7th Mar 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=19 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Financial Times Bombardier the most important employer in the Unionist strongholds of Northern Ireland is putting pressure on the regions Democratic Unionist party to drop its objections to Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal as a critical vote in Westminster nears. The Canadian aircraft manufacturer which employs almost 4000 people at four separate Belfast factories has kept a relatively low public profile over Brexit compared with other UKbased manufacturers. But the increasing threat of Britain leaving without a deal has prompted Bombardier to warn the DUP which has fiercely criticised Mrs Mays deal in the past of the serious consequences on its Northern Ireland operations of a hard exit according to people familiar with the discussions. https://www.ft.com/content/e144e72a-3f6b-11e9-9bee-efab61506f44 6th Mar 2019

Jobs at Risk

ITV News Production of electric and hybrid cars will not be introduced to Ellesmere Port until the outcome of Brexit is decided Vauxhalls parent company has warned. Carlos Tavares chief of Groupe PSA said that investment could not be ploughed into the Cheshire plant before the political situation becomes clearer. Speaking to ITV News Mr Tavares argued that the introduction of electric cars would represent a very big business decision for PSA. He also offered his own opinion that a nodeal Brexit scenario would be a disaster for both Britain and continental Europe. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-05/vauxhall-no-further-ellesmere-port-investment-until-brexit-outcome-decided 6th Mar 2019

Jobs at Risk

Wirral Globe The boss of Vauxhalls parent company has said there will no further investment in the Ellesmere Port plant until the fate of Brexit is known. Carlos Tavares chief executive of Groupe PSA which took over Vauxhall in 2017 also warned a nodeal outcome would be a disaster for Britain and the rest of Europe. Mr Tavares made the comments during an ITV News interview at the annual Geneva car show on Tuesday. https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/17479771.no-investment-at-vauxhall-ellesmere-port-plant-until-brexit-sorted/ 6th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Sky News The OECD has slashed its growth forecasts for the UK and warned that a nodeal Brexit could plunge the economy into recession. It now predicts that Britain will see GDP increase by just 0.8 this year even with a deal and that without one the outlook will be significantly weaker. The economic thinktank said the increase in tariffs resulting from a nodeal outcome and move to WTO trade terms would take 2 off GDP over the next two years. It also pointed to the risks of supply chain bottlenecks declining business confidence and financial market disruption which could add to the adverse effects on the economy already seen since the 2016 EU referendum. https://news.sky.com/story/oecd-warns-no-deal-brexit-could-plunge-uk-into-recession-11656597 6th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Belfast Telegraph A nodeal Brexit could cause a sharp rise in unemployment in Northern Ireland the head of the civil service said. Inability to prepare EU tariffs and significant changes to exports could cause business distress failure or the relocation of some companies to the Republic a report from David Sterling said. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/nodeal-brexit-could-cause-sharp-unemployment-hike-ni-civil-service-chief-37881969.html 5th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Sky News The Bank of England has announced it will activate crisisera emergency swap lines with the European Central Bank ECB to keep foreign exchange markets functioning throughout the Brexit period. The Bank said it was taking the action to ensure that banks do not run short of cash if there is a nodeal Brexit. The move predicted in a Sky News report last year underlines that even in the event of a hard Brexit in which the UK abruptly severs its ties with the European Union the UK would remain reliant on liquidity and support from Frankfurt. https://news.sky.com/story/crisis-era-swap-lines-to-return-ahead-of-brexit-11655689 6th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Reuters Sterling would lose around 9 percent of its current value against the dollar and trade at 1.20 in the immediate aftermath of Britain leaving the EU without a deal a Reuters poll of foreign exchange strategists predicted. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-forex-poll-sterling-idUKKCN1QO04K?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&amputm_content=5c80b4df1adf640001fda35d&amputm_medium=trueAnthem&amputm_source=twitter 7th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

The Telegraph Europes moneyprinting programme pumped hundreds of billions of pounds into the UK the central bank for central banks has found pushing down interest rates even further in Britain. Quantitative easing QE pushes down longterm interest rates in an effort to stimulate economic growth. But because this was happening on a grand scale just across the Channel from Britains major financial centre as much as 300bn of the European Central Banks QE ended up buying assets from institutions in the UK in the schemes first three years. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/03/06/ecb-cut-uk-interest-rates-pumping-300bn-britain/ 6th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

LSE Blogs In a wide ranging look at Brexit and its relationship to the business decisions being taken the authors say according to a recent survey by the Institute of Directors 29 of UK companies have relocated or plan to relocate some operations abroad due to Brexit uncertainty https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/how-brexit-has-hit-the-value-of-uk-firms/?utm_source=feedburner&amputm_medium=email&amputm_campaign=Feed%3A+BritishPoliticsAndPolicyAtLse+%28British+politics+and+policy+at+LSE%29&ampfbclid=IwAR1OKSdqc0mUoSGCKlwbDjr-5eJjj5zi2ySzqLQ7hD6NvUJMZG6CpR6jGLo 5th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Motoring Research As many as 45 percent of garages have taken steps to get ready for Brexit and possibility of no deal by switching to UKbased suppliers. A study by WhoCanFixMyCar surveyed a network of independent garages across the UK. It found that one in six garages have been stockpiling parts ahead of the projected EU exit date of Friday 29 March. More than half 52 percent of garages anticipate an increase in labour costs after Britain has left the EU. And almost two thirds believe drivers will be hesitant to get repairs done for fear of cost increases. More than half of garages also predict that parts will be more expensive with 42 percent saying the availability of parts in the UK postBrexit was in doubt. https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/garages-brexit-price-rises/ 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BreakingNews.ie A recent trial involving 80 trucks had been a farce he said as 10000 trucks go through the UK port of Dover daily. How could you possibly make that a useful test We are 17 working days from a potential no deal Brexit which will be very unfortunate indeed for truck drivers facing 20km long queues and for the rest of us who rely on supplies 95 of which come on trucks. https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/uks-brexit-preparations-shambolic-haulage-chief-says-909034.html 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

STV The plan is crazy it is deeply unsettling. Under UK government plans around 185000 people living for years but EU citizens by birth have to apply for settled status after Brexit and go on a register. With 25 days to go until the UK leaves the EU STV News heard some of their concerns. https://stv.tv/news/politics/1436008-eu-citizens-brand-registration-insulting-ahead-of-brexit/ 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Hospitals are likely to experience delays to cancer testing and treatment regardless of the result of next weeks Brexit vote BBC Newsnight has learned. The Royal College of Radiologists has told doctors to prepare for possible delays for some drugs used to detect cancer if there is a nodeal Brexit. It says clinicians should reduce their workload in the days after 29 March when the UK is due to leave the EU. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47462762 5th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Evening Standard Train services from Paris to London were delayed and there were huge queues today as French customs staff staged Brexitstyle security checks at the Gare du Nord. The border officials imposed a worktorule as they demanded a boost to their workforce to deal with extra checks after the UK quits the European Union. As passengers and trains were hit by delays of up to two hours one border guard declared This will be what it is like after Brexit. Back to 1970s. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/huge-queues-as-french-customs-staff-stage-brexit-drill-for-eurostar-at-gare-du-nord-in-paris-a4084316.html 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Times A third of British billionaires have moved to tax havens after an exodus over the past decade a Times investigation has found. They are among 6800 Britons controlling 12000 UK firms from lowtax jurisdictions. The Exchequer is denied billions a year but many of the bosses still reap the benefits of British assets. Some have bankrolled political parties while living offshore as successive governments have failed to enact a law passed in 2009 that would have banned large donations from anyone resident abroad for tax purposes. Many have been awarded honours or hold titles with at least one viscount one baron six knights and one dame among the billionaires. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-third-of-british-billionaires-have-moved-to-a-tax-haven-zk6q53rtd 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Which? How will a no deal Brexit impact food prices and will there be food shortages What foods will be most impacted Weve spoken to the British Retail Consortium to better understand how your supermarket shop would be affected https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/03/what-would-a-no-deal-brexit-mean-for-your-supermarket-shop/ 6th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Financial Times Marek Kohn recounts a personal journey as he sought a passport from the country of his fathers not his birth Poland across a two year time period as Brexit forces many people to think about who they are and where they belong https://www.ft.com/content/526292ea-3a1c-11e9-b72b-2c7f526ca5d0?segmentId=0052c4bc-c54e-19c6-b165-8800c56b8254&ampcampaign=brexit 1st Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Downing Street has insisted the meaningful vote on Theresa Mays Brexit deal will go ahead as promised on Tuesday despite negotiations in Brussels stumbling. The prime ministers spokesman repeated the line on Wednesday that the government is determined to secure legally binding changes to the Irish backstop despite the attorney general Geoffrey Cox returning emptyhanded from the talks. Shortly before leaving Brussels he conceded strong views had been expressed during three hours of robust discussions. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/06/no-sign-of-progress-after-robust-brexit-talks-in-brussels 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The government was defeated on Labours amendment 13 in the House of Lords. The amendment makes it an objective of the government during negotiations to pursue a free trade deal allowing the UK to stay in a customs union with the EU after Brexit. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2019/mar/06/brexit-latest-news-pmqs-mays-offer-to-protect-workers-right-dismissed-as-worthless-by-labour-and-unions-politics-live 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Efforts by British negotiators to win changes to Theresa Mays Brexit deal are going badly after talks in Brussels broke up without any progress to report and the EU Commission warned that no solution is in sight. Exasperated Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has said he had no legal texts or draft legal texts to consider following several rounds of meetings between the UK and EU. A spokesperson for the EU Commission said on Wednesday morning that while the talks take place in a constructive atmosphere discussions have been difficult and that no solution has been identified at this point that is consistent with the withdrawal agreement. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-deal-negotiations-theresa-may-barnier-geoffrey-cox-irish-backstop-a8809926.html 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa May is set to visit Brussels this weekend in an attempt to clinch changes to her Brexit deal ahead of a crunch Commons vote next week. The prime minister is expected to meet senior EU figures following negotiations over the last fortnight as she desperately seeks tweaks in a bid to win the support of backbench Tory Brexiteers. Ms May also announced measures to shore up postBrexit workers rights designed to maximise support for her deal among Labour MPs. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-deal-may-brussels-trip-changes-support-a8809051.html 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian A senior Democratic Unionist party MP has insisted the party can only support Theresa Mays revised Brexit deal if the withdrawal agreement itself is amended to make the Northern Ireland backstop timelimited or allow the UK to withdraw unilaterally. Sammy Wilson the DUPs Brexit spokesman also dismissed worries about the impact on the region of a nodeal Brexit saying warnings about this on Tuesday from the head of Northern Irelands civil service were politically motivated. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/06/dup-wont-back-brexit-without-guarantees-on-backstop-says-mp 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Talks to save Theresa Mays Brexit deal stalled last night after European Union negotiators refused to give Geoffrey Cox the attorney general reasonable assurances on the Irish backstop. Three and half hours of talks in Brussels between Michel Barnier the EUs lead negotiator Mr Cox and Stephen Barclay the Brexit secretary ended in a badtempered stalemate. Negotiations will now go to the wire this Friday running into the weekend to try to find guarantees that will enable Mr Cox to change his legal advice on the Irish backstop before the crucial Brexit vote in the House of Commons next Tuesday. There are very sensitive discussions. We are into the meat of the matter now. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stalemate-for-brexit-backstop-talks-in-brussels-bnrnftx2t 7th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times By now if Theresa Mays Brexit strategy had gone to plan the UK prime minister would be on the cusp of a famous victory. In her quest to secure House of Commons backing for her Brexit deal before Britains March 29 scheduled departure date and to reverse a previous shattering defeat Mrs May has been seeking the support of three vital groups of MPs. Here the FT looks at Mrs Mays prospects of winning over each of the three groups. https://www.ft.com/content/7893266a-4024-11e9-b896-fe36ec32aece 7th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Deutsche Welle Michel Barnier has informed...that while the talks take place in a constructive atmosphere discussions have been difficult said Margaritis Schinas spokesman for the European Commission the blocs executive. No solution has been identified at this point that is consistent with the withdrawal agreement including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland which will not be reopened Schinas said. https://www.dw.com/en/brexit-in-23-days-eu-says-still-no-solution-in-negotiations/a-47794199 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The UK has been urged to table fresh proposals within the next 48 hours to break the Brexit impasse. EU officials said they would work nonstop over the weekend if acceptable ideas were received by Friday to break the deadlock over the Irish backstop. The UK has said reasonable proposals to satisfy MPs concerns about being tied to EU rules had already been made. There have been few visible signs of progress ahead of Parliaments second vote on the Brexit deal next Tuesday. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47476942?ns_mchannel=social&ampns_source=twitter&ampns_linkname=news_central&ampns_campaign=bbc_politics 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph So as we begin the Meaningful Vote Part 2 vortex hurtling toward climax in the House of Commons next week the Prime Minister has rolled the pitch with tasty sweeteners to Labour MPs in Leavesupporting seat to save her miserable deal from yet another shellacking. It displays again a typically tonedeaf approach speaking to a patrician mindset from Remainers that all it really takes is a few baubles and soothing words about immigration and the whole sorry contraption can be pushed over the line The UK would be locked permanently into international treaty obligations from which it will take years to disentangle. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/05/brexiteers-playing-long-game-will-never-vote-theresa-mays-miserable/ 5th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian An academic study commissioned by the Guardian involved close analysis of the speeches of leaders who have served 40 countries to ascertain levels of populist discourse. The surprising finding in relation to May is partly explained by Brexit the issue that has defined her premiership and dominated the UKs political conversations since the referendum to leave the European Union in 2016. Researchers identified several examples where May offered a romanticised description of ordinary working people pitted against a selfserving elite a defining feature of populism https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/06/theresa-may-british-prime-minister-populism-rhetoric-is-as-rife-as-in-donald-trump-speeches 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Remain Tory MPs will meet on Thursday with senior members of Emmanuel Macrons government to discuss extending Article 50 as a path to a second referendum The Telegraph can reveal. Dominic Grieve the former Attorney General will hold a meeting with Nathalie Loiseau the French Europe minister and other senior French politicians in his office. It came as Nick Boles and Oliver Letwin two Tory MPs pushing for a softer Brexit held a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss their plans. They have backed calls for a Norwaystyle Brexit described as Common Market 2.0 that would see Britain stay inside the European Economic Area after Brexit. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/06/exclusive-dominic-grieve-hosts-french-minister-discussions-article/ 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent If no deal actually materialises it seems likely wed see a further significant fall in sterling pushing up import prices and inflation and reducing real wages. Considerably more worrying however would be the impact on consumer and business confidence and hence spending. Businesses would be hit by rising input prices resulting both from the fall in sterling and the need to replace EU imports with more expensive ones sourced from outside the EU. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/brexit-votes-commons-uk-economy-jobs-wages-theresa-may-deal-a8809911.html 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian What the KyleWilson amendment does is give the people a chance to choose between real options either Brexit via Mays deal or remain. Provided the amendment is in place both are on the table both are agreed by the EU and both are implementable now. And it has a third advantage it offers at least some hope of mending bridges. If during the debate preceding the public vote more MPs were to speak the truth about the Good Friday agreement some Brexiters who want greater freedom than Mays deal offers might come to understand why any version of Brexit has to be so tightly constrained https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/06/brexit-kyle-wilson-amendment 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent One of Jeremy Corbyns shadow ministers has admitted to organising a campaign to stop a fresh Brexit referendum despite Labours backing for the policy. Gloria Del Piero refused to answer questions about how her campaigning could be squared with her frontbench role as a spokeswoman for justice issues. Critics said Mr Corbyns complete lack of leadership on Brexit would be underlined if he allowed shadow ministers to openly oppose party policy to push for a second public vote. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-gloria-de-piero-brexit-second-referendum-policy-jeremy-corbyn-a8810801.html?fbclid=IwAR00Ifxq-gEcwUXyG1u9I7-MoSRpMuuEUbd3FRxWm38cwKjCFhXGlmmZGTM 6th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home The party will hold internal elections to determine who they want to take over the Labour places that were lost when former members defected last month. Select committee places are allocated on a party basis at the start of each Parliament following a General Election. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/102298/labour-launches-bid-purge-independent-group-mps 5th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jeremy Hunt is to promise the government will step up international efforts to prevent overseas cyberattacks on elections while insisting the UK has never succumbed to such outside interference. A number of groups have called for an investigation into allegations that Russia was behind interference before the 2016 EU referendum and for a wider examination of the role of foreign companies in the campaign. In a speech in Glasgow the foreign secretary will warn that without concerted global action cyberattacks could turn some elections into tainted exercises robbing the governments they produce of legitimacy. An advance trail of Hunts speech said he would however be making clear that we have seen no evidence of successful interference in UK polls. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/07/jeremy-hunt-vows-to-step-up-fight-against-election-cyber-attacks 7th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Analysis by The Kings Fund and Nuffield Trust of the 2018 British Social Attitudes survey found 53 of the public were satisfied with the health service down 3 from the year before and at the lowest since 2007. The figure clashes with an historic high of 70 in 2010 which followed a decade of increasing satisfaction from 38 in 2001. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/health-and-care/nhs/news/102334/public-satisfaction-nhs-drops-lowest-level-over-decade 7th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK MPs will have a chance to force Theresa May into a softer Brexit after peers passed an amendment calling on the government to take all necessary steps to form a customs union with the EU. Peers voted by 207 votes to 141 majority 66 to amend the trade bill in the House of Lords to make it the prime ministers objective to strike a UKEU trade deal which includes a customs union. It means MPs will have a binding vote on customs union membership a key Labour demand when the legislation returns to the Commons in the coming weeks. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-could-be-forced-into-a-soft-brexit-after-peers-back-customs-union-membership_uk_5c8005f1e4b0e62f69e92591 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Channel 4 News Channel 4 spoke with the former Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni who described Brexit as the biggest mistake by a European country since the Second World War in a wide ranging interview https://www.channel4.com/news/former-italian-pm-paolo-gentiloni-brexit-biggest-mistake-by-a-european-country-since-war 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent The airlines chief executive warned It doesnt resolve any of the fundamental issues. And that is the same people Boris Johnson Jacob ReesMogg Liam Fox who were promising us for the last two years that this trade deal will be the easiest one in history have failed to deliver anything in the last two years. Well be back here again at the end of 2020 wondering what the hell are the UK government are going to do https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/brexit-ryanair-michael-oleary-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-latest-a8810011.html 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Red Pepper In a nodeal scenario these 3 or so million assuming they wish to remain here can apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain for up to 36 months. Then EU citizens face further applications for a different immigration status from 1 January 2021 onwards. https://www.redpepper.org.uk/a-hostile-environment-for-eu-citizens/ 5th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Irish Times Northern Ireland residents who wish to assert their Irish nationality and EU citizenship rights after Brexit are inadequately protected by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement a delegation from Northern Ireland told the EU Brexit task force on Wednesday. UK Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay and attorney general Geoffrey Cox returned to London following fruitless difficult discussions with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Tuesday evening. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/uk-accused-of-not-honouring-dual-citizenship-commitments-1.3816393?mode=sample&ampauth-failed=1&amppw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fuk-accused-of-not-honouring-dual-citizenship-commitments-1.3816393#.XIAXoA20X2A.twitter 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The Public Law Project which acted on the JCWIs behalf said Following key concessions to the claim by the home secretary JCWI have today withdrawn their claim. It said the agreement would have implications for hundreds of thousands of citizens nervous about their status because they were elderly a carer a stayathome parent mentally ill a student homeless or out of work through no fault of their own. As part of the settlement the government has expressly confirmed that it will not refuse settled status to anyone who is economically active works parttime or those who do not have private health insurance. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/06/home-office-amend-registration-rules-vulnerable-eu-citizens-charity-threat-judicial-review?CMP=share_btn_tw 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun Eleventh hour talks for a new Brexit deal were last night on the verge of collapse as EU chiefs clashed bitterly with Cabinet ministers in Brussels. With just five days to go before a final showdown Commons vote British and EU negotiators hit deadlock over a compromise on the Irish backstop. No10 admitted that Attorney General Geoffrey Coxs meeting with Michel Barnier was difficult and the pair had a robust exchange of views diplomatic code for a blazing row. It even emerged that the senior eurocrats deputy Sabine Weyand told EU ambassadors last night that the two sides are so far apart they will today discuss whether its even worth holding any further meetings. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8578411/brexit-collapse-brussels/ 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Liam Fox was asked again if his podcast presented value for taxpayers money he said It depends how many of the businesses that actually listened to it actually became exporters. If all 9000 who listened to it became exporters then Id say that was a successful project. If none of them did I would question its value for money but that will depend on the review that we have to get data. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/liam-fox-defends-spending-100000-14094599 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Jeremy Corbyn has said he is looking at all the options to prevent a nodeal Brexit after he met Tory MPs to discuss alternatives to the PMs deal if it rejected again by Parliament. The Labour leader held talks with exTory ministers Nick Boles and Sir Oliver Letwin who favour a closer Norwaystyle relationship with the EU. He said he had discussed the socalled Common Market 2.0 option but would not commit to backing it at this stage. The UK is due to leave on 29 March. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47477869 7th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Jeremy Corbyn is working with Tory backbenchers to try to reach a soft Brexit deal that can get the support of Parliament. The Labour leader held indepth talks with a crossparty group of MPs who are backing a Norwayplus style Brexit. Afterwards he said felt more certain and more determined than ever that a sensible compromise could be struck. Mr Corbyn hopes to secure a close economic relationship with the EU after Brexit that would keep both Leave and Remain voters happy. And he wants to move beyond Brexit to concentrate on crucial domestic issues that are currently being neglected. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/jeremy-corbyn-working-tory-backbenchers-14098202 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post Labour party staff are considering strike action after rejecting a belowinflation pay offer made by general secretary Jennie Formby. In a move that would cause Jeremy Corbyn huge embarrassment some workers at the partys HQ are threatening industrial action if a better deal fails to materialise HuffPost UK has been told. On Wednesday the GMB unions Labour branch rejected an offer of a 600 flat rate increase in salary and later this week Unite colleagues are expected to follow suit sources said. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-hq-staff-threaten-strike-action-after-rejecting-below-inflation-pay-offer_uk_5c801277e4b06ff26ba51716 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Dr Andrew Mumford answered the Committees question What do these states do what do they want Fundamentally they want to disrupt the decisionmaking process within competitor states he told Parliament. Essentially acts of hybrid war try to put a competitor state on the horns of a dilemma. Overreaction looks like you are the belligerent one underreaction leaves elements of your national critical infrastructure at risk. Everything is done below the threshold of response. Those clear lines of command and control are not there they are very murky. Donnelly told the committee he believes deterrence is to some extent impossible and that the UK may need to actively wage hybrid war on its competitors a tactic that the UK does not currently use in order to deter attacks. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/03/06/we-are-at-war-with-putin-mps-told-his-aim-is-to-divide-europe/ 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News The National Crime Agency is leading an investigation into a suspected cyber attack on a British institute that seeks to counter Russian disinformation Sky News can reveal. Whitehall sources said it is highly likely that Russias military intelligence service carried out the hackandleak of files from the littleknown Institute for Statecraft. The move may have been in response to Britain implicating the GRU in the Salisbury spy poisoning last year and pledging to shine a light on the agencys covert activities they said. Mr Donnelly who speaks Russian and is an expert on the Kremlin and Russian military strategy said the hackers used sophisticated techniques not leaving behind easytospot tracks which he said was a further indication of a Kremlinsponsored attack. https://news.sky.com/story/highly-likely-moscow-hacked-uk-agency-countering-russian-disinformation-11656539 6th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has faced calls to resign after telling MPs that killings by the military and police during The Troubles were not crimes. Amid a backlash at her remarks the cabinet minister was forced to return to the House of Commons hours later on Wednesday to clarify that she was not referring to any specific cases. Ms Bradley continued The under 10 that were at the hands of the military and police were not crimes they were people acting under orders and instructions fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way. https://news.sky.com/story/calls-for-northern-ireland-secretary-karen-bradley-to-resign-over-not-crimes-claim-11657113 6th Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Times Ministers were accused of leaving businesses in the dark last night as it emerged they could cut up to 90 per cent of import tariffs under a nodeal Brexit. Industry leaders expressed fears of a shock if Britain departed the European Union without an agreement this month and axed duties that shield domestic companies from foreign competition. Corporate concern over Brexit disruption was heightened after Sky News reported that the Department for International Trade planned to cut more than 80 per cent of tariffs on goods if Britain left the EU without a deal on March 29. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/business-in-dark-over-plans-to-cut-trade-tariffs-rjmx7xwvl 6th Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian The government is under fire over a secret plan to cut up to 90 of tariffs in the event of a nodeal Brexit. Sky News reported late on Tuesday that the government was planning to slash tariffs on 8090 of goods if the UK left with no deal which would benefit consumers but damage the competitiveness of many British factories and farms. Anna Turley a Labour MP on the business energy and industrial strategy select committee said the reported tariff cuts were unbelievable. Is the government giving up all pretence of Britain being able to make anything any more This will open the door to floods of imports from steel to ceramics she tweeted. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/06/brexit-government-accused-of-keeping-bonfire-of-the-tariffs-secret-to-avoid-no-deal 6th Mar 2019