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Today’s Political Headlines include the UK Brexit negotiator’s belief that there’s no chance of a bespoke trade deal, Rees-Mogg’s revolt warning, US/UK defence spending and NHS spending. 

UK Brexit negotiator claims there is ‘no chance’ of a bespoke trade deal
The Times claims that Theresa May’s chief Brexit negotiator Oliver Robbins has told Cabinet ministers that there is ‘no chance’ of the UK agreeing a bespoke trade agreement with the EU. A ‘Government figure’ told the paper that the UK may face a choice between a Norway-style arrangement which would keep the UK in the single market or a simple free trade agreement. The BBC adds that the Government has produced a third model for post-Brexit customs arrangements that will also be discussed by Cabinet ministers on Friday.

Rees-Mogg warns Eurosceptics will rebel if May doesn’t deliver
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Conservative backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg warns Theresa May that he and his fellow Eurosceptics will vote against the final Brexit deal if she doesn’t ‘deliver what she said she would’. He compares the Prime Minister to Sir Robert Peel, the Prime Minister forced to quit after his party revolted against him over the corn laws.

US Defense Secretary calls for UK to increase military spending
In an exclusive, The Sun reports that Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson received an ultimatum from his US counterpart Jim Mattis two weeks ago, warning that the UK’s military prowess is ‘at risk of erosion’ and that defence spending should increase or France would become ‘the US partner of choice’. He wants an answer by next week’s NATO summit.

NAO chief calls for higher NHS spending
Speaking to The Guardian, Sir Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office has warned that the NHS will need more funding than that promised by Theresa May if it is to meet the challenges of the ageing population. He called on politicians ‘to be willing to think bigger’, warning that current spending plans would only sustain current services.

NHS confirms it is planning for no-deal Brexit
The Financial Times reports that NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens has confirmed that his organisation is carrying out ‘significant planning’ for a no-deal Brexit in order to ensure that it will continue to have access to medicines and equipment. At the moment, over 37m packs of medicine are imported into the UK from Europe each month.

Political parties should publish gender of candidates, campaigners say
The Guardian says that campaigners including the Electoral Reform Society and the Fawcett Society have joined forces to call on the Government to introduce legislation forcing political parties to publish the gender breakdown of their candidates. Provision for this is included in the Equality Act 2010, but the relevant section has never been enacted.

Former schools minister calls on Government not to use ‘misleading’ statistic
The BBC says that former Lib Dem Schools Minister David Laws, now the chair of the Education Policy Institute, has called on the Government not to use a statistic suggesting that more pupils now attend a good or outstanding school than did in 2010. He said that the statistic ‘misrepresents the level of improvement in school standards’.

Mail launches campaign to save the high street
The Daily Mail has launched a campaign to ‘save Britain’s high streets’ after 50,000 retail jobs were lost in the first six months of 2018. The paper points the finger of blame at high business rates which disproportionately affect high street retailers rather than online stores, with Frank Field, Chair of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, calling for a ‘specific sales tax’ to be introduced to target them. The campaign is also backed by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, together with various business organisations.

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Today’s Political Headlines include the Brexit approach putting lives at risk, inexcusable treatment of US detainees tolerated by the UK, Windrush detentions and BAE Systems’ £20bn contract. 

May warns EU leaders that their Brexit approach is putting lives at risk
The Times says that Theresa May used yesterday’s European Council meeting to warn fellow leaders that restricting security co-operation after Brexit would put their citizens’ lives at risk. She asked them to overrule the European Commission and widen its negotiating mandate to include unrestricted sharing of security information. The Financial Times claims that EU leaders called on May to confront Cabinet Eurosceptics and shift her ‘red lines’ in order to obtain a positive response.

UK tolerated ‘inexcusable’ treatment of US detainees
As the BBC reports, the Intelligence and Security Committee has concluded that the UK allowed ‘inexcusable’ treatment of US detainees after 9/11. The committee found that British intelligence agencies continued to supply information to allies despite knowing or suspecting abuse in over 200 cases. The Times adds that Ken Clarke has urged the Government to honour a promise made eight years ago and reopen an inquiry into British involvement in the maltreatment of detainees.

Home Office condemned over Windrush detentions
The Guardian reports that the Joint Committee on Human Rights has concluded that the Home Office exhibited an ‘inadequate regard for the human rights’ of wrongfully detained Windrush migrants. It adds that the Home Office behaved in a ‘shocking’ way towards Paulette Wilson and Anthony Bryan, two of those affected, as a result of ‘a systemic failure’.

BAE Systems wins £20bn Australian warship contract
The Financial Times says that BAE Systems has won a £20bn contract to build a new fleet of warships for Australia, hailed by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson as a ‘formidable success for Britain’ and ‘a major boost as we leave the European Union’. The paper notes that the ships will be built in Australia and few jobs will be created in the UK as part of the deal, but some components may come from the UK, as will design and engineering teams.

May plans fourth Brexit speech
The Sun reveals that Theresa May is planning to give another Brexit speech, in which she will outline her vision of a future UK-EU trade deal. Venues reportedly being considered by Number 10 include European cities. A 100-page white paper on the future relationship is due to be published in the second week of July.

Fall in new homes being built
The Sun says that the number of new homes being built has fallen in the first quarter of 2018, down 8% compared to the same period in 2017. If the trend continues for the rest of the year only half of the Prime Minister’s target of 300,000 will be built, the paper claims.

Fines for drivers who pass too close to cyclists
The Times reports that transport minister Jesse Norman is set to announce today that drivers who pass cyclists are to be targeted for fines, with training materials and support provided to police forces. Up to £500,000 will also be spent on training driving instructors to include cycle safety in lessons.

Report calls for housebuilders’ ombudsman
The Financial Times reports that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment has released a report calling for housebuilders to set up an ombudsman to help buyers resolve disputes over newly-built homes. Membership would be mandatory for housebuilders, who would pay a levy to fund the body.

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Today’s Political Headlines include Gavin Williamson asking for more money, Greg Clark pushing for a soft Brexit, a social care tax for over-40s and Liz Truss mocking colleagues. 

Gavin Williamson to ask the Prime Minister for up to £4bn extra defence funding
The Times claims that Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is to ask the Prime Minister for up to £4bn additional funding for the armed forces at a meeting next week, but that there are no plans for any new funding to be agreed. The Daily Telegraph says that the USA’s National Security Adviser, John Bolton, has told his UK counterpart, Sir Mark Sedwill, that the US is concerned about the damage being done to the UK armed forces by spending restraints.

Greg Clark pushes for soft Brexit deal
Speaking at The Times’ CEO Summit, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark said that he wanted to avoid a no-deal Brexit, continue to benefit from ‘labour mobility’ and wanted to keep single market access for services as well as goods. Theresa May also spoke at the event, saying that she was listening to business. The Guardian reports that the CBI and the TUC have joined forces to demand ‘measurable progress’ in the Brexit talks, while The Sun says that Theresa May is to bypass her Brexit committee by inviting the whole Cabinet to agree on Brexit plans at Chequers next week.

Committees call for over-40s to be taxed to fund social care
The BBC says that a joint report by the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government and Health and Social Care Committees has called for a new tax, called a social care premium, for the over-40s to pay for elderly care. The tax would also be payable by retired people with lucrative pensions or investments.

Truss attacks calls for higher spending and mocks colleagues
The Times reports that in a speech last night Liz Truss, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, attacked ministers who had called for increased public spending, telling them that it wasn’t ‘macho’ to do so and that they should tackle ‘vested interests’ instead. She attacked regulations and standards, joked about ‘wood-burning Goves’ and said that there was ‘enough hot air and smoke at the environment department already’.

Labour to cut number of MPs needed to nominate leadership candidates
The Guardian claims that reforms to be proposed at Labour’s conference this autumn will see a reduction in the number of MPs needed to nominate a candidate for party leader and give party members the right to vote for local council leaders. A source told the paper that this ‘virtually guarantees’ a left-wing candidate could follow Corbyn as leader.

Report warns of young people’s exposure to gambling advertising
The Daily Mail says that a report by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board claims that nine out of ten young people have been exposed to gambling advertising on TV or social media, calling this an ‘uncontrolled social experiment on today’s youth’ which risks gambling becoming ‘normalised’. The report makes 30 recommendations for action.

Sturgeon reshuffles Scottish Government
The Herald reports that Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has started a ‘dramatic’ ministerial reshuffle, with six ministers leaving the Scottish Government and the number of cabinet posts increasing from ten to twelve. Those departing include Health Secretary Shona Robinson, Communities Secretary Angela Constance and Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

Uber granted new licence to operate
The Financial Times reports that ride-hailing app Uber will be able to continue to operate in London. A judge ruled that Transport for London was right not to renew the firm’s licence last year, but that Uber has now made sufficient changes. The new licence will last fifteen months and has several conditions attached, leading Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to warn that the company is ‘on probation’.

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Today’s Political Headlines include vote for the third runway at Heathrow, election law reform, attacks against unsustainable budget increases and BMW’s Brexit warning. 

MPs vote for third runway at Heathrow
As The Times reports, last night MPs voted in favour of a third runway at Heathrow, with a majority of 296, following the imposition of a three-line whip by the Conservatives, Labour’s decision to allow a free vote and the SNP abstaining. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has opposed the proposals, missed the vote as he was in Afghanistan, drawing criticism from fellow Tories. The paper adds that various councils, Sadiq Khan and Greenpeace are launching a legal challenge to the decision.

Electoral Commission calls for ‘urgent’ reform of election law
The Guardian reports that the Electoral Commission has called for urgent reform to the law, as British democracy ‘may be under threat’. The regulator has called on the Government to change the law in order to tackle misinformation, misuse of personal data and overseas interference. Its recommendations are particularly targeted at digital campaigning.

Truss attacks calls for ‘unsustainable’ budget increases
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, attacks calls by fellow ministers for ‘unsustainable’ increases in their budgets, warning that this would result in the Conservatives being ‘crushed’ and would be a ‘complete contradiction of the Brexit vote’. Instead, she calls for ‘better value for money’. She also criticises colleagues for ‘talking about banning things’ and promises to review ‘over-regulated’ jobs.

BMW warns that UK plants could close if Brexit causes delays
The Financial Times reports that BMW has warned that it will have to close its plants in the UK if it cannot import components from the EU quickly and reliably. Customs manager Stephan Freismuth said ‘if at the end of the day the supply chain will have a stop at the border, then we cannot produce our products in the UK’, but added that the company didn’t ‘want to give up our UK plants’.

Commons Defence Committee report recommends spending increase
The BBC says that a report by the Commons Defence Committee recommends that defence spending should increase from 2% to 3% of GDP, in order to maintain the UK’s influence with the USA and in NATO. It recommends spending the extra funding on increased readiness and anti-submarine warfare, countering Russian threats.

EU to offer better trade deal if UK relaxes red lines
The Sun claims that the EU is to call for a ‘realistic and workable’ vision for post-Brexit UK-EU relations and introduce an ‘evolution clause’ into the conclusions of the leaders’ summit later this week. The clause promises that the EU will ‘reconsider its offer on trade, in the event that the UK changes its red lines. The paper adds that French President Emmanuel Macron is set to rebuke the UK for the lack of progress in negotiations.

Hungary warns that no deal would be ‘very devastating’ for the EU
The Daily Mail has been told by the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, that if the EU failed to reach a trade deal with the UK, its competitiveness would ‘further decrease’ and a ‘very devastating’ situation would result. He also criticised attempts to exclude the UK from participating in joint security projects.

Government rejects tidal lagoon plans
The Guardian reports that the Government has rejected plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay because it judged the scheme to be too expensive when compared to other energy sources such as offshore wind and nuclear power. Government analysis suggested that supporting the lagoon would have cost the average consumer £700 more by 2050.

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Today’s Political Headlines include the Heathrow third runway vote, Labour’s promise to end defence outsourcing, over 50 Tory MPs ready to block a no-deal Brexit and a former adviser to Theresa May calls to unlock home ownership for young workers. 

Grayling calls on Tory MPs to back third runway
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has urged his party’s MPs to back a third runway at Heathrow in today’s vote, arguing that Brexit means that the UK needs ‘to demonstrate clearly that out future lies very much at the heart of the world stage.’ Some Conservative MPs have criticised the absence of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who had previously promised to prevent the scheme. The Guardian adds that Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, has written to Labour MPs, calling on them to back the scheme, bringing him into conflict with the party’s leadership.

Labour to promise end to defence outsourcing
The BBC reports that Nia Griffith, the Shadow Defence Secretary, will promise in a speech today that a Labour government would end outsourcing of large defence contracts and criticise the performance of firms such as Capita and Carillion. The Daily Mail says that allies of Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson have claimed that dozens of Conservative MPs could vote to block the budget if defence spending isn’t increased.

Over 50 Tory MPs ready to block no deal Brexit
The Financial Times claims that ‘senior Conservative politicians’ believe that over 50 Conservative MPs, including some current ministers, are prepared to block any attempt by the UK to leave the EU without a deal. The paper also reports that Downing Street is trying to reassure businesses following dismissive remarks from two Cabinet ministers.

Former adviser calls on May to unlock home ownership for young workers
The Sun reports that Conservative MP Neil O’Brien, a former adviser to Theresa May, is calling for a million new houses to be set aside for workers under 40. A report by his new think tank, Onward, calls for half a million new homes to be built for rent to those under 40 with discounts of up to a fifth, and for Government support for 500,000 loans for deposits.

MPs and campaigners call for Home Office fees to be cut
The Guardian says that MPs and campaigners are calling for Home Office fees for asylum, immigration, nationality and customs services to be reduced urgently. The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt, launched a consultation on the charges, and Labour MP Stephen Doughty claimed that it is ‘never acceptable’ for the Home Office to profit from applications.

New research shows that over 30,000 children are in gangs
The Times says that new research shows that over 30,000 children aged between 10 and 15 claim to belong to gangs. Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield warned that criminals prey on young people by ‘taking the place of society’, with analysis by her office showing that up to 70,000 under-25s could be part of a gang network.

No trade deal with US if geographical protections maintained, Paul Ryan warns
The Daily Telegraph claims that International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has written to Brexit Secretary David Davis, warning that he has been told by senior Republican Paul Ryan that a free trade deal with the US would not be possible if EU geographical indication protections for food and drink such as Champagne and Parma ham are maintained after Brexit.

Pro-Corbyn group launches campaign for a ‘people’s vote’ on the deal
The Guardian reports that a pro-Corbyn group is to launch a campaign for a ‘people’s vote’ on the final Brexit deal. The group, Labour for a People’s Vote, is led by former Momentum members and trade union leaders, with activists from 62 local parties pledging to raise the issue in a motion to Labour’s conference in September.

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Today’s Political Headlines include Airbus preparing to relocate outside of the UK, Juncker increasing preparations for a no-deal Brexit and Greg Hands’ resignation.  

Airbus prepares to relocate business over Brexit fears
The Times reports that Airbus is preparing to abandon plans to build aircraft wings in the UK, assuming a ‘worst-case scenario’ and stockpiling components. A risk assessment warns that the company, which employs 14,000 people in the UK with a further 110,000 jobs in its UK supply chain, would have to ‘reconsider its footprint’ in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The firm delivered its warnings privately to the Prime Minister three weeks ago.

Juncker warns that EU is increasing no deal preparations
According to The Guardian, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned the Irish parliament that he was increasing preparations for a no-deal Brexit, including a new peace programme in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Daily Telegraph reports that the US ambassador, Woody Johnson, has told the British to be less ‘defeatist’ towards Brexit. The paper also warns that ‘violent criminals’ could be among the 4m EU citizens given the right to stay after Brexit, with Iain Duncan Smith claiming that the scheme is too generous. The Sun claims that Theresa May is to launch a tour of European capitals at the end of July, in a bid to ‘jump-start’ trade talks.

Hands quits over Heathrow, increasing pressure on Johnson
The Guardian claims that the Prime Minister is ‘facing a fresh crisis’ after Greg Hands, an international trade minister, quit his post so that he could vote against the third runway at Heathrow. The paper says this has increased pressure on Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, to vote against the runway. He is currently scheduled to be out of the country.

Probation system in a ‘mess’ after failed reforms, MPs say
The BBC says that a report by the Commons Justice Committee has concluded that the probation system is in a ‘mess’ and that it was ‘unconvinced’ that reforms introduced in 2014 could ever deliver an effective service. The Government has acknowledged that there had been ‘challenges’ and that a review would be published next month.

Hammond pledges to fight for the City in Brexit talks
The Financial Times reports that Philip Hammond used his annual address at Mansion House to promise to fight for the City of London in Brexit talks. He accused the EU of not putting forward a ‘credible’ alternative to UK proposals. Hammond said that the Treasury was not ‘the enemy of Brexit’ but wanted to work ‘closely’ with the EU.

Commons spent £2.4m on gagging clauses
The BBC’s Newsnight has learnt that the House of Commons has spent £2.4m on ‘gagging clauses’ for former staff since 2013. A spokesperson claimed that these were used ‘to resolve employment disputes’, but Jill Rutter of the Institute for Government said their use was ‘impossible to justify’.

Government to promote fruit-picking to jobseekers
According to The Times, the Government is producing guidance to convince unemployed people to work in fruit-picking. Two thirds of farms have reported a shortage of applicants this year, and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has met industry representatives.

Increase in defence funding unlikely, despite Williamson’s campaign
The Guardian says that ‘Whitehall sources’ have claimed that there is unlikely to be an increase in defence spending over the next year, despite a campaign by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, Theresa May yesterday refused to confirm that the UK was still a ‘top-tier’ military power.

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Today’s Political Headlines include the passing of the Brexit Bill, the UK’s defence, the Gosport hospital scandal and British expats. 

May welcomes passing of Brexit Bill
The BBC reports that Theresa May has welcomed the passing of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, following the decision of some Conservative rebels to back a compromise stance on a ‘meaningful vote’ on the final deal. The bill has now gone forward for Royal Assent. The Prime Minister claimed that this was ‘a crucial step’ to deliver a ‘smooth and orderly Brexit’, with a white paper and votes on the Trade and Customs Bill to follow in ‘the next few weeks’. The Guardian says that Labour MP Naz Shah has criticised Tory whips for rejecting a pairing request, leading her to discharge herself from hospital and vote in her pyjamas.

May asked Williamson to justify the UK’s role as a ‘tier one’ military power
The Financial Times claims that Theresa May asked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to justify the UK’s position as a ‘tier one’ military power at a ‘tense meeting’ on Tuesday, telling him to focus more on cyber warfare. A spokesman said that it was ‘categorically untrue’ that the position of the UK ‘as a leading defence nation is somehow in question’.

Campaigners warn that Gosport hospital scandal could be repeated
The Times says that campaigners have warned that the NHS could see a repeat of the opiate scandal that killed up to 650 patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, because it still ignores whistle-blowers. An independent report into the scandal was published yesterday, and Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that the police will investigate new material raised by it and consider criminal charges, if appropriate.

Javid criticises EU member states over arrangements for British expats
The Daily Telegraph reports that Home Secretary Sajid Javid has criticised the EU for failing to match the UK’s progress on making arrangement for expats post-Brexit, ahead of the publication today of the UK’s settled status scheme for EU citizens resident in the UK. He asked the European Parliament and Commission to exert pressure on member states to publish ‘similar plans’ to ‘support British nationals in their countries’.

Chancellor to set out strategy for post-Brexit ‘global financial partnerships’
The Financial Times says that Philip Hammond will today use his annual speech at Mansion House to set out a strategy for securing new ‘global financial partnerships’ after Brexit, targeted at countries such as China, India, South Korea and Australia. The BBC adds that the Chancellor will admit that taxes will have to increase to fund NHS spending increases.

Government to introduce anti-upskirting legislation today
As the BBC reports, the Government is to introduce legislation to make upskirting a criminal offence today, after Tory backbencher Sir Christopher Chope blocked an earlier attempt by Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse. If it passes, offenders could spend up to two years in prison.

May criticises Trump’s immigration policies but defends visit
The Guardian says that Theresa May described Donald Trump’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents as ‘deeply disturbing’ and ‘wrong’, but defended her decision to invite him to the UK next month, indicating that she would raise her concerns with him when they meet.

Speaker urged to set departure date
The Daily Mail claims that friends of Commons Speaker John Bercow have told him to make a statement naming the date on which he will step down. When originally elected, he promised to serve for nine years, and that deadline will be met on Friday. MPs who have spoken to him have reportedly urged him to resign by next summer’s recess at the latest.

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