Liz Truss, the UK’s shortest-serving prime minister, has criticised her successor Rishi Sunak’s disastrous “mini budget” and demanded that he cut taxes, rein in the welfare budget and raise the retirement age. However, her speech was met with criticism from her own party, with one MP branding her a “toxic” figure. Truss is set to attend the Conservative Party conference next month and is also writing a book on preserving the economic and cultural freedom of the West, indicating that she will continue to contribute to the political debate.
World leaders guilty of ‘catastrophic negligence’ on climate, says Yousaf
The Independent
23-09-18 17:35
Scotland's First Minister has criticised world leaders for being "collectively guilty of catastrophic negligence" on climate change. Speaking at Climate Week NYC, Humza Yousaf said young people "have every right to be angry" that not enough is being done to tackle the issue. He also accused world leaders of failing to meet the target of $100bn annually to tackle climate change by 2020, agreed at Cop15 in 2009. Yousaf said: "When you have a crisis, you have to act with urgency, the urgency the crisis demands, and I’m afraid that those of us in the global north are simply not responding fast enough."
UK to appoint commissioners to run Birmingham city council
Financial Times
23-09-18 16:58
The UK government is expected to appoint commissioners to oversee the day-to-day running of Birmingham City Council after the local authority declared itself effectively bankrupt. The commissioners would manage the council's financial affairs and sell off assets, including potentially the city library, land, and its stake in Birmingham Airport. The council declared a section 114 notice this month, indicating that it could not balance its books this year. The council's budget shortfall for this year is estimated at £87.5m ($111m).
The devolution of power to regional governments in the UK has allowed certain politicians to boost their personal profiles, according to The Times’ Euan McColm. The article cites London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf as examples of politicians who have used their positions to pursue personal agendas. McColm also accuses Yousaf of using an expensive court battle against the UK government as a “grievance generator” and a means of boosting his profile.
Unesco says Stonehenge tunnel plan must be changed
BBC
23-09-19 09:08
Unesco has called on the UK government to make changes to its plans for a road tunnel near Stonehenge in order to protect the World Heritage Site. The government approved the National Highways' plans in July, claiming that the scheme was necessary to address long-standing traffic congestion. However, Unesco has warned that Stonehenge could be placed on the danger list if amendments are not made before the World Heritage Committee meets again in 2024. Activists have also expressed concerns that the road scheme could result in the loss of Stonehenge's World Heritage status.
Heaton-Harris calls on Irish government to support new legacy body
The Independent
23-09-19 08:31
UK Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has expressed hope that the Irish government will support a new legacy body established to examine unresolved Troubles deaths. On Monday, royal assent was granted for the UK Government’s Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. The legislation will offer limited immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who cooperate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. The bill was opposed by major Stormont parties, victims’ campaign groups, and the Irish government, which is considering taking a case against the UK to the European Court of Human Rights.
UK Government acted unlawfully by quashing Scottish self-ID gender law, Lord Advocate tells court
Telegraph
23-09-19 15:12
Scottish National Party (SNP) ministers have argued in court that the UK government unlawfully vetoed Nicola Sturgeon’s self-ID gender legislation. The SNP warned that if the UK government won the case, Holyrood would only be able to legislate if the Scottish Secretary agreed with the policy. The Scottish Secretary blocked the legislation as he disagreed with the self-ID policy, which the SNP argues was out of his remit. The SNP also argues that the UK government’s reasons for vetoing the legislation were “insufficient”.
Gender reforms block ‘inconsistent with constitutional principles of UK’
The Independent
23-09-19 14:04
The Lord Advocate of Scotland has argued that blocking controversial gender reforms in Scotland because of a “policy disagreement” is inconsistent with the constitutional principles of the UK. The Lord Advocate made the argument in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, as she argued against the UK government’s use of the Section 35 order of the Scotland Act to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill gaining royal assent. The Scottish legislation seeks to change the age at which a person can obtain a gender recognition certificate from 18 to 16, and removes the requirement of a gender dysphoria diagnosis.
The devolution of power to regional governments in the UK has allowed certain politicians to boost their personal profiles, according to The Times’ Euan McColm. The article cites London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf as examples of politicians who have used their positions to pursue personal agendas. McColm also accuses Yousaf of using an expensive court battle against the UK government as a “grievance generator” and a means of boosting his profile.
Tuesday evening news briefing: Britain touted as future 'associate member' of the EU
Telegraph
23-09-19 17:30
Labour leader Keir Starmer has expressed his desire to build a stronger relationship between the UK and France if his party wins power in the next general election. Starmer made the comments during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where they discussed post-Brexit relations. The meeting came after France and Germany proposed a four-tiered system for the UK's potential rejoining of the European Union, which would see the UK governed by the European Court of Justice.
The UK government's decision to award Avanti West Coast a new rail contract has been criticized by a local MP in north Wales. Clwyd West MP David Jones said passengers had endured a "substandard service from Avanti for too long" and called for the franchise to be terminated if poor performance continued. Transport Minister Jesse Norman said the department would be "very focused" on holding the company accountable. Avanti West Coast operates services between north Wales and London and Birmingham. The new contract has a maximum term of nine years but can be terminated after three years.
UK backs Trudeau in call for answers from India over killing of Sikh activist
Telegraph
23-09-19 20:28
Britain and the United States have supported Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's demand for answers from India regarding the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. Trudeau called on India to take the matter seriously, while Canada said it had spent months evaluating evidence that Indian agents were linked to the killing. India has dismissed the allegation as absurd and expelled a Canadian diplomat, damaging diplomatic relations between the two countries. The accusation has also disrupted trade talks between India and Canada.
Scotland will have to delay ban on new petrol car sales after PM’s move – SNP
The Independent
23-09-21 08:47
Scotland will have to delay its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, according to the Scottish National Party (SNP). The SNP says that the Scottish government will be unable to meet its target of ending sales by 2030 due to the UK Internal Market Act. The SNP’s energy spokesman, Dave Doogan, also criticised the UK government for changing its market environment only three years after setting it. The UK government recently postponed its own ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shifting his government closer to his own positions in order to boost his party's chances of electoral success, according to Stephen Bush in the Financial Times. This includes Chancellor Rishi Sunak's watering down of the country's net-zero plans, which is part of a wider reset in how the government presents itself. However, Bush argues that the UK Conservative party must undergo a more significant reset in order to secure victory in the next election. He states that the party's perceived incompetence, division, and extremism are key factors driving voters away. Bush suggests that the party must become more divided before it can address these issues and regain the trust of young voters.
Ex-ministers might not need corruption watchdog’s approval to write books and columns
Telegraph
23-09-21 20:08
Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, has suggested that ex-ministers should be free to write books and columns without seeking approval. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) previously called for urgent reform to the rules governing post-ministerial work, following an incident where former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave only 30 minutes' notice of his new role as a Daily Mail columnist. In a letter to Acoba, Dowden stated that the risk surrounding media appointments is limited and that the government is "minded" to exempt books, journalism, and media appearances from strict business appointment rules in the future in order to support free speech.
Hunt suggests HS2 costs ‘out of control’ but says no decision made on cuts
The Independent
23-09-21 17:16
The costs of building HS2 are "getting totally out of control," says Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The government is reportedly considering scrapping the Manchester leg of the high-speed rail route to save £35bn ($45bn), despite £2.3bn having already been invested. Hunt declined to comment on the speculation but said discussions were ongoing about how to deliver infrastructure projects without "costing taxpayers billions and billions of pounds." The total cost of HS2, which is designed to link London, the Midlands and the north of England, has already risen from £55.7bn to between £53bn and £71bn.
Scottish Government ‘urgently’ assessing impact of climate climbdowns – minister
The Independent
23-09-21 16:55
The Scottish Government is urgently assessing the impact on Scotland of the UK Government's decision to delay key climate change targets. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that England would delay the target by five years, with Scotland required to follow suit. The decision has been widely criticised, with environmental activists and some Conservative MPs among those condemning the move. The Scottish Government said the decision could have serious implications for Scotland's climate ambitions and accused Sunak of an "unforgivable betrayal". Scotland is aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, five years ahead of the UK target.
Proposed site of Scottish drug room pilot revealed
BBC
23-09-21 16:15
The proposed location for the UK's first legal drug consumption room has been revealed as the Hunter Street Health Centre in Glasgow. The facility, which is supported by the Scottish government, will be open from 09:00 to 21:00, 365 days a year. Supporters have said that drug consumption rooms can reduce overdose deaths, public injecting and drug-related litter. However, critics argue that they send the wrong message about drugs and could divert resources from treatment-based approaches.
The Fflecsi Bwcabus scheme, a bus service covering rural areas of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire in Wales, is set to end on 31 October due to a lack of funds. The Welsh government had previously funded the service, but this funding ended in June. Despite discussions between the Welsh government, Transport for Wales, and the local councils, it has been confirmed that the service will not be funded further. The loss of the service is described as a "surprising and significant blow" for passengers. The Welsh government has blamed a lack of replacement funding from the UK government for the service's demise.
SNP to review gas boiler ban after PM rows back on net zero target
Telegraph
23-09-21 20:34
The Scottish government is reviewing its plans to ban gas boilers in homes following UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to row back on the country’s net-zero targets. The Scottish National Party (SNP) said that Sunak’s announcement would have “serious implications” for the Scottish government’s climate change agenda. The SNP will now assess the impact of Sunak’s policy reversals on the target dates for phasing out gas boilers and the sale of petrol and diesel cars. Sunak’s decision to delay the car ban from 2030 to 2035 will also apply in Scotland. However, the programme to replace gas boilers with heat pumps is devolved to Holyrood. The SNP’s heat in buildings strategy admits that the average cost of installing a heat pump is around £10,000, around four times the £2,500 cost of replacing a fossil fuel boiler. The Scottish government has provided an initial tranche of support of only £1.8bn over the current parliament.
