Political news

• Venezuela opposition leader on Corbyn comments

  07-08-2017 23:46 via bbc.co.uk
  Juan Andrés Mejía, founding member of a Venezuelan opposition party, on Corbyn's Venezuela comments.
  
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• Payment in gold bullion banned under new law to combat tax evasion

  07-08-2017 21:27
  Panel set up by former chancellor George Osborne issues first ruling to fight ‘artificial and abusive’ avoidance schemesCompanies will no longer be able to pay employees their salaries in gold bullion in the first use of a new law designed to combat “morally repugnant” tax avoidance schemes.An expert tax avoidance panel has ruled that paying employees in gold is a “contrived” tax avoidance scheme designed to “frustrate the intent of parliament” in
  
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• Martin Rowson on Jeremy Corbyn and violence in Venezuela – cartoon

  07-08-2017 21:20
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• The Guardian view on slavery today: product of greed, prejudice and war | Editorial

  07-08-2017 21:05
  There are more people enslaved now than over four centuries of slave-trading. Little wonder as it generates 25 times the profits made two centuries ago. We must act to end this trade in miseryIt is a terrible and cautionary tale. A young British woman gets duped into a modelling assignment in Milan and is then kidnapped by a gang who it is claimed wanted to auction her to the highest bidder for sex. Behind the tabloid headlines appears a sobering reminder that slavery has not gone away. This app
  
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• Government to release key Brexit policy papers in next few weeks

  07-08-2017 20:51
  Papers expected to cover topics such as customs union and Northern Irish border as No 10 accused of being ‘a bit absent’Theresa May is to lift the veil of secrecy around the UK’s Brexit negotiations in the coming weeks, with the publication of key position papers on issues such as Northern Ireland and the customs union.No 10 confirmed on Monday that a series of policy documents would be made public in an apparent attempt to head off criticism of the UK for failing to tell the E
  
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• An anti-Brexit party has the sharp focus to appeal

  07-08-2017 19:36 via ft.com
  No new movement can amount to much unless it is defined by an individual proposition
  
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• Consumers win a victory on protecting their data

  07-08-2017 19:26 via ft.com
  Britain adopts European standards on portability and privacy
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn condemns ‘violence done by all sides’ in Venezuela

  07-08-2017 18:49
  Labour leader calls for dialogue to end civil unrest that has killed scores, but refuses to rebuke President Nicolás Maduro
  Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the “violence done by all sides” in the Venezuela conflict but stopped short of criticising its socialist president, Nicolás Maduro.The Labour leader called for “dialogue and a process” to improve the situation, stressing the importance of recognising the government’s “effective and serious attemp
  
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• Conservative Party Conference To Face Anti-Brexit March As Part Of 'Autumn Of Dissent'

  07-08-2017 18:36
  
  Anti-Brexit campaigners are planning to march on the Tory Party conference to protest Britain’s departure from the EU.
  Stop Brexit has pledged an “autumn of dissent”, which will see it march on Manchester’s Convention Centre on October 1 so “our voices will be actually heard by Theresa May and her colleagues”.
  The march organisers, who are supported by the Lib Dems and prominent Remainers like Alastair Campbell and the philosopher AC Grayling, write: “Co
  
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• David Cameron at Wilderness: a good reason to give up festivals

  07-08-2017 18:24
  The former PM was spotted at the swanky music festival in Oxford – but did he really spend his time smoking, drinking and hugging Corbyn supporters? Name: Wilderness.Age: Seven. Continue reading...
  
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• Can’t pay, won’t pay? Britain needs to be realistic about its Brexit bill | Ian Dunt

  07-08-2017 18:12
  Amid the headline figures, there are countless questions that need answering if we want our negotiations with the EU to work. So far, there’s just nonsense talkWhenever reality enters the Brexit debate, its supporters in parliament go beserk. They’re not used to it. Throughout the referendum campaign and the year that followed, the topic was covered like some sort of fairytale. Leading Brexiters could say whatever they liked without anyone challenging them.Then the negotiations began
  
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• 'It’s unfair to call me Baroness Brazen' – inside Lady Scotland's refurbished home

  07-08-2017 18:04
  The Labour peer has been vilified for a £338,000 refit of her residence as Commonwealth secretary general. Is she simply guilty of ruffling feathers as she tries to reform the organisation, or is there a deeper prejudice at work?Lady Scotland stands in the centre of a small, downstairs loo, looking aghast. I’m standing a few feet away, half bent down over the toilet itself to examine the plastic, white and completely unremarkable seat. The reason for the strange scene is that this Ma
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn Condemns Violence On 'All Sides' In Venezuela But Praises Government For Helping Poor

  07-08-2017 17:06
  
  Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the violence in committed by “all sides” in Venezuela but praised the government led by President Maduro for having improved the lives of the poor.
  The Labour leader has in the past expressed support the socialist government previously led by Hugo Chavez.
  However as the country has been gripped by hunger, inflation and violent demonstrations Corbyn has been under pressure to speak out.Maduro has faced international condemnation for his efforts to assume n
  
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• Former Victoria and Albert Museum director Martin Roth dies at 62

  07-08-2017 16:49 via ft.com
  German credited with raising the museum’s profile with hugely popular exhibitions
  
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• Schools Unearthing Abusive Behaviour Have Nowhere To Turn For Help, Experts Say

  07-08-2017 16:05
  
  Teachers who identify abusive behaviour among their pupils have nowhere to turn for proper support, despite government plans to ramp up relationships education in schools, according to experts.
  Despite studies revealing nearly a quarter of teenage boys have engaged in “sexual coercion”, the growing impact of easily accessible pornography and the rise in incidents of sexting, even schools with a robust approach to tackling the issue are struggling.
  The government is set to introduce
  
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• Tommy Robinson Is Having A Book Launch In Manchester And People Are Not Happy

  07-08-2017 16:03
  
  A venue in Manchester is being slated for hosting an event with Tommy Robinson.
  People are giving the Bowlers Exhibition Centre one star reviews on Facebook in protest of its ‘An Evening With Tommy Robinson’ event where the ex-EDL leader will launch his new book called ‘Mohammed’s Koran’.Posting about the event on Facebook, Robinson wrote: “Throughout the years, I’ve spent time at demonstrations and arguing on TV, but I’ve never had the opport
  
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• UK government is still busier negotiating with itself than with the EU

  07-08-2017 15:32
  Brexit position papers due out next week should flush differences into the open and commit country to a less jelly-like stanceIf there is one hard certainty to be salvaged from the latest wave of Brexit froth, it is that the British government is still more preoccupied negotiating with itself than the EU. Downing Street was quick to knock down weekend reports that it had made up its mind how much money it was prepared to pay the EU when Britain leaves. But the seemingly well-sourced Sunday Teleg
  
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• We dedicate our lives to fostering. So why are we treated with such disdain? | Sarah Anderson

  07-08-2017 15:00
  The children we take in have often had harrowing lives. We give them round-the-clock care under immense scrutiny – yet we have no workers’ rights• Sarah Anderson is chair of the IWGB Foster Care Workers BranchWednesday saw a landmark ruling: a UK employment tribunal recognised two foster care workers as employees. The carers, Christine and James Johnstone, had sought the recognition of Glasgow city council as part of a dispute over wages. Related: Foster carers desire working ri
  
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• Inside Momentum's campaign 'hackathon'

  07-08-2017 14:58 via bbc.co.uk
  Jeremy Corbyn supporters look to build online tools to help them spread their message.
  
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• Brexit negotiations 'have not begun well' - Sir Simon Fraser

  07-08-2017 14:58 via bbc.co.uk
  Differences inside the cabinet have hindered talks, a former head of the diplomatic service says.
  
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• NHS Probes Into Abuse Of Mental Health Patients Double Amid 'Use Of Force' Allegations

  07-08-2017 14:38
  
  Mental health charities have called for the end of “harmful” methods of restraint for mental health patients following the release of “worrying” figures. 
  Investigations into the abuse of mental health patients have almost doubled in the last three years amid accusations of “endemic” use of force in the NHS, it was revealed today. 
  Analysis of official figures obtained by the Times showed that incidents of abuse recorded by mental health trusts
  
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• NHS access to IVF being cut in England

  07-08-2017 14:28 via bbc.co.uk
  A charity is calling for eligible women to be offered three full treatment cycles, as recommended in guidelines.
  
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• Brexit Bill Of £36bn 'Not Recognised' By Theresa May, Says Downing Street

  07-08-2017 14:24
  
  Theresa May does “not recognise” reports that the United Kingdom will pay the European Union £36bn as part of a so-called Brexit bill as it leaves the block, Downing Street has said.
  The sum of money the UK will pay to settle its debts has been one of the main stumbling blocks in Brexit negotiations between the government and Brussels.
  It was reported over the weekend that May would be willing to pay the money in order to help secure a free trade agreement with the EU after the
  
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• A red line favoured by Brexiters is more blurred than they think

  07-08-2017 14:16 via ft.com
  Understanding the European Court of Justice shows why it can continue to have a role
  
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• Defend Europe's Mission And 7 Things It's Achieved So Far

  07-08-2017 14:11
  
  Defend Europe has been at sea for nine days now, well into its mission to “expose NGOs” operating migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean.
  The crew of the C-Star have been busy on social media informing donors of where their £151,000 (and counting) is being spent.
  Here’s a roundup of the jaunt so far (not including the setbacks suffered before they even started). They have... 
  1) Shouted At A ShipOur crew sending a message to the Aquarius!#DefendEurope pic.twi
  
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• Tobias Ellwood has 'vivid memories' of Westminster attack

  07-08-2017 14:09 via bbc.co.uk
  Tobias Ellwood says the "hardest thing" was explaining the attack to his young son.
  
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• DWP fights to block publication of fit-for-work documents

  07-08-2017 13:53
  
  Legal battle launched to stop fit-for-work documents being released
  
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• Sturgeon: Michelle Thomson situation 'not easy' for SNP

  07-08-2017 13:49 via bbc.co.uk
  Nicola Sturgeon says the situation involving ex-MP Michelle Thomson "wasn't easy" for the SNP to handle.
  
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• Another U-turn?

  07-08-2017 13:22 via bbc.co.uk
  The ex-prime minister, who has spoken about his battle to give up nicotine, is snapped with a cigarette at a festival.
  
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• Northern Ireland’s politics is fixated on the past – but young people want change | Kylie Noble

  07-08-2017 12:30
  My generation want outward-looking, liberalising policies, not tired obsessions with the border. Our leaders need to move with the timesProtestants in Northern Ireland are far more progressive than the rightwing, ultra-conservative unionists who lead the country. That was the finding of researchers at the University of Liverpool who carried out a poll after June’s Westminster elections, which also found that most young Protestants do not vote. This news may come as a shock to the Democrati
  
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• David Cameron Pictured Hugging Jeremy Corbyn Fan At Wilderness Festival

  07-08-2017 11:51
  
  A lot can happen in a year, even for ex-prime ministers - but David Cameron seems to have well and truly left Downing Street behind him.
  The former PM was spotted a number of times at Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire looking like he was rather enjoying himself, with a fag in one hand, booze in the another and a Corbynista hanging off his arm.A post shared by Lucy Edwards (@laeedwards) on Aug 5, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT
  Wilderness is known as something of a “posh” festival, including a cr
  
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• Cabinet Splits Damaging Brexit Negotiations, Warns UK's Former Chief Diplomat

  07-08-2017 11:31
  
  Cabinet divisions have meant Brexit negotiations have not begun well for the United Kingdom, the former head of the diplomatic service has warned.
  Sir Simon Fraser, who was the top civil servant at the Foreign Office until 2015, said the government did not appear to have a “clear position”.
  Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Westminster Hour, he said: “The negotiations have only just begun, I don’t think they have begun particularly promisingly, frankly, on the British side
  
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• Brexit will be catastrophic. Yet I still support Jeremy Corbyn | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

  07-08-2017 11:00
  As a conflicted remainer, it might be difficult to square my reasons for backing Corbyn. But it’s the Tory car crash that’s behind this mess, not himSince his rise to power in the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn’s appeal to younger voters has been first underestimated and then much examined. How is it that, despite his rather lacklustre performance during the referendum campaign, younger voters – the majority of whom wanted to remain in the European Union – stubbornly p
  
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• UK data protection laws to be overhauled

  07-08-2017 10:58 via bbc.co.uk
  Firms will be obliged to delete personal data when people request it.
  
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• Naomi Long having surgery for endometriosis

  07-08-2017 10:51 via bbc.co.uk
  Naomi Long says she has suffered from endometriosis for most of her adult life.
  
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• Criticism of Prevent 'stems from ignorance'

  07-08-2017 10:11 via bbc.co.uk
  Commander Dean Haydon says parts of the community don't want the counter-terrorism scheme to work.
  
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• New Privacy Laws Could See Brits Win 'Right To Be Forgotten' On Social Media

  07-08-2017 09:43
  
  Britons could win the “right to be forgotten” online under new privacy laws aimed at tackling the data held by social media giants, it has been revealed. 
  Under the proposed Data Protection Bill, set to be debated in the autumn, people will be able to ask social media platforms like Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter to delete information they posted as children. 
  The new powers will also require users to give explicit consent for their information to be collected online, rath
  
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• New Data Protection Bill Could See Brits Win ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ On Social Media

  07-08-2017 09:43
  
  Britons could win the “right to be forgotten” online under new privacy laws aimed at tackling the data held by social media giants, it has been revealed. 
  Under the proposed Data Protection Bill, set to be debated in the autumn, people will be able to ask social media platforms like Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter to delete information they posted as children. 
  The new powers will also require users to give explicit consent for their information to be collected online, rath
  
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• Donald Trump Has Gone Full-North Korea And Launched A 'Real News' Channel

  07-08-2017 09:02
  
  Donald Trump’s ‘Real News’ channel has achieved a minor victory over mainstream media by pilfering former-CNN commentator, Kayleigh McEnany.
  Broadcast direct from Trump Tower, the 29-year-old promoted the President’s agenda highlighting jobs, the economy, the Raise Act and veterans.
  McEnany made no mention of Russia, grand juries, going on holiday when you promised you wouldn’t, or inventing phone calls.
  She signed off with: “Thank you for joining us
  
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• Do not sell Port Talbot land for prison, say Labour politicians

  07-08-2017 07:10 via bbc.co.uk
  Two Labour politicians call on party colleagues in the Welsh Government not to sell land for a prison.
  
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• Pro-EU activists to stage 'stop Brexit' march during Tory conference

  07-08-2017 07:05
  Campaigners say aim is to make the Tories face the reality of Brexit, with thousands expected to turn out in ManchesterPro-EU campaigners are planning to stage one of their biggest “stop Brexit” marches outside the Conservative party conference this autumn.Campaigners said their aim was to make the party “face up to the reality of Brexit” when they march to the conference centre to make sure their voices are heard by delegates inside. Continue reading...
  
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• Burning policy puts pressure on recycling targets

  07-08-2017 07:02 via bbc.co.uk
  A rash of new incinerators could make it impossible for the UK to meet future recycling targets.
  
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• Downing Street denies UK willing to pay €40bn Brexit divorce bill

  07-08-2017 06:57
  Source dismisses report as inaccurate speculation and says such a high bill would be unacceptable to government and publicDowning Street has dismissed the idea of paying a Brexit divorce bill of up to €40bn (£36bn), as leading supporters of leaving the EU said they would not accept handing over such a large sum.Theresa May was reported to be willing to pay that amount as the price for getting on with trade talks and an exit deal. Continue reading...
  
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• UK’s Bangladeshi and Pakistani families see fast real income growth

  07-08-2017 01:04 via ft.com
  Gaps between ethnicities narrow since 2000, says Resolution Foundation
  
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• UK data bill to bring more protection and bigger fines

  07-08-2017 01:04 via ft.com
  Most sweeping overhaul of regulations on personal information for two decades
  
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• UK citizens to get more rights over personal data under new laws

  07-08-2017 01:01
  New legislation will give people right to force online traders and social media to delete personal data and will comply with EU data protectionPeople will get a new right to force social media companies and online traders to delete their personal data under laws to be brought forward by the government this summer. Matt Hancock, the minister for digital, said it would amount to a “right to be forgotten” by companies, which will no longer be able to get limitless use of people’s
  
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• Labour accuses Tories of treating GP services with astonishing neglect

  07-08-2017 01:01
  Party says surveys show access to GPs is worse than five years ago and blames sustained underfunding of primary care Labour has accused the government of treating GP services with astonishing neglect, as the party released an analysis that showed millions of patients have worse access to their family doctor than five years ago.The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said a study of the GP patient surveys showed access to surgeries had got worse every year since 2012, when measuring how p
  
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