Archive for: Blog Posts

Today’s Political Headlines include the nerve agent used to attack a former Russian spy, the Government’s new domestic abuse proposals, Labour’s fines for inaction on gender pay and the elderly care crippling councils. 

Nerve agent reportedly used to attack former Russian spy
The Times reports that ‘Whitehall sources’ say Sergei and Yulia Skripal were attacked with a nerve agent, increasing the likelihood of Kremlin involvement. It adds that Conservative MP Nick Boles has called on the UK to break off diplomatic ties with Russia and that Home Secretary Amber Rudd will make an urgent statement on the investigation today.

Government unveils new domestic abuse proposals
The Guardian has details of a new consultation on domestic abuse being launched by the Government today. Under the proposals, a new civil protection order would be introduced, allowing perpetrators to be banned from contacting their victims, barred from drinking alcohol and electronically tagged.

Labour would introduce fines for inaction on gender pay gaps
Labour has also announced a new policy to mark International Women’s Day, The Guardian says. Under a Labour government, all companies with more than 250 employees would not only have to publish their gender pay gap, but would have to prove they were taking action or face a fine.

One in ten councils face going bust over cost of caring for the elderly
The Times reports that a study by the National Audit Office shows that one in ten councils will run out of money in the next three years as they struggle to pay for the rising cost of care for the elderly, with central government funding having been cut by almost 50% over the last eight years. This is despite major cuts to waste, food hygiene, and youth services.

May raises human rights with Saudi Arabia, but is accused of colluding in war crimes
The BBC says that Theresa May raised human rights concerns when she met the Saudi Arabian crown prince yesterday. Jeremy Corbyn accused the Government of ‘colluding’ in war crimes by selling arms to the country and supporting it with military advisers.

Cost of Brexit to be outlined, as Hammond accused of bartering away fishing rights
The Financial Times says the impact of the Brexit Bill on public finances will be set out for the first time by the Office for Budget Responsibility at the spring statement next week. The paper also reports that in his speech yesterday, Philip Hammond warned the EU that if the UK’s access to European financial markets was cut, ‘significant additional costs’ would be borne by businesses and consumers. According to The Daily Telegraph, Hammond is being criticised for bartering away fishing rights in return for a better deal for the City, as the EU published its draft trade deal guidelines.

Labour secures vote on cuts to free school meals and childcare for children on Universal Credit
According to the Daily Mirror, the Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner, has blocked attempts by the Government to cut free school meals and free childcare for children on Universal Credit without a vote in Parliament. A vote will now have to be held, which the paper expects the Government to lose because the DUP opposes the change.

‘Civil war’ in Labour Party as Corbyn ally criticises unions
The Sun alleges that a ‘major civil war’ is taking place in the Labour Party after Christine Shawcroft, an ally of Jeremy Corbyn, called on the party to cut its links to the unions. She is supporting Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, in his bid to become General Secretary of the party, against Jennie Formby of Unite. The paper also reports that Corbyn was a member of an anti-Semitic Facebook group.

Vuelio Political services make your life easier.

Today’s Political Headlines include MI5 now investigating the Russian poisoning, the EU’s dismissal of Theresa May’s speech, Hammond’s Brexit speech and Junk food adverts to be curbed. 

MI5 treating poisoning as assassination attempt linked to Russia
The Times claims that it has been told by ‘Whitehall sources’ that the suspected poisoning of the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter is being treated as an assassination attempt linked to Russia by MI5. If this is found to be the case, Boris Johnson has promised that the Government ‘will respond appropriately and responsibly’ and also suggested that British dignitaries might boycott the World Cup in protest.

EU dismisses Theresa May’s speech as ‘double cherry-picking’
In an exclusive, The Guardian publishes a leaked document in which the EU dismisses Theresa May’s Brexit speech as ‘a change in tone, but not in substance’. The analysis says that the trade model proposed by May is ‘double cherry-picking’ and is unworkable, and that the speech was aimed May’s ‘domestic audience’. The paper also says that carmakers are stepping up their warnings about the impact of Brexit, while the Daily Mail reports that Ryanair’s boss has threatened to ground planes in an attempt to force a rethink of Brexit.

Hammond to give speech on Brexit and financial services
Chancellor Philip Hammond will give a speech today, telling European leaders that it is in the mutual interest of both the UK and the EU to include financial services in a free trade agreement, The Daily Telegraph says. He will warn that prices for financial services will go up without a deal. However, the Financial Times reports that Brussels and Paris will publicly rebuff May’s proposals to secure the City’s access to the EU single market.

Junk food adverts to be curbed
According to The Times, Theresa May is planning a U-turn on her obesity policy. She had ruled out restrictions on advertising and promotions of junk food, but new plans are now being drawn up by 10 Downing Street following pressure from Jeremy Hunt. A second child obesity strategy is now planned to be published later this year.

Nicola Sturgeon attacks former Children’s Minister as he refuses to stand down
The Daily Telegraph says that Nicola Sturgeon has attacked her former Children’s Minister, Mark McDonald, for refusing to step down as an MSP. McDonald has quit the SNP after an internal inquiry found that he had sent ‘inappropriate and unwanted’ messages, caused distress through ‘unwanted attention’ and abused his position of power.

Saudi crown prince starts UK visit
As the BBC reports, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, begins a three-day visit to the UK today, during which he will hold talks with Theresa May and have lunch with the Queen. The BBC says he ‘is seen by some as a modernising force’ but that protests are planned against Saudi Arabia’s role in the war in Yemen.

Jeremy Corbyn backs call for Wollstonecraft statue
The Guardian reports that the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his deputy Tom Watson are among 40 men who have signed a letter calling for the feminist Mary Wollstonecraft to be commemorated by a statue. The letter has also been signed by Andrew Adonis and Sir Vince Cable. The paper says that Harriet Harman has welcomed the arrival of ‘Tory feminist’ MPs, claiming that this has the potential to boost the women’s rights movement.

Government calls for tighter security on smart devices
The Daily Telegraph reports the Government will announce that smart devices must have far better security features to prevent them from being used by criminals. New guidelines and a code of practice for manufacturers are to be announced today.

Vuelio Political services can keep you informed at work, no matter what area of interest you have.

Today’s Political Headlines include the former Russian spy crisis, EU adviser upsetting May’s free trade plans, the EU/USA trade wars and the country on a diet. 

Former Russian spy collapses in Salisbury following contact with unnamed substance
The BBC reports that Russia claims to have ‘no information’ about what could have caused Sergei Skripal and an unnamed woman to collapse in Salisbury yesterday, following contact with an unnamed substance. Skripal was a former Russian spy, who had been convicted of passing secrets to MI6 and was sent to the UK as part of a prisoner swap. The widow of Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned in London in 2006, said the incident felt like ‘déjà vu’.

EU adviser strikes blow against May’s free trade deal plans
The Guardian says that Stefaan de Rynck, adviser to the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, struck a blow against Theresa May’s ‘chances of securing a deep free-trade deal with the EU’ last night, criticising her proposed mutual recognition of standards. The paper also reports that the Irish Taoiseach has dismissed Theresa May’s suggestion that the US-Canada border could be a model for the UK-Ireland border after Brexit.

EU prepares for trade war with the USA and UK-USA air talks are cut short
The Times reports that the European Union is ‘gearing up’ for a trade war with the USA, following President Trump’s decision to impose high tariffs on imported steel and aluminium, and threats towards car imports. Products to be targeted by the EU in retaliation include Harley-Davidson motorcycles, bourbon whiskey and Levi jeans, with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, saying the EU should react ‘quickly’ and ‘in a proportionate manner’. Meanwhile, the Financial Times claims that talks between the UK and the USA over a post-Brexit ‘Open Skies’ agreement have been cut short after the UK was offered a worse deal.

Local authorities and developers deny responsibility for the housing crisis
Following Theresa May’s announcement of a shake-up of planning rules yesterday, the Financial Times reports that local authorities and developers have denied that they are to blame for the housing crisis. The Guardian adds that the Government has yet to enact its pledge in the autumn budget to give councils more powers to crack down on empty homes.

Public Health England recommends calorie cut for processed foods
The Financial Times reports that Public Health England has recommended the calorie content of processed foods is cut by 20% by 2024 and extended the remit of a campaign against childhood obesity beyond sugar. The body estimates that reaching the target will prevent 35,000 premature deaths and save £9bn in health and care costs over 25 years.

Jobs or services would have to be cut to fund public sector pay rise
New analysis by the Centre for Labour and Social Studies (Class) published in The Guardian, reveals that the Government cannot fund a 1% pay increase for public sector workers without cutting jobs or public services. The report, commissioned by the PCS union, casts doubt on the Government’s claim to have lifted the public sector pay cap.

Justice Secretary targets violence and gangs in jails
The BBC reports that Justice Secretary David Gauke is to unveil measures to clamp down on violence and smuggling drugs, phones and weapons in prisons. Gauke will promise to ‘remove the influence of gangs’, so that prisons can become ‘places of hope not despair’.

Safeguarding incidents reported to Charity Commission include claims of child sex abuse
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has said that 26 charities have come forward to report safeguarding cases, including claims of sexual abuse of children and rape, The Guardian reports. Seven groups reported incidents that occurred in the last financial year and reports of serious incidents across all charities have doubled in the last month.

Vuelio Political services are available on a bespoke basis.

Today’s Political Headlines include May’s speech on planning policy, May’s criticism of Trump over the steel tariff plans, higher tax for baby boomers and legal action over immigration data blocks. 

May to give speech on planning policy today
As the BBC reports, Theresa May is due to give a speech on housing today. She will warn firms that are slow to build new homes that they could be refused planning permission in the future and criticise bonuses ‘based not on the number of homes they build but on their profits or share price’. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, May argues that ‘England needs more homes’ but promises ‘extra protection for Green Belt land’, environmental protections, and ‘a stronger emphasis on good design’.

May criticises Trump over steel tariff plans
In a phone call yesterday, Theresa May criticised President Trump for his plans for tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and after he threatened taxes on EU-made cars, The Times says. A spokesperson told the paper that the Prime Minister said that ‘multilateral action was the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity in all parties’ interests’.

Willetts to argue for higher taxes on baby boomers
David Willetts, the former Conservative minister and the Chair of the Resolution Foundation, will use a speech today to argue that the Government needs to target the wealth of baby boomers, through capital or property taxes, according to The Guardian. The paper also reports that the Institute for Public Policy Research has said that income tax bands could be scrapped without costing the Government and giving average earners as much as £1,100.

Legal action over Home Office plans to block access to immigration data
Two organisations are to challenge plans by the Home Office to deny millions of people access to the immigration data held on them in court, The Guardian says. The Open Rights Group (which campaigns on data privacy) and the3million (which represents EU citizens in the UK) argue that a clause in the Data Protection Bill breaches EU law.

EU to offer UK a Canada-style trade deal, as Tory customs union rebels back down
The Daily Telegraph claims the EU is to offer the UK a Canada-style trade deal this week, with only a short section on customs and services (and potentially no mention of financial services). The Sun says Conservative rebels are to back down on their threat to vote to keep the UK in a customs union, following Theresa May’s vow to keep the UK aligned in key industries. As the BBC reports, a Sinn Féin delegation is to meet EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier today, with the DUP meeting him tomorrow.

Five-sixths of employers fail to submit gender pay gap data
Just one sixth of employers with 250 or more staff have submitted gender pay gap data to the Government, with just a month before the deadline, according to the Financial Times. The Government expects about 9,000 employers to be captured by the regulations, but the paper’s calculations suggest that 13,500 could be affected. Only 1,442 have reported.

Government did not pursue opportunity to retrieve £364m from Carillion
The Guardian reports that the Government was aware of a plan that could have retrieved more than £360m from Carillion, limiting the cost to taxpayers and sparing cuts to pensions, but it did not encourage the firm to pursue it. The plan, presented by EY in December, would have broken the firm up, selling the profitable parts and liquidating the rest.

Team Sky ‘crossed an ethical line’, committee finds
A report by the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has concluded that Team Sky ‘crossed an ethical line’ by using drugs permitted by anti-doping rules to enhance performance, instead of just for medical purposes, the BBC reports. Team Sky says that it ‘strongly refutes’ the claims in the report.

Vuelio Political services are available to you.

Today’s Political Headlines include May’s five tests, the end of Leveson II, Gove’s warning and MI5 agents committing crimes. 

May to set out ‘five tests’ for Brexit deal in speech
Theresa May will give a speech today, in which she will set out five ‘tests’ for a deal between the UK and the EU, as the BBC reports. The Times adds that the Prime Minister has been forced to drop a pledge to make a ‘binding commitment’ to mirror EU rules in some sectors and will instead offer ‘strong commitments’. The pledge had been supported by Greg Clark and Philip Hammond, but opposed by David Davis, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.

Government cancels Leveson II
The Leveson inquiry was formally closed yesterday, after ministers decided not to proceed with the second part – read more here. The Government will also seek to repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which would have imposed ‘draconian fines’ on publishers who didn’t join a state-recognised press regulator. Campaigners for reform of the press criticised the decision, saying that victims of phone-hacking had been let down.

Gove warns water industry over high pay and dividends
The Financial Times says that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove has continued his criticism of the water industry. In a speech to industry executives, he attacked high pay, dividends and tax avoidance and warned that unless companies take action, pressure for renationalisation would grow.

MI5 agents can commit crimes, May admits
According to the Daily Mail, Theresa May admitted for the first time that MI5 agents could commit crimes in the UK, saying that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner oversees ‘security service agents’ participation in criminality’. The commissioner, Lord Justice Fulford, welcomed the decision to ‘make public my oversight of this sensitive area of work.’

GDPR hotline faces criticism
A Government hotline set up to advise small businesses on GDPR, the new data protection rules coming into effect in May, is criticised in The Sun. Callers are having to wait for up to half an hour, and officials have urged businesses not to use the line. Instead, they have been advised to use the Information Commissioner’s Office’s website or speak to industry groups.

Conservative Vice-Chair for Women calls for debate on lowering abortion limit
Maria Caulfield, the Conservative Party’s Vice-Chair for Women, has called for a national debate on lowering the 24-week abortion limit according to The Daily Telegraph. She highlighted studies that show that 50% of babies born at 22 weeks survive and said ‘The 24-week limit was introduced at a time when babies were really not viable at 24 weeks. Now babies who are born premature grow up to live long, healthy lives like the rest of us.’

Just one conviction for ‘double voting’ in 2017
The BBC reports that despite there being hundreds of complaints about ‘double voting’ in the 2017 general election, just one conviction has resulted. The Electoral Commission received over 1,000 e-mails about ‘double voting’ and 60 letters from 47 MPs, but just five investigations took place.

Livingstone suspended from Labour and Lansman runs for General Secretary
The Daily Mirror reports that outgoing Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol has made use of a rare power to indefinitely suspend the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone from the Labour party for alleged anti-semitism. The paper also reports that Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, has confirmed that he will be running to succeed McNicol.

Find out how Vuelio Political services can help you.