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Public trust has been “eroded” by ministers flirting with diluting food and animal welfare standards in post-Brexit trade deals, an official report is warning.An independent commission – which trade secretary Liz Truss agreed to set up – demands that protections are maintained and calls for them to be enhanced, in the years to come.“With busy lives, people often don’t have the time to scrutinise what they buy and expect the reassurance that the government has this in hand,” it states.“For some, this trust in the framework of standards has recently been eroded. High environmental, ethical and animal welfare standards that have been built up in our domestic food system, over many decades.“They appear to be threatened by the potentially pernicious impact of signing agreements with countries whose food standards appear to be weaker than our own.”Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayA pledge that chlorinated chicken would be outlawed was dropped, before Ms Truss was forced to reinstate it after a revolt by Conservative backbenchers.She was then forced to give teeth to the new Trade and Agriculture Commission, to make it properly independent, permanent and with the power to scrutinise each trade agreement.In its first report, the Commission backs the government’s policy to liberalise trade in food and agriculture with other countries, following withdrawal from the EU.But it tells ministers this should be balanced with a commitment to “international leadership by the UK on climate, environment, animal welfare and ethical trade”.“We will not see a backsliding on standards. We are recommending very solidly that our standards remain,” said Tim Smith, its chairman and the former chief executive of the Food Standards Agency.“We need to balance the need to be open to liberalised trade with the importance of long-established UK standards.”Vicki Hird, of the coalition Sustain, welcomed the focus on protecting food standards, but added: “However, they seem to prioritise trade liberalisation over other considerations.”The National Farmers Union also welcomed the report, but said the government must set out urgently “how those trade-offs are managed and weighed”.One trade expert, David Henig, said the report showed “the Commission couldn’t actually agree on a way forward “ and was “an opportunity missed”.“No potential solution is likely to be acceptable to both farmers and supporters of a US trade deal among the members,” he warned. More

It is “up to the Scottish people” whether to stage a second independence referendum, a Cabinet minister says – despite Boris Johnson suggesting he would block it.The prime minister is expected to infuriate many Scots by refusing to grant the poll – even if the SNP triumphs in May’s Holyrood elections – after saying it should be many decades away.On a visit last month, Mr Johnson branded so-called Indyref2 “completely irrelevant to the concerns of most people”, who instead wanted politicians to “beat this pandemic”.But Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, has now undermined that tough stance, saying: “It’s up to the Scottish people to decide when and whether they want a referendum.”The comments will be a boon to Nicola Sturgeon, as she battles to save her career against Alex Salmond’s explosive allegations of a cover-up of the investigation into the abuse claims against him.Mr Kwarteng was asked whether he agreed with Mr Johnson’s latest criticism that another referendum was “irrelevant, uncalled for and unnecessary”.“I’ve always thought that the issue of Scottish independence is something for the people in Scotland,” he told Sky News.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekday“I do remember, in 2014 I think it was, that they said that the referendum would settle the issue for 25 years, for a generation.“And I am surprised at how often it’s come back, but it’s up to the Scottish people to decide when and whether they want a referendum.” On the Sturgeon-Salmond feud, Mr Kwarteng added: “I’m not going to be drawn in on the internal politics of the SNP – let’s just see what happens in the Hollywood election in May.”In order for the Scottish government to stage a second referendum, Westminster must grant a Section 30 order, under the 1998 Act that set up the Edinburgh parliament.Ms Sturgeon has raised the stakes by planning to stage an advisory independence referendum if, as expected, that permission is refused.Last month, Mr Johnson ducked a question about whether the pro-Union side would boycott an advisory referendum, saying: “My focus is on defeating the pandemic.” A delighted Kirsten Oswald, the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader, said: “Mr Kwarteng is absolutely correct that the people of Scotland – not Boris Johnson – have the right to decide their own future.“The UK government seem to be waking up to the reality that their anti-democratic position of denying people in Scotland that right is completely unsustainable.”Ministers have been urged to stage two referendums, as the best way to keep the United Kingdom together – and idea put forward by both Michael Gove and John Major.The first should be on the principle of independence, but with a second ‘yes’ vote – on the outcome of the negotiations – required for Scotland to actually leave the Union, the former prime minister said. More

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce more than £400m in support for the arts and culture sector in a bid to help museums, theatres, galleries and live music venues reopen in the coming months.In a slew of announcements ahead of Wednesday’s Budget statement, the Treasury said Mr Sunak would also unveil a £300m sports recovery package – with a “significant chunk” going to cricket as fans prepare to return to stadiums this summer.Mr Sunak is also set to pledge £150m to help communities take over pubs which have been badly-hit by the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.It comes as former Conservative party leader William Hague said “some business and personal taxes” would have to go up during the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.Lord Hague, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said those who opposed some form of tax rises in the current climate were buying into “dangerous illusions”.Amid intense speculation about possible tax increases, Boris Johnson was keen to dismiss the idea of new green levies penalising consumers and motorists in an interview with The Sun.The prime minister said he planned to use the UK’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2050 to “generate high quality, high skill, high wage jobs” and not to slap higher taxes on carbon-intensive foods such as meat.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayMr Sunak – criticised for releasing a “vain” Hollywood-style promo video ahead of his Budget – revealed a series of funding packages targeting trades which have seen profits knocked since the Covid outbreak began.As well as pumping another £300m into the government’s culture recovery fund, the chancellor will give £90m to national museums and cultural bodies, and another £20m to community cultural projects. More

As Britons look forward to a possible end to the coronavirus lockdown, millions of people are also anxiously awaiting the chancellor’s spring Budget announcement.Rishi Sunak will outline the government’s financial plans 3 March, when he expected to focus on “the next stage” of the UK’s Covid response.The economic fallout of the Covid-19 crisis led to the government borrowing record-breaking amounts, with the latest data showing it borrowed £8.8bn in January.Mr Sunak is once again under pressure to extend the furlough and business support schemes, which were introduced during the first lockdown last March.The government announced its roadmap out of lockdown on Monday, but businesses still have weeks and months to go before they can even begin to think about opening their doors and welcoming customers in again.Mr Sunak may also introduce a number of measures to bolster the economy and help some industries get back on their feet.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayAccording to reports, such measures may include cutting VAT and alcohol duty tax for restaurants and pub, extending the stamp duty holiday for homebuyers, and possibly vouchers for high street shoppers.Businesses have also urged him to extend the business rates holiday, which is set to end in April, to help them get through the year. However, it has been reported that officials are considering plans to increase corporation tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent to shore up government funds.Mr Sunak may also face opposition from Conservative MPs, who may rebel if the Budget contains sizeable tax hikes some have railed against.Downing Street warned on Thursday that Tory MPs who vote against the Budget could be stripped as a whip, as it would consider such votes as a confidence issue. More

Boris Johnson is believed to be trying to set up a charity to help pay for a costly makeover of his Downing Street flat, after protesting at the huge bill.The prime minister complained the cost of the refurbishment – carried out by his fiancée Carrie Symonds – was “totally out of control” and running to “tens and tens of thousands”, it was reported.The charity scheme would be based on one used by the White House to raise millions of dollars for interior design, antiques and art, the Daily Mail said.A multi-millionaire financier and Tory peer Lord Brownlow has been approached to run the charity, it said, with an application to register it with the Charity Commission underway.The idea could provoke claims of a conflict of interest if it is seen as a backdoor way of providing a financial benefit to Mr Johnson.While its official purpose would be to raise funds to preserve the heritage of Downing Street, the allegation is that it is motivated by the costs of the expensive makeover.An article in Tatler magazine claims the overhaul saw Ms Symonds removing all vestiges of Theresa May’s “John Lewis furniture nightmare”.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayIt says the main living area of the flat has been painted deep green and is often lit by candles, while the couple chose not to hang pictures from the government art collection.The decor is said to have been inspired by Lulu Lytle, a celebrated eco-interior designer, who makes furniture “based on traditional crafts, including blacksmiths”, the Mail said.The prime minister is said to have expressed concern last year, after being informed by the Cabinet Office that the maximum taxpayer contribution would be about £30,000.Despite his salary of £150,000 a year, Mr Johnson has taken a big pay cut because he earned £500,000 as a newspaper columnist and author before entering No 10, and has gone through an expensive divorce.He reportedly discussed asking Conservative donors to pay some of the bills, but – after being warned against it – his advisers came up with the alternative idea of a charitable fund.It would pay to maintain not just the No 11 flat, but also other parts of Downing Street, including the state rooms, allowing it to be presented as having a wider heritage purpose.Downing Street declined to discuss whether Mr Johnson had voiced worries about the cost of the refurbishment, or discussed asking Tory donors to help pay for it, or was exploring a charity, the Mail said.A No 10 spokesman said: “The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two ministerial residences.“As has been the case under successive administrations, refurbishments and maintenance are made periodically.“Matters concerning works on the Downing Street estate, including the residences, are covered in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.” More

David Cameron made a foray back into politics to criticise his successors in Downing Street over their handling of national security issues and international affairs.Appearing before the National Security Strategy Committee on Monday, the former prime minister said Theresa May made a “very bad mistake” allowing the role of Cabinet secretary and national security adviser to be merged, with Sir Mark Sedwill holding both roles during her tenure in Downing Street. “They are two jobs,” Mr Cameron told the committee. “For one person, even if you were a cross of Einstein, Wittgenstein and Mother Teresa, you couldn’t possibly do both jobs and I think that temporarily weakened the National Security Council.”On Boris Johnson’s decision to scrap the Department for International Development (DfID), which was merged with the Foreign Office last year, Mr Cameron said: “I think abolishing DfID is a mistake too for all sorts of reasons but one of which is actually having the Foreign Office voice around the table and the DfID voice around the table I think is important. They are not necessarily the same thing.“Can you really expect the foreign secretary to do all of the diplomatic stuff and be able to speak to the development brief as well? That’s quite a task, so I think it is good to have both.”Mr Cameron also insisted his calling of the Brexit referendum, the result of which forced his resignation, was “properly thought-through” and part of a “ grand strategy” for the UK, not “an afterthought” tagged on to the Conservative election manifesto to placate backbenchers.Asked about the calling of the referendum on leaving the European Union, the former Tory leader said: “The Brexit referendum was discussed and called in 2013, two years before the general election and three years before the referendum itself”.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayBut he admitted Mr Johnson had suffered from having to face both Brexit and the “immense challenge of the pandemic”, a dual-pronged assault has afforded the current government less time to consider foreign policy.“All the former prime ministers – we speak to each other from time to time – we’d all say we had difficult decisions to make and difficult circumstances to face, but nothing like this. This has been the greatest difficulty a government has had to face for 40 or 50 years,” Mr Cameron said.“So to be fair to the government, they have had these twin challenges to deal with.”Mr Cameron, who was prime minister from 2010 to 2016, said the Ebola outbreak in west Africa in 2013 helped remind his government about the threat of pandemics but admitted a “mistake” was made when putting in safeguards.He said: “The mistake that was made was that, in thinking about future pandemics, the focus was very much on influenza rather than on respiratory diseases.“And I’m sure there will be a big inquiry into what we learnt and all the rest, but I think there was a pretty good flu pandemic plan, but it was a flu plan rather than a respiratory diseases plan.“More should have been learnt from the experience with Sars and respiratory disease in terms of our own preparedness.”Mr Cameron also sought to highlight how his stewardship of the National Security Council had brought the Nato bombing mission in Libya to a successful conclusion. But he was not questioned about conflict which has raged in the country, with thousands killed, and Islamist extremism rising,  since he and French president Nicolas Sarkozy instigated the western military intervention leading to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.  The ex-PM assured the committee he did not want to make a return to politics, referencing Donald Trump rumoured bid for the Republican nomination for the 2024 US presidential election. “Thinking about Donald Trump making a comeback is enough to keep us all spinning over”, he said.  More

A single dose of Covid vaccine cuts the risk of hospital admission among older adults by as much as 80 per cent, new official figures suggest.Data released by the government shows those aged 70 and over given their first shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine were much less likely to become seriously ill. Described by the government as “exciting”, the results are good news for the UK’s vaccine programme, which has prioritised giving as many vulnerable and older people a single shot of vaccine as possible.It will also be of interest to other European countries, who have been slower to approve the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in particular for use in older people.While a second shot of vaccine is required for full protection from both vaccines, the success of the rollout means that “Covid admissions to intensive care units among people over 80 in the UK have dropped to single figures in the last couple of weeks”, health secretary Matt Hancock said.Mr Hancock told a Downing Street press conference that “a single shot of either the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine or of the Pfizer vaccine works against severe infection among the over-70s with a more than 80 per cent reduction in hospitalisations”.“This is extremely good news,” he added.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekday“In fact, the detailed data show that the protection that you get from catching Covid 35 days after a first jab is even slightly better for the Oxford jab than for Pfizer, albeit both results are clearly very strong.”Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the “bold” decision to delay the second dose so more older people could be protected by a single dose more quickly had “undoubtedly” saved many lives.He said: “These real world results from Public Health England demonstrate a very good effect from both vaccines after the first dose.“The Covid vaccination strategy was designed to prevent as many deaths as quickly as possible.“The bold decision to vaccinate more older people by delaying the second dose has undoubtedly saved a large number of lives.”Mr Hancock said the number of admissions to hospital was falling faster than that of the number of cases – particularly among the older age groups who were vaccinated first.“This is a sign that the vaccine is working,” he said.
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