Tag: Westminster

Brexit: May looks for public pressure to convince sceptical MPs

Downing Street has given forty reasons to back the Brexit deal:

  1. Free movement will come to an end, once and for all, with the introduction of a new skills-based immigration system.
  2. We will take back full control of our money which we will be able to spend on our priorities such as the NHS. We will leave EU regional funding programmes – with the UK deciding how we spend this money in the future.
  3. The jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK will end.
  4. In the future we will make our own laws in our own Parliaments and Assemblies in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
  5. We will leave the Common Agricultural Policy.
  6. We will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and become an independent coastal state again, with control over our waters.
  7. We will be able to strike trade deals with other countries around the world. Deals can be negotiated and ratified during the implementation period and put in place straight afterwards.
  8. We will be an independent voice for free trade on the global stage, speaking for ourselves at the World Trade Organisation, for the first time in decades.
  9. We will be freed from the EU’s political commitment to ever closer union.
  10. We will be out of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, recognising the UK’s long track record in protecting human rights.
  11. A fair settlement of our financial obligations, which will be less than half what was originally predicted.
  12. Both the one million UK citizens living in the EU and the three million EU citizens living in the UK will have their rights legally guaranteed so they can carry on living their lives as before.
  13. We will have a free trade area with the EU, with no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions across all sectors, helping to protect UK jobs. We will be the only major economy with such a relationship with the EU.
  14. We’ve agreed with the EU that we will be as ambitious as possible in easing the movement of goods between the UK and the EU as part of our free trade area.
  15. We will have an implementation period after we leave the EU during which trade will continue much as it does now. This will allow government, businesses and citizens time to prepare for our new relationship.
  16. The deal will see a greater reduction in barriers to trade in services than in any previous trade deal.
  17. There will be an agreement that means UK citizens can practice their profession in the EU.
  18. A comprehensive deal that secures access to the EU market for our financial services sector meaning the EU cannot withdraw it on a whim. This will provide stability and certainty for the industry.
  19. A best in class agreement on digital, helping to facilitate e-commerce and reduce unjustified barriers to trade by electronic means.
  20. We have agreed that there will be arrangements that will let data continue to flow freely, vital across our economy and for our shared security.
  21. Trade arrangements for gas and electricity will help to ease pressure on prices and keep supply secure.
  22. Strong rules will be in place to keep trade fair, so neither the UK nor EU can unfairly subsidise their industries against the other.
  23. We will have a comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and comparable access for freight operators, buses and coaches.
  24. We have agreed that there will be arrangements so we can take part in EU programmes like Horizon and Erasmus.
  25. There will be a co-operation agreement with Euratom, covering all the key areas where we want to collaborate.
  26. Visa-free travel to the EU for holidays and business trips will continue.
  27. Our new security partnership will mean sharing of data like DNA, passenger records and fingerprints to fight crime and terrorism, going beyond any previous agreement the EU has made with a third country.
  28. Our new security partnership will enable the efficient and swift surrender of suspected and wanted criminals.
  29. Close co-operation for our police forces and other law enforcement bodies.
  30. We will continue to work together on sanctions against those who violate international rules.
  31. We will work together on cyber-security threats and support international efforts to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
  32. Disputes between the UK and the EU on the agreement will be settled by an independent arbitrator, ensuring a fair outcome.
  33. We will meet our commitment to ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
  34. We will keep the Common Travel Area between the United Kingdom and Ireland, ensuring everyday life continues as now.
  35. We will keep the Single Electricity Market between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which will help maintain a stable energy supply and keep prices down in Northern Ireland.
  36. Both sides will be legally committed, by the Withdrawal Agreement, to use “best endeavours” to get the future relationship in place by the end of the implementation period, helping to ensure the backstop is never used.
  37. An agreement to consider alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, including all facilitative arrangements and technologies, and to begin preparatory work on this before we leave the EU, reflecting shared determination to replace the backstop.
  38. In the unlikely event we do have to use the backstop, a UK-wide customs area will ensure there is no customs border in the Irish Sea.
  39. Gibraltar’s British sovereignty will be protected.
  40. The deal delivers on the referendum result. It takes back control of our money, borders and laws whilst protecting jobs, security and the integrity of the United Kingdom.

Mrs May faces a Herculean task in trying to get her deal through parliament, however. Tory dissenters, Labour, SNP, the Lib Dems and even her allies the DUP are united in their opposition to the Brexit deal.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “This is a bad deal for the country.

“It is the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds. It gives us less say over our future, and puts jobs and living standards at risk.

“That is why Labour will oppose this deal in parliament. We will work with others to block a no deal outcome, and ensure that Labour’s alternative plan for a sensible deal to bring the country together is on the table.

“That includes a permanent customs union with a UK say, a strong single market deal and guarantees on workers’ rights, consumer and environmental protections.”

The Commons vote is likely to take place on 12 December. And after that? Who knows?

“Pointlessly cruel”: Commons committee publishes damning report on benefits sanctions

No evidence the Committee received was “more compelling than that against the imposition of conditionality and sanctions on people with a disability or health condition. It does not work. Worse, it is harmful and counterproductive.” Continue reading “Pointlessly cruel”: Commons committee publishes damning report on benefits sanctions

Ben Macpherson MSP: UK Government’s unjust budget fails to address Scotland’s needs

SNP MSP Ben Macpherson has criticised the UK Government for failing the people of Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and all of Scotland, following this year’s UK Government Budget announcement. 
Continue reading Ben Macpherson MSP: UK Government’s unjust budget fails to address Scotland’s needs

Analysing the Budget: Short-changed or delivering for Scotland?

The Budget committed £1 billion in extra money for Scotland, maintained the freeze on whisky and fuel duty, and saw a £150 million investment in the Tay City Region Deal. The Chancellor also committed to progress growth deals in Ayrshire, Moray and Borderlands. A good deal for Scotland, then? Aye, right! was the response from Holyrood. Continue reading Analysing the Budget: Short-changed or delivering for Scotland?

Scottish Tories: Budget will deliver sustainable funding boost for Scottish NHS

Nicola Sturgeon is being urged to put in place a clear long-term plan for Scotland’s NHS – with the UK budget set to smash the scaremongering claims she made prior to the Independence referendum, according to the Scottish Conservatives. Continue reading Scottish Tories: Budget will deliver sustainable funding boost for Scottish NHS

Scottish Affairs Committee focus on environmental impact in oil and gas inquiry

The Scottish Affairs Committee resumes its inquiry into the oil and gas industry on Wednesday (10 October) with a session focusing on the environmental impact of the sector. Witnesses will include the UK Energy Research Centre, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Scottish Carbon Capture Association. Continue reading Scottish Affairs Committee focus on environmental impact in oil and gas inquiry

Shocking impact of welfare cuts revealed

UK Government urged to end benefits freeze

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on the UK Government to use this month’s autumn statement to announce an end to the benefits freeze that has brought misery to families and communities.

In a letter to Esther McVey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, Ms Somerville has highlighted the findings of the annual Welfare Reform Report, which estimates that the UK Government’s welfare cuts will lead to a £3.7 billion fall in social security spending by 2021 in Scotland.

The report estimates the benefit freeze has the biggest impact, reducing spending by around £190 million in the current year, rising to around £370 million by 2020/21.

Other findings include:

  • Over the first year of its implementation around 3,800 Scottish families have seen their incomes reduced due to the Two Child Limit – each year more children will lose out on up to £2,780 per year because they were born after the arbitrary April 2017 cut-off date
  • Around 3,500 Scottish households have been capped each month since the Benefit Cap was lowered in 2016 – 89% of families with capped legacy benefits have children, while 64% are lone parent households. 45% of these households lose out by £2,600 per year or more
  • Because of the decision to reduce Universal Credit (UC) work allowances, each year sees more and more working people lose out as they move onto UC. By 2021 working UC claimants in Scotland are expected to lose around £250 million per year in total

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This detailed report paints a stark picture of the reality of life for many people in Scotland. It represents damning evidence against the DWP’s current programme of welfare cuts which are only set to get worse.

“These cruel cuts are forcing more people into poverty at the very time the Scottish Government is focussed on getting children and families out of poverty.

“More and more families are finding it hard to make ends meet as prices of essentials go up and the levels of their income and benefits go down. The increased reliance on food banks is a damning indictment.

“Esther McVey cannot ignore this report. That is why I am sending her a copy and urging her to immediately end the freeze on benefits. I will also be sending a copy to the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights in advance of his visit to the UK later this year.

“Scotland’s social security system is being built upon principles of dignity and respect. Today’s report – published at the start of Challenge Poverty Week – shows that the current UK system is built upon the complete opposite.”

2018 report on welfare reform

Director of the Poverty Alliance, Peter Kelly said: “Scotland is a compassionate country where we all believe everyone should have a decent standard of living. The help that people receive through social security is important in helping to make that happen. This report shows that more needs to be done.

“In order to ensure everyone has a decent standard of living we need to see an end to the freeze in benefit levels. The cost of living hasn’t been frozen, so it’s right that social security payments should keep up with those costs.”

Challenge Poverty Week runs from Monday 1 until Sunday 7 October. More than 100 groups and organisations are expected to take part in the annual event to highlight the problem of poverty in Scotland, to show its impact on the whole of society and showcase solutions.

A full list of activities can be found at www.challengepoverty.net/events/

The Benefit Cap refers to the UK Government’s policy to limit the total benefit entitlement for working age households, with some exemptions.  From November 2016, couples with or without children (living outside London) cannot receive more that £20,000 in benefit entitlement per year. The cap is lower for single people without children (£13,400 per year).

The Benefit Freeze refers to the UK Government’s policy to not uprate with inflation the main working-age rates of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (excluding the support component) and Housing Benefit, as well as most elements of Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credit (and the corresponding element of Universal Credit) and Child Benefit. The policy is in place for four years from 2016/17 until 2019/20 inclusive.

The Two-Child Limit refers to the UK Government’s policy to restrict the Child Tax Credits (CTC) and child element of UC to two children per household. The rule applies to new births after 5 April 2017 for Child Tax Credits and new claims to Universal Credit. A number of exceptions apply, in the cases of multiple births and non-consensual conceptions.