Britain and US launch fresh wave of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen
“Britain and the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against the Houthi in Yemen on Saturday night, in a bid to further disable Iran-backed groups in the region. The new strikes hit 36 targets across 13 locations following attacks by the Iran-backed groups against international and commercial shipping, as well as naval vessels travelling through the Red Sea. Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by Voyager tankers, flew from Cyprus to join US forces in a further strike against Houthi locations involved in targeting shipping in the Bab al Mandab and southern Red Sea. The Typhoons employed Paveway IV precision guided bombs against multiple military targets identified by careful intelligence analysis at three locations.” – Sunday Telegraph
- Action against Houthis ‘not an escalation’, says Shapps – The Observer
- Cameron declares Iran accountable for terror – Interview, Sunday Times
Armed Forces:
- Britain’s warships have gym where land attack missiles should be – Sunday Telegraph
- UK’s £3.5bn aircraft carrier suffers ‘mechanical fault’ hours before setting sail for Nato exercise – Mail on Sunday
- Army fails to meet recruitment targets at all training centres for five years – Sunday Telegraph
- MPs have urged immediate action to bolster defences in a shock report – Sunday Express
- They condemn ‘overstretched’ forces amid fears of looming confrontation with Russia – Mail on Sunday
- Wasteful Britain needs to buy a new arsenal for war with Russia – Sunday Telegraph
Comment:
- Somaliland is a friend in an unstable world and must be recognised – Sir Michael Ellis MP, Sunday Express
Editorial:
Cleverly warns bishops trying to stop him tackling people smugglers
“James Cleverly has told bishops who are trying to stop him tackling people smugglers with his Rwanda plan: “This is evil being done. I’m trying to do something about it.” The Home Secretary is facing the wrath of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — who branded the scheme to fly illegal migrants to the African nation the “opposite of the nature of God”. The Church of England’s most senior cleric has formed an alliance with Labour and left-wing peers to try to torpedo the legislation with wrecking amendments. But the plan is meant to be a deterrent for illegal migrants, preyed upon by people smugglers who charge them thousands to risk their lives crossing the Channel. Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, Mr Cleverly is unwavering in his mission to pass the law and get the flights going.” – Sun on Sunday
- BBC editor paid to help 15 Somalian criminals stay in the UK quits after shocking Mail exposé – Mail on Sunday
- Our universities are hooked on foreign fees. What’s the solution? – Sunday Times
Comment:
- Our asylum system has become nothing more than a lawyers’ charter – Sir Jake Berry MP, Sunday Express
- he system is broken and we simply have to be tougher on asylum – Priti Patel MP, Mail on Sunday
- Too many churches are facilitating bogus asylum claims, and it must stop – Suella Braverman MP, Sunday Telegraph
- Put Libya back on its feet and you can stop the boats for good – Mohamed Elmuntasser, Sunday Express
Editorial:
- Bishops must realise that blocking the smuggling gangs is a genuine act of compassion – Sun on Sunday
Tories ditch ‘boiler tax’
“The energy secretary is planning to scrap the so-called boiler tax in a move that will be welcomed by homeowners facing the prospect of having to spend money to replace an old appliance. Under the government’s “clean heat” strategy, targets had been drawn up to help phase out gas boilers and deliver 600,000 eco-friendly heat pump installations a year by 2028. The target was due to come into effect in April, when boiler manufacturers would be required to match, or substitute, 4 per cent of their boiler sales with heat pumps or face a fine of £3,000 for every installation they fell short by. Even though the target had not come into force, manufacturers were already increasing prices on their gas boilers to counter the impact of the fines, with prices set to increase by up to £120 this year.” – Sunday Times
- Sunak warned by doctors disposable vape ban could lead to ‘turf wars’ – Mail on Sunday
>Today: ToryDiary: Our survey. A third of our panel support the Government’s smoking ban plan. Half oppose it.
Trainees as young as 18 set for classrooms in new teacher apprenticeships
“Trainees as young as 18 will soon be working in England’s classrooms under a teacher apprenticeship scheme announced by the Government. Launching this autumn, the degree apprenticeship will give trainees the opportunity to “earn while they learn” as ministers attempt to address a serious recruitment crisis affecting the profession. The Department for Education said that the scheme would appeal to people who may not be able to take time out to study full-time for a degree, such as teaching assistants or staff already working in schools. With the programme open to school leavers, it will mean that teenage trainees will work in classrooms alongside more experienced teachers… Under the apprenticeship, trainees will spend around 40 per cent of their time studying for their degree with an accredited teacher-training provider.” – Sunday Telegraph
- ‘You know, I have been patronised by much better people than you’ – Interview, Mail on Sunday
Scully ‘considering’ independent bid for London mayoralty
“Rishi Sunak faces a fresh nightmare with one of his own MPs considering running against the Tories for London Mayor. Paul Scully is mulling over standing as an independent after being urged to by several party colleagues. The current Tory candidate, Susan Hall, has been mocked for her gaffe-prone campaign. A Tory source said: “It just feels like the Tories have given up on London. “To be honest, Paul Scully remains far and away the best candidate and Londoners deserve the best. So obviously many of us are still pushing him to stand, even at this late stage.” Current Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan is the bookies’ favourite to win. But he is loathed by many voters because he rolled out the Ulez car pollution charge to outer London.” – Sun on Sunday
- Khan is spending £150m on ‘secret’ technology that will enable introduction of pay-per-mile road charging – Mail on Sunday
Editorial:
Truss to launch ‘Popular Conservatives’ (with Farage present)…
“Nigel Farage will attend the launch of Liz Truss’s new “Popular Conservatism” movement this week, as the former prime minister continues her attempts at a political comeback. The former Ukip leader is among several hundred guests expected at the event in central London on Tuesday. The movement, dubbed “PopCons”, is the latest initiative launched by Truss since she was forced from office in October 2022 and is seen as a vehicle for right-wing Tory MPs. The group is expected to use it as a platform to lobby for more hardline policies, including on immigration and tax cuts, in the Conservatives’ next election manifesto. Truss will be a headline speaker alongside her political ally Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, with Lee Anderson, the former Tory deputy chairman, also due to speak.” – Sunday Times
- Senior Tory MP to stand down at next general election – The Observer
Comment:
- Conservatism is popular… when it solves problems – Mark Littlewood, Sunday Telegraph
- Both parties say they love the City; if that’s true, set it free – Robert Colvile, Sunday Times
- What links Taylor Swift and Kemi Badenoch? – Hadley Freeman, Sunday Times
…as Reform UK recruiter says dispirited Tories ready to jump ship
“Reform UK is ”talking to Tory MPs” – and it is entirely possible that some will defect before the next general election, one of the party’s electoral candidates has said. David White, 59, acts as an informal recruiter for disgruntled Conservatives who are considering jumping ship – and describes the level of interest as “genuinely overwhelming”. Currently a metropolitan borough councillor representing Rockingham ward on Barnsley Council, Mr White spent two decades as a Conservative Party member. He started talking to Reform UK about 18 months ago after becoming increasingly disillusioned by the infighting which saw the Tories switch leaders twice in the space of just three chaotic months, ditching first Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss.” – Sunday Express
- Farage ‘not getting involved in general election battle for Reform’ – Sun on Sunday
Starmer’s ‘soft touch’ approach to benefits ‘could cost taxpayers £450m a year’, Tories warn
“Sir Keir Starmer’s “soft touch” approach to benefits could cost taxpayers £450million a year, a Cabinet minister says. Mel Stride said Labour would wreck peoples’ chances of getting into a job. Tory analysis claims 1.4 million claimants would face reduced pressure to find a job under Labour. They point to shadow employment minister Alison McGovern calling for rules ensuring jobseekers move into work at the earliest opportunity to be watered down. She said Labour would end the “any job” culture that sees people in jobs they do not want. But allowing job seeking claimants to remain on benefits for just an extra month could cost taxpayers an additional £450million a year, the Tories calculate.” – Sun on Sunday
O’Neill heralds ‘shared future’ as Northern Irish first minister
“Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin’s vice-president, has made history by becoming the first nationalist first minister of Northern Ireland in 103 years of devolved rule. Members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) gathered at Stormont on Saturday for a sitting where ministers were appointed to a power-sharing executive, bringing an end to a two-year impasse… Emma Little-Pengelly, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), becomes the first unionist deputy first minister. The DUP, the largest unionist party in the region, has agreed to the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the Westminster government. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the party leader, says this deal has effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.” – The Times
- She apologised “without exception” for “all the lives lost” during the Troubles – Sun on Sunday
- What does return to power sharing mean for Northern Ireland? – The Observer
Yousaf faces tax civil war
“Humza Yousaf faces a new rebellion from within his own party over his ’damaging’ plans to hike income tax. Former SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has launched a blistering attack on the tax increases – which are set to come into effect in April – branding them ‘counter-productive’. Ms Forbes, who stood against Mr Yousaf for the party leadership, said the tax rises could force people to switch jobs or leave Scotland to avoid the new financial burden. At the end of last year the First Minister earned the nickname ‘high tax Humza’ after unveiling a raft of massive increases. From April, anyone in Scotland who makes more than £28,850 will pay higher taxes than workers elsewhere in the UK. Now Ms Forbes has highlighted a brewing civil war in the SNP by wading into the row…” – Mail on Sunday
- Sturgeon’s Covid inquiry is the full Macbeth – Camilla Long, Sunday Times
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