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UK politics: Gove rules out second Scottish independence referendum until 2024 – live UK politics: Gove rules out second Scottish independence referendum until 2024 – live
(32 minutes later)
Cabinet Office minister claims Boris Johnson more popular in Scotland than people thinkCabinet Office minister claims Boris Johnson more popular in Scotland than people think
Malta and the Balearic Islands could be included in an update to the Government’s green list for foreign travel which is otherwise expected to be lean for holidaymakers hoping for a getaway, according a report in today’s Times (paywall). Dame Vera Baird QC, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, told the Commons home affairs committee this morning that the government’s recently-published rape review was “underwhelming” but also a “watershed” moment. She explained:
Baird also described the current treatment of victims as “appalling”.
Malta and the Balearic Islands could be included in an update to the government’s green list for foreign travel, which is otherwise expected to be lean for holidaymakers hoping for a getaway, according a report in today’s Times (paywall).
As PA Media reports, the paper says the Mediterranean islands are among a “handful” of places being considered for quarantine-free trips ahead of the update to the lists under the traffic light system tomorrow. The weekly rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people on Malta is just 1.6, compared with 108.4 in the UK, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).As PA Media reports, the paper says the Mediterranean islands are among a “handful” of places being considered for quarantine-free trips ahead of the update to the lists under the traffic light system tomorrow. The weekly rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people on Malta is just 1.6, compared with 108.4 in the UK, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, will hold a press conference at Downing Street at 5pm, No 10 has said.Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, will hold a press conference at Downing Street at 5pm, No 10 has said.
Here is the full quote from Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, speaking about the Northern Ireland protocol at the start of his evidence to the Northern Ireland affairs committee this morning. He said:Here is the full quote from Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, speaking about the Northern Ireland protocol at the start of his evidence to the Northern Ireland affairs committee this morning. He said:
Back in the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, says it is not just people in the unionist community who want to see changes to the Northern Ireland protocol. He says almost all business organisations he has consulted have problems with the way it is working now. And he says businesses with a different constitutional view to his (ie, nationalist-leaning firms) are also say the operation of the protocol is affecting them, he says.Back in the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, says it is not just people in the unionist community who want to see changes to the Northern Ireland protocol. He says almost all business organisations he has consulted have problems with the way it is working now. And he says businesses with a different constitutional view to his (ie, nationalist-leaning firms) are also say the operation of the protocol is affecting them, he says.
In his interview on the Today programme Prof Neil Ferguson said he expected a “significant flu epidemic” this winter. Echoing comments made by Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and by Matt Hancock, the health secretary, Ferguson said:In his interview on the Today programme Prof Neil Ferguson said he expected a “significant flu epidemic” this winter. Echoing comments made by Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and by Matt Hancock, the health secretary, Ferguson said:
Edwin Poots, the outgoing DUP leader, has told the BBC this morning that if there were to be an election in Northern Ireland now, Sinn Féin would probably emerge as the largest party. This is from the BBC’s Darren Marshall.Edwin Poots, the outgoing DUP leader, has told the BBC this morning that if there were to be an election in Northern Ireland now, Sinn Féin would probably emerge as the largest party. This is from the BBC’s Darren Marshall.
Back in the Northern Ireland affairs committee Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, says he has a lot of sympathy with people who complain that the Northern Ireland protocol is limiting consumer choice for people in the region.Back in the Northern Ireland affairs committee Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, says he has a lot of sympathy with people who complain that the Northern Ireland protocol is limiting consumer choice for people in the region.
Ian Paisley, the DUP MP, says Northern Ireland companies are facing “commercial discrimination”. There must be significant changes to the protocol.Ian Paisley, the DUP MP, says Northern Ireland companies are facing “commercial discrimination”. There must be significant changes to the protocol.
Lewis says the protocol has to work in a pragmatic way. If products are going from Britain to Northern Ireland, but are not going to go to Ireland, they do not pose a risk.Lewis says the protocol has to work in a pragmatic way. If products are going from Britain to Northern Ireland, but are not going to go to Ireland, they do not pose a risk.
Q: Could goods not be checked at source, or on entry to Ireland?Q: Could goods not be checked at source, or on entry to Ireland?
Lewis says the UK has submitted around a dozen papers to the EU suggesting changes to how the protocol works. The EU says it wants to be flexible, he says. He says the UK thinks that too.Lewis says the UK has submitted around a dozen papers to the EU suggesting changes to how the protocol works. The EU says it wants to be flexible, he says. He says the UK thinks that too.
Prof Neil Ferguson, the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose modelling helped to persuade the government to order the first lockdown, told the Today programme this morning that the latest Covid data was encouraging. He said:Prof Neil Ferguson, the Imperial College London epidemiologist whose modelling helped to persuade the government to order the first lockdown, told the Today programme this morning that the latest Covid data was encouraging. He said:
John Whittingdale, the culture minister, was doing the morning broadcast round for No 10 this morning and he spent much of his time defending the government’s plans to consult on privatising Channel 4. He told Sky News that the government wanted to make Channel 4 sustainable. He explained:John Whittingdale, the culture minister, was doing the morning broadcast round for No 10 this morning and he spent much of his time defending the government’s plans to consult on privatising Channel 4. He told Sky News that the government wanted to make Channel 4 sustainable. He explained:
Asked about a statement from the Loyalist Communities Council saying Irish government ministers are no longer welcome in Northern Ireland, Lewis says that ministers from Ireland - and indeed from almost all other countries in the world - are welcome in Northern Ireland.Asked about a statement from the Loyalist Communities Council saying Irish government ministers are no longer welcome in Northern Ireland, Lewis says that ministers from Ireland - and indeed from almost all other countries in the world - are welcome in Northern Ireland.
He says if anyone is threatening violence, that is not helpful.He says if anyone is threatening violence, that is not helpful.
Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, is giving evidence to the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee.Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, is giving evidence to the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee.
Simon Hoare (Con), the committee chair, opens the questioning.Simon Hoare (Con), the committee chair, opens the questioning.
Q: What did you tell Edwin Poots [the outgoing DUP leader, who said he has been told by the government there will be significant changes to the Northern Ireland protocol]?Q: What did you tell Edwin Poots [the outgoing DUP leader, who said he has been told by the government there will be significant changes to the Northern Ireland protocol]?
Lewis says the current situation is not sustainable. So there will have to be changes, he says.Lewis says the current situation is not sustainable. So there will have to be changes, he says.
He says he is “optimistic and confident” that the UK and the EU can agree changes.He says he is “optimistic and confident” that the UK and the EU can agree changes.
UPDATE: From Darren McCaffrey from GB NewsUPDATE: From Darren McCaffrey from GB News
The statement that Boris Johnson issued overnight to mark the fifth anniversary of the vote to leave the EU does not seem to be on the No 10 website yet, so here it is in full.The statement that Boris Johnson issued overnight to mark the fifth anniversary of the vote to leave the EU does not seem to be on the No 10 website yet, so here it is in full.
As I said earlier, Johnson’s statement is surprisingly understated given the hopes that he invested in Brexit. For example, the third paragraph, which is supposed to itemise specific benefits, only mentions four things - of which one, the vaccine rollout, is not really relevant, because it could have happened if the UK had remained in the EU, and another, the 69 trade deals, is misleading because 67 of them essential just replicate trade arrangements the UK had as an EU member. Of the other two, the Australia deal may bring the UK very modest benefits, but in trade terms the deal with the EU is far worse than what existed before.As I said earlier, Johnson’s statement is surprisingly understated given the hopes that he invested in Brexit. For example, the third paragraph, which is supposed to itemise specific benefits, only mentions four things - of which one, the vaccine rollout, is not really relevant, because it could have happened if the UK had remained in the EU, and another, the 69 trade deals, is misleading because 67 of them essential just replicate trade arrangements the UK had as an EU member. Of the other two, the Australia deal may bring the UK very modest benefits, but in trade terms the deal with the EU is far worse than what existed before.
Good morning. It is five years to the day since the referendum on leaving the EU, which to the surprise of many people - including some of the leading leave campaigners - led to a vote for Brexit. To mark the occasion, Boris Johnson has released a surprisingly low-key and non-triumphalist statement, saying: “The decision to leave the EU may now part of our history, but our clear mission is to utilise the freedoms it brings to shape a better future for our people.” In an interview with the Times, João Vale de Almeida, the EU ambassador to the UK, pointed out that it was hard to know how Brexit would play out in the long term. He said:Good morning. It is five years to the day since the referendum on leaving the EU, which to the surprise of many people - including some of the leading leave campaigners - led to a vote for Brexit. To mark the occasion, Boris Johnson has released a surprisingly low-key and non-triumphalist statement, saying: “The decision to leave the EU may now part of our history, but our clear mission is to utilise the freedoms it brings to shape a better future for our people.” In an interview with the Times, João Vale de Almeida, the EU ambassador to the UK, pointed out that it was hard to know how Brexit would play out in the long term. He said:
In 2017 some Brexiters thought that the UK’s departure could lead to the break-up of the EU. Now it seems more probable that, over the medium term at least, it might lead to the break-up of the UK.In 2017 some Brexiters thought that the UK’s departure could lead to the break-up of the EU. Now it seems more probable that, over the medium term at least, it might lead to the break-up of the UK.
And on that topic this morning this morning there has been an important development. Ever since Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, formally started calling for a second independence referendum in March 2017, the UK government’s response - under Theresa May, and then Boris Johnson - has been to say not now. May argued that the time was not right because the country was preoccupied with Brexit, and Johnson argued that the time was not right because of Covid.And on that topic this morning this morning there has been an important development. Ever since Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, formally started calling for a second independence referendum in March 2017, the UK government’s response - under Theresa May, and then Boris Johnson - has been to say not now. May argued that the time was not right because the country was preoccupied with Brexit, and Johnson argued that the time was not right because of Covid.
Today, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Michael Gove, who as Cabinet Office minister has a special role in overseeing union matters, has gone further, effectively ruling out a second referendum until after the next general election. In his write-up of the interview, Ben Riley-Smith says:Today, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Michael Gove, who as Cabinet Office minister has a special role in overseeing union matters, has gone further, effectively ruling out a second referendum until after the next general election. In his write-up of the interview, Ben Riley-Smith says:
Gove also told the Telegraph that Johnson was more popular than people assumed in Scotland and that he should visit the country more often. Gove said:Gove also told the Telegraph that Johnson was more popular than people assumed in Scotland and that he should visit the country more often. Gove said:
In his report Riley-Smith adds:In his report Riley-Smith adds:
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, gives evidence to the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee.9.30am: Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, gives evidence to the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee.
10am: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, gives evidence to the Commons education committee.10am: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, gives evidence to the Commons education committee.
10am: Dame Vera Baird, the victims’ commissioner, gives evidence to the Commons home affairs committee about rape prosecutions.10am: Dame Vera Baird, the victims’ commissioner, gives evidence to the Commons home affairs committee about rape prosecutions.
12pm: Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs.12pm: Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs.
12.30pm: Helen Whately, the social care minister, responds to a Commons urgent question about social care.12.30pm: Helen Whately, the social care minister, responds to a Commons urgent question about social care.
1.30pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing.1.30pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing.
2pm: Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, gives evidence to the Commons defence committee about global Britain.2pm: Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, gives evidence to the Commons defence committee about global Britain.
4pm: Sir Kevan Collins, who resigned recently from his post as the government’s education recovery commissioner, speaks at the Festival of Education.4pm: Sir Kevan Collins, who resigned recently from his post as the government’s education recovery commissioner, speaks at the Festival of Education.
Politics Live has been a mix of Covid and non-Covid news recently and that is likely to be the case today. For more coronavirus developments, do follow our global Covid live blog.Politics Live has been a mix of Covid and non-Covid news recently and that is likely to be the case today. For more coronavirus developments, do follow our global Covid live blog.
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