'Brexit deal MUST be done this year!' -Labour rejects extension demands in shock statement - Express

Michael Gove has stressed that regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the EU, the Government is determined to leave the single market and customs union on the deadline. His shadow counterpart, Rachel Reeves, appeared to side with the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster on the "vital" need for a Brexit deal to be delivered. This appeared to break with Sir Keir Starmer's previous demands for constant delays when he was Shadow Brexit Secretary under Corbyn's Labour leadership.

Ms Reeves told the House of Commons: "It is vital that businesses and jobs are supported, and that the oven-ready deal that the country was promised is delivered upon this year.

"Yet frankly, many of us are worried about whether the oven was even turned on."

Ms Reeves also pointed to the "extraordinary" contents of a leaked letter from cabinet minister Liz Truss that was addressed to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and Mr Gove.

In the letter, Ms Truss raises concerns about border control post-Brexit, and expresses worry about possible smuggling between the UK and EU.

READ MORE: Labour's Hilary Benn demands post-Brexit border plan 'urgently'

Despite Sir Keir accepting the December deadline, notable Remainers such as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the Scottish Nationalist Party members petitioned the Government to change their minds.

Mr Khan broke ranks with his party and called for the Government to stop “putting dogma ahead of the national interest”.

The SNP had urged Labour and other opposition parties to back an extension to the Brexit transition period until the end of 2022.

However, the UK formally confirmed it would not seek an extension of the Brexit transition period beyond December last month, and the deadline for the request has now passed.

Mr Gove thanked her for her "comittment to working collaboratively" in order to ensure the best possible deal with the EU.

He told Ms Reeves: "It is the case that progress is being made.

"Still there are significant differences between ourselves and the European Union.

"But I did think it was significant and welcome, for example, in the joint committee that they conceded it would no longer be appropriate for the EU to have an office in Northern Ireland.

"This is an example of the flexibility, which I know Michel Barnier and the others are applying in the broader negotiations."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMif2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMzA4OTMyL2JyZXhpdC1uZXdzLWxhYm91ci1wYXJ0eS1sYXRlc3QtcmFjaGVsLXJlZXZlcy1taWNoYWVsLWdvdmUtc3RhdGVtZW50LXVrLWV1LXRyYWRlLWRlYWzSAYMBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwcmVzcy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLzEzMDg5MzIvYnJleGl0LW5ld3MtbGFib3VyLXBhcnR5LWxhdGVzdC1yYWNoZWwtcmVldmVzLW1pY2hhZWwtZ292ZS1zdGF0ZW1lbnQtdWstZXUtdHJhZGUtZGVhbC9hbXA?oc=5

2020-07-13 16:00:00Z
52780915083610

Coronavirus: PM says face masks ‘should be worn’ in shops - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Boris Johnson has said people in England "should be wearing" face masks or other coverings inside shops to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The prime minister said the government would decide in the next few days if "tools of enforcement" were needed.

The comments follow cabinet minister Michael Gove telling the BBC on Sunday that face coverings should not become mandatory in shops in England.

Labour has demanded "urgent clarity" from the government on the issue.

And the boss of Waterstones bookstores, James Daunt, said it "would not be right" to ask shop workers to "police" any new policy.

Face coverings are worn to help prevent wearers spreading coronavirus, rather than catching it.

Currently, they are compulsory on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and the Welsh government has announced it will enforce the same measure from 27 July.

In Scotland, coverings are also mandatory in shops, but not elsewhere in the UK - and critics have complained that the situation in England needs to be made easier for the public to understand.

Analysis by Helen Catt, political correspondent

The signs seem to point towards the government making face masks compulsory in more places in England, but ministers appear reluctant to commit just yet.

Michael Gove's preference for trying to encourage people to take action voluntarily - rather than through fear of enforcement - is one we've seen the government repeat throughout the pandemic.

But the risk that comes with it is of mixed messaging. Earlier, when coronavirus was more widespread, it said the scientific evidence for mask-wearing was not clear enough. Now, it says, the evidence is stronger.

Of course, the scientific understanding of the virus is constantly developing, and so policy is likely to as well.

If the government does now think masks are the way forward though, communicating that message without confusion is going to be key.

The World Health Organization says masks or homemade cloth face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets.

It changed its advice last month, having previously argued there was not enough scientific evidence to say that healthy people should use them.

Visiting ambulance staff in central London, Mr Johnson, whose government controls health policy in England but not the rest of the UK, said: "I think people should be wearing [face masks] in shops.

"And, in terms of how we do that whether we make it mandatory or not, we'll be looking at the guidance - we'll be seeing a little bit more in the next few days."

Mr Johnson added: "Throughout this crisis people have shown amazing sensitivity towards other people and understanding of the needs to get the virus down by doing things cooperatively.

"Wearing masks is one of them... It's a mutual thing; people do see the value of it. We'll be looking in the next few days about exactly how - with what tools of enforcement - we think we want to make progress."

The statement follows some confusion over the government's intentions in recent days.

The prime minister said on Friday: "I do think we need to be stricter in insisting people wear face coverings in confined spaces where they are meeting people they don't normally meet."

But on Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he did not think wearing masks in shops in England should be compulsory, adding that he would "encourage" them to do so "where they are likely to be mixing with others and where the ventilation may not be as good as it might".

He added: "I think that it is basic good manners, courtesy and consideration, to wear a face mask if you are, for example, in a shop."

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that "conflicting advice and conflicting statements from the government only hinder our fight against the virus".

He has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, asking him to "urgently set out the position on face coverings".

"As lockdown rules are further relaxed this week, it is vital that updated guidance on this issue is published by the government without delay," Mr Ashworth added.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers' union Usdaw, said "mixed messaging" on face coverings was "not helpful" for staff.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ00gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ0?oc=5

2020-07-13 14:26:15Z
52780916535881

Care workers do not qualify for health visa in new post-Brexit immigration plans - Sky News

Social care workers do not qualify for the government's new health and care visa under the UK's post-Brexit immigration system, Downing Street has confirmed.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has unveiled details of how the UK's new points-based system will operate when it comes into effect on 1 January next year, after EU freedom of movement rules end.

A health and care visa will provide a route for key health professionals to work in the UK.

However, this will not include social care workers, Number 10 revealed.

Image: The government is putting in place a new points-based immigration system

The prime minister's official spokesman said the government wants employers to "invest more in training and development for care workers in this country".

Advertisement

He said: "On care workers specifically, our independent migration advisers have said that immigration is not the sole answer here, which is why we have provided councils with an additional £1.5bn of funding for social care in 2021-22, as well as launching a new recruitment campaign."

Existing EU workers in the care sector could apply to stay in the UK through the settlement scheme "and a very large number have done so", the spokesman added.

More from Brexit

"Those people will remain in the UK providing really important care to the elderly and the vulnerable."

Speaking during a visit to London Ambulance Service on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will have a "humane and sensible" immigration system after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.

"Although of course we are going to be taking back control and we are controlling our immigration system we're not going to be simply slamming the gates and stopping anybody anywhere coming into this country," he said.

Asked if he thinks there will be enough people to coming into the country to work in the social care system, Mr Johnson replied: "I do.

"Don't forget, one of the amazing things we've seen in the last few months is actually there are more EU nationals, I'm proud to say, living and working in this country than we even thought.

"We're seeing huge numbers of people registering for their right to remain and that's great so we have a big, big stock of workers who are helping out in this country who have come from abroad."

Image: Boris Johnson said the UK would have a 'humane and sensible' immigration system

But the failure to include care workers in the new NHS visa was criticised in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director of Age UK, described the move as "patently the wrong decision".

"Reforming and refinancing care will take time, if it happens at all, so the prudent approach would be to keep the door open to EU-based social care staff at all levels for 3-5 years at least," she posted on Twitter.

The prime minister recently came under fire for claiming "too many" in the sector "didn't really follow the procedures" during the coronavirus crisis.

And Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds asked: "What does this government have against care workers?

"The latest papers on the proposed immigration system confirm that the Tories do not consider carers as skilled workers.

"Have they learned nothing from this crisis? We will be seeking urgent clarification on this."

:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Rehana Azam, national secretary of the GMB union, said the new immigration rules were "descending into an embarrassing shambles and makes no consideration or acknowledgement of the vital job care workers have been doing these past few months".

She added: "At a time when care is facing its greatest ever crisis, and with care homes reliant on hundreds of thousands of workers from outside Europe and facing staffing shortfalls, ministers are cutting off their noses to spite their faces."

Special report: The NHS - catastrophe brings change

Liberal Democrat leadership candidate Layla Moran said: "How can Boris Johnson clap for carers one day then refuse to give them a visa the next?"

The government's immigration plans also include provisions to ban foreign criminals sentenced to more than a year in jail from entering the UK.

The change means criminals from the EU would be treated the same as currently happens to those from non-EU countries.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NhcmUtd29ya2Vycy1kby1ub3QtcXVhbGlmeS1mb3ItaGVhbHRoLXZpc2EtaW4tbmV3LXBvc3QtYnJleGl0LWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXBsYW5zLTEyMDI3NjQ20gF4aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NhcmUtd29ya2Vycy1kby1ub3QtcXVhbGlmeS1mb3ItaGVhbHRoLXZpc2EtaW4tbmV3LXBvc3QtYnJleGl0LWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXBsYW5zLTEyMDI3NjQ2?oc=5

2020-07-13 12:12:57Z
52780913857257

PM says face masks ‘should be worn’ in shops - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Boris Johnson has said people in England "should be wearing" face masks or other coverings inside shops to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The prime minister said the government would decide in the next few days if "tools of enforcement" were needed.

The comments follow cabinet minister Michael Gove telling the BBC on Sunday that face coverings should not become mandatory in shops in England.

Labour has demanded "urgent clarity" from the government on the issue.

Face coverings are worn to help prevent wearers spreading coronavirus, rather than catching it.

Currently, they are compulsory on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and the Welsh government has announced it will enforce the same measure from 27 July.

In Scotland, coverings are also mandatory in shops, but critics have complained that the situation in England needs to be made easier for the public to understand.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says masks or homemade cloth face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets.

It changed its advice last month, having previously argued there was not enough scientific evidence to say that healthy people should use them.

Visiting ambulance staff in central London, Mr Johnson, whose government controls health policy in England but not the rest of the UK, said: "I think people should be wearing [face masks] in shops.

"And, in terms of how we do that whether we make it mandatory or not, we'll be looking at the guidance - we'll be seeing a little bit more in the next few days."

Mr Johnson added: "Throughout this crisis people have shown amazing sensitivity towards other people and understanding of the needs to get the virus down by doing things cooperatively.

"Wearing masks is one of them... It's a mutual thing; people do see the value of it. We'll be looking in the next few days about exactly how - with what tools of enforcement - we think we want to make progress."

Analysis by Helen Catt, political correspondent

The signs seem to point towards the government making face masks compulsory in more places in England, but ministers appear reluctant to commit just yet.

Michael Gove's preference for trying to encourage people to take action voluntarily - rather than through fear of enforcement - is one we've seen the government repeat throughout the pandemic.

But the risk that comes with it is of mixed messaging. Earlier, when coronavirus was more widespread, it said the scientific evidence for mask-wearing was not clear enough. Now, it says, the evidence is stronger.

Of course, the scientific understanding of the virus is constantly developing, and so policy is likely to as well.

If the government does now think masks are the way forward though, communicating that message without confusion is going to be key.

The prime minister said on Friday: "I do think we need to be stricter in insisting people wear face coverings in confined spaces where they are meeting people they don't normally meet."

But on Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he did not think wearing masks in shops in England should be compulsory, adding that he would "encourage" them to do so "where they are likely to be mixing with others and where the ventilation may not be as good as it might".

He added: "I think that it is basic good manners, courtesy and consideration, to wear a face mask if you are, for example, in a shop."

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that "conflicting advice and conflicting statements from the government only hinder our fight against the virus".

He has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, asking him to "urgently set out the position on face coverings".

"As lockdown rules are further relaxed this week, it is vital that updated guidance on this issue is published by the government without delay," Mr Ashworth added.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ00gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ0?oc=5

2020-07-13 12:02:07Z
52780916535881

PM says face masks ‘should be worn’ in shops - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Boris Johnson has said people in England "should be wearing" face masks or other coverings inside shops to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The prime minister said the government would decide in the next few days if "tools of enforcement" were needed.

The comments follow cabinet minister Michael Gove telling the BBC on Sunday that face coverings should not become mandatory in shops in England.

Labour accused the government of having "a lack of clarity" on the issue.

Currently, face coverings are compulsory on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and the Welsh government has announced it will enforce the same measure from 27 July.

In Scotland, coverings are also mandatory in shops, but critics have complained that the situation in England needs to be made easier for the public to understand.

Visiting ambulance staff in central London, Mr Johnson, whose government controls health policy in England but not the rest of the UK, said: "I think people should be wearing [face masks] in shops.

"And, in terms of how we do that whether we make it mandatory or not, we'll be looking at the guidance - we'll be seeing a little bit more in the next few days."

Mr Johnson added: "Throughout this crisis people have shown amazing sensitivity towards other people and understanding of the needs to get the virus down by doing things cooperatively.

"Wearing masks is one of them... It's a mutual thing; people do see the value of it. We'll be looking in the next few days about exactly how - with what tools of enforcement - we think we want to make progress."

Analysis by Helen Catt, political correspondent

The signs seem to point towards the government making face masks compulsory in more places in England, but ministers appear reluctant to commit just yet.

Michael Gove's preference for trying to encourage people to take action voluntarily - rather than through fear of enforcement - is one we've seen the government repeat throughout the pandemic.

But the risk that comes with it is of mixed messaging. Earlier, when coronavirus was more widespread, it said the scientific evidence for mask-wearing was not clear enough. Now, it says, the evidence is stronger.

Of course, the scientific understanding of the virus is constantly developing, and so policy is likely to as well.

If the government does now think masks are the way forward though, communicating that message without confusion is going to be key.

Face coverings are worn to help prevent wearers spreading coronavirus, rather than catching it.

The prime minister said on Friday: "I do think we need to be stricter in insisting people wear face coverings in confined spaces where they are meeting people they don't normally meet."

But on Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he did not think wearing masks in shops in England should be compulsory, adding that he would "encourage" them to do so "where they are likely to be mixing with others and where the ventilation may not be as good as it might".

He added: "I think that it is basic good manners, courtesy and consideration, to wear a face mask if you are, for example, in a shop."

Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday whether he was in the "mandatory perhaps" or "mandatory never" camp, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "I think I'm 'mandatory perhaps'.

"Wearing them in an enclosed space where you've got lots of people, for example a busy shop, seems to be sensible."

Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast Mr Buckland said Mr Gove had not been "saying that people should not wear masks or take any mitigating actions at all. It's clearly the case that wearing a mask is an act of altruism.

"It doesn't actually protect you from the disease, but it prevents inadvertent transmission by the wearer to somebody else."

He said he wore them himself when visiting small shops, and it was "very sensible" to do so in supermarkets at busy times.

Labour's shadow business minister Lucy Powell told the BBC News Channel: "We need clarity of message, so that people understand what's expected of them. When that's going to happen?"

She also asked whether the prime minister was "talking about a legal obligation" or "a culture change".

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ00gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTUzMzg4NDQ0?oc=5

2020-07-13 11:37:30Z
52780916535881

Care workers do not qualify for health visa in new post-Brexit immigration plans - Sky News

Social care workers do not qualify for the government's new health and care visa under the UK's post-Brexit immigration system, Downing Street has confirmed.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has unveiled details of how the UK's new points-based system will operate when it comes into effect on 1 January next year, after EU freedom of movement rules end.

A health and care visa will provide a route for key health professionals to work in the UK.

However, this will not include social care workers, Number 10 said.

"We want employers to invest more in training and development for care workers in this country," said the prime minister's official spokesman.

Advertisement

"On care workers specifically, our independent migration advisers have said that immigration is not the sole answer here, which is why we have provided councils with an additional £1.5bn of funding for social care in 2021-22, as well as launching a new recruitment campaign."

Existing EU workers in the care sector could apply to stay in the UK through the settlement scheme "and a very large number have done so", the spokesman added.

"Those people will remain in the UK providing really important care to the elderly and the vulnerable."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NhcmUtd29ya2Vycy1kby1ub3QtcXVhbGlmeS1mb3ItaGVhbHRoLXZpc2EtaW4tbmV3LXBvc3QtYnJleGl0LWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXBsYW5zLTEyMDI3NjQ20gF4aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NhcmUtd29ya2Vycy1kby1ub3QtcXVhbGlmeS1mb3ItaGVhbHRoLXZpc2EtaW4tbmV3LXBvc3QtYnJleGl0LWltbWlncmF0aW9uLXBsYW5zLTEyMDI3NjQ2?oc=5

2020-07-13 11:35:48Z
52780913857257

Foreign criminals jailed for over a year will be BANNED from Britain under tough new immigration rules - The Sun

FOREIGN criminals jailed for over a year will be barred from Britain under tough new immigration rules.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the beefed-up measures for Border Force and immigration officials today.

5

Priti Patel will announce a ban on foreign crims sentenced to more than a year in jailCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

In a new 130-page document, the Government revealed even criminals not sentenced to 12 months face being booted out of Britain.

It said: "Those already in the UK who are sentenced to 12 months or more in prison must be considered for deportation.

"Where the 12-month criminality deportation threshold is not
met, a foreign criminal will still be considered for deportation where it is conducive to the public good, including where they have serious or persistent criminality."

This includes persistent offenders such as pickpockets and burglars.

The document also warns those coming here they will have to follow the rules or face the consequences.

It says: “Migrants are expected to observe the conditions of their permitted stay and not to remain beyond the period of their lawful status. 

“Those who breach our immigration laws and rules place themselves at risk of exploitation by unscrupulous bodies such as organised crime groups and rogue employers and landlords.”

The change means criminals from the European Union are treated the same as currently happens to those from non-EU countries.

Under the present rules, convicted former lags from the bloc can only be excluded on a case-by-case basis.

Border Force and Immigration officials will be able to block the entry of those migrants found guilty of serious crimes in a migration crackdown.

5

Activists in London protest the new immigration bill the government has prepared, June 29Credit: Getty Images - Getty

This new criminality rule will affect anyone wanting to enter Britain who is deemed "not conducive to the public good.

The clause could thus allow ministers to snub hate preachers or other people hoping to settle in the country, but plan to stir up social tensions, the paper adds.

The crackdown is part of a raft of new immigration rules - a points-based system which will replace freedom of movement from January 1.

The new immigration system is designed to cut the number of low-skilled migrants entering Britain from the beginning of next year.

But it aims to make it easier for higher-skilled workers to get UK visas.

People who want to live and work here will need to gain 70 points to be eligible to apply for a visa.

5

Nick Thomas-Symonds says the changes will be examinedCredit: Twitter

5

Priti Patel says former lags are not welcomeCredit: PA:Press Association

Points will be awarded for key requirements like being able to speak English to a certain level, having a job offer from an approved employer, and meeting a minimum salary threshold.

A health and care visa will provide a route for key health professionals to work in the UK, while a graduate route will allow international students to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies.

Ms Patel said on Sunday: "The British people voted to take back control of our borders and introduce a new points-based immigration system.

"Now we have left the EU, we are free to unleash this country's full potential."

She said this would allow the government to, "implement changes we need to restore trust in the immigration system and deliver a new fairer, firmer, skills-led system from 1 January 2021."

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour would "scrutinise the proposals on visas very carefully".

HOL NEW WORLD

Big changes to holiday insurance, roaming charges & passports after Brexit

MANICURE MONDAY

Nail bars & tanning studios - all the places reopening TODAY

STUB IT OUT

Smoking OUTSIDE pubs and restaurants could be banned due to second-hand smoke

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Panto could return by Christmas as theatres & music restart outdoors

NO THANKS

John Lewis & Primark set to REJECT £30m bonus payment from Sunak to keep on staff

KICK OFF

Sports fans can watch live grassroots games from THIS weekend

"The Government has rushed through immigration legislation with very little detail in the middle of a global pandemic.

"There are real concerns that this will cause major problems for our NHS and our care sector."

Thomas-Symonds added that the changes came at a "time when we are still waiting for the Government to make good on their promise to scrap the unfair immigration health surcharge for workers who were being charged to access the very services they were keeping going to help others during the toughest of times."

5

The changes will result in beefed-up powers for border officials Credit: Alamy

Priti Patel urges people to go to pubs as jobs are at stake but be sensible and keep your distance

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiQGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN1bi5jby51ay9uZXdzLzEyMTA0NjQyL2ZvcmVpZ24tY3JpbWluYWxzLWJhbm5lZC_SAURodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdW4uY28udWsvbmV3cy8xMjEwNDY0Mi9mb3JlaWduLWNyaW1pbmFscy1iYW5uZWQvYW1wLw?oc=5

2020-07-13 10:00:00Z
52780913857257