I think most of us remember the rhetoric during the Brexit referenda debates about how easy it would be to conclude a trade deal with the USA once we have left the EU, but just in case here is Brexiteer and former UKIP MP Douglas Carswell, speaking at the Institute for Government in April 2017 and claiming that setting up trade deals with the US would be seamless:
I think free trade would be relatively straightforward between the United Kingdom and America. If it's legal to buy and sell a product in California, it should be legal to buy and sell it in Clacton Of course there'll be some caveats.
No 10 is keen to showcase the warmth of relations between the prime minister and Biden, as well as the strong investment links between the two countries, when the pair meet in Washington on Tuesday. But Johnson, who had previously boasted of the prospects for a transatlantic trade deal, told journalists it now appeared unlikely to be imminent.
"The reality is that Joe has a lot of fish to fry. He's got a huge infrastructure package, he's got a build back better package. We want to do it, but what we want is a good free trade agreement. And I would much rather get a deal that really works for the UK than get a quick deal."
When reality bites it really shows up those who have ignored it up until now.
Wiltshire Council is reminding people to sign up for its final Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan consultation engagement event, which takes place later this month (September).
The consultation began on 1 September and will end on 17 October, and the council has already held a launch event and the first of its engagement webinars, plus drop-in events at Salisbury and Devizes libraries - with further drop-in sessions in Chippenham and Trowbridge to come. The final online engagement event, at 7pm on Thursday 30 September, is an opportunity for people to find out more about the consultation and ask questions, ahead of taking the consultation surveys.
Wiltshire Council has outlined its principles for the next decade, as it looks to support residents, communities and businesses across Wiltshire to continue to thrive to ensure Wiltshire remains the best place to live, work and visit.
Wiltshire Council's Business Plan Principles 2022 - 2032, which sets out the overarching mission of the council, will be presented at its forthcoming Cabinet meeting on 27 September.
We have enjoyed fantastic links with our European neighbours for decades.
Our school children have benefitted from easy language exchanges and visa-free school trips. Young people have been able to live, study, and work across 27 different countries. Students have enhanced their education via the Erasmus scheme. Artists and musicians have been able to travel freely between us and the continent.
Our society is a brilliant one. Our democratic system goes back hundreds of years and we are committed to the fair rule of law. We have a fantastic tradition of education, creativity and innovation.
We have incredibly strong institutions. This is clear in the fact our National Health Service has bent over backwards to support us through this pandemic. As much as possible we contribute to key international organisations to support a cooperative global system.
The Government hasonly managed to negotiate one new trade deal -with Australia - since leaving the EU. It has simply "rolled over" 23 existing trade agreements that we were already parts of. This simply isn't good enough.
A thriving economy needs thriving international trade.UK companies doing business in the EU need our help now.We are also at risk of losing our long-established status as a finance hub. Put simply, the government must get its act together.
The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised police to charge Jonathan Seed with making a false declaration in the nomination papers for the Wiltshire 2020 Police & Crime Commissioner elections.
The CPS made the decision that he should be charged after reviewing a file of evidence from Thames Valley Police.
"The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice proceedings."
Mr Seed is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on October 19.
Around six million people are set to see their Universal Credit payments cut when the uplift comes to an end.
The government introduced a £20 a week raise to help claimants through the coronavirus pandemic, but it will be scrapped, despite opposition from opposition and some Tory MPs (though not South West Wiltshite's MP Dr Murrison and despite the proposed national insurance, rising inflation and higher gas prices,
Conservatives intend to press on with cutting the £20 Universal Credit uplift, Mps voted the cut through recently including our Tory MP.
Sadly that choice will impact on 6,880 families in South West Wiltshire.
There are almost one hundred thousand children in care in the UK and they face significant disadvantages in life.
they face significant disadvantages in life"
The average child in care enters care at age 14, which is a crucial point academically. Only 12% of care leavers have entered higher education by the age of 23 and many care leavers rely on Universal Credit as their main source of income.
