“Migrants who failed to improve their English would lose the chance to remain in Britain as part of a drive to bring Muslim women into mainstream society. David Cameron is to announce the moves today in a blistering attack on the “passive tolerance” of discriminatory practices inflicted on female members of the country’s Muslim communities.” – The Times (£)
Armed Forces:
“Where in the world do you think the following things are happening? School governors’ meetings where male governors sit in the meeting room and the women have to sit out of sight in the corridor. Young women only allowed to leave their house in the company of a male relative. Religious councils that openly discriminate against women and prevent them from leaving abusive marriages. The answer, I’m sorry to say, is Britain.” – The Times (£)
“Britain’s contentious push to curb EU migrant benefits is gaining political traction in Europe, with expectations of a February deal rising and countries such as France and Germany considering whether to introduce their own variants of the reforms David Cameron seeks. At least five countries in the bloc are looking at taking advantage of Mr Cameron’s initiative in a sign that Britain’s EU negotiation is nearing its climax with the most hotly-debated elements – including a waiting time to access certain benefits – gaining wider appeal.” – FT
Tories:
“The PM will be buoyed by claims big-hitter Michael Gove wants to stay in the EU despite a lifetime as its most ferocious critic. Has he joined Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defence supremo Michael Fallon in putting career before country? If so, can Boris Johnson be far behind? That leaves enigmatic Home Secretary Theresa May as the last hope of an otherwise leaderless out campaign.” – The Sun
>Today:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Where are Labour’s Eurosceptics?
“Middle class savers could lose up to a third of their pension pots if proposed changes to tax relief go ahead. Chancellor George Osborne is trying to save billions by cutting the amount of tax relief the Government offers. But analysts have warned potential changes would hit middle income workers hardest, and could see them miss out on tens of thousands of pounds.” – Daily Mail
“A crackdown on the sick pay culture which costs Britain billions of pounds a year is being ordered by Iain Duncan Smith. The Work and Pensions Secretary is particularly keen to slash the numbers off work with anxiety and depression. In what is expected to be the biggest welfare reform of this Parliament, he will call for the shake-up of the ‘fundamentally flawed’ Employment and Support Allowance.” – Daily Mail
“Britain could put nuclear submarines to sea without them carrying any Trident warheads, Jeremy Corbyn has suggested. The Labour leader – who wants Britain to scrap its nuclear weapons – said it was one of the options which would be reviewed by shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry in a party review.” – Daily Mail
There’s more…
McDonnell:
Butler:
Field:
Comment:
“Nicola Sturgeon and the controversial leader of Britain’s largest trade union have engaged in a mutual charm offensive during their first meeting yesterday as they promised to work closely together. Ms Sturgeon told Unite’s first ever Scottish policy conference that she would oppose “at every single turn” the UK Government’s trade union reforms and she would not “willingly” implement then north of the Border.” – Daily Telegraph
“Julian Brazier, a Defence Minister, wrote to SNP ministers urging them to help promote the setting up of cadet units in schools, particularly in deprived areas. In a letter to Aileen Campbell, the Scottish Children’s Minister, he said the scheme helps young people exercise responsibility and leadership and develop ‘self-confidence, resilience and other key life skills.’ But the Scottish Government reacted with hostility to the call and a senior SNP government source was quoted in the Nationalist-supporting Sunday Herald as stating: ‘There’s no way we’re having this cannon fodder scheme in schools.'” – Daily Telegraph
Trident:
Parliament: