skynewspolitics--2020-12-25--Priti Patel says post-Brexit border controls will make UK safer and more secure

The home secretary has said the UK will continue to be one of the `` safest countries in the world '' despite being locked out of a key crime database from next year .
Priti Patel said the EU and UK have `` effective tools to tackle serious crime '' going forwards .
From July next year , the UK will start receiving advance data on all goods coming from the EU into Great Britain , something which has not previously been possible under EU rules .
European Economic Area ( EEA ) and Swiss national identity cards , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be refused upon entry to Britain from 1 October next year .
But the UK will lose access to the EU 's Schengen Information System II ( SIS II ) , which is a database of alerts and instructions if a person of interest - such as a missing person or someone involved in terrorism-related activities , or objects connected to terrorism - are found as they enter or leave the UK .
The bloc has said it is legally impossible to offer SIS access to the UK .
Last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ( NPCC ) lead for Brexit , Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin , said the Schengen Information System was checked 603 million times last year and the loss of access to the system will have a `` massive impact '' on officers .
`` We have over four million alerts on the Schengen Information System about people , property and things that my officers need to look at , '' he said .
Contingency plans have been put in place to make sure officers will continue to get the alerts they believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` The safety and security of UK citizens is the government 's top priority and the UK will continue to be one of the safest countries in the world .
`` I 'm immensely proud of the comprehensive package of capabilities we 've agreed with the EU .
`` It means both sides have effective tools to tackle serious crime and terrorism , protecting the public and bringing criminals to justice .
`` But we will also seize this historic opportunity to make the UK safer and more secure through firmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal had been reached before the deadline on 31 December .
The agreement includes streamlined extradition arrangements , fast and effective exchange of national DNA , fingerprint and vehicle registration data and continued transfers of Passenger Name Record data .
After news of the deal broke , the NPCC said : `` We welcome the agreement between the UK government and European partners .
`` We are working with government to fully understand the detail of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be implemented , and ensure we are prepared for any changes to the way we currently operate . ''

The home secretary has said the UK will continue to be one of the "safest countries in the world" despite being locked out of a key crime database from next year.
Priti Patel said the EU and UK have "effective tools to tackle serious crime" going forwards.
From July next year, the UK will start receiving advance data on all goods coming from the EU into Great Britain, something which has not previously been possible under EU rules.
Image: The EU said it is legally impossible to offer SIS access to the UK. File pic
European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss national identity cards, which the UK says are "insecure", will be refused upon entry to Britain from 1 October next year.
But the UK will lose access to the EU's Schengen Information System II (SIS II), which is a database of alerts and instructions if a person of interest - such as a missing person or someone involved in terrorism-related activities, or objects connected to terrorism - are found as they enter or leave the UK.
The bloc has said it is legally impossible to offer SIS access to the UK.
Last month, the National Police Chiefs' Council's (NPCC) lead for Brexit, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin, said the Schengen Information System was checked 603 million times last year and the loss of access to the system will have a "massive impact" on officers.
"We have over four million alerts on the Schengen Information System about people, property and things that my officers need to look at," he said.
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Contingency plans have been put in place to make sure officers will continue to get the alerts they believe are the most important.
Ms Patel said: "The safety and security of UK citizens is the government's top priority and the UK will continue to be one of the safest countries in the world.
"I'm immensely proud of the comprehensive package of capabilities we've agreed with the EU.
"It means both sides have effective tools to tackle serious crime and terrorism, protecting the public and bringing criminals to justice.
"But we will also seize this historic opportunity to make the UK safer and more secure through firmer and fairer border controls."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:00 The UK's journey to a Brexit trade deal
On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal had been reached before the deadline on 31 December.
The agreement includes streamlined extradition arrangements, fast and effective exchange of national DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data and continued transfers of Passenger Name Record data.
After news of the deal broke, the NPCC said: "We welcome the agreement between the UK government and European partners.
"We are working with government to fully understand the detail of the security agreement and how it will be implemented, and ensure we are prepared for any changes to the way we currently operate."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-26--PM bids to woo potential Tory rebels as post-Brexit trade deal published

Boris Johnson has appealed to hardline Eurosceptic Tory MPs to back his post-Brexit trade agreement in next week 's 11th-hour vote .
The prime minister admitted `` the devil is in the detail '' of the more than 1,000-page treaty due to come into force from 1 January , but insisted it is `` the right deal for the UK and the EU '' .
He is expected to win comfortably when MPs are recalled from their Christmas break next Wednesday to ratify the text , which was published today by both sides .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to whip his MPs to do the same , thus almost guaranteeing it will pass .
But there are some on Mr Johnson 's side who wish the UK were exiting the transition period without a deal , meaning trade with Brussels would revert to baseline World Trade Organisation rules .
In a bid to quash any potential rebellion , he claimed the breakthrough in negotiations on Christmas Eve was a victory and that the deal `` delivered on every one of our manifesto commitments '' .
`` I believe we now have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with the Eu as sovereign equals , '' the prime minister wrote in a WhatsApp message to MPs seen by Sky News .
`` I know the devil is in the detail but I am sure this can survive the most ruthless and Talmudic scrutiny from the star chamber legal eagles . ''
The so-called `` star chamber '' is a panel of lawyers assembled by the European Research Group , including veteran Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash , and is likely to meet tomorrow .
Some MPs are waiting on his judgement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one telling Sky News on Thursday that they `` need to study the small print before committing '' and are still `` waiting to hear the verdict of Sir Bill '' .
In a final appeal to his party , Mr Johnson signed off the message by telling them : `` We must remember that what the public want us to do is focus above all on defeating COVID and rebuilding our economy and I am glad that at least one uncertainty is now out of the way . ''
He added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are talking hundreds of thousand of tonnes more even in the transition period !
Enough fish to stretch to the South Pole and back ! ''
Negotiations went down to the wire but ended with a breakthrough on Christmas Eve , with a Number 10 source confirming the `` deal is done '' at 2:45pm .
Minutes later , the news was announced officially by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who said talks had been `` tough but fair '' and `` successful '' .
And later that afternoon , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to declare the agreement meant `` taking back control of our laws and our destiny '' .
`` This country will remain culturally , emotionally , historically , strategically , geologically attached to Europe , '' he added .
It took two further days for the full trade deal to be published .
It runs to 1,246 pages and includes additional protocols on combatting fraud , assistance with customs and social security coordination .
Adam Marshall , director general of the British Chambers of Commerce , said the government `` must publish practical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lack the time/resources to interpret an international agreement '' .
And on the issue of fishing - one of the final stumbling blocks in talks and a totemic issue in the UK 's fight to reclaim sovereignty - the government was accused of giving too much ground .
Barrie Deas , chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen 's Organisations , said there will be `` frustration and anger '' across the industry , adding : `` In the end it was clear that Boris Johnson wanted an overall trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Boris Johnson has appealed to hardline Eurosceptic Tory MPs to back his post-Brexit trade agreement in next week's 11th-hour vote.
The prime minister admitted "the devil is in the detail" of the more than 1,000-page treaty due to come into force from 1 January, but insisted it is "the right deal for the UK and the EU".
He is expected to win comfortably when MPs are recalled from their Christmas break next Wednesday to ratify the text, which was published today by both sides.
Image: MPs vote on the deal on Wednesday
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to support it and is expected to whip his MPs to do the same, thus almost guaranteeing it will pass.
But there are some on Mr Johnson's side who wish the UK were exiting the transition period without a deal, meaning trade with Brussels would revert to baseline World Trade Organisation rules.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:14 How do Brexiteers feel about the trade deal?
In a bid to quash any potential rebellion, he claimed the breakthrough in negotiations on Christmas Eve was a victory and that the deal "delivered on every one of our manifesto commitments".
"I believe we now have a basis for long term friendship and partnership with the Eu as sovereign equals," the prime minister wrote in a WhatsApp message to MPs seen by Sky News.
"I know the devil is in the detail but I am sure this can survive the most ruthless and Talmudic scrutiny from the star chamber legal eagles."
The so-called "star chamber" is a panel of lawyers assembled by the European Research Group, including veteran Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash, and is likely to meet tomorrow.
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Some MPs are waiting on his judgement before deciding how to vote, with one telling Sky News on Thursday that they "need to study the small print before committing" and are still "waiting to hear the verdict of Sir Bill".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:58 Brexit deal explained: What will its impact be?
In a final appeal to his party, Mr Johnson signed off the message by telling them: "We must remember that what the public want us to do is focus above all on defeating COVID and rebuilding our economy and I am glad that at least one uncertainty is now out of the way."
He added: "P.S. On fish, we are talking hundreds of thousand of tonnes more even in the transition period! Enough fish to stretch to the South Pole and back!"
Image: The agreement was struck with just days left until the end of the transition period
Negotiations went down to the wire but ended with a breakthrough on Christmas Eve, with a Number 10 source confirming the "deal is done" at 2:45pm.
Minutes later, the news was announced officially by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who said talks had been "tough but fair" and "successful".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:10 'Parting is such sweet sorrow,' says von der Leyen
And later that afternoon, Mr Johnson held a Downing Street news conference to declare the agreement meant "taking back control of our laws and our destiny".
"This country will remain culturally, emotionally, historically, strategically, geologically attached to Europe," he added.
It took two further days for the full trade deal to be published. It runs to 1,246 pages and includes additional protocols on combatting fraud, assistance with customs and social security coordination.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:48 Patel defends leaving EU arrest warrant scheme
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the government "must publish practical explainers as soon as possible for firms that lack the time/resources to interpret an international agreement".
And on the issue of fishing - one of the final stumbling blocks in talks and a totemic issue in the UK's fight to reclaim sovereignty - the government was accused of giving too much ground.
Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, said there will be "frustration and anger" across the industry, adding: "In the end it was clear that Boris Johnson wanted an overall trade deal and was willing to sacrifice fishing."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-27--Brexit deal can be 'unifying moment for our country' - Sunak

The Brexit trade deal agreed on Christmas Eve can be an `` enormously unifying moment for our country '' , the chancellor has said .
Rishi Sunak said he hoped it would `` bring people together after the divisions of the past few years '' .
Anyone worried about the economic implications of the break with Brussels should be `` enormously reassured about the comprehensive nature '' of the agreement , he added .
The deal gives that reassurance , he said , because it provides a `` stable regulatory co-operative framework '' .
The chancellor said the UK would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' while being able to `` capitalise on new opportunities '' .
Mr Sunak said the country 's financial services industry would remain open for new relationships and trading .
But he said there could also be changes in the financial world because leaving the EU means we can `` do things a bit differently '' .
He added : `` We will remain in close dialogue with our European partners when it comes to things like equivalence decisions . ''
The shadow chancellor , Anneliese Dodds , told Sky News that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal had been secured , there was still a lot of concern among businesses .
`` There will be people struggling to understand what this deal means for them - this is a real scramble for a lot of businesses to get ready for , '' she said .
On the coronavirus pandemic , Mr Sunak said the government had `` made good '' on its promise to provide the NHS with everything it needs .
The UK is making `` really good progress '' on rolling out the coronavirus vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pharmaceutical boss behind the Oxford vaccine said researchers had found a `` winning formula '' to improve the jab 's efficacy .
The chancellor 's remarks on the Brexit deal echo those of the prime minister , who has described it as the beginning of a `` better relationship and a healthier relationship '' with the EU .
`` It 's the end of a long and fractious period , in which we kept trying to pretend to ourselves that we could go along with all sorts of things we did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of keeping up with the great project of European Union , '' Boris Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph .
`` Freedom is what you make of it , '' he added .
`` It 's up to us now to seize the opportunities , but we have a very big challenge with COVID-19 . ''
He said he hoped voters would be `` deeply reassured '' that a resolution had been found to `` an issue that has bedevilled our politics for decades '' .
The prime minister also maintained that a no-deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that he and his chief Brexit negotiator , Lord Frost , had reached the `` conclusion several times that things were going in the wrong direction and that our best bet was to go for no deal '' .
Mr Johnson added : `` We made that clear to the EU .
I really would have done it , believe me . ''
The PM said his government would not diverge from the EU `` for the sake of diverging '' .
But he said the UK would begin to go its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the British people '' .
`` This government has a very clear agenda to unite and level up and to spread opportunity across the country , '' he said .
In the area of business taxes and regulation , Mr Johnson said the chancellor was `` doing a big exercise on all of this '' .

The Brexit trade deal agreed on Christmas Eve can be an "enormously unifying moment for our country", the chancellor has said.
Rishi Sunak said he hoped it would "bring people together after the divisions of the past few years".
Anyone worried about the economic implications of the break with Brussels should be "enormously reassured about the comprehensive nature" of the agreement, he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Johnson's Christmas message on Brexit deal
The deal gives that reassurance, he said, because it provides a "stable regulatory co-operative framework".
The chancellor said the UK would "maintain tariff-free access to European markets" while being able to "capitalise on new opportunities".
Mr Sunak said the country's financial services industry would remain open for new relationships and trading.
But he said there could also be changes in the financial world because leaving the EU means we can "do things a bit differently".
He added: "We will remain in close dialogue with our European partners when it comes to things like equivalence decisions."
Sky News political correspondent Joe Pike said the chancellor was "in reassurance mode" but that the only unity for those in the fishing industry was the frustration at the details of the deal.
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EU fishing fleets will have their access to UK waters reduced by 25%. But it will only happen gradually - over a transition period of five-and-a-half years. After that, quotas will be decided by annual negotiations.
There are claims the deal is "pathetic" and that the government has "caved in" and "rolled over", said Pike.
But the fact that both main parties are backing the next step in the Brexit journey, means certain victory for the prime minister in parliament.
"That, therefore, provides a rare bit of stability for Rishi Sunak, who is now focussed on steering the economy through the choppy waters of COVID-19 and towards a new place in the world," Pike said.
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that while it was a "relief" that a deal had been secured, there was still a lot of concern among businesses.
"There will be people struggling to understand what this deal means for them - this is a real scramble for a lot of businesses to get ready for," she said.
On the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Sunak said the government had "made good" on its promise to provide the NHS with everything it needs.
The UK is making "really good progress" on rolling out the coronavirus vaccine, he said.
His comments came as the pharmaceutical boss behind the Oxford vaccine said researchers had found a "winning formula" to improve the jab's efficacy.
Image: Boris Johnson and EU leaders celebrated making the Christmas Eve deal. Pic: Number 10
The chancellor's remarks on the Brexit deal echo those of the prime minister, who has described it as the beginning of a "better relationship and a healthier relationship" with the EU.
"It's the end of a long and fractious period, in which we kept trying to pretend to ourselves that we could go along with all sorts of things we didn't really want to do for the sake of keeping up with the great project of European Union," Boris Johnson told The Sunday Telegraph.
"Freedom is what you make of it," he added. "It's up to us now to seize the opportunities, but we have a very big challenge with COVID-19."
He said he hoped voters would be "deeply reassured" that a resolution had been found to "an issue that has bedevilled our politics for decades".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 PM urges Tory MPs to back Brexit deal
The prime minister also maintained that a no-deal outcome had been a possibility.
He said that he and his chief Brexit negotiator, Lord Frost, had reached the "conclusion several times that things were going in the wrong direction and that our best bet was to go for no deal".
Mr Johnson added: "We made that clear to the EU. I really would have done it, believe me."
The PM said his government would not diverge from the EU "for the sake of diverging".
But he said the UK would begin to go its own way "where that's useful for the British people".
"This government has a very clear agenda to unite and level up and to spread opportunity across the country," he said.
In the area of business taxes and regulation, Mr Johnson said the chancellor was "doing a big exercise on all of this".


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--Britons warned over travel insurance, roaming charges and exports despite deal

Britons travelling to the European Union have been warned they face disruption and potential charges after the Brexit transition period ends on Thursday .
Travellers from the UK have previously been able to rely on free healthcare with their European Health Insurance Card , and to escape roaming charges thanks to a ban on the fees throughout the bloc .
But the trade deal brokered between the European Union and the UK does not allow for Britons to keep either of these advantages .
The deal only says both sides must encourage mobile providers to have `` transparent and reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British travellers to check with their mobile provider to see what charges they will face .
Any British visitor to the EU will also have to make sure their passport has enough validity when they begin their journey .
Cabinet minister Michael Gove acknowledged there will be `` some disruption '' as the nation adjusts , so he said `` it is vital '' to be as ready as possible .
Mr Gove also warned businesses that the time left to make final preparations before the new deal comes into force `` is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new rules on importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and the EU , as well as rules when trading with Northern Ireland .
EU officials are set to meet on Monday to discuss the Brexit trade deal agreed with the UK on Christmas Eve .
If the Brexit agreement , covering £660bn of trade , can be provisionally approved by EU ambassadors , it will then move on to formal ratification by the European Parliament .
It will almost certainly be passed by the UK parliament this week , with Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thin '' treaty , as the alternative would be a chaotic no-deal situation on 1 January .
And Boris Johnson has said that , although he accepts that `` the devil is in the detail '' of the deal , he believes that it will stand up to inspection from sceptics such as the European Research Group of Brexiteers .
But while Mr Johnson will have the support of most of his party , Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has called on MPs and peers to abstain when voting on the deal , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' on the UK .
The Scottish National Party has confirmed that it will vote against the deal , with its Westminster leader Ian Blackford describing it as an `` unforgivable act of economic vandalism and gross stupidity '' .
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that while it was a `` relief '' that a deal had been secured , there was still a lot of concern among businesses .
`` There will be people struggling to understand what this deal means for them - this is a real scramble for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , '' she said .
Meanwhile , International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade agreement with Turkey this week .
The move was not possible until the deal with the EU was struck because Ankara is in a customs union with the bloc .

Britons travelling to the European Union have been warned they face disruption and potential charges after the Brexit transition period ends on Thursday - as EU ambassadors said yes to the deal.
Travellers from the UK have previously been able to rely on free healthcare with their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and to escape roaming charges thanks to a ban on the fees throughout the bloc.
But the trade deal brokered between the European Union and the UK does not allow for Britons to keep either of these advantages.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Brexit: Fishing and finance services frustrated
The deal only says both sides must encourage mobile providers to have "transparent and reasonable rates", while government guidance tells British travellers to check with their mobile provider to see what charges they will face.
Any British visitor to the EU will also have to make sure their passport has enough validity when they begin their journey.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove acknowledged there will be "some disruption" as the nation adjusts, so he said "it is vital" to be as ready as possible.
He told Sky News that it was "important" for British holidaymakers to take out travel insurance - with healthcare cover - before travelling to the EU from 1 January.
But he added there would be "a specific provision for people who do have very serious ailments".
"There will be a successor to the EHIC card which makes sure that those people for whom health insurance will always be a difficult thing can have their healthcare covered," Mr Gove said.
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"And, of course, people who are currently resident in the EU who are British - there are around one million of those - they have, under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, access to EHIC cards as well."
Mr Gove also warned businesses that the time left to make final preparations before the new deal comes into force "is very short".
He spoke shortly before EU ambassadors met on Monday to unanimously approve the Brexit trade deal, prior to it coming into force on 1 January.
It means the agreement, covering £660bn of trade, can now move on to formal ratification by the European Parliament - although this is set to come after the deal is already in place in the New Year.
However, some businesses feel the new deal will leave them struggling to survive.
Peter Wood, director of UK Glass Eels which exports across Europe, told Sky News: "We all produce the documentation nut unfortunately our customers how now got a raft of documentation to produce to allow the imports to go ahead.
"So why buy from the UK when you might as well buy from another producer in France who can deliver to the door with no documentation, no problems?"
Mr Wood voted to leave the EU, but said he regrets that decision.
"I thought we were going to get a global market and this was going to be a new opportunity but it hasn't worked out like this.
"I wouldn't have voted for Brexit if I knew we were going to lose our jobs," he added.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with European Council President Charles Michel on Monday.
"I welcomed the importance of the UK/EU Agreement as a new starting point for our relationship, between sovereign equals," the prime minister posted on Twitter.
"We looked forward to the formal ratification of the agreement and to working together on shared priorities, such as tackling climate change."
Mr Michel said he discussed the "fair and balanced" trade deal with Mr Johnson, adding: "Looking forward to cooperate on COVID, a possible Treaty on pandemics; climate ahead of COP26 and foreign policy issues as allies sharing common values".
Businesses must understand the new rules on importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and the EU, as well as rules when trading with Northern Ireland.
It will almost certainly be passed by the UK parliament this week, with Labour backing what it describes as a "thin" treaty, as the alternative would be a chaotic no-deal situation on 1 January.
And Mr Johnson has said that, although he accepts that "the devil is in the detail" of the deal, he believes that it will stand up to inspection from eurosceptics such as the European Research Group of Brexiteers.
But while Mr Johnson will have the support of most of his party, Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has called on MPs and peers to abstain when voting on the deal, which he warned will inflict "lasting damage" on the UK.
The Scottish National Party has confirmed that it will vote against the deal, with its Westminster leader Ian Blackford describing it as an "unforgivable act of economic vandalism and gross stupidity".
Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that while it was a "relief" that a deal had been secured, there was still a lot of concern among businesses.
"There will be people struggling to understand what this deal means for them - this is a real scramble for a lot of businesses to get ready for," she said.
Meanwhile, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade agreement with Turkey this week.
The move was not possible until the deal with the EU was struck because Ankara is in a customs union with the bloc.
Analysis: One of the final hurdles cleared for Brexit trade deal
By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent
In Brussels, there are only two hurdles left for the Brexit deal to clear before it can be put into action on 1 January.
The first is imminent and straightforward; the other one slightly bends time, because it won't happen for weeks.
Job number one is to get the rubber-stamp of approval from EU members states.
The first element of that has already happened, with ambassadors from all 27 countries granting their approval at a meeting this morning.
What follows is written consent, but (barring a truly extraordinary last-minute hiccup) that won't be a problem.
What we then get is the provisional application of the deal.
Provisional because the European Parliament has to give its consent before the agreement is truly ratified, and that won't happen until weeks into the New Year.
By then, problems or disputes will have become much clearer, which might give the European Parliament a little more bite in its discussions, and perhaps lead to a demand for new mechanisms or changes.
Its members think they have been marginalised and are angry that their permission will be sought only after the deal has actually come into action.
But despite that tension, it's extremely unlikely that they will retrospectively block the agreement.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-14--Revealed: Seven crimes reported in Downing Street over three years

Police investigated seven crimes reported in Downing Street over three years , Sky News can reveal .
The offences were all classed as `` violence against the person '' crimes and relate to `` malicious communications '' sent to the street where the prime minister is based , the Metropolitan Police said .
The force released the data for 2017 to 2019 but refused to disclose whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020 , saying it `` can not be in the public interest '' to provide the information .
It comes after Sky News revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 50 % between 2016 and 2018 - including a sharp rise in threatening letters being received .
Last month a man was jailed for two years after threatening to kill Theresa May with `` a knife or a gun '' while she was prime minister .
Wajid Shah , 27 , sent abusive emails to the then-Tory leader and five other politicians , including Labour 's former cabinet minister Lord Blunkett .
Mrs May found the email `` extremely offensive , threatening and disturbing '' and was `` left feeling anxious and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated '' threats to kill , Southwark Crown Court heard .
In June , a prisoner who sent death threats to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner , as well as female MPs , was handed a five-year jail sentence .
Rakeem Malik , who was already serving a life sentence for attempted murder , posted the threats to Mr Johnson from his prison cell , threatening to kill the PM `` by Christmas '' .
Downing Street in central London houses the official residences and offices of the prime minister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information request by Sky News , the Met Police revealed four crimes were reported in the street in 2017 - the year after the EU referendum result - along with one crime in 2018 and two crimes in 2019 .
The force would not provide the details of each offence but said : `` All the above crimes relate to malicious communications sent to Downing Street . ''
The Met Police also refused to disclose the results of each investigation , arguing that it could lead to the identity of the victims being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
It said several of the reported crimes had `` evidential difficulties '' , while in one case no suspect was identified .
Meanwhile , the Met Police said revealing whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020 would `` enable the possibility of crime patterns to be exposed '' .
The force said : `` Disclosure could allow an individual to identify whether a crime committed had been detected and provide the opportunity to either evade capture or commit further crimes . ''
It added : `` Any disclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by identifying crime patterns would impact on police resources and ultimately add to the cost to the public purse .
`` It can not be in the public interest to release information which has the potential to place individuals at risk . ''
Sky News had asked the Met Police in September for details of crimes reported in Downing Street since January , as well as in 2019 and 2018 .
Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act , the force should have responded within 20 working days but repeatedly delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December .
The prime minister 's office did not respond to Sky News ' request for comment .

Police investigated seven crimes reported from Downing Street over three years, Sky News can reveal.
The offences were all classed as "violence against the person" crimes and relate to "malicious communications" sent to the street where the prime minister is based, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force released the data for 2017 to 2019 but refused to disclose whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020, saying it "cannot be in the public interest" to provide the information.
It comes after Sky News revealed that crimes reported in parliament had soared by nearly 50% between 2016 and 2018 - including a sharp rise in threatening letters being received.
Last month a man was jailed for two years after threatening to kill Theresa May with "a knife or a gun" while she was prime minister.
Image: A court heard Theresa May felt 'anxious and concerned' over a death threat sent to her
Wajid Shah, 27, sent abusive emails to the then-Tory leader and five other politicians, including Labour's former cabinet minister Lord Blunkett.
Mrs May found the email "extremely offensive, threatening and disturbing" and was "left feeling anxious and concerned" given the "explicit and repeated" threats to kill, Southwark Crown Court heard.
In June, a prisoner who sent death threats to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner, as well as female MPs, was handed a five-year jail sentence.
Rakeem Malik, who was already serving a life sentence for attempted murder, posted the threats to Mr Johnson from his prison cell, threatening to kill the PM "by Christmas".
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Image: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was sent a death threat by an attempted murderer
Downing Street in central London houses the official residences and offices of the prime minister and the chancellor.
Following a freedom of information request by Sky News, the Met Police revealed four crimes were reported in the street in 2017 - the year after the EU referendum result - along with one crime in 2018 and two crimes in 2019.
The force would not provide the details of each offence but said: "All the above crimes relate to malicious communications sent to Downing Street."
The Met Police also refused to disclose the results of each investigation, arguing that it could lead to the identity of the victims being revealed which would breach the Data Protection Act.
It said several of the reported crimes had "evidential difficulties", while in one case no suspect was identified.
Meanwhile, the Met Police said revealing whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020 would "enable the possibility of crime patterns to be exposed".
The force said: "Disclosure could allow an individual to identify whether a crime committed had been detected and provide the opportunity to either evade capture or commit further crimes."
It added: "Any disclosure which allows an individual to gather information by identifying crime patterns would impact on police resources and ultimately add to the cost to the public purse.
"It cannot be in the public interest to release information which has the potential to place individuals at risk."
Sky News had asked the Met Police in September for details of crimes reported in Downing Street since January, as well as in 2019 and 2018.
Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, the force should have responded within 20 working days but repeatedly delayed providing the data until releasing it in December.
The prime minister's office did not respond to Sky News' request for comment.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--Govt sticks to plan for schools’ return – but teachers want delay and Labour demands ans

Govt sticks to plan for schools’ return – but teachers want delay and Labour demands answers from PM

The government is pushing ahead with plans for primary school and older secondary school children to return to classrooms next week , despite calls for a delay following the discovery of the new COVID variant .
Officials from Number 10 and the Department for Education were due to meet on Monday to discuss the impact on schools following evidence the new coronavirus variant spreads more quickly than the original strain .
Millions more people in England entered Tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day after ministers acted to try and dampen infection rates - although schools can still remain open under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been demands for the return of pupils after the Christmas holidays to be delayed - including from teaching unions- until later in January , with scientists having warned only keeping schools and universities closed will dampen infection rates .
But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News that - for now - the government remained committed to its plan for pupils to return from 4 January under a staggered schedule .
`` Our plan is that primary schools will go back but with secondary schools it will be the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 and Year 13 - those who are doing their GCSEs , their BTECs , their A-levels - those will go back , '' he said .
`` And also children of key workers and children who are vulnerable and need the support and care that schools that can provide .
`` Other children in secondary schools wo n't go back for a week after that . ''
Asked if the government could be flexible in its plans for schools to return , Mr Gove reiterated the government 's plan to push ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced testing .
`` We always keep things under review , '' he said .
`` But teachers and headteachers have been working incredibly hard over the Christmas period , since schools broke up , in order to prepare for a new testing regime - community testing in order to make sure that children and all of us are safer .
`` So we do keep things under review but that is the plan . ''
Pressed on whether the government was still committed to holding exams in England this summer - despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Mr Gove said : `` Yes , absolutely . ''
A recent paper on the new COVID variant by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine warned that even action similar to November 's second national lockdown across England - in which schools remained open - is `` unlikely '' to reduce the rate of infection to below one `` unless primary schools , secondary schools , and universities are also closed '' .
Without the R number falling below one , COVID infections will continue to increase .
Both London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaun Bailey have called for schools to reopen later than planned in January .
NASUWT , the teachers ' union , wrote to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Monday to urge him to allow schools to `` restrict onsite provision to pupils who are deemed to be vulnerable , together with children of frontline/key workers , and that such restrictions will apply in the case of those schools and colleges serving communities in the highest tier areas '' .
Meanwhile , the Politico website reported the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - has urged ministers to keep secondary schools closed next month in a bid to dampen the rise in infections .
And infectious disease expert Dr Bharat Pankhania , senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter , called for the government to draw up `` contingency plans '' in case the new COVID variant is shown to be more infectious among younger age groups .
He said the issue was a `` big concern '' , adding : `` If that is the case - we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must have contingency plans in place now , in case this comes to be true .
`` Which is how we are going to continue with education remotely and keep children safe and not drive up the R number . ''
Labour called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson , Sir Patrick and England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , to appear at a Downing Street news conference on Monday to address concerns over the return of schools .
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said : `` The government is failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the return of schools in January .
`` Parents , pupils and staff will be increasingly worried by the drip feed of media reports saying scientists have advised the closure of schools in January , yet the prime minister has failed to be clear about the advice he has received .
`` Labour has been clear that keeping pupils learning should be a national priority , but a litany of government failures , from a lack of funding for safety measures through to the delayed and chaotic announcement of mass testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk . ''
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Conservative MP Robert Halfon , the chair of the House of Commons education committee , has urged the government to do `` everything possible to keep schools open '' .
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph , he warned there is `` no panacea for educational deprivation '' , adding : `` Thanks to the genius of science , the march of new diseases like COVID can be halted .
`` But there will never be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrecked life chances of a generation . ''

The government is pushing ahead with plans for primary school and older secondary school children to return to classrooms next week, despite calls for a delay following the discovery of the new COVID variant.
Officials from Number 10 and the Department for Education were due to meet on Monday to discuss the impact on schools following evidence the new coronavirus variant spreads more quickly than the original strain.
Millions more people in England entered Tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day after ministers acted to try and dampen infection rates - although schools can still remain open under the highest level of COVID measures.
Image: Primary school pupils are among those set to return from 4 January
There have been demands for the return of pupils after the Christmas holidays to be delayed - including from teaching unions- until later in January, with scientists having warned only keeping schools and universities closed will dampen infection rates.
But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News that - for now - the government remained committed to its plan for pupils to return from 4 January under a staggered schedule.
"Our plan is that primary schools will go back but with secondary schools it will be the case that next week only children in Year 11 and Year 13 - those who are doing their GCSEs, their BTECs, their A-levels - those will go back," he said.
"And also children of key workers and children who are vulnerable and need the support and care that schools that can provide.
"Other children in secondary schools won't go back for a week after that."
Asked if the government could be flexible in its plans for schools to return, Mr Gove reiterated the government's plan to push ahead with reopening schools from next week with enhanced testing.
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"We always keep things under review," he said.
"But teachers and headteachers have been working incredibly hard over the Christmas period, since schools broke up, in order to prepare for a new testing regime - community testing in order to make sure that children and all of us are safer.
"So we do keep things under review but that is the plan."
Pressed on whether the government was still committed to holding exams in England this summer - despite them being scrapped in Wales and Scotland - Mr Gove said: "Yes, absolutely."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 Dr Bharat Pankhania believes more plans need to be in place to deal with schools and the spread of coronavirus
A recent paper on the new COVID variant by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine warned that even action similar to November's second national lockdown across England - in which schools remained open - is "unlikely" to reduce the rate of infection to below one "unless primary schools, secondary schools, and universities are also closed".
Without the R number falling below one, COVID infections will continue to increase.
Both London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey have called for schools to reopen later than planned in January.
NASUWT, the teachers' union, wrote to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Monday to urge him to allow schools to "restrict onsite provision to pupils who are deemed to be vulnerable, together with children of frontline/key workers, and that such restrictions will apply in the case of those schools and colleges serving communities in the highest tier areas".
Meanwhile, the Politico website reported the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) - led by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - has urged ministers to keep secondary schools closed next month in a bid to dampen the rise in infections.
And infectious disease expert Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, called for the government to draw up "contingency plans" in case the new COVID variant is shown to be more infectious among younger age groups.
He said the issue was a "big concern", adding: "If that is the case - we will find when the schools open - we must have contingency plans in place now, in case this comes to be true.
"Which is how we are going to continue with education remotely and keep children safe and not drive up the R number."
Labour called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sir Patrick and England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, to appear at a Downing Street news conference on Monday to address concerns over the return of schools.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said: "The government is failing to be honest with parents and pupils about the return of schools in January.
"Parents, pupils and staff will be increasingly worried by the drip feed of media reports saying scientists have advised the closure of schools in January, yet the prime minister has failed to be clear about the advice he has received.
"Labour has been clear that keeping pupils learning should be a national priority, but a litany of government failures, from a lack of funding for safety measures through to the delayed and chaotic announcement of mass testing, is putting young people's education at risk."
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Conservative MP Robert Halfon, the chair of the House of Commons education committee, has urged the government to do "everything possible to keep schools open".
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he warned there is "no panacea for educational deprivation", adding: "Thanks to the genius of science, the march of new diseases like COVID can be halted.
"But there will never be a vaccine against the lost opportunity and wrecked life chances of a generation."
A government spokesperson said: "We want all pupils to return in January as school is the best place for their development and mental health, but as the prime minister has said, it is right that we follow the path of the pandemic and keep our approach under constant review.
"Our huge expansion of rapid testing will support secondary schools and colleges to stay open to all pupils and reduce the risk of transmission within local communities."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--EU nations unanimously approve Brexit deal as Britons warned over travel insurance, charges and expo

EU nations unanimously approve Brexit deal as Britons warned over travel insurance, charges and exports

Britons travelling to the European Union have been warned they face disruption and potential charges after the Brexit transition period ends on Thursday - as EU ambassadors said yes to the deal .
Travellers from the UK have previously been able to rely on free healthcare with their European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) , and to escape roaming charges thanks to a ban on the fees throughout the bloc .
But the trade deal brokered between the European Union and the UK does not allow for Britons to keep either of these advantages .
The deal only says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have `` transparent and reasonable rates '' , while government guidance tells British travellers to check with their mobile provider to see what charges they will face .
Any British visitor to the EU will also have to make sure their passport has enough validity when they begin their journey .
Cabinet minister Michael Gove acknowledged there will be `` some disruption '' as the nation adjusts , so he said `` it is vital '' to be as ready as possible .
He told Sky News that it was `` important '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance - with healthcare cover - before travelling to the EU from 1 January .
But he added there would be `` a specific provision for people who do have very serious ailments '' .
`` There will be a successor to the EHIC card which makes sure that those people for whom health insurance will always be a difficult thing can have their healthcare covered , '' Mr Gove said .
`` And , of course , people who are currently resident in the EU who are British - there are around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement , access to EHIC cards as well . ''
Mr Gove also warned businesses that the time left to make final preparations before the new deal comes into force `` is very short '' .
He spoke shortly before EU ambassadors met on Monday to unanimously approve the Brexit trade deal , prior to it coming into force on 1 January .
It means the agreement , covering £660bn of trade , can now move on to formal ratification by the European Parliament - although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal is already in place in the New Year .
`` I welcomed the importance of the UK/EU Agreement as a new starting point for our relationship , between sovereign equals , '' the prime minister posted on Twitter .
`` We looked forward to the formal ratification of the agreement and to working together on shared priorities , such as tackling climate change . ''
Businesses must understand the new rules on importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and the EU , as well as rules when trading with Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the UK parliament this week , with Labour backing what it describes as a `` thin '' treaty , as the alternative would be a chaotic no-deal situation on 1 January .
And Mr Johnson has said that , although he accepts that `` the devil is in the detail '' of the deal , he believes that it will stand up to inspection from eurosceptics such as the European Research Group of Brexiteers .
But while Mr Johnson will have the support of most of his party , Tory grandee Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abstain when voting on the deal , which he warned will inflict `` lasting damage '' on the UK .
The Scottish National Party has confirmed that it will vote against the deal , with its Westminster leader Ian Blackford describing it as an `` unforgivable act of economic vandalism and gross stupidity '' .
Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that while it was a `` relief '' that a deal had been secured , there was still a lot of concern among businesses .
`` There will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means for them - this is a real scramble for a lot of businesses to get ready for , '' she said .
Meanwhile , International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade agreement with Turkey this week .
The move was not possible until the deal with the EU was struck because Ankara is in a customs union with the bloc .
Analysis : One of the final hurdles cleared for Brexit trade deal In Brussels , there are only two hurdles left for the Brexit deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into action on 1 January .
The first is imminent and straightforward ; the other one slightly bends time , because it wo n't happen for weeks .
Job number one is to get the rubber-stamp of approval from EU members states .
The first element of that has already happened , with ambassadors from all 27 countries granting their approval at a meeting this morning .
What follows is written consent , but ( barring a truly extraordinary last-minute hiccup ) that wo n't be a problem .
What we then get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Provisional because the European Parliament has to give its consent before the agreement is truly ratified , and that wo n't happen until weeks into the New Year .
By then , problems or disputes will have become much clearer , which might give the European Parliament a little more bite in its discussions , and perhaps lead to a demand for new mechanisms or changes .
Its members think they have been marginalised and are angry that their permission will be sought only after the deal has actually come into action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's extremely unlikely that they will retrospectively block the agreement .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-14--Revealed: Seven crimes reported from Downing Street over three years

Police investigated seven crimes reported from Downing Street over three years , Sky News can reveal .
The offences were all classed as `` violence against the person '' crimes and relate to `` malicious communications '' sent to the street where the prime minister is based , the Metropolitan Police said .
The force released the data for 2017 to 2019 but refused to disclose whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020 , saying it `` can not be in the public interest '' to provide the information .
It comes after Sky News revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 50 % between 2016 and 2018 - including a sharp rise in threatening letters being received .
Last month a man was jailed for two years after threatening to kill Theresa May with `` a knife or a gun '' while she was prime minister .
Wajid Shah , 27 , sent abusive emails to the then-Tory leader and five other politicians , including Labour 's former cabinet minister Lord Blunkett .
Mrs May found the email `` extremely offensive , threatening and disturbing '' and was `` left feeling anxious and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated '' threats to kill , Southwark Crown Court heard .
In June , a prisoner who sent death threats to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner , as well as female MPs , was handed a five-year jail sentence .
Rakeem Malik , who was already serving a life sentence for attempted murder , posted the threats to Mr Johnson from his prison cell , threatening to kill the PM `` by Christmas '' .
Downing Street in central London houses the official residences and offices of the prime minister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information request by Sky News , the Met Police revealed four crimes were reported in the street in 2017 - the year after the EU referendum result - along with one crime in 2018 and two crimes in 2019 .
The force would not provide the details of each offence but said : `` All the above crimes relate to malicious communications sent to Downing Street . ''
The Met Police also refused to disclose the results of each investigation , arguing that it could lead to the identity of the victims being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
It said several of the reported crimes had `` evidential difficulties '' , while in one case no suspect was identified .
Meanwhile , the Met Police said revealing whether any offences were reported in Downing Street in 2020 would `` enable the possibility of crime patterns to be exposed '' .
The force said : `` Disclosure could allow an individual to identify whether a crime committed had been detected and provide the opportunity to either evade capture or commit further crimes . ''
It added : `` Any disclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by identifying crime patterns would impact on police resources and ultimately add to the cost to the public purse .
`` It can not be in the public interest to release information which has the potential to place individuals at risk . ''
Sky News had asked the Met Police in September for details of crimes reported in Downing Street since January , as well as in 2019 and 2018 .
Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act , the force should have responded within 20 working days but repeatedly delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December .
The prime minister 's office did not respond to Sky News ' request for comment .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--Military called in to help testing in schools as government refuses to delay return date

The military is being called in to help secondary schools and colleges with coronavirus testing at the start of the spring term .
Some 1,500 personnel will give planning support , training and phone advice to English schools needing help with the testing process and setting up facilities .
The government is pressing ahead with plans for primary school , older secondary school and college pupils to return in early January - despite scientists claiming a delay is needed if rising infection rates are to be brought under control .
Each secondary school and college in England will be offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , the government has said , adding that schools will be given the kit they need .
In most cases , students will be expected to swab themselves under supervision of a school staff member or volunteer who has been trained for the role .
The military support of the programme begins this week and will consist mostly of webinars and meetings , although there will be teams capable of deploying at short notice to provide closer support if needed .
There are currently 2,914 military personnel supporting government departments and civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Ben Wallace said : `` The UK Armed Forces are stepping up once again this holiday .
This week I have authorised over a thousand Armed Forces personnel to assist schools returning after the Christmas break .
`` They 'll share considerable experience of testing across the country and the successful school pilots conducted this autumn .
`` We are grateful for the professionalism and commitment they and our colleagues in teaching are showing to get students back into the classroom and on with their education . ''
Cabinet Office minister Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now - the government remained committed to its plan for pupils to return from 4 January under a staggered schedule .
`` Our plan is that primary schools will go back but with secondary schools it will be the case that next week only children in Year 11 and Year 13 - those who are doing their GCSEs , their BTECs , their A-levels - those will go back , '' he said .
A recent paper on the new COVID variant by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national lockdown across England - in which schools remained open - is `` unlikely '' to reduce the rate of infection to below one `` unless primary schools , secondary schools , and universities are also closed '' .
Both London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey have called for schools to reopen later than planned in January .
NASUWT , the teachers ' union , wrote to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Monday to urge him to allow schools to `` restrict onsite provision to pupils who are deemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of frontline/key workers , and that such restrictions will apply in the case of those schools and colleges serving communities in the highest tier areas '' .
Meanwhile , the Politico website reported the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) - led by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - has urged ministers to keep secondary schools closed next month in a bid to dampen the rise in infections .
On Monday the UK recorded its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the pandemic began , with 41,385 @ @ @

The military is being called in to help secondary schools and colleges with coronavirus testing at the start of the spring term.
Some 1,500 personnel will give planning support, training and phone advice to English schools needing help with the testing process and setting up facilities.
The government is pressing ahead with plans for primary school, older secondary school and college pupils to return in early January - despite scientists claiming a delay is needed if rising infection rates are to be brought under control.
Each secondary school and college in England will be offered testing, with £78m allocated to support this, the government has said, adding that schools will be given the kit they need.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 'We haven't seen the latest evidence'
In most cases, students will be expected to swab themselves under supervision of a school staff member or volunteer who has been trained for the role.
The military support of the programme begins this week and will consist mostly of webinars and meetings, although there will be teams capable of deploying at short notice to provide closer support if needed.
There are currently 2,914 military personnel supporting government departments and civil authorities in the coronavirus response.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "The UK Armed Forces are stepping up once again this holiday. This week I have authorised over a thousand Armed Forces personnel to assist schools returning after the Christmas break.
"They'll share considerable experience of testing across the country and the successful school pilots conducted this autumn.
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"We are grateful for the professionalism and commitment they and our colleagues in teaching are showing to get students back into the classroom and on with their education."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:56 Schools to return, exams to go ahead, says Gove
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News that - for now - the government remained committed to its plan for pupils to return from 4 January under a staggered schedule.
"Our plan is that primary schools will go back but with secondary schools it will be the case that next week only children in Year 11 and Year 13 - those who are doing their GCSEs, their BTECs, their A-levels - those will go back," he said.
A recent paper on the new COVID variant by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine warned that even action similar to November's second national lockdown across England - in which schools remained open - is "unlikely" to reduce the rate of infection to below one "unless primary schools, secondary schools, and universities are also closed".
Both London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey have called for schools to reopen later than planned in January.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 Delay to school return 'needs to be extended'
NASUWT, the teachers' union, wrote to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Monday to urge him to allow schools to "restrict onsite provision to pupils who are deemed to be vulnerable, together with children of frontline/key workers, and that such restrictions will apply in the case of those schools and colleges serving communities in the highest tier areas".
Meanwhile, the Politico website reported the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) - led by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - has urged ministers to keep secondary schools closed next month in a bid to dampen the rise in infections.
On Monday the UK recorded its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, with 41,385 positive tests.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--Spain warns of border 'chaos' ahead of deadline for Gibraltar deal

Gibraltar 's chief minister has called on the UK and Spain to `` grasp the nettle of history '' with just days left to secure a post-Brexit border deal for the peninsula .
Known as 'The Rock ' , the British territory was not part of the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between the EU and UK on Christmas Eve .
Although Gibraltarians will enjoy the rights of British citizens included under the terms of the agreement , the deal makes no provisions for the post-Brexit border between Spain and Gibraltar .
The issue was carved out from the wider trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the subject of bilateral negotiations between the UK government and Spain .
But those talks have yet to reach a resolution ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday , Gibraltar 's chief minister Fabian Picardo warned `` the clock is still ticking '' ahead of that deadline , as he called for a `` final push '' to reach a deal .
`` The time has come to grasp the nettle of history , and the nettle stings less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` We can each win only if we all win .
And we will definitely all lose if one of us loses .
`` So this is a moment where we have the choice to make for our people , of whether we ensure that none of us loses at this table even if none of us wins , or we ensure that all of us wins to ensure that none of us loses .
`` It 's that clear .
I 'm optimistic that we can get there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1713 , with its citizens voting overwhelmingly , with 99 % in favour , to remain under UK sovereignty at a 2002 referendum .
However , Spain has long maintained its own claim to Gibraltar , which sits off the country 's southern coast , and has previously used the Brexit process to press the issue .
Mr Picardo called on both sides to set aside the long-running sovereignty dispute in the negotiations , adding : `` Surely , we can defeat the 300 years of history that we 've put behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future for our children . ''
Both the UK and Spain are seeking to limit the impact of Brexit on everyday life in Gibraltar .
Around 15,000 Spaniards cross the border to work in Gibraltar every day , making up about half the territory 's labour force .
Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya last week warned of border disruption , similar to the recent scenes in Kent , without an agreement .
`` We do not have much time , and the scenes of chaos from the UK must remind us that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal on Gibraltar , '' she told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE .
`` Spaniards want one , the people of Gibraltar want one , now the UK needs to desire one as well .
Political will is needed . ''
But Ms Gonzalez Laya has also warned Spain will not renounce its sovereignty claim over Gibraltar as part of any agreement .
Following the announcement of the UK 's post-Brexit trade deal with the EU on Christmas Eve , a Foreign Office spokesperson said : `` The UK , side by side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held constructive discussions with Spain regarding future relationship issues relating to Gibraltar .
`` All sides acknowledged the challenging nature of this process at the outset of talks .
`` Although an agreement has not yet been reached on Gibraltar 's future relationship with the EU , we will continue our discussions with Spain to safeguard Gibraltar 's interests , and those of the surrounding region .
`` In addition , we are also working closely with the Government of Gibraltar , in discussion with Spain and the EU , to mitigate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period on Gibraltar .
`` We are totally committed to protecting Gibraltar 's interests .
That includes ensuring border fluidity , which is clearly in the best interests of the communities that live on both sides . ''

Gibraltar's chief minister has called on the UK and Spain to "grasp the nettle of history" with just days left to secure a post-Brexit border deal for the peninsula.
Known as 'The Rock', the British territory was not part of the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between the EU and UK on Christmas Eve.
Although Gibraltarians will enjoy the rights of British citizens included under the terms of the agreement, the deal makes no provisions for the post-Brexit border between Spain and Gibraltar.
Image: Thousands of people cross Gibraltar's border with Spain every day
The issue was carved out from the wider trade talks between London and Brussels and has been the subject of bilateral negotiations between the UK government and Spain.
But those talks have yet to reach a resolution ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo warned "the clock is still ticking" ahead of that deadline, as he called for a "final push" to reach a deal.
"The time has come to grasp the nettle of history, and the nettle stings less if you grab it tight," he said.
"We can each win only if we all win. And we will definitely all lose if one of us loses.
"So this is a moment where we have the choice to make for our people, of whether we ensure that none of us loses at this table even if none of us wins, or we ensure that all of us wins to ensure that none of us loses.
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"It's that clear. I'm optimistic that we can get there."
Gibraltar has been a British territory since 1713, with its citizens voting overwhelmingly, with 99% in favour, to remain under UK sovereignty at a 2002 referendum.
However, Spain has long maintained its own claim to Gibraltar, which sits off the country's southern coast, and has previously used the Brexit process to press the issue.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 What's in the Brexit trade deal?
Mr Picardo called on both sides to set aside the long-running sovereignty dispute in the negotiations, adding: "Surely, we can defeat the 300 years of history that we've put behind us and look forward to a better future for our children."
Both the UK and Spain are seeking to limit the impact of Brexit on everyday life in Gibraltar.
Around 15,000 Spaniards cross the border to work in Gibraltar every day, making up about half the territory's labour force.
Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya last week warned of border disruption, similar to the recent scenes in Kent, without an agreement.
"We do not have much time, and the scenes of chaos from the UK must remind us that we need to keep working to reach a deal on Gibraltar," she told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE.
"Spaniards want one, the people of Gibraltar want one, now the UK needs to desire one as well. Political will is needed."
But Ms Gonzalez Laya has also warned Spain will not renounce its sovereignty claim over Gibraltar as part of any agreement.
Image: Chief minister Fabian Picardo called for a 'final push' to reach a deal
Following the announcement of the UK's post-Brexit trade deal with the EU on Christmas Eve, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The UK, side by side with the Government of Gibraltar, has held constructive discussions with Spain regarding future relationship issues relating to Gibraltar.
"All sides acknowledged the challenging nature of this process at the outset of talks.
"Although an agreement has not yet been reached on Gibraltar's future relationship with the EU, we will continue our discussions with Spain to safeguard Gibraltar's interests, and those of the surrounding region.
"In addition, we are also working closely with the Government of Gibraltar, in discussion with Spain and the EU, to mitigate the effects of the end of the transition period on Gibraltar.
"We are totally committed to protecting Gibraltar's interests. That includes ensuring border fluidity, which is clearly in the best interests of the communities that live on both sides."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--EU nations approve Brexit deal as Britons warned over travel insurance, charges and exports

Britons travelling to the European Union have been warned they face disruption and potential charges after the Brexit transition period ends on Thursday - as EU ambassadors said yes to the deal .
Travellers from the UK have previously been able to rely on free healthcare with their European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) , and to escape roaming charges thanks to a ban on the fees throughout the bloc .
But the trade deal brokered between the European Union and the UK does not allow for Britons to keep either of these advantages .
The deal only says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have `` transparent and reasonable rates '' , while government guidance tells British travellers to check with their mobile provider to see what charges they will face .
Any British visitor to the EU will also have to make sure their passport has enough validity when they begin their journey .
Cabinet minister Michael Gove acknowledged there will be `` some disruption '' as the nation adjusts , so he said `` it is vital '' to be as ready as possible .
He told Sky News that it was `` important '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance - with healthcare cover - before travelling to the EU from 1 January .
But he added there would be `` a specific provision for people who do have very serious ailments '' .
`` There will be a successor to the EHIC card which makes sure that those people for whom health insurance will always be a difficult thing can have their healthcare covered , '' Mr Gove said .
`` And , of course , people who are currently resident in the EU who are British - there are around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement , access to EHIC cards as well . ''
Mr Gove also warned businesses that the time left to make final preparations before the new deal comes into force `` is very short '' .
He spoke shortly before EU ambassadors met on Monday to unanimously approve the Brexit trade deal , prior to it coming into force on 1 January .
It means the agreement , covering £660bn of trade , can now move on to formal ratification by the European Parliament - although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal is already in place in the New Year .
However , some businesses feel the new deal will leave them struggling to survive .
Peter Wood , director of UK Glass Eels which exports across Europe , told Sky News : `` We all produce the documentation nut unfortunately our customers how now got a raft of documentation to produce to allow the imports to go ahead .
`` So why buy from the UK when you might as well buy from another producer in France who can deliver to the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr Wood voted to leave the EU , but said he regrets that decision .
`` I thought we were going to get a global market and this was going to be a new opportunity but it has n't worked out like this .
`` I would n't have voted for Brexit if I knew we were going to lose our jobs , '' he added .
`` I welcomed the importance of the UK/EU Agreement as a new starting point for our relationship , between sovereign equals , '' the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked forward to the formal ratification of the agreement and to working together on shared priorities , such as tackling climate change . ''
Mr Michel said he discussed the `` fair and balanced '' trade deal with Mr Johnson , adding : `` Looking forward to cooperate on COVID , a possible Treaty on pandemics ; climate ahead of COP26 and foreign policy issues as allies sharing common values '' .
Businesses must understand the new rules on importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and the EU , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will almost certainly be passed by the UK parliament this week , with Labour backing what it describes as a `` thin '' treaty , as the alternative would be a chaotic no-deal situation on 1 January .
And Mr Johnson has said that , although he accepts that `` the devil is in the detail '' of the deal , he believes that it will stand up to inspection from eurosceptics such as the European Research Group of Brexiteers .
But while Mr Johnson will have the support of most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has called on MPs and peers to abstain when voting on the deal , which he warned will inflict `` lasting damage '' on the UK .
The Scottish National Party has confirmed that it will vote against the deal , with its Westminster leader Ian Blackford describing it as an `` unforgivable act of economic vandalism and gross stupidity '' .
Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that while it was a `` relief '' that a deal had been secured , there was still a lot of concern among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to understand what this deal means for them - this is a real scramble for a lot of businesses to get ready for , '' she said .
Meanwhile , International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade agreement with Turkey this week .
The move was not possible until the deal with the EU was struck because Ankara is in a customs union with the bloc .
Analysis : One of the final hurdles cleared for Brexit trade deal In Brussels , there are only two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear before it can be put into action on 1 January .
The first is imminent and straightforward ; the other one slightly bends time , because it wo n't happen for weeks .
Job number one is to get the rubber-stamp of approval from EU members states .
The first element of that has already happened , with ambassadors from all 27 countries granting their approval at a meeting this morning .
What follows is written consent , but ( barring a truly extraordinary last-minute hiccup ) that wo n't be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provisional application of the deal .
Provisional because the European Parliament has to give its consent before the agreement is truly ratified , and that wo n't happen until weeks into the New Year .
By then , problems or disputes will have become much clearer , which might give the European Parliament a little more bite in its discussions , and perhaps lead to a demand for new mechanisms or changes .
Its members think they have been marginalised and are angry that their permission will be sought only after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But despite that tension , it 's extremely unlikely that they will retrospectively block the agreement .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-28--Concern over China's 'secret' trial of group accused of trying to flee Hong Kong

British diplomats have been barred from attending the trial of 12 people accused by China of trying to flee Hong Kong by speedboat , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said .
Dubbed the `` Shenzhen 12 '' , the group face charges of illegal border crossing after their boat was intercepted allegedly en route to Taiwan .
The 11 men and one woman have been linked to anti-China protests in Hong Kong , with one of their number also facing charges related to the controversial national security law that Beijing imposed on the city earlier this year .
Ten of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 23 August , had their case heard by a court in Shenzhen , a city in mainland China near to the border with Hong Kong .
Two others are due to have a separate hearing as they are minors .
Mr Raab said the UK government was `` deeply concerned '' that members of the group were `` tried in secret '' on Monday and were given `` just three days ' notice of their trial '' .
`` Diplomats from Britain and a number of other countries , tried to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the foreign secretary added in a statement .
`` The Shenzhen 12 have not had access to lawyers of their choosing , raising further serious questions about access to legal counsel in mainland China .
`` We expect China to uphold the rule of law and conduct trials in a fair and transparent manner , consistent with the basic requirements of international human rights law . ''
Pro-democracy activists began fleeing Hong Kong for Taiwan from the early months of last year 's protests - most of them legally by air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference in Hong Kong , relatives of some of those detained pleaded for transparency .
`` I 'm begging the courts to quickly give a sentence , '' said the mother of Wong Wai-yin , 29 , one of the defendants .
`` I really want to see my son very much .
If you do not give him a sentence , I can not see him .
`` If you give him a sentence , then I can go see him .
All I want is just to see his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China , claimed the detainees had not been given the right to appoint their own lawyer and `` do n't even know the names of the government-appointed lawyers '' .
He said : `` They try to say it 's an open trial but they also say all the seats are occupied .
`` The family members do n't have the right to attend the trial .
That 's absurd . ''
Mr Raab has twice this year accused China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal that saw Hong Kong pass back to China from Britain in 1997 - as a result of the introduction and then use of the controversial national security law .

British diplomats have been barred from attending the trial of 12 people accused by China of trying to flee Hong Kong by speedboat, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said.
Dubbed the "Shenzhen 12", the group face charges of illegal border crossing after their boat was intercepted allegedly en route to Taiwan.
The 11 men and one woman have been linked to anti-China protests in Hong Kong, with one of their number also facing charges related to the controversial national security law that Beijing imposed on the city earlier this year.
Image: Relatives of the group pleaded for transparency
Ten of the group, who have been detained since 23 August, had their case heard by a court in Shenzhen, a city in mainland China near to the border with Hong Kong.
Two others are due to have a separate hearing as they are minors.
Mr Raab said the UK government was "deeply concerned" that members of the group were "tried in secret" on Monday and were given "just three days' notice of their trial".
"Diplomats from Britain and a number of other countries, tried to attend the court proceedings but were denied entry," the foreign secretary added in a statement.
"The Shenzhen 12 have not had access to lawyers of their choosing, raising further serious questions about access to legal counsel in mainland China.
"We expect China to uphold the rule of law and conduct trials in a fair and transparent manner, consistent with the basic requirements of international human rights law."
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Pro-democracy activists began fleeing Hong Kong for Taiwan from the early months of last year's protests - most of them legally by air, but some by boat.
Image: The group tried to escape Hong Kong in August
At a news conference in Hong Kong, relatives of some of those detained pleaded for transparency.
"I'm begging the courts to quickly give a sentence," said the mother of Wong Wai-yin, 29, one of the defendants.
"I really want to see my son very much. If you do not give him a sentence, I cannot see him.
"If you give him a sentence, then I can go see him. All I want is just to see his face once."
Lee Cheuk-yan, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, claimed the detainees had not been given the right to appoint their own lawyer and "don't even know the names of the government-appointed lawyers".
He said: "They try to say it's an open trial but they also say all the seats are occupied.
"The family members don't have the right to attend the trial. That's absurd."
Mr Raab has twice this year accused China of breaching the Sino-British Declaration - the deal that saw Hong Kong pass back to China from Britain in 1997 - as a result of the introduction and then use of the controversial national security law.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-29--Michel Barnier says Brexit trade deal brings 'a little stability'

The post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and UK has brought `` a little stability '' but there are still some elements of the bloc 's future relationship with Britain to determine , Brussels ' chief negotiator has said .
Michel Barnier , who led trade negotiations with the UK on behalf of the EU , told French radio on Tuesday his team had `` delivered an orderly Brexit '' .
But he added the agreement struck on Christmas Eve did not cover all aspects of the future EU-UK relationship , with foreign policy co-operation still to be defined .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ political declaration '' on the future EU-UK relationship in 2018 set out hopes of designing a framework for future foreign policy cooperation .
However , after replacing Mrs May in 10 Downing Street , Boris Johnson chose not to include foreign policy matters in negotiations with Brussels - to the repeated annoyance of Mr Barnier .
Having now completed the negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal , Mr Barnier also offered a hint as to his future ambitions - ahead of the 2022 French presidential elections .
`` I will use my energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told Franceinfo .
The 69-year-old , who was elected to the French parliament more than 42 years ago at the beginning of his long political career , added : `` I am a patriot and a European .
`` I never stopped being involved in the French political debate .
I will see where I can be useful .
`` I want to take part in the collective process of bringing about progress in my country . ''
The Brexit trade deal , due to come into force on 1 January , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassadors .
The agreement is due to be voted on by the House of Commons and House of Lords on Wednesday under the UK 's own ratification process .
Prior to that vote , former Conservative cabinet minister David Lidington - who served as Mrs May 's de facto deputy prior to her resignation - called on the UK to establish an ongoing `` strategic partnership '' with EU member states .
`` Over the next 10 years , a UK outside the EU will need to renew and strengthen both its bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with the EU collectively , '' he wrote in an article for the ConservativeHome website .
`` With national governments , this partly about finding a substitute for the regular contact between British ministers and officials and their counterparts that for nearly 50 years , has taken place at and in the margins of Council of Ministers meetings . ''
The post-Brexit trade deal is expected to pass through the House of Commons , after Labour said they would vote in favour of the agreement .
The party 's shadow business minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trade deal was `` not as comprehensive a deal as we would like or the country was promised '' .
But she said MPs now faced a `` binary choice '' between the trade agreement or the UK leaving the Brexit transition period with the `` catastrophic consequences '' of no deal being in place .
Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Powell added she understood the vote would be a `` difficult issue '' for her fellow Labour MPs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote against the deal .
Former shadow cabinet ministers John McDonnell , Clive Lewis and Ben Bradshaw are among a list of Labour figures to have signed a statement urging the party not to support the trade agreement .
The DUP will vote against the deal as they continue to register their discontent with the provisions for the Irish border - known as the Northern Ireland Protocol - that Mr Johnson signed up to last year .
But the European Research Group of Conservative Brexiteers are expected to come out in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` star chamber '' of legal experts reach a verdict on the terms of the deal .

The post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and UK has brought "a little stability" but there are still some elements of the bloc's future relationship with Britain to determine, Brussels' chief negotiator has said.
Michel Barnier, who led trade negotiations with the UK on behalf of the EU, told French radio on Tuesday his team had "delivered an orderly Brexit".
But he added the agreement struck on Christmas Eve did not cover all aspects of the future EU-UK relationship, with foreign policy co-operation still to be defined.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 What's in the Brexit trade deal?
Former prime minister Theresa May's "political declaration" on the future EU-UK relationship in 2018 set out hopes of designing a framework for future foreign policy cooperation.
However, after replacing Mrs May in 10 Downing Street, Boris Johnson chose not to include foreign policy matters in negotiations with Brussels - to the repeated annoyance of Mr Barnier.
Having now completed the negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal, Mr Barnier also offered a hint as to his future ambitions - ahead of the 2022 French presidential elections.
"I will use my energy to work for my country," he told Franceinfo.
The 69-year-old, who was elected to the French parliament more than 42 years ago at the beginning of his long political career, added: "I am a patriot and a European.
"I never stopped being involved in the French political debate. I will see where I can be useful.
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"I want to take part in the collective process of bringing about progress in my country."
The Brexit trade deal, due to come into force on 1 January, was on Monday unanimously approved by EU ambassadors.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 'We've taken back control of our laws and our destiny'
The agreement is due to be voted on by the House of Commons and House of Lords on Wednesday under the UK's own ratification process.
Prior to that vote, former Conservative cabinet minister David Lidington - who served as Mrs May's de facto deputy prior to her resignation - called on the UK to establish an ongoing "strategic partnership" with EU member states.
"Over the next 10 years, a UK outside the EU will need to renew and strengthen both its bilateral relationships with other European countries and its partnership with the EU collectively," he wrote in an article for the ConservativeHome website.
"With national governments, this partly about finding a substitute for the regular contact between British ministers and officials and their counterparts that for nearly 50 years, has taken place at and in the margins of Council of Ministers meetings."
The post-Brexit trade deal is expected to pass through the House of Commons, after Labour said they would vote in favour of the agreement.
The party's shadow business minister, Lucy Powell, told Sky News the trade deal was "not as comprehensive a deal as we would like or the country was promised".
But she said MPs now faced a "binary choice" between the trade agreement or the UK leaving the Brexit transition period with the "catastrophic consequences" of no deal being in place.
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Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Ms Powell added she understood the vote would be a "difficult issue" for her fellow Labour MPs, amid signs a number might rebel and vote against the deal.
Former shadow cabinet ministers John McDonnell, Clive Lewis and Ben Bradshaw are among a list of Labour figures to have signed a statement urging the party not to support the trade agreement.
The DUP will vote against the deal as they continue to register their discontent with the provisions for the Irish border - known as the Northern Ireland Protocol - that Mr Johnson signed up to last year.
But the European Research Group of Conservative Brexiteers are expected to come out in support of the agreement on Tuesday, after their "star chamber" of legal experts reach a verdict on the terms of the deal.