“A rift between the head of the NHS and Downing Street deepened yesterday as Theresa May was accused of “stretching” the truth over funding. In a combative appearance before MPs, Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, accused the prime minister of “pretending” that cash shortages were not causing problems and attacked her cuts to social care. He contradicted Mrs May directly, saying that the NHS got “less than we asked for” from the government.” – The Times (£)
Analysis:
More May:
>Yesterday:
“When Miliband stood up at party conferences and attacked an unequal country that worked for the privileged few, promised to freeze energy bills, end the nimbyism that was preventing new houses, and punish firms that didn’t train apprentices, he was jeered by the Tories and the right-wing press for having an unrealistic, anti-market, “defiantly socialist platform”. Three years on, May promises a government that works for everyone, not the privileged few, rails against the “burning injustice” of the poor dying almost a decade earlier than the rich, attacks inequalities of race, sex and class, criticises the price of energy, plans new houses and garden towns, asserts that government can be a force for good, and is praised by Miliband’s former critics as the woman who stands up for the weak and who could transform Britain.” – The Times (£)
“Philip Hammond today admitted that he had finally come to terms with the public’s decision to back Brexit despite his previous warnings about leaving the EU. In a significant shift in tone, the Chancellor urged fellow Remain supporters to accept the result and focus on achieving a strong divorce deal with Brussels. Mr Hammond, who has attracted criticism for his gloomy tone in the aftermath of the referendum, said that his position had ‘moved on’ after once claiming that Brexit would leave Britain poorer.” – Daily Mail
More EU:
>Today:
>Yesterday:
“Philip Hammond took a personal stake in a food technology company just months before it won a share of a £560,000 Government grant and he became Chancellor, The Telegraph can disclose. Mr Hammond, when he was Foreign Secretary, took the 15 per cent stake in Cambridgeshire-based Hydramach in October 2015, according to records at Companies House. Months later – in April 2016 – Hydramach was one of eight companies which won the grant to develop low fat and low sugar soups, ready meals and sauces from Innovate UK, a tech start up quango run by the Department for Business. Last night a former standards watchdog said Mr Hammond’s failure to make public his shareholding was “a serious failure” because “there is clearly a potential conflict of interest”.” – Daily Telegraph
“Russia’s embassy in London accused Boris Johnson yesterday of trying to sabotage a reconciliation with the West in an escalating war of words. The embassy said the foreign secretary was pursuing the “opposite objective” to that of Margaret Thatcher when she sought to “mend relations” between Moscow and Washington. The latest online outburst came after a lengthy post on its website claiming Britain was preparing an “official witch-hunt” against President Putin’s regime.” – The Times (£)
Comment:
Editorial:
>Today: ToryDiary: We need a strong American president. We may be getting a weak one.
“A tunnel is to be built under Stonehenge under plans announced by ministers, in a move that will reignite the controversy over improving major roads around the ancient site. Chris Grayling said he was taking a “big decision” to transform the A303, one of the main arteries to the south-west and a notorious bottleneck for lorries and holidaymakers, as part of a £2bn investment. The transport secretary said the tunnel could enhance the Stonehenge site by removing traffic. The concept has been backed by its custodians, English Heritage and the National Trust.” – The Guardian
“Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition to nuclear power is being exploited by the Conservatives as they fight to win a crucial seat for the first time in 80 years. The Tories are taking advantage of the fact that election spending limits do not yet apply in the marginal seat of Copeland in Cumbria, which is home to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant. It will also be the site of a new nuclear power station that could be in place by 2024. Parties can spend no more than £100,000 in any by-election, but the rules only kick in when the sitting MP resigns. While Copeland’s Labour MP James Reed has already announced that he is standing down, he will not officially do so until the end of the month, leaving parties free to spend as much as they wish until then.” – The Times (£)
Comment:
“Scotland’s Finance Minister has said he plans to use his new borrowing powers “to the max” despite getting an extra £800 million of spending money from Westminster. Derek Mackay told MSPs that he would “fully” use his Treasury-imposed borrowing quota of £450 million in 2017/18 and set out further plans for how the money will be spent. But he was forced to defend making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK for income tax, arguing that those Scots who earn more than the £43,000 higher rate threshold should be targeted as they are the “richest in society.”” – Daily Telegraph
More SNP:
“The scandal over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is not an “orange and green” issue, Martin McGuinness has insisted.
Writing exclusively for today’s Belfast Telegraph, Mr McGuinness said Arlene Foster’s attitude to the fiasco over recent weeks had insulted both unionists and nationalists. The veteran republican, who resigned as Deputy First Minister to force Mrs Foster out, also accused the DUP of playing “fast and loose” with the office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.” – Belfast Telegraph
Comment:
>Yesterday: Henry Hill’s Red, White, and Blue column: Strange but true – Unionists may come to miss McGuinness