“Cheered by tens of thousands outside Buckingham Palace, revered by millions more around the country, the Queen gave a masterclass yesterday in how a 96-year-old monarch should mark their Platinum Jubilee. Beaming with happiness as she took centre stage, for one magnificent sunny day it seemed as if the Queen had succeeded in pacing herself for the four days of festivities which lay ahead: unhurried, unruffled and very much in charge. This was her day, and one when it would have been churlish to let ailments and family discord spoil the sense of celebration… It may have been the first time in her reign that Trooping the Colour had taken place on Horse Guards Parade without her, but somehow that absence was never allowed to blemish the occasion. The mere fact that she was at Buckingham Palace, ready to make her appearance at the right moment, was enough.” – The Times
“Rishi Sunak has been accused of mounting a £17bn stealth raid on the oil and gas industry after the Treasury left the door open to levying his windfall tax for three years in a row. Unveiling the “energy profits levy” last month, the Chancellor said the controversial measure was expected to bring in just over £5bn for the Exchequer in 12 months. However, official guidance revealed the tax will remain in place until oil and gas prices “return to historically more normal levels” or the activation of a “sunset clause” in 2025. Industry insiders have warned that it means the windfall tax could end up raising £17.5bn – or around £5.5bn for three years in a row. Mr Sunak’s decision to impose the levy, which is being used to fund a package to support households with surging energy bills, has provoked a backlash from Tory MPs, with one accusing him of “throwing red meat to socialists”.” – The Daily Telegraph
“A leading Tory rebel has called for a “pause” in hostilities with Boris Johnson until MPs return to parliament after the Platinum Jubilee. Tobias Ellwood, who submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister over the Downing Street parties scandal, said politicians should defer to the Queen until next week. Asked about revelations in The Times yesterday that Johnson’s allies had accused those plotting against him of being “self-indulgent, narcissistic and contemptuous”, Ellwood told Times Radio he was “worried about the language now being used”. He said that in light of the jubilee celebrations “perhaps we should have a pause”. He added: “Maybe leave this until Tuesday when we return because I do worry about where it’s descending.” – The Times
“Lord Francis Maude, the former Conservative Cabinet Office minister, is being lined up to lead a review into how the civil service operates as the government embarks on a plan to shrink and reform Whitehall, according to several government insiders. Two senior civil servants told the Financial Times that the review, part of a “Declaration on Government Reform” launched in June last year by cabinet secretary Simon Case, has been delayed because of internal arguments over its scope. One well-placed Whitehall figure said some government ministers were pushing for the review to examine the potential for external political appointees to lead ministries instead of veteran civil servants. Individuals close to the process said Maude was being considered by Downing Street to lead the review. But one Cabinet Office insider cautioned “no decisions have been made”.” – The Financial Times
“There is no Brexit-sized hole in our workforce; not anymore. Immigrants now account for one in five workers in Britain, the highest ratio ever. Brexit certainly has made immigration less controversial: polls show far greater democratic consent under the new points-based system…The problem lies with the Brits. The low unemployment claim is a mirage. Britain has, in fact, been suffering a period of mass joblessness as big as any in our recent history. The proportion of people who are neither in work or looking for it is higher now than it was in the mid-1970s. More than five million people were claiming out-of-work benefits at the last count – a figure as big as the population of Scotland. But many of them don’t count as unemployed, because they’re not looking for jobs. So – presto! – they vanish from the national debate.” – The Daily Telegraph
“The government’s new flagship policy of bringing back imperial measurements is “complete and utter nonsense” and would add costs to businesses, the chairman of Asda has said. Stuart Rose, a Conservative peer, said the move planned by Boris Johnson to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee would be a step backwards and was designed to please a small minority of people who wanted to “hark for the past”. Downing Street confirmed earlier this week the government would consult on the policy of incorporating imperial measurements in Britain now that the country has left the EU. The Prime Minister is also planning to issue guidance to restore the crown on pint glasses in pubs. But Baron Rose, who is also a former boss of Marks and Spencer, told Times Radio: “The only polite word I can think of for your programme is, I’ve never heard such nonsense in my life.” – The I
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 100th day today – with Kyiv saying Moscow now controls 20 percent of the country’s territory as Vladimir Putin’s forces continue to hammer the eastern Donbas region. As more than 100,000 Russian troops massed on Ukraine’s borders in the days leading up to the February 24 invasion, analysts made dire predictions that Moscow’s armies would sweep to victory in a matter of days. Instead, Ukrainian forces have put up a fierce 100-day defence against Russia’s ‘special military operation’. Putin’s troops have been forced to set their sights on capturing the east of the country after being repelled from around the capital Kyiv, and have suffered massive losses at the hands of a highly capable Ukrainian resistance.” – The Daily Mail
“Dozens of migrants were rescued in small boats in the English Channel today with the number of people making the treacherous crossing to the UK nearing 10,000 people so far this year. As the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday celebrations began, it is understood up to 100 people were brought into the harbour at Dover throughout the morning although official figures are yet to be confirmed. Around 40 were seen being brought ashore on the Border Force vessel Typhoon, the group were mainly men – some elderly. Another 10 were seen on board the smaller Border Force boat Searcher. They were brought ashore in the harbour and escorted up the gangway to an immigration processing centre.” – The Daily Mail
“Joe Biden has called for Congress to ban assault weapons and raise the purchasing age to 21 in an attempt to tackle gun violence in America. In a speech to the nation delivered from the Cross Hall of the White House, the 46th President set out how he thinks America should respond to the “carnage” caused by shootings. Mr Biden used his speech to call for tougher background checks and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. He also voiced support for raising the minimum age to purchase guns to 21 and for repealing the liability shield which protects gun manufacturers from being sued for violence perpetrated by people carrying their weapons. The Commander-in-Chief said: “There are too many other schools, too many other everyday places that have become killing fields, battlefields here in America.”” – Daily Express
“Questionnaires sent to Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner by Durham police are “comprehensive” and include multiple questions about a non-league football shirt, The Times has been told. The Labour leader, his deputy and about 15 other members of Labour staff received formal written questions on Wednesday from detectives investigating whether they breached coronavirus rules last year. Starmer has vociferously denied that he broke the rules when drinking a beer and eating an Indian takeaway at an office in Durham on April 30 last year. The questionnaires are longer than some recipients expected, with one describing the document as “incredibly comprehensive”. As well as asking lots of questions about the beer which Starmer was filmed drinking, it asks about a Consett AFC football shirt that was presented to Starmer.” – The Times