Archive for: Political Services

Today’s political headlines include May abandoning the cross-party approach to Brexit and considering amendments to the Good Friday Agreement, the new legislation on domestic abuse and Starmer saying Labour’s general election demand is not realistic. 

May abandons cross-party Brexit approach
The Times says that Theresa May has stopped her cross-party Brexit approach, instead telling the Cabinet last night that she will focus on trying to get the EU to agree to changes to the backstop that would placate rebel Tories and the DUP. She blamed Jeremy Corbyn for this, claiming that it was the result of his refusal to meet for talks unless a no-deal Brexit was taken off the table, and said that she would use the result of a vote on January 29 to demonstrate that the changes she wants would deliver a majority for the deal.

May considers attempt to amend the Good Friday Agreement
In an exclusive, The Daily Telegraph claims that Theresa May is considering trying to amend the Good Friday Agreement in an attempt to assure Ireland that the UK is committed to no hard border between the two countries after Brexit, in an attempt to avoid having to commit to the backstop. According to the paper, senior EU sources regard the plan as a ‘non-starter’ while UK Government sources are ‘sceptical’.

Government announces new domestic abuse legislation
The BBC reports that new legislation to protect domestic abuse victims has been announced by the Government. The legislation will create a legal definition of domestic abuse, including economic abuse and control, prevent abusers from cross-examining victims, create a national ‘domestic abuse commissioner’ and force abusers into rehabilitation schemes.

Starmer says Labour’s general election demand is not ‘realistic’
The Financial Times reports that Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said yesterday that his party’s demand for a general election was not ‘realistic’, claiming that the realistic options were instead ‘a close economic relationship and a public vote’. Meanwhile, Labour backbencher, David Lammy, warned that Labour’s stance was leaving some MPs so frustrated that they might ‘go off and form another party’.

Airlines criticised for not warning passengers about no-deal Brexit impact
The Times says that airlines are being criticised for not telling customers that plane tickets might be cancelled and passports might not be valid if no Brexit deal is reached. According to the International Air Transport Association, as many as five million tickets could need to be cancelled, as EU legislation would cap flight levels at the same level as last year.

Tory backbenchers behind plans to take control of Brexit to meet
The Daily Telegraph reports that Dominic Grieve and Nick Boles, two of the Tory MPs planning attempts to take control of Brexit from the Government, are meeting today to discuss their strategy and whether they should combine forces. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed at the weekend that ‘Parliament has not the right to hijack the Brexit process’ and ‘steal the result from the people.’

Farage lined-up to lead new pro-Brexit party
The Guardian says that Nigel Farage is being lined-up to lead a new pro-Brexit party should the UK not leave the EU by 29 March. The party is being registered by Catherine Blaiklock, once UKIP’s economics spokesperson, who told the paper that she thought ‘people feel treason has been committed. It’s democracy.’

Speaker considers delaying retirement
The Sun claims that Commons Speaker John Bercow is ‘seriously reflecting’ on whether he should continue longer than planned, following reports that the Government is considering denying him the peerage normally given to former Speakers, with friends suggesting that Bercow is ‘seriously annoyed’ about what he views as ‘an attempt to bully him’.

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Today’s political headlines include May’s defeat of the no confidence motion, Hammond’s leaked conference call, Hague’s general election warning and May refusing to rule out the customs union. 

May defeats no confidence motion as Corbyn rejects talks offers
As The Times reports, last night Theresa May survived the challenge against her leadership by 325 votes to 306 with the backing of rebel Conservatives and the DUP. She invited the leaders of opposition parties for talks after the vote, meeting the Lib Dem leader and the Westminster leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, but her invitation was turned down by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who insisted that she first rule out the possibility of no-deal.

Hammond’s conference call leaked
The Daily Telegraph has obtained a recording of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s phone call with business leaders after Theresa May’s deal was rejected. He told participants that Nick Boles’ cross-party plan to force an Article 50 extension could led to the ‘threat’ of a no-deal Brexit being removed and even to Article 50 being ‘rescinded’ altogether, suggesting that ministers might even back the bill when it is voted on.

Hague warns of general election
The Financial Times reports that Lord Hague has told Citigroup clients that ‘the media are underplaying the chances of a general election in the coming weeks’. Three cabinet ministers have also told the paper that a general election is possible, with May trying to seek public support if she cannot reconcile her MPs, and free herself from the DUP.

May refuses to rule out customs union
The Daily Telegraph says that Theresa May has repeatedly refused to rule out staying in a customs union with the EU as cross-party talks on Brexit, led by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, begin. She refused to give a direct answer to Jeremy Corbyn at yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions when asked if the Government had ‘ruled out any form of customs union with the European Union as part of their reaching-out exercise’.

Corbyn under pressure to back second referendum
The Times reports that Jeremy Corbyn is coming under increasing pressure to back a second Brexit referendum. Yesterday, 71 Labour MPs signed a letter demanding that the party ‘unequivocally’ backed a second vote, while the Liberal Democrats challenged Corbyn to clarify his position, announcing plans to try to make MPs vote on the measure on Monday.

MPs call for global ocean protection agreement
The Guardian says that the Commons Environmental Audit Committee is calling for a new global agreement to protect the oceans. Its new report warns of the harmful effect of plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change, and claims that the Government has treated the oceans as ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

Hitachi to announce future of Welsh nuclear power project
The BBC reports that a decision about whether Hitachi will continue with its plans to build the new Wylfa Newydd power station on Anglesey will be announced this morning according to Ken Skates, the Welsh Economy Secretary. According to the Japanese press, Hitachi will announce that construction is to be suspended.

Statistics Authority under fire over RPI failings
The Financial Times carries details of a new report by the Lords Economic Affairs Committee that calls the decision of the UK Statistics Authority not to improve the RPI measure of inflation ‘untenable’. Problems with the way it is calculated have led to higher rail fares and student loan interest rates, and higher payments to index-linked gilt holders.

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Today’s political headlines include May preparing for a historic defeat, Merkel offering May more help, Corbyn could call a vote of no confidence this evening and the MP who has delayed giving birth in order to vote. 

May prepares for ‘historic defeat’
The Times reports that Theresa May is braced for what it calls a ‘historic defeat’ when the Commons votes on her Brexit deal today. Yesterday she called on backbench Conservatives and the DUP to give it a ‘second look’ after assurances from the European Union were released, but just half of her MPs turned up to listen to her appeals on the evening before the vote.

Merkel offers May more help
The Sun claims that Theresa May was offered ‘last-minute help’ by German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday, and will tell the cabinet when it discusses ‘Plan B’ this morning that the EU could make more concessions after the Commons rejects the deal this evening, including persuading Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to accept an end-date for the backstop.

Corbyn could call for a vote of no confidence this evening
According to The Guardian, Jeremy Corbyn could call for a vote of no confidence as soon as this evening unless May makes ‘major unexpected concessions’. A source told the paper that if this vote were lost, it would not mean that Labour would automatically back a second referendum.

MP delays giving birth to vote on deal
The BBC reports that Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has delayed giving birth via caesarean section so that she can vote against the deal today. Harriet Harman said that Siddiq ‘should not have to chose’ between giving birth and voting, while Speaker John Bercow described the lack of proxy voting as ‘extremely regrettable’ and delays in implementing it ‘frankly lamentable’.

Senior MPs reject ‘daft’ Boles plan
The Financial Times claims that the likelihood of ‘political paralysis’ has increased after senior MPs rejected a proposal put forward by Nick Boles to use the Commons Liaison Committee to agree an alternative Brexit plan. Pete Wishart, a member of the committee, called it a ‘daft suggestion’. The paper adds that an amendment by Tory backbencher Andrew Murrison will propose a December 2021 end-date for the backstop, and that the Government is considering supporting it.

Pro-Brexit Facebook advert funding unclear
The Guardian says that an obscure pro-Brexit group, Britain’s Future, has spent £31,000 on more than 200 Facebook adverts in the last seven days, but that despite changes by Facebook to improve transparency, there is no evidence to show who is paying for the advertising.

May puts RAF plane on standby
The Daily Mirror claims that Theresa May has put her RAF plane on standby in case she needs to fly to Brussels to seek immediate concessions in the aftermath of her deal being rejected in tonight’s vote.

£132m awarded to charity despite misconduct investigation
The Times reveals that the Government has awarded £132m to the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, despite a senior official being under investigation for harassment and misconduct. Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, had promised not to fund charities which did not meet ‘high standards on safeguarding and protection’.

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Today’s political headlines include MPs plotting to ‘seize control’ of Brexit, May’s claim that no Brexit is more likely than no-deal, the cost of air pollution and the EU is preparing to delay Brexit. 

MPs plot ‘to seize control of Brexit’
The Daily Mail leads with details of what it calls a ‘plot by rebel MPs to seize control of Brexit’. Should May’s deal be defeated tomorrow, a bill drafted by Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan would empower the Commons Liaison Committee (dominated by remainers) to draw up a proposal backed by MPs, which the Prime Minister would have to negotiate with the EU, unless she can come up with an alternative within 21 days.

May to claim no Brexit is more likely than no-deal
The BBC reports that Theresa May is to use a speech today to try to persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in tomorrow’s vote. She will claim that no Brexit is more likely than a no-deal Brexit and warn of ‘catastrophic harm’ to the ‘democratic process’ if Brexit does not go ahead.

New strategy shows cost of air pollution
The Times says the Government’s Air Pollution Strategy, which will be published today, will show that it is costing hundreds of millions of pounds more in damaged health than had previously been admitted. However, almost all of its measures have already been announced and action on many big sources of pollution has been deferred.

EU prepares to delay Brexit
The Guardian claims that the EU is preparing to delay Brexit until July at least, as it prepares for Theresa May’s Brexit deal to be rejected by Parliament. The bloc is expecting an extension request in ‘the coming weeks’ and will then call a special summit to agree a ‘technical’ extension.

Labour suggests creation of ‘regulator of regulators’
According to the Financial Times, a report commissioned by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell calls for the creation of a ‘pyramid structure’ of watchdogs, overseen by an overall ‘business commission’, with measures to ensure that regulators aren’t too close to the industries they regulate.

30,000 offenders would have been spared jail under Government plans
The Sun reports that 30,000 offenders would have been spared jail under plans to axe prison sentences of under six months which the Prison Minister, Rory Stewart, is considering. Stewart said that these sentences are ‘long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you’, and abolishing them would ‘relieve a lot of pressure on prisons’.

HS2 considers reducing capacity to tackle costs
The Times says that HS2 is considering whether to reduce capacity by nearly a fifth to try to tackle ‘spiralling’ costs. The paper says that if the decision is made, this ‘is likely to renew questions over the value of the project’.

Concern over uncompetitive contracts
Research by the Financial Times shows that over the last three years, Government outsourcing has become ‘markedly less competitive’, with 23% of contracts being awarded without a tender in 2018, raising concerns about value-for-money and corruption.

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Today’s political headlines include Bercow under fire for setting a ‘damaging precendent’, Corbyn to call for general election, Tory rebels open talks with Labour about alternative deal and May to back workers’ rights to woe Labour MPs. 

Bercow under fire from ministers for setting ‘damaging precedent’
The BBC reports that Commons Speaker John Bercow has been criticised by ministers for allowing an amendment to the Government’s business motion on the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, which they claim broke with parliamentary precedent. The amendment, which was passed, forces the Government to come up with new plans within three days should May’s deal be defeated, rather than within three weeks. The Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, claimed that Bercow had set ‘a very damaging precedent’.

Corbyn to call for general election again
According to The Guardian, Jeremy Corbyn will use a speech in Wakefield today to call for Theresa May to call a general election, which would ‘let the people decide’ on her Brexit deal and ‘break the deadlock’. Yesterday, two Labour frontbenchers confirmed that Labour would call for a vote of no confidence in May very soon after her deal is defeated next week.

Tory rebels open talks with Labour about alternative deal
The Times claims that Tory rebels have opened talks with Labour about an alternative to Theresa May’s deal. Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary confirmed to Ken Clarke that the party would enter cross-party discussions ‘in the right’ spirit once May’s deal is defeated, while he told Sir Oliver Letwin that there would need to be a ‘consensus’ in the Commons if no-deal was to be avoided.

May to back workers’ rights in attempt to secure Labour support for deal
The Mirror says that Theresa May is likely to attempt to gain Labour MPs’ support for her deal by backing an amendment put down by Labour backbenchers John Mann, Caroline Flint and Gareth Snell guaranteeing that existing EU workers’ and environmental rights would be protected after Brexit. The paper suggests that up to 20 Labour MPs could support the deal if the amendment is successful.

Eurotunnel complain about ferry contracts
According to the Financial Times, Eurotunnel is claiming that the Government’s decision to award contracts worth up to £103m to three ferry companies to provide additional capacity in the event of a no-deal Brexit is ‘distortionary and anti-competitive’, and a breach of ‘competition and state-aid law’. In a letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling the firm hinted that it could take legal action against the Government.

Senior MPs propose holding inquiry into abuse
The Guardian claims that Parliament ‘is moving towards’ holding a Speaker’s conference to examine the abuse and harassment of MPs after the idea was put forward by Ken Clarke and Harriet Harman. A cross-party group of MPs would examine the evidence and decide the best way of balancing the right to protest and allowing MPs to work freely.

Forced marriage victims will no longer have to pay for their rescue
The Times reports that, following an earlier investigation by the paper, the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that women rescued from forced marriages abroad by the Foreign Office will no longer be charged for the cost of their rescue. The department will now seek court orders to force their parents to pay instead.

Japanese carmakers urge Shinzo Abe to make no-deal Brexit impact clear to May
The Financial Times says Japanese car manufacturers with factories in the UK have been urging the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to make the impact of a no-deal Brexit clear to Theresa May when they meet today. The Sun adds that the lifting of a 23-year trade ban on exports of British beef and lamb to Japan is to be announced.

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Today’s political headlines include UK officials attempting to extend Article 50, Skype appointments with your doctor, new social homes needed and the Brexit latest. 

UK officials sound out EU about extending Article 50
According to The Daily Telegraph, UK officials have been sounding out their EU counterparts about the possibility of extending Article 50, although one source described this as just officials ‘doing their homework’.  Digital Minister Margot James yesterday admitted that Article 50 might needed to be extended if Theresa May lost the vote on her Brexit deal, although 10 Downing Street denied this.

More patients to have Skype appointments, while NHS targets will be relaxed
The Times reports on yesterday’s NHS long-term plan, highlighting the news that 30m hospital visits a year will be avoided by using Skype, smartphones and other forms of technology, reducing face-to-face consultations by a third. However, The Guardian claims that the NHS leadership is ‘preparing to risk a backlash’ by relaxing waiting time targets, such as dealing with patients in A&E within four hours, following a clinical review that is due to report in the spring.

Cross-party call for 3m new social homes by 2040
The Guardian carries details of a new report by a cross-party on social housing commissioned by the charity Shelter. It claims that over 3m new social homes are needed by 2040, at a cost of up to £225bn. However, economic modelling suggests that this investment would be repaid within 40 years. Ed Miliband, one of the commissioners, said that the Government needed to ‘act now’, while Baroness Warsi described the report as ‘a vital opportunity’.

Cabinet ministers to urge May to ‘play hardball’ with EU
The Times claims that cabinet ministers will today urge Theresa May to ‘play hardball’ with the EU and give MPs a chance to vote on the deal with conditions attached, including Parliament having to approve entering the backstop. However, the paper adds that ‘Downing Street figures’ are sceptical that this would change the EU’s position on the deal.

MPs seek to curb UK powers in no-deal Brexit scenario
The BBC reports that MPs who want to block the UK from leaving the EU without a deal are putting forward an amendment to the Finance Bill later today, which will limit the Government’s financial powers in a no-deal Brexit scenario. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed that the amendment was ‘irresponsible’, but business minister Richard Harrington said that he was prepared to resign to stop a no-deal Brexit.

Grayling seeks legal changes to tackle drones
The Daily Telegraph says that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is seeking to change the law to give police and airports powers to tackle drones, allowing officers to rapidly respond to drone attacks. He also plans to expand no-fly zones around prisons and airports, following the recent shutdown of Gatwick Airport following sightings of a drone.

MPs raise concerns about abuse outside Parliament
The BBC reports that over 50 MPs have written to Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to raise ‘serious concerns’ about the ‘deteriorating public order and security situation’ outside Parliament. Conservative MP Anna Soubry was verbally abused by protestors, including being called a ‘liar’, a ‘Nazi’ and ‘scum’ while giving TV interviews.

No-deal checks at Dover could lead to ‘permanent gridlock’
The Financial Times has obtained analysis produced for the Government by UCL which shows that if new customs checks at Dover were introduced following a no-deal Brexit, a 70-second delay to each vehicle would lead to six-day queues for ferries, while an 80-second delay would lead to a ‘no recovery’ scenario with ‘widespread permanent gridlock’.

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Today’s political headlines include Gauke would be ‘very surprised’ if May backed a no deal Brexit,  MPs in attempt to block no-deal Brexit, May meets Rees-Mogg for peace talks and Johnson cleared in burka row. 

Gauke would be ‘very surprised’ if May backed no deal Brexit
Justice Secretary David Gauke has told the BBC’s Nick Robinson that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Theresa May decided to back a no-deal Brexit once her deal failed, and that if she did, he would find it ‘very difficult’ to remain in the cabinet. He warned about the risk of an ‘accidental no deal’ and suggested that the best way of preventing this was to support Theresa May’s deal.

MPs in attempt to block no deal Brexit
The Guardian reports that a cross-party group of MPs has tabled an amendment to the finance bill in an attempt to ensure that a no deal Brexit can only happen if MPs actively vote to proceed with it. Yvette Cooper, the group’s leader, said that the risks of no deal were ‘far too high and it would be irresponsible to let it happen’. Other signatories to the amendment include prominent figures such as Nicky Morgan, Hilary Benn, Rachel Reeves, Oliver Letwin, Nick Boles and Harriet Harman.

May meets Rees-Mogg for peace talks
According to The Times, Theresa May met Jacob Rees-Mogg and nine other Conservative MPs on Tuesday for ‘peace’ talks, during which she empathised with him over the negative press coverage he received in the aftermath of the failed coup, asking him to imagine what hers had been like for the last two and a half years. According to one attendee, May appealed for the party ‘to come together and find a way through’.

Johnson cleared in burka row
In an exclusive, The Daily Telegraph reports that Boris Johnson has been cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into remarks he made about women wearing burkas in his newspaper column. A panel of senior lawyers concluded that he had been ‘respectful and tolerant’ of Muslims, and had been exercising his right to free speech.

Almost 600 homeless people died last year
The Financial Times carries details of experimental estimates by the Office for National Statistics which show that almost 600 homeless people died in England and Wales in 2017. 84% of them male. While mortality was highest in London, it was higher as a proportion of the population in Greater Manchester, Liverpool and the West of England.

Ivan Lewis quits Labour over delayed investigation and anti-Semitism
The BBC reports that Ivan Lewis has resigned from the Labour Party. The MP had been suspended for over a year after allegations of sexual harassment, and claimed that the investigation had been subject to ‘politically motivated delay’. He also accused Jeremy Corbyn of not condemning ‘those whose hatred of Israel becomes Jew hatred’.

Convicted MP compares herself to Jesus
The Guardian says the suspended Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, convicted of lying to police to avoid a speeding ticket, has compared herself to Jesus in a message sent to colleagues on WhatsApp, adding that her conviction was ‘the beginning of the next chapter’ of her story. It is unclear if she plans to remain as an MP if she is sentenced to less than a year.

‘Chief nanny’ calls for taxes on chocolate and crisps
The Times reports that Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, has declared herself to be the ‘chief nanny’, issuing a call for taxes on chocolate and crisps, with the proceeds used to subsidise vegetables. She said that voluntary efforts by the food industry had proved insufficient and that it should paid for the harm it was doing.

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Today’s political headlines include Corbyn rejecting the claim that he called May a ‘stupid woman’, ministers expecting May to back down over immigration income threshold, the Polish prime minister calling on EU leaders to support May and Rudd describing a second vote as plausible. 

Corbyn rejects claim he called May a ‘stupid woman’
The Times claims that Jeremy Corbyn’s credibility is ‘on the line’ after he had to deny that he called Theresa May a stupid woman at Prime Minister’s Questions. Several lip-reading experts believe that he did say the words in question, but Commons Speaker John Bercow has ruled that MPs should accept Corbyn’s assertion that he instead said ‘stupid people’. Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House of Commons, accused Bercow of calling her a ‘stupid woman’ and not apologising earlier this year.

Ministers expect May to back down over migrants’ income level
According to The Guardian, rebellious ministers believe that Theresa May will ultimately be forced to lower the minimum income threshold for workers wishing to migrate to the UK from £30,000 to £21,000, with intense lobbying from business groups expected. Home Secretary Sajid Javid admitted to the Commons that the proposed level was ‘not set in stone’, while the CBI said that the ‘proposals must change’.

Polish prime minister calls on EU leaders to support May
Interviewed by The Daily Telegraph, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, has said that EU leaders need to be ‘unequivocally supportive’ of Theresa May, and that the ‘strong statements and harsh words of some politicians in Brussels do not help’. He added that he believed that May, who he visits today, ‘can navigate through the storm’.

Rudd describes second vote as ‘plausible’
Amber Rudd has told ITV’s Robert Peston that she could see a ‘plausible argument’ for a people’s vote on Brexit, ‘if Parliament absolutely fail to reach a consensus’, adding that it was ‘incumbent on MPs to find the centre ground’ as most people don’t want to be asked to vote again.

Gove unveils plans for new environmental watchdog
The Guardian reports that proposals for a new environmental watchdog after Brexit will see it empowered to sue the Government, although campaigners have raised concerns that the body will not be sufficiently independent because the Environment Secretary will decide on its chair and its budget. Greener UK warned that while the plans showed ‘ambition’, without ‘further work’, protection after Brexit would be ‘weaker’.

Javid describes research on adverts on child abuse websites as ‘horrifying’
The Sun says that Home Secretary Sajid Javid has described as ‘horrifying’ research by the Internet Watch Foundation showing that one in ten child abuse websites host adverts for legitimate companies. He called on advertisers to ‘do everything in their power to prevent unscrupulous websites from making money from this horrendous crime’.

MP convicted of perverting the course of justice
The BBC reports that the MP for Peterborough, Fiona Onasanya, has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice after she lied to police about who had been driving a speeding car. The Labour Party has ‘administratively suspended’ her, and said that ‘she should now resign’. She, and her brother, will be sentenced on a future date.

Homeless man found dying outside Parliament
The Mirror reports that a homeless man, Gyula Remes, who had been sleeping rough outside the entrance to Parliament has died after being taken to hospital. MPs were told about the death by Sir Keir Starmer. A friend of the man believed that Remes’ death came after he smoked a cigarette allegedly laced with the drug spice.

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Today’s political headlines include the Government’s no-deal preparations, Leave figures confident of winning a second referendum, business leaders in call for second referendum and Corbyn’s motion of no-confidence in PM. 

Government ramps up no-deal preparations
In an exclusive, The Sun is reporting that the Cabinet will today sign off plans to order businesses to immediately begin preparations for a no-deal Brexit. Businesses exporting to the EU will receive correspondence from the Government outlining what steps to take, in a clear shift towards increasing preparations for no-deal. The measures are part of an emergency package that Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will present to Cabinet.

Leading Leave figures confident of winning again
The Times is reporting that key members of the Vote Leave campaign are confident of winning a possible second Brexit referendum. While several pro-Brexit Conservative MPs are against holding another vote, it is claimed that Leave figures are more sympathetic to the idea, lining up a potential campaign slogan of ‘tell them again’ and framing the vote as a ‘Remoaner’ referendum pushed by ‘sore losers’.

Business leaders in call for second referendum
In The Telegraph, over 50 business leaders have signed a letter to the Prime Minister, calling on her to abandon the current deal and pursue a second Brexit referendum. Among the group are several former FTSE chairmen, chief executives and entrepreneurs, including Richard Sykes, chairman of Imperial College NHS Trust, and Sir Mike Rake, former chairman of BT. The letter describes May’s deal as ‘impossible to resuscitate’.

Corbyn tables motion of no-confidence in PM
The BBC is reporting on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to table a motion of no-confidence in Theresa May, describing the delay to the Brexit vote as leading the UK into a ‘national crisis’. The motion is targeted at May herself rather than the whole Government, despite the other opposition parties favouring a full no-confidence vote in the Government. According to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, the motion is not expected to be allocated time to be debated.

Labour commits an extra £100m to help rough sleepers
The Guardian reports that Labour have committed an additional £100m of funding to help get rough sleepers off the streets in freezing weather. The rough sleepers cold weather fund would require local councils to work with charities to provide enough accommodation for those in need, with Labour saying nearly 500 homeless people died last year.

Government launches bottle deposit scheme
The BBC reports that consumers will have to pay a returnable deposit on bottles, cans and disposable cups under a new government strategy. The strategy is designed to help combat climate change, safeguard resources and reduce the flow of plastic to the ocean. The Green Alliance have welcomed this policy, whist the British Retail Consortium remain sceptical.

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Today’s political headlines include May left humiliated after meeting with EU leaders, Tory factions clash in aftermath of vote, Labour to throw the parliamentary kitchen sink at May and Brexit vote to be held on 14 January. 

May left ‘humiliated’ after meeting with EU leaders
According to The Daily Telegraph, Theresa May was left ‘humiliated’ after last night’s European Council meeting. EU leaders rejected her attempts to win concessions on the Northern Ireland backstop, with European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker saying it was time for the UK ‘to say what they want instead of asking us to say what we want’. The statement issued at the end of the meeting was much worse for May than a draft version drawn up before the leaders met.

Tory factions clash in aftermath of vote
The Times claims that senior Tories believe that the Conservatives are ‘facing an irrevocable split over Brexit’ with factions clashing in the aftermath of the failed vote of no confidence in Theresa May. Apparently some MPs in the European Research Group are threatening to go ‘on strike’ and not vote on some legislation, while rival cabinet members are pressing for different strategies. Some want Parliament to vote on all options, including another referendum, while others want a no-deal Brexit to become the main planning assumption.

Labour to ‘throw the parliamentary kitchen sink’ at May
The Guardian reports that Jeremy Corbyn is to increase pressure on Theresa May in Parliament by using urgent questions and emergency debates, with a source claiming that the party may ‘throw the parliamentary kitchen sink’ at the Government. It adds that Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has been calling for a motion of no confidence in the Government to be tabled by the party before Christmas.

Brexit vote to be held on January 14
In an exclusive, The Sun says the Government is planning to hold the rescheduled vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal on January 14, with the process restarting and allowing five further days of debate. Number 10 said the vote will be held ‘as soon as possible’ in January.

£970m boost to police funding
The Daily Telegraph says that Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a £970m increase in police funding, to be paid for by increased council tax. He said that the funding would allow forces to ‘recruit more detectives’, which would ‘ensure they are better placed to respond to the increasingly complex crimes they face’. He cautioned that the funding boost ‘must be matched by improvements in policing led by the police themselves’.

Labour would break up accounting firms
The Financial Times reports that Labour would force the big four accounting firms to break up their UK businesses, splitting audit from other services, and to cap their share of the audit market at 50% of the country’s largest listed companies. The plans are contained in a report commissioned by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

Army recruitment contract won’t deliver promised savings
The Times says that a report by the National Audit Office has found that the army’s recruitment contract with Capita, which has missed its targets each year and left the army undermanned, will not achieve the predicted savings of £270m and has ‘significant problems’, with changes made not yet allowing targets to be met.

Councils to be allowed to raise council tax by 3%
The Sun reports that that Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary James Brokenshire has announced that councils will be allowed to raise council tax by up to 3% next year, with some able to add a further 2% in order to cover the cost of providing social care. The Local Government Association has warned that this is not enough.

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