Monthly Archives: June 2020

OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers unsurprisingly they dont always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something youd like to share,get in touchand of course, your considered comments are welcome below.

This letter from Joanna Minchin. Ed

I am perplexed as to why the Tory Government are not willing to extend the transition period for their discussions over Brexit? Surely it is in everyones interest to reach a deal?

We are at a critical time for our country.While the Government is occupied with Covid-19, the end of the Brexit transition period is drawing nearer.

There is now less than one month for the UK and the EU to agree an extension.

Heading towards a No Deal Brexit If no agreement is reached, we risk a No Deal Brexit that would alter our economy, way of life, and NHS forever.

We should tackle one problem at a time. We need to extend the transition period.

Image: dullhunk under CC BY 2.0

Read more:

Letter: Brexit transition period extension needed before we end up with No Deal Brexit - On The Wight

Brexit is back on the front pages on Tuesday, along with a range of other topics including schools and racial inequalities.

The Financial Times says Boris Johnson and the EU have pledged a revival in talks to seal a post-Brexit deal.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

And the Daily Express says Mr Johnson has vowed there will be a Brexit deal by July.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

The Daily Telegraph leads with William Hague saying the lockdown has been a disaster for society.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

And the Daily Mail splashes with a story on claims of a cash for favours case involving Tory minister Robert Jenrick and a property tycoon.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror backs footballer Marcus Rashford, in no uncertain terms, in his call for Mr Johnson to reverse the Governments decision not to extend free school meals during the summer holidays, calling it a battle of hero versus a zero.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

The Times says children are missing out on education during the coronavirus crisis, with an average of just two-and-a-half hours a day spent on schooling during the lockdown, according to The Times.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

The Guardian leads with a story saying the Downing Street adviser who is setting up the Government commission on racial inequalities has denied institutional racism exists.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

While The Independent reports on calls for more decisive action on inequality in asking: Does Britain need yet another race review?

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Metro and the i report on crowds flocking to shops on Monday.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

And the Daily Star says there could be as many as 36 alien races in our galaxy.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Read this article:

Marcus Rashford and Brexit deal feature on varied front pages - ITV News

Video

PUBLISHED: 13:38 16 June 2020 | UPDATED: 15:15 16 June 2020

Adrian Zorzut

Boris Johnson's government has been accused of syphoning off funds that could go towards continuing school lunches over the summer to a Brexit festival; PA Photo, Yui Mok/PA Wire

Email this article to a friend

To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

Become a Supporter

Almost four years after its creation The New European goes from strength to strength across print and online, offering a pro-European perspective on Brexit and reporting on the political response to the coronavirus outbreak, climate change and international politics. But we can only continue to grow with your support.

The Liberal Democrats have accused Boris Johnson of being callous and heatless after going ahead with plans to divert 120 million that could feed hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged children during the summer holidays on a party to commemorate Brexit.

Lib Dems education spokesperson, Layla Moran, made the intervention ahead of an opposition debate today on calls to extend free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak.

Downing Street recently confirmed that the Festival for Brexit will be going ahead in 2022, with 120 million of taxpayers money earmarked for the event.

This is the precise amount it would have cost to extend free school meals to all eligible pupils over the six-week summer holiday.

The government has since backtracked on its commitment not to fund school lunches during the holidays in an announcement over the last hour.

Speaking on the issue, Moran said: Leaving children hungry while ploughing millions into Brexit propaganda is callous and heartless. This appalling waste of money shows where the governments priorities lie.

Its not rocket science. If the government can spend 120 million on a Brexit festival, they could easily spend the same on ensuring the most disadvantaged children have enough to eat over the summer holidays.

She added:It is about time that the education secretary went to the training ground with Marcus Rashford to take some lessons on how best to support the most vulnerable pupils.

Almost four years after its creation The New European goes from strength to strength across print and online, offering a pro-European perspective on Brexit and reporting on the political response to the coronavirus outbreak, climate change and international politics. But we can only rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press with your support. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.

See the rest here:

Government urged to divert Brexit festival money to funding free school meals over summer - The New European

new video loaded: Lets Get It Done, Johnson Says of Brexit Trade Deal

transcript

transcript

The faster we can do this, the better. We see no reason why you shouldnt get that done in July, and the issue is very clear. We fought an election based on these ideas, the manifesto was very clear, no role for the court of justice, we cant follow E.U. law I dont think people understand that we cant leave the E.U. and remain somehow controlled by E.U. law. That isnt going to work. But there is a good deal to be done. I didnt think Id want to see, I certainly dont want to see it going on until the autumn, winter, as I think perhaps in Brussels they would like. I dont see any point in that. So lets get it done.

Recent episodes in International

International video coverage from The New York Times.

International video coverage from The New York Times.

Original post:

'Let's Get It Done,' Johnson Says of Brexit Trade Deal - The New York Times

Northern Irelands First Minister has urged the UK Government to stand up to their Brexit commitments.

rlene Foster conceded she does not like the Northern Ireland Protocol, which will see UK authorities apply EU customs rules to goods entering the region, but has accepted it is a legislative reality.

However she said the UK Government must stand up to commitments made in its command paper.

Some unionists have expressed concerns that the protocol creates a border down the Irish Sea.

We must make sure that there is unfettered access, as it says in the UK Government command paperArlene Foster

Mrs Foster was challenged over accepting the protocol, at Stormont on Tuesday, by Traditional Unionist Voice party leader Jim Allister.

Does she no longer fear or think that it will create constitutional and economic damage of a catastrophic nature, he said.

The First Minister responded: There is not much point in standing and saying we dont accept the protocol, when the protocol is legislative reality.

I may not like it, I dont like it, lets be very clear about that.

But my job now as First Minister is to try and make sure that we minimise any checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, because obviously there are checks at the moment, SPS checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we have to make sure that those are kept to a minimum.

We must make sure that there is unfettered access, as it says in the UK Government command paper.

We will, very much, want to see the Government standing up to what their commitments are in the command paper.

Mrs Foster also responded to a question from Sinn Fein MLA Catherine Kelly, asking for an update on the implementation of the protocol.

She said that work is under way on aspects within Stormonts remit, such as agri-food requirements.

PA

Follow this link:

UK Government must stand up to their Brexit commitments Arlene Foster - Belfast Telegraph

SWINDON may be among the places hit hardest by the fallout from a combination of coronavirus and Brexit, it has been suggested.

One report, by the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, says the UK's economy will be one of the most affected by the shutdown introduced to stop the spread of Covid-19.

A separate report, by the Social Market Foundation think-tanks, puts Swindon is in the top 10 council areas in the UK which could most vulnerable to a combination of the lockdown and the impact of the UK leaving the EU.

The OECD report into the world economy in June says Italy, France and the UK could all suffer a 12 per cent decline in gross domestic product, with that increasing to 14 per cent if there is a second wave of the virus.

It said: The United Kingdom has been relatively hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Transmission within the UK was first documented on February 28 and the virus has spread rapidly.

"As a service-based economy, the UK is heavily affected by the crisis. Trade, tourism, real estate and hospitality are all hard hit by confinement restrictions.

The Social Market Foundation report says the places most likely to be badly affected are those with an economy more reliant on manufacturing and finance, baking and insurance.

It says 56 per cent of Swindons Gross Value Added a measure of a places net economic contribution is dependent on a combination of manufacturing and finance and insurance.

The town is home two significant car plants at Honda and BMW-Mini and is the headquarters for major financial institutions like Zurich and Nationwide.

The think-tank says 37,400 jobs 34 per cent of the total in the borough are in manufacturing or the finance and insurance sector. It says these have been impacted by coronavirus and will particularly feel the force of a no-deal Brexit.

The leader of the council's Labour group Jim Grant said: Swindon faces an economic challenge bigger than the one it faced in the 1980s when the railway works closed. At that time, we had a council with the vision and courage to make decisions which transformed the economic base of the town.

The time has come for a council with equal vision and courage to regenerate Swindon based on a green economic future. It will need not only to solve these immediate problems but also start to combat those future ones which will be caused by climate change.

Swindons recovery from the pandemic in a post-Brexit future will require activity from local government in the education sector as well as action from the national government to help local governments, such as Swindons, to protect their local economies and jobs.

"The Labour group will continue to press for the widest possible engagement between ourselves, the public and the administration in the post Covid-19 recovery process.

Council leader David Renard has taken responsibility for the towns economic recovery.

He said: There is no doubt the coronavirus pandemic will have a major impact on economies and countries across the world.

Our focus at the council is to ensure that here in Swindon we bounce back as quickly as possible. The signs so far are incredibly positive with companies already identifying our town as the ideal place to invest and create jobs.

"Only last week developer Panattoni was granted planning permission to invest 400m at our new employment site at Symmetry Park, creating more than 2,000 jobs. This is in addition to the 17m Whitbread plans to spend on a new Premier Inn and restaurants in the town centre and Zurichs new 35m office block which will ensure one of our major employers remains in Swindon for years to come.

We also have exciting plans for Kimmerfields and the town centre, not to mention more than 100m that is already being invested in major infrastructure projects across the borough, including at junctions 15 and 16 of the M4, consolidating Swindons fantastic location and connectivity, unlocking homes and jobs in two major urban extensions.

"Swindon has shown great resilience to economic shocks in the past and I am confident it will do so again. This includes the work the council is doing with the government to develop 50m worth of scheme proposals to reinvigorate the town as part of the Swindon Town Deal and Future High Streets Fund submission.

A different report by the Centre for Cities is more optimistic for the town.

It says of 805 towns in the UK Swindon is likely to be only the 467th most affected. In its analysis of the share of jobs affected, Swindon is no more at risk than Milton Keynes, Manchester and Birmingham.

View post:

Swindon 'likely to be among hardest hit' by Covid and Brexit - Swindon Advertiser

PREPARATIONS for a possible no-deal Brexit are included in the programme for a new Irish government agreed by Fianna Fil, Fine Gael and the Greens.

The British government has ruled out seeking an extension to the transition period which allows continued access to the EU single market while trade talks take place.

But with just six months left to negotiate the complex deal, failure to secure agreement on future arrangements could have a massive economic impact on Ireland north and south.

A draft programme for government agreed by the leaders of Fianna Fil, Fine Gael and the Green Party has now been put to party members.

If approved, Michel Martin would become taoiseach at the end of June and serve until December 2022, when the post would be rotated to Leo Varadkar.

Sinn Fin, which won the popular vote in February's general election but finished one seat short of Fianna Fil, described the prospect of an unprecedented coalition between the two civil war parties as an "attempt to deny change".

The draft programme for government includes a recovery plan to repair the economic damage of the coronavirus crisis, with proposals to increase the state pension age to 67 deferred and no increases in income tax or the Universal Social Charge.

The Greens have been brought on board with a series of environmental concessions.

The document also pledges to "work towards a consensus on a shared island" in which all traditions are mutually respected, including establishing a dedicated unit within the Department of the Taoiseach.

And it says the coalition will work to protect the island from the worst effects of Brexit, including ensuring all sectors are "prepared for all possible outcomes".

This would include prioritising support for vulnerable sectors and "work to ensure the essential UK landbridge remains a viable and efficient route to market for Irish goods".

"In the absence of a trade deal, Brexit may be a significant further strain on businesses already struggling with the challenges brought by Covid-19."

British prime minister Boris Johnston said yesterday he believed a deal could be concluded by the end of the year, as both sides agreed "new momentum" was needed to get negotiations back on track.

However, European Council chief Charles Michel warned that the EU would not be pressured into buying a "pig in a poke".

Read more from the original source:

Preparations for no-deal Brexit part of programme for new Dublin government - The Irish News

The Conservatives like to portray themselves as the natural champions of farming and the countryside.

Many senior figures in the party are also passionate free marketeers, believing that Britain will be reborn as an international trading nation once it makes its final break from the European Union.

As the UK gets further into trade talks with the United States, they are learning that it is hugely difficult to reconcile both claims as the Government tries to balance its manifesto commitment not to lower food standards with its determination to strike a deal with the White House.

The former Tory minister George Freeman who fears that the drive to reach agreement with the US will lead to a flood of poor quality food imports into this country predicts theres a big split coming in the Conservative Party over the issue.

The differences reach all the way to the Cabinet.

The International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, who is leading on the UK-US talks, is pressing to cut tariffs on imported American agricultural products as a way of clinching agreement with the worlds most powerful economy. That would be a massive achievement as Britain moves to recast itself on the world stage.

However, George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, fears the move would lead to an influx of cheap American imports, putting British farmers out of business and exposing consumers to poorer quality foods such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-enhanced beef.

One of his predecessors, Michael Gove, and Boris Johnsons fiancee, Carrie Symonds, are said to be giving him influential support.

As a middle course, Ms Truss and Mr Eustice have proposed levying duties on imported foods which would vary depending on whether they complied with British food production and animal welfare standards.

Critics say the plan which could easily be rejected by the US government would still open the door to cheap American imports. And they argue that the European Union would reject British exports if UK standards were lowered to enable British farmers to compete with US produce.

Ms Truss and Mr Eustice have written a joint letter insisting the UK will not compromise on our standards as the Government remains firmly committed to upholding our high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards outside the EU.

Yet compromise may be required to win the prized signature of Donald Trump or his successor. And that would leave the Government facing hard choices and the Tory Party enduring the big split forecast by Mr Freeman.

Read the original post:

Brexit talks latest: Government and Tory Party are facing a big split over cheap US food imports - iNews

FRESH calls have b een made to extend the Brexit transition period to help businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The call comes in a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford.

The joint letter reiterates that an extension is essential to avoid needless damage to Scotlands economy at a time when Covid-19 is hitting businesses when they are most vulnerable.

The transition period is scheduled to finish on Dec 31 this year but can be extended by mutual agreement provided a decision is taken by July 1.

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford said: Without an extension to the transition period, at very best there will only be a damaging bare bones trade deal or even worse, a disastrous no deal outcome.

"We are mindful that the Withdrawal Agreement only permits an extension of the transition period if this has been agreed before the end of June.

At the time the Withdrawal Agreement was signed, no-one could have imagined the enormous economic dislocation which the Covid-19 pandemic has caused in Wales, Scotland, the whole of the UK, in the EU and across the world.

While we hope that the second half of this year will see the beginnings of a recovery, we believe that exiting the transition period at the end of the year would be extraordinarily reckless. It would pile a further very significant economic and social shock on top of the Covid-19 crisis, hitting businesses whose reserves, in many case, have already been exhausted, leading to more business closures and redundancies. But in this case, the shock would be avoidable.

No-one could reproach the UK Government for changing its position in the light of the wholly unforeseeable Covid-19 crisis, particularly as the EU has made it clear it is open to an extension request. We therefore call on you to take the final opportunity which the next few weeks provide to ask for an extension to the transition period in order to provide a breathing space to complete the negotiations, to implement the outcome, and to give our businesses the opportunity to find their feet after the enormous disruption of recent months.

More news here.

In these testing times, your support is more important than ever. Thank you.

Visit link:

First Minister links with Welsh counterpart to lobby Boris Johnson for Brexit extension - Northern Times