Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
Amnesty International has reportedly called on the Home Office to bring an end to “shameful” fees of over £1000 for UK-born children of immigrants to obtain citizenship.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
The European Council has published further conclusions on the legal text of the withdrawal agreement, but has highlighted that agreement on significant aspects, such as the territorial application of the agreement, is still needed. Meanwhile the Prime Minister delivered a statement in Parliament discussing the June European Council.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, writing in The Telegraph, has warned Theresa May that she must deliver on her Brexit promises or face a rebellion from within her own party, stating that Conservative MPs would vote against the final withdrawal agreement if the UK does not make a clean break from the EU. However this intervention has drawn the criticism of the Tory MPs Sir Alan Duncan and Alistair Burt.
According to the Financial Times, David Davis has held only four hours of talks with his opposite number Michel Barnier this year, with EU leaders citing lack of engagement for the slow progress of negotiations.
In The Times Brief, Julian Acratopulo has argued that the English court system needs to keep up with modern society to prevent rival European courts taking advantage of the Brexit confusion.
Top UK Government officials are starting to flesh out plans for another overhaul of the civil service after the UK leaves the EU, recognising the need to transform some ministries to meet post-Brexit challenges.
A Freedom of Information request has shown that less than 6% of MPs and peers have asked to see the Brexit impact papers, which were released under tight security after a House of Commons battle with Brexit secretary David Davis.
In setting out the questions the Brexit white paper needs to answer, for the Institute for Government Jill Rutter has argued that, if it is to be worth the wait, it must give UK negotiators a clear mandate, not just more options.
Theresa May is reportedly facing a full-scale revolt by Brexit-backing ministers as the Cabinet meets at Chequers to finally sign off the Government’s approach to quitting the EU. Equally, a row has broken out after a leaked paper suggested Theresa May’s customs plan could thwart a US trade deal.
In one of the bluntest internal criticisms of the EU’s Brexit negotiating strategy, Horst Seehober, Germany’s interior minister, has warned that the EU’s dogmatic approach will hamper reaching an ‘unlimited’ security deal with Britain which will put lives at risk.
Andrew Duff of the European Policy Centre has published a seven page analysis of the Government’s draft Brexit white paper. Meanwhile Michel Barnier has stated that Brussels is ready to change its Brexit offer to the UK if Theresa May’s Government softens its ‘red lines’.
The Financial Times’ Illustration of the week shows a warring Cabinet at Chequers.
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