Babak Belurs

Jumat, 10 Maret 2023

UK to help fund detention centre in France to stop Channel crossings, Sunak and Macron announce - Sky News

Britain will payout £480m over the next three years in a deal struck between Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron to tackle small boat Channel crossings, including helping fund a detention centre in France.

The fresh package agreed between the prime minister and the French president will also see the deployment of hundreds more French personnel patrolling the beaches.

PM suggests European countries will copy UK's tough migration approach - politics latest

Other measures include:

Additional drones, aircraft and surveillance technologies
A new 24/7 coordination centre with permanent UK liaison officers
Increased cooperation between the National Crime Agency and its French counterpart

Mr Sunak said: "I have made it one of my five priorities to stop the boats.

"We are delivering on that priority to stop people coming to the UK illegally.

"Last year I agreed the largest ever small boats deal with France to increase UK-funded patrols by 40%.

"This week I announced measures to ensure nobody who enters the UK illegally can remain here.

"We don't need to manage this problem, we need to break it.

"And today, we have gone further than ever before to put an end to this disgusting trade in human life. Working together, the UK and France will ensure that nobody can exploit our systems with impunity."

Mr Sunak has held talks in Paris with his French counterpart aimed at bolstering efforts to tackle the migration crisis.

More than 3,000 people have already made the perilous sea journey this year, with almost 46,000 arriving by unofficial routes in 2022.

Earlier in the week, the Tory government unveiled controversial plans to curb Channel crossings would see refugees arriving by boats detained, removed and banned for life from claiming asylum in the UK.

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2023-03-10 14:48:45Z
1825016486

UK economy: Schools and football boost January growth - BBC

By Dearbail Jordan

Business reporter, BBC News

The economy grew by more than expected in January, helped by higher school attendance and the return of Premier League football after the World Cup.

Official figures showed the economy expanded by 0.3%, rebounding from a sharp fall in December.

The prime minister said "confidence is returning" with the economy "better than people had feared".

The data comes ahead of the Budget next Wednesday when the chancellor will set out the government's growth plans.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the latest economic figures showed the government's "plan is working, that it's the right one and we need to stick to it".

January's growth followed a 0.5% contraction in the economy during December. However, the ONS figures also showed that the economy stagnated in the November to January period compared with the previous three months.

"Today's results show our economy is still inching along this Tory path of managed decline," said Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow chancellor.

What is GDP and how does it affect me?

Darren Morgan from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which collects and publishes the data, said the main factors behind January's growth were "the return of children to classrooms, following unusually high absences in the run-up to Christmas, the Premier League clubs returned to a full schedule after the end of the World Cup and private health providers also had a strong month".

"Postal services also partially recovered from the effects of December's strikes."

In education, school absences rose in December due to a spike in winter flu, Covid-19 as well as rising rates of Strep A, which can lead to scarlet fever.

The return of more children to school helps to boost the economy as it is deemed to increase the output of the education sector. The ONS said the education sector grew by 2.5% in January following a fall of 2.6% the month before.

Activity in arts, entertainment and recreation also grew, mainly due to the return of Premier League football.

Analysis box by Faisal Islam, economics editor

These numbers are better than expected but the economy still has not grown over three months - and that is what is expected again between January and March.

Consumers have proven more resilient so far to the rise in energy prices and interest rates.

The Budget forecasts next week will be from a better baseline than feared last time, thanks to energy prices starting to fall.

While avoiding a formal recession entirely is now possible, for now the overall trend in the economy is flat, with tax rises and the full effect of higher interest rates to come.

However, the figures for January showed a fall in output in both the manufacturing and construction sectors.

"Looking beneath the surface, the figures suggest the economy is on weaker ground than it appears," said Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics.

She added that strike action in February may have hit growth and the impact of successive interest rate rises is yet to be felt by parts of the economy.

Last month, ambulance workers, teachers, nurses and some in the rail industry walked out.

"So we doubt January's strength will last and our hunch is that there will still be a recession," said Ms Gregory.

However, other economists were more upbeat including Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, which predicted that the UK will avoid a downturn.

A recession is usually defined as two three-month periods in a row when the economy shrinks.

What is a recession and how could it affect me?

The UK reported flat growth between October and December and Goldman now expects flat growth to continue in the first three months of this year.

The UK continues to grapple with a high rate of price rises, or inflation, leading to a squeeze on the cost of living.

While it has fallen back slightly in recent months as wholesale gas prices have ticked lower, inflation remains at its highest level for nearly four decades.

The Bank of England has raised interest rates to 4% - the highest since 2008 - in an attempt to quell inflation. While that benefits some savers, it has also raised pressures on many mortgage holders.

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2023-03-10 10:10:01Z
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Prince Edward given Duke of Edinburgh title previously held by his father Prince Philip - Sky News

Prince Edward has been named the new Duke of Edinburgh, taking his late father's title.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, it said Prince Edward will take on the title from today, 10 March, his 59th birthday.

Following the death of Prince Philip in 2021, Edward took over many of his responsibilities, including the development of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The title will be held by Edward for his lifetime. He will also remain the Earl of Forfar, but will use the Duke of Edinburgh because it is the more senior title.

His wife, Sophie, the former Countess of Wessex, is now the Duchess of Edinburgh and their 15-year-old son James, Viscount Severn, is the new Earl of Wessex.

"The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip's legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential," the palace statement read.

Despite the title being hereditary in the past, James will not take on the dukedom when Edward dies.

Viscount Severn will become the Earl of Wessex and Forfar when the title of The Duke of Edinburgh reverts to the Crown, the palace said.

Philip had always wanted his youngest son Edward to inherit his title, but the decision was down to Charles, who briefly inherited the dukedom after his fathers death, but never used it.

Despite agreeing to his father's wishes in 1999, Charles was reported to be reluctant to hand Edward the title when he became king, as he is known to favour a slimmed-down monarchy.

In order to grant it to Edward, Charles would have issued a new Letters Patent - an document from a sovereign issued under the Great Seal of the Realm.

The changes in titles have already been updated on the royal family's official website.

The line of succession, on royal.uk, lists Edward as the Duke of Edinburgh as now 13th in line, with his son James 14th in line, as the Earl of Wessex.

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2023-03-10 09:03:27Z
1831929026

UK weather: Travel chaos as motorists stranded for six hours on M62 in snow blizzards - The Telegraph

Motorists have been left stranded for six hours as blizzards of of heavy snow bring travel chaos to Britain.

Drivers on the M62 in northern England were trapped in eight miles of gridlock overnight after snow of up to 15 inches fell, with further 50mph gales, blizzards and snowfall expected on Friday.

In scenes described as "absolute carnage" and likened to "a car park", mountain rescue teams aided some on the trans-Pennine motorway near Rochdale, with three hour delays remaining on Friday at rush hour.

The Met Office has issued three amber warnings, meaning potential "risk to life and property", for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, where further "significant disruption" to transport and schools is expected and thousands of households are without power.

Meanwhile, commuters are facing chaos on the railways, with widespread cancellations on key commuter lines between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, York and Liverpool and passengers told not to travel.

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2023-03-10 09:08:16Z
1831799798

Mapped: Where snow will fall on Friday as amber warnings issued - The Independent

New maps have revealed where snow will fall as the UK is gripped by freezing temperatures.

As temperatures continue to plummet amidst the Arctic blast, areas across the UK have been swept by snow and ice, with the Met Office issuing weather warnings across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

All areas north of Birmingham have been issued with a combination of yellow and amber warnings. Following snowfall across northern England on Thursday morning, snow will continue to fall throughout the afternoon and overnight into early Friday morning.

10-20cm of snow is anticipated to fall in areas with amber warnings issued, including parts of Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. Strong, easterly winds will also accompany snowfall, facilitating blizzards which will likely drift existing snow.

Yellow and amber warnings issued across England and Wales for Friday 10th March

(The Met Office)

Elsewhere, yellow warnings have been issued amidst northern and eastern Scotland as snow and hail showers will continue to fall. This warning has been set between 17:00 on Thursday and 10:00 on Friday, with roads and railways likely to be impacted.

In these areas, the Met Office has predicted between two and five centimetres of snow. Icy stretches are expected on untreated roads, particularly during the evening and nighttime amidst the darkness.

Yellow and amber warnings issued across Scotland for Friday 10th March

(The Met Office)

Much of north Wales has also been issued with a yellow warning, in place from 07:00 on Thursday until 14:00 on Friday. The Met Office has advised that snowfall could transition into sleet or rain, particularly in the south of the warning area and the eastern coasts.

Yellow and amber warnings issued across Wales for Friday 10th March

(The Met Office)

Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, though covered by the yellow warning, are not expected to have heavy snowfall with between two and five centimetres.

Across northern England, “significant accumulation” – of between 10 and 15 centimetres - is anticipated across hilly areas including South and West Yorkshire, extending to Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.

Yellow and amber warnings issued across Northern Ireland for Friday 10th March

(The Met Office)

In some areas, between 25 and 40 centimetres could fall, the Met Office has further warned.

Ireland has also been impacted by the cold spat, with The Irish Meteorological Service forecasting that residual rain, sleet and snow in the east will clear into the Irish Sea on Friday morning.

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2023-03-10 06:01:03Z
1825892712

Kamis, 09 Maret 2023

Gary Lineker says he does not fear BBC suspension over asylum policy tweet - BBC

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By Charley Adams

BBC News

Gary Lineker has said he does not fear BBC suspension in an impartiality row over a tweet criticising the government's asylum policy.

The Match of the Day host has tweeted that he is "looking forward to presenting" the show on Saturday.

Lineker had compared the language the government used to set out asylum plans to "that used by Germany in the 30s".

Speaking to the BBC, the home secretary said the comment "diminishes the unspeakable tragedy" of the Holocaust.

Despite the intense criticism, Lineker expects to be retained as a presenter. The BBC has not commented.

He wrote on social media: "Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting [Match of the Day] on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It's been overwhelming."

Suella Braverman told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast the Nazi comparison used by Lineker was "lazy and unhelpful".

The home secretary said her family "feel very keenly the impact of the Holocaust" as her husband is Jewish and said it was "offensive" to draw the comparison.

When it was put to her by host Nick Robinson that Lineker was passionate about the rights of asylum seekers, she said the Germany comment was an "unhelpful way to frame the debate".

Why Lineker's comments present problem for the BBC

The BBC said on Wednesday it was having a "frank conversation" with Lineker about the BBC's guidelines on remaining impartial following his Twitter remark.

Asked by a reporter if he regretted the post, the host answered: "No".

Pressed on whether he had spoken to the BBC director general, he said he had and that they "chat often". Asked if he stood by the tweet, he said: "Course".

Speaking in the Commons earlier on Thursday, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said Lineker's remark was "disappointing and inappropriate" and referenced her grandmother who escaped Nazi Germany.

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Ms Frazer said it was "important for the BBC to retain impartiality if it is to retain the trust of the public who pay the licence fee" but that the broadcaster is "operationally independent" of the government.

Former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale urged the government to ensure "all those who are presenters on the BBC" - including freelancers like Lineker - were covered by impartiality rules when the charter was reviewed.

But Richard Sambrook, the BBC's former director of global news, said on Twitter it had "become unsustainable for the BBC to force freelance presenters to fall in line with BBC policies in their non-BBC activities".

He added that the policy was "full of fudge" and the BBC needed to clarify "to what extent impartiality rules extend beyond news".

On Tuesday, Suella Braverman outlined the government's plans to ban people arriving in the UK illegally from ever claiming asylum, in a bid to address a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats.

Opposition MPs and charities have strongly objected to the proposals, but the PM and home secretary have defended the plan, saying stopping the crossings is a priority for the British people.

Lineker's remarks have been widely criticised by Conservative MPs but he has received support by many on social media who oppose the government's proposals.

In response to some of the criticism, Lineker tweeted on Wednesday: "I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no choice."

Lineker, 62, who has presented Match of the Day since 1999 also works for LaLiga TV.

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The corporation's former editorial policy controller Richard Ayre said the presenter had a choice to make over his role at the BBC.

He said Lineker must consider whether to stay or to leave and "become a social media influencer".

Mr Ayre, a former member of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom's content board, said it was "unacceptable" to have someone who works for the BBC "comparing Suella Braverman to the third Reich".

Asked whether BBC director general Tim Davie may have to let the sports presenter go, Mr Ayre told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think he is going to have any choice but to let him go unless he can be certain that this is the end of it."

The former BBC trustee was also asked about BBC chairman Richard Sharp, who is facing criticism over his role in facilitating a £800,000 loan for then-prime minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Ayre said the BBC's chairman was "hanging by an absolute thread", adding: "It is quite likely that, within the next few days or weeks, we'll perhaps see two heads roll - one from the left and one from the right, the chairman and Gary Lineker.

"And then, maybe, once each side has scored a goal, we can get back to normal business."

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By Charley Adams

BBC News

Gary Lineker has said he does not fear BBC suspension in an impartiality row over a tweet criticising the government's asylum policy.

Asked by reporters outside his home whether he stood by his tweet, the Match of the Day host said: "Course".

Lineker had compared the language the government used to set out asylum plans to "that used by Germany in the 30s".

The culture secretary said the presenter's tweets were "disappointing and inappropriate".

Lucy Frazer said it was "important for the BBC to retain impartiality if it is to retain the trust of the public who pay the licence fee".

The BBC said on Wednesday it was having a "frank conversation" with Lineker about the BBC's guidelines on remaining impartial.

Lineker was asked by a group of reporters outside his London home on Thursday whether he feared "getting suspended" and he answered: "No."

As he walked around his car, Lineker said he "always" talked to the BBC, adding that he chats often to the director general.

He was asked by a reporter if he regretted sending the tweet "at all" and he answered: "No."

As Lineker leaned out of the car, another reporter asked: "Do you stand by what you said in your tweet?" Lineker replied: "Course."

Why Lineker's comments present problem for the BBC

The corporation's former editorial policy controller Richard Ayre said the presenter had a choice to make over his role at the BBC.

He said Lineker must consider whether to stay or to leave and "become a social media influencer".

On Tuesday, the government outlined its plans to ban people arriving in the UK illegally from ever claiming asylum, in a bid to address a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats.

Opposition MPs and charities have strongly objected to the proposals, but the PM and home secretary have defended the plan, saying stopping the crossings is a priority for the British people.

Lineker's remarks have been widely criticised by Conservative MPs and ministers, including Downing Street.

In response to some of the criticism, Lineker tweeted on Wednesday: "I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no choice."

Lineker, 62, who has presented Match of the Day since 1999 also works for LaLiga TV.

Responding to a question in the Commons Ms Frazer said: "As somebody whose grandmother escaped Nazi Germany in the 1930s I think it's really disappointing and inappropriate to compare government policy on immigration... to events in Germany in the 1930s.

"The BBC is operationally independent and I'm pleased the BBC will be speaking to Gary Lineker to remind him of his responsibilities in relation to social media."

Former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale said the BBC's requirement to be politically impartial should cover "all those who are presenters on the BBC" and urged ministers to ensure the mid-term review of the BBC's charter would "cover enforcement of this rule on freelancers as well as full-time employees".

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Mr Ayre, a former member of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom's content board, said it was "unacceptable" to have someone who works for the BBC "comparing Suella Braverman to the third Reich".

The former BBC trustee was also asked about BBC chairman Richard Sharp, who is facing criticism over his role in facilitating a £800,000 loan for then-prime minister Boris Johnson.

"And then, maybe, once each side has scored a goal, we can get back to normal business."

Jumat, 10 Maret 2023

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Kamis, 09 Maret 2023

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