Brexit
Express
THE Brexit bonfire of the EU’s red tape has begun after Liz Truss announced measures for companies to apply to suspend tariffs on goods today.
In a scheme to help companies become more competitive, businesses will be allowed to ask for duties on imports to be partially or completely withdrawn for a set period. As part of the EU, UK companies would need to apply to Brussels before it was then assessed by all member states. Under the UK’s new tariff scheme, it is hoped British firms will become more competitive while lowering production costs.
Also speaking today, Brexit minister David Frost admitted fears of a period of uneasy relations with the EU following the leak of a key document.
Following the leak of a document concerning the Northern Ireland protocol, Lord Frost warned relations could be “bumpy for a time”.
Despite the calls to remove the Northern Ireland protocol, the leaked document puts forward a roadmap to phase in the remaining checks for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Lord Frost insisted the document was “evolving” as it remains unclear if the EU will shift its stance on the protocol.
Trade
Mail
Britain will offer Australia a zero tariff, zero quota trade deal following a 15-year transition.
Trade Secretary Liz Truss has been given the go-ahead to bring about the post-Brexit deal in spite of a significant backlash from the UK agriculture industry.
Australia has been negotiating for a five-year period of cutting import and export taxes, but the idea has stoked fear that British farmers would be undercut by the introduction of cheaper beef and lamb from overseas.
Despite this, a 15-year deal has now been agreed by the Cabinet committee in charge of the negotiations, The Sun reports.
A fierce row had broken out between free trade advocates, such as Liz Truss, and protectionists within the Government, such as Michael Gove and George Eustice.
Boris Johnson came down on the side of free trade, and ministerial sources are understood to be confident an agreement with Australia is now within reach.
The details of the exact transition length will still need to be negotiated.
Those is favour of a deal claim that food and wine prices in UK supermarkets will go down as barriers to imports are done away with – but the existing tariffs would be ‘tapered out slowly’ so British farmers could adjust.
EU
Express
EMMANUEL MACRON’s ally Clement Beaune has thrown down the gauntlet to Boris Johnson and the UK Government – by telling him the EU will not tolerate “provocation” when it comes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
And France’s junior minister for European Affairs has also insisted the controversial arrangement must be “wholly respected” in a clear indication that either Brussels nor Paris is minded to budge on the issue. The mechanism, whereby Northern Ireland remains bound by EU rules and regulations when it comes to imports and exports, is aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.
However, critics, especially within the unionist community, argue it has instead resulted in a border down the Irish Sea – and has consequently driven a wedge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
In February Boris Johnson unilaterally extended a grace period for checks on food going from Britain to Northern Ireland until October, prompting the EU to initiate legal actions, arguing the move amounting to a breach of the agreement signed by the Prime Minister in December.
Speaking today, Mr Beaune said the bloc could not accept any unilateral move by Britain which threatened the integrity of the single market via the Irish border, calling it dangerous to question the Brexit deal’s Northern Ireland protocol.
One metre rule
Mail
Boris Johnson has told Conservative MPs the ‘one-metre plus’ rule for social distancing is still set to be scrapped in June.
The Prime Minister said eliminating the measure was the ‘single biggest difference’ the government could bring about in order to get Britain’s pubs back into action, and he was eager for the rule to be scrapped by June 21, The Times reports.
As long as the rule is in force, pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and other hospitality businesses remain financially unviable, having to legally keep customers separated while using their premises, industry leaders have warned.
Many have had to keep their doors closed throughout the coronavirus crisis.
Britain’s daily Covid deaths have fallen by more than a third in a week as seven more victims and 2,874 positive tests were recorded. Yesterday’s infections were up slightly on the 2,657 last Thursday, a rise of about 8 per cent, but the national case rate has remained stable since April.
More than 37million people have now received one vaccine injection — the equivalent of more than 70 per cent of all adults — and 21.2million are fully inoculated.
But the rise of the Indian Covid variant had sparked concerns that plans to end social distancing measures were in jeopardy, but on Wednesday Mr Johnson told the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs he was confident about abolishing the one-metre plus rule next month.
Guardian
The number of confirmed cases in the UK of the Covid variant of concern that was first detected in India has risen more than 160% in the past week, data shows, and another new variant has been designated as “under investigation”.
Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows there have now been 3,424 confirmed cases of the B.1.617.2 variant in the UK, up from 1,313 cases confirmed by last Thursday.
“Cases are still predominantly affecting the north-west of England – particularly Bolton – and London, but we are seeing clusters of cases across the country,” PHE said.
The figures are likely to be an underestimate as there is a time lag between samples being collected and the variant in positive tests being determined. PHE says the majority of samples relating to the new total date to around 10-14 days ago.
Indian variant
Mail
Just three of the 15 Indian variant hotspots in the UK are seeing clear rises in infection rates, surge testing data has revealed.
Almost 3,500 cases of the Indian Covid variant have now been spotted across the UK, with the number of people testing positive for the strain having more than doubled in a week.
But the latest data has suggested that scientists’ fears about the Indian strain being more transmissible than the already highly virulent Kent variant may be unfounded.
In the over-60s, cases are not rising in any of the hotspots outside of Bolton – meaning vaccines are likely working to protect the elderly from the disease, The Times reports.
Full figures on the results of the surge testing – which is being carried out in areas including Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow and Kirklees – will be released next week, as current data is only preliminary.
Public Health England’s weekly update said the B.1.617.2 variant had been detected 3,424 times by May 19, up from 1,313 a week ago.
The bulk of the cases have been in the North West of England — mostly in Bolton and Blackburn — and in London but PHE said clusters were cropping up across the country.
In England, 3,245 cases have now been confirmed, with another 136 in Scotland, 28 in Wales and 15 in Northern Ireland.
Matt Hancock told a Downing St press conference last night that there had been about 2,900 cases of the Indian variant. It does not mean another 500 cases were spotted overnight.
Ministers and the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have said they expect the strain to quickly become the dominant virus in the UK.
PHE also revealed that it had detected another mutant Covid variant in Yorkshire and the Humber which it has assigned as a ‘Variant Under Investigation’.
The strain — temporarily named AV.1 — has been spotted 49 times so far and there is currently no evidence that it causes more severe disease or renders vaccines less effective. Its effect on transmission is not yet understood.
Times
Infection rates are clearly rising in only three out of 15 Indian variant hotspot areas, easing fears about how quickly it spreads.
Cases in over 60s are not rising in any of the areas currently subject to surge testing outside Bolton, in what is being seen as an encouraging sign that the vaccines are protecting the most vulnerable.
Updated figures yesterday showed 3,424 known cases of the B.1.617.2 variant, up 15 per cent on yesterday. But Boris Johnson has become more confident that the end of restrictions can remain on track as emerging data suggests that the strain is unlikely to be 50 per cent more transmissible than the Kent variant.
Evening Standard
Cases of the Covid Indian variant of concern have jumped 80 per cent in London in a week to 720, official figures reveal today.
They show a rise of 320 from 400 last week.
However, the increase suggest that the mutation, which scientists believe transmits significantly more easily than the Kent variant, is not spiralling out of control in the capital.
Cases more than doubled between May 5 and 12.
Surge testing and extra vaccinations are being deployed in Hounslow to combat the variant B1.617.2.
There were 153 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the west London borough in the week to May 15, a seven-day rate of 56.3 infections per 100,000 people, a rise of 28.6 on the previous week.
The B.1.617.2 cases in the city are believed to be largely linked to people having returned from India passing on the infection to their households or close contacts, rather than any significant community transmission.
Cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus across the country have risen by more than 2,000 in the space of a week, according to the figures which are around two weeks out-of-date as it takes such a period for genomic sequencing to be carried out to identify the mutation.
Public Health England (PHE) said the latest weekly data showed there were 3,424 cases of the B1617.2 mutation, a rise of 2,111 on the previous week.
Sun
INDIAN variant cases have more than doubled in a week with over 3,000 Brits now infected.
Some date back to mid-April when the strain first arrived in the UK before rapidly spreading.
Public Health England said today 3,424 cases have now been found, a rise of 2,111 since last week.
Cases are still largely affecting the North West of England – particularly Bolton – and London, but clusters of cases are now being seen across the country.
Yesterday the Health Secretary revealed infections had risen from 2,323 on Monday, to 2,967.
Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen and Bedford have been the main areas where worrying numbers of cases had been identified.
Matt Hancock also revealed surge testing has started in eight new areas – Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow, Kirklees, Leicester, North Tyneside, Glasgow and Moray (on top of Bolton and Blackburn).
Telegraph
The Indian variant is a “major issue” and “may well delay” the June 21 grand reopening, a scientific adviser for the Government has warned.
Professor Peter Openshaw, who sits as a member on the Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), while he “desperately” hopes the final unlocking of society can happen, the new variant is a concern.
He told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme: “I think all of us are so anxious to get back to some sort of normal life, but I would say at the moment that we absolutely have to redouble the efforts to get everyone who is eligible for a vaccine vaccinated.”
But asked if he thinks the June 21 is attainable given the trajectory of the cases of the Indian variant, he said: “Well I think just looking at the rate of rise of the Indian variant, I personally would feel very concerned that this is going to become quite a major issue over the next few weeks and that may well delay the further opening up.”
Covid trials
Sun
ONLY 15 people out of 58,000 tested positive for Covid after trials at large events such as the FA Cup final and the Brit Awards.
The Government-run trials to test whether venues can safely reopen this summer saw nine different events with live crowds – including a post-lockdown rave at a Liverpool warehouse.
Out of the 58,000 people who attended the events, such as the World Snooker Championship, just 15 positive Covid cases have so far been recorded, sources told the Telegraph.
It’s understood some tested positive before the event, meaning they couldn’t attend, while some returned a positive test afterwards.
And further positive tests could emerge from the most recent events – such as the FA Cup final last weekend.
Mail
The UK’s daily Covid deaths have fallen by more than a third in a week as seven more victims and 2,874 positive tests were recorded.
Today’s infections are up slightly on the 2,657 last Thursday, a rise of about 8 per cent, but the national case rate has remained stable since April.
Meanwhile, latest data shows another 635,000 Covid vaccine doses were administered yesterday, with 265,000 Britons coming forward for their first appointment and 370,000 for their second. It means 37.2million people have received one injection — the equivalent of more than 70 per cent of all adults — and 21.2m are fully inoculated.
The figures came as separate official statistics showed the nation’s Covid outbreak is still flat, despite the rapid spread of the Indian variant.
Public Health England’s weekly surveillance report found cases remained ‘stable’ nationally at around 12,000 last week, and dropped in all age groups except five to nine-year-olds. Hospitalisations with the virus also fell across the country, while infection rates dipped in every region except the North West, which is struggling against an outbreak of the Indian strain.
Some 95 out of 149 local authorities — or 64 per cent — saw their Covid cases dip last week. In contrast, there were 66 that recorded a drop over the previous seven-day spell.
The City
Telegraph
Ministers must “go into battle” for the City and stand their ground over an attempted power grab by Brussels over financial services, Boris Johnson’s former economics adviser has said.
In a Policy Exchange report Gerard Lyons, a senior fellow at the think-tank and an adviser to the PM when London mayor, warned that the City of London is up against “an aggressive EU and intense global competition” and that the UK should diverge on regulation from Brussels if needed.
Mr Lyons urged ministers to adopt a new post-Brexit strategy for financial services to boost the City’s competitiveness and drive the levelling up agenda.
The City was largely left out of the UK’s post-Brexit agreement struck with the EU in December, but both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on financial services cooperation in March. The agreement raised hopes that Brussels will grant UK companies so-called equivalence status, where Britain’s rules are deemed to be so similar to the EU’s that cross-border trading is fair to both sides.
Doctors
Telegraph
Doctors have mounted a backlash against orders to see patients face-to-face, with their union passing a vote of no confidence in NHS leaders.
On Thursday, the British Medical Association’s (BMA) GP committee said medics had been let down by NHS England’s senior officials after patients were told they had the right to see GPs in person.
The U-turn last week came after the Patients’ Association and the Royal College of GPs raised concerns about the NHS proposal for “total triage”.
The Telegraph had been inundated with letters from readers describing problems accessing GP care – with one likening their local surgery to Fort Knox – after it highlighted the situation.
But doctors’ unions on Thursday turned on health officials for the change of stance, passing a motion of no confidence in the leadership of NHS England.
The BMA said the change by health officials was “tone deaf”, suggesting it had been issued in reaction to media coverage “rather than based on the needs of the profession”.
NERVTAG are definitely getting on my ‘Nerves”! Only 15 ‘positive’ tests out of 58000 event attendees yet NERVTAG are pushing the ‘Indian Variant’ like it’s the Black Death. How come ‘they’ have the authority to make threatening pronouncements? Who the hell is actually running Britain? Silly me……must be Bliar of course as the CONservatives seem to have him as their ‘go-to guru’ now!!!!
As previously posted, NZ lamb / mutton was the cheapest meat you could buy – by a long chalk. And the family would see this more than once a week on the table.
Since we gave up Commonwealth Trade to join the Common Market the price had sky rocketed. No doubt this caused glee to comparitively insignificant sheep production by Welch farmers. Today it is the most expensive.
I for one look forward to lamb / mutton returning to the table more than once a month.
Liz truss is the mad shopper signing up for store cards. These are not trade deals. Its countries lining up to sell us stuff. The plan is to buy everything and keep printing money to pay for it.
Oh I don’t follow you there Matt up North. Unless of course you mean that all we are told, is about the food we will import. Hopefully there are still things we will export to Oz.
Anyway, personally I’d rather import food from Oz than E.U. any day.
Also, Australia being in the Southern Hemisphere means food is produced during our Winter and vice versa.
Anchor Butter came from New Zealand in those days too. It was delicious and cheap.
Then it was taken over by Arla. Arla advertised that all their cows lived permanently indoors producing gallons of milk, which they plugged themselves into milking machines whenever they felt like it, to get rid of.
I don’t remember the cows expressing an opinion.
That comment was agreeing with Biscotte.
The BMA said the change by health officials was “tone deaf”, suggesting it had been issued in reaction to media coverage “rather than based on the needs of the profession”.
What about the needs of the patients, you know the people you are supposed to serve?
Yes Jim R, I see your point. On the other hand, I’d prefer to talk to a G.P. by landline phone rather than traipsing into the Health Centre and twiddling my thumbs in the waiting room.
If I’m too ill to get to the surgery and it needs something like a stethoscope to check my breathing for instance, G.P.s should do home visits. Those were the days!
Brexit:
“Despite the calls to remove the Northern Ireland protocol…”; yet another instance of government dismissing common sense opinion. The statement by Boris that “Brexit is done” has been taken at face value by too many when it seems, from recent legal opinion, that the 1801 Act of Union has been compromised by his WA. That surely would have been an Act of Treason had Blair not watered down the law.
Total agreement. We need to get out of the Common Market soonest.
You’re probably right there Jack. What’s more the Northern Ireland Protocol was never necessary in the first place because all customs and other checks can be done online and with GPS tracking. The whole ‘hard border problem’ was a figment of the ‘Remainers’ imagination.
It was also the hammer the EU planned to use to punish Great Britain for having the audacity to leave their project. We now need politicians with the guts to fight the B’stards
Jack I am beginning to be very worried about the ‘influence’ that Bliar is currently having on the CONservative government. In addition I read that suggestions are being touted that he might still be electable!!!! Heaven forfend! Will we never be rid of his malevolent prescience?
Worrying indeed; he’s a truly evil being.