Year: 2020

Scotland is demanding a seat at the table in post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union. SNP Brexit minister Michael Russell said it would be an "injustice" if Holyrood was not given a role in the negotiations with Brussels. He will argue the Scottish government's case when he makes a statement in the Scottish parliament later. It comes after a senior minister in Boris Johnson's government promised the devolved administrations of Scotland, […]

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said it is "very difficult to know" if Brexit brings a united Ireland any closer. He was speaking after meeting the five main political parties at Stormont during a visit to Northern Ireland. Questioned on whether Brexit brings Irish unity nearer, he said there were "more important priorities". Mr Corbyn added that after Brexit "the issue that is important is the immediacy of funding and […]

Members of the European Parliament have overwhelmingly backed the terms of the UK's departure from the EU. MEPs ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by 621 votes to 49 following an emotional debate in Brussels. After the vote, MEPs marked the UK's exit by singing Auld Lang Syne. Several British MEPs said they hoped the UK would return one day although Eurosceptics, including the Brexit Party's Nigel Farage, used their final […]

An independent report into the options for UK's future immigration policy has recommended that the government cut the salary threshold for skilled migrants. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has said it should be reduced from £30,000 to £25,600 for those coming to the UK with a job offer. "No perfect system exists" and "difficult trade-offs" will be unavoidable, the committee warns. It comes as ministers prepare to publish a new […]