Was Reynolds nobbled by Number 10 over China?

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

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It was Margaret Thatcher who famously said that in politics, the unexpected always happens.

And the latest evidence for that is a series of bizarre twists in the political fallout over Scunthorpe steelworks and China.

First, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has unexpectedly performed a shock U-turn on Chinese involvement in steel.

And second, those sworn Brexit enemies the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK have agreed on one thing: they want nothing to do with China.

Politics latest: US ‘working very hard’ with UK on negotiating ‘great’ trade deal

So is Mr Reynolds’ U-turn the result of being nobbled by Number 10? It certainly looks like it, given what appeared to be a Downing Street slap-down on Monday.

On Sunday, he told Sir Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I wouldn’t personally bring a Chinese company into our steel sector.”

Pressed by Sir Trevor, he said: “I wouldn’t, no. I think steel is a very sensitive area.”

He even accused David Cameron – who famously took the Chinese president for a pint in a pub – and George Osborne of being “far too naive” about China.

And when Sir Trevor said: “There’s a high trust bar now, isn’t there?” Mr Reynolds replied: “Yes, we’ve got to recognise that.”

Two days later, pressed on his Sky News interview during a visit to Immingham docks, he said: “In this case, our difference of opinion on the future was with a specific company.

“I know there’s a lot of interest in the wider UK-China relationship, understandably so. But this was about this company.”

And he added: “I’m really keen to stress the action we’ve taken here was to step in because it was one specific company…”

So that’s clear then? Or is it? What’s changed?

What changed is that on Monday, Number 10 insisted there was no block on China from essential industries, even steel.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “We already a have a rigorous regime for assessing any involvement in critical infrastructure. That includes looking at the role of China in our supply chains and investment infrastructure.”

Got that, Mr Reynolds? He has now, obviously.

Nigel Farage hasn’t. “The very thought the government could even contemplate another Chinese owner of British Steel is truly dreadful,” the Reform UK leader declared while campaigning in Durham.

“There’s no such thing as a private company in China. They’re all effectively under the control of the Chinese Communist Party. Clearly, the government has learned nothing if they’re prepared to say this.

“I would go further. I wouldn’t have China in our nuclear programme, anywhere near our telecoms or anything else. They are not our friends.”

Guess who agrees with that? “Giving another Chinese firm ownership of British Steel would be like coming home to find your house ransacked and then leaving your doors unlocked!” said an outraged Lib Dem MP, Calum Miller.

No doubt, the Lib Dems are outraged by China’s refusal to allow their MP Wera Hobhouse being denied entry into Hong Kong to visit her newborn grandson. And who can blame them?

Mr Farage also spoke about visiting the Scunthorpe blast furnaces last week, claiming: “Not, by the way, an out-of-character thing for me to do, because I worked for 22 years in the metals business before getting involved in politics.”

Really? The metals business? Well, Mr Farage certainly has some brass neck. He was, in fact, a commodities trader in the City of London. OK, so presumably those commodities did include metal.

And what of the government? Despite Mr Reynolds accusing Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne of naivety, Sir Keir Starmer’s senior ministers have actively wooed China too.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, visited China in January to promote “new opportunities” for investment. Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, signed up to close ties with China on energy during a visit last month and Douglas Alexander, the trade minister, has been in China this week.

Yet former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has insisted ministers must ban China from critical infrastructure and claimed former Labour prime minister Clement Attlee “would be turning in his grave”.

And what of Margaret Thatcher and her famous quote? Well, it was the Iron Lady herself who privatised British Steel in the 1980s – and opened the door to Chinese involvement.

UK

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales

Published

26 mins ago

June 18, 2025

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MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales

MPs have voted to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales.

The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, abolishing the prosecution of women for terminating their pregnancy at any stage, passed by 379 votes to 137.

It represents the biggest shake-up in reproductive rights for almost 60 years.

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who tabled the so-called “New Clause One” (NC1), said it would ensure women do not face investigation, arrest, prosecution or imprisonment in relation to any pregnancies.

She said the current “Victorian” laws had been used against vulnerable women, citing cases such as Nicola Packer, who was prosecuted on suspicion of having an illegal abortion. She was found not guilty in May.

“Nicola’s story is deplorable, but there are many others,” Ms Antoniazzi said.

Abortion in England and Wales is currently a criminal offence but is legal with an authorised provider for up to 24 weeks after conception. The procedure is allowed after this time in very limited circumstances.

It is also legal to take prescribed related medication at home if a woman is less than 10 weeks pregnant.

Ms Antoniazzi said NC1 was “a narrow, targeted measure” that would not change how abortion services were provided or the rules under the 1967 Abortion Act.

She said: “The 24 [week] limit remains. Abortions still require the approval of signatures of two doctors, and women would still have to meet the grounds laid out in the Act.”

The MP said that meant healthcare professionals “acting outside the law and abusive partners using violence or poisoning to end a pregnancy would still be criminalised, as they are now.”

She added: “This piece of legislation will only take women out of the criminal justice system because they are vulnerable and they need our help.

“As I have said before, and I will say it again, just what public interest is this serving? This is not justice, it is cruelty and it has got to end.”

The change will not come into effect immediately as the Crime and Policing Bill is still making its way through Parliament.

A separate amendment, put forward by Labour MP Stella Creasy, went further with a measure to “lock in” the right of a person to have an abortion while protecting those who help them.

However, her amendment was not voted on because Ms Antoniazzi’s passed, as expected.

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh, speaking against both amendments, described them as “not pro-woman” and argued they “would introduce sex-selective abortion”.

How did MPs vote?

MPs were given a free vote on the amendment, as is typically the case with so-called matters of conscience.

A breakdown of the vote showed it was passed overwhelmingly by Labour and Lib Dem MPs.

Just eight Conservative MPs voted in favour, while all Reform UK MPs opposed the amendment, with the exception of the party’s leader Nigel Farage, who abstained.

Sir Keir Starmer was not present for the vote as he is currently in Canada for the G7 summit, but said earlier that his “longstanding in-principle position is that women have the right to a safe and legal abortion”.

The issue of women investigated by police over suspected illegal abortions has been in the spotlight due to several recent high-profile cases.

Ms Packer was cleared by a jury last month after taking prescribed abortion medicine at home when she was around 26 weeks pregnant, beyond the legal limit of 10 weeks.

In the Commons, Ms Antoniazzi cited another case of a young mother who was jailed for two years after she was forced to take illegal abortion medication by her abusive partner. He was never investigated.

UK

UK weather: Yellow heat health alerts issued for most of England

Published

13 hours ago

June 17, 2025

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UK weather: Yellow heat health alerts issued for most of England

Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for most of England – with temperatures forecast to hit highs of 33C (91F) this weekend.

Only the North East and North West are exempt from the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) latest warning, which comes into force at 12pm on Wednesday and expires at 6pm on Sunday.

The alert indicates that people with pre-existing health conditions, and those aged over 65, could be at higher risk.

Forecasters say the East of England is likely to see the highest temperatures, which wouldn’t be far off the June record of 35.6C (90F) set in 1976.

According to the Met Office, it will get progressively warmer as the week progresses – with the heat peaking on Sunday.

Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said thundery showers may be possible heading into Saturday morning, with “tropical nights” a possibility as parts of the UK approach heatwave territory.

The forecast means we are likely to see the hottest day of the year so far – eclipsing the 29.4C (85F) recorded last Friday in Suffolk.

In a delicious twist, ice cream makers have said “it’s their Christmas time”, with some making fresh supplies around the clock.

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UK

US-UK trade deal ‘done’, says Trump as he meets Starmer at G7

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2025

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US-UK trade deal 'done', says Trump as he meets Starmer at G7

The UK-US trade deal has been signed and is “done”, US President Donald Trump has said as he met Sir Keir Starmer at the G7 summit.

The US president told reporters in Canada: “We signed it, and it’s done. It’s a fair deal for both. It’ll produce a lot of jobs, a lot of income.”

Sir Keir said the document “implements” the deal to cut tariffs on cars and aerospace, describing it as a “really important agreement”.

“So this is a very good day for both of our countries – a real sign of strength,” the prime minister added.

Mr Trump added that the UK was “very well protected” against any future tariffs, saying: “You know why? Because I like them”.

However, he did not say whether levies on British steel exports to the US would be set to 0%, saying “we’re gonna let you have that information in a little while”.

What exactly does trade deal being ‘done’ mean?

The government says the US “has committed” to removing tariffs (taxes on imported goods) on UK aerospace goods, such as engines and aircraft parts, which currently stand at 10%.

That is “expected to come into force by the end of the month”.

Tariffs on car imports will drop from 27.5% to 10%, the government says, which “saves car manufacturers hundreds of millions a year, and protects tens of thousands of jobs”.

The White House says there will be a quote of 100,000 cars eligible for import at that level each year.

But on steel, the story is a little more complicated.

The UK is the only country exempted from the global 50% tariff rate on steel – which means the UK rate remains at the original level of 25%.

That tariff was expected to be lifted entirely, but the government now says it will “continue to go further and make progress towards 0% tariffs on core steel products as agreed”.

The White House says the US will “promptly construct a quota at most-favoured-nation rates for steel and aluminium articles”.

Other key parts of the deal include import and export quotas for beef – and the government is keen to emphasise that “any US imports will need to meet UK food safety standards”.

There is no change to tariffs on pharmaceuticals for the moment, and the government says “work will continue to protect industry from any further tariffs imposed”.

The White House says they “committed to negotiate significantly preferential treatment outcomes”.

Mr Trump also praised Sir Keir as a “great” prime minister, adding: “We’ve been talking about this deal for six years, and he’s done what they haven’t been able to do.”

He added: “We’re very longtime partners and allies and friends and we’ve become friends in a short period of time.

“He’s slightly more liberal than me to put it mildly… but we get along.”

Sir Keir added that “we make it work”.

As the pair exited a mountain lodge in the Canadian Rockies where the summit is being held, Mr Trump held up a physical copy of the trade agreement to show reporters.

Several leaves of paper fell from the binding, and Sir Keir quickly stooped to pick them up, saying: “A very important document.”

The US president also appeared to mistakenly refer to a “trade agreement with the European Union” at one point as he stood alongside the British prime minister.

Mr Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs on countries in April. At the time, he announced 10% “reciprocal” rates on all UK exports – as well as separately announced 25% levies on cars and steel.

In a joint televised phone call in May, Sir Keir and Mr Trump announced the UK and US had agreed on a trade deal – but added the details were being finalised.

Ahead of the G7 summit, the prime minister said he would meet Mr Trump for “one-on-one” talks, and added the agreement “really matters for the vital sectors that are safeguarded under our deal, and we’ve got to implement that”.