Good Tuesday Morning.
Tuesday 8 January 2019 | 81 days until Brexit
Briefing By Nathan Shoesmith & Sam Haut
Three Points You Need To Know As You Wake Up
Theresa May hosted a Drinks Party last night at Number 10
Drinks Party At Number 10
Theresa May ended the Parliamentary recess in style, inviting Tory MPs for a drinks party on the first day of Parliamentary business for 2019. Critics of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, including Boris Johnson, were seen entering 10 Downing Street. Mrs May is thought to have been trying to gain support for her Brexit deal, which sources are suggesting will be voted on by MPs in the House of Commons next Tuesday.
10 Year Plan for NHS launched
Theresa May launched a 10-year plan for the NHS in Liverpool yesterday. Under the plans, up to 500,000 more lives will be saved in the next decade by improving treatment for major killers including heart disease and cancer. The plan, which has been described as a “blueprint to make the NHS fit for the future”, includes a pledge to spend an extra £4bn a year on a range of measures.
Criticism over No-Deal Brexit rehearsal
The Government has faced criticism after it paid out around £50,000 to lorry drivers for participating in a no-deal Brexit test on Monday. Labour MP, Ian Murray called the test “utterly ludicrous”. “It beggars belief that we are spending tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money to create a traffic jam for a dead-end Brexit.” Only 89 lorries participated in the trial of emergency traffic systems, far lower than the Department for Transport’s target of 150. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn told the House of Commons on Monday “The government is fooling nobody, these shambolic preparations are too little, too late”.
Politics On Today’s Front Pages…
The Metro – MPs have ‘serious concerns about the security situation’ around Parliament
Daily Express – Tory MP says extending Article 50 could be on the table as Commons vote looms
The Daily Telegraph – One in five middle class families faces child benefit cut in ‘stealthy’ changes
i – Liam Fox: ‘It’s time Britain stopped wallowing in misplaced fear around Brexit’
The Independent – US Supreme Court rejects Exxon challenge to climate change lawsuit that could reveal 40 years of documents
The Guardian – Kevin Spacey appears in court in Nantucket on indecent assault charg
The Daily Mirror – Government won’t pay £65 fee for EU citizen employees ‘settled status’ after Brexit
The Times – Millions of patients to see doctor by Skype under NHS plan
What To Watch Today
Topics to be discussed in Parliament today are set to include Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Finance and Congestion on the A40 in West Oxfordshire. The Brexit Debate will continue in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
And In Other News…
The President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim has announced he will step down in February, over three years ahead of his term being due to expire.
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You’re Up To Date
The Speaker. 2019
