Rishi sunak

Downing Street suggested yesterday that the Tories ’ target for reducing net migration to tens of thousands has finally been ditched. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said 270,000 a year would be ‘the logical place to start’ when asked what threshold the Government wanted to get numbers below. It is the first time Rishi Sunak ’s government has put a rough figure on what it will try to get net migration to fall below. Asked if reducing it to tens of thousands was still possible, the PM’s spokesman distanced himself from the target, saying ministers weren’t going to put a ‘specific number’ on it. But they insisted that Mr Sunak remained ‘committed to lowering overall migration, that hasn’t changed’. It comes after net migration was this week forecast to settle at around 245,000 a year in the long-term despite Mr Sunak’s pledge to reduce overall immigration. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said 270,000 a year would be ‘the logical place to start’ when … [Read more...] about Has Rishi Sunak abandoned Tories’ target of reducing net migration to under 100,000?

Rishi Sunak 'confident' only 20 Tory MPs could rebel against Brexit deal in crunch vote SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Rishi Sunak is "confident" a maximum of just 20 Tory MPs could rebel against his Brexit deal at a crunch vote next week, it has been claimed. MPs will get their first chance to vote on the PM's agreement with the EU on post- Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland in the Commons next Wednesday. Related articles Ask a Red Wall MP your burning questions HERE Arch-Remainer Tony Blair hails Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal No 10 has decided to hold the vote as it is "confident" only 20 Conservative MPs will rebel, TalkTV reports. Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke said the figure … [Read more...] about Rishi Sunak ‘confident’ only 20 Tory MPs will rebel against Brexit deal in crunch vote

JOE Biden has hailed the post-Brexit Windsor agreement — ahead of a Commons vote next week. The US president said he fully backed the UK-EU deal. He said he had spoken to PM Rishi Sunak about the new trading arrangements for Northern Ireland . Mr Biden welcomed Irish premier Leo Varadkar to the White House on St Patrick’s Day and told him: “I very strongly supported the Windsor framework, which I know you do too.” US vice-president Kamala Harris said it was an “essential step to ensure peace and progress” in the region. Downing Street said it was the “best deal for the people of Northern Ireland” and it “resolves the fundamental issues that we know the protocol was having on day-to-day lives”. READ MORE NORTHERN IRELAND DUP EU ROW Unionists demand more changes to Rishi Sunak's new Northern Ireland Brexit deal BANGERS & SMASHED IT Rishi Sunak hails new NI Brexit deal to end 'sausage wars' A … [Read more...] about Joe Biden backs Rishi Sunak’s Northern Ireland Brexit deal ahead of Commons vote

Talks to get the UK to rejoin the EU’s Horizon Europe research funding programme may begin in weeks (Image: Getty Images) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Talks to get the UK to join the EU’s £83billion Horizon Europe research funding programme could begin in just “weeks”, it has been reported. This comes just days after Rishi Sunak announced his new deal with the European Union to reform post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland . The news may come as a relief to the scientific community, many of whom have expressed concern that the UK’s “Plan B” alternative to the EU funding programme would struggle to match the scale and efficiency of the well-established Horizon scheme. Related articles UK could face more … [Read more...] about UK to begin talks to rejoin £83bn EU scheme in ‘weeks’ after Sunak strikes new Brexit deal

HEALTH unions backed a five per cent pay rise for next year. They halted strike action ahead of a ballot on the Government ’s “final offer”. The deal also gives NHS staff a two per cent rise on last year’s settlement and a one-off “backlog bonus” worth at least £1,250. PM Rishi Sunak hailed the “reasonable” offer and urged other striking workers to resume talks, as the Government claims it would make a newly qualified nurse around £4,640 better off than two years ago. He opened the door to other sectors getting round the table to reach a similar breakthrough and end months of walkout hell. After a fortnight of intense talks, the main health unions yesterday agreed to pause walkouts while they ballot members an d said they would be recommending the offer to them, READ MORE HEALTH NEWS STRIKE A DEAL NHS strikes on ice as ministers and unions FINALLY seal a 'final offer' HEALTH CHECK From sarcasm to money mishaps - … [Read more...] about NHS strike action halted as health unions back ‘final offer’ five per cent pay rise

Jeremy Hunt won't commit to tax cuts before next election SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Conservatives have failed to make a dent in Labour's lead this week despite Jeremy Hunt providing support for parents and pension tax relief in his Budget on Wednesday. The Techne UK tracker poll of 1,624 voters for Express.co.uk has given Labour a 17 point lead for a second week in a row ending an apparent comeback by the Tories. Related articles Minister backs Francois's bid to take back control of Britain's roads Priti Patel leads Tory MPs backlash against 'visas for trade' plan According to the survey Labour is on 47 percent (up 1) with the Conservatives on 30 percent (up 1). The Lib Dems … [Read more...] about Tories left stranded 17 points behind Labour as ‘uninspiring’ Budget fails to reduce gap

Rishi Sunak 'confident' only 20 Tory MPs could rebel against Brexit deal in crunch vote SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Described as the "first shot fired" in a trade war between London and Brussels over Brexit terms, MEPs agreed to impose restrictions on Britain if it failed to comply with its obligations. Announcing the new law on Wednesday, Irish MEP Sean Kelly tweeted: "Today, we signed into law a regulation empowering the @EU_Commission to impose trade restrictions should the UK breach its obligations under post- Brexit trading agreements. With EU-UK relations in a better place, this is a mechanism that I hope we never have to use." Related articles UK expats can use driving licences in Spain … [Read more...] about ‘First shot fired’ in trade war between EU and UK as Irish MEPs ‘cosy up’ to Brussels

NHS staff were offered a £2.5 billion package to end months of strikes (Image: GETTY) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Nurses are among one million health service workers who will receive a five per cent increase in April and a one off bonus of at least £1,655 to top up this year's salary settlement. The deal, which must now be voted by union members, follows compromise on both sides following weeks of talks. Related articles Pay deal finally 'agreed' to end months of NHS strikes The pay deal is acceptable but it is by no means perfect Royal College of Nurses chief Pat Cullen has hailed Daily Express readers for their support for her members during the industrial action. She said: “This feels like a … [Read more...] about Nurses overjoyed as Express crusade helps force ‘breakthrough’ £2.5billion pay deal

Pumps poser WHY is the Government still allowing diesel drivers to be ripped off as they fill up? Wholesale prices are at a 15-month low. But retailers now pocket 19p a litre profit instead of 9p last year. Freezing fuel duty , as the Chancellor did, makes no difference to White Van Man if forecourts carry on profiteering. The RAC says if just one major retailer did the right thing and cut prices to justifiable levels, rivals would follow suit. But that is exactly the effect the Government could bring about permanently with a new Pumpwatch regulator to monitor and publicise prices. READ MORE ON FUEL PRICES PUMP PAIN Drivers are furious at Tesco over big change at supermarket's fuel pumps DIESEL DO VERY NICELY Fuel duty down & pensions up, Sun readers give verdict on Budget Why did the Budget not mention it? Out to Africa FOR all the carping at the “unworkability” of the Rwanda … [Read more...] about Why is the Government still allowing diesel drivers to be ripped off as they fill up?

Ben Wallace grilled by Tobias Ellwood on new defence budget SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's defence spending commitments won't be enough to save the UK's "hollowed out" armed forces, a Conservative MP warns. Senior Tory Tobias Ellwood said that because £3billion of the £5billion total will be allocated to defence nuclear enterprises and the new AUKUS submarines pact between the UK, US and Australia, the remaining cash won't be enough to bolster UK forces. Related articles Nick Ross defends Fiona Bruce over Question Time row POLL: Should Britain 'spend billions' to thwart rising power of China? He told Express.co.uk: "Crunch the numbers, remove costs for AUKUS, … [Read more...] about ‘Hollowed-out’ Army faces financial black hole despite £5bn boost as ‘storm clouds gather’