Liz Truss has refused to enshrine animal welfare in trade deals, says minister
George Eustice says rival Rishi Sunak has made clear there will be no compromise on welfare standards
Liz Truss has refused to recognise the importance of animal welfare in post-Brexit trade deals, the environment secretary has said.
George Eustice was speaking at the Conservative Environment Network Tory leadership hustings on behalf of Rishi Sunak, and said he faced “challenges” in trying to get Truss to enshrine animal welfare in trade deals.
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A slice of Gateau Basque
Meryl tempts our taste buds with a delicious offering of Gateau from Basque Country - with cream or cherries?
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: A slice of Gateau Basque
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Sajid Javid Says UK Has A "Productivity Problem” After Liz Truss' Demands “More Graft”
Former health secretary Sajid Javid has defended comments by Conservative leadership frontrunner Liz Truss that British workers need to produce "more graft”.
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A-level students told to prepare for disappointment: when will these students catch a break?
It’s their first time sitting national exams, after several years of covid disruption, and now their A-levels could be downgraded
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: A-level students told to prepare for disappointment: when will these students catch a break?
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UK government enters endgame in Europe research standoff
The government is in a row with the EU over the UK's membership of the €100bn Horizon research programme.
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Them’s the Brakes!
Adrian asks if Johnson knew - or his successor will know - how to drive a car properly or run the country fairly.
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Who was the most recent prime minister to be elected in to and out of office at a general election?
A conversation at a Scarborough cricket match turns to the question of how we ‘elect’ prime ministers in the UK
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: Who was the most recent prime minister to be elected in to and out of office at a general election?
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"No Danger" Droughts Will Cause Drinking Water Shortage, Senior Minister Promises
Exclusive: Cabinet minister Kit Malthouse has sought to reassure the public that drinking water will not run low in the coming weeks, but admitted that the drought and other crises means the UK faces a "challenging winter".
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York multi-sports taster event for blind and partially sighted people
A multi-sports taster event by York Sight Loss Council is taking place to allow blind and partially sighted people to get involved in sports
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: York multi-sports taster event for blind and partially sighted people
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Chancellor Hails "Resilience Of UK Economy” Despite Fastest Pay Fall On Record
Nadhim Zahawi has defended new ONS pay and employment figures despite them showing the sharpest real-world drop to the value of wages in light of rising inflation.
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David Frost’s chilling vision
Lord Frost's vision of the future is one of deregulation, free-market economics and a dramatically reduced welfare state
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: David Frost’s chilling vision
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Tory Urges Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak To Listen To Labour's "Direct" Energy Bill Proposals
A former Tory minister has urged the government to pay attention to Labour's proposed plan to freeze the energy price cap for six months instead of “doling out money to help people with higher bills”.
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The Government’s ‘Freedom Day’ Gamble has failed
Over a year ago, on 19 July 2021, the Johnson government proclaimed “Freedom Day” and laws in England requiring masks to be worn in shops and other indoor settings lapsed, along with capacity limits in bars and restaurants, and rules limiting the number of people who can socialise together. This was in no way supported […]
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From Russia to Hull and on to Turkey: the curious case of the Tecoil Polaris
Hull could soon be bidding farewell to Tecoil Polaris, a ship with one of the most colourful recent histories of any currently in its waters
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: From Russia to Hull and on to Turkey: the curious case of the Tecoil Polaris
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Up to £60m in UK crops left to rot owing to lack of workers, says NFU
Farming union chief says situation ‘nothing short of a travesty’, as crops also hit by drought and record heat
As much as £60m of food has been wasted on farms because of a labour shortage, according to the National Farmers’ Union, which found at least £22m of fruit and vegetables had been wasted so far this year.
The NFU said 40% of respondents to a survey of its members said they had suffered crop losses as a result of labour shortages, with farms 14% short of the size of the workforce they needed on average. The problems were worsened by some staff not turning up for work or quitting early.
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As a Brit abroad post-Brexit, I wanted to wear a badge saying: ‘Don’t look at me – I didn’t vote for this!’ | Zoe Williams
It used to be fun holidaying with the French, but now the rest of Europe doesn’t seem to know what to make of us
It used to be a reliable middle-class hack: if you wanted a zero-effort holiday, with no decisions except whether to have a pina colada or a beer, you went somewhere French-run and all-inclusive. The business model relies upon a large number of abstemious French people who prefer aqua aerobics, and a small but noticeable number of quietly extravagant British people. Then you would chat to them in halting French, and they would take over in much more expert English.
French parenting is incredibly harsh, and the swimming pool resounds to the sound of: “Non, crétin!” Who knows what this does to the long-term adult prospects of the three-year-old miscreants, but it makes the bar incredibly peaceful and nice, since only the kids who aren’t carrying on are in there. This is the way it’s been for years.
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Labour Pledges Energy Price Overhaul To Halt The Cost-Of-Living Crisis "At Source"
Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced new proposals to freeze the energy price cap to stop households paying more when prices are set to rise this winter.
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Dizzie Lizzie: the baffling, shapeshifting rise of the politician poised to become Britain’s next prime minister
Who is Liz Truss? So bad she’s funny, or a wolf in Thatcherite clothing? Whatever she may be, she’s likely to be bad news for the UK
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: Dizzie Lizzie: the baffling, shapeshifting rise of the politician poised to become Britain’s next prime minister
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Regional Technological Capabilities & Access to H2020 Funds
By Daniele Archibugi, Rinaldo Evangelista and Antonio Vezzani Since the release of the Lisbon Strategy in 2000, fostering science, technology, innovation, and human capital have been considered key ingredients of all subsequent EU strategies aimed at achieving a cohesive and competitive European Union. In recent years, regions have steadily increased their relevance as key spatial […]
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The Davis Downside Dossier
UPDATED. David Davis famously said there would be no downsides to Brexit only considerable upsides. Here we keep a tally.
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Tough politicians accept responsibility, weak ones assign blame
The Tories need to kick their blame habit; it’s making the rest of us sick.
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When in town
AB Wyze shares his shopping strategy
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The doges of war: how a Twitter meme is helping fight the Russian war in Ukraine
Members of a group known as the North Atlantic Fellas Organization have been raising money for Ukraine while countering Russian propaganda
Yorkshire Bylines Local News: The doges of war: how a Twitter meme is helping fight the Russian war in Ukraine
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Number of EU citizens moving to UK plunges post-Brexit – report
Data shows just 43,000 EU citizens received visas for work, family, study or other purposes in 2021
The number of EU citizens moving to the UK has plunged since Brexit closed the doors to low-paid workers, according to a report.
The dramatic decline in migration from the EU has hit hospitality and support services hard. But the Migration Observatory (MO) at the University of Oxford and ReWage, a group of independent experts, have said that while Brexit “exacerbated” chronic labour shortages in Britain, it was not the only cause.
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Why UK farms are recruiting fruit pickers from 7,000 miles away
Last year, Ukrainians helped plug post-Brexit labour shortages. With the focus now on Asia, it’s unclear who should police issues such as illegal broker fees
As a Guardian investigation reports that Indonesian workers picking fruit for leading UK supermarkets have ended up with debts of up to £5,000 for a single season, we look at what is driving a crisis in British agricultural labour and how exploitation can be avoided.
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Revealed: Indonesian workers on UK farm ‘at risk of debt bondage’
As farms look further afield for labour, investigation finds Kent pickers saying they struggle to pay fees charged by unlicensed brokers
Indonesian labourers picking berries on a farm that supplies Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco say they have been saddled with debts of up to £5,000 by unlicensed foreign brokers to work in Britain for a single season.
Pickers at the farm in Kent were initially given zero-hours contracts, and at least one was paid less than £300 a week after the cost of using a caravan was deducted, according to payslips and other documents seen as part of a Guardian investigation.
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The Climate Emergency: Part 3 – Representation and Accountability
Time has run out: the ice caps are melting, forests are burning and cities are running out of water. The attention of Parliament and the media is elsewhere, totally uninterested in the Climate Emergency. If we are to face this challenge we must address the lack of representation and accountability in Parliament. This article builds […]
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Liz Truss Doubles Down On Tax Cuts Plan To Ease Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Conservative leadership frontrunner Liz Truss has insisted she will push ahead with tax cuts, despite warnings it will do little to help the most vulnerable as the cost of living is expected to soar.
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Could the Eurovision Song Contest be coming to Yorkshire?
Sheffield and Leeds join Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham as candidates to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
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Brexit threatening endangered species as red tape hits zoo breeding programmes
Transferring critically endangered species within Europe to broaden the gene pool is more difficult with Britain outside the EU
Breeding programmes designed to save critically endangered species are being jeopardised by Brexit, with zoos warning they are being prevented from transferring animals such as rhinos and giraffes by red tape created by the UK’s departure from the EU.
The animal health regulation was passed in 2016 before the EU referendum, but came into force in April 2021. There have been no reports that the UK dissented from the regulation.
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Rishi Sunak’s ignorance of consequences is dangerous
Rishi Sunak is a very wealthy man. As a candidate for Prime Minister, this means he’s detached from the consequences of his actions.
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Price Of Bread, Cheese, Milk And Biscuits Is About To Soar
The price of bread, milk and cheese is expected to rise sharply in the coming months as the cost-of-living crisis makes staple foods more expensive, according to a leading industry figure.
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The Guardian view on the Tories and Northern Ireland: reset not run-in | Editorial
The Conservative leadership hustings move to Belfast next week. It will be time to choose between pragmatism and dogmatism
There are three reasons why Northern Ireland has not rated many mentions in the Conservative leadership contest so far. The first is that the standoff with the European Union over the Brexit Northern Ireland protocol is currently dwarfed by the severity of the energy price crisis. The second is that most Tory party members, who are overwhelmingly English, are not interested in Northern Ireland. The third is that Rishi Sunak does not want to let Liz Truss turn the issue into a test of Brexit zealotry that she would win.
Next week, however, the evasions will end as the leadership hustings move to Belfast. In less than a month, the new prime minister will also need to engage with Northern Ireland issues, whether they want to or not. That’s because the stalemate is damaging the Northern Ireland economy. It is also holding the power-sharing governance of Northern Ireland hostage. It is souring relations between the UK and the Irish Republic; helping, perhaps, to boost Sinn Féin in the south. And it is standing in the way of a practical post-Brexit relationship with the EU and the Biden administration.
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How Westminster Works: What Do MPs Actually Do For You?
How Westminster Works is a new limited podcast series from PoliticsHome, that takes a deep dive into the history, quirks and peculiar practices of UK politics.
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Chancellor Says UK Economy Is Facing "Challenging Times" As Cost Of Living Rises
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi had said that resilience in the private sector "bodes well" for the UK economy despite new warnings of a looming recession.
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This writer’s life: a diary. Part 6: Anyone for carbonara?
In this sixth instalment of her diary, Lynda Tavakoli writes about her endeavours in the kitchen
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Labour Vows To End "Morally Wrong" Higher Rates On Pre-Payment Energy Bills
Labour has pledged to end households with pre-payment meters having to pay a higher rate than direct debit customers, in the first of several cost-of-living policies that the opposition will roll out in the coming days.
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Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss compete for Tory members’ support in Cheltenham leadership hustings – as it happened
The two candidates are bidding for support from Conservative party members ahead of the final vote for the next PM
Gordon Brown, the former Labour prime minister, has used an article in today’s Guardian to propose that the government should halt the increases in the energy price cap planned for later this year and next year and, if necessary, take energy companies into public ownership to ensure that they keep prices down.
Alongside the Lib Dem plan, with which it has some similarities (they also want a price cap freeze, and more money raised through a windfall tax), it is the most radical and ambitious proposal on the table to tackle the energy bills crisis.
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Cost Of Living Crisis Means Children Will “Arrive At School Too Hungry To Learn”
The cost of living crisis has become “a frontline issue for schools” according to an education expert who says he has heard “harrowing” stories from teachers.
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Levelling Up Is At A "Crossroads" With Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Under Pressure To Explain Plans
Levelling up is at a “crossroads”, an analyst has said, as Conservative leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss face pressure to set out how they will tackle their party's flagship policy.
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Ryanair boss blames Brexit for airport chaos and says era of €10 airfares over
Michael O’Leary warns of rising cost of fuel and says policymakers need to get inflation back to about 2%
The boss of Ryanair has warned the era of ultra-low airfares is over and said Brexit is partly to blame for a shortage of airport workers that has created chaos during the peak holiday period.
The airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said surging oil prices would make it impossible to keep offering promotional tickets for less than €10 (£8.50). He added that Ryanair’s average fare would rise from about €40 towards €50 over the next five years as the company adjusted to rising inflation.
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A Southern Perspective on EU Enlargement
As the attention of the European public opinion has turned to Ukraine, it is our duty and responsibility not to leave the accession plans for the Balkans fall into oblivion, writes Marilena Koppa. Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash. Nineteen years after the Thessaloniki Summit that offered an accession perspective to the Western Balkans, the […]
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The EU has coordinated the delivery of more than 60,000 tonnes of life-saving assistance
The EU has coordinated the delivery of 66,224 tonnes of in-kind assistance to Ukraine from 30 countries via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The assistance delivered includes 180 ambulances, 125 fire-fighting vehicles, 300 power generators, 35 heavy machinery vehicles, and 4 pontoon bridges. This is by far the largest, longest lasting and most complex operation via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since it was established in 2001, with an estimated value so far of over €425 million.
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Cheltenham Residents send Food Poverty message to Government Leaders
Local activists will use the Tory Party Hustings at Cheltenham Racecourse to publicisethe appalling rise in the need for Food Banks. They are inviting local people to bringfood bank donations to a collection point at the Cheltenham Racecourse entrance tothe Hustings at 6.00pm on Thursday 11 August. Donations will then be distributedurgently to food banks […]
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Brexit stage left: British band tells of farcical barriers encountered on EU tour
Groups such as Walt Disco are struggling to make ends meet – or giving up – because of new obstacles, a musicians’ charity says
Night after night, the Beatles honed their harmonies in the clubs of Hamburg.
But now, British bands trying to fine-tune their sound by playing in Europe are struggling to make ends meet – or giving up entirely – because of the barriers created by Brexit, a charity for musicians has said.
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Homes For Ukraine Scheme Faces A "Crisis" As Quarter Of Hosts Plan To Quit
Shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy has accused ministers of "clocking off" from the Homes for Ukraine scheme during the Tory leadership campaign, as many early arrivals near the end of its six-month term.
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Labour Is Finally Preparing To Unveil Cost-Of-Living Policy Proposals As Energy Crisis Escalates
Exclusive: Labour is preparing to make several policy announcements on the worsening cost-of-living crisis, with the first set to be detailed in a speech by Keir Starmer as soon as early next week.
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Tory Mayor Says Liz Truss And Rishi Sunak Don't Understand Cost-Of-Living "Storm" Awaiting Them
Neither Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss “fully appreciates and understands the storm that awaits them” on the cost of living, Conservative mayor Ben Houchen has told PoliticsHome.
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“Irresponsible” Delay To Cost-Of-Living Measures Could Cause Civil Unrest, Senior MP Tells Government
Frustration is growing among MPs over the government's continued refusal to introduce urgent cost-of-living measures until the new Prime Minister is in place, despite escalating warnings on the severity of the crisis.
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Black Tithe Till
A poem from Shirley Martin
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Money Expert Compares Energy Crisis Inaction To UK "Watching European Hospital Beds Fill Up" With Covid
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has accused the government of inaction on soaring energy prices, and compared the "cataclysmic" scale of the crisis to watching Covid hospitalisations soar across Europe while the UK continued to allow sporting ev...
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Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak Can't Agree On Urgent Cost-Of-Living Summit
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have disagreed on whether they should both meet with the Prime Minister to agree new measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
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Fears Blackouts Could Lead To Empty Supermarket Shelves Raised By Government
Exclusive: The government has asked figures in the food and drink industry for their views on how major power outages could affect food supplies in the UK, as concern grows over how the energy crisis could cause widespread disruption in the coming mo...
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New Asylum Centre On Hold After Ben Wallace "Withdraws" Former RAF Base Offer
Controversial plans for a new asylum centre in North Yorkshire appear to have been scrapped after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the offer of a former RAF base for the site has been “withdrawn”.
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From energy bills to Brexit: a guide to the Tory leadership race U-turns
Analysis: Conservative contest has featured number of changes and clarifications by Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak
Party leadership races often involve candidates adjusting policies on the hoof, and so tend to have more than the usual share of U-turns. . Here are some highlights.
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Boris Johnson Allies Insist They Warned Of Cost-Of-Living Deadlock As No 10 Resists Urgent Intervention
Boris Johnson's caretaker government is resisting growing pressure to take action on the cost-living crisis before his successor takes over in early September, but allies of the outgoing prime minister insist they warned his hands would be tied over ...
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Tory MP Warns Cost-Of-Living Crisis Will Damage Election Chances Without More Support
Influential Conservative MP Mark Harper has insisted further financial support will be needed to help households through the "very, very difficult winter" as energy prices look set to soar further.
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COVID-19 vaccines: Commission and Moderna adapt delivery schedules for late summer and winter
The European Commission and Moderna have reached an agreement to better address Member States needs for COVID-19 vaccines for the late summer and winter period. This will ensure national authorities have access to the vaccines, including variant-adapted vaccines if authorised, at the time they need them for their own vaccination campaigns and to support their global partners.
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Johnson’s fifth wedding?
I see Boris Johnson has finally celebrated his wedding - how many’s that now?
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"No Plans" For New Cost-Of-Living Support Will Be Considered By Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson will not look at creating additional support for households as the cost-of-living crisis worsens, with Downing Street insisting that it is a matter for the new prime minister in September.
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Senior Tory Says Leadership Candidates "Have To Be Honest" About Scale Of Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Oliver Dowden has said an intervention on a "considerable scale" is needed by the next prime minister in order to help households through the rise in living costs.
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Please don’t leave ME behind… again
Mark Vaughan interviews Cat about living with myalgic encephalomyelitis and looks at funding and treatment issues.
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Two-thirds of UK’s top restaurants in the red after Brexit, Covid and inflation
Meanwhile £700m of support funds in business rates relief remains unpaid by local councils
Debt repayments, staff shortages and rising energy bills have pushed almost two-thirds of the UK’s top 100 restaurants into the red, according to research that reveals the impact of the pandemic, Brexit and the cost of living crisis on the hospitality sector.
With a recession looming and further increases in energy bills weighing on businesses, a separate report found that £700m of business rates relief remains unpaid with only half of English councils paying out the support funds.
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Doing Capitalism Differently
There is a now a strong case for radically transforming the relationship between Government and the Private Sector, so that the partnership is much more one between equals, where the Civil Service is strengthened, risks are shared more equably, and societal objectives and national interests, not just private profit, take a prominent place at the front of partnerships and contracts with the private secto
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Brexit to bedroom tax: judicial reviews that went against the government
Ministers and public bodies have been forced to change course by the courts in a range of major policy areas
- Leaked report suggests Raab trying to curb judges’ powers
- Why does the government want to reform judicial review?
Judicial reviews have been used to successfully challenge decisions made by the government and other bodies in key areas. Here are some examples of recent ones.
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Rishi Sunak Rules Out Quitting Parliament If He Loses Tory Leadership Contest
Rishi Sunak has dismissed suggestions that he will quit as an MP if he loses the Conservative leadership race to Liz Truss.
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Brexit will make a bad recession even worse | William Keegan
The Tory leadership contenders are pursuing a dangerous nirvana of low taxation while ignoring the damage inflicted by leaving the EU
Britain is rapidly entering its worst economic crisis since the 1970s, but it is a crisis hardly discussed by the two rightwing Conservative politicians vying for the premiership.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and the Bank of England have both pronounced that we are entering a recession that could last for much of next year. This will serve to aggravate already serious economic, industrial and social problems, with goodness knows how much public unrest.
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“Move over, let me have a go!”
We’ve all been there. Somehow, seeing somebody else struggling with a problem convinces us that we could solve it. Brexit is a problem which we are about to see our fourth Tory prime minister in six years try to solve. What is noteworthy about the latest contenders, and their predecessors, is that they bid to […]
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British farmers face paying for border checkpoints in EU after Brexit halts exports
British pedigree livestock breeders may have to invest in their own ‘red tape’ facilities in France to reach EU market
British farmers exporting livestock to the continent are trying to set up facilities for “red tape” checks by vets in France costing millions of pounds – and may even pay for it themselves.
Breeders in Britain are unable to export their pedigree cattle, sheep and pigs to the EU because no one has built any border control posts where vets can check the animals before they enter the single market.
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Can we trust charities with our money?
Trevor Russel discusses a recent report by the Charity Commission on whether we can trust charities with our money or not.
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Liz Truss Survives A Bumpy Week Riding Higher Than Ever In Tory Leadership Race
Liz Truss is still in a strong position to succeed Boris Johnson as Prime Minister even after committing her first major campaign error this week.
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Commonwealth Games Visit by Wheelchair User Spoilt
As a wheelchair user there was quite a lot of work involved in my going to watch the Commonwealth Games. Rearranging my carer so I could leave early enough. Booking assistance with a ramp for the train. Hoping they’d actually turn up with the ramps at all the stations. Building in extra time in case […]
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Almost Half Of School Leaders Are Considering Staff Cuts Due To Budget Constraints, New Poll Finds
A significant number of school leaders are considering the possibility of making cuts to staff as a result of inflation, energy costs and pay rises for staff placing unsustainable pressure on school budgets, a new survey has shown.
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Birmingham Labour MP unfairly dismissed aide
The Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, Khalid Mahmood, has been found by an employment tribunal to have unfairly dismissed his parliamentary aide and former lover.
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How Westminster Works: Everything That’s Ever Been Said In Parliament
How Westminster Works is a new limited podcast series from PoliticsHome, that takes a deep dive into the history, quirks and peculiar practices of UK politics.
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Young Conservatives Are "Disappointed" And "Underwhelmed" By The Leadership Race
Young Conservatives have described themselves as “disappointed” and “underwhelmed” by the party’s leadership contest, as public infighting and a lack of enthusiasm for candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak among some tarnishes the competition.
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Northern Ireland Still Doesn’t Have An Executive, What Happens Now?
Three months after Northern Ireland held its seismic Assembly elections in May, which left nationalist Sinn Fein as the largest party for the first time ever, the struggle to install first and deputy ministers and resume power sharing wages on.
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Fabulous Fancies brings former shop back to life as a community library
The Astley Walk library in Newcastle-under-Lyme will be launched by a three-day event, featuring arts events for all the family.
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European Commission disburses €1 billion of new macro-financial assistance for Ukraine
The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has disbursed €1 billion of the new macro-financial assistance (MFA) operation for Ukraine. The decision about this new exceptional MFA was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 12 July 2022.
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EIOPA consults on governance arrangements in third countries
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New rights to improve work-life balance in the EU enter into application
All Member States must now apply EU-wide rules to improve work-life balance for parents and carers. These rules set out minimum standards for paternity, parental and carers' leave and establish additional rights, such as the right to request flexible working arrangements, which will help people develop their careers and family life without having to sacrifice either.
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Social Europe: More transparent and predictable working conditions for workers in EU
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The Tory Party: Morally Not Fit to Govern
We observe an arrogant and entitled superiority from Government ministers, MPs, and their supporters, dismissing alternative views and belittling them as of no consequence – or as originating from some malign intent. They are not fit to govern. The Tory Party has forgotten that in Government its responsibility is to all the citizens of the […]
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Only a country as complacent as the UK could give up its border privilege so easily | Nesrine Malik
Take it from someone who grew up with a ‘low-ranking’ passport – Brexit has made international travel inherently more chaotic and stressful
Whenever I’m flying with someone who is a relaxed traveller – someone who arrives just before check-in closes, then has a full sit-down breakfast while I approach meltdown – I tease them about something I call “border privilege”. Chances are that relaxed traveller was born with access to a passport that has a high “power ranking”.
If you don’t know what that is, lucky you, for you are probably a holder of a passport that is high on the Henley passport index – a global ranking of countries in terms of the travel freedom their passports enjoy. The higher your passport ranks, the more “border privilege” you have – that is, the ability to cross national boundaries with, at best, a sense of excitement and, at worst, mild annoyance at the inconveniences of travel.
Nesrine Malik is a Guardian columnist
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New EU rules to protect children better in cross-border custody cases start applying
The new EU rules on cooperation between judicial authorities on cross-border disputes, such as custody, parental rights and child abduction (“Brussels IIb Regulation”) come into force. The Regulation updates the existing rules on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial and parental responsibility matters to better protect the needs of the child.
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Brexit realism? The NHS? Some of the key issues ignored by Sunak and Truss
Tory leadership candidates have clashed bitterly but many pressing matters have been overlooked
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have clashed vehemently over tax and spending, immigration and the UK’s stance on China in their acrimonious battle to become prime minister – but have had little to say about many other pressing issues. Here are some largely overlooked key issues of the contest so far.
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The Maastricht Treaty and the End of Integration Through Law: Bits and Pieces of a Legal Ideology
In most historiographic accounts of European integration, the Maastricht Treaty marks an important step forward on “the long road to unity”.
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Forest fires: EU sends assistance to combat fires at the Czech-German border
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MEPs to debate European security developments with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
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Include the right to abortion in EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, demand MEPs
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Digital Economy and Society Index 2022: overall progress but digital skills, SMEs and 5G networks lag behind
The European Commission published the results of the 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which tracks the progress made in EU Member States in digital. During the Covid pandemic, Member States have been advancing in their digitalisation efforts but still struggle to close the gaps in digital skills, the digital transformation of SMEs, and the roll-out of advanced 5G networks.
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8th Environment Action Programme: EU sets out to measure progress on Green Deal environment and climate goals
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Member states commit to reducing gas demand by 15% next winter
In an effort to increase EU security of energy supply, member states reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter. The Council regulation also foresees the possibility to trigger a ‘Union alert’ on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory.
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NI Protocol: Grace periods should be permanent, says Lords committee
The current grace periods mean the NI Protocol is not being fully implemented.
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In Truss We Trust?
Johnson's resignation fired the starting pistol for a race to the bottom. Liz Truss is the bookies' favourite. The question before us is: why oh why?
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The Guardian view on Brexit and the border: all jammed up | Editorial
The chaos in Kent may have eased for now, but the problems it revealed are far from being solved
The worst of the chaos of the last few days at the Kent border towns of Dover and Folkestone thankfully appears to be over. But tens of thousands of British tourists have had the start of their holidays seriously disrupted, while HGV drivers waited for up to 18 hours to cross the Channel as sections of the M20 were turned into a lorry park. Huge queues for ferries at Dover eased first, followed by those for the Eurotunnel at Folkestone. But, amid warnings that the problem may recur as soon as this weekend, questions about what caused it need urgent answers.
Ministers including Liz Truss, the foreign secretary who wants to be prime minister, should provide them. It is almost four years since Dominic Raab, then Brexit secretary, said he hadn’t grasped “the full extent” of the UK’s reliance on the Dover-Calais crossing. But more than 18 months since the withdrawal agreement took effect, there has been plenty of time to put in place arrangements to ensure the British port’s smooth running. Because of Covid restrictions on foreign travel last summer, it was widely predicted that the crunch would come after schools broke up this July. Yet the events of the weekend show that, once again, Britain was poorly prepared.
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There is one man to blame for the lorries backed up in Dover: Boris Johnson | Simon Jenkins
Tory leadership candidates, as they spout their pseudo-Thatcherite cliches, lack the guts to admit Brexit is not working
The Brexit slogan “Take back control” was always a lie. Boris Johnson, in a long boast about his so-called achievements in the Sunday Express yesterday, wrote that he “took back control of our borders”. Perhaps he should have visited the M20 in Dover, where thousands of immobile lorries are stacked up, and repeated this claim to their drivers. Under the EU, Britain’s borders were an issue negotiated with its neighbours. Under Brexit, the border at Dover is now controlled by France – and there is not a thing Britain can do about it. When we left the EU we lost all control.
The movement of people, goods and services across borders is always a matter of mutual advantage, of negotiation, of give and take. The prosperity of the British Isles since the Industrial Revolution has been rooted in ever-freer trade with the outside world. Membership of the EU made Britain’s products competitive, its banks rich and its labour market open to all talents. This gain reached its climax when in 1986 Margaret Thatcher signed the Single European Act, initiating a quarter-century of sustained growth. This era ended in 2019 with Johnson’s hard Brexit. The government’s own statistics estimate that it will reduce Britain’s growth by as much as 4%. The Tories have gone from being a free market party to a protectionist one, and it will cost the UK dear. Tory leadership candidates, as they spout their pseudo-Thatcherite cliches, lack the guts to admit this.
Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist
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New Women MPs in French National Assembly
The parliamentary election in France in June 2022 radically altered the balance of power in French politics. But how did it alter the power of women MPs? This article looks at five of them. Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble coalition is now down to 245 seats and so loses its absolute majority, making it much harder for […]
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Kent travel chaos: is there a fix and should Brexit take the blame? | Explainer
With roads to Dover and Folkestone gridlocked, it was a miserable start to the holidays for many
Travel gridlock hit the Kent roads around Dover and Folkestone again over the weekend as British tourists were confronted with the realities of travelling to the EU during a busy period for the first time since Brexit came into force in January 2021.
It was a miserable start to a holiday on the continent with queues of five to six hours, and travellers were warned the disruption is set to continue through the summer.
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Dover travel delays: who is to blame?
Ministers have pointed to a shortage of French border officials, while Paris says it is not responsible for Brexit
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, blamed border control officials, Police aux Frontières, for failing to provide sufficient numbers to staff the passport booths.
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Thousands of lorries queue near Dover amid travel chaos – video
Aerial footage shows thousands of lorries queueing on the main road towards the port of Dover on Saturday, with UK authorities blaming French officials for the chaos – a claim France has denied. A major incident was declared as a second day of travel disruption consumed the key port amid additional post-Brexit checks. It comes as most schools in England and Wales broke up for the summer holidays, marking the start of one of the busiest periods for foreign travel
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EU launches fresh legal action over Northern Ireland border rules
The fresh claims come amid a worsening diplomatic row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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Aerial footage shows huge queues waiting to cross the Channel in Folkestone – video
Huge queues heading for the Eurotunnel in Folkestone formed on Friday after severe staff shortages caused by 'juxtaposed controls', where travellers clear French entry requirements in the UK before crossing the Channel. Holidaymakers also faced long queues at Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol airports in an extremely busy day for air and road travel
- Dover port declares ‘critical incident’ as travellers face six-hour queues
- The headline and text of this video were amended on 22 July 2022. The footage was taken in Folkestone, not Dover as previously stated.
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Brexit: UK's divorce bill from EU could rise to £42.5bn
A minister says inflation could increase the bill for outstanding UK spending commitments to the EU.
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Discourse Theory and the EU’s Trade Response to COVID
As COVID-19 gripped the globe in March 2020, politicians suddenly started discussing the EU’s trade policies in a way that would have been deemed lunacy just a few months earlier.
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Being ‘economical with the truth’ has a long history in British politics – but enough is enough | Simon Jenkins
Liz Truss’s claim that tax cuts will reduce inflation are eerily reminiscent of Boris Johnson’s infamous style
Boris Johnson was a liar and had to go. It appears they are allowed to say that even in the Palace of Westminster, in certain circumstances, where dignity has traditionally banned such offensive words. Johnson might have thought he could roar and primp and bluster a few more months into the safety zone of another general election, as he half-implied at his last, raucous question time in the Commons on Wednesday. His favoured weapon, his tongue, might enable him to fight another day. But he had told a lie too many. He was doomed.
I still feel historians will find the swift fall of Johnson puzzling. Politics has long been a conspiracy of mendacities. Johnson seized power through telling lies about the benefits of freeing Britain’s economy from the EU’s single market. Since Brexit the Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated a 4% drop in UK growth, which the FT calculates as £40bn in lost tax revenue every year owing to Johnson’s hard deal. Just over half the electorate now think leaving the EU was a mistake. History might imagine this played some part in Johnson’s departure. But no – he is going because of lying about parties and what he knew of the misbehaviour of a whip.
Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist
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Talking or Punishing? The European Commission’s Approach to Democratic Backsliding
Ever since Hungary and Poland started backsliding on democracy and the rule of law in 2010 and 2015 respectively, academics and practitioners alike have racked their brains over one central question: How can the European Union make noncompliant governments enforce European core values such as democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights?
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Economic, Normative, and Diplomatic (Soft) Balancing: Making Sense of the EU’s Responses to China’s Rise in Asia
This article argues that soft balancing offers a useful framework to interpret the EU’s approach, as well as to reconcile its geopolitical narrative with its lack of hard security instruments, and its self-perception as a principled security actor.
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Populism, Identity Politics and Political Discourse in Europe
In recent years, political debate in many European countries and across the Atlantic has been characterised by the rise of populism, appeals to identity politics and frequent recourse to political myths.
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UK inflation rise is worrying but Bank of England must not overreact
Analysis: Figure is being generated by factors outside Britain, and households and firms can do without burden of higher interest rates
- UK inflation hits fresh 40-year high of 9.4% as fuel prices rise
- Business live updates: UK inflation rises for ninth month in a row
A rise in the rate of inflation to 9.4% is a blow to City analysts who had predicted it would nudge up to only 9.3%. But their bruised egos are irrelevant compared with the financial shock experienced by households and businesses facing the highest annual cost of living increase since 1982.
For the last nine months, food, fuel and energy prices have pushed inflation higher. In June, petrol was the main culprit again, rising by more than 20p a litre and making transport costs eye-wateringly high for the owners of cars, trucks and trains.
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Non-transposition of EU legislation: Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives
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State aid: Commission amends the Temporary Crisis Framework
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Save Gas for a Safe Winter: Commission proposes gas demand reduction plan to prepare EU for supply cuts
The European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin's weaponisation of gas exports, with almost half of our Member States already affected by reduced deliveries. Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European energy resilience.
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Save Gas for a Safe Winter: Commission proposes gas demand reduction plan to prepare EU for supply cuts
The European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin's weaponisation of gas exports, with almost half of our Member States already affected by reduced deliveries. Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European energy resilience.
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Participation in the CEEISA Convention – A UACES Microgrant Report
With support from the UACES Microgrant, I was able to cover the cost associated with participating in the Central and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA) 2022 Bratislava Convention.
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The Tories are upping their attack on our democracy, under cover of the leadership contest | Gina Miller
Deep within the Northern Ireland protocol bill, ministers are making a sinister grab for yet more unchecked powers
Boris Johnson’s term in office has been notable for repeated abuses of power and attempts to quash opposition – from proroguing parliament to clamping down on the right to demonstrate. But even though he is on his way out and the Conservative party is gripped by its leadership contest, his plans to erode our democracy are continuing below the radar.
The starkest example is the Northern Ireland protocol bill, proposed by the leadership hopeful Liz Truss, that is still making its way through parliament and currently in the committee stage. Much of the attention, and the condemnation, has rightly been on how it could break international law by invoking article 16 of the protocol. But, far less widely reported, there are sinister clauses in this bill that again amount to blatant power-grabbing domestically.
Gina Miller is a transparency campaigner and leader of the True and Fair party
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In Networked EU Health Cooperation, Some Members Are More Equal than Others
COVID-19 put health policy in the European Union (EU) high up on the political agenda. Since the pandemic hit Europe, heads of states, health ministers and experts have increased their collaborative efforts to mitigate its effects. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen announced closer collaboration among EU countries to “work together to detect, prepare and respond collectively” and proposed a stronger European Health Union.
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Implementation of EU sanctions against Russia: Commission adopts proposal for “maintenance and alignment” package
The European Commission has adopted a joint (High Representative-Commission) proposal for a new package of measures to maintain and strengthen the effectiveness of the EU's six wide-ranging and unprecedented packages of sanctions against Russia.
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Issue Hierarchization on the European Council Agenda
What issue takes most of political representatives’ time and attention? Agenda-setting is important because there is no further political debate, policy formulation or decision over a particular issue without this stage of policymaking.
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Would-be Tory leaders don’t want to tackle social inequality. That’s a gift to Labour | Chris Bickerton
Candidates are abandoning the ‘levelling up’ agenda – offering Starmer the chance to claim the strategic ground over Brexit
One way of making sense of current events within the British Conservative party is to think of them as the unravelling of the changes that Boris Johnson had wreaked. It’s true that the repudiation of the Cameron era in the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum in 2016 opened the door to reheated Thatcherism, the much hoped for Singapore-on-Thames as Britain’s post-EU future. At the same time, there was an awareness among some, including Theresa May, that the 2016 vote signalled something far more profound: a revolt by voters against a political class that had abandoned them. This called for a more interventionist state, tackling searing regional inequalities, finally trying to fix the mess of British vocational training – themes and policies quite alien to the soul of the Tory party.
The Johnson-Cummings-Gove team in operation from the summer of 2019 pursued this second agenda, with dramatic effect when Johnson won an enormous majority in the December election. The neo-Thatcherites did not disappear; indeed, they formed a core part of Johnson’s government. But they were ideologically isolated, forced to swallow the political pivot towards “levelling up” and the Tory party’s electoral embrace of working-class northern voters.
Chris Bickerton is a professor of modern European politics at the University of Cambridge
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Summer 2022 Economic Forecast: Russia's war worsens the outlook
The Summer 2022 Economic Forecast provides an update of the Spring 2022 Economic Forecast, which was presented in May 2022, focusing on GDP and inflation developments in all EU Member States.
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Rule of Law Report 2022: Commission issues specific recommendations to Member States
The Commission has published the third annual Rule of Law Report. The report comes in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which further showcased the importance of upholding democratic values, human rights and the rule of law.
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ECDC and EMA update recommendations on additional booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are recommending that second booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines be considered for people between 60 and 79 years old and people with medical conditions putting them at high risk of severe disease.
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The UK’s unwritten constitution is put to the test by Johnson’s unprincipled acts
PM’s repeated flouting of uncodified rules highlights the need for a trustworthy, future-proofed system
In keeping with his entire tenure in No 10, Boris Johnson’s departure from the premiership is proving a test of the UK constitution’s heavy reliance on convention and principle. His final weeks or months in the job provide yet more questions about what the UK does with its constitution in the post-Johnson era.
Before the 2010 general election, the House of Commons justice committee met constitutional experts and the then cabinet secretary, all to discuss whether the UK needed to set out rules for any “caretaker government”. The worry then was if the general election produced a hung parliament it could take time before a government was formed, and the rules for any interim government should be set out in advance. Though there were some principles and precedents about what should and should not happen, it wasn’t explicitly set out anywhere.
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MEPs discussed priorities of the Czech Presidency with Prime Minister Fiala
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala presented on Wednesday the programme and main goals of the Czech Council Presidency’s semester. During her opening speech, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted that “with an illegal war on our continent, the Czech Presidency comes at a turning point in history. Our next steps will be decisive for our common future”. However, “this is not the time to backtrack on our ambitions,” President Metsola said and called for accelerating the EU green and digital transitions.
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Digital Services: landmark rules adopted for a safer, open online environment
On Tuesday, Parliament held the final vote on the new Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), following a deal reached between Parliament and Council on 23 April and 24 March respectively.
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Commission presents new European Innovation Agenda to spearhead the new innovation wave
The Commission adopted a New European Innovation Agenda to position Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups. It will help Europe to develop new technologies to address the most pressing societal challenges, and to bring them on the market.
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2022 Strategic Foresight Report: twinning the green and digital transitions in the new geopolitical context
The Commission has adopted the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report – “Twinning the green and digital transitions in the new geopolitical context”. As we prepare to accelerate both transitions, the report identifies ten key areas of action with the objective of maximising synergies and consistency between our climate and digital ambitions. By doing so, the EU will strengthen its cross-sector resilience and open strategic autonomy, and be better prepared to face new global challenges between now and 2050.
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Ukraine: Cohesion Policy steps up support to address the consequences of Russia's aggression in Ukraine with the ‘Flexible Assistance to Territories'
The Commission took another important step to help Member States, regional and local authorities and partners to address the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine by adopting the ‘Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE)'. This is a new comprehensive package that extends the support already provided under Cohesion's Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) by offering further support and further flexibility to Cohesion Policy funding.
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Keynote speech by Commissioner McGuinness at the forum on protecting and facilitating investment in the single market
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Statement by Commissioner Simson on the start of electricity trade between Ukraine and the EU
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Equipment of 'Stop Brexit Man' Steve Bray seized – video
Metropolitan police officers seized the equipment of Steve Bray, the activist known as Stop Brexit Man, on the same day a new protest law came into effect. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act introduced an offence of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance, in an effort to crack down on disruptive guerrilla protests. These are the sort of tactics that have been used by climate change protesters who have taken their campaigns to the streets
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Brexit laid bare
Brexit is based on blatant mistruths and lies. Every reason given to leave was a stinking falsification. When, one day, there is a public inquiry into how our country was conned, there will be gasps into how conniving, cunning politicians managed to get away with it. Lies, lies and more lies. Thatâs how Leave won. […]
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G7 Summit, Schloss Elmau
The G7 summit, hosted by this year's German G7 presidency, took place from 26 to 28 June. The EU was represented by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The working sessions of the summit focused on various topics: Ukraine and cooperating on foreign policy, addressing energy and food security, investing in climate and health promoting partnerships for infrastructure and investment, shaping the global economy, advancing gender equality and shaping international cooperation.
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Theresa May: Northern Ireland protocol bill will ‘diminish UK in eyes of the world’ – video
Speaking in the Commons, Theresa May told MPs that the government's proposals to modify the Northern Ireland protocol would 'diminish' the UK's standing in the world and she 'cannot support it'. The bill proposed by the government, she said, is not 'legal in international law'.
- Northern Ireland protocol bill will ‘diminish UK in eyes of the world’, Theresa May tells MPs – live
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'Hypocrisy is corrosive to our foreign policy', David Lammy tells Liz Truss – video
The foreign secretary, Liz Truss, has described the government's attempt to modify the Northern Ireland protocol as 'both necessary and legal' during a debate in the Commons. However, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, told MPs that the government's proposal would violate the UK's commitment to international law, and urged Truss to reach a negotiated solution
- UK faces ‘significant risks’ to quality of food imported post-Brexit, says report
- Brexit: MPs debate Northern Ireland protocol bill as Irish PM tells of concern at UK unilateralism – live
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Brexit: What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
The Northern Ireland Protocol is at the centre of a dispute between the UK and the EU.
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EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting
Mit 529 Stimmen gegen 45 und 14 Enthaltungen nahm das Parlament am Donnerstag eine Entschließung an, in der die Staats- und Regierungschefs, die heute und morgen ihr Gipfeltreffen abhalten, aufgefordert werden, der Ukraine und der Republik Moldau „unverzüglich" den Status eines Bewerberlandes zu gewähren. Georgien sollte derselbe Status eingeräumt werden, „sobald seine Regierung bei den von der Kommission angegebenen Schwerpunktbereichen Ergebnisse erzielt hat“.
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Grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova without delay, MEPs demand
With 529 votes to 45 and 14 abstentions, Parliament adopted on Thursday a resolution calling on the Heads of State or Government to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova “without delay”. They should do the same with Georgia “once its government has delivered” on the priorities indicated by the European Commission.
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Agriculture and the environment: Intensive use of pesticides
The Commission adopted pioneering proposals to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe, from agricultural land and seas, to forests and urban environments. The Commission also proposes to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030. These are the flagship legislative proposals to follow the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork Strategies, and will help ensure the resilience and security of food supply in the EU and across the world.
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European Council conclusions on Ukraine, the membership applications of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, Western Balkans and external relations
The European Council has decided to grant the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova.
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David Frost insists Brexit is working and claims critics have 'axe to grind' – video
The UK's former chief Brexit negotiator defends Brexit on the sixth anniversary of the EU referendum, when Britain voted to leave the EU. Speaking at the annual conference of the UK in a Changing Europe organisation, David Frost said: 'The view that Brexit is hitting us from an economic and trade perspective ... cannot be supported by any objective analysis of the figures.' His comments come a day after a report by the Resolution Foundation thinktank said Brexit was damaging the competitiveness of UK exports and making the cost of living crisis worse for households
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Capital Markets Union: Council agrees its position on updated rules for hedge funds, private debt funds, and other alternative investment funds
To improve the European Capital Markets Union (CMU) and strengthen investor protection, the Council reached agreement on its position (general approach) on a review of the alternative investment fund managers directive, the legislative framework which governs managers of hedge funds, private equity funds, private debt funds, real estate funds and other so-called alternative investment funds in the Union.
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Footage shows luggage chaos at Heathrow airport – video
Hundreds of suitcases were piled up at Heathrow after issues were reported with the baggage system.
Staff created a sea of luggage as many people were forced to travel without their belongings and told they may not get them back for up to two days.
It is the latest incident of travel disruption at UK airports, which entered the busy summer season with heavy staff shortages leading to hundreds of flights being cancelled.
The industry has been accused of failing to anticipate demand after two years of disruption caused by the Covid pandemic
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EU Cohesion Policy: Commission adopts €2.2 billion Partnership Agreement with Sweden for 2021-2027
The Commission adopted its Partnership Agreement with Sweden, laying down Sweden's €2.2 billion investment strategy for the economic, social and territorial cohesion for the 2021-2027 period. It will support the country to implement key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition and contribute to the development of a new competitive, innovative and export-oriented growth model.
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Commission sets out first analysis of the proposals stemming from the Conference on the Future of Europe
The European Commission has adopted a Communication setting out how it can follow up on the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe. After a year of deliberations, the Conference came to an end on 9 May 2022. In the closing ceremony in Strasbourg, the Presidents of the European Parliament, Commission and Council received a final report from the Conference participants containing 49 wide-ranging, ambitious and forward-looking proposals and 326 individual measures.
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The European Commission recommends to Council confirming Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia's perspective to become members of the EU and provides its opinion on granting them candidate status
The European Commission presented its Opinions on the application for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as invited by the Council. Today's Opinions are based on the Commission's assessment in light of the three sets of criteria to join the EU agreed by the European Council: political criteria, economic criteria and the ability of the country to assume the obligations of EU membership (EU acquis).
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Northern Ireland protocol: what is the UK and EU’s standoff about?
Disputes over customs checks and trade data are being intensified by the NI protocol bill’s proposed breach of international law
The European Commission has described a UK bill to scrap post-Brexit checks and controls in Northern Ireland as “illegal”, “extremely damaging” and casting a shadow over British-EU relations. On Wednesday, it set out its response.
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'Let's call a spade a spade': EU resumes legal action against UK over new NI protocol bill – video
The EU's Brexit commissioner has confirmed the body has decided to take fresh legal action against the UK over its new legislation bypassing sections of the Northern Ireland protocol. Along with reviving the infringement process it launched in 2021, the EU is initiating two more processes – accusing the UK of failing to comply with provisions in the protocol relating to controls at border posts and the sharing of data
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EU will not renegotiate Northern Ireland protocol, says European Commission – video
The EU will not renegotiate the Northern Ireland protocol agreement, the European Commission vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič, has said in response to Britain's decision to override some post-Brexit trade rules for the region.
'Renegotiating of the protocol is unrealistic,' he said. 'Any renegotiations would simply bring further legal uncertainty for the people and businesses in Northern Ireland. For these reasons, the EU will not renegotiate the protocol'
- UK risks EU trade war as Northern Ireland protocol bill is published
- Follow the day’s politics news – as it happens
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Britain 'completely serious' about Northern Ireland legislation, says Liz Truss – video
The foreign secretary has said the legislation would fix issues with the post-Brexit protocol by easing checks for firms selling goods from Great Britain destined for Northern Ireland rather than the EU. But the EU, legal experts and even some Conservative MPs have said the move breaches international law
- UK risks EU trade war as Northern Ireland protocol bill is published
- Follow the day’s politics news – as it happens
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Brexit: PM to unveil plans to scrap parts of NI Protocol agreed with EU
The UK wants to rewrite part of the Northern Ireland Protocol but the EU says this breaks international law.
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Women on boards: deal to boost gender balance in companies
The so-called “Women on Boards” Directive aims to introduce transparent recruitment procedures in companies, so that at least 40% of non-executive director posts or 33% of all director posts are occupied by the under-represented sex. Thanks to Parliament, companies must comply with this target by 30 June 2026, compared to the Council’s proposal of 31 December 2027. In cases where candidates are equally qualified for a post, priority should go to the candidate of the under-represented sex.
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Deal reached on new rules for adequate minimum wages in the EU
With a deal struck on Monday night, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on EU rules to set adequate minimum wages, as provided by national law and/or collective agreements. The new legislation will apply to all EU workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship. The EU countries in which the minimum wage is protected exclusively via collective agreements will not be obliged to introduce it nor to make these agreements universally applicable.
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Deal on common charger: reducing hassle for consumers and curbing e-waste
By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed. The provisional agreement on the amended Radio Equipment Directive, establishes a single charging solution for certain electronic devices. This law is a part of a broader EU effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers’ lives easier.
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The Commission presents the Draft Budget 2023 and the Annual Management and Performance Report for the EU budget for the 2021 financial year
The Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €185.6 billion for 2023, to be complemented by an estimated €113.9 billion in grants under NextGenerationEU. The EU budget will continue to mobilise significant investments to boost Europe's strategic autonomy, the ongoing economic recovery, safeguard sustainability and create jobs. The Commission will continue to prioritise green and digital investments while addressing pressing needs arising from recent and current crises.
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Convergence Report reviews Member States' preparedness to join the euro area and paves the way for Croatia's euro adoption on 1 January 2023
The European Commission has concluded that Croatia is ready to adopt the euro on 1 January 2023, bringing the number of euro area Member States to twenty. The conclusion is set out in the 2022 Convergence Report, which assesses the progress that Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden have made towards joining the euro area. These are the seven non-euro area Member States that are legally committed to adopting the euro.
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Universities warn of EU-UK research scheme 'close to precipice'
Vice-chancellors ask both sides to work together to save the UK's role in a multi-billion-pound scheme.
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EU leaders agree on new sanctions against Russia
On the first day of the special summit, EU leaders backed the sixth sanctions package against Russia, which covers crude oil and petroleum products. The leaders also agreed to grant Ukraine micro financial assistance of up to € 9 billion and discussed continued EU support to Ukraine, including political, humanitarian, and military support.
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Imperial measurement review to mark Jubilee
But Labour MP Angela Eagle calls the review a "pathetic" attempt to "weaponise nostalgia".
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Brexit: UK signs first US state-level trade agreement with Indiana
The agreement is the first of many expected after talks on a broader post-Brexit US deal stalled.
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'We don't want UK-EU trade war' - Irish PM
Micheál Martin says he is hopeful he will not have to contemplate tariffs against UK exports.
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Ukraine: The Commission proposes rules on freezing and confiscating assets of oligarchs violating restrictive measures and of criminals
The European Commission is proposing to add the violation of EU restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes. The Commission is also proposing new reinforced rules on asset recovery and confiscation, which will also contribute to the implementation of EU restrictive measures.
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State of Schengen: Commission sets new priorities and new governance model
The Commission is presenting the State of Schengen Report 2022. This is the first time the Commission is presenting such report, following last year's Schengen Strategy. This report is part of the Commission's initiative to reinforce the Schengen governance through a yearly reporting exercise presenting the state of Schengen, identifying priorities for the year ahead and monitoring progress made at the end of a given year.
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Irish PM says DUP cannot be allowed to block NI Assembly
Meanwhile, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the UK must not discard the protocol.
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REPower EU Plan
The European Commission has presented the REPowerEU Plan, its response to the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is a double urgency to transform Europe's energy system: ending the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which are used as an economic and political weapon and cost European taxpayers nearly €100 billion per year and tackling the climate crisis. By acting as a Union, Europe can phase out its dependency on Russian fossil fuels faster.
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Energy Markets: Commission presents short-term emergency measures and options for long-term improvements
In response to several months of exceptionally high and volatile energy prices, the Commission sets out today a series of additional short-term measures to tackle high energy prices and address possible supply disruptions from Russia. It also presents a number of areas where the electricity market design can be optimsied, making it fit for the transition away from fossil fuels and more resilient to price shocks, while protecting consumers and delivering affordable electricity.
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Relief and reconstruction in Ukraine
The Commission has set out plans in a Communication for the EU's immediate response to address Ukraine's financing gap, as well as the longer-term reconstruction framework. This Communication follows from the European Council call to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine via a dedicated Europe-led effort.
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Brexit: Ignoring parts of Northern Ireland Protocol is legal, says attorney general
UK legal advisers say the Brexit deal can be overridden to preserve the Good Friday Agreement.
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Commission to establish Solidarity Lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods
As part of the EU's solidarity response with Ukraine, the Commission today presented a set of actions to help Ukraine export its agricultural produce. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its blockade of Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods can no longer reach their destinations. The situation is threatening global food security and there is an urgent need to establish alternative logistics routes using all relevant transport modes.
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New EU strategy to protect and empower children in the online world
The Commission has adopted a new European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids (BIK+), to improve age-appropriate digital services and to ensure that every child is protected, empowered and respected online.
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The Conference on the Future of Europe concludes its work
In a closing ceremony in Strasbourg, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, on behalf of the Council Presidency, President Emmanuel Macron, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received from the Co-Chairs of the Conference Executive Board the final report on the outcome of the Conference.
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European Health Data Space
The European Commission launched the European Health Data Space (EHDS), one of the central building blocks of a strong European Health Union. The EHDS will help the EU to achieve a quantum leap forward in the way healthcare is provided to people across Europe. It will empower people to control and utilise their health data in their home country or in other Member States. It fosters a genuine single market for digital health services and products.
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Europe Day 2022
This May the EU institutions invite you to a wide range of online and on-site activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. As the 2022 European Year of Youth shines a spotlight on Europe’s young people and with citizens’ voices amplified by the Conference on the Future of Europe there’s never been a better time to come together, discuss the challenges we all face and create a better future for Europe that works for everyone.
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Conference on the Future of Europe: Debate and vote on resolution
At its final meeting, that took place on Friday and Saturday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Conference Plenary reached a consensus on its final draft proposals. It has now adopted 49 proposals, which include more than 300 measures on how to achieve them, across 9 themes, based on 178 recommendations from the European Citizens’ Panels, input from the National Panels and events, and 43 734 contributions on 16 274 ideas recorded on the multilingual digital platform.
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Brexit import checks delayed for fourth time
New post-Brexit controls, due in July, are postponed amid rising inflation and supply chain disruption.
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Brexit: UK government 'squarely responsible' for protocol deal
A former top civil servant has attacked the handling of the Northern Ireland part of the Brexit deal.
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Commission decides to register new European Citizens' Initiative
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Visa Digitalisation: Visa travel to the EU becomes easier
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Legal migration: Attracting skills and talent to the EU
As part of the comprehensive approach to migration set out in the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Commission is proposing legal, operational and policy initiatives that will benefit the EU's economy, strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries and improve overall migration management in the long term. The set of proposals also includes specific actions to facilitate integration of those fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine into the EU's labour market.
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COVID-19: Commission calls on Member States to step up preparedness for the next pandemic phase
The Commission is proposing a set of actions to manage the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the next one. By working together, the EU has so far saved hundreds of thousands of lives thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, kept its single market operational, minimised travel restrictions and mobilised manufacturing capacity of critical products when supply chains were disrupted.
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Commission tackles abusive lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders ‘SLAPPs'
The European Commission is taking action to improve protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive court proceedings. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as ‘SLAPPs', are a particular form of harassment used primarily against journalists and human rights defenders to prevent or penalise speaking up on issues of public interest.
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New Brexit rules caused major shock to UK-EU trade - report
A new study found that imports from the EU fell by 25% relative to those from elsewhere.
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Brexit: Cross-border permits will damage industry, say NI Tourism
The proposal will require non-British and non-Irish EU citizens to apply for pre-travel clearance.
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Brexit: Tonnes of beetroot left to rot as EU firms look elsewhere
Staffordshire farmer Will Woodhall says the lack of demand in Europe will cost him up to £90,000.
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Stand Up For Ukraine: 9.1 billion euros pledged in support of internally displaced and refugees
The “Stand Up for Ukraine” global pledging event and campaign has raised 9.1 billion euros for people fleeing the Russian invasion, inside Ukraine and abroad, including €1 billion from the European Commission. On top of that, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced an additional €1 billion in loan to cover the needs of the people displaced by the invasion.
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Ukraine: EU must protect all children fleeing the war
MEPs call for children fleeing war in Ukraine to be given safe passage and for assistance for those internally displaced or unable to leave areas under siege. “Every child has the right to be protected from violence, exploitation and abuse”, say MEPs, calling on EU countries to protect children from the risk of trafficking, illegal adoption and other types of abuse.
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Brexit expert Aodhán Connolly to lead NI Executive's Brussels office
Aodhán Connolly has been a key figure in expressing the views of NI business to the UK government.
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Green Deal: Modernising EU industrial emissions rules to steer large industry in long-term green transition
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Main results of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council
The Council discussed the implementation of the sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia, their effectiveness (with the aim of preventing any circumvention) and their strengthening. The ministers also discussed the economic issues related to the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
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Question time with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
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Ukraine: €17 billion of EU funds to help refugees
The Council adopted legislative amendments making it possible for member states to redirect resources from cohesion policy funds and the Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD) to assist the refugees escaping the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.
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Destination Earth – new digital twin of the Earth will help tackle climate change and protect nature
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New European Bauhaus: support to cities and citizens for local initiatives
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Green Deal: New proposals to make sustainable products the norm and boost Europe's resource independence
The Commission is presenting today a package of European Green Deal proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition. Together with this proposal, the Commission has also adopted an Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2022-2024 to cover new energy-related products, update and increase the ambition for products that are already regulated, as a transitionary measure until the new regulation enters into force.
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Future of Europe: first debate on Conference proposals wraps up
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Main results of the extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council
Ministers met to discuss further coordination of the reception of refugees from Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, around 3.8 million people, mainly women and children, have arrived in the European Union after fleeing from the war in Ukraine. Ministers also addressed the implementation of the decision on temporary protection and expressed their support for further coordination of guidance and travel within the EU.
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Digital Markets Act (DMA): agreement between the Council and the European Parliament
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European Council: Support for Ukraine and strengthened transatlantic cooperation
The European Council adopted conclusions on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, security and defence, energy, economic issues, COVID-19 and external relations. On the first day of the summit, EU leaders were joined by US President Joe Biden, in person, to discuss support for Ukraine and the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation, and by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via video conference.
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EU strengthens partnership with WHO to boost local manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa
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Commission outlines options to mitigate high energy prices with common gas purchases and minimum gas storage obligations
Following up rapidly on the REPowerEU Communication and the Versailles Declaration, the Commission has set out ideas today for collective European action to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure security of supply at reasonable prices for next winter and beyond. Leaders will continue the discussion on these options at this week's European Council.
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Ukraine: EU support to help Member States meet the needs of refugees
Today, the European Commission outlines the actions being taken to support Member States in meeting the needs of those fleeing the war against Ukraine and its people. Since the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion, some 3.5 million people – mainly women and children – have arrived in the EU in the space of just four weeks.
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Commission acts for global food security and for supporting EU farmers and consumers
The European Commission has presented a range of short-term and medium-term actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs, such as energy and fertilisers. The surge in global commodity prices, further accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlights again the need for EU agriculture and food supply chains to become more resilient and sustainable, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy.
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Main results of the General Affairs Council
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Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
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Ukraine refugees: Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Temporary Protection Directive
Since the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 3 million people have fled the country, with UN estimates suggesting that more than half of them are children. To respond to this unprecedented situation, the EU agreed in record time to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing war in Ukraine. The Directive became immediately applicable on 4 March and now offers immediate protection and a clear legal status to millions of people.
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Capital Markets Union: Commission proposes simpler rules to make settlement in EU financial markets safer and more efficient
The European Commission has proposed changes to the Central Securities Depositories Regulation to enhance the efficiency of the EU's settlement markets, while safeguarding financial stability. Today's proposal is a key component of the 2020 Capital Markets Union Action Plan.
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Ukraine: EU agrees fourth package of restrictive measures against Russia
The European Commission welcomes today's agreement by the Council to adopt a fourth package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its brutal aggression against Ukraine and its people. These sanctions will further contribute to ramping up economic pressure on the Kremlin and cripple its ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine. They have been coordinated with international partners, notably the United States.
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Brexit Adjustment Reserve: Commission approves €2 billion of pre-financing for 12 Member States
The Commission has approved the disbursement of more than €2 billion under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to a group of 12 Member States. This funding will help the economies of the Member States in mitigating the adverse impact of Brexit on their economies and regions, through support to regions and economic sectors, small and medium sized companies as well as job creation and protection, such as short-time work schemes, re-skilling, and training.
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Informal meeting of heads of state or government in Versailles
EU leaders adopted a statement on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, discussed its consequences and the EU response. They also discussed how to strengthen European sovereignty, reduce dependencies and design a new growth and investment model.
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Plenary highlights: Ukraine, foreign interference, golden passports
MEPs discussed Ukraine and the EU’s future security, marked International Women’s Day, and proposed measures to combat foreign interference during the plenary session in March 2022.
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International Women's Day 2022: Commission proposes EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence
The new rules also strengthen victims' access to justice and encourage Member States to implement a one-stop shop mechanism, meaning that all support and protection services would be located in the same place. The victims should be able to claim compensation in the course of criminal proceedings.
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Ukraine: EU steps up solidarity with those fleeing war
In the face of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine, European solidarity in action is helping people through direct humanitarian aid, emergency civil protection assistance, support at the border, as well as a clear legal status allowing those fleeing the war to receive immediate protection in the EU.
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European Commission and EIB Group sign InvestEU agreements unlocking billions for investment across the European Union
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Putin’s fingerprints are all over Brexit
Brexit has Putinâs fingerprints all over it. Weâve increasingly been suspicious of this for some time, but the evidence is mounting. Motive is the key incentive for any crime. There have never been any benefits for Britain doing Brexit. Not even one. Any apparent motive for leaving the EU was based on a pack of […]
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REPowerEU: Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy
The European Commission has proposed an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This plan also outlines a series of measures to respond to rising energy prices in Europe and to replenish gas stocks for next winter. REPowerEU will seek to diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation.
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Europe is better with the EU than without
If the EU did not exist, it’s highly likely that the countries and continent of Europe would now be in a far worse situation. For hundreds of years, European countries were more used to resolving their differences by violence, war, and subjugation. There was no easy, let alone democratic, means to decide the running and […]
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Ukraine: Commission proposes temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine and guidelines for border checks
The Commission is proposing to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under this proposal, those fleeing the war will be granted temporary protection in the EU, meaning that they will be given a residence permit, and they will have access to education and to the labour market.
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The Russian attack on Ukraine marks a new era for Europe, MEPs say
The European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev. European Council and Commission Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the EU’s Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell, also participated in the debate.
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NextGenerationEU: First annual report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility finds implementation is well underway
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Future of Europe: final set of European Citizens' Panel recommendations
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Main results from the Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council on the situation in Ukraine
At an extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 27 February, home affairs ministers took stock of the response to provide to the consequences of the Russian military attack against Ukraine.
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Back to the USSR?
After the EU referendum, many of us were suspicious about the role of Russia in clinching the narrow âwinâ for Brexit. Evidence was mounting that there had been deep involvement and interference by Russian âagentsâ whose aim was to destabilise the EU by enabling Britainâs departure from it. It was no secret that Russiaâs Prime […]
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Main results of the Special European Council
The European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine and expressed full unity with international partners and full solidarity with Ukraine and its people. The EU has reacted swiftly and decisively to Russia’s recognition of Ukraine’s self-proclaimed separatist entities and deployment of its armed forces by adopting restrictive measures in response, including a package of sanctions adopted on 23 February.
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Commission presents an updated in-depth review of Europe's strategic dependencies
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Commission sets out strategy to promote decent work worldwide and prepares instrument for ban on forced labour products
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Data Act: Commission proposes measures for a fair and innovative data economy
The Commission proposes new rules on who can use and access data generated in the EU across all economic sectors. The Data Act will ensure fairness in the digital environment, stimulate a competitive data market, open opportunities for data-driven innovation and make data more accessible for all.
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Just and sustainable economy: Commission lays down rules for companies to respect human rights and environment in global value chains
The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains.
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COVID-19: Council updates recommendation on non-essential travel from third countries
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Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council
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Don’t blame voters for Brexit
Just 24-hours after the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, I posted this on my blog: âJust over half of those who voted bought manky lies dressed up as a better life after Brexit. They were told theyâd get their country back. Their lives would be transformed. ‘More jobs, homes, schools and hospitals. Less migrants. No […]
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Broken Britain
I need some work done at home and invited firms to quote. âThatâs a smart van,â I said in passing to the managing director of a limited company that visited last week. âOh, weâve got six of those,â he replied. We went through the project. In the past, companies had sent me quotes with the […]
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Brexit: Simon Coveney plays down NI Protocol breakthrough prospects
The Irish foreign minister says UK-EU joint committee talks next week will be more of a "staging post".
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Jacob Rees-Mogg says little evidence Brexit hit trade
The Brexit benefits minister says Covid is behind trade falls, and Brexit is helping the economy.
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Boris Johnson: A dangerous clown
Boris Johnson is ânot a complete clownâ, his new communications director, Guto Harri, said this month adding, âheâs a very likeable character.â Really? I would say instead that Boris Johnson is a completely dangerous clown, and nothing heâs done for the country is at all likeable. Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, questioned the seriousness […]
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Brexit: Northern Ireland goods exports to Republic 'reached €4bn in 2021'
Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) says that represents an increase of 65% compared to 2020.
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EU referendum broke ‘rules’ set by former Brexit secretary
The EU referendum was entirely flawed according to criteria set by former Brexit Secretary and ardent Brexiter, David Davis, on how referendums should be “done properly”. In July 2016, Tory MP, Mr Davis, accepted the result of the EU referendum and the dual-role of Brexit Secretary and Chief Brexit Negotiator in Theresa May’s new government. […]
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NI Protocol: Irish Sea border ongoing despite order, says Downing St
Downing Street says checks remain despite DUP minister Edwin Poots' directive for them to stop.
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Brexit: NI Protocol talks to intensify next week
The EU and UK are set for intensified negotiations as the foreign secretary hails "cordial" talks.
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NI Protocol: Government must publish protocol timetable - DUP
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was speaking after meeting the UK Brexit negotiator Liz Truss on Monday.
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Liz Truss 'willing' to override Northern Ireland-part of Brexit deal
The foreign secretary issues a warning over the Northern Ireland-part of the deal if negotiations fail.
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Farmers could be paid for post-Brexit 'rewilding' land changes
"Radical plans" could see large areas of land in England turned into nature reserves.
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Brexit: Did the EU ban crown marks on pint glasses?
The government said restoring crown stamps to pints was one of the "key successes" of Brexit so far.
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UK steel future uncertain without US tariffs deal
Europe has reached an agreement over Trump-era taxes but the UK is still facing 25% tariffs.
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Brexit: A year of storms over the Northern Ireland Protocol
How Westminster and Brussels tussled over the Northern Ireland Protocol throughout 2021.
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Brexit: Why is there a row over fishing rights?
Fishing licences near Jersey are threatening trade relations between the UK and France.
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Brexit: NI will get medicine at same time as GB, EU proposes
Under plans to simplify the NI Protocol, the EU says medicines will continue to be available.
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Brexit: UK indicates European court may have NI Protocol role
It could mean the European Court of Justice ruling on EU law but not having a final say in disputes.
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Brexit: Non-Irish EU citizens could face Irish border travel checks
Non-Irish EU citizens living in the Republic would need clearance under the proposed UK bill.
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Brexit: No breakthrough in latest NI Protocol talks
Maroš Šefčovič says it is "time to get medicines across the finish line" but again no deal is struck.
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UK plays down Brexit link in US steel tariff row
Reports suggesting a US decision to maintain tariffs on UK steel is linked to Brexit are rejected.
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Brexit: Special goods category 'would improve NI Protocol'
A think tank suggests "Northern-Ireland-approved goods" could be exempt from some EU rules.
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Brexit: EU could move unilaterally on NI medicines issue
Maroš Šefčovič says the EU is ready to move on its own over Northern Ireland's medicines problem.
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The news changed and we got Brexit
Brexit used to sit on the far side lines of politics. Indeed, the word ‘Brexit’ was only invented in 2012, and until the referendum, most people didn’t know what it meant. (Now it’s in the Oxford English dictionary.) Prior to 2011, tabloids such as the Daily Mail and Daily Express were more fixated on false […]
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What they want: The end of the EU
They want to see the end of the EU altogether. Thatâs been the aim of prominent Brexiters from the start. And itâs certainly the aim of the guy who started Brexit: former UKIP leader and MEP, and now President of the Reform Party, previously the Brexit Party, Nigel Farage. In September 2017, Mr Farage received […]
The post What they want: The end of the EU appeared first on EU ROPE.
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Brexit: What has the European Court of Justice got to do with the NI Protocol?
The UK government wants the European Court of Justice removed from oversight of the NI Protocol.
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Checkatrade boss warns of shortage of skilled trade workers
Richard Harpin says it should be made easier for EU bathroom fitters and kitchen installers to come to the UK.
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Brexit: What is a level playing field?
What is a level playing field in trade and what has it got to do with Brexit?
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How tampon tax, hedgerows and sanctions have changed since Brexit
Tampon tax, hedgerows and sanctions: what's changed since Brexit?
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Turing Scheme: What is the Erasmus replacement?
What will Brexit mean for students in the UK wanting to work or study abroad?
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Brexit: How much disruption has there been so far?
It has been a month since the rules changed in the UK's relationship with the EU.
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Brexit: What you need to know about the UK leaving the EU
The UK and EU begin a new relationship on 1 January 2021.
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Brexit: How will it affect my holiday to Spain? And other questions
We answer some of your questions about Brexit.
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Brexit: What are the key points of the deal?
These are the most important aspects of the UK-EU deal, and what they mean for people's lives and businesses.
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Article 50, backstop etc: Brexit jargon explained
From free trade agreement to no deal, find out what the key terms mean.
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Brexit: Where are we now?
It's been out of the headlines for the past few months, but Brexit is back on the political menu
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Post-Brexit deal: What's happening in the UK-EU talks?
Both sides will soon have to decide when and how they compromise, or whether they are willing to walk away.
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Brexit: What happens now?
Brexit officially happened on 31 January but the UK is now in a transition period until the end of 2020.
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Brexit trade deal: What do the UK and EU want?
The UK and EU have set out their stalls for negotiations on their future relationship.
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Brexit timeline told through culture
We take you through what's happened in the world since the EU referendum was announced.
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Brexit: How did we get here? The past four years in two minutes
It's been more than three years since the UK voted to leave the European Union but how did we get here?
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Brexit Basics: What is the backstop?
Confused by Brexit jargon? Reality Check unpacks the basics.
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Brexit: Your simple guide to the UK leaving the EU
Feeling a little lost about what's going on with Brexit? Here's our basic guide.
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Brexit video explainers
BBC correspondents on the background, jargon, (and some of the) questions and answers as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
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