Nick Thomas-Symonds back in the headlines as UK govt big-hitter: Paymaster General, Cabinet Office minister, Constitution/EU relations, since July 2024. Biography in a nutshell.
The UK and EU are struggling to agree on lower university tuition fees for European students, threatening broader Brexit reset negotiations. UK officials oppose the EU's demand, risking delays before the planned July summit. Talks focus on trade, mobility, and regulatory alignment, with progress being slow and contentious.
The UK government has announced a roadmap for future fiscal devolution to give regional leaders control of a share of some national taxes. Officials are working to publish the plan in the autumn budget. The move aims to empower regional leadership, keep reforms fiscally neutral, and bolster ties with Europe to curb inflation and boost growth.
Angela Rayner has publicly criticised Keir Starmer's leadership, warning Labour is 'running out of time' and calling for urgent change. She attacked government immigration reforms and signalled her leadership ambitions amid upcoming local elections and party turmoil.
A former senior civil servant has called for the UK to start talking about rejoining the EU, citing economic and security concerns. While some government figures oppose this, polling shows growing public support for re-entry. The debate reflects ongoing dissatisfaction with Brexit's economic impact and international security challenges.