Brexit talks to continue today after Boris Johnson and von der Leyen call December 8, 2020 Brexit talks will continue this week in Brussels after Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen agreed to give negotiations a final shot. Johnson and von der Leyen are believed to have spoken for about an hour last night to discuss if a deal can be finally agreed before the 31 December deadline. They will [...]
Brexit: UK ‘prepared’ to axe controversial Internal Market Bill clauses that break international law December 7, 2020 The UK government is “prepared” to remove the controversial Northern Ireland clauses in Boris Johnson’s Internal Market Bill, that could breach international law, if a UK-EU post-Brexit trade deal is reached. A government statement released this afternoon said the UK was willing to take out all clauses in the Internal Market Bill and following Finance [...]
Sadiq Khan calls for Sunak to U-turn on scrapping VAT exemption for tourists December 7, 2020 Sadiq Khan has added his voice to the chorus of figures calling for Rishi Sunak to U-turn on his decision to scrap the UK’s VAT exemption for tourists. Khan today said the move would be “hugely counter-productive” as the UK economy recovers from the Covid crisis next year and that revenue lost from the change [...]
Tory mayoral candidate calls for Night Tube and Waterloo & City line to open December 7, 2020 Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey is urging Sadiq Khan to reopen the entire London Underground network, including the Night Tube and City & Waterloo line. Bailey also called for all Transport for London (TfL) staff to be given a free flu jab this winter. TfL closed the City & Waterloo line – which is a [...]
Brexit: Michel Barnier tells MEPs that Wednesday is final deadline for deal December 7, 2020 Brussels’ chief negotiator Michel Barnier has reportedly told MEPs that Wednesday is the final deadline to salvage to a UK-EU trade deal and escape a no-deal Brexit. Barnier spoke to MEPs and to EU ambassadors this morning, after in-person negotiations with his UK counterpart Lord David Frost in Brusels yesterday. Talks continue in Brussels today. [...]
Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Rishi Sunak that raising taxes will cost Tories next election December 7, 2020 Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned Rishi Sunak that he will cost the Tories the next election if he raises taxes next year in what could be the start of a cabinet row. The Leader of the House of Commons said on his Moggcast podcast last night that raising taxes would damage the UK’s economic recovery and [...]
Brexit: Controversial Internal Market Bill to come before parliament TODAY December 7, 2020 Boris Johnson’s controversial Internal Market Bill, that may breach international law, will come back to MPs today after the House of Lords rejected it. Clauses pertaining to Northern Ireland that will breach the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, and therefore international law, if there is no post-Brexit UK-EU trade deal were taken out of the bill by [...]
Sazka backs move to increase age to play UK lottery, in battle with Camelot to run gambling December 7, 2020 Sazka backs move to increase age to play UK lottery, in battle with Camelot to run gambling
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group eyes last minute rescue of Debenhams December 6, 2020 Billionaire retail tycoon Mike Ashley is reportedly trying to rescue Debenhams in a bid that could save 12,000 jobs. Ashley, who founded retail giant Frasers Group and was previously a major Debenhams shareholder, is reportedly trying to thrash out a deal that would see the retailer valued at more than £200m. The retailer went into [...]
Covid vaccine: UK’s medicines regulator ‘ready’ for no-deal Brexit December 6, 2020 The UK’s medicines regulator is prepared for the prospect of a no-deal Brexit and is determined it will not affect Covid vaccine distribution, according to its chief. Dr June Raine, chief executive at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said the regulator was “prepared forany possible outcome”. Fears that the UK will leave [...]