John Redwood won a free place at Kent College, Canterbury, He graduated from Magdalen College Oxford, has a DPhil and is a fellow of All Souls College. A businessman by background, he has been a director of NM Rothschild merchant bank and chairman of a quoted industrial PLC.
In an
interview this morning with Sky News, Theresa May said she hoped Britain will
have been able to “look at” the future trade deal with the EU by the time
Britain formally leaves the EU in March 2019.
“[L]et’s look at the whole question
of the where we end up at the end of this negotiation. Have we looked, will we
have looked at both withdrawal and the future relationship, that’s what’s
important … That’s what I’m asking for and that’s what I believe increasingly
we will see.”
Theresa May, Sky News, 4 April 2017
She also
conceded, for the first time, that the UK will have to sign the future trade
deal with the EU as a third country. Given that the deal will be a ‘mixed
agreement’, it will need to be ratified unanimously by all member states.
FI: Can you clarify that you accept what
the European Council suggested which is that the final deal will be done as a third
country status under a unanimous vote with everyone having a veto?
TM: There’s obviously a legal situation
in terms of how the European Union can conduct trade negotiations.
Theresa May, Sky News, 4 April 2017
This is a
significant retreat from what she and the Brexit secretary have previously said – in effect that Britain will be able to
negotiate and finalise a new free trade agreement alongside the exit agreement
by the end of the two year period. They have until now been adamant that any
transitional period would be purely for “implementation” and “adjustment” of systems, rather than for negotiation of
the terms of the future trade deal.
Responding,
Labour’s shadow Brexit minister Paul Blomfield said:
“It is
less than a week since the Prime Minister triggered Article 50, and it seems
every day brings another broken promise from the Government. First they said
immigration may go up after Brexit. Now they are backpedalling on trade deals.
“We will
hold the Government to account on the pledges made to the British people during
the referendum campaign and since. They promised a comprehensive free trade
agreement with the EU giving the “exact same benefits” we have now. They said
it would be ready for the day we leave, along with new trade deals with other
countries.
“Now, as
they face reality, they are trying to downplay expectations. They need to spell
out the transitional deal that will be in place, to stop the economy falling
off a cliff edge without new agreements in two years time.”
The Secretary of State restated the Government’s commitment to returning devolved power-sharing government to Northern Ireland as soon as possible, providing attendees with an update on the current political situation; and discussed the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.
The session was the latest in a series of meetings to help businesses engage with UK Government and provide input on a range of strategic economic and business critical issues facing Northern Ireland, including developing skills, upgrading infrastructure, improving procurement and delivering affordable energy and clean growth. Mr Brokenshire also led members in a discussion on the opportunities presented by leaving the EU.
The meeting followed another round-table on the Industrial Strategy yesterday, chaired by Lord Dunlop and BEIS Minister, Lord Prior, in London, which focused on trade and inward investment, cultivating world leading sectors, driving growth across the whole country and creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places.
Speaking after the meeting, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:
Political stability is a fundamental basis for industrial success. Securing strong, stable devolved institutions in Northern Ireland that will provide leadership, support innovation and boost skills will be integral to delivering on Northern Ireland’s potential as a place to invest and do business.
It is, therefore, vital that devolved government is returned to Northern Ireland as soon as possible and the Government’s clear focus is on achieving that.
The Industrial Strategy is a key part of this Government’s plan to drive growth across the whole United Kingdom and create more highly-skilled, highly-paid jobs and opportunities. A strong skills system will drive increases in productivity and improvements in social mobility, putting in place enduring reforms so that everyone has a chance to achieve their full potential in the workplace.
I urged members to use their influence to encourage political parties to deliver a functioning and effective Executive so we can continue to build an economy that works for everyone.
The Secretary of State and his Ministers have now engaged with local businesses on all ten pillars of the Industrial Strategy and will be reflecting the Northern Ireland views to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy when the formal consultation closes in a little under two weeks.
The Environment Agency has finished repairing Torcross sea defence after damage caused by the storms of February 2016.
Those storms saw large waves hit the sea defence when beach levels were low, causing cracks to appear along the promenade.
The repaired wall cost £2.4 million and reduces the risk of flooding to 51 properties. It is designed to withstand a severe storm, even when beach levels are low. Steel sheet piles have been installed directly in front of the existing line of piles with a new reinforced concrete capping beam. These double-length piles give the wall extra stability.
The Environment Agency’s Becky Richards said:
A huge thank you to all the residents of Torcross who have supported our repair work.
The project team worked hard to complete this repair quickly as possible, and our contractor, BMM JV, has done well to complete the works in time for the Easter holidays.
Local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston said:
Thank you so much to all those who have worked hard to restore the sea defences at Torcross, and to the community and agencies which came together during the anxious weeks following last year’s storms to get things done.
The Environment Agency will inspect the defence every 24 months and monitor the repair during periods of bad weather.
A complementary project is underway to identify the best beach management options for Torcross. South Hams District Council is creating a Torcoss and Slapton Beach Management Plan on behalf of The Slapton Line Partnership, to which the Environment Agency will contribute.
Alan Denbigh, Chair of the Slapton Line Partnership, said:
Together we hope to identify the best long-term beach management options to reduce the impact of storms at Torcoss.
We are planning events in summer 2017 for residents and businesses in and around Torcross to talk about the plan. Visit www.slaptonline.org to find out more.
Even with this sea defence, parts of Torcross remain at a high risk of flooding from the sea. High risk means that each year this area is at significant risk of flooding during storms due to waves.
Everyone has a part to play to protect themselves from the risk of flooding. There are some simple steps you can take now:
To report an emergency flood incident in Torcross call our 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
The Environment Agency has finished repairing Torcross sea defence after damage caused by the storms of February 2016.
Those storms saw large waves hit the sea defence when beach levels were low, causing cracks to appear along the promenade.
The repaired wall cost £2.4 million and reduces the risk of flooding to 51 properties. It is designed to withstand a severe storm, even when beach levels are low. Steel sheet piles have been installed directly in front of the existing line of piles with a new reinforced concrete capping beam. These double-length piles give the wall extra stability.
Steel sheet piles have been driven in front of existing piles and topped with concrete beams
The Environment Agency’s Becky Richards said:
A huge thank you to all the residents of Torcross who have supported our repair work.
The project team worked hard to complete this repair quickly as possible, and our contractor, BMM JV, has done well to complete the works in time for the Easter holidays.
Local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston said:
Thank you so much to all those who have worked hard to restore the sea defences at Torcross, and to the community and agencies which came together during the anxious weeks following last year’s storms to get things done.
The Environment Agency will inspect the defence every 24 months and monitor the repair during periods of bad weather.
A complementary project is underway to identify the best beach management options for Torcross. South Hams District Council is creating a Torcoss and Slapton Beach Management Plan on behalf of The Slapton Line Partnership, to which the Environment Agency will contribute.
Alan Denbigh, Chair of the Slapton Line Partnership, said:
Together we hope to identify the best long-term beach management options to reduce the impact of storms at Torcoss.
We are planning events in summer 2017 for residents and businesses in and around Torcross to talk about the plan. Visit www.slaptonline.org to find out more.
Even with this sea defence, parts of Torcross remain at a high risk of flooding from the sea. High risk means that each year this area is at significant risk of flooding during storms due to waves.
Everyone has a part to play to protect themselves from the risk of flooding. There are some simple steps you can take now:
To report an emergency flood incident in Torcross call our 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.