Brexit news: Time now ‘very short’ for deal, says No10 as non-British rough sleepers face deportation
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Time is “very short” for a Brexit deal to be agreed upon, No10 said ahead of talks resuming.
UK and EU Brexit negotiators prepared to embark on an "intensified phase of talks" on Thursday after Brussels said both sides needed to compromise on trade issues following a recent stand-off.
Key issues of contention are fishing rights, the governance of any deal and the “level playing field” aimed at preventing unfair competition.
Meanwhile, new immigration rules set to come into force after the Brexit transition period mean non-British rough sleepers face being deported from the UK.
Campaigners have described the plan as “completely unreasonable” and “cruel”.
Cummings could still be forced to pay £50,000 in council tax
Dominic Cummings could be forced to pay up to £50,000 in council tax that was previously waived by government officials, the leader of Durham County Council has said.
Backdated tax on two properties on his family farm, built without planning permission in 2002, was written off in a decision by the Valuation Office Agency – sparking local anger.
But Durham County Council’s Labour leader Simon Henig has now requested his authority’s financial officers look into appealing the decision.
Dominic Cummings could be forced to pay £50,000 in council tax previously waived by officials
Tax was not paid on two properties for 18 years because they never had planning permission.
No 10: Time now ‘very short’ for Brexit deal
Referring to the resumed Brexit negotiations, Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “In terms of the timeframe, I think, what I would say is that time is now very short. We have been repeatedly clear that any agreement needs to be in place before the end of the transition period.”
One seemingly innocuous phrase used by Michel Barnier on Wednesday – that “both sides” must compromise – was enough for No 10 to restart talks. There doesn’t appear to have been any substantial concessions made behind the scenes, which suggests the last few days has been pure grandstanding.
However, there have upbeat reports that a deal could be done within two weeks, with The Telegraph reporting that Lord Frost believed Brussels was ready to apply a “fundamental” change of approach to the talks.
‘Don’t call people scum’
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has now apologised for calling Tory MP Chris Clarkson “scum” during a Commons debate.
Former Conservative adviser Anita Boateng, discussing the incident on BBC Politics Live, has said: “As a general rule of thumb, don’t call people scum.”
Tom Watson, former deputy leader of Labour, said: “Sometimes it just fizzes over when you are in the chamber. I remember being pulled over by the chamber when I called Michael Gove a pipsqueak … I’m sure Angie regrets it.”
Food firms tell PM they could pull out of Northern Ireland
Major food and drink companies are set to quit Northern Ireland because of “the added cost, complexity and trade friction” of doing business after Brexit, the government has been told.
In a letter sent to cabinet ministers, the leaders of 39 good and drink industry bodies say “it no longer be practical for many of our businesses to supply good from Great Britain for sale in the Northern Ireland market”.
New border controls will be imposed on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the transition period ends on 31 December.
The firms have warned that unless checks are minimised in ongoing trade talks with the EU then many companies will simply have to stop supplying the Northern Irish market.
Our correspondent Jon Stone has more details:
Food and drink companies tell Boris Johnson they will have to pull out of Northern Ireland because of his Brexit deal
Added trade frictions prompt concern
Sunak’s measures ‘sticking plaster’ rather than solution, mayor of London says
Sadiq Khan said the measures announced by Rishi Sunak were a "sticking plaster" rather than a solution to the problems faced by the economy.
The mayor of London said: "The changes announced today are a welcome improvement to the flawed and narrow Job Support Scheme announced last month.
"These should have been in place from the start - instead, businesses and workers have been put through weeks of uncertainty.
"This latest announcement is just a sticking-plaster solution that still fails to match the true scale of the problem.
"The collapse of tourism into London has impacted heavily on footfall and left many hospitality, retail and leisure businesses without any prospect of returning to normal levels of business for many months to come.
"The government needs to get its act together and provide a functioning test and trace system so the economy can be further reopened, safely."
Coronavirus fight ‘not over,' health secretary says
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, opening a general debate on Covid-19, told the Commons: "The fight is not over and the virus continues to spread, and cases and hospitalisations and tragically deaths are all rising.
"Yesterday we learned Liverpool hospital trust is now treating more Covid patients than at the peak in April.
"And across the UK, the number of deaths has doubled in under the fortnight.
"And yet, just as the situation we face is grave, so too is hope of a solution growing.
"And with every day my confidence in the ingenuity of science to bring resolution grows, but until that moment we must have resolve."
Stoke, Coventry and Slough move to ‘high’ lockdown restrictions
Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry and Slough will move into the tier 2 "high" coronavirus level at one minute past midnight on Saturday, Matt Hancock has announced.
Stoke, Coventry and Slough move to ‘high’ Covid lockdown restrictions
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Mr Hancock added that Warrington may be moved into Tier 3.
He told MPs: "We are also formally beginning discussions with Warrington about moving into the very high alert level due to a continuing rise in cases there."
Mr Hancock added: "I hope that with everybody supporting these measures and taking the actions that are necessary, we can keep these restrictions in place for as little time as possible.
"But I am absolutely convinced that we do need to make progress and what I have announced today is that we will formally start the talks and I hope that we can reach an agreement and a resolution soon."
Councils given powers to use closure notices to shut premises on public health grounds
Mr Hancock said the government will give councils powers to use closure notices to shut premises on public health grounds without delay.
He told MPs: "As part of local discussions, local authorities including the LGA (Local Government Association) have asked for stronger enforcement powers, and I agree.
"To support businesses who are doing the right thing, it is fair that we take action against those businesses who are doing the wrong thing - so firm enforcement helps make these restrictions fairer for all.
"So we want to put in place stronger regulations to give local authorities firmer powers to take further action in their area.
"The proposals that we'll bring forward will mean councils will be able to act without delay and use closure notices to shut premises on public health grounds to help suppress the virus.
"We'll work with local authorities in the coming days on the details of these proposals so we can act in a firm and fast way against the minority who are breaching these lifesaving rules."
MPs to be consulted about further lockdowns ‘preferably in advance of any announcement,’ health secretary says
Mr Hancock said MPs will be consulted about further lockdowns in their constituencies "preferably in advance of any announcement" while Parliament is on recess.
Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth asked if MPs in areas that might see tougher restrictions during the parliamentary recess will be kept informed by the government.
He added: "He didn't mention anything about Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire, and he will know that they are candidates that are widely speculated as the next to go into the tier 3 lockdown restrictions. I just wonder, given the localised infection rates... he must be considering the future of West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire?"
Mr Hancock replied: "As previously announced, discussions are under way, we want to proceed in consultation and working with the local areas and of course with parliamentary recess next week, we will find a way to ensure that colleagues are appraised of the situation, preferably in advance of any announcement."
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