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Today’s political headlines include businesses planning to relocate because of Brexit, the Government’s plans to fund deprived communities, Javid believes Brexit delay is likely and MPs tell MoD to scale back spending. 

One in three British businesses planning relocation because of Brexit
The Guardian carries the finding of a survey by the Institute of Directors which finds that almost one in three British businesses is planning to relocate some operations abroad in order to cope with a hard Brexit. 29% of firms said that they had either done so already or were planning to, mostly to the EU. Edwin Morgan, the IoD’s Director General said ‘we can no more ignore the real consequences of delay and confusion’.

Government plans fund for deprived communities in attempt to win Brexit support
The Sun reports that Theresa May is planning a ‘National Renewal’ fund to invest in deprived areas such as coastal resorts and former mining communities, as well as new legislation on workers’ rights. The constituencies of a dozen Labour MPs who voted with the Government on Tuesday are set to benefit, with Labour MP David Lammy saying that colleagues who accepted the funding were ‘cowards and facilitators’ on whom ‘history will be brutal’.

Javid believes Brexit delay is likely as MPs’ February recess is cancelled
According to The Daily Telegraph, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has warned a Cabinet colleague that Brexit is likely to be delayed as there is not enough time to pass necessary legislation, with the paper claiming that up to nine Cabinet ministers believe this. As The Times reports, yesterday it was announced that Parliament’s February recess was to be cancelled, although the Government chief whip said that MPs who had made plans could still take the week off, with permission. The Guardian adds that EU officials are worried that a no-deal Brexit may happen at the end of June because Theresa May won’t ask for a long enough extension in an attempt to placate Brexiteers.

MPs tell MoD to ‘scale back’ spending
The Financial Times reports that the Commons Public Affairs Committee has called on the Ministry of Defence to ‘stop, delay and scale back’ parts of its plans in order to deal with a gap of up to £15bn in its equipment plan for the next decade. Despite promises made last year, a new report concludes that ‘little progress’ has been made.

Schools to lose background checks on EU teachers in no-deal Brexit
In an exclusive, The Sun says schools will lose access to an EU database of banned teachers in a no-deal Brexit scenario, with officials saying schools will receive guidance on what to do ‘shortly’. Other issues include foreign qualifications no longer being recognised, with Commons Education Committee Chair Robert Halfon saying he was ‘incredibly alarmed’.

Gauke defends legal aid for Jack Shepherd
The Daily Telegraph has been told by Justice Secretary David Gauke that denying Jack Shepherd, convicted of manslaughter over the death of Charlotte Brown during a trip on his speedboat on a date, legal aid for his appeal because he has fled the country might set a precedent which would lead to trials not being able to be held in absentia, leading to ‘victims or the families of the victims’ losing out.

Schools told to be ‘flexible’ about post-Brexit meals, while Unilever stockpiles Magnums
The Guardian reports that the Government has told schools to be ‘flexible;’ about school dinner standards in the event of post-Brexit food shortages. The Daily Mirror adds that Unilever has announced that it is stockpiling ice creams made in the EU, such as Magnums and Ben and Jerry’s, in case of a no-deal Brexit.

Pressure to axe business rates intensifies
According to the Financial Times, the Government is being put under increased pressure from MPs to scrap the business rate system in an attempt to stop high streets from further declining. The Commons Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry on the effect of recent changes to the system and the benefits of alternative taxes, such as one on land value.

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Today’s political headlines include Barnier’s rejection of a backstop renegotiation, May and Corbyn’s talk, Sajid Javid’s knife crime measure criticised and May prepares to woo Labour MPs with cash. 

Barnier says the backstop is here to stay
The BBC reports on remarks by Michel Barnier where he says that the Irish backstop cannot be renegotiated. The EU’s chief negotiator was speaking in the European Parliament where he suggested that there are no other realistic solutions to the issue. These remarks came after the House of Commons voted to get the Prime Minister to seek another arrangement. The story reports that both Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker echoed the remarks of Barnier.

May and Corbyn has ‘serious and engaged’ talk on a possible customs union
The Guardian reports on a discussion between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn where they discussed Brexit. The outcome of the meeting is that both Number 10 and Labour are disagreeing on whether May would be willing to soften her opposition to a customs union with the EU after Brexit. The Labour leader met May after MPs voted against a no-deal scenario, this is something Corbyn had previously refused to rule out. The two are expected to meet again with the next few days.

Sajid Javid’s measures to tackle knife crime criticised
The Mirror report on criticism from bereaved parents and anti-knife crime campaigners directed at the Home Secretary’s measures to try to tackle knife crime. Some of the measures picked up on is limiting the use of social media of suspects, curfews and geographical restrictions. Campaigners want the Government to stop intervening and allow the police to enforce the law under the current laws, one of the other major criticisms is the legislation will not solve anything if communities are not worked with. Javid has an article in the Telegraph where he states his own concerns with his own children when they are on a night out.

May prepares to offer Labour MPs cash injection to Leave constituencies
The Times are reporting that Theresa May is planning to win round Labour MPs by offering investment in Leave-backing areas of the country. May is hoping to secure the backing of 20 Labour MPs in the next vote on the withdrawal agreement, with discussions taking place directly between Number 10 and MPs including John Mann and Kevin Barron, without the involvement of Jeremy Corbyn.

Tom Watson v Tony the Tiger
The Sun report on remarks made by Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson at the  Advertising Association conference where he took aim at cereals and how they encourage a sugary diet. Watson said food adverts should encourage people to go to work on an egg not obesity inducing cereal. Watson called for companies to take action and remove characters from their packaging and pledged that if advertisers take these steps he will be their biggest advocate when Labour is next in power.

Wright urges social media companies to more to tackle harmful content
Writing in The Daily Telegraph ahead of a speech today, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright has told social media giants that they must do more to address the promotion of harmful online content, threatening sanctions against those who do not address the issue. Wright will outline the Government’s approach ahead of a White Paper, which will further detail the responsibilities of social media companies.

People scared to speak about Christian persecution says Jeremy Hunt
As reported by The Sun, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that people are scared to speak up on the persecution of Christians as they fear they could be linked to “misguided imperialism”.  This comes after his department launched a review of Britain’s support for persecuted Christians. At the launch of the review he said 80% of religious persecution around the globe is against Christians, he also said that this is not about protecting Christians but fighting all religious persecution.

PM’s Europe Adviser warned the PM against renegotiating with Brussels
The Telegraph reports that Oliver Robbins told Theresa May this week that her plan to renegotiate her own Brexit deal was not going to work. He allegedly raised concerns over the so-called Malthouse-compromise to secure changes to the Northern Ireland backstop.

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Today’s political headlines include the new Tory Brexit plan, Corbyn yet to confirm Labour support for Cooper’s amendment, food firms warning of no-deal disruption and EU negotiators warning of the high risk of no-deal. 

New Tory Brexit compromise plan emerges
The Times reports that Conservative Brexiteers have refused to back a Government-supported amendment to today’s Brexit motion calling for the Irish backstop to be replaced with ‘alternative arrangements’. However, a new plan, called the ‘Malthouse Compromise’ after MP Kit Malthouse, has emerged following negotiations between the European Research Group and supporters of May’s deal, which would extend the transition period and replace the backstop with a ‘safety net’ allowing trade on WTO terms with no tariffs should a future relationship not be agreed. The paper notes that this proposal is ‘unlikely to be accepted by the EU’.

Corbyn yet to confirm Labour support for Cooper amendment
The Guardian reports that Jeremy Corbyn has yet to confirm if Labour will officially support Yvette Cooper’s amendment which aims to rule-out a no-deal Brexit. While several Labour MPs say they’ve been told that the party will back the plan, concerns have been raised about the policy by shadow ministers including Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett, who’d prefer a shorter extension to Article 50, and party chair Ian Lavery.

Food firms warn of no-deal disruption
The Mirror carries details of a warning from food retailers including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and McDonald’s which warns of ‘significant disruption’ to food supply chains in a no-deal Brexit scenario. The letter to MPs also warns that it is ‘impossible to stockpile fresh produce’ and that space to stockpile other products is running out.

EU negotiator warns that there’s a ‘very high’ risk of no-deal
The Guardian says that Sabine Weyand, the EU’s deputy chief Brexit negotiator, has warned that there is a ‘very high’ risk of a no-deal Brexit, explaining that a ‘stable majority’ for the deal is needed in Parliament, but it was difficult to see how a ‘positive majority’ could be found, and that negotiations between the bloc and the UK were ‘finished’.

Javid unveils no-deal Brexit immigration plan
The Daily Telegraph reports that Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that EU citizens who arrive in the UK after 29 March in the event of a no-deal Brexit will have to apply for visas to stay in the UK in order to obtain temporary leave to remain, entitling them to stay for three years before applying through the new immigration system which begins in 2021.

Labour in U-turn over Immigration Bill
The Guardian says that Labour ‘was forced into an embarrassing U-turn’ yesterday after the party initially said that it wouldn’t oppose the Immigration Bill, which ends free movement after Brexit. However, following an online backlash it announced that it would vote against the bill, rather than abstain, although a number of MPs missed the vote, which the Government won comfortably.

UK would have to elect MEPs if Brexit delayed
The Times claims that it has been told by ‘senior Brussels sources’ that the UK would have to hold EU elections this spring if the Commons were to vote to delay Brexit by nine months. Otherwise, legal advice suggests that all EU decisions would be vulnerable to challenge.

MPs vote for proxy-voting trial
The BBC reports that last night MPs voted unanimously in favour of introducing a year-long trial of proxy-voting for MPs who are on parental leave, which is expected to be in place in time for this evening’s Brexit votes. An amendment to the trial by Philip Davies allowing MPs who’ve suffered a miscarriage to benefit was also passed without opposition.

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Today’s political headlines include the Queen’s call on people to seek out the common ground, Ministers speak out against no-deal Brexit, EU split over no-deal legislation and Gov to announce new food-labelling plans. 

Queen in call to seek ‘common ground’
The Times reports that the Queen used a speech yesterday to call on people to ‘seek out the common ground’ and not to lose ‘sight of the bigger picture’, in remarks interpreted as a reference to the Brexit debate. The paper adds that other royals are expected to make similar interventions ‘in the coming days’.

Ministers speak out against no-deal Brexit
According to The Daily Telegraph, yesterday ‘Remain ministers went to war’ by raising their concerns about a no-deal Brexit. Business minister Richard Harrington warned that it would be ‘a disaster for business’, while Chancellor Philip Hammond used a speech at Davos to warn that a no-deal Brexit would be a ‘betrayal’ of the Brexit vote. Appearing on Newsnight Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd refused to rule out resigning in order to vote for Yvette Cooper’s amendment blocking a no-deal Brexit four times.

EU split over no-deal legislation
The BBC says that some EU countries are calling for the EU’s no-deal legislation to be made more generous, for example by giving UK hauliers the right to operate within the EU and allowing UK airlines to fly connecting flights within the bloc. However, the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told the BBC that his country’s ‘clear red line’ was that the UK could not get ‘the benefits of the single market’.

Gove to announce new food-labelling plans
The Daily Mail says that Michael Gove is to announce new plans to force food retailers to list all ingredients in their products, in response to the death of a 15-year-old girl after eating a Pret A Manger baguette which contained sesame seeds. Various options are being consulted on, ranging from listing all ingredients in their products (which the paper believes Gove backs) to insisting on labels reminding consumers to ask staff about allergens.

Government considers extending protection from redundancy for new mothers
The Guardian reports that the Government is launching a consultation on extending protection against redundancy for pregnant or new mothers so that it would continue for six months after they’ve given birth. The consultation will also consider extending the protection to those returning from adoption or shared parental leave.

Universities criticised over unconditional offers
The Sun says that universities have been warned by the Office for Students that if they continue to make unconditional offers which stipulate that students must make them their ‘firm choice’, they could be breaching consumer law. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said that the increase in unconditional offers is ‘disturbing’.

Salmond charged with attempted rape
The BBC reports that the former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond appeared in court yesterday. He has been charged on 14 counts – two of attempted rape, nine of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one of breach of the peace. He said ‘I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality’.

Conservatives struggle to raise funds
The Financial Times claims that the Conservatives are struggling to attract money from large donors, with one former minister warning that the party is ‘facing emerging financial difficulties’. The paper claims that there are two sets of ‘disgruntled donors’: Brexiteers who oppose Theresa May’s Brexit plan and the network of businesses built up by David Cameron.

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Today’s political headlines include companies activating no-deal plans, Osborne says Brexit delay is most likely scenario, European Commission warns no-deal could result in a hard border between ROI and NI, and May facing ‘disaster’ if she calls an election. 

Companies activate no-deal plans amid ‘panic’
The Guardian says that ‘the scale of no-deal panic gripping major companies’ has been revealed by a series of announcements, including P&O re-registering its ships in Cyprus, Sony moving its European HQ to Amsterdam, and Bentley, Dixons Carphone and Pets at Home announcing plans to stockpile and secure supplies. Despite Sir James Dyson’s backing of Brexit, his firm is to relocate its HQ to Singapore, although it denies that this is Brexit-related.

Osborne says that Brexit being delayed is ‘most likely’ scenario
Former Chancellor George Osborne has told the BBC that he believes that Brexit being delayed is now the ‘most likely’ scenario. He warned that the prospect of a no-deal Brexit meant a gun is being ‘held to the British economy’s head’ and called on Theresa May to say that it was not a possibility. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has confirmed to the BBC that Labour is ‘highly likely’ to support an amendment which would suspend Article 50 process for leaving the EU if a deal is not reached by the end of next month.

European Commission warns that no-deal Brexit could result in hard border in Ireland
The Times reports that the European Commission admitted yesterday that a no-deal Brexit could result in a hard border in Ireland. A spokesperson warned that a no-deal Brexit would put ‘the Good Friday agreement, support to peace and trans-border co-operation’ at risk. Meanwhile the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned that this scenario would leave Ireland with ‘very difficult choices’, and it might try to negotiate an agreement with the EU.

May faces ‘disaster’ if she calls election, party officials warn
In an exclusive, The Sun says that Conservative officials have warned Theresa May that he could face ‘disaster’ if she calls a snap general election, with an internal assessment showing that the party’s grassroots is demoralised and its data is out of date. The paper has also seen research conducted by Will Tanner, May’s former adviser, for the thinktank Onward which shows that it would take only a ‘tiny swing’ for Labour to become the largest party.

Court IT system collapses and could see prisoners released
The Times says that it has been warned by lawyers that a nationwide IT breakdown at courts could lead to criminals being freed. The collapse of the main computer system used by courts in England and Wales has forced trials to be adjourned and delayed, while a secure email system used by lawyers and judges has also been affected.

Healey blasts Grenfell-style cladding as ‘cause for national shame’
The Daily Mirror says that Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey used a Commons debate to describe the paper’s revelations of an attempt to cover-up unsafe Grenfell-style cladding on a Manchester tower block as a ‘cause for national shame’. Housing Minister Kit Malthouse said that the block in question was ‘safe’ and that ‘more assertive measures’ of tacking outstanding problems with cladding were under consideration.

MPs call for Government to improve governance of academies
The Financial Times carries details of a new report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee that calls on the Government to improve the governance and oversight of academy trusts. It finds that the collapse of a number of trusts has been costly and damaged pupils’ education, and that some had misused public money and overpaid staff.

Charities call for reform of benefits for the terminally ill
The Daily Express uses its front page to call for reform to the way the benefits system treats those with serious illnesses. Currently people get fast-track access to Personal Independence Payments at the highest rate if they are given less than six months to live by a nurse or doctor, but charities such as Marie Curie and the Motor Neurone Disease Association are campaigning for this limit to be axed, allowing doctors to use their judgement.

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Today’s political headlines include May seeking changes to the backstop, Rudd warning that 40 ministers may quit to prevent no-deal, Labour tables an amendment for a second referendum and Robbins casts doubt on Brexit plan. 

May to seek changes to backstop, as MPs put forward alternative plans
The BBC reports that Theresa May used her statement yesterday to say that she was going to seek changes to the Irish backstop from the EU, and axed the £65 fee that EU citizens were to be charged to remain in the country. Labour has tabled an amendment calling for MPs to vote on Brexit options, and on a further referendum. Both Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper have put forward plans to extend the Article 50 negotiating period, while Hilary Benn has tabled an amendment calling for a non-binding vote on different options.

Rudd warns that 40 ministers may quit to prevent no-deal Brexit
The Times claims that Amber Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has demanded that Theresa May gives all Conservative MPs a free vote on extending Article 50 and stopping a no-deal Brexit, otherwise up to 40 ministers will resign. Business minister Richard Harrington has confirmed that he will quit if a no-deal Brexit is pursued, while culture minister Margot James and defence minister Tobias Ellwood are apparently also considering their position.

Labour tables amendment calling for vote on a second referendum
The Guardian reports that Labour has tabled a compromise amendment calling for MPs to vote on holding a second referendum, although it does not commit the party to supporting it. Labour’s alternative Brexit plan has been criticised by the People’s Vote campaign for having ‘little regard for what could actually be delivered’ because it proposes the UK staying in a customs union in a strong relationship with the single market.

Robbins uses text to Chancellor to cast doubt on Brexit plan
The Daily Telegraph claims that Oliver Robbins, the chief Brexit negotiator, texted Chancellor Philip Hammond during a Cabinet conference call to warn that the idea of renegotiating the backstop was ‘for the birds’. According to the paper, a Government source confirmed that a text had been sent, but claimed the content had been ‘misrepresented’.

Second referendum amendment could be tabled today
The Sun reports that pro-EU MPs may table an amendment calling for a second referendum today. Conservative Dr Sarah Wollaston is in talks with MPs from other parties about the ‘Doctor’s Amendment’, so called because other signatories will include her fellow Tory Dr Philip Lee, Dr Paul Williams from Labour and Dr Philippa Whitford from the SNP.

Barnier tells May not to focus on the backstop
The Guardian reports that the EU’s Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has called on Theresa May to move away from renegotiating the backstop, saying that to secure support in Parliament she needed to focus ‘much more on the future relationship between the EU and the UK’, adding that the EU was ‘ready to work again on the political declaration’.

MPs call for register of online trolls
The Daily Telegraph says that the Commons Petitions Committee has called for trolls who were convicted of online abuse to be listed on a government register, claiming that current legislation is ‘not fit for purpose’ and media firms had failed to self-regulate. The committee was responding to a petition from over 220,000 people put forward by Katie Price, whose disable son has been subjected to online trolling.

Osamor used House of Commons notepaper to beg for son to avoid jail
The Times reports that Labour MP Kate Osamor may face a parliamentary inquiry after it emerged that she had written to a judge on House of Commons notepaper begging for her ‘beautiful son’, who works as her chief of staff, to be spared jail after he was convicted of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

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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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