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Trade secretary Truss takes swipe at Washington, saying US can't decide UK tax policy on tech giants – live news Trade secretary Truss takes swipe at Washington, saying US can't decide UK tax policy on tech giants – live news
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenRolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen
A Welsh Conservative candidate accused of deliberately sabotaging a rape trial has been deselected by his party, the Press Association reports. Ross England was giving evidence as a witness in the trial of a male friend when it was halted after he referred to the female victim’s previous sexual history against the directions of the judge. Today the Conservative party said England’s nomination to contest the Vale of Glamorgan seat in the 2021 Welsh assembly election had been withdrawn.
The proportion of recorded crimes in England and Wales that resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed to court has fallen again, fresh figures reveal, as knife crime surges to a record high, my colleague Jamie Grierson reports.
Sharon Hodgson, the shadow health secretary, is responding to Matt Hancock’s statement. She has some questions.
Will flights from other Chinese cities be monitored?
What advice is being given to other people flying to China?
Are contingency plans in place in case the disease does reach the UK?
Hancock is replying now. He says it is important to get enhanced monitoring right. He says symptoms from coronavirus take five to seven days to appear, and can take up to 14 days. So monitoring people on aircraft is of limited value, he suggests. But he says there will be no further flights out of Wuhan anyway.
In the Commons Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is making a statement about the coronavirus outbreak.
He says there have been 571 cases, and 17 reported fatalities.
Most cases of this new virus have been non-fatal, he says. But some cases have been fatal.
There are no cases of this new infection in the UK so far, he says.
He says the government is closely monitoring the situation.
Since yesterday health officials have been monitoring people on flights from Wuhan. And people on flights from China are receiving information about this, he says.
He says the chief medical officer has changed the risk level to the UK from very low to low.
But the UK is prepared to deal with any outbreak, he says.
He says travel advice has been updated, and the government is now advising against all but essential travel to Wuhan.
In her Sky News interview this morning Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, hinted that the government is minded to allow the Chinese firm Huawei to play a role in constructing the UK’s 5G network. The US government has been strongly urging London not to use Huawei, claiming that it poses a security risk and threatening to limit intelligence cooperation if Huawei does get the go-ahead.
Leadsom said the government would take a decision on this soon. But, as Reuters reports, she highlighted difficulties with not using Huawei. She said:
But she also said she shared concerns about protecting national security.
Speaking ahead of his meeting with Boris Johnson later, Richard Ratcliffe said that he hoped the PM would “take responsibility” for the detention of his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iran. Ratcliffe told the Today programme:Speaking ahead of his meeting with Boris Johnson later, Richard Ratcliffe said that he hoped the PM would “take responsibility” for the detention of his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iran. Ratcliffe told the Today programme:
Ratcliffe also urged Johnson to be “brave” in resolving a long-running trade dispute with Iran over the settlement of a £400m debt. He said:Ratcliffe also urged Johnson to be “brave” in resolving a long-running trade dispute with Iran over the settlement of a £400m debt. He said:
My colleague Patrick Wintour has more on this in his overnight story previewing the meeting.My colleague Patrick Wintour has more on this in his overnight story previewing the meeting.
Sajid Javid, the chancellor, has launched a hunt for someone to replace long-standing Office for Budget Responsibility chairman Robert Chote when his term at the fiscal watchdog comes to an end in October. As the Press Association reports, Chote has headed up the independent economic forecaster since it was launched in 2010, having served the maximum two five-year terms. The chancellor said Chote has led the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) with “intelligence, independence and integrity”. Sajid Javid, the chancellor, has launched a hunt for someone to replace longstanding Office for Budget Responsibility chairman Robert Chote when his term at the fiscal watchdog comes to an end in October. As PA Media reports, Chote has headed up the independent economic forecaster since it was launched in 2010, having served the maximum two five-year terms. The chancellor said Chote had led the OBR with “intelligence, independence and integrity”.
In a statement Javid said:In a statement Javid said:
The Treasury said the recruitment process will look at the “broadest possible pool of applicants” and is open to applications until February 20. The Treasury said the recruitment process would look at the “broadest possible pool of applicants” and is open to applications until 20 February.
Michel Barner’s senior adviser Stefaan De Rynck has warned that the EU will not tolerate any “backsliding” on the commitment to introduce checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea as part of the controversial Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. At an event at University College London last night, De Rynck was clear that checks were part of the Northern Ireland protocol and warned that if the deal was not complied with there could be sanctions.Michel Barner’s senior adviser Stefaan De Rynck has warned that the EU will not tolerate any “backsliding” on the commitment to introduce checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea as part of the controversial Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. At an event at University College London last night, De Rynck was clear that checks were part of the Northern Ireland protocol and warned that if the deal was not complied with there could be sanctions.
His remarks put him at odds with Boris Johnson, who on Wednesday gave yet another assurance to the DUP’s Westminster leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, that there would be no checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to GB or from GB to Northern Ireland under the deal.His remarks put him at odds with Boris Johnson, who on Wednesday gave yet another assurance to the DUP’s Westminster leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, that there would be no checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to GB or from GB to Northern Ireland under the deal.
De Rynck refused to comment on what Johnson said, but confirmed checks were part of the special NI arrangements. He said the protocol was “very clear” that the UK authorities would have to implement the checks and ensure that products going from GB to NI complied with the EU’s single market standards for food and agrifood. He said:De Rynck refused to comment on what Johnson said, but confirmed checks were part of the special NI arrangements. He said the protocol was “very clear” that the UK authorities would have to implement the checks and ensure that products going from GB to NI complied with the EU’s single market standards for food and agrifood. He said:
He warned that the next stage of negotiations would be tough and that there could be no sector by sector cherry-picking. And he said it needed to be better understood in British media that a zero-tariff and zero-quota offer to the single market was a big offer to the UK.He warned that the next stage of negotiations would be tough and that there could be no sector by sector cherry-picking. And he said it needed to be better understood in British media that a zero-tariff and zero-quota offer to the single market was a big offer to the UK.
Touching on recent comments by Sajid Javid, the chancellor, that the UK would not be seeking alignment with the EU on trade rules, De Rynck warned there were “consequences” for that.Touching on recent comments by Sajid Javid, the chancellor, that the UK would not be seeking alignment with the EU on trade rules, De Rynck warned there were “consequences” for that.
Asked if the EU would agree to a “salami slice” deal involving a “bare bones” pact on trade by the end of the year with other issues to follow in the months and years beyond, De Rynck quipped:Asked if the EU would agree to a “salami slice” deal involving a “bare bones” pact on trade by the end of the year with other issues to follow in the months and years beyond, De Rynck quipped:
This is from my colleague John Crace on Liz Truss’s comments about trade and the US.This is from my colleague John Crace on Liz Truss’s comments about trade and the US.
Here is the full reply from Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, when she was asked in the Commons a few minutes ago by the Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds if the government would back down in the face of American pressure over its plans for a digital services tax. (See 9.55am.) She told him:Here is the full reply from Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, when she was asked in the Commons a few minutes ago by the Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds if the government would back down in the face of American pressure over its plans for a digital services tax. (See 9.55am.) She told him:
In the Commons Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, is taking questions. She has just suggested that the government will not back down over its plans for a digital services tax despite opposition from Washington, which is worried about the impact on US tech giants. This is from Politico’s Emilio Casalicchio.In the Commons Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, is taking questions. She has just suggested that the government will not back down over its plans for a digital services tax despite opposition from Washington, which is worried about the impact on US tech giants. This is from Politico’s Emilio Casalicchio.
Truss’s comments reflect what Sajid Javid, the chancellor, said at Davos yesterday, although her tone was more confrontational than his. She was effectively telling the US not to interfere. Yesterday the US treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said the US might respond with retaliatory tariffs if the UK went ahead with the digital sales tax.Truss’s comments reflect what Sajid Javid, the chancellor, said at Davos yesterday, although her tone was more confrontational than his. She was effectively telling the US not to interfere. Yesterday the US treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said the US might respond with retaliatory tariffs if the UK went ahead with the digital sales tax.
The shadow Treasury minister, Jonathan Reynolds, said he found her comment interesting.The shadow Treasury minister, Jonathan Reynolds, said he found her comment interesting.
Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, was giving interviews this morning to promote the announcement that the government is ensuring that parents who suffer the loss of a child under the age of 18 will be entitled to two weeks of statutory paid leave from work. Our story on the announcement is here.Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, was giving interviews this morning to promote the announcement that the government is ensuring that parents who suffer the loss of a child under the age of 18 will be entitled to two weeks of statutory paid leave from work. Our story on the announcement is here.
According to the Times (paywall), Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, has submitted a complaint to the parliamentary commissioner standards about alleged bullying by John Bercow when he was Speaker. Other officials have complained about Bercow’s treatment of staff in the past, but Lisvane is the most senior official to have submitted a formal complaint, the paper says.According to the Times (paywall), Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, has submitted a complaint to the parliamentary commissioner standards about alleged bullying by John Bercow when he was Speaker. Other officials have complained about Bercow’s treatment of staff in the past, but Lisvane is the most senior official to have submitted a formal complaint, the paper says.
In a statement to the Times Bercow, who has repeatedly denied claims that he bullied officials, said:In a statement to the Times Bercow, who has repeatedly denied claims that he bullied officials, said:
The last sentence is a reference to reports that Bercow is being nominated for a peerage. It is normal for a former Speaker to be offered a peerage, but there have been reports that Bercow’s nomination for one comes from Jeremy Corbyn, in the dissolution honours list, because Boris Johnson is reluctant to make the nomination himself.The last sentence is a reference to reports that Bercow is being nominated for a peerage. It is normal for a former Speaker to be offered a peerage, but there have been reports that Bercow’s nomination for one comes from Jeremy Corbyn, in the dissolution honours list, because Boris Johnson is reluctant to make the nomination himself.
In an interview on Sky News this morning the business secretary Andrea Leadsom, who had an acrimonious relationship with Bercow herself when she was leader of the Commons (she says he once called her a “stupid woman” in the chamber), suggested that a bullying complaint could stop Bercow getting a peerage. She said:In an interview on Sky News this morning the business secretary Andrea Leadsom, who had an acrimonious relationship with Bercow herself when she was leader of the Commons (she says he once called her a “stupid woman” in the chamber), suggested that a bullying complaint could stop Bercow getting a peerage. She said:
In Davos Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, has said Washington expects to conclude a trade deal with the UK by the end of this year, Faisal Islam, the BBC’s economics editor, reports.In Davos Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, has said Washington expects to conclude a trade deal with the UK by the end of this year, Faisal Islam, the BBC’s economics editor, reports.
My colleague Graeme Wearden has more on his Davos live blog. He will be covering Sajid Javid, the chancellor, who will be giving a speech at the conference at lunchtime.My colleague Graeme Wearden has more on his Davos live blog. He will be covering Sajid Javid, the chancellor, who will be giving a speech at the conference at lunchtime.
There will be an oral statement in the Commons after 10.30am from Matt Hancock, the health secretary, on the coronavirus crisis.There will be an oral statement in the Commons after 10.30am from Matt Hancock, the health secretary, on the coronavirus crisis.
Yesterday the government’s EU (withdrawal agreement) bill, the legislation that will take the UK out of the EU next week, cleared parliament. This was a foregone conclusion ever since Boris Johnson won the general election with a near-landslide majority and, in a curious paradox, the Brexit deal that paralysed parliament for more than two years, and brought down a PM, barely made the news as it finally got over its last parliamentary hurdle. In response, Johnson put out this statement:Yesterday the government’s EU (withdrawal agreement) bill, the legislation that will take the UK out of the EU next week, cleared parliament. This was a foregone conclusion ever since Boris Johnson won the general election with a near-landslide majority and, in a curious paradox, the Brexit deal that paralysed parliament for more than two years, and brought down a PM, barely made the news as it finally got over its last parliamentary hurdle. In response, Johnson put out this statement:
But ‘crossing the finishing line’ may be a tad optimistic, given that the government still has not resolved what its final trade relationship with the EU will look like, and last night a senior EU official used a speech in London to make this very point. Stefaan De Rynck, the senior adviser to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said what came next would be “more complicated” and that a “dose of realism” was needed. As Jack Blanchard reports in his London Playbook briefing for Politico Europe, De Rynck said:But ‘crossing the finishing line’ may be a tad optimistic, given that the government still has not resolved what its final trade relationship with the EU will look like, and last night a senior EU official used a speech in London to make this very point. Stefaan De Rynck, the senior adviser to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said what came next would be “more complicated” and that a “dose of realism” was needed. As Jack Blanchard reports in his London Playbook briefing for Politico Europe, De Rynck said:
I will be filing more on De Rynck’s speech shortly.I will be filing more on De Rynck’s speech shortly.
We will hear more on Brexit in the Commons later, because Liz Truss and Jacob Rees-Mogg are both taking questions. Otherwise it looks like a quiet day.We will hear more on Brexit in the Commons later, because Liz Truss and Jacob Rees-Mogg are both taking questions. Otherwise it looks like a quiet day.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, takes questions in the Commons.9.30am: Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, takes questions in the Commons.
After 10.30am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, takes questions in the Commons on next week’s business.After 10.30am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, takes questions in the Commons on next week’s business.
Lunchtime: Boris Johnson meets Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband, Richard Ratcliffe, in Downing Street.Lunchtime: Boris Johnson meets Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband, Richard Ratcliffe, in Downing Street.
As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.
You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.