Johnson says changes to Northern Ireland Protocol are ‘trivial’ June 13, 2022 Boris Johnson has downplayed planned UK changes to the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol as a “trivial adjustment” amid EU fears they will breach international law. Foreign secretary Liz Truss will today publish new legislation, which is expected to unilaterally override the protocol, despite warnings from the Irish government that this will represent a new low-point [...]
Keir Starmer to be investigated by Westminster watchdog over earnings and gifts June 13, 2022 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is being investigated by Westminster’s standards watchdog over potential breaches of parliamentary rules for declaring gifts and earnings. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has revealed that it opened an investigation into Starmer last week for potentially breaking two rules. The commissioner’s website says the Labour leader is being probed on [...]
Separatists say ‘no grounds’ for reprieve after two Brits sentenced to death June 13, 2022 The head of the separatist region which sentenced two Brits to death for fighting for Ukraine has said there’s “no reason” to reverse the decision. Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner – and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun – are facing the ultimate price for opposing Russia, after a “sham” trial found them guilty of “mercenary activities” last week. [...]
Environment minister doubles down on food strategy despite criticism from lead adviser June 13, 2022 Food minister George Eustice has doubled down on the government’s food strategy amid criticism it has not gone far enough to help issues like obesity and food poverty. The lead adviser to the plan, restauranter Henry Dimbleby, has criticised the blueprint as “not a strategy”. “It doesn’t set out a clear vision as to why [...]
Andrew Bailey to face MPs over British Steel pensions scandal with former FCA boss under fire June 13, 2022 BANK of England governor Andrew Bailey will face MPs later today as he faces questions over his then-role at the top of the financial watchdog during the British Steel pension scheme. When Tata Steel — British Steel’s owner — was in financial difficulty in 2017, The Pensions Regulator allowed staff to transfer their pensions out [...]
Food strategy ‘half baked’ say farmers but producers’ body gives guarded welcome June 13, 2022 THE GOVERNMENT is set to ditch plans to put increased taxes on sugary and salty foods in its food strategy, set to be published today. The strategy will also put in place an independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain, with a lack of workers causing farmers real issues in recent months. [...]
Sadiq Khan sends letters to London Tory rebels calling for TfL support June 13, 2022 Sadiq Khan has sent letters to London Tory MPs who voted against Boris Johnson in last week’s leadership vote to ask them to lobby for improved Transport for London (TfL) funding. In an attempt to drive a further wedge between Johnson and his backbenchers, Khan said the MPs should “lobby the Prime Minister and the [...]
CBI: Government must act now on economy to prevent recession June 13, 2022 Urgent action is needed from the government to revive growth otherwise the UK will plunge into a recession. That’s the warning today from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the country’s biggest business group. Without a fresh package of measures before the summer parliamentary recess to boost business confidence, a recession will be “a very [...]
Australia reaches settlement with French firm to ease ‘Aukus’ tensions June 12, 2022 Australia has reached a settlement with France's Naval Group, as compensation for scuppering a submarine contract with the country.
WTO to hold first major ministerial meeting in five years on Monday June 12, 2022 The World Trade Organisation (WTO) will hold its first ministerial meeting in five years tomorrow, with the UK’s international trade secretary saying that “freedom and fairness are now more important than ever”. WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will lead the meeting in Geneva with 100 trade ministers from across the world, with the organisation hoping to [...]