Boris Johnson news – live: Russia report on influence in UK politics could soon be released as Grayling nominated to chair security committee
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Your support makes all the difference.The long-awaited report into Russia’s influence on UK politics could soon be cleared for publication, after Downing Street confirmed MPs will vote on Monday to re-establish a key intelligence committee. A No 10 spokesman said the committee would be encouraged to publish “as soon as possible”.
At the same time, Boris Johnson has nominated Chris Grayling to lead the influential intelligence and security committee, which has not sat for a number of months. Recently, Mr Grayling’s disastrous privatisation of probation services was entirely undone and the service renationalised.
It came as Rishi Sunak defended his £30bn mini-Budget plan but admitted the UK was “entering one of the most severe recessions this country has ever seen”. Economists have warned Britain could face decades of tax rises to repair its battered public finances, with borrowing set to soar.
The chancellor admitted that “we can’t sustainably live like this ... and over the medium term we can and we will return our public finances to a sustainable position”.
He also said there would be “significant” unemployment as a result of Covid-19.
On the economic front, Oliver Dowden announced on Thursday evening that gyms could reopen from 25 July, subject to conditions, while outdoor arts performances would be able to resume from 11 July. Recreational sports, once teams publish approved guidance, can also restart from 11 July, the culture secretary said.
Meanwhile, Brexit talks broke up a day early due to, as Michel Barnier put it, “significant divergences” between Britain and the EU. Negotiations will continue later in the month. Mr Barnier warned EU countries to expect disruption at the end of the year, with a no-deal scenario looming.
Scroll down to see how we covered the day’s events live.
'Significant divergences' remain on Brexit deal, Barnier says
The European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said there will be "inevitable changes" no matter the outcome of negotiations between Brussels and the UK on a post-Brexit trade deal.
He tweeted: "This week's discussions confirm that significant divergences remain between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
"We will continue working with patience, respect and determination.
"Regardless of the outcome, there will be inevitable changes on January 1 2021."
Cruise industry reeling after FCO warns against holidaying on the high seas
Just as cruise lines in the UK and abroad were hoping to put together programmes for the latter part of 2020, the Foreign Office has warned against all cruise ship travel, writes Simon Calder.
The cruise business has been hit harder than any other part of the travel industry by the coronavirus pandemic.
in March the FCO warned: “British nationals aged 70 and over, and those with underlying health conditions like chronic diseases and diabetes, are advised not to travel on cruise ships.”
But after its global warning against all overseas travel was lifted last Saturday, Foreign Office consular staff have decided that any cruise abroad is too risky.
Government approves Manston Airport plan
Plans to reopen Manston Airport in Kent and turn it into a "global freight hub'' have been approved by the government.
The former Battle of Britain airfield will be able to handle at least 10,000 air cargo movements per year and also offer passenger travel.
It follows a lengthy planning process. The scheme was submitted in July 2018.
Williamson abandons Blair pledge to send half of young people to university
Gavin Williamson has abandoned Tony Blair’s pledge to send 50 per cent of young people into university, as he claimed there was an “inbuilt snobbishness” about higher being better than further education, writes Ashley Cowburn.
Tearing up the two-decade old policy, the education secretary said his focus will be on the “forgotten” half of individuals who do not go on to university and claimed there had been a failure to provide them with sufficient investment.
Oliver Dowden announces gyms will reopen
Gyms are to reopen from 25 July, the culture secretary has said. In order to prevent the transmission of coronavirus in sweaty environments, equipment will be spaced out, a timed booking system will be operated and more intensive cleaning regimens implemented. Gym-goers also need to follow distancing guidance.
Oliver Dowden also said that open-air theatre, music and dance performances can also resume from 11 July. Venue capacity will be limited, he said. The government is researching how indoor performances can return as soon as possible.
"We are taking steps through the planning system to protect theatres from demolition or change of use," Mr Dowden added.
Recreational sport can resume from 11 July as well, as soon as teams publish approved guidance.
From Monday, beauticians and nail bars, as well as tattoo parlours, can also reopen.
What are the rules when gyms reopen?
Our lifestyle team has you covered with details of what you need to know when you get back into the gym.
Watchdog to scrutinise huge payout for ousted cabinet secretary
A £250,000 payout to the ousted cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill will be scrutinised by the spending watchdog, amid claims it was to avoid a damaging tribunal case, writes Rob Merrick.
The National Audit Office (NAO) will consider the golden goodbye, after Boris Johnson was forced to publish a letter justifying it – something immediately seen as proof Sir Mark was “sacked”.
Politicians and legal experts also suggested he must have threatened to take legal action, even as Philip Rutnam, who quit as the Home Office’s top civil servant, pursues a constructive dismissal case.
Will companies that breach reopening rules be sanctioned?
Oliver Dowden was asked whether companies or people who broke new rules would be punished.
He said: "Our experience so far has been that that has not been necessary because people have followed those rules.
"But of course in respect of individuals, if they are, if there's clear flouting of the rules, for example in large groups and so on we have seen that the police have powers to disperse.
"And in respect of businesses, we have the Health and Safety Executive and others who will uphold relevant standards."
Grayling nominated to lead intelligence committee
Former cabinet minister Chris Grayling looks set to become chair of Westminster's influential Intelligence and Security Committee, after Boris Johnson included his name on the list of nominees.
EU students face tuition fee bill in Scotland
Scotland will scrap free university education for EU students after Brexit.
Richard Lochhead, Holyrood's higher education minister, said the move would apply to EU citizens starting their studies next year, with the money saved going towards encouraging more Scottish students into university.
Students from EU countries - as remains the case for those from within Scotland - have been eligible for free tuition since fees were scrapped.
But the Scottish government will no longer be obliged to cover the cost for students from EU nations after Brexit and it has decided to charge them after that point.
Tuition fees in Scotland for overseas students currently range from £9,000 to more than £31,000 per year.
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