skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--MPs sent home for Xmas - but could be recalled 'as early as next week' to approve Brexit deal

MPs will be sent home for the Christmas holidays on Thursday - but could be recalled to Westminster `` as early as next week '' if a post-Brexit trade deal is agreed , Number 10 has said .
EU and UK negotiators are still yet to breach months of deadlock in talks on a future trade relationship , despite hopes of a possible breakthrough in recent days .
And Downing Street warned that `` time is now in short supply to reach an agreement '' ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , '' a spokesman said .
Announcing the move for the House of Commons to go into its Christmas recess , Number 10 said that `` all the necessary legislation '' for the end of the Brexit transition period - barring a possible trade deal - would have completed its passage through parliament by Thursday .
`` In the absence of further substantive business , we will - subject to usual approval by the House - go into recess tomorrow , but with the knowledge that we will recall MPs and peers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is secured , '' the spokesman said .
`` That recall could be as early as next week . ''
The move suggests that Downing Street does not see a breakthrough on an EU-UK trade agreement being reached this week , with 48 hours ' notice needed to recall parliament .
However , Number 10 said it was confident that - with just 15 days until the end of the transition period - there would still be time for parliament to approve a trade deal , should one be agreed .
`` Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace and the country would expect nothing less , '' the spokesman added .
`` The process for recall will align with the process for finalising the legislation for a deal , if one is secured , and no time will be lost .
`` Under the recall process , we will adapt the days ' proceedings to focus exclusively on the passage of that legislation .
This may mean meeting at an earlier time .
`` We realise that this duty falls not just on MPs and peers , but on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to whom we are very grateful . ''
Earlier on Thursday , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Brussels that `` there is a path to an agreement now '' on an EU-UK deal .
`` The path may be very narrow but it is there , '' Ms von der Leyen told MEPs , as indicated that fishing rights remains a key sticking point but suggested progress had been made on `` level playing field '' provisions .
The Leader of the House of Commons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal could be rushed through both Houses of Parliament very quickly .
`` You can really , really truncate the parliamentary process if necessary and if there is a will to do it , '' he said .

MPs will be sent home for the Christmas holidays - but could be recalled to Westminster "as early as next week" if a post-Brexit trade deal is agreed, it has been confirmed.
EU and UK negotiators are still yet to breach months of deadlock in talks on a future trade relationship, despite hopes of a possible breakthrough in recent days.
And Downing Street warned that "time is now in short supply to reach an agreement" ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
Image: The House of Commons is required to ratify a EU-UK trade deal
"We expect discussions will continue over the coming days," a spokesman said.
Announcing the move for the House of Commons to go into its Christmas recess, Number 10 said that "all the necessary legislation" for the end of the Brexit transition period - barring a possible trade deal - would have completed its passage through parliament by Thursday.
"In the absence of further substantive business, we will - subject to usual approval by the House - go into recess tomorrow, but with the knowledge that we will recall MPs and peers to legislate for a deal if one is secured," the spokesman said.
"That recall could be as early as next week."
Addressing MPs on Thursday, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "Subject to the House's decision later, we will rise for the Christmas recess at the close of business today but MPs will recognise that talks with the European Union continue.
"Should a deal be secured, it is the government's intention to request a recall in order that Parliament may pass the necessary legislation."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:17 How would no Brexit trade deal affect the price of food?
The move suggests that Downing Street does not see a breakthrough on an EU-UK trade agreement being reached this week, with 48 hours' notice needed to recall parliament.
However, Number 10 said it was confident that - with just 15 days until the end of the transition period - there would still be time for parliament to approve a trade deal, should one be agreed.
"Parliament has long shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less," the spokesman added.
"The process for recall will align with the process for finalising the legislation for a deal, if one is secured, and no time will be lost.
"Under the recall process, we will adapt the days' proceedings to focus exclusively on the passage of that legislation. This may mean meeting at an earlier time.
"We realise that this duty falls not just on MPs and peers, but on the parliamentary staff that make parliament function, to whom we are very grateful."
Earlier on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Brussels that "there is a path to an agreement now" on an EU-UK deal.
"The path may be very narrow but it is there," Ms von der Leyen told MEPs, as indicated that fishing rights remains a key sticking point but suggested progress had been made on "level playing field" provisions.
The Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, recently claimed a trade deal could be rushed through both Houses of Parliament very quickly.
"You can really, really truncate the parliamentary process if necessary and if there is a will to do it," he said.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-16--Downing Street defends £40k pay rise for PM's ex-aide Cummings

Boris Johnson 's press secretary has defended the prime minister 's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings getting a pay rise of at least £40,000 before he left Downing Street .
Allegra Stratton said the increase took his salary to the `` correct level '' for the role he held at that time .
It was revealed in an annual report on government special advisers ' pay released on Tuesday that Mr Cummings was paid between £140,000 and £144,999 a year .
This put him among the top earners in Number 10 before his departure last month , which followed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top staff .
And it also showed that Mr Cummings received a pay hike in the last 12 months , with last year 's report on special advisers ' pay having revealed he was previously on a salary of between £95,000 and £99,999 .
`` This was a matter for the Cabinet Office special adviser pay committee , that 's where the decisions are taken , '' Ms Stratton said .
`` It 's the case that Dominic Cummings ' revised salary reflected the fact that up until his departure he was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important special adviser .
`` And the new salary he received was in line with the salary chiefs of staff and people of that rank receive .
`` It was not that his new salary took him over and above what you would expect for the kind of role he performed .
`` It 's the correct level of salary for the role that Dominic Cummings performed . ''
Labour 's deputy leader Angela Rayner said the `` bumper bonus '' was an `` insult to key workers denied the pay rise they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's another example of how under this government it is one rule for the Tory party and their friends and another for the rest of us . ''
The pay rise came after Mr Cummings helped the PM win an 80-seat majority in last year 's general election .
But his position in Number 10 came under scrutiny after he was accused of breaking coronavirus rules by travelling from London to the North East at the height of England 's first lockdown .
Mr Cummings explained a further trip to Barnard Castle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyesight before driving back to London .
Mr Johnson stood by his chief aide at the time , despite coming under pressure to sack him .
Mr Cummings left Number 10 in November after disagreements between Downing Street 's top political appointees .
His exit followed shortly after that of his close ally Lee Cain , the prime minister 's former director of communications .
In a footnote to this year 's annual report on special advisers ' pay , it was stated Mr Cain and Mr Cummings are `` in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although neither have been seen in Number 10 since last month .
Mr Cain was also on a salary of between £140,000 and £144,999 , which is the same level as the prime minister 's acting chief of staff , Sir Edward Lister , and the man who will take on the chief of staff role from 1 January , Dan Rosenfield .
Ms Stratton , a former journalist , is paid between £125,000 and £129,999 , the annual report said .
This is the same as the UK 's chief negotiator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Boris Johnson's press secretary has defended the prime minister's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings getting a pay rise of at least £40,000 before he left Downing Street.
Allegra Stratton said the increase took his salary to the "correct level" for the role he held at that time.
It was revealed in an annual report on government special advisers' pay released on Tuesday that Mr Cummings was paid between £140,000 and £144,999 a year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:07 What does Cummings' exit mean for the PM?
This put him among the top earners in Number 10 before his departure last month, which followed a bitter power struggle among Mr Johnson's top staff.
And it also showed that Mr Cummings received a pay hike in the last 12 months, with last year's report on special advisers' pay having revealed he was previously on a salary of between £95,000 and £99,999.
"This was a matter for the Cabinet Office special adviser pay committee, that's where the decisions are taken," Ms Stratton said.
"It's the case that Dominic Cummings' revised salary reflected the fact that up until his departure he was one of, if not the most, important special adviser.
"And the new salary he received was in line with the salary chiefs of staff and people of that rank receive.
"It was not that his new salary took him over and above what you would expect for the kind of role he performed.
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"It's the correct level of salary for the role that Dominic Cummings performed."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Cummings leaves role with immediate effect
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said the "bumper bonus" was an "insult to key workers denied the pay rise they deserve".
She added: "It's another example of how under this government it is one rule for the Tory party and their friends and another for the rest of us."
The pay rise came after Mr Cummings helped the PM win an 80-seat majority in last year's general election.
But his position in Number 10 came under scrutiny after he was accused of breaking coronavirus rules by travelling from London to the North East at the height of England's first lockdown.
Mr Cummings explained a further trip to Barnard Castle by saying he needed to test his eyesight before driving back to London.
Mr Johnson stood by his chief aide at the time, despite coming under pressure to sack him.
Mr Cummings left Number 10 in November after disagreements between Downing Street's top political appointees.
His exit followed shortly after that of his close ally Lee Cain, the prime minister's former director of communications.
In a footnote to this year's annual report on special advisers' pay, it was stated Mr Cain and Mr Cummings are "in the process of leaving their government posts" - although neither have been seen in Number 10 since last month.
Mr Cain was also on a salary of between £140,000 and £144,999, which is the same level as the prime minister's acting chief of staff, Sir Edward Lister, and the man who will take on the chief of staff role from 1 January, Dan Rosenfield.
Ms Stratton, a former journalist, is paid between £125,000 and £129,999, the annual report said.
This is the same as the UK's chief negotiator for Brexit trade talks, Lord Frost.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Almost all Tier 3 areas stay the same with top restrictions extended in South East

Almost all Tier 3 areas will remain at their current level of restrictions - but a wider area of east and southeast England will move up to the most severe measures , the health secretary has said .
Addressing MPs in the Commons , Matt Hancock said that from Saturday the following areas will move into Tier 3 : • The rest of Hertfordshire not already in Tier 3 ( Dacorum , East Hertfordshire , North Hertfordshire , St Albans , Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield ) Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world It had already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Essex and Hertfordshire would move into Tier 3 , with the change taking effect on Wednesday .
This latest announcement means a total of 38 million people will be living under Tier 3 restrictions from Saturday - 68 % of England 's population .
In Tier 3 areas , pubs and restaurants have to close except for takeaway , while indoor entertainment and tourist venues are also shut .
However , the health secretary did say that Bristol and North Somerset will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 , while Herefordshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
Some 30 % of the population will be in Tier 2 , with just 2 % in Tier 1 .
Announcing the outcome of the first review of the strengthened tiered system of restrictions , Mr Hancock said the UK has `` come so far '' in its fight against COVID-19 and `` must n't blow it now '' .
`` As we enter the coldest months we must be vigilant and keep this virus under control , '' he said .
`` Yesterday 25,161 cases were reported and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
We must keep suppressing this virus . ''
Mr Hancock urged people to take `` personal responsibility '' in keeping COVID-19 under control , adding : `` It 's so vital that everyone sticks at it and does the right thing , especially over this Christmas period . ''
The health secretary said case rates in the south of England have increased by 46 % in the last week , with hospital admissions rising by more than a third .
In the east of England , Mr Hancock told MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital admissions have increased by nearly half in the last week .
The health secretary said he `` regrets '' moving more areas into Tier 3 , but insisted it was `` necessary '' .
However , a number of Tory MPs and local leaders have voiced their disappointment .
Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said it was `` ridiculous that we are being dragged into Tier 3 '' , while Altrincham and Sale West MP Sir Graham Brady said the news that Greater Manchester will stay in that tier will be `` greeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP , Labour 's Andrew Gwynne , said : `` It seems we are trapped in this system arbitrarily which was always my worry - and despite our cases dropping , we are now being held back because of the utter mess government has made of its Christmas relaxation rules . ''
Dan Jarvis , mayor of the Sheffield City Region , said remaining in Tier 3 was `` absolutely the last thing our communities and businesses wanted to hear '' and represented `` another hammer blow to follow so many others '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local leaders have been cut out of the decision-making process and not even afforded the basic courtesy of being consulted , or informed in advance , about this decision , '' he added .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he feared the tiered system was `` just not strong enough to control the virus '' , with `` numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular '' .
And he criticised what he said was a lack of clarity from ministers about what people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been all over the place - work at home , do n't work at home , go out to eat , do n't go out to eat , enjoy Christmas , have a small Christmas , '' he said .
Responding to Mr Hancock in the Commons , Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the party accepts and understands why parts of England have been moved into Tier 3 , `` even though this means tens of millions of people ... are now living under the toughest restrictions '' .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imminent relaxation of coronavirus rules over Christmas .
He said : `` This is n't about cancelling Christmas , Santa will still deliver his presents , but is ( Matt Hancock ) really telling us that allowing indoor mixing of three households across regions and generations for five days is sensible given the virus is raging with such ferocity at the moment ? ''
Sir Keir said Boris Johnson `` needs to show leadership '' over the Christmas situation instead of trying to `` shift the blame '' to families .
From 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK will be able to mix in private homes with those in their `` Christmas bubble '' , while travel restrictions will also be lifted .
However , there has been a decided shift from the UK government and the devolved administrations of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland since the initial announcement that restrictions will be eased over the festive period .
Addressing a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday , the prime minister urged the public to see festive bubbles of up to three households as `` maximums '' rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Welsh government has announced it would be putting its new guidance on limiting Christmas gatherings to just two households into legislation .
Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recommended that those people forming a Christmas bubble should only meet up on one day and not stay overnight `` unless it is unavoidable '' .
In Northern Ireland , First Minister Arlene Foster said the public must take `` all and every precaution '' at Christmas and that proposals for further restrictions would be brought forward .
When England emerged from lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government pointed to this week as the moment where an unapologetically stringent regime of tiers could loosen .
A potent mix of public health and political messaging has now made that untenable .
The national context was shifted by a surge in cases in London and the South-East , combined with worries about the Christmas reprieve .
New toughened guidance for the festive period already cuts across the letter of the law .
A significant loosening of tiers would risk further muddling the message .
But that 's not to say the politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A vast majority of the areas in the south east moving into tier three are held by Conservative MPs .
Expect criticism from backbenchers about why decisions have n't been made on a more granular level .
For instance , Berkshire has been put into the top tier , despite differences in rates between urban Reading and the more rural western parts of the county .
Greater Manchester is also once again likely to prove a point of tension .
Local MPs are already pointing out that parts of their region have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city that has now been bumped down a level .
None of this will present the government with a tangible risk in the chamber though , as no vote is required to bring in the changes .
But there could be trouble come the new year when a vote is needed to renew the restrictions .

Almost all Tier 3 areas will remain at their current level of restrictions - but a wider area of east and southeast England will move up to the most severe measures, the health secretary has said.
Addressing MPs in the Commons, Matt Hancock said that from Saturday the following areas will move into Tier 3:
Bedford
Central Bedfordshire
Luton
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
Reading
Wokingham
Bracknell Forest
Windsor and Maidenhead
West Berkshire
Peterborough
The rest of Hertfordshire not already in Tier 3 (Dacorum, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire, St Albans, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield)
Surrey (except Waverley)
Hastings and Rother
Portsmouth
Havant
Gosport
It had already been announced on Monday that London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire would move into Tier 3, with the change taking effect on Wednesday.
This latest announcement means a total of 38 million people will be living under Tier 3 restrictions from Saturday - 68% of England's population.
In Tier 3 areas, pubs and restaurants have to close except for takeaway, while indoor entertainment and tourist venues are also shut.
However, the health secretary did say that Bristol and North Somerset will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2, while Herefordshire will drop from Tier 2 to Tier 1.
Some 30% of the population will be in Tier 2, with just 2% in Tier 1.
Announcing the outcome of the first review of the strengthened tiered system of restrictions, Mr Hancock said the UK has "come so far" in its fight against COVID-19 and "mustn't blow it now".
"As we enter the coldest months we must be vigilant and keep this virus under control," he said.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 Hancock reveals areas going down a tier
"Yesterday 25,161 cases were reported and there are 18,038 people in hospital with coronavirus in the UK. We must keep suppressing this virus."
Mr Hancock urged people to take "personal responsibility" in keeping COVID-19 under control, adding: "It's so vital that everyone sticks at it and does the right thing, especially over this Christmas period."
The health secretary said case rates in the south of England have increased by 46% in the last week, with hospital admissions rising by more than a third.
In the east of England, Mr Hancock told MPs that cases were up by two-thirds while hospital admissions have increased by nearly half in the last week.
The health secretary said he "regrets" moving more areas into Tier 3, but insisted it was "necessary".
However, a number of Tory MPs and local leaders have voiced their disappointment.
Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said it was "ridiculous that we are being dragged into Tier 3", while Altrincham and Sale West MP Sir Graham Brady said the news that Greater Manchester will stay in that tier will be "greeted with dismay".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 'Don't travel' over Christmas says home secretary
Another Greater Manchester MP, Labour's Andrew Gwynne, said: "It seems we are trapped in this system arbitrarily which was always my worry - and despite our cases dropping, we are now being held back because of the utter mess government has made of its Christmas relaxation rules."
Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said remaining in Tier 3 was "absolutely the last thing our communities and businesses wanted to hear" and represented "another hammer blow to follow so many others".
"Once again, mayors and local leaders have been cut out of the decision-making process and not even afforded the basic courtesy of being consulted, or informed in advance, about this decision," he added.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he feared the tiered system was "just not strong enough to control the virus", with "numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular".
And he criticised what he said was a lack of clarity from ministers about what people should do.
"The messaging has been all over the place - work at home, don't work at home, go out to eat, don't go out to eat, enjoy Christmas, have a small Christmas," he said.
Responding to Mr Hancock in the Commons, Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the party accepts and understands why parts of England have been moved into Tier 3, "even though this means tens of millions of people...are now living under the toughest restrictions".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:19 Varying COVID guidance across the UK
However, he questioned the wisdom of the imminent relaxation of coronavirus rules over Christmas.
He said: "This isn't about cancelling Christmas, Santa will still deliver his presents, but is (Matt Hancock) really telling us that allowing indoor mixing of three households across regions and generations for five days is sensible given the virus is raging with such ferocity at the moment?"
Sir Keir said Boris Johnson "needs to show leadership" over the Christmas situation instead of trying to "shift the blame" to families.
From 23 to 27 December, people across the UK will be able to mix in private homes with those in their "Christmas bubble", while travel restrictions will also be lifted.
However, there has been a decided shift from the UK government and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since the initial announcement that restrictions will be eased over the festive period.
Addressing a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday, the prime minister urged the public to see festive bubbles of up to three households as "maximums" rather than "targets to aim for".
The Welsh government has announced it would be putting its new guidance on limiting Christmas gatherings to just two households into legislation.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recommended that those people forming a Christmas bubble should only meet up on one day and not stay overnight "unless it is unavoidable".
In Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster said the public must take "all and every precaution" at Christmas and that proposals for further restrictions would be brought forward.
Analysis: Significant loosening of tiers risked further muddling government's message
By Rob Powell, political correspondent
When England emerged from lockdown a fortnight ago, noises coming from government pointed to this week as the moment where an unapologetically stringent regime of tiers could loosen.
A potent mix of public health and political messaging has now made that untenable.
The national context was shifted by a surge in cases in London and the South-East, combined with worries about the Christmas reprieve.
New toughened guidance for the festive period already cuts across the letter of the law.
A significant loosening of tiers would risk further muddling the message.
But that's not to say the politics of this is easy for the government.
A vast majority of the areas in the south east moving into tier three are held by Conservative MPs.
Expect criticism from backbenchers about why decisions haven't been made on a more granular level.
For instance, Berkshire has been put into the top tier, despite differences in rates between urban Reading and the more rural western parts of the county.
Greater Manchester is also once again likely to prove a point of tension.
Local MPs are already pointing out that parts of their region have lower rates than bits of Bristol - a city that has now been bumped down a level.
None of this will present the government with a tangible risk in the chamber though, as no vote is required to bring in the changes.
But there could be trouble come the new year when a vote is needed to renew the restrictions.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--PM tells EU to shift its stance 'substantially' with Brexit trade talks in 'serious situation'

Boris Johnson has told EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that Brexit trade talks are now in `` a serious situation '' and that a no-deal outcome is `` very likely '' unless the EU changes its stance `` substantially '' .
The prime minister spoke to the European Commission president by phone on Thursday evening , in which the two leaders took stock of the current state of EU-UK negotiations .
It comes ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks ' time .
During the call , Mr Johnson `` underlined that the negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Downing Street spokesperson said .
The prime minister told Ms Von der Leyen that `` time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially '' , Number 10 said .
The spokesperson added : `` He said that we were making every effort to accommodate reasonable EU requests on the level playing field , but even though the gap had narrowed some fundamental areas remained difficult . ''
So-called level playing field provisions are commitments to fair competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards between the UK and the EU , although the prime minister is keen not to have the UK too closely bound to new Brussels regulations .
Continuing differences over state aid rules remain a stumbling block to an agreement in this area , according to UK sources .
Mr Johnson was also said to have condemned the EU 's position on the issue of fisheries as `` simply not reasonable '' and told Ms von der Leyen that , if there was to be an agreement , it `` needed to shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated that little time was left , '' the spokesperson said .
`` He said that , if no agreement could be reached , the UK and the EU would part as friends , with the UK trading with the EU on Australian-style terms .
`` The leaders agreed to remain in close contact . ''
The phrase `` Australia-style terms '' is Mr Johnson 's favoured way of referring to the UK ending the Brexit transition period without a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU .
In her own statement after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leyen said : `` We welcomed substantial progress on many issues .
`` Yet big differences remain to be bridged , in particular on fisheries .
Bridging them will be very challenging .
The pound , which has been trading at its highest levels for more than two years on Brexit deal hopes this week , slipped back slightly on the latest update .
Sterling dipped below $ 1.36 against the US dollar though it was still more than half a cent higher on the day .
After Mr Johnson and Ms von @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK 's chief negotiator Lord Frost warned that `` progress seems blocked and time is running out '' .
Discussions over the UK 's future relationship with the EU had continued in Brussels on Thursday morning , with the two teams also having worked until late on Wednesday night .
The European Parliament has set a three-day deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal to be agreed , as it warned MEPs will not have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night .
However , UK sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that timetable to agree a legal text for a trade deal .
Meanwhile , MPs were sent home from parliament for the Christmas holidays on Thursday , with them not due to return to Westminster until 5 January .
However , Downing Street has said it could recall parliament from its Christmas recess as early as next week , should a trade deal be reached and need to be ratified before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
Senior cabinet minister Michael Gove downplayed the prospects of a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee of MPs on Thursday afternoon .
He told the House of Commons ' Brexit Committee the `` most likely outcome '' was that the transition period would end without a deal in place .
`` I think , regrettably , the chances are more likely that we wo n't secure an agreement , '' Mr Gove said .
`` So at the moment less than 50 % . ''
He added that , although recent talks with the EU had made progress , `` significant '' differences still remain between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has managed to narrow down areas of difference , '' the Cabinet Office minister told MPs .
`` It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July . ''
Without a trade deal being in place at the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks ' time , the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules from 1 January with tariffs imposed in both directions .

Boris Johnson has told EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that Brexit trade talks are now in "a serious situation" and that a no-deal outcome is "very likely" unless the EU changes its stance "substantially".
The prime minister spoke to the European Commission president by phone on Thursday evening, in which the two leaders took stock of the current state of EU-UK negotiations.
It comes ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time.
During the call, Mr Johnson "underlined that the negotiations were now in a serious situation", a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Image: 'Big differences remain to be bridged', according to Ms von der Leyen
The prime minister told Ms Von der Leyen that "time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially", Number 10 said.
The spokesperson added: "He said that we were making every effort to accommodate reasonable EU requests on the level playing field, but even though the gap had narrowed some fundamental areas remained difficult."
So-called level playing field provisions are commitments to fair competition and a set of common rules and standards between the UK and the EU, although the prime minister is keen not to have the UK too closely bound to new Brussels regulations.
Continuing differences over state aid rules remain a stumbling block to an agreement in this area, according to UK sources.
Mr Johnson was also said to have condemned the EU's position on the issue of fisheries as "simply not reasonable" and told Ms von der Leyen that, if there was to be an agreement, it "needed to shift significantly".
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"The prime minister repeated that little time was left," the spokesperson said.
"He said that, if no agreement could be reached, the UK and the EU would part as friends, with the UK trading with the EU on Australian-style terms.
"The leaders agreed to remain in close contact."
Image: There are two weeks until the end of the Brexit transition period
The phrase "Australia-style terms" is Mr Johnson's favoured way of referring to the UK ending the Brexit transition period without a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU.
In her own statement after the phone call, Ms von der Leyen said: "We welcomed substantial progress on many issues.
"Yet big differences remain to be bridged, in particular on fisheries. Bridging them will be very challenging.
"Negotiations will continue tomorrow."
The pound, which has been trading at its highest levels for more than two years on Brexit deal hopes this week, slipped back slightly on the latest update.
Sterling dipped below $1.36 against the US dollar though it was still more than half a cent higher on the day.
After Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen's phone call, the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost warned that "progress seems blocked and time is running out".
Discussions over the UK's future relationship with the EU had continued in Brussels on Thursday morning, with the two teams also having worked until late on Wednesday night.
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The European Parliament has set a three-day deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal to be agreed, as it warned MEPs will not have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night.
However, UK sources said they were not tying themselves to that timetable to agree a legal text for a trade deal.
Meanwhile, MPs were sent home from parliament for the Christmas holidays on Thursday, with them not due to return to Westminster until 5 January.
However, Downing Street has said it could recall parliament from its Christmas recess as early as next week, should a trade deal be reached and need to be ratified before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
Senior cabinet minister Michael Gove downplayed the prospects of a deal being struck when he appeared before a committee of MPs on Thursday afternoon.
He told the House of Commons' Brexit Committee the "most likely outcome" was that the transition period would end without a deal in place.
"I think, regrettably, the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement," Mr Gove said.
"So at the moment less than 50%."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:17 How would no Brexit trade deal affect the price of food?
He added that, although recent talks with the EU had made progress, "significant" differences still remain between the two sides.
"The process of negotiation has managed to narrow down areas of difference," the Cabinet Office minister told MPs.
"It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July."
Without a trade deal being in place at the end of the Brexit transition period in two weeks' time, the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules from 1 January with tariffs imposed in both directions.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Furlough scheme extended until end of April

The furlough scheme supporting workers temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus crisis will be extended by a month until the end of April .
It will mean the government continues to pay 80 % of wages for those workers `` giving business and employees across the UK certainty into the new year '' , the Treasury said .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak had been due to review the employer contribution element of the furlough scheme in January but this has now been brought forward .
That means that , unlike earlier this year when the government started to scale back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more to cover wages , they will still have to pay only national insurance and pension contributions .
Mr Sunak also announced that government-backed loan schemes designed to support stricken firms through the coronavirus crisis - which had been due to close at the end of January - would continue until the end of March .
The chancellor said : `` Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world - helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premium businesses place on certainty , so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes , which is why we 're providing certainty and clarity by extending this support . ''
Figures published earlier on Thursday showed the government 's spending on the furlough scheme had risen to £46.4bn so far .
Separate data published by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) showed 15.5 % of the workforce , or just over five million people , were currently on furlough leave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chancellor also revealed that the UK 's next budget would take place on 3 March , with latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) to be published alongside it .
That event will also see the government set out details of further schemes to support business after initiatives such as the Bounce-Back loan scheme and coronavirus business interruption loans have ended .
It means employers will have more than 45 days - the statutory notice period for redundancies - to make plans once they have learned how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of measures .
The Treasury said that so far , the furlough scheme , officially known as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ( CJRS ) scheme has protected 9.6 million jobs across the UK .
It also said that more than £68bn had been provided to businesses under the government 's loan schemes .
The furlough scheme 's extension into the spring of next year will mean millions of threatened jobs being kept alive for more than a year thanks to government help .
First launched in April - and backdated to 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government cover 80 % of wages for businesses that made claims .
It was later gradually scaled back and by October covered just 60 % of wages .
A newly-extended scheme from November - as lockdowns , followed by tier restrictions , came into force - covered 80 % of wages and it will now continue at this level until the end of April .
Similar levels of help have been on offer to support self-employed workers .
Unemployment has been rising during the pandemic , with latest figures showing the jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months to October and redundancies hitting a record high .
A Sky News tracker of publicly-announced job cut announcements shows hospitality , retail and aviation have been the worst affected parts of the economy .
The Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) said the extension of the furlough scheme would bring `` some much-needed certainty and respite '' for businesses .
But Labour accused Mr Sunak of waiting until the `` last possible minute to act '' with businesses potentially preparing to issue redundancy notices .

The furlough scheme supporting workers temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus crisis will be extended by a month until the end of April.
It will mean the government continues to pay 80% of wages for those workers "giving business and employees across the UK certainty into the new year", the Treasury said.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak had been due to review the employer contribution element of the furlough scheme in January but this has now been brought forward.
That means that, unlike earlier this year when the government started to scale back the subsidy and asked companies to put in more to cover wages, they will still have to pay only national insurance and pension contributions.
Mr Sunak also announced that government-backed loan schemes designed to support stricken firms through the coronavirus crisis - which had been due to close at the end of January - would continue until the end of March.
The chancellor said: "Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world - helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.
"We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we're providing certainty and clarity by extending this support."
Figures published earlier on Thursday showed the government's spending on the furlough scheme had risen to £46.4bn so far.
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Separate data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 15.5% of the workforce, or just over five million people, were currently on furlough leave.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 The state of the UK's pandemic-hit economy
The furlough extension was announced as the chancellor also revealed that the UK's next budget would take place on 3 March, with latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to be published alongside it.
That event will also see the government set out details of further schemes to support business after initiatives such as the Bounce-Back loan scheme and coronavirus business interruption loans have ended.
It means employers will have more than 45 days - the statutory notice period for redundancies - to make plans once they have learned how they might be helped by the latest package of measures.
The Treasury said that so far, the furlough scheme, officially known as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) scheme has protected 9.6 million jobs across the UK.
It also said that more than £68bn had been provided to businesses under the government's loan schemes.
The furlough scheme's extension into the spring of next year will mean millions of threatened jobs being kept alive for more than a year thanks to government help.
First launched in April - and backdated to 1 March - the furlough scheme initially saw the government cover 80% of wages for businesses that made claims.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 12:18 COVID-19: The economic virus
It was later gradually scaled back and by October covered just 60% of wages.
A newly-extended scheme from November - as lockdowns, followed by tier restrictions, came into force - covered 80% of wages and it will now continue at this level until the end of April.
Similar levels of help have been on offer to support self-employed workers.
Unemployment has been rising during the pandemic, with latest figures showing the jobless rate climbing to 4.9% in the three months to October and redundancies hitting a record high.
A Sky News tracker of publicly-announced job cut announcements shows hospitality, retail and aviation have been the worst affected parts of the economy.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the extension of the furlough scheme would bring "some much-needed certainty and respite" for businesses.
But Labour accused Mr Sunak of waiting until the "last possible minute to act" with businesses potentially preparing to issue redundancy notices.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Northern Ireland to enter six-week lockdown on Boxing Day amid rising COVID cases

Northern Ireland will enter a six-week lockdown on Boxing Day amid rising COVID-19 infections and severe pressure on hospitals .
The new restrictions , due to come into force at 00.01am on 26 December , will include the shutting of all non-essential shops as well the closure of pubs , bars and restaurants apart from takeaway services .
The first week of the new lockdown will also see even stricter measures , with all sporting activity to be banned and essential shops told to close at 8pm .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the lockdown , agreed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reviewed after four weeks .
`` The situation in terms of COVID is quite dire and we saw images this week that we never want to see repeated again , '' Ms O'Neill said , as she referred to patients being treated in car parks this week at over-capacity hospitals .
`` It 's very clear from the positive cases that we 're seeing every day that an urgent intervention was required . ''
She promised that financial support would be put in place to support businesses through the fresh lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to form `` Christmas bubbles '' with other households over the festive period .
`` I think this will be disappointing to many , I think a lot of people - also - would have expected it , '' Ms O'Neill said .
`` It 's very clear we needed an urgent intervention .
`` I think this is the right decision by the Executive , albeit I accept it will be challenging for many , many people .
`` We try to get a balance in all of these things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer and deeper intervention . ''
Northern Ireland ministers had met on Thursday afternoon to discuss proposals for new restrictions as coronavirus case numbers continue to increase off the back of a recent two-week `` circuit break '' measures .
Between 27 November and 10 December , all pubs , bars , restaurants and non-essential shops were closed in Northern Ireland , with gyms and swimming pools also shut .
However , Northern Ireland 's hospitals have remained under pressure since the end of that two-week period .
On Thursday , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 had died in Northern Ireland , bringing the total number of fatalities in the pandemic to 1,154 .
Another 656 new cases of the virus were also recorded , with 460 COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals , including 32 in intensive care .
On Tuesday , queues of ambulances were witnessed at accident and emergency departments across Northern Ireland as patients were treated in car parks due to a lack of capacity inside the hospitals .
At one point , 17 ambulances containing patients were lined up outside Antrim Area Hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to help their Northern Ireland counterparts this weekend .
Michael Bloomfield , chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ( NIAS ) , said the move was `` relatively unusual '' and reflects the pressure they are under .
On Wednesday , it was announced that Wales will move to its highest tier of restrictions - known as `` level 4 '' and equivalent to a lockdown - for an initial three-week period on 28 December .
Analysis - New lockdown surprises no one in Northern Ireland Robin Swann was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the words `` extreme '' and `` robust '' on Wednesday when describing the set of proposals he would bring to the Executive .
The new six-week lockdown fits the bill .
Essentially it 's a return to the first lockdown of the spring , `` deeper and longer '' than the last `` circuit-breaker '' lockdown , according to Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill .
And yet , the news has surprised virtually no-one here .
Grabbing a quick lunch in Oliver 's restaurant just a few minutes down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tables were discussing the upcoming lockdown and how tough it will be .
Northern Ireland 's hospitals are operating at 104 % of capacity .
A couple of days ago , a row of 17 ambulances were parked up outside Antrim Area Hospital , with patients being treated inside the vehicles as there was no space inside the hospital itself .
There were 12 more deaths and 656 new cases in Northern Ireland on Thursday ; per capita , that 's around four times the rate across the border in the Republic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates in the EU at the moment .
Clearly something had to be done and even Hospitality Ulster , representing bars and hotels in Northern Ireland , called for a lockdown before the Executive met .
And so , after a period of all too brief festive respite , businesses across Northern Ireland must shut their doors once more , as a particularly grim January beckons .
Northern Ireland 's political leaders will hope a weary public will heed the message of personal responsibility as they plough through this bleak time .

Northern Ireland will enter a six-week lockdown on Boxing Day amid rising COVID-19 infections and severe pressure on hospitals.
The new restrictions, due to come into force at 00.01am on 26 December, will include the shutting of all non-essential shops as well the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants apart from takeaway services.
The first week of the new lockdown will also see even stricter measures, with all sporting activity to be banned and essential shops told to close at 8pm.
Image: Northern Ireland will enter a six-week lockdown on Boxing Day
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the lockdown, agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive on Thursday, would be reviewed after four weeks.
"The situation in terms of COVID is quite dire and we saw images this week that we never want to see repeated again," Ms O'Neill said, as she referred to patients being treated in car parks this week at over-capacity hospitals.
"It's very clear from the positive cases that we're seeing every day that an urgent intervention was required."
She promised that financial support would be put in place to support businesses through the fresh lockdown, while she confirmed that people would still be able to form "Christmas bubbles" with other households over the festive period.
"I think this will be disappointing to many, I think a lot of people - also - would have expected it," Ms O'Neill said.
"It's very clear we needed an urgent intervention.
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"I think this is the right decision by the Executive, albeit I accept it will be challenging for many, many people.
"We try to get a balance in all of these things but it's clear that we needed a longer and deeper intervention."
Image: Hospitals in Northern Ireland are running at over capacity
Northern Ireland ministers had met on Thursday afternoon to discuss proposals for new restrictions as coronavirus case numbers continue to increase off the back of a recent two-week "circuit break" measures.
Between 27 November and 10 December, all pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops were closed in Northern Ireland, with gyms and swimming pools also shut.
However, Northern Ireland's hospitals have remained under pressure since the end of that two-week period.
On Thursday, it was announced a further 12 people with COVID-19 had died in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of fatalities in the pandemic to 1,154.
Another 656 new cases of the virus were also recorded, with 460 COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals, including 32 in intensive care.
The hospital occupancy rate was 104%.
On Tuesday, queues of ambulances were witnessed at accident and emergency departments across Northern Ireland as patients were treated in car parks due to a lack of capacity inside the hospitals.
At one point, 17 ambulances containing patients were lined up outside Antrim Area Hospital.
Paramedics from the Republic of Ireland are set to help their Northern Ireland counterparts this weekend.
Michael Bloomfield, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), said the move was "relatively unusual" and reflects the pressure they are under.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Wales will move to its highest tier of restrictions - known as "level 4" and equivalent to a lockdown - for an initial three-week period on 28 December.
Analysis - New lockdown surprises no one in Northern Ireland
By Stephen Murphy, Ireland correspondent
Robin Swann wasn't joking. Northern Ireland's health minister used the words "extreme" and "robust" on Wednesday when describing the set of proposals he would bring to the Executive.
The new six-week lockdown fits the bill.
Essentially it's a return to the first lockdown of the spring, "deeper and longer" than the last "circuit-breaker" lockdown, according to Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.
And yet, the news has surprised virtually no-one here.
Grabbing a quick lunch in Oliver's restaurant just a few minutes down the road from Stormont, at least two neighbouring tables were discussing the upcoming lockdown and how tough it will be.
Northern Ireland's hospitals are operating at 104% of capacity.
A couple of days ago, a row of 17 ambulances were parked up outside Antrim Area Hospital, with patients being treated inside the vehicles as there was no space inside the hospital itself.
There were 12 more deaths and 656 new cases in Northern Ireland on Thursday; per capita, that's around four times the rate across the border in the Republic of Ireland, which has the lowest infection rates in the EU at the moment.
Clearly something had to be done and even Hospitality Ulster, representing bars and hotels in Northern Ireland, called for a lockdown before the Executive met.
And so, after a period of all too brief festive respite, businesses across Northern Ireland must shut their doors once more, as a particularly grim January beckons.
Northern Ireland's political leaders will hope a weary public will heed the message of personal responsibility as they plough through this bleak time.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Minister calls for 'facts not fashion' and to 'move beyond' race or gender in equality fight

Tackling inequality should be `` led by facts not by fashion '' and the government intends to `` move well beyond '' focusing on issues of sex , race and gender reassignment , a cabinet minister has said .
Liz Truss , the women and equalities minister , used a speech on Thursday to set out a `` new approach to equality in this country '' , which she said would be `` founded firmly on Conservative values '' .
She outlined an aim to `` move well beyond the narrow focus '' of protected characteristics , which are defined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender reassignment , marriage and civil partnership , pregnancy and maternity , race , religion or belief , sex , and sexual orientation .
`` While it is true people in these groups suffer discrimination , the focus on protected characteristics has led to a narrowing of the equality debate that overlooks socio-economic status and geographic inequality , '' Ms Truss said .
`` This means some issues - particularly those facing white working-class children - are neglected . ''
She highlighted a `` deeper wage gap between London and the regions than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as lower employment rates and life expectancy in the North than the South .
Ms Truss , who is also the international trade secretary , announced the government 's Equality Hub would relocate to the north of England and would embark on the `` biggest , broadest and most comprehensive equality data project yet '' .
`` In addition to race , sex , disability and religion , it will also look at issues around geography , community and socio-economic background , '' she said .
The cabinet minister vowed the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual dignity and humanity , not quotas and targets , or equality of outcome '' .
She added : `` It will reject the approach taken by the Left , captured as they are by identity politics and loud lobby groups . ''
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Truss bemoaned how `` too often , the equality debate has been dominated by a small number of unrepresentative voices , and by those who believe people are defined by their protected characteristic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This school of thought says that if you are not from an 'oppressed group ' then you are not entitled to an opinion , and that this debate is not for you , '' she said .
She hailed how the government this week announced neither it nor the civil service would continue to use unconscious bias training , which she claimed can `` backfire by reinforcing stereotypes and exacerbating biases '' .
And Ms Truss attacked `` symbolic gestures '' such as Birmingham City Council 's plan to name new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equality Road '' .
She said Britain could not `` waste time on misguided , wrong-headed and ultimately destructive ideas that take agency away from people '' .
Labour 's shadow women and equalities secretary , Marsha de Cordova , branded Ms Truss 's speech a `` gratuitous provocation from a government that consistently refuses to face up to its responsibilities and the widening inequality it has caused '' .
`` When Liz Truss dismisses 'fashionable ' causes she actually dismisses the devastating impact of discrimination and unfairness in peoples ' day to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This year has highlighted how important it is for people to come together .
`` Instead of looking for new ways to divide communities and pining for an era of Thatcherite individualism , the Tories should focus on fixing the structural inequality that holds people back . ''

Tackling inequality should be "led by facts not by fashion" and the government intends to "move well beyond" focusing on issues of sex, race and gender reassignment, a cabinet minister has said.
Liz Truss, the women and equalities minister, used a speech on Thursday to set out a "new approach to equality in this country", which she said would be "founded firmly on Conservative values".
She outlined an aim to "move well beyond the narrow focus" of protected characteristics, which are defined in law as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
"While it is true people in these groups suffer discrimination, the focus on protected characteristics has led to a narrowing of the equality debate that overlooks socio-economic status and geographic inequality," Ms Truss said.
"This means some issues - particularly those facing white working-class children - are neglected."
She highlighted a "deeper wage gap between London and the regions than between men and women", as well as lower employment rates and life expectancy in the North than the South.
Ms Truss, who is also the international trade secretary, announced the government's Equality Hub would relocate to the north of England and would embark on the "biggest, broadest and most comprehensive equality data project yet".
"In addition to race, sex, disability and religion, it will also look at issues around geography, community and socio-economic background," she said.
The cabinet minister vowed the government's new approach would be "about individual dignity and humanity, not quotas and targets, or equality of outcome".
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She added: "It will reject the approach taken by the Left, captured as they are by identity politics and loud lobby groups."
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Ms Truss bemoaned how "too often, the equality debate has been dominated by a small number of unrepresentative voices, and by those who believe people are defined by their protected characteristic, and not by their individual character".
"This school of thought says that if you are not from an 'oppressed group' then you are not entitled to an opinion, and that this debate is not for you," she said.
"I wholeheartedly reject this approach."
She hailed how the government this week announced neither it nor the civil service would continue to use unconscious bias training, which she claimed can "backfire by reinforcing stereotypes and exacerbating biases".
And Ms Truss attacked "symbolic gestures" such as Birmingham City Council's plan to name new streets "Diversity Grove" and "Equality Road".
She said Britain could not "waste time on misguided, wrong-headed and ultimately destructive ideas that take agency away from people".
Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, Marsha de Cordova, branded Ms Truss's speech a "gratuitous provocation from a government that consistently refuses to face up to its responsibilities and the widening inequality it has caused".
"When Liz Truss dismisses 'fashionable' causes she actually dismisses the devastating impact of discrimination and unfairness in peoples' day to day lives," she said.
"This year has highlighted how important it is for people to come together.
"Instead of looking for new ways to divide communities and pining for an era of Thatcherite individualism, the Tories should focus on fixing the structural inequality that holds people back."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Gove puts chances of Brexit trade deal at 'less than 50%'

The chances of the UK and EU agreeing a Brexit trade deal are less than 50 % , a senior minister has told MPs .
`` I think that regrettably the chances are more likely that we wo n't secure an agreement , '' Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee .
Asked about the probability of a Brexit agreement before the end of the transition period this month , he said `` less than 50 % '' .
Britain left the EU at the end of January and entered into an 11-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations whilst trying to negotiate a free trade deal by the end of this year .
The two teams have been attempting to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline , although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on a number of issues .
These include fishing rights and the so-called `` level playing field '' - measures to prevent what is seen as unfair competition through the lowering of standards or the use of state subsidies .
Mr Gove told the committee that while recent negotiations had made progress , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides .
`` The process of negotiation has managed to narrow down areas of difference , '' he said .
`` It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July .
`` The areas of difference are still significant and they do go to the very heart of the mandate which the country gave the government in 2016 . ''
Despite the two sides agreeing to continue discussions at the weekend , Boris Johnson has described no-deal as the `` most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has insisted that Britain can thrive in such a scenario .
But opponents say having to trade on World Trade Organisation terms from 1 January would cause problems for business and push up prices for consumers .
Speaking in the Commons earlier , Mr Gove said `` intensive talks '' were taking place `` day and night '' in order to try and reach a deal .
`` We 're going the extra mile in continuing the negotiations to see whether or not an agreement can be reached and we will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
He was speaking in the Commons on the day MPs will be sent home for Christmas .
The development suggests Downing Street is not confident of an imminent breakthrough in talks with the EU , but Number 10 has said MPs could be recalled `` as early as next week '' if a deal is agreed .
Delivering an update on parliamentary business after Mr Gove , Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said : `` Subject to the House 's decision later , we will rise for the Christmas recess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs will recognise that talks with the European Union continue .
`` Should a deal be secured , it is the government 's intention to request a recall in order that parliament may pass the necessary legislation . ''
Downing Street has said it does not believe it would be necessary for MPs to sit on Christmas Day .
`` Obviously we would n't be looking for the House to sit on Christmas Day and the bank holidays around it .
We would obviously try to avoid those days , '' Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU 's chief negotiator , said on Thursday there had been `` good progress '' in the discussions `` but last stumbling blocks remain '' .
He briefed European parliament leaders about the state of the negotiations , which he said were in the `` final stretch '' .
`` We will only sign a deal protecting EU interests and principles , '' he said .
Two EU diplomats have told Reuters that they did not expect a deal to come together by Friday .
It comes after the AFP news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was possible by Friday .

The chances of the UK and EU agreeing a Brexit trade deal are less than 50%, a senior minister has told MPs.
"I think that regrettably the chances are more likely that we won't secure an agreement," Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee.
Asked about the probability of a Brexit agreement before the end of the transition period this month, he said "less than 50%".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 Brexit: 'There is a path to an agreement'
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 by the end of this year.
The two teams have been attempting to thrash out an agreement ahead of that deadline, although negotiations have continued to remain stuck on a number of issues.
These include fishing rights and the so-called "level playing field" - measures to prevent what is seen as unfair competition through the lowering of standards or the use of state subsidies.
Mr Gove told the committee that while recent negotiations had made progress, "significant" differences remained between the two sides.
"The process of negotiation has managed to narrow down areas of difference," he said.
"It is certainly the case that there are fewer areas of difference now than there were in October or indeed July.
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"The areas of difference are still significant and they do go to the very heart of the mandate which the country gave the government in 2016."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:17 How would a no-deal Brexit affect the price of food?
Despite the two sides agreeing to continue discussions at the weekend, Boris Johnson has described no-deal as the "most likely" scenario.
The prime minister has insisted that Britain can thrive in such a scenario.
But opponents say having to trade on World Trade Organisation terms from 1 January would cause problems for business and push up prices for consumers.
Speaking in the Commons earlier, Mr Gove said "intensive talks" were taking place "day and night" in order to try and reach a deal.
"We're going the extra mile in continuing the negotiations to see whether or not an agreement can be reached and we will continue to keep parliament informed on our progress," he said.
He was speaking in the Commons on the day MPs will be sent home for Christmas.
The development suggests Downing Street is not confident of an imminent breakthrough in talks with the EU, but Number 10 has said MPs could be recalled "as early as next week" if a deal is agreed.
Delivering an update on parliamentary business after Mr Gove, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "Subject to the House's decision later, we will rise for the Christmas recess at the close of business today but MPs will recognise that talks with the European Union continue.
"Should a deal be secured, it is the government's intention to request a recall in order that parliament may pass the necessary legislation."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Business 'frustrated' by lack of Brexit clarity
Downing Street has said it does not believe it would be necessary for MPs to sit on Christmas Day.
"Obviously we wouldn't be looking for the House to sit on Christmas Day and the bank holidays around it. We would obviously try to avoid those days," Boris Johnson's spokesman said.
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, said on Thursday there had been "good progress" in the discussions "but last stumbling blocks remain".
He briefed European parliament leaders about the state of the negotiations, which he said were in the "final stretch".
"We will only sign a deal protecting EU interests and principles," he said.
Two EU diplomats have told Reuters that they did not expect a deal to come together by Friday.
It comes after the AFP news agency reported Mr Barnier as saying an agreement was possible by Friday.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--TikTok deletes anti-vax video after MP's criticism

TikTok scrambled to delete a video featuring anti-vaccination disinformation during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday , after an MP cited it as evidence the platform was not doing to enough to tackle such claims .
The video features a woman called Olivia Madison - an American influencer who describes herself as `` pro life , pro guns , pro Trump '' - and has more than 38,000 followers and over 600,000 likes on the platform .
In the video Ms Madison falsely claimed : `` Vaccinations contain aborted foetus parts and pig parts .
So can you really judge me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't believe in injecting a baby with another baby . ''
Porcine gelatine , which is made from pork , is used as a stabiliser in some vaccines as Public Health England explains : `` Unlike the gelatine used in foods , the product used in vaccines is highly purified and broken down into very small molecules called peptides . ''
It is untrue that `` aborted foetus parts '' are contained in vaccinations , however some vaccines were first developed in the 1960s using cell strains cultured from aborted foetuses .
Modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their development , but these cells are laboratory-grown and not obtained from viable foetuses .
This misrepresentation of vaccine development is a common form of purposeful disinformation and first targeted the Oxford vaccine , according to fact-checkers Full Fact .
During a select committee hearing in parliament on Thursday , the Scottish National Party MP John Nicholson flagged the video to TikTok 's Theo Bertram , stating that Ms Madison was `` very beautiful , and what she does is utterly wicked '' .
`` The point I 'm making is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 606,000 followers , what chances are there that you 're going to get rid of the smaller fry ? ''
he added - although the account actually had 606,000 likes rather than followers .
`` I mean this woman 's just screaming lies as publicly as she possibly can , [ in ] very professionally produced videos , '' Mr Nicholson concluded .
Mr Bertram said that TikTok 's compliance teams would have to assess whether the video was in breach of its community standards rather than commenting immediately .
Later on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Julian Knight MP , noted that the video and account appeared to have been deleted .
A spokesperson for TikTok confirmed that , following its mention during the parliamentary hearing , it investigated the account and banned it for multiple violations of the platform 's community guidelines .
They said : `` Our community guidelines make clear that we do not allow vaccine misinformation on TikTok and we use a combination of technologies and moderators to enforce those guidelines .
`` As soon as we were made aware of the potential violations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' they said , adding : `` We encourage any user who observes content that may violate our guidelines to report it to us using the in-app reporting mechanisms . ''
Social networks including Twitter have faced criticism for outsourcing content moderation to journalistic organisations and users that spend their resources investigating deceptive videos and images instead of the platforms that host them .
Representatives from YouTube and Facebook also attended the hearing , which was held following a study that suggested a third of people in the UK have seen conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TikTok scrambled to delete a video featuring anti-vaccination disinformation during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday, after an MP cited it as evidence the platform was not doing enough to tackle such claims.
The video features a woman called Olivia Madison - an American influencer who describes herself as "pro life, pro guns, pro Trump" - and has more than 38,000 followers and over 600,000 likes on the platform.
In the video Ms Madison falsely claimed: "Vaccinations contain aborted foetus parts and pig parts. So can you really judge me on being anti-vax? Like I don't believe in injecting a baby with another baby."
Image: TikTok is a social media platform that has exploded in popularity this year
Porcine gelatine, which is made from pork, is used as a stabiliser in some vaccines as Public Health England explains: "Unlike the gelatine used in foods, the product used in vaccines is highly purified and broken down into very small molecules called peptides."
It is untrue that "aborted foetus parts" are contained in vaccinations, however some vaccines were first developed in the 1960s using cell strains cultured from aborted foetuses.
Modern vaccine research can use human foetal cells in their development, but these cells are laboratory-grown and not obtained from viable foetuses. This misrepresentation of vaccine development is a common form of purposeful disinformation and first targeted the Oxford vaccine, according to fact-checkers Full Fact.
During a select committee hearing in parliament on Thursday, the Scottish National Party MP John Nicholson flagged the video to TikTok's Theo Bertram, stating that Ms Madison was "very beautiful, and what she does is utterly wicked".
"The point I'm making is, if you can't sort out somebody with 606,000 followers, what chances are there that you're going to get rid of the smaller fry?" he added - although the account actually had 606,000 likes rather than followers.
"I mean this woman's just screaming lies as publicly as she possibly can, [in] very professionally produced videos," Mr Nicholson concluded.
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Mr Bertram said that TikTok's compliance teams would have to assess whether the video was in breach of its community standards rather than commenting immediately.
Later on during the hearing the committee chair, Julian Knight MP, noted that the video and account appeared to have been deleted.
A spokesperson for TikTok confirmed that, following its mention during the parliamentary hearing, it investigated the account and banned it for multiple violations of the platform's community guidelines.
They said: "Our community guidelines make clear that we do not allow vaccine misinformation on TikTok and we use a combination of technologies and moderators to enforce those guidelines.
"As soon as we were made aware of the potential violations, we investigated the account and banned it," they said, adding: "We encourage any user who observes content that may violate our guidelines to report it to us using the in-app reporting mechanisms."
Social networks including Twitter have faced criticism for outsourcing content moderation to journalistic organisations and users that spend their resources investigating deceptive videos and images instead of the platforms that host them.
Representatives from YouTube and Facebook also attended the hearing, which was held following a study that suggested a third of people in the UK have seen conspiracy theories discouraging against getting a coronavirus vaccine.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--'UNICEF should be ashamed': Rees-Mogg brands donation to feed UK children 'political stunt'

One of the world 's leading children 's organisations should be `` ashamed '' of a `` political stunt of the lowest order '' by helping to feed children in the UK , a cabinet minister has told MPs .
Jacob Rees-Mogg , the Leader of the House of Commons , hit out at UNICEF after the organisation this week pledged £25,000 to the charity School Food Matters .
The charity will use the money to supply thousands of breakfast boxes over the two-week Christmas school holidays to vulnerable children and families in Southwark , south London .
Labour MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Commons on Thursday .
`` For the first time ever , UNICEF , the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children , is having to feed working-class kids in the UK , '' she said .
`` But while children go hungry , a wealthy few enjoy obscene riches .
`` From Tory donors handed billions in dodgy contracts , to people like the Leader of the House - who is reportedly in line to receive an £800,000 dividend payout this year . ''
And she went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government time to discuss the need to make him and his super-rich chums pay their fair share so that we can end the grotesque inequality that scars our society ? ''
In response , the cabinet minister told MPs that he thought UNICEF `` should be ashamed of itself '' .
He said : `` I think it is a real scandal that UNICEF should be playing politics in this way when it is meant to be looking after people in the poorest , the most deprived , countries of the world where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famines and where there are civil wars .
`` And they make cheap political points of this kind , giving , I think , £25,000 to one council .
It is a political stunt of the lowest order . ''
In response to Mr Rees-Mogg 's comments , Labour 's deputy leader Angela Rayner said : `` The only people who should be ashamed of themselves are Boris Johnson and the rest of his government for letting our children go hungry . ''
`` In one of the richest countries in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rely on a charity that usually works in war zones and in response to humanitarian disasters , '' she added .
Meanwhile , UNICEF - whose work has been highlighted by footballer and food poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford - revealed it was providing more than £700,000 to support children and families during the coronavirus crisis .
Anna Kettley , UNICEF UK 's director of programmes and advocacy , said : `` UNICEF UK is responding to this unprecedented crisis and building on our 25 years ' experience of working on children 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic response , launched in August , to provide support to vulnerable children and families around the country during this crisis period .
`` In partnership with Sustain , the food and farming alliance , over £700,000 of UNICEF UK funds is being granted to community groups around the country to support their vital work helping children and families at risk of food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` UNICEF will continue to spend our international funding helping the world 's poorest children .
We believe that every child is important and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they are born . ''
Downing Street declined to support Mr Rees-Mogg 's view that UNICEF 's actions were a `` political stunt '' .
The prime minister 's official spokesman said : `` I would point to action we ’ ve taken to make sure children have n't gone hungry throughout the pandemic such as the extended eligibility for free school meals , holiday food programme , and £15m for food distribution charities . ''

One of the world's leading children's organisations should be "ashamed" of a "political stunt of the lowest order" by helping to feed children in the UK, a cabinet minister has told MPs.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House of Commons, hit out at UNICEF after the organisation this week pledged £25,000 to the charity School Food Matters.
The charity will use the money to supply thousands of breakfast boxes over the two-week Christmas school holidays to vulnerable children and families in Southwark, south London.
Image: Some of the boxes provided by School Food Matters. Pic: School Food Matters
Labour MP Zarah Sultana spoke of UNICEF's action in the Commons on Thursday.
"For the first time ever, UNICEF, the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children, is having to feed working-class kids in the UK," she said.
"But while children go hungry, a wealthy few enjoy obscene riches.
"From Tory donors handed billions in dodgy contracts, to people like the Leader of the House - who is reportedly in line to receive an £800,000 dividend payout this year."
And she went on to ask: "So will you give government time to discuss the need to make him and his super-rich chums pay their fair share so that we can end the grotesque inequality that scars our society?"
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In response, the cabinet minister told MPs that he thought UNICEF "should be ashamed of itself".
He said: "I think it is a real scandal that UNICEF should be playing politics in this way when it is meant to be looking after people in the poorest, the most deprived, countries of the world where people are starving, where there are famines and where there are civil wars.
"And they make cheap political points of this kind, giving, I think, £25,000 to one council. It is a political stunt of the lowest order."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 UNICEF denies 'political' motivation
In response to Mr Rees-Mogg's comments, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "The only people who should be ashamed of themselves are Boris Johnson and the rest of his government for letting our children go hungry."
"In one of the richest countries in the world, our children should not be forced to rely on a charity that usually works in war zones and in response to humanitarian disasters," she added.
Meanwhile, UNICEF - whose work has been highlighted by footballer and food poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford - revealed it was providing more than £700,000 to support children and families during the coronavirus crisis.
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Anna Kettley, UNICEF UK's director of programmes and advocacy, said: "UNICEF UK is responding to this unprecedented crisis and building on our 25 years' experience of working on children's rights in the UK with a one-off domestic response, launched in August, to provide support to vulnerable children and families around the country during this crisis period.
"In partnership with Sustain, the food and farming alliance, over £700,000 of UNICEF UK funds is being granted to community groups around the country to support their vital work helping children and families at risk of food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.
"UNICEF will continue to spend our international funding helping the world's poorest children. We believe that every child is important and deserves to survive and thrive no matter where they are born."
Downing Street declined to support Mr Rees-Mogg's view that UNICEF's actions were a "political stunt".
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "I would point to action we’ve taken to make sure children haven't gone hungry throughout the pandemic such as the extended eligibility for free school meals, holiday food programme, and £15m for food distribution charities."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Tory MP apologises after attending 'Christmas party' for 27 guests

A Conservative MP has apologised after attending a `` Christmas party '' for 27 guests , but insisted the event was `` fully COVID compliant '' .
It has emerged that Tobias Ellwood gave a speech at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly hours before London entered Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions .
The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee said he went to the Iraq Britain Business Council event , which was described on the organisers ' website as a `` Christmas party '' , for business purposes as permitted under Tier 2 rules .
Tier 2 guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings for work purposes are only allowed where they are reasonably necessary '' .
Mr Ellwood , who is MP for Bournemouth East in Dorset , said the event was a `` business reception/dinner '' in which he `` gleaned extremely useful intelligence '' about the issues on the ground in the Middle East .
He attended the event a day after saying in the House of Commons that allowing families to meet over Christmas `` could be very dangerous indeed '' , and suggesting that easing the rules over the festive period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of the virus .
`` The event took place at the respected Cavalry and Guards Club under strict COVID compliant conditions , '' Mr Ellwood said in a statement after his attendance was reported by the Daily Mail .
`` For the duration of Tier 2 restrictions function rooms that usually seat over 100 have been converted to hold business events for less than 30 .
`` I appreciate , given the current challenges , some will question the wisdom of my attendance .
`` I am sorry coverage of my well-intentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear message as we head towards Christmas .
Home Secretary Priti Patel has suggested that Mr Ellwood could face a fine for going to the event .
Asked by ITV News if the MP 's actions were an `` egregious '' breach of the rules , Ms Patel said : `` Well , it is .
Of course it is exactly that .
`` Having dinner outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations . ''
Asked if Mr Ellwood should be punished , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixed-penalty notices .
I do n't know the details as to where this happened or the location , but I 'm sure , as it is a breach , that will be followed up . ''
Asked about Mr Ellwood , Boris Johnson 's spokesman told a regular briefing with journalists : `` I would point you to the home secretary 's words .
`` The PM has been clear throughout the pandemic that it 's vital for everybody to abide by the rules in order to suppress the virus and therefore protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker David Cowdery , secretary of the Cavalry and Guards Club , said : `` We do n't comment on private events here at the club .
`` The full COVID policy issued by the club was given to the organisers of the event . ''

A Conservative MP has apologised after attending a "Christmas party" for 27 guests, but insisted the event was "fully COVID compliant".
It has emerged that Tobias Ellwood gave a speech at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly hours before London entered Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.
The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee said he went to the Iraq Britain Business Council event, which was described on the organisers' website as a "Christmas party", for business purposes as permitted under Tier 2 rules.
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Tier 2 guidance issued by the government says that "gatherings for work purposes are only allowed where they are reasonably necessary".
Mr Ellwood, who is MP for Bournemouth East in Dorset, said the event was a "business reception/dinner" in which he "gleaned extremely useful intelligence" about the issues on the ground in the Middle East.
He attended the event a day after saying in the House of Commons that allowing families to meet over Christmas "could be very dangerous indeed", and suggesting that easing the rules over the festive period could lead to a "third wave" of the virus.
"The event took place at the respected Cavalry and Guards Club under strict COVID compliant conditions," Mr Ellwood said in a statement after his attendance was reported by the Daily Mail.
"For the duration of Tier 2 restrictions function rooms that usually seat over 100 have been converted to hold business events for less than 30.
"I appreciate, given the current challenges, some will question the wisdom of my attendance.
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"I am sorry coverage of my well-intentioned attendance may have muddled the government's clear message as we head towards Christmas.
"Whilst the event was fully COVID compliant - perceptions count."
Home Secretary Priti Patel has suggested that Mr Ellwood could face a fine for going to the event.
Image: Home Secretary Priti Patel has criticised Tobias Ellwood
Asked by ITV News if the MP's actions were an "egregious" breach of the rules, Ms Patel said: "Well, it is. Of course it is exactly that.
"Having dinner outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations."
Asked if Mr Ellwood should be punished, the home secretary replied: "There are fixed-penalty notices. I don't know the details as to where this happened or the location, but I'm sure, as it is a breach, that will be followed up."
Asked about Mr Ellwood, Boris Johnson's spokesman told a regular briefing with journalists: "I would point you to the home secretary's words.
"The PM has been clear throughout the pandemic that it's vital for everybody to abide by the rules in order to suppress the virus and therefore protect the NHS and save lives."
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
David Cowdery, secretary of the Cavalry and Guards Club, said: "We don't comment on private events here at the club.
"The full COVID policy issued by the club was given to the organisers of the event."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-17--Secondary schools in England told to stagger pupils' return in January

The reopening of secondary schools and colleges in England after Christmas will not be delayed - but will be staggered , the government has said .
Those studying for exams are expected to return as normal in January , but most pupils will start the year online , to allow mass testing to be rolled out at the start of term .
Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January , alongside vulnerable pupils and key workers ' children .
Two rapid tests will be offered to those students attending classes , at three days apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab-based PCR test .
Those with a positive test will be required to self-isolate in line with existing regulations .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said : `` This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the wider community .
`` Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible , this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus throughout the spring term .
`` The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school , the best place for their development and wellbeing .
Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams , it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all , while keeping schools as safe as possible . ''
Talking about the plans , Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be really frustrated this has come at the last moment .
`` What we needed for schools was a plan that started last September and what we have had is one problem after another all through to the Christmas period . ''
Teaching unions also reacted to the news , and Dr Mary Bousted of the National Education Union ( NEU ) said the announcement `` demonstrates ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action in response to the exponential rise in COVID-19 infection rates amongst secondary school pupils '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Gavin Williamson today with a series of urgent questions about today 's announcement . ''
It comes after Susan Acland-Hood , permanent secretary at the Department for Education ( DfE ) , earlier told the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC ) that the DfE did not have `` any plans to lengthen the Christmas holiday '' .
Chairwoman of the PAC , Meg Hillier , said it was `` ludicrous '' that in the final days of term , many parents and headteachers did not know what would be happening when schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small study released earlier suggested that more than half of English schools surveyed had at least one COVID-19 infection in the last month , with only 1.24 % of pupils testing positive and 1.29 % of staff .
Dr Shamez Ladhani , a Public Health England consultant epidemiologist who led the survey of 105 schools , said that the early findings from the small study suggests the proportion of positive tests among staff and students mirrors the general population .

The reopening of secondary schools and colleges in England after Christmas will not be delayed - but will be staggered, the government has said.
Those studying for exams are expected to return as normal in January, but most pupils will start the year online, to allow mass testing to be rolled out at the start of term.
Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January, alongside vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 Staggered COVID testing to be rolled out in schools
Two rapid tests will be offered to those students attending classes, at three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.
Those with a positive test will be required to self-isolate in line with existing regulations.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the wider community.
"Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.
"The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing. Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams, it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all, while keeping schools as safe as possible."
Image: Some pupils will begin the term online
Talking about the plans, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: "I think schools are going to be really frustrated this has come at the last moment.
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"What we needed for schools was a plan that started last September and what we have had is one problem after another all through to the Christmas period."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:19 Coronavirus: Should schools remain open?
Teaching unions also reacted to the news, and Dr Mary Bousted of the National Education Union (NEU) said the announcement "demonstrates ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action in response to the exponential rise in COVID-19 infection rates amongst secondary school pupils".
She added: "We are writing to Gavin Williamson today with a series of urgent questions about today's announcement."
It comes after Susan Acland-Hood, permanent secretary at the Department for Education (DfE), earlier told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the DfE did not have "any plans to lengthen the Christmas holiday".
Chairwoman of the PAC, Meg Hillier, said it was "ludicrous" that in the final days of term, many parents and headteachers did not know what would be happening when schools return in a few weeks.
A small study released earlier suggested that more than half of English schools surveyed had at least one COVID-19 infection in the last month, with only 1.24% of pupils testing positive and 1.29% of staff.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, a Public Health England consultant epidemiologist who led the survey of 105 schools, said that the early findings from the small study suggests the proportion of positive tests among staff and students mirrors the general population.