[The Weeping Angel]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/202 ... -programme

British scientists are “over the moon” to be back in the EU’s flagship science research programme Horizon after a three-year Brexit lockout, with new data revealing they have been awarded about £500m in grants since re-entry.

As the EU secretly draws up strategies for the next seven-year funding cycle in 2027, the UK is hoping its success in the first 12 months since returning to Horizon will leave it in pole position with Germany and France to dominate European science, despite Brexit.

With projects ranging from the research to develop brain catheters inspired by wasps to efforts to create aviation fuel from yeast and greenhouse gases, the UK has been catapulted to the top of the league of non-EU beneficiaries by number of grants. And, at fifth position behind Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and France, it looks set to resume its overall place in the coming 12 months.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I was wondering what the UK paid to be in Horizon. It's $2.43bn per year. Surprised none of the usual boneheads were on Rishi Sunak's back about that. Does Farage know about it?

[The Weeping Angel]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... SApp_Other

Keir Starmer’s senior team has been discussing for several weeks how to handle public anger over the policy, which bubbled over in last Thursday’s local elections, when the party lost two-thirds of the council seats it was defending.

While a full reversal of the cut is not expected, No 10 sources said they were considering whether to increase the £11,500 threshold over which pensioners are no longer eligible for the allowance.

Labour MPs have been piling pressure on the government to change its mind over the winter fuel payment, as well as its plans for £5bn benefit cuts, before a vote on “stage one” of its welfare plans in early June.[/quot

e]

My view is that the policy was implemented badly and not communicated clearly. The reaction was in my view, completely over the top and the mass death of pensioners never happened either.

[Youngian]

Former Conservative voters aren't angry at the government for tightening public spending. And neither should the government rush in panic measures or voting for Nigel gets things done.
And maybe start a ferry service so asylum applicants can safely reach British territory, preferably St Helena.

[Crabcakes]

It’s fixing the wrong issue though. The WFA is one that Reform/Tory voters didn’t like because it affected them directly as the group who didn’t need it but liked having a nice little bonus. Tweaking that is going to make no difference because they’ll still vote reform/tory for all the other reasons they would do that, just with a few more quid.

The benefit cuts affect a much more diverse group who would in many cases usually be more inclined to vote labour because (historically)Labour are the party most likely to not remove support for them and consider their needs. Reconsider them, and you’re potentially winning back actual votes as opposed to fantasy ones you were never getting anyway.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I see that the WFP is 'under review'.

I personally think that the government was right to means-test it, but to change course now would silence the 'not listening' critics amongst the Guardianistas. The right would have a field day, but it would sound hollow.

[Abernathy]

@Malc.

Agreed. I think the cleanest answer now would simply be to admit to having made a mistake and reverse the policy, Sometimes you just have to take the hit.

[Youngian]

So much for Brexit bonuses and sucking up to Trump.
Surprised this has happened because Trump doesn't give a rat's arse about reciprocation even if it's from a trade bloc of comparable size. And it would drive a wedge between the UK and the EU to prevent realignment.

Britain faces a higher rate of US tariff than the European Union despite Donald Trump’s hatred of Brussels, new analysis shows.

The UK’s effective tariff rate – the average charged on British goods exported to the US – is 11.6pc, compared with 9.5pc for the EU, according to Capital Economics.

British imports also face a higher average rate than Mexico, Canada, India, Thailand and Vietnam.Britain faces a higher rate of US tariff than the European Union despite Donald Trump’s hatred of Brussels, new analysis shows.

The UK’s effective tariff rate – the average charged on British goods exported to the US – is 11.6pc, compared with 9.5pc for the EU, according to Capital Economics.

British imports also face a higher average rate than Mexico, Canada, India, Thailand and Vietnam. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/20 ... -brussels/

[The Weeping Angel]

It’s fixing the wrong issue though. The WFA is one that Reform/Tory voters didn’t like because it affected them directly as the group who didn’t need it but liked having a nice little bonus. Tweaking that is going to make no difference because they’ll still vote reform/tory for all the other reasons they would do that, just with a few more quid.

The benefit cuts affect a much more diverse group who would in many cases usually be more inclined to vote labour because (historically)Labour are the party most likely to not remove support for them and consider their needs. Reconsider them, and you’re potentially winning back actual votes as opposed to fantasy ones you were never getting anyway.

It is affecting Labour it keeps coming up when talking to voters.

[Crabcakes]

That’s a risky road to go down though - making policy/talking points based on what people complain about is what did for Gordon Brown, and reinforces the idea that it was always wrong.

The winter fuel thing has been done, there were no swathes of frozen pensioners, and people who still needed it got it - changing back now would be admitting defeat after you’ve effectively won. The benefit cuts are yet to come in so that’s a different story.

[Abernathy]

Academic now - number ten has briefed that the means testing of the WFA is to be retained.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

But at what level?

[Tubby Isaacs]

No 10 says the WFA cuts stay. Quite right. Nobody will care about this after 5 years of the Triple Lock.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Britain and India have agreed a long-desired trade deal that ministers said would add £4.8bn a year to the UK economy by 2040.

The agreement, which was finalised on Tuesday after more than three years of negotiations under successive governments, has long been touted as one of the biggest prizes of Brexit.

Positive news. Doubtless this'll be wrong because they should be "prioritizing Europe" or something. Doesn't sound like a huge amount of visas in it for India, which was a sticking point before.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Where does Farage go with this? Trade with the world, should be more ambitious? Or some rhubarb about cheap imports? Probably the latter, I should think.

Indian "cheap imports" will attract carbon taxes under this deal. Suggests that Modi has ambitions for cleaner power. As does everybody apart from Farage, Badenoch, Putin, Trump and Tony Abbott. I think this position is going to end up being a liability, even in Lincolnshire.

[Youngian]

India's also negotiating with the EU for a deal that will be slightly better or a different flavour to the UK one but easily transferable in a future customs arrangement.
Given the political importance protectionism used to hold on Indian politics and Modi coming from a nationalist tradition, it's far more interesting to understand why he's reaching out with free trade deals.
Stealing a march on China to be Europe's main economic strategic partner in Asia? A position Bejing very much wants to hold. China's inroads into south Asia haven't been appreciated by Delhi.

[kreuzberger]

My visa for September; any news on that and their 140 feckin quid?

[The Weeping Angel]

Britain and India have agreed a long-desired trade deal that ministers said would add £4.8bn a year to the UK economy by 2040.

The agreement, which was finalised on Tuesday after more than three years of negotiations under successive governments, has long been touted as one of the biggest prizes of Brexit.

Positive news. Doubtless this'll be wrong because they should be "prioritizing Europe" or something. Doesn't sound like a huge amount of visas in it for India, which was a sticking point before.

See here.

[Youngian]

Brexiter bun fight brewing between the Randist loons and nativist knobheads

[Tubby Isaacs]

Goodwin is lying there. “Mass migration”.