“Suella Braverman has announced her intention to deliver mass deportations of people seeking UK asylum to Rwanda “at scale and as soon as possible” after the high court ruled that the policy was lawful. The home secretary brushed away condemnation from Labour MPs for lacking compassion and told the Commons the government had been vindicated for its £140m deal with the central African country. Appearing before parliament, she declined an invitation to put a date on when the first flight would take off, but added: “I spoke with my Rwandan counterpart, Vincent Biruta, and we both confirmed our joint and steadfast resolve to deliver this partnership at scale as soon as possible.” – The Guardian
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>Yesterday:
“Britain isn’t a racist country, Rishi Sunak said last night. And he highlighted that Britain now had its first British Asian Prime Minister after he entered No10 earlier this year. Speaking to reporters in Riga, Latvia, as he met leaders to strengthen efforts to counter Russian aggression, Mr Sunak said: “I absolutely don’t believe that Britain is a racist country. “And I’d hope that as our nation’s first British Asian Prime Minister when I say that it carries some weight.” He insisted he was “really proud” of his country, culture and beauty – and to champion the monarchy around the world.” – The Sun
>Yesterday: Peter Franklin’s column: Twelve years, ten achievements – what the Conservatives have accomplished
“Rishi Sunak today warns striking workers he will hold out against their ‘unreasonable’ pay demands for months if necessary. In an interview with the Mail, he flatly rejects reports that he is preparing to climb down in the trial of strength with union leaders. He says he is ‘incredibly disappointed’ by the industrial action threatening to paralyse key services, ‘particularly at Christmas, particularly when it impacts people’s health’. And the Prime Minister warns striking paramedics not to follow through with their threat to refuse help for those in distress during Wednesday’s strike, including any elderly who suffer a fall.” – Daily Mail
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Editorial:
>Yesterday: David Hare in Comment: The Government is right to put patient choice at the heart of NHS reform – but there’s much more to do
“The European Union has announced rules for veterinary medicines bought by Northern Ireland businesses will see an extension of pre-Brexit arrangements until the end of 2025. In a move that sees the bloc backtracking from its fight against the Government on the full implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, EU Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said that current arrangements for veterinary medicines entering Northern Ireland, and also reaching Cyprus, Ireland and Malta from Great Britain, will be extended until December 2025. The EU Brexit negotiator said the decision was a sign the bloc has “shown determination to find joint solutions with the United Kingdom government”.” – Daily Express
>Today: ToryDiary: The Government seems to have no plan to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol standoff
“Rishi Sunak has ordered a review of military support to Ukraine but Downing Street has rejected claims that he has resorted to a “Goldman Sachs dashboard” approach to the war. A No 10 spokesman said Sunak had asked for an audit of progress in the war but said it was to ensure the UK was delivering the “best possible assistance”. The internal assessment of the impact of Britain’s military aid to Ukraine, reported by BBC Newsnight, led to fears among government figures that the prime minister was taking an overly cautious approach to the war. A Whitehall source compared the move to a “Goldman Sachs dashboard”.” – The Times
“Jeremy Hunt, chancellor, will deliver the first official UK Budget since 2021 on March 15 next year, with a focus on how to deliver more economic growth and get people back into the workplace. The last formal Budget was delivered in October last year by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, when he was chancellor, but since then a series of six ad hoc energy support packages and increasingly chaotic fiscal statements have been delivered by the Treasury. Hunt on Monday asked the Office for Budget Responsibility, the UK fiscal watchdog, to prepare forecasts for a Budget on March 15, when the chancellor’s famous red box will make its first outing for almost 18 months.” – FT
>Today: Phoebe Arslanagić-Wakefield in Comment: The support that has a real impact on getting young people into work
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Hunt’s City reforms. Neither a Brexit-led revolution, nor a return to pre-2008.
“Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “staining the benches” of the House of Lords after Tom Watson was formally sworn in as the latest member of the upper chamber. Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, Labour’s former deputy leader, took his seat in the House of Lords on Monday, after he was recommended for the position by the Labour leader. His appointment has attracted controversy over his claim that a VIP paedophile ring operated in Westminster and his hounding of Lord Brittan, the former home secretary, falsely accused of rape and child abuse… Lord Watson, twice a deputy leader of the party, was recommended for a peerage by Sir Keir two years after the House of Appointments Commission blocked his application.” – Daily Telegraph
>Today: Malcolm Gooderham in Comment: Why a hung Parliament is more likely than a Labour majority government