The House of Lords dealt a blow to the UK Government by rejecting parts of a bill which has sparked 'Kill the Bill' protests in cities around England. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was introduced by the Government in a bid to crack down on protests in the wake of major disruption caused by eco-activists such as Insulate Britain and others.
Meanwhile Labour has set out questions it says the Prime Minister must answer in relation to the partygate scandal. The PM is being quizzed on whether he knew about any of the alleged gatherings in advance, how he would categorise the infamous “bring your own booze” event on May 20, 2020, and if he intends to “act as his own judge and jury” over his conduct.
Downing Street has rejected claims by Dominic Cummings on Monday (January 17) that Boris Johnson was told in advance staff were holding a drinks party in the No 10 garden during the first Covid lockdown.
Experts have suggested that Covid infection could be turning more children into fussy eaters. Parosmia - a disorder in which people experience strange and often unpleasant smell distortions that can make chocolate smell like petrol – could mean that children in particular may be finding it hard to eat foods they once loved.
These are just some of the national and international news stories making headlines this morning after breaking overnight.
Others include:
- Call to expand Universal Basic Income pilot
- Energy price rise could ‘devastate’ poorest families
- Home Office denies plans to use sonic devices against migrant boats
- Brits would rather live near Greggs than Waitrose, survey finds
Read on to find out more.
Kill the Bill: Government defeated as House of Lords demand controversial new legislation is amended
The House of Lords has rejected key parts of the UK Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which has sparked 'Kill the Bill' protests in cities around England.
The Government's crackdown on protests comes in the wake of major disruption caused by eco-activists such as by Insulate Britain and others.
The Bill, which is currently in its 'Report' stage, was dissected by Peers in a session that began on Monday January 17 - and ran on late into the night.
Covid-19 may be turning children into fussy eaters, say experts
Covid infection could be turning more and more children into fussy eaters, experts have suggested.
This may be because they are suffering from parosmia, a disorder in which people experience strange and often unpleasant smell distortions.
For example, chocolate may smell like petrol, or someone may smell rotting cabbage instead of lemon.
Five 'partygate' questions Labour wants Boris Johnson to answer
Labour has set out five questions it says the Prime Minister must answer in relation to the partygate scandal.
The PM is being quizzed on whether he knew about any of the alleged gatherings in advance, how he would categorise the infamous “bring your own booze” event on May 20, 2020, and if he intends to “act as his own judge and jury” over his conduct.
The latest intervention from the opposition follows a long line of allegations about rule-breaking in Downing Street.
No 10 denies Dominic Cummings’ claim PM knew of lockdown drinks party
Downing Street rejected claims by Dominic Cummings on Monday (January 17) that Boris Johnson was told in advance staff were holding a drinks party in the No 10 garden during the first Covid lockdown.
The Prime Minister’s former chief adviser said he was willing to "swear under oath" that Mr Johnson was lying when he told MPs he had not known beforehand about the "bring your own bottle" event on May 20, 2020.
Call to expand Universal Basic Income pilot in Wales
The Welsh Government should broaden its proposed Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot, a Senedd committee has found.
In a report, entitled A UBI Pilot for Wales , the Petitions Committee concluded that the current scheme for care leavers "has merit", but a wider trial would allow policy makers to learn more about the impact of a UBI.
Universal Basic Income is the idea a government should pay all individuals a set salary, regardless of their means.
Poorest families set to be hardest hit by rising energy costs
Rising energy charges could devastate the UK’s poorest families, analysis suggests, as many adults could be forced to spend more than half of their income after housing costs on electric and gas bills.
Home Office denies plans to use sonic devices against migrant boats
The Government has been accused of “headline-chasing” following reports officials investigated the use of powerful sonic devices to turn around migrant boats in the Channel.
According to reports in The Sun and on Sky News, No 10 policy officials wanted to use the Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), which are used to disperse crowds in the US, to deter migrants from making the dangerous crossing. The Home Office confirmed that two Border Force vessels were fitted with LRADs for loud hailer communications at sea but said they were not used for “deterrence”.
Brits would rather live near Greggs than Waitrose, survey finds
Having an upmarket shop like Waitrose on your doorstep might improve house prices - but Brits would rather live near a Greggs, according to new research by residential property services provider, FirstPort.
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