Boris Johnson moaned that Keir Starmer wouldn't stop asking questions about mass deaths and starving children in Yemen - and the UK's sales of billions in arms to Saudi Arabia to use in the conflict. As the government prepares to slash aid to help those devastated by the brutal civil war by 50%, the PM complained that the Labour leader didn't ask him questions about how well the Covid-19 roadmap was going. He said: "He can't even address a question on the issues of the hour. He could have asked anything about the Coronavirus Pandemic, instead he's concentrated his questions entirely to the interests of the people of Yemen." Starmer pressed Boris Johnson on whether arms sales to Yemen should be suspended. Opening PMQs , Sir Keir said: "Does the Prime Minister agree with President Biden that the sale of arms that could be used in the war in Yemen should be suspended?" The Prime Minister replied: "Ever since the tragic conflict in Yemen broke out this country has … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson moans over Keir Starmer asking questions about children starving in Yemen
Whats boris johnsons views on brexit
Budget 2021: 11 surprises hidden in the small print from ‘NHS cut’ to Brexit
Rishi Sunak today presented yet another £65billion of Covid support in his annual Budget. The Chancellor extended most schemes until September and gave businesses another shot in the arm as they wait for a vaccine. But all that help comes at a cost, and we're not just talking about a hike in Corporation Tax. A stealth tax hike on working Brits will raise £8bn a year and schemes could run out in September while 2million are still furloughed. The Budget speech is always a triumphant affair, burying the awkward details to a few lines or none at all. To get a real feel for what's going on, you must read the hundreds of pages of documents slipped out when the Chancellor sits down. We're still trawling through the mammoth pile of Budget documents, including analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog (OBR). But here are the biggest surprises in the small print that have leaped out at us so far. 1. NHS spending overall looks set to be cut Rishi Sunak said … [Read more...] about Budget 2021: 11 surprises hidden in the small print from ‘NHS cut’ to Brexit
Budget 2021: EU border disruption to cause economic hit – and Brexit deal to see ‘4% shrinkage in long-term’
Border disruption with the EU, caused in part by Brexit, is expected to cause an economic hit in the first three months of this year, according to Whitehall's fiscal watchdog. In its latest economic forecast, the Office for Budget Responsibility said it expected "near-term disruption" to trade in goods with the EU to reduce gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the size of the economy, by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2021. The OBR said its previous forecasts had "assumed a smooth transition" to the new trading relationship with the EU, with it expected traders would be given "time to adjust". A special edition of the Sky News Daily podcast will be available from 7pm. Budget 2021: All the key points But it noted that, while the UK had "delayed or reduced" the application of new border checks until later this year, the bloc had "applied full customs requirements due on exports from Great Britain to the EU" since the end of the Brexit transition period … [Read more...] about Budget 2021: EU border disruption to cause economic hit – and Brexit deal to see ‘4% shrinkage in long-term’
Construction of post-Brexit inspection facilities halted in Northern Ireland
Uncertainty around the future of the Northern Ireland protocol has seen the construction of purpose-built inspection facilities at ports halted. There will still be checks on agricultural and food products, but these will be carried out in existing buildings that have been repurposed for the post- Brexit task, the country's agriculture minister has said. Gordon Lyons of the DUP said that recruitment of inspection staff for the new port facilities at places like Belfast and Larne had been stopped, and charges levied on traders bringing goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland were also shelved. Mr Lyons said his decision was based on "practical difficulties" caused by the protocol, which came as part of the UK's trade deal with the EU. The agreement struck saw trade checks enacted on products travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, however these regulatory and customs checks were moved to the Irish Sea to avoid a border on the island of … [Read more...] about Construction of post-Brexit inspection facilities halted in Northern Ireland
UK rental properties that look like Europe – from a vineyard in Herefordshire to a Devon home with views to rival Amalfi
THOSE sticking to the UK for their holiday this year can pretend they're on the Amalfi coast or in a French villa without even venturing far from home. Dotted across the country are rental properties that wouldn't look out of place in some of our favourite foreign travel destinations. Since Boris Johnson’s travel announcement on Monday, UK travel companies have seen a surge in bookings. Sykes Holiday Cottages reported bookings were up 150 per cent year-on-year and that a booking was taken every eight seconds after the announcement. With self-catered holiday accommodation set to reopen from April 12, many Brits will be keen to book a post-lockdown holiday. And with these properties, you can get a taste of an overseas trip without having to travel abroad... Bayview Tower – Lynton, Devon Feel like you’re holidaying on the Amalfi coast at Bayview Tower in Devon, which has panoramic views that resemble those along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The Grade II listed … [Read more...] about UK rental properties that look like Europe – from a vineyard in Herefordshire to a Devon home with views to rival Amalfi