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Today’s Political Headlines include Barnier softening his opposition to Brexit finance plans, Labour NEC Member Peter Willsman attacking Corbyn critics, the culture of denial in Aid sector and John McDonnell’s criticism of Corbyn. 

Barnier softening his opposition to May’s post-Brexit plan
The FT reports that chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier has relaxed his opposition to Theresa May’s Brexit plan for financial services. After initially rejecting May’s proposals, Barnier has amended his position after clarification from the UK that Brussels would have control over the City of London’s access to EU markets.

Labour NEC Member attacks critics of Corbyn
The Jewish Chronicle has revealed a tape of Peter Willsman, an ally of Jeremy Corbyn and member of Labour’s ruling body, in which he angrily questions whether colleagues had experienced anti-Semitism in the Party, blaming Jewish ‘Trump fanatics’ for false anti-Semitism claims. Labour MP Luciana Berger has called for Willsman to be suspended to enable a formal investigation, while Deputy Leader Tom Watson has criticised Willsman on Twitter.

International development committee warns of ‘culture of denial’ in Aid sector
The Guardian leads with the latest report from the international development committee, which condemns the aid sector for failing to deal with endemic sexual abuse. The report has claimed that charities are more concerned for their reputation rather than dealing with cases, with the UN failing to demonstrate leadership in dealing with abuse.

Shadow Chancellor criticises Corbyn over antisemitism
The Times reports that Jeremy Corbyn’s closest ally and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has met with Corbyn to criticise his handling of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. He is said to have urged Corbyn to end the disciplinary process underway against Margaret Hodge, who is alleged to have sworn at Corbyn and called him an anti-Semite.

Leaked Labour democracy review calls for online voting at conference
Labour’s ‘Democracy Review’ has been entirely leaked to The Huffington Post, who report that the review proposes to introduce e-voting to Labour meetings. The move is aimed at handing more power to the party membership, allowing online ballots for conference and local constituencies.

Jeremy Hunt gets the nationality of his wife wrong
Sky News reports that during talks with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and officials, the Foreign Secretary accidentally stated that his wife is Japanese, when she is actually Chinese. As well as risking upsetting his wife, Mr Hunt’s blunder also threatened to offend the Chinese officials sat across the table from him.

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Today’s Political Headlines include Tory Brexiteers’ criticism of May’s no-deal planning, Corbyn accused of taking Labour to a dark place, the IEA’s offer to ‘US donors’ and the reintroduction of ID Cards. 

May facing criticism over no-deal Brexit
The Telegraph reports that May is facing further criticism from Brexiteers in her own party over the Government’s planning for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. They are angry at what they perceive to be overly negative planning, after viewing some of the 70 reports due to be released in August that set out Britain’s approach to ‘no-deal’. Jacob Rees-Mogg has added his assessment in the Mail, describing the plans as ‘Fretful, weak and incompetent’.

Corbyn accused of taking Labour to a ‘dark place’
The Times has reported that Jeremy Corbyn is facing further pressure over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. It follows reports of Labour MP Ian Austin clashing with the party chairman over the failure of the party to adopt the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

IEA offered ‘US donors’ introductions to UK ministers working on Brexit
The Guardian has revealed a video in which the director of the Institute for Economic Affairs is recorded offering possible access to the Brexit ministers. Mark Littlewood is recorded saying his organisation knew high-profile Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox, and that donors could fund and shape IEA research, which would always support the argument for free-trade deals.

Policy Exchange calls for a reintroduction of ID Cards
The Times reports on a Policy Exchange paper due to be released later today that calls for the reintroduction of a national identity system after Brexit. The report states that the Government plans to give 3.8 million EU citizens should be administered through an ID card system, with the scheme extended to UK-born citizens.

Fears over Brexit food crisis
The Times reports that plans have been drawn up by Ministers to call in the army if Britain leaves the EU without a deal, to help deliver food, medicines and fuel in the event of shortages. This follows from recent reports that the Government is preparing to stockpile food and essential medicines as part of their ‘no deal’ planning.

Report calls for state loans for young house buyers
The Guardian reports on new analysis released by the Housing and Finance Institute that urges the Government to offer loans to young people to enable them to pay for a deposit. The HFI say the initiative should be part of a wider strategy to increase the number of homeowners by one million by 2035.

Environment secretary Michael Gove summons water companies
The Times reports that Michael Gove has summoned chief executives of several water companies to explain why water leakages targets set by regulator Ofwat have not been met. Gove has said that customers expect a ‘reliable and resilient supply’, despite recent dry weather. The call comes ahead of a ‘drought summit’ between farmers and the Government, to discuss the effect of the recent dry weather on food supplies.

Northern Rail restoring cancelled services
The Telegraph reports that Northern Rail are set to reinstate three-quarters of services initially removed in May. The move comes after hundreds of delays, a situation described by Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham as ‘rail chaos’.

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Today’s Political Headlines include Barnier rejecting May’s customs proposals, support for a second referendum and the Shadow Cabinet rebelling over antisemitism defintion. 

Barnier rejects May’s customs proposals
The Guardian reports that the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has rejected Theresa May’s proposals on customs, effectively killing off her Chequers plan. He also warned that attempts to go behind his back and appeal directly to EU leaders would be a waste of time, but said that the was ‘pleased’ with the progress of discussions on foreign policy and security. The BBC adds that May is in Austria today to hold Brexit talks with the country’s Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.

Majority now back second referendum, poll finds
According to a YouGov poll for The Times, the proportion of voters backing a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal has overtaken those who don’t. The poll also shows a narrow lead in favour of remaining in the EU if a referendum on membership was held tomorrow.

Shadow Cabinet in ‘open rebellion’ over antisemitism definition
The Daily Telegraph says that members of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet are in ‘open rebellion’ over Jeremy Corbyn’s failure to accept the international definition of antisemitism. Deputy Leader Tom Watson has warned that disciplining Dame Margaret Hodge for calling Corbyn antisemitic is ‘counter-productive’, while Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth and Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner have also been critical.

Private probation firms face early contract termination
The Guardian says that the eight private firms running ‘community rehabilitation companies’ in England and Wales are to have their contracts terminated two years early, in 2020, abandoning reforms introduced by Chris Grayling. Justice Secretary David Gauke claimed that the reforms were ‘ambitious and innovative’ but there were ‘clear lessons that need to be learned’.

McVey urges teenagers to get summer jobs
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has claimed that a decline in the number of teenagers taking summer jobs is leaving people unprepared for the workplace. She is launching an initiative to improve ‘essential skills’ by advertising 20,000 holiday jobs on a Government website.

Medical cannabis to be available on the NHS within weeks
The Daily Mirror reports that Home Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that medical cannabis products will be available on prescription from the NHS within weeks. This follows the high-profile case of the epileptic child Billy Caldwell, whose medical cannabis was seized by the Home Office, leading to reviews of the drug by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies.

Home Office suspends co-operation with US in jihadi case
The Guardian says that the Home Office has temporarily suspended co-operation with US authorities over the case of two British jihabis facing execution in the country, following a request from a legal representative of the family of one of the detainees, in order to allow for a ruling by the courts.

New business envoy appointed
The Financial Times reveals that Theresa May has appointed a new business envoy, whose role will be to strengthen links with British companies and foreign investors. The post, which has been vacant for a year, will be held by William Vereker, a former executive at UBS who has also worked at Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers and Nomura.

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Today’s Political Headlines includes May taking back control over Brexit negotiations, the British-Irish intergovernmental conference and calls to update treason laws.

May takes back control of Brexit negotiations
The Guardian reports that Theresa May has taken control of the Brexit negotiations, supported by the Cabinet Office Europe Unit, effectively ‘sidelining’ the new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and his department and leaving him with responsibility for domestic preparations, no-deal planning and legislation. The BBC says that Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that the NHS is planning to stockpile medicines and other products in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

British and Irish ministers hold first intergovernmental conference for over a decade
The BBC reports that British and Irish ministers are meeting in London at the first session of their intergovernmental conference since 2007. It adds that the conference is popular with nationalists, but that unionists are more suspicious of it and that the Government has been resisting Irish requests for it be convened for ‘many months’.

Treason laws should be updated to prosecute jihadis
The Daily Telegraph says that the former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, former head of MI5 Lord Evans and former Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge have called for the UK’s treason laws to be updated and used to prosecute jihadis who have fought in Syria, backing a report by Policy Exchange. However, the paper adds that the newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill, has advocated a more liberal approach to returning jihadis.

Sarah Champion given increased security after death threats
The Times reveals that Labour MP Sarah Champion has been given increased security after she received death threats. Champion has been accused by activists in Rotherham, her constituency, of ‘industrial-scale racism’ after she condemned the sexual abuse of girls by British Pakistani men, whose ‘common ethnic heritage’ she highlighted.

Labour demands to know if Government blacklists are still in place
The Guardian says that Labour has called on the Government to confirm whether secret blacklists are still in place, monitoring the political views of civil servants, trades unionists and councillors. This follows the release of papers by the National Archives showing that the Thatcher government and MI5 compiled lists of those seen as subversive or threats.

Campaigners warn new planning rules threaten greenbelt land
The Daily Telegraph warns that greenbelt land has been put at risk of development under the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework. Under the policy, councils will lose some of their ability to control development if house building falls below 75% of Government targets, but the Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned that house builders will be able to game this system by sitting on land.

Taxpayers could face a ‘retirement levy’ to fund social care
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Government is considering a ‘retirement levy’, under which taxpayers would pay a lump sum to the Government to fund the cost of residential and social care in old age. A source close to Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock told the paper that ‘nothing is off the table’.

Government tries to bury bad news on last day of Parliament
The Daily Mirror highlights fifteen pieces of ‘bad news’ which the Government issued on the last day of Parliament making it ‘next to impossible’ to properly scrutinise them. These include lower pay rises for public sector staff than experts recommended, the sale of the home of the Red Arrows, delays to school funding plans and court closures.

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Today’s Political Headlines includes Amazon planning for a ‘no-deal’, May’s meeting with her cabinet in the North-East and the EU rejecting the UK’s plans for financial services post-Brexit

Amazon planning for ‘no deal’ Brexit civil unrest
The Times says that the head of Amazon UK, Doug Gurr, has warned that there could be ‘civil unrest’ within a fortnight of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and that Amazon was making contingency plans for such a scenario, and that Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has accused the EU of ‘irresponsibility’ for pointing out that there were no arrangements in place for the treatment of UK and EU expats if no agreement was reached. The i warns that the Government might suspend food safety controls at borders in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

May holds cabinet meeting in the North East
As The Guardian reports, Theresa May is to hold a cabinet meeting in the North East today as she launches a campaign to get public backing for her Brexit proposals. She will use the opportunity to back the Northern Powerhouse with up to £780m for an upgrade to the east coast mainline and the confirmation of the ‘North of Tyne’ devolution deal. The Financial Times adds that May is also sending senior ministers to EU27 countries in a bid to secure their backing for her proposed deal.

EU rejects UK financial services plans
The Financial Times claims that the EU has rejected the UK’s plans for financial services after Brexit as they would deny the bloc its ‘decision-making autonomy’, breaking with the principle that the EU is able to freely withdraw access rights to its market. The Guardian has been told that EU officials will reject an extension of the Article 50 negotiations if there is not a major realignment of British politics, for example another referendum or election.

Javid secretly drops UK opposition to death penalty for terrorists
According to documents seen by The Daily Telegraph, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has secretly dropped the UK’s opposition to the death penalty and Guantanamo Bay to allow two members of ISIL to be sent to the USA for prosecution. A senior source told the paper that the USA had been verbally warned not to send the duo to Guantanamo Bay.

Whistleblowers criticise universal credit flaws
The Guardian says that it has been told by whistleblowers that ‘design flaws and process faults’ in universal credit are so bad that mistakes and delays are virtually inevitable. A service centre worker told the paper that the administration of the benefit ‘is having an actively harmful effect on a huge number of claimants’.

Jewish Labour MPs to urge parliamentary party to accept full antisemitism definition
According to the BBC, Jewish Labour MPs will use a meeting later today to persuade the parliamentary party to accept the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, unlike new guidelines adopted by the party last week. The Guardian adds that John McDonnell suggested the party should ‘just move on’ from holding an inquiry into Margaret Hodge, after she accused Jeremy Corbyn of being an antisemite.

Senior Tory officials to attend meeting on Andrew Griffiths’ future
The Guardian reveals that a leaked e-mail discloses that Andrew Griffiths, who resigned as a minister after sending sexually explicit messages to two women, will have his future discussed by members of his local Conservative association in the presence of senior party officials. The paper suggests that this means that the party is trying to block local attempts to force him to step down.

UK’s tax burden highest since Harold Wilson was Prime Minister
The Daily Mail carries details of a TaxPayers’ Alliance report which claims that the UK’s tax burden has reached its highest for almost half a century. According to the campaign group, this year’s tax is the equivalent of 34.3% of GDP, the highest proportion since 1969-70, under Harold Wilson’s Labour government.

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Today’s Political Headlines includes the latest Brexit discussions, Gauke’s call for prison rehabilitation, crimes leading to charges and calls for two Tories to quit in pairing row. 

May to call on EU to ‘evolve’ its position
The BBC has details of a speech to be given by Theresa May in Belfast this morning, in which she will warn that she cannot accept the ‘economic and constitutional dislocation of a formal ‘third country’ customs border within our own country’ and call on the EU to ‘evolve its position in kind’. The Times adds that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier used remarks before his first meeting with the new Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, yesterday to warn that that it would be a ‘challenge’ to find common ground between the two sides. The Mirror says that Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned yesterday that a ‘no deal’ Brexit would leave planes unable to fly between the two countries.

Gauke calls for prisons to focus on rehabilitation
Justice Secretary David Gauke has told The Daily Telegraph that prisons should ‘change lives’ and give prisoners ‘hope’ rather than focusing on retribution and that the prison service would ‘struggle’ to cope with significant increases in the number of prisoners. He claimed that short sentences should only be a ‘last resort’ as they don’t reduce reoffending.

Over 90% of crimes do not result in a charge
The Times says that new Home Office crime figures show that just 9.1% of crimes in England and Wales last year resulted in any charges, a fall from 15% three years ago. Separate figures showed an increase in violent crime and the lowest level of police officers in 22 years. Police Minister Nick Hurd claimed that the Government was ‘taking decisive action’.

Calls for Conservative chief whip and party chair to quit over pairing row
The Guardian reports that the Conservatives have admitted that the Chief Whip, Julian Smith, asked MPs to breach pairing agreements during a series of Brexit votes on Tuesday. Only party chair Brandon Lewis, paired with Lib Dem Jo Swinson who was on maternity leave, followed the instruction. Labour has called for both Lewis and Smith to resign.

MPs criticise Director of Public Prosecutions over disclosure failings
The Daily Telegraph carries details of a report by the Commons Justice Committee into the Crown Prosecution Service’s failures to disclose evidence in court cases. The committee’s chair, Bob Neill, said that if the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, had not already announced her departure, he would be asking her ‘to consider her position’. The report claims that she lacked ‘focus and leadership’ in tackling the issue.

Border taxes to be relaxed if ‘no deal’ Brexit happens
The Financial Times reports that Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, told a House of Lords sub-committee that the Government will tell officials to relax measures to collect taxes in order to help keep traffic flowing at borders in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. However, Stride added that the Government would ‘not compromise on security’.

McVey admits universal credit problems
The Guardian says that Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, admitted to problems with universal credit and suggested that further changes will be made, including debt repayment, supporting the self-employed and benefit payment cycles for working claimants.

Hancock tells doctors to ‘throw away their pagers’
The Daily Telegraph reports that Matt Hancock is to use his first speech as Health and Social Care Secretary to call for doctors and nurses to ‘throw away their pagers’ and use smartphone apps instead. Speaking at West Suffolk Hospital, he will outline three early priorities: ‘technology, the health and care workforce and prevention’.

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Today’s Political Headlines includes BoJo’s claim that it’s not too late to save Brexit, Raab’s first meeting with Barnier, May’s tour of Britain and Labour’s conflict over whether to take action against Margaret Hodge. 

Johnson claims it is ‘not too late to save Brexit’
The Daily Telegraph reports that Boris Johnson used his resignation speech to claim that it was ‘not too late to save Brexit’ and described Theresa May’s Chequers plan as a ‘miserable, permanent limbo’. He criticised the Government for ‘a fog of self-doubt’ and for allowing Northern Ireland to ‘dominate the debate’, and called for a return to the approach set out by Theresa May at Lancaster House. The Sun suggests that Johnson had prepared a ‘much more damning version of the speech’ but was persuaded not to deliver it by allies.

Raab prepares for first meeting with Barnier amid ‘no deal’ warnings
As the BBC reports, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is to hold his first meeting with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier today. It has also seen a draft European Commission paper warning of the impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on European businesses and citizens. The BBC adds that the National Audit Office has warned that millions of International Driving Permits may need to be issued in less than a year if the two parties don’t agree on mutual recognition of driving licences. The Financial Times claims that Raab is to publish 70 documents explaining how a ‘no deal’ Brexit would affect a range of sectors.

May plans tour of grassroots Conservatives
According to The Times, Theresa May is planning to go on a tour of grassroots Conservatives this summer in a bid to convince them to back her Brexit policy. Earlier this week, party chairman held a meeting with heads of local associations, described as ‘tense’ and ‘emotionally charged’. The Guardian adds that May struggled to explain her plan for post-Brexit customs when giving evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee yesterday.

Labour to take action against Margaret Hodge
According to The Guardian, the Labour Party is in ‘open conflict’ over a decision to take disciplinary action against Margaret Hodge after she called Jeremy Corbyn an antisemite. Separately, John Woodcock resigned from the party, claiming that an ongoing disciplinary process against him had been rigged.

Soldiers compensated for higher taxes in Scotland
The BBC reports that the Government is to give compensation to about 8,000 soldiers who face having to pay more income tax because they live in Scotland. The total cost will come to around £4m this year and the payments will be reviewed annually. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson criticised what he described as an ‘unfair raid’ on troops’ pay.

Schools to give lessons on mental health
The Times says that the Government plans to add lessons on mental health to new compulsory lessons on sex and relationships in all schools from autumn 2020. The proposals would also cover physical health, exercise and healthy eating. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said the policy would ensure ‘young people are ready for the adult world’.

Proposed rule change would grant anonymity to MPs accused of cheating expenses
The Daily Telegraph says the Government is attempting to quietly push through a change which would grant MPs accused of breaking expenses rules anonymity. As the paper notes, the news comes as DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr is given a 30-day suspension from the Commons for a breach of the rules.

Parliamentary committee warns of legal aid ‘deserts’
The Guardian carries details of a new report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which warns that legal aid ‘deserts’ have emerged as a result of changes to the law in 2012. The report calls for an urgent review of how people can enforce their rights, changes to Legal Aid Agency’s funding scheme and more legal support for families at inquests.

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