Monthly Archives: June 2020

Business leaders have pleaded with the government not to walk away from Brexit talks without a deal after Michael Gove claimed the Confederation of British Industry supported no extension to the transition period.

The CBIs director general, Carolyn Fairbairn, said to crash out without a deal would be a major block to recovery.

Walking away, she said would worsen inequalities and end up damaging regional and national growth.

Her comments come after Gove told the House of Commons that the CBI was now backing the government position not to seek an extension to the transition period at the end of the year.

I know that businesses want uncertainty to be removed. Thats why were clear that we will end the transition period on the 31 December, and it is a position that I also understand now the CBI is in favour of, said Gove, who is charged with implementing the Brexit withdrawal agreement reached in January.

Fairbairn, whose relations with the government were severely tested over Brexit last year, declined to respond to Gove directly.

But she made it plain that British firms were too busy struggling for their survival and the prospect of going into January next year with a new trading environment with possible tariffs and customs paperwork to export and import to and from the EU was the last thing on their minds.

Walking away with no deal would be a major block to recovery, she told the BBC in an interview.

Many businesses are not and cannot prepare for the impact of a no deal on top of what is happening.

The government has ruled out an extension business have no choice but to plan on that basis.

In a separate statement she added: Many businesses are fighting to survive as the impact of Covid-19 unfolds. A recovery plan that reaches all parts of the UK is essential. Every opportunity for growth must be seized, particularly to support young people and kickstart demand. A good deal with the EU would be a foundation stone of renewal.

The end of the transition period in December will complete Britains exit from the EU, bringing with it a departure from the customs union and the single market. That could mean dramatic changes for businesses, with customs declarations and, potentially, tariffs and other barriers such as border health checks on animals and food.

It will also bring an end to the the freedom of British citizens to automatically reside and work in EU member states.

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No-deal Brexit would be 'major block' to UK's recovery, warns CBI - The Guardian

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PUBLISHED: 17:08 12 June 2020 | UPDATED: 18:25 12 June 2020

Adrian Zorzut

Brexiteer Mark Francois told the BBC the EU would 'blink again' and concede to British trade demands; Twitter

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Francois told the BBC News Channel he felt the EU would concede ground on contentious negotiating points such as the level playing field and fisheries as long as the UK remain committed to ending talks by December 31.

The government has formally given notice to the bloc of its intentions not to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period. There are also reports Downing Street will relax border checks on EU goods from January 1 over fears of the economic impacts of coronavirus.

Commenting on the governments decision, the European Research Group chair said: The government has made it absolutely plain that there will be no extension of the transition period and therefore we got until the end of December to come up with an agreement.

I believe we can do that because we managed to get them to change the Withdrawal Agreement and drop the backstop in three months... even though Michel Barnier swore blind he would not do any of those things.

He added: They [the EU] blinked once and I believe if we hold our nerve, they will blink again.

When pressed on whether businesses should be given more time to prepare, the Tory MP responded: Weve got plenty of time. What we need is political will.

Twitter users could not have been less supportive of the dangerous game Francois was suggesting his Tory colleagues play, as his name started to trend.

Trade unionist Clare Hepworth said: Give me strength! Mark Francois #bbcnews refusing to contemplate an extension of the transition period & invokes the Tory manifesto pledge!

I think hes suffering political amnesia or thinks viewers are dumb. That was BEFORE the pandemic struck & reduced our economy by a third!

David Head reminded users of concessions Boris Johnson to get the Withdrawal Agreement. He tweeted: It was Boris Johnson who blinked first the last time around, over that border in the Irish Sea. Francois memory is seriously defective.

Twitter user @cabinetofclowns added: It was the Vote Leave administration who blinked and accepted the importation of chlorinated chicken from Trumps US, after explicitly stating many times, that our high standards in animal welfare would not be compromised.

The New Europeans editor-at-large Alastair Campbell agreed. Blinked? What planet are these people on? @BorisJohnson caved to get a deal. Now he says he doesnt like the deal he agreed to.

Another wrote: Mark Francois has got to be the best advert for Scottish independence the SNP could possibly ask for.

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.

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WATCH: Tory Brexiteer baffles news viewers by claiming EU will 'blink again' over government's Brexit position - The New European

TheConservative MP for Great Grimsby Lia Nicitold Express.co.uk thatthe major countries in the European Union such as Germany and France must understand that other nations within the trading bloc want to be more involved. Ms Nici added that many European countries will be looking at how Brexit works for the United Kingdom.

The Conservative MP said: "I think if the EU is going to survive the major countries like Germany and France need to understand that other countries want to be more involved and they want to be equal partners.

"That is really what us leaving the EU is all about.

"You dont stay a member of a club when the club doesnt work for you anymore.

"We know that there will be many countries across Europe that will be looking to see how Brexit works for us.

READ MORE:Brexit bombshell: Chance of no deal 'higher than ever'

"I wouldnt be surprised if we werent the only country to make the choice we have done in the future."

During the same interview with Express.co.uk Ms Lici told Michel Barnierto "wind his neck in" and get on with sensible negotiations over a post-Brexit trade deal.

TheConservative MP stated thatMr Barnier is full of bluster and threats regarding Britain's fishing waters.

Ms Nici also warned the EU's chief Brexit negotiator that the UK holds the cards during the trade talks.

The Conservative MP said: "Mr Barnier is full of bluster and threats.

"We have the cards, we are a sovereign nation and we have our fishing waters.

"At this point the EU fishing vessels are able to fish in our waters but that doesnt have to continue if we cant get on with a sensible deal.

"In my Grimsby words, Mr Barnier needs to wind his neck in and get on with some sensible negotiations."

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In June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union.

The UK officially left the European Union at the end of January this year.

Britain is currently in a transition period until the end of 2020 with the EU while the government negotiates a free trade deal with the bloc.

The transition will come to an end at the end of 2020. Boris Johnson has ruled out extending the transition period, despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

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Germany and France must do THIS for EU survival or other nations will follow Brexit - Express.co.uk

Arsene Wenger has warned that Brexit could kill the Premier League and leave English football playing second fiddle to its continental rivals.

The former Arsenal manager believes that, as the UK Government continues its plans to leave the EU at the end of 2021, football in the country will suffer if imposed restrictions are too severe.

Wenger, who spent 22 years at the helm in North London, has warned that if the Premier Leagues worldwide exposure is diminished in any way, then the best players will depart.

And if that happens, then the best coaches wont be far behind.

Wenger, speaking on the first day of the Golden Coach Congress to Mirror Sports John Cross, said: Certainly, subconsciously maybe for some people, it [ Brexit ] was to regain some sovereignty of their own destiny. And football is completely the reverse.

When I arrived, English football belonged to English people. Today, the English Premier League belongs to foreign people.

How will that change? That will depend now on how Brexit will be applied to football.

"I've asked many people, nobody knows. Will people inside Europe be considered as foreign players who cannot play in the English Premier League? I don't know.

But if the rules are restrictive, they will kill the superiority of the Premier League.

Because today the Premier League depends on worldwide exposure, with the best players and worldwide ownership with multi-billion owners from around the world.

Last season English clubs dominated in Europe.

Both the Champions League and Europa League finals were all-English affairs, as Liverpool faced Spurs in Madrid and Arsenal met Chelsea in Baku.

Wenger insists that English football has benefited from its balance of foreign and local talent.

But he believes that, should restrictions be pushed upon the Premier League and subsequently enforced, it could see English football fall behind its rivals, in a manner not dissimilar to that which saw our top sides playing catch-up in the early-mid 1990s, following the ban on English clubs from continental competition in the late 80s.

When England was suspended from Europe (late 80s), when they came back, they were far behind, added Wenger, now working for FIFA.

But before they were excluded, they were dominating it.

So that shows you, that if you have no different influences, you drop slowly back.

In recent years English football has become a destination for the planets best coaches, with the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola raising the bar at their respective clubs.

Certainly, the money on offer has played its part, but Wenger insists that the main desire for the best coaches, is simply to work with the best players; provided the latter remain, so too will the former.

Asked whether foreign coaches could be put off coming to England in future, Wenger pondered: Not if you keep the best players.

They will want to go where the best players are. So overall, that will depend on the decisions made.

But I believe youre intelligent enough in England and love football enough not to destroy what is basically a diamond today.

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.

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Arsene Wenger warns Brexit restrictions could kill Premier League and its global appeal - Mirror Online

Published: 13 Jun 2020 13:49

Minister tells UK Government that urgent support needed within days.

The double threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the potential loss of access to EU funding programmes could result in long-term damage to Scottish university research, unless the UK Government provides immediate financial support, according to Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead.

The Scottish Funding Councils recent analysis suggests the countrys universities will lose around 72 million in academic year 2019-20 alone as a result of COVID-19. An operating deficit of between 384 million and 651 million in academic year 2020-21 is expected, due largely to the likely dramatic reduction in the number of international students, a major source of income for research. Those reductions do not take account of the potential loss of EU funding.

As Scotlands university courts prepare to meet to discuss their financial predicament, Mr Lochhead has this weekend written to the UK Science MinisterAmanda Solloway, insisting she urgently delivers a comprehensive package of funding for research to counter those twin threats, taking into account the particular interests of Scotlands universities.

Mr Lochhead has been participating in a UK taskforce co-chaired by Ms Solloway and the UK universities Minister Michelle Donelan - to consider some of the financial and logistical challenges facing university research as a result of the pandemic, such as an expected loss in international tuition fee income, the potential loss of early career and experienced research talent, a reduction in business and charity funding, and delays in crucial research projects.

Mr Lochhead said:

Its vital both for Scotlands economic recovery and to protect the nations global reputation for science and research excellence that the UK Treasury signals substantial support for our universities in the coming days. The UK has aspirations of being considered a science superpower - but the institutions that can deliver on that are facing their biggest ever financial crisis. As well as several being seriously affected by COVID-19, they face potentially losing EU funding and talent as a result of a Brexit that the scientific community has said spells bad news for the sector.

Many universities are, right now, having to make difficult strategic financial decisions about their future. In the current emergency, the continued lack of clarity over funding could very soon result in the direct loss of research talent, a reduction in our research capacity and the halting or cancelation of major capital projects, with a ripple effect on the wider economy and our future global research reputation and competitiveness.

Scotland has already put together an emergency COVID-19 support package worth an additional 75 million for our university research sector. But this direct Scottish Government commitment - which has already been allocated - must be urgently complemented by a substantial UK element to ensure appropriate fiscal support is made available to Scottish universities.

In addition, detailed arrangements following the end of the Brexit transition period are still unknown, such as whether the UK will associate to the hugely prestigious Horizon Europe research funding programme. The current programme Horizon 2020 has provided more than 536 million to Scottish institutions since 2014.

The Office of Budget Responsibility highlighted in April that universities could be the sector of the economy worst hit by the pandemic so its now more critical than ever to announce as a matter of urgency a UK-backed stabilisation package for Scottish university research - a sector which most recently has been making such a vital contribution to our efforts to fight COVID-19, and our economic and social recovery from it.

BACKGROUND

Participation in Horizon 2020 has been incredibly valuable to Scotland, supporting growth by investing in research and innovation. Since 2014, over 711 million of funding in research and innovation has been competitively won by Scottish organisations, with universities securing almost 75% (over 536 million) of this. The funding won by Scottish organisations since Horizon 2020 began is around 11% of the UKs Horizon 2020 funding (over 6.6 billion). Scottish universities receive an average of 8% of their total research funding from the EC around 100 million per year mostly from Horizon 2020.

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Scottish research facing twin threats of COVID and Brexit - gov.scot - Scottish Government News

Brexit Party Chairman and former MEP Richard Tice claimed there were many benefits of Brexit for Britain that the EU is petrified of. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Mr Tice said if Britain becomes a success story it could spell trouble for the European Union. He said other countries will look at Britain as an example and may question whether they want to remain a member of the bloc.

Mr Tice said: "The EU has always been afraid of the UK not only surviving but thriving outside of the European Union.

"As we would basically be free to make our own judgements and decisions.

"With our interests in mind, we would be able to do free trade deals around the world, be able to use state aid to our advantage.

"There are loads of benefits from Brexit that the EU are petrified that we will do.

"Our economy will grow faster and we will have even more jobs and higher-skilled jobs."

DON'T MISS:Brussels panic: Michael Gove challenges EU with Brexit pressure tactic

Mr Tice also explained why he believed the EU was scared of the UK's progress and what it would mean for the bloc.

He said: "The EU simply can't have that sort of success story basically outside their front door.

"If we succeed then there will be other countries who are saying, hang on, I rather like what the UK has got."

The Brexit Party chairman reflected on the EU's attitudes towards the UK during the talks and argued the reasons why it has been difficult.

He continued: "They have always felt they have had to stamp down on us and bully us into submission.

"They were able to do that with the negotiating weakness and feebleness of Olly Robbins and Theresa May.

"But it is a completely new game now as we have got a determined Government and a chief negotiator in David Frost who actually believes what he is fighting for.

"I would say that is a pretty good starting point in my opinion."

READ MORE:

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Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Brexit negotiator David Frost are expected to put more pressure on the bloc in the next round of Brexit trade deal talks.

Cabinet Office Minister Penny Mordaunt explained to the House of Commons on Tuesday the pair would be working hard to ensure the UK succeeds in the next round of talks.

She explained the UK will emphasise Britain will not be agreeing to a transition period extension and will hold the EU accountable for upholding their commitments set out in the terms of the agreement.

Excerpt from:

'Petrified' EU facing crisis as Brexit success threatens to spell END of bloc, Tice warns - Express.co.uk

The downfall in UK output and Brexit issues suggest sterling may extend its slump while some troubles are brewing in America, Yohay Elam, an analyst at FXStreet, reports.

Read: UK GDP shrinks -20.4% MoM in April vs. -18.4% expected, GBP/USD unfazed

The UK economy contracted by 20.4% in April, worse than expected, and a horrible figure in absolute terms. Manufacturing output collapsed by 24.3%, a considerable miss in comparison to around 15% projected. The GDP figures have weighed on sterling and may have a longer effect as forecasts are downgraded for the second quarter and the full year.

The pound has been pounded by Brexit. While both sides agreed to intensify talks, London will formally tell Brussels that it is unwilling to extend the transition period beyond year-end. If negotiations are not fruitful, Britain will fall back to unfavorable World Trade Organization terms in 2021. Mutual accusations about the gridlock have been weighing on sterling.

Markets have finally taken note of a second wave of coronavirus as an official in Houston said the city is on the precipice of disaster and as a football stadium is being readied for use as a makeshift hospital. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the US will not lock down the economy and claimed testing and tracing capacity has improved.

COVID-19 concerns come on top of pessimism from the Federal Reserve, which sees a return to pre-pandemic output not before 2022. Investors seem unconvinced by the bank's unequivocal commitment to support the economy.

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GBP/USD: Horrible UK GDP and Brexit hassles pounds the pound - FXStreet

The Covid-19 pandemic is absorbing all of us but we must not take our eye off the Brexit ball.

So much resource is being taken up with fighting the pandemic that it is unlikely a comprehensive trade deal between UK and EU can be concluded before the end of 2020, and impossible for UK governments to develop robust contingency plans for an inevitable no-deal crash out of the European Union.

It is, therefore, essential the UK Government agrees a two-year extension to the transition period with the EU. Crofters will then be able to plan for 2021 and 2022 whereas, at the moment, we have no idea what rules will be in place for next year. This is too important to be rushed to meet a self-imposed and arbitrary deadline.

Exports to the EU underpin the market for many crofters so it is vital these continue tariff-free for both beef and lamb.

We currently have exemplary high animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards. This is not only good for consumer, animal and planet, but is our main selling point. We should not reduce these standards or allow imports that do not conform to our standards.

The implications of these conditions are that we should continue to shadow EU standards if they change in the future. The UK should agree a trade deal with the EU before negotiating with the USA or other countries as the latter is likely to put pressure on our standards.

Similarly, we would not want to see tariffs reduced for imports of lamb or beef which would undercut our high-quality local produce.

A number of areas crucial to the Scottish rural economy rely on temporary and permanent immigration and this has to be able to continue after the transition period.

Continuing support payments at a UK level have been signalled for the life of this parliament this is vital and Scotland must get its fair share. There will be need for a UK framework across the four constituent countries and this must be agreed between all four countries, not imposed by Westminster.

Scotland can then develop its own support systems to fit its own needs within the agreed framework, which will include a replacement for the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) based on Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) principles. This, you will recall, is the European scheme developed to target support to those areas facing natural constraints.

We had the option to join but the Scottish Government decided to opt out. This was partly under pressure from the farmers who benefit unjustly from LFASS and partly due to reluctance to disturb the shaky IT system support payments are still being lent as advances as the IT system cannot cope. The penalty for not joining ANC is that LFASS will be reduced to 40% next year.

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'Crofters must not take their eye off Brexit' - Press and Journal

Ive just seen a new report (from Best for Britain and the Social Market Foundation) on the double impact of Brexit and Coronavirus, and feel like Ive spotted an iceberg on the horizon that everyone else is ignoring.

The report shows that any change to our trade relationship with Europe during the Covid-19 recession will hurt the UK economy.

All regions of the UK including ours in the South East would face a severe impact should we leave the Brexit transition period without any kind of deal. Brexit is being forced on us, but we must protect our jobs, our services and our local businesses.

However, our communities are already stretched to breaking point by the coronavirus pandemic and we desperately need time to deal with that before we can turn our focus to our changing relationship with the EU.

Terry Enga, address withheld

Carers Week

Monday 8th June marks the start of Carers Week 2020, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the extraordinary efforts and many challenges faced by carers every day around the United Kingdom, made only harder by the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Around 6.5 million people in the UK are carers, and many are solely responsible for the wellbeing of a disabled person who may rely on them completely, sometimes 24/7, and during the crisis many of these carers have had no access to a respite break for nearly three months. I work for Revitalise, an amazing national charity that usually creates holidays for disabled people and carers at three accessible respite centres in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton and Southport. However, during the current COVID-19 crisis, our team is offering their facilities at Revitalise Sandpipers and Netley Waterside House as a place to stay safe either short or long term, for disabled people no longer able to get the care they need at home. Anybody who is worried about whether their care support at home can continue, should contact Revitalise, who are able to offer long or short stays with full care support in place.

Devon Prosser

http://www.revitalise.org.uk

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Bracknell readers send in their letters this week - Bracknell News