Babak Belurs

Senin, 30 November 2020

George Eustice warns 'time is running out' to strike EU trade deal - Daily Mail

Environment Secretary George Eustice warns 'time is running out' to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU as the two sides enter a 'crucial week' but they are still deadlocked on fishing rights

Brexit trade talks between UK and EU now potentially entering their final week
Two sides remain deadlocked on crunch issues of fishing rights and future rules
If there is a deal to be done it is expected to come into view by end of this week
Environment Secretary George Eustice said today 'we are running out of time'

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 09:50 GMT, 30 November 2020 | Updated: 11:12 GMT, 30 November 2020

George Eustice today warned 'we really are now running out of time' to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU as the two sides remain deadlocked on fishing rights.

The Environment Secretary said formal discussions between Britain and Brussels are entering a 'crucial week' and that 'we need to get a breakthrough'.

It is thought that if an accord is possible it will have come into view by Friday this week.

But Mr Eustice said there could be scope to extend negotiations beyond that point if the two sides are 'nearly there'.

However, he said eventually there will 'come a point' where it will be 'too late' for an agreement because the EU and the UK will need time to ratify and roll out any deal before the end of the 'standstill' transition period next month.

His comments came after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday that 'there is a deal to be done' but fishing rights is still the 'one outstanding major bone of contention'.

Michel Barnier, pictured leaving the BEIS conference centre in central London last night, will continue negotiating with UK counterpart Lord Frost this week

Face-to-face talks between Michel Barnier, Brussels' chief negotiator, and Lord Frost, his UK counterpart, resumed at the weekend in London after discussions were suspended after an EU official tested positive for coronavirus.

Negotiations lasted long into the night on Saturday and Sunday with the two teams due to continue to meet this week.

Mr Barnier said this morning there were 'reasons for determination' as he left his hotel in Westminster to head back to the negotiating table.

The negotiations remain stalled on three issues: post-Brexit fishing rights, the so-called 'level-playing' on rules and on the future governance of the deal.

The transition period is due to end on December 31 with the two sides now facing a race against time to get a deal in place to avoid a chaotic split in the New Year.

Mr Eustice told Sky News this morning: 'Well, we really are now running out of time and we have been saying that for some weeks.

'This is the crucial week, we need to get a breakthrough. I really do think we are now into the sort of final week or 10 days.

'Of course if great progress were made this week and you were nearly there it is always possible to extend those negotiations.

'David Frost has made clear that we are continuing the negotiations because we still think there is a prospect that we can get an agreement and while there is we should persevere with those.

'But there does come a point where for both sides the ability to ratify an agreement and get things sorted becomes quite difficult if you leave it too late and of course businesses do need to know where they stand on January 1.'

Mr Raab said yesterday he believed the talks were in a 'reasonable position' as he raised hopes of an agreement being struck by Friday.

He said: 'There is a deal to be done. If you look really at what the outstanding issues are, of course level-playing field, but it feels like there is progress towards greater respect for what the UK position was.

'On fisheries there is a point of principle. As we leave the transition we are an independent coastal state, we have got to be able to control our borders.

'We can talk about transitions and things like that and we recognise the impact it has on other countries round Europe.

'But that principle comes with sovereignty, comes with leaving not just the EU but the transition period and I think the answer is can the EU accept that point of principle which comes with us leaving the political club.'

Reports last week suggested that Mr Barnier recently said the EU could accept a 15-18 per cent cut in its share of fishing rights in UK waters, but British officials immediately rejected the offer.

Government sources said the figures put forward by Mr Barnier were 'risible and the EU side know full well that we would never accept this'.

Mr Raab echoed a similar sentiment as he said of the fishing rights issue: 'There is one outstanding major bone of contention as well as the level playing field.'

With time now running out, there are fears the UK and the EU could accidentally end up without a trade accord due to a miscalculation or a misplaced belief that the other side will compromise at the last minute.

A failure to strike a post-Brexit trade agreement will see Britain and Brussels forced to trade on basic World Trade Organisation terms from January 1 and that will mean tariffs being imposed on goods.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTAwMDU5Ny9HZW9yZ2UtRXVzdGljZS13YXJucy10aW1lLXJ1bm5pbmctc3RyaWtlLUVVLXRyYWRlLWRlYWwuaHRtbNIBcGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTAwMDU5Ny9hbXAvR2VvcmdlLUV1c3RpY2Utd2FybnMtdGltZS1ydW5uaW5nLXN0cmlrZS1FVS10cmFkZS1kZWFsLmh0bWw?oc=5

2020-11-30 09:50:00Z
52781208577736

Lockdown POLL: Should MPs block Boris Johnson's tier system in crunch vote tomorrow? - Express

The second national lockdown in England will officially end on December 2 and the Prime Minister has outlined a controversial plan to divide the country into three tiers. The regional approach will place 99 percent of the UK into the toughest tier 2 and tier 3 restrictions – which will enforce curbs on the hospitality sector and a ban households mixing indoors.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has warned up to 100 Tory backbench MPs could vote down the plans in the Commons on Tuesday.

Conservative rebels are seeking concrete reassurances over the health and economic benefits of the tier-based system amid growing anger from constituents in low-risk areas.

Pressure has grown on the Government to soften its approach after a new report found the huge sacrifice of the British public throughout the past four weeks has driven down COVID-19 infections.

A monthly survey of 105,000 people by Imperial College London has found cases of coronavirus have fallen by around 30 percent.

The study estimated the daily number of new infections fell to 72,000 per day between November 13 and 24 - compared to 100,000 new infections per day at the end of October.

The Department for Health also confirmed there was 12,155 cases and 215 deaths in the latest 24-hour period – compared to 18,662 cases and 398 deaths last Sunday.

Last week, the Government announced three households could mix over Christmas for five days from December 23-27.

Over the weekend, Mr Johnson wrote to Conservative MPs and offered parliament a greater say in future decision-making in order to fend off a rebellion in the Commons.

The Prime Minister has offered a review on the restrictions on December 16 as well as post-Christmas vote.

Mr Johnson indicated the restrictions would expire on February 3 and implied the vote to extend them would come in late January.

He said: “These will not be easy decisions. With Christmas round the corner, and the difficult months of January and February ahead, we will need to continue to exercise caution.”

Mr Johnson insisted “no prime minister wants to impose restrictions which cause such harm to society, the economy and people's mental health”.

Later today, Downing Street will publish an analysis of the health, economic and social impacts of coronavirus and the measures taken to suppress it.

The document will include forecasts from the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Speaking this morning, Mr Eustice acknowledged the Prime Minister faces an uphill battle to convince MPs and warned of a three-figure rebellion on Tuesday.

He said: "The chief whip will be talking to those MPs who have concerns.

"I've seen suggestions there could be up to a 100 or so people that have got concerns, but the Prime Minister and other ministers will be working very hard to reassure them about the steps we are taking."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMzY2MzE2L2xvY2tkb3duLXVrLXRpZXItcnVsZXMtYm9yaXMtSm9obnNvbi10aWVyLXZvdGUtY29yb25hdmlydXMtcmVzdHJpY3Rpb25z0gF1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwcmVzcy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLzEzNjYzMTYvbG9ja2Rvd24tdWstdGllci1ydWxlcy1ib3Jpcy1Kb2huc29uLXRpZXItdm90ZS1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMvYW1w?oc=5

2020-11-30 09:45:00Z
52781212068131

Covid infections in England fall by 30% over lockdown - React study - BBC News

Coronavirus infections in England have fallen by about a third over lockdown, according to a major study.

Some of the worst-hit areas saw the biggest improvements - but, despite this progress, cases remained relatively high across England.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the data showed the country could not "take our foot off the pedal just yet".

The findings by Imperial College London were based on swabbing more than 100,000 people between 13-24 November.

The React-1 study is highly respected and gives us the most up-to-date picture of Covid-19 in the country.

Its researchers estimated the virus's reproduction (R) rate had fallen to 0.88. That means on average every infection translated to less than one other new infection, so the epidemic is shrinking.

Run alongside pollster Ipsos MORI, the Imperial study involved testing a random sample of people for coronavirus, whether or not they had symptoms.

The results of these tests suggested a 30% fall in infections between the last study and the period of 13-24 November.

Before that, cases were accelerating - doubling every nine days when the study last reported at the end of October.

Now cases are coming down, but more slowly than they shot up - halving roughly every 37 days.

In the North West and North East, though - regions with some of the highest numbers of cases - infections fell by more than half.

The findings suggest cases are now highest in the East Midlands and West Midlands.

Lockdown came into force across England on 5 November but national data, based on people with symptoms, suggests there was a spike in cases in the week after.

This was put down to pre-lockdown socialising, since it takes five days on average after catching the infection for it to be detectable by a test.

Despite clear improvements, overall cases remain high.

An estimated one in 100 people have coronavirus - double the rate in September when infections began to rise.

The study also found certain groups had a higher chance of testing positive over this period:

People of Asian ethnicity
People living in the most deprived neighbourhoods
People living in the largest households

It estimated that:

Roughly 96 people in every 10,000 had coronavirus, down from 132 per 10,000 just before lockdown
There were about 72,000 new infections a day, compared with 100,000 at the end of October

Prof Paul Elliott, who leads the study, said the data offered "encouraging signs" for England's epidemic.

"These trends suggest that the tiered approach helped to curb infections in [the worst-affected areas] and that lockdown has added to this effect.

But he said: "As we approach a challenging time of year, it's even more vital that through our actions and behaviours we all play our part in helping to keep the virus at bay."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was important to continue to pay attention to public-health messaging, as cases remained high.

"It's really important in the run-up to Christmas that we keep the virus under control," he added.

Prof Kevin McConway, a statistics professor at the Open University, urged caution over the figures.

He said: "Things have started moving in the right direction again, but we're by no means in the position we were at the end of the summer, or even the start of the summer. We can't stop taking great care yet by any means."

The government suggested England's new tier system, coming into force on Wednesday, would be "crucial" to keeping infections falling.

The three-tier system is tougher than the similar one in place before 5 November, under which cases continued to rise.

It will see regions placed in one of three tiers: medium, high and very high.

In total, 99% of England will enter the highest two tiers, with tight restrictions on bars and restaurants and a ban on households mixing indoors. Only Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly will be in the lowest tier.

Elsewhere in the UK, Northern Ireland has begun a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown, while in Scotland each area has been placed in one of five tiers.

In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said pubs, restaurants and bars will be subject to stricter restrictions - which are not yet finalised - in the run-up to Christmas. They will come into force from Friday, 4 December.

These findings of the React-1 study are interim, meaning they still need to be reviewed.

Follow Rachel on Twitter

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2hlYWx0aC01NTEyNDI4NtIBLmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FtcC9oZWFsdGgtNTUxMjQyODY?oc=5

2020-11-30 09:23:00Z
52781216144481

Nicola Sturgeon lashes out at 'Boris and his band of Brexiteers' - Daily Mail

Nicola Sturgeon lashes out at 'Boris and his band of Brexiteers' as she ramps up Scottish independence referendum drive saying 'the sooner the better' ahead of SNP conference speech

Nicola Sturgeon is ramping up her Scottish referendum drive despite pandemic
She will tell SNP conference vote should be 'early' after May Holyrood elections
Trolled Boris Johnson saying he was 'inadvertent advocate' for independence

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 08:24 GMT, 30 November 2020 | Updated: 08:53 GMT, 30 November 2020

Nicola Sturgeon lashed out at 'Boris Johnson and his band of Brexiteers' today as she ramped up her Scottish referendum drive.

The First Minister insisted 'the sooner the better' on the timing of a new vote on splitting up the UK, saying Scotland needed the powers to 'rebuild' after coronavirus in the way its people wanted.

And she trolled Mr Johnson over his unpopularity north of the border, swiping that he is 'inadvertently an advocate' for the separatist case.

The comments came in an interview ahead of Ms Sturgeon's keynote speech to the SNP conference, being held virtually this year amid the pandemic.

Ms Sturgeon has been escalating her demands for a referendum, despite Mr Johnson insisting he will not give permission after the 'once in a generation' contest in 2014.

She has already said she has never been so certain that Scotland will become independent.

Nicola Sturgeon (pictured today) insisted 'the sooner the better' on the timing of a new vote on splitting up the UK, saying Scotland needed the powers to 'rebuild' after coronavirus in the way its people wanted

This morning she said she was 'confident' of prevailing, pointing to polls showing a surge in support for breaking up the union north of the border, with one survey showing record 58 per cent backing.

The SNP leader declined to give a specific date, despite other senior colleagues saying a vote should happen within months of Holyrood elections in May.

'I want to see it in the early part of the next term of the Scottish Parliament, rather than the later part,' she told Sky News.

Ms Sturgeon said it was 'really important' that Scotland can rebuild from coronavirus in the way that its people want, rather 'in the image of Boris Johnson and his band of Brexiteers'.

'We are still like other countries the world over in the midst of a global pandemic,' she insisted.

'My energies are focused on that.'

Pressed again on the timing of a referendum, she added: I'm not ruling anything out, I'm not ruling anything in on that.'

In her speech this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon will announce a 100million fund to help hard up Scots this winter, including direct payments of £100 to all families with children in receipt of free school meals.

The Scottish First Minister will say the coronavirus pandemic has shown that it should no longer be accepted that problems with poverty and inequality are 'inevitable or insoluble'.

Ms Sturgeon trolled Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street this morning) over his unpopularity north of the border, swiping that he is 'inadvertently an advocate' for the separatist case

In addition, it will help pay to get older people connected online and provide help for the homeless.

While the First Minister will stress Scotland does not have to be independent for the SNP government to 'start doing the right things', she will complain that Westminster's control over much of the social security system north of the border makes it harder for ministers to act.

She will state: 'We must make sure we are working to the right plan, with all the tools we need to do the job.'

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTAwMDQ5My9OaWNvbGEtU3R1cmdlb24tbGFzaGVzLUJvcmlzLWJhbmQtQnJleGl0ZWVycy5odG1s0gFmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHltYWlsLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZS05MDAwNDkzL2FtcC9OaWNvbGEtU3R1cmdlb24tbGFzaGVzLUJvcmlzLWJhbmQtQnJleGl0ZWVycy5odG1s?oc=5

2020-11-30 08:24:00Z
52781209746900

Brexit LIVE: 'We NEED their waters!' EU admits panic as transition end just one month away - Daily Express

With the transition period set to end in just over one month, the issue of fisheries remains one of the key areas of divergence which has so far blocked a deal. EU fleets rely heavily on British waters and, despite the UK now being an independent nation, fishing fleets have demanded continued access to the rich waters around Britain. Mr Barnier briefed MEPs on Friday following the conclusion of the week's talks and was later warned he must agree a deal or fleets could suffer.

Flemish Fisheries Minister, Hilde Crevits, insisted the negotiator must follow his mandate to maintain current access to UK waters for European fleets.

She said: "The fisheries sector in Flanders is a small but important sector.

“It is very important that access to British waters is maintained in the future and that the current quota system is also maintained.”

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fleets are given access to waters across the bloc's economic zone.

Due to the large and rich waters, British fishermen have warned the policy has allowed EU fleets to exploit the UK.

In a bid to break the deadlock, the EU negotiator did offer the UK a return of 15-18 per cent in fishing quotas.

UK officials, however, rejected the proposal as it would allow EU fleets to maintain up to 80 percent of their current fishing stocks.

Mr Barnier travelled to London over the weekend in order to resume talks as the two sides head into the final month of negotiations.

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES:

8.51am update: EU delay putting pressure on British motorists

The EU Commission is currently withholding a decision to make British drivers carry a green card when travelling across the Channel.

Brussels has yet to make a decision on whether to remove the need for drivers to carry insurance documentation when they cross the Channel after January 1.

If Brussels doesn't grant the waiver, drivers could have their vehicles impounded by the police.

A waiver could be granted to UK drivers but the EU has not changed its stance despite British officials putting in a request two years ago.

8.25am update: "Time is running out"

Speaking today, Environment Secretary, George Eustice claimed the UK needs to get a "breakthrough" in this week's talks.

Although the two sides are now running out of time to agree a deal before the end of the transition period on January 1, he stated Lord Frost was still hopeful a deal could be completed.

He told Sky: "We really are now running out of time, this is the crucial week, we need to get a breakthrough.

“I really do think we are now into the final week or 10 days, of course if great progress were made this week and you’re nearly there it’s always possible to extend those negotiations.

"David Frost had made clear that we’re continuing the negotiations because we still think there is a prospect that we can get an agreement and while there is we should persevere with those."

7.36am update: Government to announce seven-year plan for farming

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, will announce the UK's seven-year plan for British farming post-Brexit today.

Mr Eustice will announce a system which allows farming to be centred on sustainable practices.

It will be announced farming will lead to a boost for animal stock standards and the biggest change in farming in 50 years, The Times reports.

7.18am update: EU panic sets in over fisheries access

Ahead of this week's talks in London, EU ministers have reminded Michel Barnier of the need to continue access to UK waters.

Due to the reliance on Britain's waters, Flemish Fisheries Minister, Hilder Crevits claimed it is essential for Mr Barnier to uphold current access.

She added: "The fisheries sector in Flanders is a small but important sector.

“It is very important that access to British waters is maintained in the future and that the current quota system is also maintained.”

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMihQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3MvMTM2NjI2My9icmV4aXQtbmV3cy1ldS11ay10cmFkZS1kZWFsLWZpc2hlcmllcy1taWNoZWwtYmFybmllci1icmV4aXQtdGFsa3MtRGF2aWQtRnJvc3QtTG9uZG9u0gGJAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy9wb2xpdGljcy8xMzY2MjYzL2JyZXhpdC1uZXdzLWV1LXVrLXRyYWRlLWRlYWwtZmlzaGVyaWVzLW1pY2hlbC1iYXJuaWVyLWJyZXhpdC10YWxrcy1EYXZpZC1Gcm9zdC1Mb25kb24vYW1w?oc=5

2020-11-30 07:23:00Z
52781208577736

Minggu, 29 November 2020

COVID-19: 'People blatantly ignoring restrictions' - police break up large-scale illegal parties - Sky News

Several police forces in England have said they have handed out multiple fines after breaking up a number of large-scale illegal parties over the weekend.

Police were called to at least four locations, including a university hall of residence in Nottingham where up to 200 people were discovered at one gathering.

Nottinghamshire Police said in a statement: "Officers were called to flat in Pilcher Gate, Nottingham, shortly before 10.30pm last night and issued £200 fixed penalty notices to 21 people found inside.

"Investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the organiser, who could face additional punishment.

"Another large party was broken up shortly after midnight at an address in Corporation Oaks, St Ann's and the organiser was issued with a summons to appear in court at a later date."

Elsewhere in the county, officers issued another five £200 fixed penalty notices after responding to reports of a party in a field in Gonalston, near Lowdham, shortly after 9pm.

Investigations are under way to identify the organiser of the event, and a driver who crashed into a police car as they fled the scene.

The force statement added: "Investigations are also ongoing after officers dispersed a gathering of around 200 young people in an outdoor courtyard at a student halls of residence in St Peter's Street, Nottingham."

Detective Superintendent Andrew Gowan said: "Whilst it is heartening that the vast majority of people clearly understand and are obeying the current restrictions, it is deeply disappointing that so many others needed such an expensive reminder that the rules apply equally to everyone.

"We understand that this is a difficult time but there really are no excuses for this kind of behaviour where people are blatantly ignoring the restrictions in such large numbers."

In Birmingham, officers were pelted with bottles when they forced their way into an illegal party in an abandoned warehouse in Digbeth on Saturday. They arrested one man on suspicion of assault, and handed out 100 fines.

Birmingham is one of the areas going into Tier 3 when lockdown ends on Wednesday.

When searching the site, detectives found DJ equipment, Class A drugs and a knuckleduster.

Chief superintendent Andy Beard described the event as "extremely dangerous" for the attendees and officers.

"It's extremely disappointing that some are still not grasping that such events only increase the risk of spreading a deadly virus," he said.

"We're currently under national restrictions and the region will then go into the highest tier due to the number of COVID-19 cases next week.

:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

"It's unacceptable when people recklessly ignore the rules and put themselves and others at risk of catching the disease. It's also unacceptable that officers should be attacked while going about their duties.

"We've seized equipment, drugs and a weapon and we'll be looking to ensure there will be no repeat again."

England has been in a nationwide lockdown since 5 November, which means people are allowed to only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as going to work or school, for medical appointments or to go food shopping.

Socialising with other people indoors has been restricted. People are only allowed to meet others indoors who are part of their household or support bubble.

On 2 December, the tier system is due to be enforced again, which sees areas across the country being faced with different rules depending on the severity of infection rates.

Over the past fortnight, a total of 8,192 cases of COVID-19 have been logged in Birmingham.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LXBvbGljZS1wZWx0ZWQtd2l0aC1ib3R0bGVzLXdoaWxlLWJyZWFraW5nLXVwLWxvY2tkb3duLXdhcmVob3VzZS1yYXZlLTEyMTQ2MzY30gF1aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LXBvbGljZS1wZWx0ZWQtd2l0aC1ib3R0bGVzLXdoaWxlLWJyZWFraW5nLXVwLWxvY2tkb3duLXdhcmVob3VzZS1yYXZlLTEyMTQ2MzY3?oc=5

2020-11-30 04:52:30Z
CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LXBvbGljZS1wZWx0ZWQtd2l0aC1ib3R0bGVzLXdoaWxlLWJyZWFraW5nLXVwLWxvY2tkb3duLXdhcmVob3VzZS1yYXZlLTEyMTQ2MzY30gF1aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LXBvbGljZS1wZWx0ZWQtd2l0aC1ib3R0bGVzLXdoaWxlLWJyZWFraW5nLXVwLWxvY2tkb3duLXdhcmVob3VzZS1yYXZlLTEyMTQ2MzY3

Covid infections in England fall by 30% over lockdown - React study - BBC News

Coronavirus infections in England have fallen by about a third over lockdown, according to a major study.

Some of the worst-hit areas saw the biggest improvements - but, despite this progress, cases remained high across England.