Sunak 1) The Prime Minister welcomes NHS review that rejects puberty blockers for gender transition in children
“An entire field of medicine aimed at enabling children to change gender has been “built on shaky foundations”, the chairwoman of an NHS review has concluded. Dr Hilary Cass found that there was no good evidence to support the…practice of prescribing hormones to under-18s to halt puberty or transition….This method of medical intervention for young people who identify as transgender has become embedded in clinical guidelines around the world…Thousands of children have received puberty blockers on the NHS since 2011… Rishi Sunak…said that the lack of knowledge about the long-term impact of medical interventions meant people should proceed with “extreme caution”… The report is the world’s biggest review into the contested field of transgender healthcare…” – The Times
- Key findings of the Cass report: stop giving drugs to children and rushing them into treatment – The Daily Telegraph
- Nine key findings from the Cass review into gender transition – The Times
- NHS to review all transgender treatment – The Daily Telegraph
- ‘Children are being used as a football’: Cass on her review of gender identity services – The Guardian
- A review of the NHS gender identity service has exposed the recklessness of those who administered life-changing drugs to troubled children – Editorial, The Times
- The Cass report lays bare what we all knew about the transgender brainwashing cult – Allison Pearson, The Daily Telegraph
- NHS let gender ideology replace children’s best interest – Sajid Javid, The Times
- It’s taken 20 years of women like me facing intimidation, death threats, and wrecked livelihoods for the voices of sanity to be finally heard – Julie Bindel, The Daily Mail
- Many forget what’s at the heart of the gender issue – upset, distressed children – Maya Forstater, The Sun
Sunak 2) Assaulting retail staff to be made a criminal offence in England and Wales
“More serial or abusive shoplifters face going to prison as the UK government seeks to slash soaring levels of theft and violence against retail workers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday that he would make assaulting a retail worker a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales, mirroring an existing law in Scotland. Offenders could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and be banned from going back to the shop where they committed a crime under tougher punishments set out by the government. Perpetrators could also be forced to wear tags to track their movements, while more live facial recognition technology would be deployed to catch suspects.” – The Financial Times
- ‘Shoplifting crackdown’ to include £55 million for facial recognition tools in England and Wales – The Guardian
- Three ways we will put an end to the blight of shoplifting on our high streets – Rishi Sunak, The Daily Mail
Sunak 3) He tells Rwanda that flights will start this spring
“Rishi Sunak has assured the Rwandan president, whom he hosted at a hastily arranged meeting in Downing Street yesterday, that Britain will start deporting migrants to the country this spring. Downing Street said the prime minister had updated Paul Kagame, who was in London on a private visit, on the next stages of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, which declares the country safe for asylum seekers. The aim is to address the concerns that in November led the Supreme Court to rule the deportation policy unlawful. The legislation will return to the Commons on Monday after the Lords delayed its passage last month by forcing through seven amendments that would dilute it. The government is confident of forcing the bill through both houses of parliament by the end of next month.” – The Times
- The Prime Minister welcomes Kagame to Number 10 as Rwanda scheme hits fresh snags – The Guardian
- Rwandan state airline rejected UK proposal to fly asylum seekers to Kigali – The Financial Times
Sunak 4) He condemns protest outside Starmer’s house
“Rishi Sunak has condemned pro-Palestine protesters who have staged a demonstration outside Keir Starmer’s house. The demonstrators called on the Labour leader to support an arms embargo on Israel. The group, called Youth Demand, hung a banner outside Starmer’s home that read “Starmer stop the killing” surrounded by red hand prints, and laid rows of children’s shoes at his front door. The protesters said in a video on X that weapons being manufactured in the UK were being “used to cause genocide”. The Metropolitan police said three people were arrested on Tuesday under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, a power designed to “stop the harassment of a person at their home address”. Sunak…said such incidents would not be tolerated.” – The Guardian
Cameron denied meeting with US speaker in blow to Ukraine aid push…
“The foreign secretary was unable to secure a meeting with the speaker of the House of Representatives during a trip to Washington this week, it has emerged, as he presses United States officials to pass a $60 billion package of military aid for Ukraine. Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton met Donald Trump in Florida on Monday night before a trip to Washington on Tuesday where he spoke to Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, and members of Congress. He pressed American lawmakers to pass a bill currently stuck in the House that would release $60 billion in fresh military aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. A spending bill that includes support for Kyiv has been stalled for months in Congress, where it faces…opposition from Republican hardliners loyal to Donald Trump.” – The Times
- The Foreign Secretary’s journey back to the centre of the world stage – The Financial Times
- Cameron’s US trip is critical for Ukraine – Editorial, The Daily Telegraph
- A crucial mission for Trump and Cameron – Editorial, The Daily Mail
- Cameron made case to US to back Ukraine aid – we must pray they’re listening – Editorial, The Sun
- Even Cameron must now bend the knee to Trump – Freddy Gray, The Daily Telegraph
- His Mar-a-Lago lobbying may not be enough to reach the new Republican party – Julian Borger, The Guardian
>Today:
- James Johnson’s Column: Five wildcards that may yet swing the Presidential election for Biden or Trump
…as he says the UK will not suspend arms exports to Israel
“David Cameron has confirmed the UK government will not suspend arms exports to Israel after the killing of seven aid workers in an airstrike on Gaza last week, as he insisted the UK would continue to act within international law. The foreign secretary said that he had reviewed the most recent legal advice about the situation on the ground but this left the UK’s position on export licences “unchanged”. But Lord Cameron said ministers had “grave concerns” about humanitarian access in Gaza as he urged Israel to turn its commitments on aid “into reality” at a joint press conference with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken. Downing Street has come under mounting pressure from senior Tories to suspend weapons exports in light of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza…” – The Guardian
- The Foreign Secretary says we need a ‘Plan B’ in case Israel invades Rafah – The Daily Telegraph
- Biden turns on Netanyahu, declares Israel’s Gaza policy a ‘mistake’, calls for an immediate ceasefire, and says there is ‘no excuse’ not to allow more aid – The Daily Mail
- Which countries supply Israel arms and why is Biden reluctant to stop? – The Guardian
- The October 7th massacre taught Jews, yet again, the world doesn’t care – Kate Maltby, The I
>Yesterday:
- Greg Smith MP and Bella Wallersteiner in Comment: Israel and Britain should stand together
Coutinho ‘leads Tory backlash’ against European Court of Human Rights climate ruling
“The Energy Secretary has led a Tory backlash against the European Court of Human Rights after it issued a landmark ruling that governments have a duty to protect people from climate change. Claire Coutinho said she was “concerned” that Strasbourg judges were taking over decisions best made by elected politicians. Senior Tories urged Rishi Sunak to take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the wake of the ruling. They accused the court of acting in a “profoundly undemocratic” way and being “bent out of shape” by “progressive” activists and politicians. The row came as an exclusive opinion poll for The Telegraph revealed that half of Conservative voters believe the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights.” – The Daily Telegraph
- Half of Tory voters want to quit European Convention on Human Rights – The Daily Telegraph
- Tories would be right to prioritise border security over foreign court membership – Tim Newark, Daily Express
Council bosses should be cutting their pay, says McVey
“The bosses of councils that have been “pleading poverty” and cutting services should stop paying themselves more money, a Cabinet Office minister has said. Esther McVey, a minister without portfolio whose unofficial role is “commonsense tsar”, said that “pay restraints at the top” should be introduced by local authorities. Her comments came after it emerged that the number of town hall officials receiving more than £100,000 a year is the highest in almost a decade, amid rising council tax rates. A total of 3,106 council staff received six-figure salaries — up 347 in a year — according to new analysis by the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA). The report was published after council tax rose by more than 5 per cent at the start of the month, with some households paying £5,000 a year…” – The Times
- Greedy council bosses are paying themselves a fortune – and taking the public for fools – Matthew Lynn, The Daily Telegraph
- Greedy council fat cats are serving themselves, not the public – Carole Malone, Daily Express
Duncan Smith urges ministers to pause carers’ fines
“The government should stop pursuing carers with huge fines until it investigates whether it is to blame for overpaying them, according to a former Conservative work and pensions secretary. Iain Duncan Smith called on the department to stop hounding people for the repayments and investigate its own responsibility for the errors, some of which have left unpaid carers with criminal records and deep in debt. Duncan Smith told the Guardian: “We don’t want people being forced into very serious difficulty. My advice is to pause this and review very carefully what’s been going on.” The Guardian has revealed that carers are being forced to pay huge sums to the government and threatened with criminal prosecution after unwittingly breaching earnings rules by just a few pounds a week.” – The Guardian
Wragg gives up Tory whip amid Westminster honeytrap scandal
“William Wragg has given up the Conservative whip after admitting handing over colleagues’ phone numbers in the Westminster honeytrap scandal. It means he will now sit as an independent MP for his constituency of Hazel Grove…rather than a Tory. The party whips’ office said Mr Wragg gave up the whip voluntarily after relinquishing his roles on the 1922 committee and the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Monday… Richard Holden, the Conservative Party chairman, said it was right that Mr Wragg had given up the party whip… Labour said Mr Wragg voluntarily giving up the whip showed the “weakness” of Rishi Sunak… Mr Wragg admitted last week that he had sent the numbers of colleagues to a man who contacted him on Grindr…” – The Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday:
- Parliament: Wragg resigns the Conservative whip
Labour 1) Reeves “absolutely certain” Rayner did not avoid paying tax
“Rachel Reeves has said she is “absolutely certain” that Angela Rayner did not avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of her former council house. The shadow chancellor said the allegations related to Rayner’s living situation “more than a decade ago” and Labour’s deputy leader had sought legal advice since then. “She’s confident and I’m confident that she has paid her tax,” Reeves said on Tuesday. Reeves described Rayner as a “good friend” and said she had already answered questions about the sale of her former council house. Speaking as Labour announced plans to clamp down on tax avoiders, Reeves was asked on Today on BBC Radio 4 if she was sure Rayner was not one of them. “I’m absolutely certain of that,” Reeves said.” – The Times
- Rayner’s taxes: It’s time for answers – Editorial, The Daily Telegraph
- This Rayner pile-on risks petty class war – Alice Thomson, The Times
- The Starmer powerbroker who is Labour’s ‘anti-Cummings’ – Rachel Wearmouth, The I
Labour 2) Her non-dom tax proposals a ‘tipping point’ for wealthy foreigners
“Labour’s proposals to toughen a planned crackdown by the Conservative government on tax perks for “non-doms” living in the UK would prove a “catalyst” for wealthy foreign nationals to leave the country, tax advisers have warned. The measures are part of a wider effort to close loopholes and tighten compliance with the tax code announced by Labour on Tuesday, as the main opposition party seeks to plug a hole in funding for health and education pledges should it win the next general election. It follows a surprise decision by chancellor Jeremy Hunt in last month’s Budget to abolish the non-dom tax regime, which allows foreigners living in Britain to assert that their domicile is overseas and thereby avoid paying UK tax on their foreign income and capital gains for up to 15 years.” – The Financial Times
- She wants HMRC staff back in office to boost customer service – The Daily Telegraph
- The £50 billion spending headache facing the next Prime Minister – The I
- Starmer is already running out of money – and it could sink Labour – Tom Harris, The Daily Telegraph
- Labour and Tories fall prey to optimism on tax and spend – Stephen Bush, The Financial Times
Labour 3) ‘Fears’ Khan will bring in pay-per-mile road takes after spending £3 million on project
“Sadiq Khan spent £3 million of taxpayers’ money planning a pay-per-mile road charging system, amid fears he could bring the scheme in if he is re-elected. Transport officials were working on a driver charging project as recently as January, even though the Mayor of London has denied he would bring in pay-per-mile taxes, a freedom of information (FOI) request reveals. Codenamed Future RUC, the project could replace current London driving fees with “sophisticated technology” that bills motorists for driving in the capital. Future RUC was created to “explore the potential for a ‘smart road user charging’ scheme”, according to Transport for London (TfL) documents revealed under FOI laws. It could eventually replace charges such as the low emission zone…” – The Daily Telegraph
Daniel Finkelstein: Streeting’s lessons from Nixon and China
“Conservative Republicans did not accept that Nixon should be trusted because of his history. Instead they felt he had betrayed his past…John Ashbrook, previously a Nixon backer, ran against him for the presidential nomination the following year… In the subsequent presidential campaign, conservatives ran a much stronger candidate than Ashbrook. Ronald Reagan fought the Nixonian Gerald Ford for the nomination and made Kissinger and the Ford/Nixon foreign policy the focus of his attacks. Nixon going to China the first time was so unpopular with the base that Ford’s team worried that a repeat would rob their man of the nomination… What I wonder is whether…Keir Starmer really understands what his health spokesman is getting them all into.” – The Times
- I applaud Streeting’s vow to reform the NHS…but the Whitehall blob will fight him all the way – Sarah Vine, The Daily Mail
- Demographics are destiny. Britain must reform public services – or face catastrophe – Neil O’Brien, The Daily Telegraph
- Our ailing NHS needs fundamental reform – Suella Braverman, The Daily Telegraph
- The NHS is killing us – it is an enemy of Britain – Allison Pearson, The Daily Telegraph
Yousaf’s brother-in-law charged after man’s death in Dundee…
“Humza Yousaf’s brother-in-law has been arrested and charged following the death of a man in Dundee earlier this year. Ramsay El-Nakla, 36, has been charged with abduction and extortion in a case linked to a man who died in hospital a week after falling from a window in a block of flats in Dundee on 10 January. El-Nakla, the younger brother of Nadia El-Nakla, the first minister’s wife and Scottish National party councillor, is due to appear in Dundee sheriff court on Tuesday. Three others, previously named as Jennifer Souter, 38, Stephen Stewart, 50, and Victoria McGowan, 41, have previously appeared in court in connection with the death. Souter made no plea to the charge of culpable homicide and was remanded…” – The Guardian
…as the SNP ‘could extend hate crime laws’ to offer transgender people more protection
“SNP ministers are planning to extend Scotland’s controversial hate crime laws to offer more protections for transgender people. Amid calls for the legislation to be scrapped after police were swamped with thousands of complaints within a week, the Scottish Government is proposing new legal provisions to make it easier to prosecute those who engage in “conversion practices”. Under the planned overhaul, attempting to “change or suppress” a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation, even as part of an attempt to help that person, would become an “aggravator” in cases in which another crime was committed. This would mean anyone convicted of another offence would face a harsher sentence…” – The Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday:
- Lisa Townsend’s Column: The SNP’s new hate crime law is wasting police time
News in Brief:
- What’s the truth about Sure Start? – Ross Clark, The Spectator
- Can the Cass Report really be enforced? – Dr Anna Hutchinson, UnHerd
- Diversity is not our strength – Laurie Wastell, The Critic
- Rayner is getting a taste of her own medicine – Lauren Smith, Spiked
- Town hall fat cats are bursting at the seams – Joanna Marchong, CapX
- Something’s got to give – Neil O’Brien, Neil’s Substack
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