Brandon Lewis rejects Edwin Poots’ claim that NI to lose £34m rural funds due to Brexit
On Monday agriculture ministers from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales published an open letter to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Secretary George Eustice, accusing the UK government of renaging on promises to ensure that EU funding to regional rural economies would not suffer due to Brexit.
The letter claimed that NI stood to lose £34m over the next three years while Scotland faces a £170m loss and Wales £160m.
They said there had been no meaningful dialogue to ensure “none of us would be left in a position where we lost out as a result of leaving the EU”.
The usual dimwit band of Brexiteers will be as wrong on Brexit as they have been on coronavirus – but it will all be too late
Jacob Rees-Mogg has claimed that a no deal Brexit would be worth ‘£1.1trn’ to the UK economy
A standard technique for torturers is to first show the victim the misery that is going to be inflicted upon them before actually doing it.
If the plan is to, say, sear straight through their flesh and bone with a 7,000 degree welding torch, it’s quite common to give a quick demonstration first on a sheet of solid steel, which will melt away to silvery water at the merest flash of contact with the white hot flame.
They know that the psychological trauma, the horror of expectation, is every bit as horrific as the physical ordeal, arguably worse.
And it is an especially vicious torturer that should have visited Covid-19 on the already suffering United Kingdom, in this year of all years.
We have, for the most part, got used to our state of suspended animation, our permanent life in limbo, waiting, waiting and waiting for the miseries of Brexit to appear and them never quite arriving. When was the last day that wasn’t the final, final opportunity for a “breakthrough” on a deal? How many last chances have there been? We have spent so long in the land of “wait and see”, it seems it can never possibly arrive. Except that it will – and very soon, too.
And what no one could have foreseen is the year of coronavirus taking the form of an almost Shakespearean play within a play, a tragedy within a tragedy. All of our main Brexit characters, by whose word we all are bound, have been given this extraordinary chance to prove their utter stupidity and towering wrongness on another subject altogether.
We still wait and see whether Boris Johnson, for example, is right that we will “prosper mightily”, whatever happens. But in the meantime we must watch him bragging about going into hospitals and shaking hands with coronavirus patients. (A brag that his spokesperson quickly had to make clear wasn’t true. “Don’t panic, it’s just the prime minister lying,” really does count as a defence these days.)
We are told that coronavirus will be “sent packing” in 12 weeks, that the test and trace system will be “world beating”, and all the while we just wait for the sunlit uplands of Brexit to arrive.
Four and a half years ago, those of us who lived with our noses pressed against the glass of the EU referendum had to listen to Daniel Hannan making demonstrably absurd claims, no better than facile sixth form debating points, about how the EU had the “slowest growth of any continent except Antarctica”, and that we would therefore be better off leaving it.
The fastest-growing economies in the world are currently South Sudan, Rwanda, Libya, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Armenia and Nepal. On Hannan’s logic, it would be in the UK’s economic interest to be in a free trade bloc with these countries, instead of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and the rest. Complete garbage, obviously. Too late now.
But lo, the Covid torturer bestows fresh **** upon us. Now we must listen to Daniel Hannan making claims like, “The coronavirus isn’t going to kill you, it really isn’t.” He’s deleted that now, it was only a tweet, but it links to a column that breezily explains how coronavirus will be just another overblown fuss about almost nothing, as swine flu, Sars and bird flu were before.
After the referendum result, Hannan published a short book on how to get the best of Brexit, which concluded with quite possibly the most laughable four sentences ever committed to literary history, which we have no choice but to quote here in full: “A rectangle of light dazzles us and, as our eyes adjust, we see a summer meadow. Swallows swoop against the blue sky. We hear the gurgling of a little brook. Now to stride into the sunlight.”
The sunlight and the summer meadow are now just a matter weeks away. But in the meantime we are unfortunately treated to another insight into the interstellar idiocy of the man who told us all we had to do was stride out into it.
The list, naturally, is endless. Steve Baker writes lengthy threads on Twitter and makes breathless statements in the House of Commons about the terrible state of the public finances. None of them acknowledge all of the economic analysis, from the Bank of England, the Treasury, the Office for Budget Responsibility, and everyone else in between, that no deal Brexit will be worse for the public finances than Covid-19. Its hit will be more severe and more long term.
Mr Baker was among the first UK MPs to start pushing the “Great Barrington Declaration”, a document that advised governments around the world to shield the over 60s and let the under 60s go back to normal life. That document was described as having been signed by “thousands” of scientists and epidemiologists. Many of those scientists turned out to have signed it under the name “Mickey Mouse”, as it had been subjected to the treatment of online pranksters. This did not dampen Mr Baker’s enthusiasm for it.
We have had the thrill of enjoying hearing Jacob Rees-Mogg explain that MPs should be made to come into Westminster, because MPs must set an “example” to the rest of the public, even when the rest of the public are being told to only come in to work if they can’t work from home, which MPs have shown they can. A man, then, unable to tell the difference between a wrong example and a right one.
We would hear Mr Rees-Mogg explain, in late June, that “the weather” was probably responsible for the UK’s sky high preventable death toll, even though by then it was a known and certain fact the virus spreads indoors not outdoors, and this comment came at the end of the hottest, sunniest spring in the nation’s history.
A mere two years ago, Mr Rees-Mogg held a press conference in which he explained that no deal Brexit would be worth “£1.1trn” to the UK economy. He was laughed at then, it was so palpably absurd. But it’s too late now.
And still we must listen to truly the dimmest lights of all, from Allison Pearson in the Daily Telegraph, whose reaction to a terrorist attack in Brussels was that it was proof we were better off out of the EU, who now speaks of how pleased she is that her own son had contracted Covid-19.
And there’s Toby Young, naturally, whose modelling of the Covid-19 data came unstuck this week as he was unable to successfully multiply a number by 10. He loves Brexit, too, of course. Course he does.
Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, now has no choice but to lay out the terrifying economic emergencies ahead, but finds himself unable to say, out loud, a single benefit from Brexit that might ameliorate some of the misery, though naturally he voted for it.
A poll last week showed the public now thinks Brexit was a bad idea, by 51 per cent to 38, and this is before it has even happened in earnest. Polls are only polls, but that is a very large margin. Who knows what has prompted so many people to change their mind?
It’s too late, of course. You can’t really change your mind. Got to go through with it now. The welder’s torch is lit.
Still, it may well be that the psychological torture is worse than the physical. At some point, and fairly soon, the usual suspects will be made to look even more stupid than they already do.
Yes, that really is possible, and the trouble is, it’s not at all clear there’s going to be a vaccine for it.
Brexit talks countdown The Telegraph says it has been told by multiple government sources that negotiations with the European Union are likely to conclude by next weekend, with Downing Street warning that No Deal is under-priced.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith writes in the Sunday Express that the government would be in "grave peril" if Mr Johnson fails to deliver on sovereignty.
The Sunday Times thinks the European Commission is leaning on its own negotiator to get a deal - and that the PM will speak to the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to find common ground on fishing quotas.
Farming subsidies phase out The Times reports that the government is promising to transform England's landscape with its post-Brexit plans to phase out farming subsidies.
Its aim is to offer money for restoring wilder landscapes and achieving "enhanced beauty".
The Telegraph suggests farmers could be paid for producing free range eggs or grass fed beef.
The Guardian notes that the wealthiest landowners - such as the Duke of Westminster or Sir James Dyson - could face the sharpest cuts under the new scheme.
But the National Farmers' Union raises concerns in the Times that the speed of the reduction in direct subsidies could make some farms unviable and undermine domestic food production.
Boris Johnson 'has caved in on human rights': Michel Barnier claims Prime Minister has agreed to keep Britain tied to European human rights rules after Brexit
Prime Minister had previously been warned UK would be kicked from joint law enforcement programmes if it pulled out of the European human rights rules EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told MEPs that Boris Johnson had given in to EU demand so Britain can retain access to shared intelligence on criminals The European Convention on Human Rights is enshrined in British law by Human Rights Act but has become increasingly unpopular with many Conservatives
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier told MEPs that Boris Johnson had given in to EU demand so Britain can retain access to shared intelligence on criminals and law enforcement programmes
What will happen to Northern Ireland after Brexit?
While Britain left the EU at the beginning of this year, little has changed thus far thanks to the ongoing Brexit transition period.
That period comes to an end on 31 December and there will then be a new relationship with the EU. A big part of that will be how Northern Ireland is affected.
Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom politically, at least until a vote on uniting Ireland is held. Some have suggested Brexit could accelerate the coming of such a "border poll".
This is because Northern Ireland voted strongly to remain in the EU, and is being taken out of the bloc against its population’s will.
But at this point, this is just speculation. For now, thanks to Brexit, there will be some immediate changes to the territory's economic relationship with rest of the UK.
UK is STILL not ready for Brexit with just four weeks until transition period ends... as experts warn of a 'risk of serious disruption and delay' at borders
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove (pictured) yesterday hit out at Brussels for trying to take the 'lion's share' of British fish stocks as talks go 'down to the wire'.
The Finance Bill – and what it will mean for Brexit – could be a major headache for Boris Johnson
But now, against a backdrop of political chaos over Covid-19 restrictions, old wounds are being reopened and last year’s battle lines are being faintly redrawn. Earlier this year, when the Internal Market Bill landed with a tired thump on the floor of the House of Commons, it became clear that those left behind in the ERG after Boris Johnson’s ascension to the throne were, in fact, not entirely content with what was contained within his Withdrawal Agreement.
Andrew Bridgen said in September that “we will need amendments to the Finance Bill too, otherwise we will have to enforce EU tariffs between the UK and Northern Ireland.” Referring to the debate over the Internal Market Bill, he said: “This is only the opening salvo of what I hope will become a roaring thunder.” With news of the tabling of the Finance Bill next week, that storm is beginning to gather, as we dive head-first back into the monotonous, repetitive, unconstructive Brexit trade discourse that we thought we had left in 2019.
Boris Johnson acted 'like second-hand car salesman' over Brexit trade deal
The UK could leave the transition period on 31 December without a deal after talks with the EU hit a snag over fishing, governance rules and dispute resolution.
On Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Boris Johnson was accused of putting the Good Friday Agreement in jeopardy.
Labour MP Mark Hendrick said: “The prime minister has put at risk the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland after promising the people of this country he wouldn’t.
He added: “He promised an oven-ready deal with the EU to win the 2019 general election and we look like having no-deal.
“When will the prime minister follow through and deliver on these promises instead of behaving like a second-hand car salesman.”
Brexit news – live: Potential for border ‘catastrophe’, MPs warn as talks go down to wire
There is a “risk of serious disruption and delay” at the border after the Brexit transition period ends in 29 days, MPs on a parliamentary committee have said, warning of possible “catastrophe” as they offered a scathing verdict on ministers’ preparations for breaking with Brussels.
Michel Barnier is reported as warning a trade deal “hangs in the balance” in a briefing with envoys from member states, who are said to be “nervous” the EU’s chief negotiator could be inclined to accept an unsatisfactory agreement as talks run down to the wire. France and Belgium said on Tuesday that a deal with the UK is important, but not at “any cost”.
It comes after the UK’s fiscal watchdog warned a no-deal scenario would batter the sectors of the UK so far spared by the pandemic – particularly manufacturing, financial services and agriculture – days after it offered analysis suggesting failure to secure a deal would knock an additional two per cent from GDP next year, making the long-term economic impact of Brexit worse than the coronavirus.
Brexit: MLAs write to Michael Gove as fears grow UK government on cusp of second potential breach of international law
The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned EU ambassodors that should the UK government attempt to circumvent the Northern Ireland Protocol contained in the Withdrawal Agreement a second time it would send Brexit talks between the EU and the UK into a “crisis”.
If they [UK government] intend to breach international law again and overturn the NI protocol again then you are going to see the talks, which are due to end this week, in crisis.”
The Northern Ireland Protocol is contained within the Withdrawal Agreement - an agreement negotiated, signed and ratified by British prime minister, Boris Johnson and Conservative MPs.
Ms. Anderson admitted that while the committee’s concern might not come to pass she thought it better to be safe than sorry and writing to the British government the responsible thing to do.
In addition to writing to Mr. Gove, the committee also agreed to flag the issue up with First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill.
EU urged not to follow UK 'hasty' vaccine approval lead after Hancock claims Brexit win
…
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has faced a backlash after claiming Brexit helped the UK become the first country in the world to have a clinically authorised coronavirus vaccine.
Mr Hancock claimed European countries are "moving a little bit more slowly" and stressed the vaccine had gone through all the proper checks, but Germany has said it deliberately did not move too quickly to boost confidence it will work.
Within hours of the significant moment, political tensions were flaring.
Mr Hancock told Times Radio that "because of Brexit we've been able to make a decision to do this based on the UK regulator, a world-class regulator, and not go at the pace of the Europeans".
Comments
On Monday agriculture ministers from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales published an open letter to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Secretary George Eustice, accusing the UK government of renaging on promises to ensure that EU funding to regional rural economies would not suffer due to Brexit.
The letter claimed that NI stood to lose £34m over the next three years while Scotland faces a £170m loss and Wales £160m.
They said there had been no meaningful dialogue to ensure “none of us would be left in a position where we lost out as a result of leaving the EU”.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/brandon-lewis-rejects-edwin-poots-claim-that-ni-to-lose-34m-rural-funds-due-to-brexit/ar-BB1boon8?ocid=msedgntp
Jacob Rees-Mogg has claimed that a no deal Brexit would be worth ‘£1.1trn’ to the UK economy
A standard technique for torturers is to first show the victim the misery that is going to be inflicted upon them before actually doing it.
If the plan is to, say, sear straight through their flesh and bone with a 7,000 degree welding torch, it’s quite common to give a quick demonstration first on a sheet of solid steel, which will melt away to silvery water at the merest flash of contact with the white hot flame.
They know that the psychological trauma, the horror of expectation, is every bit as horrific as the physical ordeal, arguably worse.
And it is an especially vicious torturer that should have visited Covid-19 on the already suffering United Kingdom, in this year of all years.
We have, for the most part, got used to our state of suspended animation, our permanent life in limbo, waiting, waiting and waiting for the miseries of Brexit to appear and them never quite arriving. When was the last day that wasn’t the final, final opportunity for a “breakthrough” on a deal? How many last chances have there been? We have spent so long in the land of “wait and see”, it seems it can never possibly arrive. Except that it will – and very soon, too.
And what no one could have foreseen is the year of coronavirus taking the form of an almost Shakespearean play within a play, a tragedy within a tragedy. All of our main Brexit characters, by whose word we all are bound, have been given this extraordinary chance to prove their utter stupidity and towering wrongness on another subject altogether.
We still wait and see whether Boris Johnson, for example, is right that we will “prosper mightily”, whatever happens. But in the meantime we must watch him bragging about going into hospitals and shaking hands with coronavirus patients. (A brag that his spokesperson quickly had to make clear wasn’t true. “Don’t panic, it’s just the prime minister lying,” really does count as a defence these days.)
We are told that coronavirus will be “sent packing” in 12 weeks, that the test and trace system will be “world beating”, and all the while we just wait for the sunlit uplands of Brexit to arrive.
Four and a half years ago, those of us who lived with our noses pressed against the glass of the EU referendum had to listen to Daniel Hannan making demonstrably absurd claims, no better than facile sixth form debating points, about how the EU had the “slowest growth of any continent except Antarctica”, and that we would therefore be better off leaving it.
The fastest-growing economies in the world are currently South Sudan, Rwanda, Libya, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Armenia and Nepal. On Hannan’s logic, it would be in the UK’s economic interest to be in a free trade bloc with these countries, instead of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and the rest. Complete garbage, obviously. Too late now.
But lo, the Covid torturer bestows fresh **** upon us. Now we must listen to Daniel Hannan making claims like, “The coronavirus isn’t going to kill you, it really isn’t.” He’s deleted that now, it was only a tweet, but it links to a column that breezily explains how coronavirus will be just another overblown fuss about almost nothing, as swine flu, Sars and bird flu were before.
After the referendum result, Hannan published a short book on how to get the best of Brexit, which concluded with quite possibly the most laughable four sentences ever committed to literary history, which we have no choice but to quote here in full: “A rectangle of light dazzles us and, as our eyes adjust, we see a summer meadow. Swallows swoop against the blue sky. We hear the gurgling of a little brook. Now to stride into the sunlight.”
The sunlight and the summer meadow are now just a matter weeks away. But in the meantime we are unfortunately treated to another insight into the interstellar idiocy of the man who told us all we had to do was stride out into it.
The list, naturally, is endless. Steve Baker writes lengthy threads on Twitter and makes breathless statements in the House of Commons about the terrible state of the public finances. None of them acknowledge all of the economic analysis, from the Bank of England, the Treasury, the Office for Budget Responsibility, and everyone else in between, that no deal Brexit will be worse for the public finances than Covid-19. Its hit will be more severe and more long term.
Mr Baker was among the first UK MPs to start pushing the “Great Barrington Declaration”, a document that advised governments around the world to shield the over 60s and let the under 60s go back to normal life. That document was described as having been signed by “thousands” of scientists and epidemiologists. Many of those scientists turned out to have signed it under the name “Mickey Mouse”, as it had been subjected to the treatment of online pranksters. This did not dampen Mr Baker’s enthusiasm for it.
We have had the thrill of enjoying hearing Jacob Rees-Mogg explain that MPs should be made to come into Westminster, because MPs must set an “example” to the rest of the public, even when the rest of the public are being told to only come in to work if they can’t work from home, which MPs have shown they can. A man, then, unable to tell the difference between a wrong example and a right one.
We would hear Mr Rees-Mogg explain, in late June, that “the weather” was probably responsible for the UK’s sky high preventable death toll, even though by then it was a known and certain fact the virus spreads indoors not outdoors, and this comment came at the end of the hottest, sunniest spring in the nation’s history.
A mere two years ago, Mr Rees-Mogg held a press conference in which he explained that no deal Brexit would be worth “£1.1trn” to the UK economy. He was laughed at then, it was so palpably absurd. But it’s too late now.
And still we must listen to truly the dimmest lights of all, from Allison Pearson in the Daily Telegraph, whose reaction to a terrorist attack in Brussels was that it was proof we were better off out of the EU, who now speaks of how pleased she is that her own son had contracted Covid-19.
Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, now has no choice but to lay out the terrifying economic emergencies ahead, but finds himself unable to say, out loud, a single benefit from Brexit that might ameliorate some of the misery, though naturally he voted for it.
A poll last week showed the public now thinks Brexit was a bad idea, by 51 per cent to 38, and this is before it has even happened in earnest. Polls are only polls, but that is a very large margin. Who knows what has prompted so many people to change their mind?
It’s too late, of course. You can’t really change your mind. Got to go through with it now. The welder’s torch is lit.
Still, it may well be that the psychological torture is worse than the physical. At some point, and fairly soon, the usual suspects will be made to look even more stupid than they already do.
Yes, that really is possible, and the trouble is, it’s not at all clear there’s going to be a vaccine for it.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/usual-dimwit-band-brexiteers-wrong-180840390.html
The Telegraph says it has been told by multiple government sources that negotiations with the European Union are likely to conclude by next weekend, with Downing Street warning that No Deal is under-priced.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith writes in the Sunday Express that the government would be in "grave peril" if Mr Johnson fails to deliver on sovereignty.
The Sunday Times thinks the European Commission is leaning on its own negotiator to get a deal - and that the PM will speak to the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to find common ground on fishing quotas.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-55118347
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/no-deal-brexit-is-underpriced-no-10-warns/ar-BB1brZrm?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/if-rishi-sunak-fears-for-the-deficit-why-does-he-back-brexit/ar-BB1bskGI?ocid=msedgntp
The Times reports that the government is promising to transform England's landscape with its post-Brexit plans to phase out farming subsidies.
Its aim is to offer money for restoring wilder landscapes and achieving "enhanced beauty".
The Telegraph suggests farmers could be paid for producing free range eggs or grass fed beef.
The Guardian notes that the wealthiest landowners - such as the Duke of Westminster or Sir James Dyson - could face the sharpest cuts under the new scheme.
But the National Farmers' Union raises concerns in the Times that the speed of the reduction in direct subsidies could make some farms unviable and undermine domestic food production.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-55125701
Prime Minister had previously been warned UK would be kicked from joint law enforcement programmes if it pulled out of the European human rights rules
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told MEPs that Boris Johnson had given in to EU demand so Britain can retain access to shared intelligence on criminals
The European Convention on Human Rights is enshrined in British law by Human Rights Act but has become increasingly unpopular with many Conservatives
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier told MEPs that Boris Johnson had given in to EU demand so Britain can retain access to shared intelligence on criminals and law enforcement programmes
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9003131/Barnier-claims-PM-agreed-Britain-tied-European-human-rights-rules-Brexit.html
While Britain left the EU at the beginning of this year, little has changed thus far thanks to the ongoing Brexit transition period.
That period comes to an end on 31 December and there will then be a new relationship with the EU. A big part of that will be how Northern Ireland is affected.
Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom politically, at least until a vote on uniting Ireland is held. Some have suggested Brexit could accelerate the coming of such a "border poll".
This is because Northern Ireland voted strongly to remain in the EU, and is being taken out of the bloc against its population’s will.
But at this point, this is just speculation. For now, thanks to Brexit, there will be some immediate changes to the territory's economic relationship with rest of the UK.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/what-will-happen-to-northern-ireland-after-brexit/ar-BB1bx01L?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55144313
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove (pictured) yesterday hit out at Brussels for trying to take the 'lion's share' of British fish stocks as talks go 'down to the wire'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9007875/UK-not-ready-Brexit-just-four-weeks-transition-period-ends.html
But now, against a backdrop of political chaos over Covid-19 restrictions, old wounds are being reopened and last year’s battle lines are being faintly redrawn. Earlier this year, when the Internal Market Bill landed with a tired thump on the floor of the House of Commons, it became clear that those left behind in the ERG after Boris Johnson’s ascension to the throne were, in fact, not entirely content with what was contained within his Withdrawal Agreement.
Andrew Bridgen said in September that “we will need amendments to the Finance Bill too, otherwise we will have to enforce EU tariffs between the UK and Northern Ireland.” Referring to the debate over the Internal Market Bill, he said: “This is only the opening salvo of what I hope will become a roaring thunder.” With news of the tabling of the Finance Bill next week, that storm is beginning to gather, as we dive head-first back into the monotonous, repetitive, unconstructive Brexit trade discourse that we thought we had left in 2019.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/the-finance-bill-and-what-it-will-mean-for-brexit-could-be-a-major-headache-for-boris-johnson/ar-BB1byPX4?ocid=msedgntp
The UK could leave the transition period on 31 December without a deal after talks with the EU hit a snag over fishing, governance rules and dispute resolution.
On Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Boris Johnson was accused of putting the Good Friday Agreement in jeopardy.
Labour MP Mark Hendrick said: “The prime minister has put at risk the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland after promising the people of this country he wouldn’t.
He added: “He promised an oven-ready deal with the EU to win the 2019 general election and we look like having no-deal.
“When will the prime minister follow through and deliver on these promises instead of behaving like a second-hand car salesman.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/boris-johnson-acted-like-second-hand-car-salesman-over-brexit-trade-deal/ar-BB1byXho?ocid=msedgntp
There is a “risk of serious disruption and delay” at the border after the Brexit transition period ends in 29 days, MPs on a parliamentary committee have said, warning of possible “catastrophe” as they offered a scathing verdict on ministers’ preparations for breaking with Brussels.
Michel Barnier is reported as warning a trade deal “hangs in the balance” in a briefing with envoys from member states, who are said to be “nervous” the EU’s chief negotiator could be inclined to accept an unsatisfactory agreement as talks run down to the wire. France and Belgium said on Tuesday that a deal with the UK is important, but not at “any cost”.
It comes after the UK’s fiscal watchdog warned a no-deal scenario would batter the sectors of the UK so far spared by the pandemic – particularly manufacturing, financial services and agriculture – days after it offered analysis suggesting failure to secure a deal would knock an additional two per cent from GDP next year, making the long-term economic impact of Brexit worse than the coronavirus.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brexit-news-live-potential-for-border-catastrophe-mps-warn-as-talks-go-down-to-wire/ar-BB1by10Q?ocid=msedgntp
The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned EU ambassodors that should the UK government attempt to circumvent the Northern Ireland Protocol contained in the Withdrawal Agreement a second time it would send Brexit talks between the EU and the UK into a “crisis”.
If they [UK government] intend to breach international law again and overturn the NI protocol again then you are going to see the talks, which are due to end this week, in crisis.”
The Northern Ireland Protocol is contained within the Withdrawal Agreement - an agreement negotiated, signed and ratified by British prime minister, Boris Johnson and Conservative MPs.
Ms. Anderson admitted that while the committee’s concern might not come to pass she thought it better to be safe than sorry and writing to the British government the responsible thing to do.
In addition to writing to Mr. Gove, the committee also agreed to flag the issue up with First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brexit-mlas-write-to-michael-gove-as-fears-grow-uk-government-on-cusp-of-second-potential-breach-of-international-law/ar-BB1bz5uk?ocid=msedgntp
…
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has faced a backlash after claiming Brexit helped the UK become the first country in the world to have a clinically authorised coronavirus vaccine.
Mr Hancock claimed European countries are "moving a little bit more slowly" and stressed the vaccine had gone through all the proper checks, but Germany has said it deliberately did not move too quickly to boost confidence it will work.
Within hours of the significant moment, political tensions were flaring.
Mr Hancock told Times Radio that "because of Brexit we've been able to make a decision to do this based on the UK regulator, a world-class regulator, and not go at the pace of the Europeans".
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/eu-urged-not-to-follow-uk-hasty-vaccine-approval-lead-after-hancock-claims-brexit-win/ar-BB1byKwJ?ocid=msedgntp