skynewspolitics--2020-10-21--Brexit trade talks back on after EU says both sides must compromise

Trade talks between Britain and the European Union will resume later this week , Downing Street has said .
A Number 10 spokesperson said the development had been sparked by EU negotiator Michel Barnier 's statement in the European Parliament on Wednesday that both sides must be willing to compromise .
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month transition period , following EU rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free-trade deal .
Talks on the future relationship between the two sides stalled last week , with Downing Street insisting there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a change in stance from the EU .
According to Number 10 , Mr Barnier 's speech represents a `` fundamental '' shift in approach from Brussels and the two sides have now agreed a set of principles for an `` intensified phase of talks '' .
Mr Barnier told the European Parliament that a deal was `` within reach '' .
`` We will seek the necessary compromises on both sides in order to do our utmost to reach an agreement and we will do so right up until the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , '' he said .
`` Our doors will always remain open right up until the very end . ''
Responding to this , the Number 10 spokesperson said : `` As he [ Mr Barnier ] made clear , 'any future agreement will be made in respect of the decision-making autonomy of the European Union and with respect for British sovereignty ' .
`` Lord Frost [ the UK 's chief negotiator ] discussed the implications of this statement and the state of play with Mr Barnier earlier today .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready to welcome the EU team to London to resume negotiations later this week . ''
Fishing rights , the governance of any agreement and the so-called `` level playing field '' , which includes state subsidies , remain the key stumbling blocks .
Downing Street said it recognised that `` significant gaps '' remained between both parties and it is `` entirely possible that negotiations will not succeed '' .
If an agreement is not struck , Number 10 said the UK would end the transition period `` on Australia terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does with the EU being subject to tariffs and quotas .
It would not be a free-trade agreement .
`` It is essential now that UK businesses , hauliers , and travellers prepare actively for the end of the transition period , since change is coming , whether an agreement is reached or not , '' the spokesperson said .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove addressed around 250 business leaders on Tuesday , telling them that the UK would prosper with or without a deal .
But one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described it as `` pointless '' and claimed `` it was a wasted 23 minutes of my life '' .
Analysis : A deal may be closer , but that wo n't make getting there any easier By Ali Fortescue , political correspondent Not a week since the prime minister called off Brexit talks , Michel Barmier and David Frost are back in business .
Yesterday the tone was turning , now formal talks are scheduled for the end of the week .
It 's a win for the government who wanted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concessions , but unlocking a deal will be less straightforward .
The key sticking points remain : state aid , governance and , crucially , fish .
Both sides know these negotiations ca n't be lost on fishing , but for Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson it 's become a symbolic issue they ca n't afford to lose .
The EU may be back at the table , but that wo n't stop the French president playing hard ball .
The French have said `` non '' before , they could do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` serious gaps remain '' but the EU have `` acknowledged '' they are serious about intensifying talks and will treat the UK as an independent sovereign country .
The president of the European Commission said today that `` hard work is needed , no time to lose '' .
But time is running out not just for a deal , but for businesses to get ready .
A YouGov poll for Sky this week found that 30 % of businesses are still poorly prepared .
The government are asking businesses to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no deal , but there is a sense from many that we 've seen this show before .
The Withdrawal Agreement went to the wire , as European negotiations so often do , but here both sides are further apart on a few key issues .
A deal may be closer than a week ago , but that wo n't make getting there any easier .

Trade talks between Britain and the European Union will resume later this week, Downing Street has said.
A Number 10 spokesperson said the development had been sparked by EU negotiator Michel Barnier's statement in the European Parliament on Wednesday that both sides must be willing to compromise.
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month transition period, following EU rules and regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free-trade deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 PM's no-deal Brexit warning
Talks on the future relationship between the two sides stalled last week, with Downing Street insisting there was no point in resuming discussions unless there was a change in stance from the EU.
According to Number 10, Mr Barnier's speech represents a "fundamental" shift in approach from Brussels and the two sides have now agreed a set of principles for an "intensified phase of talks".
Mr Barnier told the European Parliament that a deal was "within reach".
"We will seek the necessary compromises on both sides in order to do our utmost to reach an agreement and we will do so right up until the last day which it's possible to do so," he said.
"Our doors will always remain open right up until the very end."
Responding to this, the Number 10 spokesperson said: "As he [Mr Barnier] made clear, 'any future agreement will be made in respect of the decision-making autonomy of the European Union and with respect for British sovereignty'.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 EU wants deal 'but not at any cost' - EU Council president
"Lord Frost [the UK's chief negotiator] discussed the implications of this statement and the state of play with Mr Barnier earlier today.
"On the basis of that conversation we are ready to welcome the EU team to London to resume negotiations later this week."
Fishing rights, the governance of any agreement and the so-called "level playing field", which includes state subsidies, remain the key stumbling blocks.
Downing Street said it recognised that "significant gaps" remained between both parties and it is "entirely possible that negotiations will not succeed".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 'What??' May stunned by Gove's Brexit answer
If an agreement is not struck, Number 10 said the UK would end the transition period "on Australia terms" - meaning any trade the UK does with the EU being subject to tariffs and quotas. It would not be a free-trade agreement.
"It is essential now that UK businesses, hauliers, and travellers prepare actively for the end of the transition period, since change is coming, whether an agreement is reached or not," the spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove addressed around 250 business leaders on Tuesday, telling them that the UK would prosper with or without a deal.
But one of the business figures on the call described it as "pointless" and claimed "it was a wasted 23 minutes of my life".
Analysis: A deal may be closer, but that won't make getting there any easier
By Ali Fortescue, political correspondent
Not a week since the prime minister called off Brexit talks, Michel Barmier and David Frost are back in business. Yesterday the tone was turning, now formal talks are scheduled for the end of the week.
It's a win for the government who wanted a signal the EU was willing to make concessions, but unlocking a deal will be less straightforward.
The key sticking points remain: state aid, governance and, crucially, fish. Both sides know these negotiations can't be lost on fishing, but for Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson it's become a symbolic issue they can't afford to lose.
The EU may be back at the table, but that won't stop the French president playing hard ball. The French have said "non" before, they could do it again.
A Downing Street spokesperson said "serious gaps remain" but the EU have "acknowledged" they are serious about intensifying talks and will treat the UK as an independent sovereign country.
Image: A YouGov poll for Sky News found that 30% of businesses are still poorly prepared for the end of the transition
The president of the European Commission said today that "hard work is needed, no time to lose".
But time is running out not just for a deal, but for businesses to get ready.
A YouGov poll for Sky this week found that 30% of businesses are still poorly prepared.
The government are asking businesses to get ready for all eventualities, deal or no deal, but there is a sense from many that we've seen this show before.
The Withdrawal Agreement went to the wire, as European negotiations so often do, but here both sides are further apart on a few key issues.
A deal may be closer than a week ago, but that won't make getting there any easier.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-21--How can areas drop down COVID tiers? PM challenged by own MP and Labour

Boris Johnson has faced calls to explain how regions can have their coronavirus alert level and restrictions lowered .
He was urged by Sir Keir Starmer to set out exactly what areas need to do to be downgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2 , or Tier 2 to Tier 1 .
And a Conservative MP , whose constituency in York had tougher measures imposed last week , said the prime minister needed to be `` more open '' about the evidence base for that decision .
Mr Johnson has been resisting calls from the Labour Party and his scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring in a `` circuit breaker '' - effectively a short national lockdown .
He said in the Commons on Wednesday that a regional approach was better and would not unfairly impact parts of England with lower COVID-19 infection rates .
But Sir Keir said a national framework for what financial support councils get for going up a tier should be laid out instead of `` grubby , take-it-or-leave it '' deals , and asked for clearer answers on how areas can also move back down a tier .
`` Instead of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gateway to weeks and weeks - more likely months and months - of agony from which there 's no likely exit , '' he said .
`` Can the prime minister not see the problem if there is n't a clear exit ? ''
Mr Johnson said the R rate - the average number of people someone with coronavirus infects - will be taken into account along with admissions to hospital and `` other data '' .
`` Areas that have gone into Tier 3 I believe are already making progress , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local , regional approach , which is the sensible approach for this country .
`` That 's what the epidemiology supports , it 's what the deputy chief medical officer supported last night . ''
Mr Johnson accused Sir Keir of being `` incoherent '' for `` attacking local lockdowns when he wants to plunge the whole country back into a damaging lockdown for weeks on end '' .
But he was also tackled by Tory backbencher Julian Sturdy , who said the government should be `` more open in communicating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 '' and `` outline a road map for the city 's return to Tier 1 '' .
And he urged the prime minister to `` consider creation of specific support for York 's hospitality industry , suffering losses from the limbo that Tier 2 is creating '' .
Mr Johnson said in York , infections are up to 279 per 100,000 people and `` we must get it down '' .
But he added : `` We can get it down through the package of measures we 've described , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the guidance that it is having an effect . ''

Boris Johnson has faced calls to explain how regions can have their coronavirus alert level and restrictions lowered.
He was urged by Sir Keir Starmer to set out exactly what areas need to do to be downgraded from Tier 3 to Tier 2, or Tier 2 to Tier 1.
And a Conservative MP, whose constituency in York had tougher measures imposed last week, said the prime minister needed to be "more open" about the evidence base for that decision.
Image: Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region are in Tier 3
Mr Johnson has been resisting calls from the Labour Party and his scientific advisers, known as SAGE, to bring in a "circuit breaker" - effectively a short national lockdown.
He said in the Commons on Wednesday that a regional approach was better and would not unfairly impact parts of England with lower COVID-19 infection rates.
But Sir Keir said a national framework for what financial support councils get for going up a tier should be laid out instead of "grubby, take-it-or-leave it" deals, and asked for clearer answers on how areas can also move back down a tier.
"Instead of being a solution, Tier 3 is a gateway to weeks and weeks - more likely months and months - of agony from which there's no likely exit," he said.
"Can the prime minister not see the problem if there isn't a clear exit?"
Mr Johnson said the R rate - the average number of people someone with coronavirus infects - will be taken into account along with admissions to hospital and "other data".
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Image: Sir Keir hit out at 'grubby, take-it-or-leave it' deals with councils
"Areas that have gone into Tier 3 I believe are already making progress," he replied.
"We are pursuing a local, regional approach, which is the sensible approach for this country.
"That's what the epidemiology supports, it's what the deputy chief medical officer supported last night."
Mr Johnson accused Sir Keir of being "incoherent" for "attacking local lockdowns when he wants to plunge the whole country back into a damaging lockdown for weeks on end".
But he was also tackled by Tory backbencher Julian Sturdy, who said the government should be "more open in communicating the evidence base for York going into Tier 2" and "outline a road map for the city's return to Tier 1".
Image: York was put into Tier 2 last week
And he urged the prime minister to "consider creation of specific support for York's hospitality industry, suffering losses from the limbo that Tier 2 is creating".
Mr Johnson said in York, infections are up to 279 per 100,000 people and "we must get it down".
But he added: "We can get it down through the package of measures we've described, you can see in areas where people are complying with the guidance that it is having an effect."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-20--PM attempts to bypass Burnham and offer £60m support to Greater Manchester councils

The £60m made available by the government to Greater Manchester to go into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions will be offered to the region 's councils , the prime minister has said .
Boris Johnson told MPs that he would try to bypass Andy Burnham , the region 's mayor , and agree deals for COVID-19 support with local authorities there instead .
It comes amid a bitter row over the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester from Friday .
Moving into Tier 3 means pubs and bars in Greater Manchester will be closed , unless they serve substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bingo halls , adult gaming centres and soft play areas will also shut .
Different households will be banned from mixing indoors and outdoors , including in private gardens .
Mr Johnson revealed the move at a Downing Street briefing , just hours after the breakdown of talks with local leaders sparked a war of words on Tuesday .
The row dominated exchanges between the PM and Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs on Wednesday , with the Labour leader calling for a clear framework on support for Tier 3 areas rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour tabled an opposition day debate motion in the Commons after PMQs , calling for a `` fair one nation deal '' for areas facing being moved into Tier 3 .
It was rejected by 340 votes to 261 , a majority of 79 .
Two Tory MPs rebelled to support it - Chris Green ( Bolton West ) and William Wragg ( Hazel Grove ) .
In that debate , Tory MP Chris Clarkson accused Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner of calling him `` scum '' during ill-tempered exchanges .
Communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in Greater Manchester , `` inviting them to work with us at pace to design their business support schemes and ensure the funding reaches the people and businesses who need it '' .
The Conservative leader of Bolton Council , Councillor David Greenhalgh , has said he will look for an individual funding deal with the government after the breakdown of talks .
It comes as an agreement was reached to put South Yorkshire into Tier 3 , with discussions continuing with West Yorkshire .
Talks have been paused with Tees Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been made in controlling coronavirus in those areas .
Meanwhile , Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council say they have yet to hold talks with ministers about potentially moving into Tier 3 .
On Tuesday , Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had accused the government of `` walking away '' from the discussions during an impassioned news conference .
He said local leaders were not offered enough support to protect people through the `` punishing '' winter ahead .
Mr Burnham said politicians in Greater Manchester had originally wanted £90m - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial year - to protect the incomes of people affected by business closures .
He said civic leaders were prepared to reduce their demand for financial support to £65m , the `` bare minimum to prevent a winter of real hardship '' , but the government stuck to its offer of £60m .
Mr Johnson said a `` comprehensive package of support '' was in place for areas put into Tier 3 , including the government 's Job Support Scheme and access to Universal Credit .
The PM said Greater Manchester would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new measures .
He added that in addition to this support , a `` generous and extensive offer to support Manchester 's businesses '' was put on the table .
`` This offer was proportionate to the support we have given Merseyside and Lancashire [ the other areas in Tier 3 ] , but the mayor did n't accept this unfortunately , '' said Mr Johnson .
The Liverpool City Region received £44m as it moved into Tier 3 ( £14m for enforcement and £30m for businesses ) , while Lancashire got £42m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses ) .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has echoed this , saying : `` Our door is open to further discussions with local leaders in the coming days about business support . ''
MPs in the area reacted with anger to the £22m commitment .
Lucy Powell , Labour MP for Manchester Central , said it was `` utter spite '' and `` the idea of 'all in this together ' has been totally shattered this week '' .
Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy , who represents Wigan , said : `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - just disgraceful . ''

The £60m made available by the government to Greater Manchester to go into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions will be offered to the region's councils, the prime minister has said.
Boris Johnson told MPs that he would try to bypass Andy Burnham, the region's mayor, and agree deals for COVID-19 support with local authorities there instead.
It comes amid a bitter row over the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester from Friday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 PM confirms Tier 3 for Greater Manchester
Moving into Tier 3 means pubs and bars in Greater Manchester will be closed, unless they serve substantial meals, while betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas will also shut.
Different households will be banned from mixing indoors and outdoors, including in private gardens.
Mr Johnson revealed the move at a Downing Street briefing, just hours after the breakdown of talks with local leaders sparked a war of words on Tuesday.
The row dominated exchanges between the PM and Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs on Wednesday, with the Labour leader calling for a clear framework on support for Tier 3 areas rather than "grubby, take-it-or-leave it" deals.
Labour tabled an opposition day debate motion in the Commons after PMQs, calling for a "fair one nation deal" for areas facing being moved into Tier 3.
It was rejected by 340 votes to 261, a majority of 79.
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Two Tory MPs rebelled to support it - Chris Green (Bolton West) and William Wragg (Hazel Grove).
In that debate, Tory MP Chris Clarkson accused Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner of calling him "scum" during ill-tempered exchanges.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has written to council leaders in Greater Manchester, "inviting them to work with us at pace to design their business support schemes and ensure the funding reaches the people and businesses who need it".
The Conservative leader of Bolton Council, Councillor David Greenhalgh, has said he will look for an individual funding deal with the government after the breakdown of talks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:16 Burnham says government 'walked away' from talks
It comes as an agreement was reached to put South Yorkshire into Tier 3, with discussions continuing with West Yorkshire.
Talks have been paused with Tees Valley and Tyneside, following signs that progress has been made in controlling coronavirus in those areas.
Meanwhile, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council say they have yet to hold talks with ministers about potentially moving into Tier 3.
On Tuesday, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had accused the government of "walking away" from the discussions during an impassioned news conference.
He said local leaders were not offered enough support to protect people through the "punishing" winter ahead.
Mr Burnham said politicians in Greater Manchester had originally wanted £90m - £15m a month until the end of the financial year - to protect the incomes of people affected by business closures.
He said civic leaders were prepared to reduce their demand for financial support to £65m, the "bare minimum to prevent a winter of real hardship", but the government stuck to its offer of £60m.
Mr Johnson said a "comprehensive package of support" was in place for areas put into Tier 3, including the government's Job Support Scheme and access to Universal Credit.
The PM said Greater Manchester would get £22m to implement and enforce the new measures.
He added that in addition to this support, a "generous and extensive offer to support Manchester's businesses" was put on the table.
"This offer was proportionate to the support we have given Merseyside and Lancashire [the other areas in Tier 3], but the mayor didn't accept this unfortunately," said Mr Johnson.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 How overwhelmed are Manchester hospitals?
The Liverpool City Region received £44m as it moved into Tier 3 (£14m for enforcement and £30m for businesses), while Lancashire got £42m (£12m for enforcement and £30m for businesses).
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has echoed this, saying: "Our door is open to further discussions with local leaders in the coming days about business support."
MPs in the area reacted with anger to the £22m commitment.
Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, said it was "utter spite" and "the idea of 'all in this together' has been totally shattered this week".
Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy, who represents Wigan, said: "This is bad faith, it's immoral - just disgraceful."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-21--Tory MP accuses Labour deputy leader of calling him 'scum'

A Conservative MP has accused Labour 's deputy leader of calling him `` scum '' during an ill-tempered exchange in the Commons .
Chris Clarkson made the claim as he spoke in a debate about support for areas facing increased coronavirus restrictions .
Angela Rayner later apologised saying she used the language 'in a heated debate ' .
Tensions were heightened in the wake of the breakdown of talks between ministers and local leaders in Greater Manchester over support for the region as it enters Tier 3 COVID-19 measures .
It came after he called on Labour frontbenchers and MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their response to the pandemic .
`` I know [ Kate Green , the shadow education secretary ] thinks this is a good crisis that the Labour Party should exploit , '' Mr Clarkson said .
`` And I know she speaks for a lot of her frontbench colleagues when she says that ; you just need to see it in the support , U-turn , oppose approach that has characterised their hindsight-heavy behaviour . ''
At this point the Tory MP paused and said , referring to Ms Rayner : `` Excuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call me scum ? ''
Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing interjected , saying : `` Order , order , order .
From the front bench we do not have remarks like that .
Not under any circumstances , no matter how heartfelt it might be .
Not at all . ''
Ms Rayner , making a point of order in response , then told MPs : `` I think one of the things I 'd ask for your guidance on is [ Mr Clarkson ] saying things about the front bench which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask them to withdraw it . ''
Labour 's deputy leader had spoken earlier about how her aunt had died last week from COVID-19 at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport .
The deputy speaker said in response to Ms Rayner 's point of order : `` It is not for the chair to decide what is accurate or inaccurate , I can not make such a judgement .
`` But of course , I will ask [ Mr Clarkson ] to be reasonable in what he says and to be careful of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if [ Mr Clarkson ] feels that he has said anything that is offensive to [ Ms Rayner ] then he will undoubtedly withdraw and apologise immediately . ''
Mr Clarkson then resumed his speech , saying : `` Thank you , Madam Deputy Speaker , and thank you for your guidance .
`` To clarify , I asked [ Ms Rayner ] if she called me that [ scum ] - that is what I heard . ''
He proceeded with his remarks without withdrawing his earlier comments .
Ms Rayner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feed our country 's vulnerable and needy children .
The Tories voted to let them go hungry .
`` I voted for workers facing hardship in areas under lockdown to get 80 % of their incomes .
The Tories voted against it .
`` That 's all you need to know . ''

A Conservative MP has accused Labour's deputy leader of calling him "scum" during an ill-tempered exchange in the Commons.
Chris Clarkson made the claim as he spoke in a debate about support for areas facing increased coronavirus restrictions.
Angela Rayner later apologised saying she used the language 'in a heated debate'.
Tensions were heightened in the wake of the breakdown of talks between ministers and local leaders in Greater Manchester over support for the region as it enters Tier 3 COVID-19 measures.
Image: Angela Rayner asked the Tory MP to withdraw his comments
It came after he called on Labour frontbenchers and MPs to "park the opportunism" in their response to the pandemic.
"I know [Kate Green, the shadow education secretary] thinks this is a good crisis that the Labour Party should exploit," Mr Clarkson said.
"And I know she speaks for a lot of her frontbench colleagues when she says that; you just need to see it in the support, U-turn, oppose approach that has characterised their hindsight-heavy behaviour."
At this point the Tory MP paused and said, referring to Ms Rayner: "Excuse me, did the honourable lady just call me scum?"
Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing interjected, saying: "Order, order, order. From the front bench we do not have remarks like that. Not under any circumstances, no matter how heartfelt it might be. Not at all."
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Ms Rayner, making a point of order in response, then told MPs: "I think one of the things I'd ask for your guidance on is [Mr Clarkson] saying things about the front bench which is inaccurate in their speech and I'd ask them to withdraw it."
Labour's deputy leader had spoken earlier about how her aunt had died last week from COVID-19 at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
The deputy speaker said in response to Ms Rayner's point of order: "It is not for the chair to decide what is accurate or inaccurate, I cannot make such a judgement.
"But of course, I will ask [Mr Clarkson] to be reasonable in what he says and to be careful of his remarks.
"And I'm sure that if [Mr Clarkson] feels that he has said anything that is offensive to [Ms Rayner] then he will undoubtedly withdraw and apologise immediately."
Mr Clarkson then resumed his speech, saying: "Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and thank you for your guidance.
"To clarify, I asked [Ms Rayner] if she called me that [scum] - that is what I heard."
He proceeded with his remarks without withdrawing his earlier comments.
Ms Rayner later tweeted: "Tonight I voted to feed our country's vulnerable and needy children. The Tories voted to let them go hungry.
"I voted for workers facing hardship in areas under lockdown to get 80% of their incomes. The Tories voted against it.
"That's all you need to know."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-21--Rashford speaks out after Tory MPs reject call to extend free school meals over the holidays

Conservative MPs have rejected a Labour motion calling for an extension of free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021 .
It was rejected by 322 votes to 261 , a majority of 61 .
Ministers have so far rejected calls to extend the provision of free school meals in England over the half-term and Christmas breaks , despite coming under pressure .
Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford has been leading a campaign on the issue and was recently given an MBE in recognition .
He wants them expanded to all school holidays , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or equivalent .
Before the vote , he warned MPs not to `` turn a blind eye '' to vulnerable families and said he would be `` paying close attention '' to the outcome .
Reacting to the motion 's defeat , he said in a statement on Twitter : `` Put aside all the noise , the digs , the party politics and let 's focus on the reality .
`` A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We must stop stigmatising , judging and pointing fingers .
Our views are being clouded by political affiliation .
`` This is not politics , this is humanity . ''
Rashford promised to continue campaigning , adding : `` For as long as they do n't have a voice , they will have mine . ''
Labour 's shadow education secretary , Kate Green , said the government had `` badly let down more than one million children and their families '' .
She added : `` No child should go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is blocking the action needed to prevent this .
`` We pay tribute to Marcus Rashford and others for shining a spotlight on this incredibly important issue .
`` This campaign is not over and the government must reconsider . ''
Facing MPs in the Commons earlier , Boris Johnson resisted calls for a change in approach .
`` We support kids on low incomes in school and we will continue to do so , '' he said during Prime Minister 's Questions .
`` But the most important thing is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off into another national lockdown taking them out of school .
`` We will continue to use the benefits system and all the systems of income to support children throughout the holidays as well . ''
And a Number 10 spokesman said : `` While schools continue to play an integral role in the community , it 's not for them to regularly provide food during school holidays . ''
A government spokesman said before the vote : `` We have been giving substantial support to families and children , by providing free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increasing welfare support by £9.3bn , and giving councils £63m for families facing financial difficulties .
`` We also provided vouchers through the COVID Summer Food Fund , in addition to the Holiday Activities and Food Programme .
`` Now that the vast majority of pupils are back in school and over 99 % of schools have been open every week since term began , kitchens are able to provide healthy , nutritious meals to all children , including those eligible for free school meals . ''

Conservative MPs have rejected a Labour motion calling for an extension of free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021.
It was rejected by 322 votes to 261, a majority of 61.
Ministers have so far rejected calls to extend the provision of free school meals in England over the half-term and Christmas breaks, despite coming under pressure.
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Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford has been leading a campaign on the issue and was recently given an MBE in recognition.
He wants them expanded to all school holidays, and also given to anyone who gets Universal Credit or equivalent.
Before the vote, he warned MPs not to "turn a blind eye" to vulnerable families and said he would be "paying close attention" to the outcome.
Reacting to the motion's defeat, he said in a statement on Twitter: "Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let's focus on the reality.
"A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today.
"We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers. Our views are being clouded by political affiliation.
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"This is not politics, this is humanity."
Rashford promised to continue campaigning, adding: "For as long as they don't have a voice, they will have mine."
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Labour's shadow education secretary, Kate Green, said the government had "badly let down more than one million children and their families".
She added: "No child should go hungry over the holidays, but the government is blocking the action needed to prevent this.
"We pay tribute to Marcus Rashford and others for shining a spotlight on this incredibly important issue.
"This campaign is not over and the government must reconsider."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 Marcus Rashford on poverty task force
Facing MPs in the Commons earlier, Boris Johnson resisted calls for a change in approach.
"We support kids on low incomes in school and we will continue to do so," he said during Prime Minister's Questions.
"But the most important thing is to keep them in school and not tear off into another national lockdown taking them out of school.
"We will continue to use the benefits system and all the systems of income to support children throughout the holidays as well."
And a Number 10 spokesman said: "While schools continue to play an integral role in the community, it's not for them to regularly provide food during school holidays."
Policing minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News ministers weren't trying to "take on" Rashford and said it was "standard practice" for party whips to put out briefings opposing Labour motions.
A government spokesman said before the vote: "We have been giving substantial support to families and children, by providing free school meals when schools were partially closed, increasing welfare support by £9.3bn, and giving councils £63m for families facing financial difficulties.
"We also provided vouchers through the COVID Summer Food Fund, in addition to the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.
"Now that the vast majority of pupils are back in school and over 99% of schools have been open every week since term began, kitchens are able to provide healthy, nutritious meals to all children, including those eligible for free school meals."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-21--Khan accuses PM of lying to MPs amid bitter TfL bailout row

Sadiq Khan has accused Boris Johnson of lying to MPs after he claimed the capital 's mayor had `` effectively bankrupted '' Transport for London .
Mr Johnson criticised his successor as mayor as a row over COVID-19 financial support for TfL continues to rage .
Mr Khan has accused Downing Street of coming up with `` ill-advised and draconian '' plans in return for a second coronavirus bailout .
In a move that would be viewed as a nuclear option , ministers are believed to have said the government could take direct control of TfL if Mr Khan does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor has said the government wants TfL to expand the £15 congestion charge to the North and South Circular roads , bringing four million more Londoners into the zone .
It has also been reported that TfL will be required to increase fares well above inflation , with ministers also insisting on removing free travel for under-18s .
In addition , Mr Khan has claimed that a new council tax charge could be introduced in London , regardless of whether residents use public transport .
Asked about the reports at Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` The current mayor of London had effectively bankrupted TfL before coronavirus had even hit and left a massive black hole in its finances .
`` Any need to make up that deficit is entirely down to him , it is entirely his responsibility .
`` Any expansion of the congestion charge or any other measure taken to improve the finances of TfL are entirely the responsibility of the bankrupt current Labour mayor of London . ''
But Mr Khan hit back , writing on Twitter that the PM `` has lied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixing his mess at TfL- reducing the deficit by 71 % since 2016 , '' he said .
`` COVID-19 is the sole cause of TfL 's challenges . ''
The London mayor later told Sky News that he is `` not willing to accept '' the government 's conditions attached to the bailout .
Asked about the potential for the government to take direct control of TfL , Mr Khan said : `` I 'll fight that if they seek to do so . ''
Mr Khan , who succeeded Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a TfL board meeting that he intended to `` stand firm and fight for a fair deal for Londoners '' .
`` TfL is being offered only another six months ' financial support , but with ill-advised and draconian conditions that are unfair to London , fall disproportionately on those least able to afford them , would undermine the economic recovery of our city , and contrast starkly with the support provided to the private train operating companies , '' he added .
`` This global pandemic will be with us for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package to see TfL through the immediate crisis and the aftermath , as it is uncertain how quickly fare revenue will recover . ''
Labour 's shadow transport secretary , Jim McMahon , said it was `` extremely worrying '' that TfL was being offered a `` papering-over-the-cracks funding package '' with `` punitive conditions '' attached .
Pete Kavanagh , Unite 's regional secretary for London , accused ministers of `` punishing the poorest Londoners for the COVID-19 pandemic '' .
`` Londoners are facing a triple whammy of increased fares , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in congestion zone charges , '' he said .
`` The poorest Londoners , who are already struggling financially as a result of losing their jobs or coping with reduced earnings , are the ones who will be least able to afford the increases in fares , charges and council tax . ''

Sadiq Khan has accused Boris Johnson of lying to MPs after he claimed the capital's mayor had "effectively bankrupted" Transport for London.
Mr Johnson criticised his successor as mayor as a row over COVID-19 financial support for TfL continues to rage.
Mr Khan has accused Downing Street of coming up with "ill-advised and draconian" plans in return for a second coronavirus bailout.
Image: Ministers are believed to have said the government could take direct control of TfL
In a move that would be viewed as a nuclear option, ministers are believed to have said the government could take direct control of TfL if Mr Khan does not accept the government's conditions.
The mayor has said the government wants TfL to expand the £15 congestion charge to the North and South Circular roads, bringing four million more Londoners into the zone.
It has also been reported that TfL will be required to increase fares well above inflation, with ministers also insisting on removing free travel for under-18s.
In addition, Mr Khan has claimed that a new council tax charge could be introduced in London, regardless of whether residents use public transport.
Asked about the reports at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson told MPs: "The current mayor of London had effectively bankrupted TfL before coronavirus had even hit and left a massive black hole in its finances.
"Any need to make up that deficit is entirely down to him, it is entirely his responsibility.
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Image: Boris Johnson claimed his successor had 'left a massive black hole' in TfL's finances
"Any expansion of the congestion charge or any other measure taken to improve the finances of TfL are entirely the responsibility of the bankrupt current Labour mayor of London."
But Mr Khan hit back, writing on Twitter that the PM "has lied".
"Before COVID I was fixing his mess at TfL- reducing the deficit by 71% since 2016," he said.
"COVID-19 is the sole cause of TfL's challenges."
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The London mayor later told Sky News that he is "not willing to accept" the government's conditions attached to the bailout.
Asked about the potential for the government to take direct control of TfL, Mr Khan said: "I'll fight that if they seek to do so."
Mr Khan, who succeeded Mr Johnson as mayor in 2016, earlier told a TfL board meeting that he intended to "stand firm and fight for a fair deal for Londoners".
"TfL is being offered only another six months' financial support, but with ill-advised and draconian conditions that are unfair to London, fall disproportionately on those least able to afford them, would undermine the economic recovery of our city, and contrast starkly with the support provided to the private train operating companies," he added.
"This global pandemic will be with us for some time. We requested an 18-month support package to see TfL through the immediate crisis and the aftermath, as it is uncertain how quickly fare revenue will recover."
Labour's shadow transport secretary, Jim McMahon, said it was "extremely worrying" that TfL was being offered a "papering-over-the-cracks funding package" with "punitive conditions" attached.
Pete Kavanagh, Unite's regional secretary for London, accused ministers of "punishing the poorest Londoners for the COVID-19 pandemic".
"Londoners are facing a triple whammy of increased fares, higher council tax and a massive increase in congestion zone charges," he said.
"The poorest Londoners, who are already struggling financially as a result of losing their jobs or coping with reduced earnings, are the ones who will be least able to afford the increases in fares, charges and council tax."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--'We go further': Chancellor unveils three extra support measures for businesses

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to `` go further '' as he announced three new measures to help workers and businesses get through the winter and a coronavirus second spike .
Speaking in the House of Commons , he said cash grants of up to £2,100 a month will be given to firms in Tier 2 areas - enough for all affected hospitality , accommodation and leisure premises .
They will be retrospective , so any region which has been under enhanced restrictions can backdate their claim to August .
For self-employed people , the size of the grant they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £3,750 - with the amount of average profits they can claim for rising from 20 % to 40 % .
And there will be changes to the Job Support Scheme , which is for companies experiencing lower demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Employees will only need to work 20 % of their normal hours - instead of the original 33 % - to be eligible .
And the government will significantly reduce the amount employers have to contribute - from 33 % to 5 % .
`` The scheme will apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Mr Sunak confirmed .
`` So businesses that are not closed but face higher restrictions - in places like Liverpool , Lancashire , South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester as well as the devolved nations - will be able to access greater support . ''
Mr Sunak explained he was making the changes because : `` It is clear that even businesses that can stay open are facing profound uncertainty . ''
He continued : `` This is our plan .
A plan for jobs , for businesses , for the regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
A plan to support the British people . ''
But Anneliese Dodds , Labour 's shadow chancellor , said she had been calling for the government to `` get ahead of the looming unemployment crisis and act to save jobs '' for months .
`` Instead , we 've had a patchwork of poor ideas rushed out at the last minute , '' she added , suggesting some people had already lost their jobs because of the chancellor 's `` inaction '' .
The wrath of mayors representing regions which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band of coronavirus restrictions in England - was also stirred .
Andy Burnham , mayor of Greater Manchester , said he could `` barely believe what I 'm reading '' .
`` Why on earth was this not put on the table on Tuesday to reach an agreement with us ? ''
he asked , referencing the breakdown in talks between local leaders and the government earlier this week .
`` I said directly to the PM that a deal was there to be done if it took into account the effects on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 . ''
Sir Richard Leese , leader of Manchester City Council , tweeted : `` Looks like Rishi Sunak is agreeing with Greater Manchester Leaders .
Pity he could n't have done it two weeks ago . ''
And Liverpool City Region mayor said : `` It 's a shame that it took London coming under further measures for the chancellor to take action to support jobs and businesses . ''
Though the moves were welcomed by Dame Carolyn Fairbairn , chair of the Confederation of British Industry .
She said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's livelihoods '' and that firms will be `` relieved to see that anomaly '' of hospitality firms in Tier 2 which were getting `` little extra support '' coming to an end .
`` This is a big step towards a more standardised approach of support for areas going into Tiers 2 and 3 and those businesses that face tough times who operate within them , '' she added .

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to "go further" as he announced three new measures to help workers and businesses get through the winter and a coronavirus second spike.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he said cash grants of up to £2,100 a month will be given to firms in Tier 2 areas - enough for all affected hospitality, accommodation and leisure premises.
They will be retrospective, so any region which has been under enhanced restrictions can backdate their claim to August.
Image: More help is being pledged for hospitality, accommodation and leisure firms
For self-employed people, the size of the grant they can access will also be doubled to £3,750 - with the amount of average profits they can claim for rising from 20% to 40%.
And there will be changes to the Job Support Scheme, which is for companies experiencing lower demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Employees will only need to work 20% of their normal hours - instead of the original 33% - to be eligible.
And the government will significantly reduce the amount employers have to contribute - from 33% to 5%.
Image: How much employers have to pay to the Job Support Scheme has been cut
"The scheme will apply to eligible businesses in all alert levels," Mr Sunak confirmed.
"So businesses that are not closed but face higher restrictions - in places like Liverpool, Lancashire, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester as well as the devolved nations - will be able to access greater support."
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Mr Sunak explained he was making the changes because: "It is clear that even businesses that can stay open are facing profound uncertainty."
He continued: "This is our plan. A plan for jobs, for businesses, for the regions, for the economy, for the country. A plan to support the British people."
Image: The chancellor said he wanted to help firms in Tier 2 overcome 'profound uncertainty'
But Anneliese Dodds, Labour's shadow chancellor, said she had been calling for the government to "get ahead of the looming unemployment crisis and act to save jobs" for months.
"Instead, we've had a patchwork of poor ideas rushed out at the last minute," she added, suggesting some people had already lost their jobs because of the chancellor's "inaction".
The wrath of mayors representing regions which are going into Tier 3 - the highest band of coronavirus restrictions in England - was also stirred.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said he could "barely believe what I'm reading".
Image: Andy Burnham said he could 'barely believe' the news
"Why on earth was this not put on the table on Tuesday to reach an agreement with us?" he asked, referencing the breakdown in talks between local leaders and the government earlier this week.
"I said directly to the PM that a deal was there to be done if it took into account the effects on GM businesses of three months in Tier 2."
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, tweeted: "Looks like Rishi Sunak is agreeing with Greater Manchester Leaders. Pity he couldn't have done it two weeks ago."
And Liverpool City Region mayor said: "It's a shame that it took London coming under further measures for the chancellor to take action to support jobs and businesses."
Though the moves were welcomed by Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, chair of the Confederation of British Industry.
She said they would "do even more to protect people's livelihoods" and that firms will be "relieved to see that anomaly" of hospitality firms in Tier 2 which were getting "little extra support" coming to an end.
"This is a big step towards a more standardised approach of support for areas going into Tiers 2 and 3 and those businesses that face tough times who operate within them," she added.
Analysis: By Sky News political correspondent Joe Pike
More government cash is always welcome, especially by businesses under Tier 2 restrictions which feel they have been starved of custom but received little financial support.
Yet Labour's problem is the timing: arguing jobs would have been saved if Rishi Sunak had acted faster.
Among the announcements, the chancellor is overhauling his Job Support Scheme by reducing employer contributions from 33% to just 5%. This is significant and the Resolution Foundation think tank argues it could transform the programme from being flawed to being workable.
If the announcement tells us anything, it's that it is impossible for Rishi Sunak to plan in the medium or long term.
He is beholden to the virus and the economic mess it leaves in its wake.
This was the chancellor's third economic support package in a month.
It may not be his last.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--Tory MP quits government after voting in favour of Marcus Rashford's free school meals plan

A Tory MP has quit her junior government role after rebelling to support extending free school meals over the coming school holidays .
Caroline Ansell resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the environment secretary , saying she `` could not in all conscience ignore '' her belief the policy would benefit families struggling during the pandemic .
She was one of five Conservatives to back Labour 's motion , following a campaign led by England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford .
It was heavily defeated in the House of Commons last night , by 322 votes to 261 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , the MP for Eastbourne said she had resigned from the frontbench `` due to my decision not to support the government in this debate '' .
Ms Ansell explained : `` In these unprecedented times , I am very concerned to be doing all we can to help lower-income families and their children who are really struggling due to the impact of the virus . ''
`` Therefore , last night , I voted for Labour 's motion on extending free school meal vouchers until after Easter 2021 for those families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equivalent benefit . ''
`` I do not consider this extension could be in any way a long-term solution to this need , which is complex .
`` There are better ways to help children , including linking meals to activities so they can also benefit from extra-curricular learning and experience . ''
`` However , as we are still very much living in the shadow of the pandemic , vouchers are a lever - not perfect , not sustainable - but one which I thought could be used to reach families in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate time ahead .
I could not in all conscience ignore that belief . ''
Earlier , policing minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News ministers were n't trying to `` take on '' Rashford .
And after a memo allegedly from government figures with suggested lines for MPs to combat Labour 's motion were leaked , he said it was `` standard practice '' for party whips to put out briefings opposing Labour motions .
But Labour said the government had `` badly let down more than one million children and their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` No child should go hungry over the holidays , but the government is blocking the action needed to prevent this .
`` We pay tribute to Marcus Rashford and others for shining a spotlight on this incredibly important issue .
`` This campaign is not over and the government must reconsider . ''
Rashford himself spoke out on Wednesday night , saying : `` Put aside all the noise , the digs , the party politics and let 's focus on the reality .
`` A significant number of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today .
`` We must stop stigmatising , judging and pointing fingers .
Our views are being clouded by political affiliation .
`` This is not politics , this is humanity . ''
Earlier this year , he successfully got the government to U-turn and provide free school meals vouchers to struggling parents through the summer holidays .
Facing MPs in the Commons on Wednesday , Boris Johnson resisted calls for a change in approach .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we will continue to do so , '' he said during Prime Minister 's Questions .
`` But the most important thing is to keep them in school and not tear off into another national lockdown taking them out of school .
`` We will continue to use the benefits system and all the systems of income to support children throughout the holidays as well . ''
And a Number 10 spokesman said : `` While schools continue to play an integral role in the community , it 's not for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

A Tory MP has quit her junior government role after rebelling to support extending free school meals over the coming school holidays.
Caroline Ansell resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the environment secretary, saying she "could not in all conscience ignore" her belief the policy would benefit families struggling during the pandemic.
She was one of five Conservatives to back Labour's motion, following a campaign led by England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.
Image: Marcus Rashford started the campaign and forced a U-turn earlier this year
It was heavily defeated in the House of Commons last night, by 322 votes to 261.
In a statement released the following morning, the MP for Eastbourne said she had resigned from the frontbench "due to my decision not to support the government in this debate".
Ms Ansell explained: "In these unprecedented times, I am very concerned to be doing all we can to help lower-income families and their children who are really struggling due to the impact of the virus."
"Therefore, last night, I voted for Labour's motion on extending free school meal vouchers until after Easter 2021 for those families in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit."
"I do not consider this extension could be in any way a long-term solution to this need, which is complex.
"There are better ways to help children, including linking meals to activities so they can also benefit from extra-curricular learning and experience."
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"However, as we are still very much living in the shadow of the pandemic, vouchers are a lever - not perfect, not sustainable - but one which I thought could be used to reach families in Eastbourne and across the country in the immediate time ahead. I could not in all conscience ignore that belief."
Image: A Number 10 spokesperson said it was not for schools 'to regularly provide food' over the holidays
Earlier, policing minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News ministers weren't trying to "take on" Rashford.
And after a memo allegedly from government figures with suggested lines for MPs to combat Labour's motion were leaked, he said it was "standard practice" for party whips to put out briefings opposing Labour motions.
But Labour said the government had "badly let down more than one million children and their families".
Shadow education secretary Kate Green added: "No child should go hungry over the holidays, but the government is blocking the action needed to prevent this.
"We pay tribute to Marcus Rashford and others for shining a spotlight on this incredibly important issue.
"This campaign is not over and the government must reconsider."
Rashford himself spoke out on Wednesday night, saying: "Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let's focus on the reality.
"A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today.
"We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers. Our views are being clouded by political affiliation.
"This is not politics, this is humanity."
Earlier this year, he successfully got the government to U-turn and provide free school meals vouchers to struggling parents through the summer holidays.
Facing MPs in the Commons on Wednesday, Boris Johnson resisted calls for a change in approach.
Image: Boris Johnson said the benefits system would be used to support children
"We support kids on low incomes in school and we will continue to do so," he said during Prime Minister's Questions.
"But the most important thing is to keep them in school and not tear off into another national lockdown taking them out of school.
"We will continue to use the benefits system and all the systems of income to support children throughout the holidays as well."
And a Number 10 spokesman said: "While schools continue to play an integral role in the community, it's not for them to regularly provide food during school holidays."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--Senior Labour MP told to repay £1,142 for third Commons rule breach

A senior Labour MP has been told to repay more than £1,000 after using public funds to send out a `` personal campaign message '' .
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan , shadow mental health minister , was censured for sending out 1,624 `` Brexit update '' letters on Commons-headed paper and pre-paid envelopes ahead of last year 's general election .
She was found to have breached MPs ' code of conduct for the third time in three years by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards , Kathryn Stone .
Dr Allin-Khan sent out the letters on 2 November , telling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parliament '' and would `` if I am re-elected ... campaign to Remain in all circumstances '' .
But after someone who received the letter complained , an investigation was launched .
Ms Stone ruled that Dr Allin-Khan , who won her Tooting seat again in December , used `` public resources to highlight to a group of voters her position and record on an issue that was one of the key themes of the imminent election '' .
And she said the letters `` contained an important personal campaign message , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support Dr Allin-Khan 's return to office '' .
Doing so was a breach of the Commons rule , which say `` House-provided stationery and pre-paid envelopes '' are only for use of an MP 's parliamentary functions and not `` in connection with work for or at the behest of a political party '' .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker As punishment , Dr Allin-Khan has been told to repay the full cost of the paper and envelopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been asked to apologise and may have her conduct reviewed in three and six months ' time to make sure she takes steps `` to prevent any further breaches '' of the code of conduct .
Dr Allin-Khan , who ran to be Labour 's deputy leader earlier this year , admitted in a statement to Ms Stone that she made a `` mistake '' and will `` ensure this does n't happen again '' .
But she added : `` I was acting in good-faith when I sent those letters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding Brexit and I believed I was following the rules , which is why I was sure not to suggest that people should vote for me . ''

A senior Labour MP has been told to repay more than £1,000 after using public funds to send out a "personal campaign message".
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, shadow mental health minister, was censured for sending out 1,624 "Brexit update" letters on Commons-headed paper and pre-paid envelopes ahead of last year's general election.
She was found to have breached MPs' code of conduct for the third time in three years by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Stone.
Dr Allin-Khan sent out the letters on 2 November, telling people about how she was "fighting Brexit in parliament" and would "if I am re-elected... campaign to Remain in all circumstances".
But after someone who received the letter complained, an investigation was launched.
Image: The Tooting MP said she would 'campaign to Remain in all circumstances'
Ms Stone ruled that Dr Allin-Khan, who won her Tooting seat again in December, used "public resources to highlight to a group of voters her position and record on an issue that was one of the key themes of the imminent election".
And she said the letters "contained an important personal campaign message, which... had the effect of seeking to support Dr Allin-Khan's return to office".
Doing so was a breach of the Commons rule, which say "House-provided stationery and pre-paid envelopes" are only for use of an MP's parliamentary functions and not "in connection with work for or at the behest of a political party".
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As punishment, Dr Allin-Khan has been told to repay the full cost of the paper and envelopes - a total of £1,142.52.
She has also been asked to apologise and may have her conduct reviewed in three and six months' time to make sure she takes steps "to prevent any further breaches" of the code of conduct.
Dr Allin-Khan, who ran to be Labour's deputy leader earlier this year, admitted in a statement to Ms Stone that she made a "mistake" and will "ensure this doesn't happen again".
But she added: "I was acting in good-faith when I sent those letters to local people who had contacted me regarding Brexit and I believed I was following the rules, which is why I was sure not to suggest that people should vote for me."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--EU criminals to be banned from Britain from January

Convicted criminals from EU countries will be banned from entering Britain from 1 January , under plans to be presented to MPs later .
Once the UK 's Brexit transition period ends and it is no longer bound by the bloc 's rules on free movement , foreign criminals sentenced to at least one year in jail will be prevented from entering Britain .
Those with shorter sentences might also be barred depending on their individual cases .
It means those from the union would be treated the same as the rest of the world .
The proposals will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said : `` For too long , EU rules have forced us to allow dangerous foreign criminals , who abuse our values and threaten our way of life , onto our streets .
`` The UK will be safer thanks to firmer and fairer border controls where foreign criminals regardless of nationality will be subject to the same criminality rule . ''
At present , immigration officials can ban anyone who poses `` a genuine , present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society '' from coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK for first time , who has been jailed for less than a year , will also be barred from entering , The Daily Telegraph said .
Any visitor or new arrival who has a non-custodial sentence in the previous 12 months , such as a drink drive conviction , could also be refused entry , the paper added .
The government said the rules , which would not apply to EU citizens covered by measures in the Brexit divorce deal , are part of measures designed to toughen Britain 's borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main reasons voters backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum .
But police and security officials have warned Britain would be less safe if no agreement on future ties with the EU can be agreed before 32 December , when the transition period ends .
On Wednesday the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful for the government to forcibly deport migrants with as little as 72 hours notice .
Trade talks between Britain and the European Union will resume this week , Downing Street said on Wednesday .

Convicted criminals from EU countries will be banned from entering Britain from 1 January, under plans to be presented to MPs later.
Once the UK's Brexit transition period ends and it is no longer bound by the bloc's rules on free movement, foreign criminals sentenced to at least one year in jail will be prevented from entering Britain.
Those with shorter sentences might also be barred depending on their individual cases.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 Would you dob in your neighbour if they broke lockdown rules, Home Secretary?
It means those from the union would be treated the same as the rest of the world.
The proposals will be introduced by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who said: "For too long, EU rules have forced us to allow dangerous foreign criminals, who abuse our values and threaten our way of life, onto our streets.
"The UK will be safer thanks to firmer and fairer border controls where foreign criminals regardless of nationality will be subject to the same criminality rule."
At present, immigration officials can ban anyone who poses "a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society" from coming to Britain.
Any foreigner coming to the UK for first time, who has been jailed for less than a year, will also be barred from entering, The Daily Telegraph said.
Any visitor or new arrival who has a non-custodial sentence in the previous 12 months, such as a drink drive conviction, could also be refused entry, the paper added.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:18 Priti Patel has vowed to replace 'broken' asylum system
The government said the rules, which would not apply to EU citizens covered by measures in the Brexit divorce deal, are part of measures designed to toughen Britain's borders.
Controlling immigration was one of the main reasons voters backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum.
But police and security officials have warned Britain would be less safe if no agreement on future ties with the EU can be agreed before 31 December, when the transition period ends.
On Wednesday the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful for the government to forcibly deport migrants with as little as 72 hours notice.
Trade talks between Britain and the European Union will resume this week, Downing Street said on Wednesday.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--PM admits 'frustrations' over Test and Trace and says system can 'improve'

Boris Johnson has confessed to `` frustrations '' at the Test and Trace system and admitted there is a need to `` improve '' it .
Latest figures show that less than 60 % of close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus in England are being reached - the lowest weekly percentage since the scheme began .
Meanwhile , just 15 % of people tested for COVID-19 in England at an in-person site are receiving their result within 24 hours .
Challenged about the performance of £12bn system at a Downing Street news conference , the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we need to improve it .
`` We need to make sure that people who do get a positive test self-isolate - that 's absolutely crucial if this thing is going to work in the way that it can . ''
He added : `` It is helping a bit already to break the transmission , about a million contacts have been reached - but there is more that it can do if everyone complies when contacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , also admitted at Thursday 's news conference that there was `` room for improvement '' with the programme .
`` The testing system has ramped up the numbers they 're able to do quite effectively , but it 's really important to concentrate on numbers of contacts , isolation , as quickly as you can , and getting things back as quickly as you can , ideally to get the whole process done within 48 hours , '' he said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement on all of that and therefore that would be diminishing the effectiveness of this . ''
However , Sir Patrick cautioned that the `` effectiveness '' of Test and Trace was less when there are higher numbers of coronavirus infections and that it worked best in parts of the country where cases are lower .
At the moment it is `` very difficult '' to remove from circulation everyone who is infectious due to the high levels of cases , he said .
Sir Patrick showed modelling that estimates between 53,000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day in England .
`` Obviously with that number of infections , you expect to see an increase in hospitalisations as well , '' he said .
`` The number of infections overall across the country continues to increase . ''
Sir Patrick warned that increasing numbers of patients in hospital with COVID-19 would see a greater impact on people with other health conditions because of the pressures on NHS capacity .
He said the R rate of infection was `` about half '' of its natural number due to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is above one - the epidemic `` continues to grow and it will continue to grow at a reasonable rate '' .
`` It is doubling perhaps every 14 to 18 days , unless the R comes below one , '' Sir Patrick added .
However , he said the government was beginning to see the `` real effects '' of people adhering to COVID-19 measures , with `` some indications that amongst young people the rates are coming down or flattening off a bit again '' .
`` In some areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a little bit of flattening , possibly , '' Sir Patrick added .
`` So the measures are having an effect but we need to do more if the aim is to get the R below one and to shrink this epidemic . ''
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Asked about suggestions Britons should be preparing for a `` digital Christmas '' this year - without large groups of family members socialising in person - Sir Patrick said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're increasing and they 're not going to decrease quickly .
`` I think it 's likely some measures or restrictions are going to need to be in place for a while to try and get those numbers down .
`` Obviously the quicker you get the R below one , the quicker numbers come down and things then give a bit of room .
`` And so a lot depends on what happens now over the next few weeks .
`` At the moment , the numbers are headed in the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some places , of a potential flattening off of that . ''
Mr Johnson defended his `` balanced approach '' to the second wave of coronavirus infections .
Referencing two monsters from Greek mythology , the prime minister said he was pursuing the `` middle course between the Scylla of another national lockdown and the Charybdis of an uncontrolled virus '' .

Boris Johnson has confessed to "frustrations" at the Test and Trace system and admitted there is a need to "improve" it.
Latest figures show that less than 60% of close contacts of people who tested positive for coronavirus in England are being reached - the lowest weekly percentage since the scheme began.
Meanwhile, just 15% of people tested for COVID-19 in England at an in-person site are receiving their result within 24 hours.
Image: Sir Patrick Vallance admitted there was 'room for improvement'. Pic: Pippa Fowles/10 Downing Street.
Challenged about the performance of £12bn system at a Downing Street news conference, the prime minister said: "I share people's frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we need to improve it.
"We need to make sure that people who do get a positive test self-isolate - that's absolutely crucial if this thing is going to work in the way that it can."
He added: "It is helping a bit already to break the transmission, about a million contacts have been reached - but there is more that it can do if everyone complies when contacted by NHS Test and Trace."
Mr Johnson previously promised a "world-beating" national Test and Trace scheme.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, also admitted at Thursday's news conference that there was "room for improvement" with the programme.
"The testing system has ramped up the numbers they're able to do quite effectively, but it's really important to concentrate on numbers of contacts, isolation, as quickly as you can, and getting things back as quickly as you can, ideally to get the whole process done within 48 hours," he said.
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"It's very clear there's room for improvement on all of that and therefore that would be diminishing the effectiveness of this."
However, Sir Patrick cautioned that the "effectiveness" of Test and Trace was less when there are higher numbers of coronavirus infections and that it worked best in parts of the country where cases are lower.
At the moment it is "very difficult" to remove from circulation everyone who is infectious due to the high levels of cases, he said.
Sir Patrick showed modelling that estimates between 53,000 and 90,000 people are being infected with COVID-19 each day in England.
"Obviously with that number of infections, you expect to see an increase in hospitalisations as well," he said.
"The number of infections overall across the country continues to increase."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Coronavirus lockdown maths 'is inescapable'
Sir Patrick warned that increasing numbers of patients in hospital with COVID-19 would see a greater impact on people with other health conditions because of the pressures on NHS capacity.
He said the R rate of infection was "about half" of its natural number due to social distancing, but stressed - as long as it is above one - the epidemic "continues to grow and it will continue to grow at a reasonable rate".
"It is doubling perhaps every 14 to 18 days, unless the R comes below one," Sir Patrick added.
However, he said the government was beginning to see the "real effects" of people adhering to COVID-19 measures, with "some indications that amongst young people the rates are coming down or flattening off a bit again".
"In some areas of the country we can begin to see a little bit of flattening, possibly," Sir Patrick added.
"So the measures are having an effect but we need to do more if the aim is to get the R below one and to shrink this epidemic."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Asked about suggestions Britons should be preparing for a "digital Christmas" this year - without large groups of family members socialising in person - Sir Patrick said: "The numbers speak for themselves, they're increasing and they're not going to decrease quickly.
"I think it's likely some measures or restrictions are going to need to be in place for a while to try and get those numbers down.
"Obviously the quicker you get the R below one, the quicker numbers come down and things then give a bit of room.
"And so a lot depends on what happens now over the next few weeks.
"At the moment, the numbers are headed in the wrong direction but there are some signs, in some places, of a potential flattening off of that."
Mr Johnson defended his "balanced approach" to the second wave of coronavirus infections.
Referencing two monsters from Greek mythology, the prime minister said he was pursuing the "middle course between the Scylla of another national lockdown and the Charybdis of an uncontrolled virus".


skynewspolitics--2020-10-22--Heads spin after Burnham's success, the PM's troubles and Sunak's shameless U-turn

Just when you think you understand British politics , you relearn the lesson that you ca n't write ground rules for how it operates in practice .
There is not , I 'm afraid , any algorithm that politics works to that does n't eventually fail .
On Thursday , Chancellor Rishi Sunak did nothing short of a complete - shameless - U-turn on his career-defining , flagship coronavirus job support policy .
Three weeks ago he had wanted a dramatically cheaper form of job support package to help businesses through the next phase of the COVID-19 crisis .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in a government-directed effort to have people switching to more viable careers .
Treasury aides were up front about the core political calculation - they were gambling that the sheer expense for business of employing new staff in better times would discourage them from letting people go immediately in large numbers .
But Mr Sunak has now conceded he was wrong on this and reduced the amount businesses must pay to employ people who ca n't work and provided more government subsidy instead .
He is happy to say he changed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know now the trajectory of the virus in a way unforeseeable less than a month ago .
Inconveniently , allies of Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted the chancellor 's U-turn as soon as the day after the original and cheaper version of the scheme was announced in late September .
Nevertheless , the chancellor has opened his cheque book at a cost of billions to cheers from his own benches in the House of Commons .
Such a U-turn could well have killed Gordon Brown 's hopes for higher office when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to the Foreign Office for less .
Yet on his own side , and even grudgingly amongst political opponents , Mr Sunak comes through relatively unscathed as the man who eventually did the right thing .
His survival comes because his political capital is still extremely high ; he can afford to spend it on a massive U-turn because he 's got so much political capital in the first place .
As an aside , this situation is in itself a big black mark for Labour , who have been trying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but failed to find a weak spot .
The political heat this week is instead on the prime minister .
Everybody in the country now knows that talks between Downing Street and Andy Burnham , mayor of Greater Manchester , collapsed on Tuesday over a difference of £5m - a rounding error in government finances .
Again , in this fight - between the `` King of the North '' and the man who demolished Labour 's Red Wall - there are more gravity-defying political realities to marvel at .
In the hyperbole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Burnham probably did not get all the moves right in the last fortnight is being lost .
He was asking for a policy he could never have secured , and gambled with the livelihoods of Greater Manchester 's residents in the process .
In the end , he was lucky with his opponent and the bet looks like it might have paid off .
This was all possible because - just like Mr Sunak - Mr Burnham has built up his political stock too .
The Manchester metro mayor was advocating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a local increase in salary for those furloughed from 67 % to 80 % .
However desirable , this was always politically undeliverable .
The idea that he could engineer a regional wage rise for his residents that would not then trigger similar demands from every other constituency in the country was a fallacy .
Mr Burnham was explicit he wanted more cash for people elsewhere , not only those represented by him , by repeatedly declaring he was fighting for everyone about to enter into Tier 3 restrictions .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
Mr Burnham is not the chancellor .
The government could not allow this .
The gamble he made was enormous and , when he did not get his way , he made a virtue of it .
When he gave his press conference on the steps of Manchester 's Bridgewater Hall he ( famously ) did not know whether the £60m on offer from government would be taken away from Mancunians because negotiations with the government had collapsed .
The people of Manchester might have lost out from the tactic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson made clear next day .
A no-deal gamble that worked for the mayor rather than the prime minister .
Mr Burnham also skidded around in his arguments .
At one stage the problem was Mr Sunak , then it was not the size of the cheque .
There is good reason for this ; all along he was sitting atop a coalition of 10 local authority leaders , each of whom had different views about how coronavirus should be handled .
Sir Richard Leese , the leader of Manchester City Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would find favour with many Tories who dislike some of the COVID-19 restrictions .
Some of that confusion was probably necessary to hold together his local coalition .
Yet in the eyes of many MPs , including some Tories , it seems Mr Burnham has come off a winner .
In shabby yet authentic attire - the clothes rather than the words being one of his most important political acts of the last fortnight - time and again he articulated a desire to be listened to that was felt by all those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonsensical contradictions in coronavirus policy .
His argument transcended the detail , in a positively Borisonian fashion .
People identified with him , a lesson which has long been key to Mr Johnson 's success .
Both men know it is n't the details that matter .
And , in having this fight , Downing Street has created a more formidable opponent with his own national platform than existed two weeks ago .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The third and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Burnham 's success is deemed by many in Westminster as Mr Johnson 's loss .
The broad regional approach to coronavirus has the chancellor 's fingerprints all over it .
The furlough replacement which Mr Burnham attacked was authored by the Treasury .
The pot of money for local council negotiations was provided by Number 11 .
The conditions not to allow a de facto increase in wage support to 80 % was a Treasury red line .
Yet , by handing over the cash to Downing Street - and allowing Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` get on with it '' - it all became the prime minister 's political headache .
Tactical genius from the Treasury .
Critically , Mr Sunak 's fund was big enough to give Greater Manchester the extra £5m that would have kept the talks alive .
The collapse of the negotiations this week can not therefore legitimately be laid at Mr Sunak 's door .
Despite all of the above .
No wonder heads are spinning in Whitehall .
Three remarkable political events this week .
It feels like the last seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Just when you think you understand British politics, you relearn the lesson that you can't write ground rules for how it operates in practice.
There is not, I'm afraid, any algorithm that politics works to that doesn't eventually fail.
On Thursday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak did nothing short of a complete - shameless - U-turn on his career-defining, flagship coronavirus job support policy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:02 Chancellor sets out three extra support measures
Three weeks ago he had wanted a dramatically cheaper form of job support package to help businesses through the next phase of the COVID-19 crisis.
It would likely mean many job losses and result in a government-directed effort to have people switching to more viable careers.
Treasury aides were up front about the core political calculation - they were gambling that the sheer expense for business of employing new staff in better times would discourage them from letting people go immediately in large numbers.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But Mr Sunak has now conceded he was wrong on this and reduced the amount businesses must pay to employ people who can't work and provided more government subsidy instead.
He is happy to say he changed his mind.
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He uses the excuse that we know now the trajectory of the virus in a way unforeseeable less than a month ago.
This isn't really true.
Image: Clothes rather than the words were one of Andy Burnham's most important political acts
Inconveniently, allies of Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted the chancellor's U-turn as soon as the day after the original and cheaper version of the scheme was announced in late September.
Nevertheless, the chancellor has opened his cheque book at a cost of billions to cheers from his own benches in the House of Commons.
Such a U-turn could well have killed Gordon Brown's hopes for higher office when he was chancellor.
George Osborne was nearly moved to the Foreign Office for less.
Yet on his own side, and even grudgingly amongst political opponents, Mr Sunak comes through relatively unscathed as the man who eventually did the right thing.
His survival comes because his political capital is still extremely high; he can afford to spend it on a massive U-turn because he's got so much political capital in the first place.
Image: The political heat this week is instead on the prime minister
As an aside, this situation is in itself a big black mark for Labour, who have been trying and failing to pin blame on the chancellor but failed to find a weak spot.
The political heat this week is instead on the prime minister.
Everybody in the country now knows that talks between Downing Street and Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, collapsed on Tuesday over a difference of £5m - a rounding error in government finances.
Again, in this fight - between the "King of the North" and the man who demolished Labour's Red Wall - there are more gravity-defying political realities to marvel at.
In the hyperbole of recent days, the fact that Mr Burnham probably did not get all the moves right in the last fortnight is being lost.
He was asking for a policy he could never have secured, and gambled with the livelihoods of Greater Manchester's residents in the process.
In the end, he was lucky with his opponent and the bet looks like it might have paid off.
This was all possible because - just like Mr Sunak - Mr Burnham has built up his political stock too.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:31 Burnham: No 10 'walked away' from Tier 3 talks
The Manchester metro mayor was advocating a policy that the government could never concede - a local increase in salary for those furloughed from 67% to 80%.
However desirable, this was always politically undeliverable.
The idea that he could engineer a regional wage rise for his residents that would not then trigger similar demands from every other constituency in the country was a fallacy.
Mr Burnham was explicit he wanted more cash for people elsewhere, not only those represented by him, by repeatedly declaring he was fighting for everyone about to enter into Tier 3 restrictions.
It was bold. Some in government saw hubris here. Mr Burnham is not the chancellor. The government could not allow this.
The gamble he made was enormous and, when he did not get his way, he made a virtue of it.
When he gave his press conference on the steps of Manchester's Bridgewater Hall he (famously) did not know whether the £60m on offer from government would be taken away from Mancunians because negotiations with the government had collapsed.
The people of Manchester might have lost out from the tactic. But they did not, as Mr Johnson made clear next day.
A no-deal gamble that worked for the mayor rather than the prime minister.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:44 Dodds: 'We've got to get ahead of the crisis'
Mr Burnham also skidded around in his arguments. At one stage the problem was Mr Sunak, then it was not the size of the cheque.
There is good reason for this; all along he was sitting atop a coalition of 10 local authority leaders, each of whom had different views about how coronavirus should be handled.
Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, was even advocating a form of shielding which would find favour with many Tories who dislike some of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Some of that confusion was probably necessary to hold together his local coalition.
Yet in the eyes of many MPs, including some Tories, it seems Mr Burnham has come off a winner.
In shabby yet authentic attire - the clothes rather than the words being one of his most important political acts of the last fortnight - time and again he articulated a desire to be listened to that was felt by all those residents of his who are confused by nonsensical contradictions in coronavirus policy.
His argument transcended the detail, in a positively Borisonian fashion. People identified with him, a lesson which has long been key to Mr Johnson's success.
Both men know it isn't the details that matter. And, in having this fight, Downing Street has created a more formidable opponent with his own national platform than existed two weeks ago.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The third and final marvel of this week is that Mr Burnham's success is deemed by many in Westminster as Mr Johnson's loss.
The broad regional approach to coronavirus has the chancellor's fingerprints all over it.
The furlough replacement which Mr Burnham attacked was authored by the Treasury.
The pot of money for local council negotiations was provided by Number 11. The conditions not to allow a de facto increase in wage support to 80% was a Treasury red line.
Yet, by handing over the cash to Downing Street - and allowing Mr Johnson's aide Sir Edward Lister to "get on with it" - it all became the prime minister's political headache. Tactical genius from the Treasury.
Critically, Mr Sunak's fund was big enough to give Greater Manchester the extra £5m that would have kept the talks alive.
The collapse of the negotiations this week cannot therefore legitimately be laid at Mr Sunak's door. Despite all of the above.
No wonder heads are spinning in Whitehall.
Three remarkable political events this week. It feels like the last seven days will shape the next few months.