ‘specific timeframe’ for doing so. Group spokesperson Chukka Umunna confirmed that the group wished to field candidates in the next general election.

New plan to tackle potholes targets utility firms
The Times reports that the Department for Transport is to unveil new plans to tackle potholes. Under the new policy, utility firms will be forced to maintain roads for five years after they dig them up, rather than two years as at present. New standards will also compel them to use tougher asphalt which is less prone to potholes.

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Today’s political headlines include Labour’s plans to compromise on Brexit votes, Umunna named spokesperson of the Independent Group and NHS to scrap A&E target. 

Labour moves towards Brexit referendum compromise plan
The Guardian says that the Labour Party is ‘moving towards a compromise plan’ under which it would abstain on Theresa May’s Brexit deal, allowing it to pass through Parliament, but would back an amendment put forward by Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson ‘withholding support’ from the deal until it had been voted on by the public. Kyle claims to have ‘every reason to believe’ that Parliament will vote for his proposal.

Independent Group makes Umunna spokesperson
The BBC reports that the Independent Group of MPs has appointed Chukka Umunna as its lead spokesperson, while Sarah Wollaston has been given responsibility for ‘new colleagues’. Each member of the group has been allocated a group of policy areas on which they will lead. Umunna said that these drew on ‘the talents and experiences of our group’.

NHS to scrap A & E four hour target
The Times says that NHS England wishes to axe the target for hospitals to treat A&E patients within four hours because it leads to the system being gamed, rather than the best care being provided. New targets, focused on those requiring a hospital bed rather than those with minor injuries, will be piloted in the spring.

Tory Brexiteers prepared to back deal if May announces plan to quit
According to The Sun, Brexiteer MPs have told the Prime Minister that they will support her deal, even if she only gets minor amendments to it, so long as she outlines a timetable for her departure as Prime Minister this year. This would allow her successor to negotiate the future trade deal with the EU.

Eustice quits over Brexit extension
The Times reports that Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister George Eustice resigned yesterday, citing the Government’s ‘series of rather undignified retreats’ over Brexit. According to the paper, he criticised the Prime Minister’s decision to seek an extension to Brexit negotiations at a meeting she held with 16 Brexiteer ministers the night before.

Salary increase for MPs sparks outrage
The Daily Mail claims that a decision to increase MPs’ salary by 2.7% sparked ‘fury’. The announcement by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has been criticised for outstripping increases for parliamentary staffers and civil servants, while Leave campaigner John Longworth said there should be no rise until Brexit had been ‘sorted out’.

Grayling’s probation reforms criticised
The Daily Telegraph carries details of a ‘damning report’ by the National Audit Office on probation reforms introduced by Chris Grayling while he was Justice Secretary. According to the report, the number of offenders returned to prison for breaching their licence conditions has increased by 47% while a plan to end contracts early will cost an extra £467m.

Fox criticised over expensive ‘vanity project’ podcast
The Daily Mirror reports that International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has spent over £100,000 on a podcast series hosted by Nick Hewer which was designed to encourage firms to export their goods, but just 8,398 people have listened to it, with each listener therefore costing the taxpayer £12.70. Lib Dem MP Layla Moran called the podcast a ‘vanity project’.

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Today’s political headlines include Acrimony in Cabinet over potential Brexit talks extension, May calls on Parliament to ‘do its duty’ and Government document warns of no-deal impact. 

‘Acrimony’ in Cabinet over potential Brexit talks extension
The Times claims that Theresa May’s decision to allow MPs to vote on extending negotiations for a ‘short, limited’ period if they reject her deal sparked ‘acrimony’ in yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. Liz Truss accused Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark, who have been pushing for such a move, of ‘kamikaze’ behaviour. The Guardian adds that Cabinet ministers including Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd told May that she should use an extension of the Brexit negotiations to ‘find a new coalition in Parliament’ and tackle the Conservative Party’s Brexiteer wing.

May calls on Parliament to ‘do its duty’
Theresa May has written in the Daily Mail that her ‘engagement’ with the EU over Brexit has ‘already begun to bear fruit’, calling on Parliament to vote for her deal and ‘do its duty so our country can move forward’, adding that she doesn’t want an Article 50 extension. David Davis also writes in the paper, claiming that fears about no-deal are ‘exaggerated’ and that while it might ‘be economically difficult, no Brexit would be a democratic disaster’.

Government document warns of no-deal Brexit impact
The Guardian reports that a new document published by the Government after being repeatedly demanded by Anna Soubry warns that a no-deal Brexit could make the British economy 6%-9% weaker, lead to Northern Irish businesses failing and increase food prices.

Probation contractors attacked over murders by offenders they supervised
In an exclusive, the Daily Mirror reveals that in the first four years since probation was privatised, criminals being monitored by contractors have killed 225 people, compared to 142 murders by higher-risk offenders being monitored by the state probation service. The figures were obtained by Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts who called for an end to privatisation. Harry Fletcher of the Victims Rights Campaign said the news was a ‘scandal’.

Allin-Khan tells MPs her father was left ‘bleeding and terrified’ in council care home
The Guardian reports that Labour’s Shadow Sport Minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan told the Commons during a debate yesterday that her father was left ‘bruised, bleeding and terrified’ in a Wandsworth Council care facility, with the council’s director of adult social services telling her that he ‘had asked for it’.

Williamson criticised after claiming Labour was ‘too apologetic’ for antisemitism
The BBC reports that Labour MP Chris Williamson has been criticised after video footage of him claiming that his party had been ‘too apologetic’ about antisemitism emerged, and it was revealed that he had booked a room in Parliament to screen a film about Jackie Walker, who was suspended from Labour over allegedly antisemitic comments.

Department for Transport criticised over rail failures
The Times carries details of a new report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee which warns that 2018’s ‘year of hell’ on the rail network could be repeated due to timetable changes and increasing engineering work, with the Department for Transport having failed to learn lessons, not having clear sight of the timetabling process and as a result ‘passengers and taxpayers risk continuing to pay the price for the department’s failures’.

Corbyn apologises for breaching Commons rules over foreign visit
The Daily Telegraph says that Jeremy Corbyn has ‘apologised unreservedly’ after he was found to have breached Commons rules by not declaring a trip to America with the CND. However, he’s been cleared of allegations that a further 16 trips broke the rules, including a trip to Tunisia where he participated in a controversial wreath-laying ceremony.

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Today’s political headlines include Corbyn to support second referendum if MPs reject Labour’s Brexit plan, May to offer MPs Brexit delay, ministers call on May to rule out no-deal Brexit and UK would pay divorce bill in no-deal scenario. 

Corbyn to support second referendum if MPs reject Labour’s Brexit plan
The Guardian says that Jeremy Corbyn has ‘finally’ given Labour’s backing to a second Brexit referendum, in which remain would be an option. The party has said it will back such a vote if its Brexit proposals are rejected this week, in a move designed to stem defections to the Independent Group but which will lead to opposition from MPs with leave-voting seats.

May to offer MPs Brexit delay
The Financial Times reports that Theresa May is to ‘offer MPs the chance to take a no-deal Brexit off the table’, making a statement in the Commons later today in which she will say that there could be a ‘short’ delay in Brexit. This morning’s Cabinet will be presented with a new plan, with a ‘meaningful vote’ on a revised Brexit deal on March 12, and if this is rejected there would be a further vote between a no-deal Brexit or a ‘short extension’.

Ministers call on May to rule out no-deal Brexit to prevent a ‘disaster’
The Daily Mail claims that Theresa May is ready to rule out a no-deal Brexit after 23 dissident ministers met in the Commons last night to discuss how to prevent such as scenario. Up to 15 are believed to be prepared to resign, with ministers Richard Harrington, Margot James and Clare Perry writing in the paper that, if Parliament doesn’t agree a deal by March 13, May must extend the negotiations, or they ‘will have no choice other than to join MPs of all parties and fellow ministers in acting in the national interest to prevent a disaster’.

UK would pay ‘divorce bill’ in no-deal Brexit scenario
The Daily Telegraph says that a Cabinet committee dealing with preparations for a no-deal Brexit has signed off plans to settle a large part of the £39bn Brexit settlement even if there is a no-deal Brexit, despite the expectation of Brexiteers that it would not be payable in such a scenario. The Treasury has advised that at least part of the settlement is legally unavoidable and failing to honour the UK’s commitments would risk the UK’s debt rating.

New poll shows Independent Group and Lib Dems combined would outpoll Labour
The Times carries details of a new YouGov poll which shows that the combined level of support of the Independent Group and the Liberal Democrats is now higher than that of Labour. Labour are on 23%, the Independent Group (TIG) on 18% and the Liberal Democrats on 6%. However, the Conservatives are on 36%. Without TIG the Conservatives are on 41%, Labour are on 30% and the Lib Dems on 10%.

Shuker to convene the Independent Group
The Guardian reports that the Independent Group has selected Gavin Shuker as its convenor, having decided to postpone selecting a leader until later this year, when it hopes to have become a political party. Specialist spokesperson roles may be announced earlier, while the group has rebuffed suggestions from the Lib Dems that they might work together.

Government to protect sensitive sectors with tariffs
According to the Financial Times, the Government has decided to protect ‘sensitive agricultural and manufacturing sectors’ after a no-deal Brexit by maintaining tariffs, while dropping tariffs on most other goods. As 30% of the food consumed in the UK comes from the EU, this will push up prices for consumers.

May faces rebellion over EU citizens’ rights
The Daily Telegraph claims that Theresa May is facing a ‘major rebellion’ after over 130 MPs, including 60 Conservatives, backed an amendment to her Brexit motion demanding a written guarantee on the right of EU citizens in the UK in a no-deal Brexit scenario. Backers include both Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and pro-EU MPs including Dominic Grieve.

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Today’s political headlines include Tory ministers and backbenchers warn they’ll revolt, more Labour MPs will defect if Corbyn doesn’t back second referendum and the Tories who want Umunna to lead Independent Group. 

Tory ministers and backbenchers warn they’ll revolt to support Brexit delay
The Guardian reports that up to 25 ministers may vote for a delay to Brexit next week unless Theresa May rules out a no-deal Brexit. They would not offer to resign, which would force May to decide on whether or not to sack them. The Daily Telegraph has obtained a leaked letter in which the 100-strong Brexit Delivery Group of moderate Conservative MPs has warned the Prime Minister that they are prepared to vote to delay Brexit if she doesn’t secure a deal, calling for a free vote on next week’s backbench amendment on a delay.

More Labour MPs will defect if Corbyn doesn’t back second referendum
According to The Times Jeremy Corbyn’s office has been wanted that dozens of Labour MPs could defect to the Independent Group unless he backs plans for a second referendum, including shadow ministers. They are calling on him to back an amendment to next week’s Brexit motion tabled by Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson which calls for such a vote.

Umunna should lead Independent Group, Tory defectors say
The Daily Telegraph claims that two of the Conservative defectors to the Independent Group, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry, have insisted that Chuka Ummuna should lead the group. Allen told the paper that he would get ‘the best’ out of the group, although further defections could change that. She also insisted the group wouldn’t become ‘a home for waifs and strays’ by admitting MPs who left Labour in controversial circumstances.

Minister backs ban on selling scratchcards to 16 and 17 year olds
The Sun reports that Sports Minister Mims Davies has suggested that the Government will act ‘soon’ to ban the sale of scratchcards to 16 and 17 year olds, as well as restricting betting and alcohol brands from advertising on football strips. She insists that the move is ‘not to stop people having fun’ but to protect the ‘most vulnerable’.

Juncker ‘not very optimistic’ about Brexit deal chances
The Daily Telegraph says that the EU has rejected a proposal from the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, which would have allowed the UK to leave the backstop without the EU’s consent. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker admitted he was ‘not very optimistic’ about the chances of a deal, adding that he was suffering from ‘Brexit fatigue’.

Prosecutions fall to lowest level ever recorded
The Times reports that prosecutions have fallen to their lowest number since records began nearly 50 years ago, despite increases in recorded crime. Victims’ rights campaigner Harry Fletcher told the paper that the fall was ‘clearly linked to cuts’, accusing the Government of damaging the ‘criminal justice system at every stage’.

Joan Ryan reported by Labour for alleged data protection breach
The Guardian says that Joan Ryan has been reported to the Information Commissioner by the Labour Party for accessing party systems after her defection to the Independent Group, a claim which she denies. As a result the party shut down access to two key campaigning tools yesterday.

Trade deals with Japan and Turkey won’t roll over
The Financial Times reports that the Government has confirmed that trade deals with Turkey and Japan will not be rolled over on exit day in the event of a no-deal Brexit, leading to the immediate imposition of tariffs. It also confirmed that it is still in talks with most of the 71 countries covered by EU trade agreements

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Today’s political headlines include Ryan quitting the Labour party, Shamina Begum’s family to sue the Home Office, Independent Group to announce first Tory defector within days and May to visit Brussels for Brexit talks. 

Ryan quits Labour citing antisemitism
The Times reports that Joan Ryan has now also resigned from the Labour Party to join the Independent Group. In an interview with the paper, she accused Jeremy Corbyn of ‘presiding over a culture of antisemitism and hatred of Israel’, adding that she couldn’t ‘be part of a party that allows racism to flourish’. Labour MP Ruth George has apologised after suggesting that it was ‘possible’ that the new group was being supported by Israel.

ISIS runaway’s family to sue Home Office over loss of citizenship
The Daily Mail reports that the family of Shamina Begum, who fled the UK to join ISIS, are to take the Home Office to court after Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would remove her British citizenship. While being left stateless is illegal, the Government believes that as Begum’s mother was born in Bangladesh, she also has Bangladeshi citizenship.

Independent Group hopes to announce first Tory defector ‘within days’
According to The Sun, the Independent Group hopes to unveil their first defector from the Conservatives ‘within days’, with talks taking place between Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie and Tory backbenchers. It adds that either Heidi Allen or Sarah Wollaston might announce their defection before Prime Minister’s Questions today.

May to visit Brussels for Brexit talks
The BBC reports that the Prime Minister is to visit Brussels today for continued Brexit negotiations, where she is expected to request a legally-binding assurance that the Irish backstop will not be indefinite. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned that a ‘breakthrough’ should not be expected. The Times adds that Theresa May has told Brexiteers that the so-called ‘Malthouse compromise’ cannot be negotiated in time for 29 March, but that both sides had established a taskforce to work on it after the UK had left the EU, although she did not promise that it would be legally binding.

Brexit vote may be brought forward to next week
The Daily Telegraph suggests that Theresa May will bring forward the meaningful vote on her Brexit deal to next week, following revisions being approved by EU leaders at a summit in Egypt this weekend, allowing her to avoid mass resignations from ministers who want Brexit to be delayed if a deal is not reached.

Major warns that ‘extremists’ are manipulating both main parties
The Daily Telegraph says that Sir John Major has warned that moderate members of both the Conservatives and Labour are being sidelined while the parties are ‘manipulated’ by extreme fringes such as the European Research Group, which he described as a ‘party within a party’. However, he also argued against establishing a new centrist party.

Report shows Universal Credit will boost incomes for almost 4m people
In an exclusive, The Sun reports that Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has welcomed a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which shows that 3.9m working people will see their incomes increase by an average of £3,400 a year under Universal Credit. However, the report also shows that 1.7m people will be an average of £2,500 a year worse off, with Rudd promising to ‘continue to make improvements to the system’.

Thinktank warns against Huawei
The Financial Times carries details of a new report by the Royal United Services Institute which warns that permitting Huawei to equip the UK’s future 5G mobile networks would be ‘naïve’ and ‘irresponsible’, despite GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre having concluded that the risks associated with Chinese influence can be mitigated.

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Today’s political headlines include Watson’s warning that more MPs will defect if Labour fails to change, the five Tories that could join the new group and Gauke’s calls to axe short prison sentences. 

Watson warns more MPs will defect if Labour fails to change
As The Guardian reports, yesterday seven Labour MPs including Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna left the party to form a new Independent Group. Berger warned that Labour had become ‘sickeningly institutionally racist’, while Umunna claimed it was ‘time we dumped this country’s old-fashioned politics’. In the aftermath of the schism, Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson said that he sometimes ‘no longer recognises’ his own party and called for a Cabinet reshuffle, while Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell called on the MPs to ‘do the honourable thing’ and fight by-elections.

Five Tories could join new group
According to The Daily Telegraph, a Conservative minister and four backbenchers ‘appear poised’ to join the Independent Group. The unnamed minister told the paper that the group was made up of ‘remarkably sensible people’. Other potential defectors it identifies include Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen and Nick Boles.

Gauke calls for short prison sentences to be axed
The Guardian reports that Justice Secretary David Gauke used a speech to call for short prison sentences to be axed, asking why the Government should ‘spend taxpayers’ money doing what we know doesn’t work, and indeed, makes us less safe?’ Instead, he suggested the use of community orders, tagging and mandatory treatment, such as for alcohol issues.

Cox and Barclay to seek changes to agreement
The Sun says that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay are to present the EU with new Brexit proposals tomorrow. Lawyers from both sides will consider what changes could be made, either to the agreement or as ‘additional promises’ to secure MPs’ support. However, the Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney yesterday ruled out supporting even ‘keyhole surgery’ to the agreement.

Honda announces closure of Swindon plant
The Financial Times reports that Honda is to announce the closure of its Swindon plant, causing the potential loss of 3,500 jobs. Local MP Justin Tomlinson said that the decision was ‘because of global trends’ but Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable claimed that ‘Brexit uncertainty is weighing on the company’.

Cabinet split over Huawei
The Times says that three Cabinet ministers are ‘at odds’ over the security risk posed by the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei. The Commons Science and Technology Committee wrote to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Wright over a month ago, but their reply has been delayed because Williamson initially wished to write a separate more robust response.

Ministers tell May to stop threatening a no-deal Brexit
The Guardian claims that four Cabinet ministers have told Theresa May to stop using the threat of a no-deal Brexit as a negotiating tactic. Amber Rudd, Greg Clark, David Gauke and David Mundell used a meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday to claim that businesses need certainly.

Labour readmits Hatton
The Daily Mirror reports that Labour has decided to readmit Derek Hatton as a member over 30 years after he was expelled from the party for being a member of the hard-left Militant tendency. As deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, Hatton was responsible for setting an illegal budget and sending council workers redundancy notices by taxi.

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