{"id":17257,"date":"2019-12-16T08:24:59","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T08:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/?p=17257"},"modified":"2019-12-16T08:24:59","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T08:24:59","slug":"prime-minister-is-set-to-put-border-control-the-nhs-and-investment-in-the-north-at-heart-of-his-plans-for-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/2019\/12\/16\/prime-minister-is-set-to-put-border-control-the-nhs-and-investment-in-the-north-at-heart-of-his-plans-for-government\/","title":{"rendered":"Prime Minister is set to put border control, the NHS and investment in the North at heart of his plans for government"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>Boris Johnson will welcome 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster tomorrow<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\">Key new policies include \u00a3100billion Northern infrastructure fund,\u00a0\u00a334billion extra funding for the NHS and greater schools funding<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\">Home Office could be split in to with new department focusing on borders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>Will also complete minor reshuffle to fill Culture and\u00a0Wales Secretary vacancies<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>Huge shake-up set for February, with up to a third of existing ministers culled<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Boris Johnson will put control of Britain\u2019s borders, improvements to the NHS and spending in the North at the centre of a Government shake-up designed to ensure years more of Conservative rule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The Prime Minister will welcome 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster today with a message that addressing voters\u2019 concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in 2024 \u2013 and rule throughout the 2020s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But he is already planning a more radical shake-up in February, which could see up to a third of existing ministers culled and a major overhaul of the Whitehall machine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9d05abf0bacad151\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280968-7795239-The_Prime_Minister_will_welcome_109_new_Tory_MPs_to_Westminster_-m-11_1576480962501.jpg\" alt=\"The Prime Minister will welcome 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster today with a message that addressing voters\u2019 concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in 2024 - having just won the largest Conservative majority since 1987\" width=\"962\" height=\"701\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"overlay-icon mobile-gallery\">\n<div class=\"mobile-gallery-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The Prime Minister will welcome 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster today with a message that addressing voters\u2019 concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in 2024 &#8211; having just won the largest Conservative majority since 1987<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-c8c08384a4717762\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22293578-7795239-image-m-15_1576481616746.jpg\" alt=\"The PM is pictured as the election results came in, his chief strategist Dominic Cummings watches on in the background. will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.\" width=\"962\" height=\"704\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"overlay-icon mobile-gallery\">\n<div class=\"mobile-gallery-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The PM is pictured as the election results came in, his chief strategist Dominic Cummings watches on in the background. will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tory sources said last night the PM is considering splitting up the Home Office to create a new Department for Borders and Immigration to deliver on his pledge to cut the number of low-skilled migrants coming here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The new department will focus on putting in place an Australian-style points-based immigration system and toughening up the UK\u2019s borders \u2013 leaving the Home Office to focus on the fight against crime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Mr Johnson will also use a \u00a3100billion infrastructure fund to reward voters in the Midlands and the North who voted Conservative for the first time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">His strategy of \u2018Boosterism\u2019 will involve pumping cash into neglected regions in an attempt to increase opportunity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-fd0ecee992bb5fb2\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22293570-7795239-image-m-18_1576481720712.jpg\" alt=\"Mr Johnson strokes Jack Russell Dilyn as he watches the exit polls and early Northern election results come through in the 2019 General election in his study in No10 Downing street\" width=\"962\" height=\"672\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Mr Johnson strokes Jack Russell Dilyn as he watches the exit polls and early Northern election results come through in the 2019 General election in his study in No10 Downing street<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-e44b32eb09eef1c6\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22293580-7795239-image-m-21_1576481808276.jpg\" alt=\"Tory sources said last night the PM is considering splitting up the Home Office to create a new Department for Borders and Immigration to deliver on his pledge to cut the number of low-skilled migrants coming here\" width=\"962\" height=\"630\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"overlay-icon mobile-gallery\">\n<div class=\"mobile-gallery-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Tory sources said last night the PM is considering splitting up the Home Office to create a new Department for Borders and Immigration to deliver on his pledge to cut the number of low-skilled migrants coming here<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-30877e6dfc26591c\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280904-7795239-Boris_Johnson_will_put_control_of_Britain_s_borders_improvements-a-1_1576480900867.jpg\" alt=\"Boris Johnson will put control of Britain\u2019s borders, improvements to the NHS and spending in the North at the centre of a Government shake-up designed to ensure years more of Conservative rule\" width=\"962\" height=\"622\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Boris Johnson will put control of Britain\u2019s borders, improvements to the NHS and spending in the North at the centre of a Government shake-up designed to ensure years more of Conservative rule<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-1afef0baca14c711\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280970-7795239-Boris_Johnson_and_Carrie_Symonds_joined_Chancellor_Sajid_Javid_t-a-4_1576480900877.jpg\" alt=\"Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds joined Chancellor Sajid Javid to celebrate his birthday, which was during the general election campaign\" width=\"962\" height=\"950\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds joined Chancellor Sajid Javid to celebrate his birthday, which was during the general election campaign<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In a message to supporters yesterday, he said: \u2018Let\u2019s unite this country, let\u2019s spread opportunity to every corner of the UK, with superb education, superb infrastructure and technology. Let\u2019s get this done and move forward.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">On Thursday, he will unveil his Queen\u2019s Speech which will legislate to deliver an extra \u00a334billion funding for the NHS.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">His programme will also include a framework for the immigration system, together with new laws to increase the amount that migrants pay to use the NHS.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Other measures will include longer sentences for terrorists and serious criminals, laws to limit the impact of strikes in the public sector and measures to end no-fault evictions for renters \u2013 addressing day-to-day concerns of voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Commuters using Northern Rail and South West Trains have been hit by damaging strikes this year. A new Minimum Service Agreement Bill would force unions to guarantee a certain level of services \u2013 probably 50 per cent \u2013 to reduce the impact on commuters. Speaking ahead of the PM\u2019s meeting with new Tory MPs, a No 10 source said: \u2018The seismic events on Thursday returned Conservative MPs in Bolsover, in Blyth and in Bishop Auckland to name but a few.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"splitLeft\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-e52c8783dd5dfb7c\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280838-7795239-Nicky_Morgan-a-5_1576480900877.jpg\" alt=\"Nicky Morgan\" width=\"470\" height=\"633\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9a90a6344255236b\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280842-7795239-Alun_Cairns-a-6_1576480900878.jpg\" alt=\"Alun Cairns\" width=\"470\" height=\"633\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"overlay-icon mobile-gallery\">\n<div class=\"mobile-gallery-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">He will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018This election and the new generation of MPs that have resulted from Labour towns turning blue will help change our politics for the better.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018The PM has been very clear that we have a responsibility to deliver a better future for our country and that we must repay the public\u2019s trust by getting Brexit done.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018Our job is to serve the people of this country, and the \u201cPeople\u2019s Government\u201d will deliver on the people\u2019s priorities.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The fast start to Mr Johnson\u2019s new administration came as:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Treasury Chief Secretary Rishi Sunak confirmed Britain would now leave the EU \u2018within weeks\u2019, with Michael Gove ruling out any extension to the Brexit transition;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Ministers confirmed that the Government will press ahead with plans to decriminalise failing to pay the BBC licence fee, as well as boycotting the corporation\u2019s flagship Radio 4 Today programme in protest at its election coverage;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Labour descended into bitter infighting, with former minister Caroline Flint claiming the Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry told a northern MP: \u2018I\u2019m glad my constituents aren\u2019t as stupid as yours\u2019;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Nicola Sturgeon warned Scotland \u2018cannot be imprisoned in the UK\u2019, as Mr Gove confirmed the Government would not sanction a second independence referendum;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Mr Johnson was considering handing a peerage to environment minister Zac Goldsmith to enable him to keep his job, days after he was booted out by voters in his London constituency;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">The Prime Minister was drawing up plans to appoint a new Climate Change Secretary to the Cabinet next year to deliver on his pledge to make Britain \u2018the greenest country on Earth\u2019;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Government sources said a report on Russian interference in British politics would be published next month, and;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\">Jeremy Corbyn\u2019s allies threw their weight behind business spokesman Rebecca Long-Bailey to succeed him, as he claimed that Labour \u2018won the argument\u2019 in the election.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Newly-elected Tory MPs were last night heading to Westminster for the first day of a Government which Conservative strategists hope could last ten years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Mr Sunak told the BBC\u2019s Andrew Marr show that the Government\u2019s focus was on delivering Brexit and then \u2018levelling up across the United Kingdom, making sure that opportunity is spread\u2019.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-2fef3744f884759b\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22285454-7795239-Treasury_Chief_Secretary_Rishi_Sunak_confirmed_Britain_would_now-a-7_1576480900878.jpg\" alt=\"Treasury Chief Secretary Rishi Sunak confirmed Britain would now leave the EU \u2018within weeks\u2019, with Michael Gove ruling out any extension to the Brexit transition\" width=\"962\" height=\"704\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Treasury Chief Secretary Rishi Sunak confirmed Britain would now leave the EU \u2018within weeks\u2019, with Michael Gove ruling out any extension to the Brexit transition<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Mr Gove told Sky News: \u2018We need to make sure that economic opportunity is more equally spread across the whole country and we need to invest in the infrastructure and also the improvement for skills and education necessary in order to make sure that opportunity is more equal.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">New Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, Stockton South MP Matt Vickers, Darlington MP Peter Gibson, Sedgefield MP Paul Howell and Redcar MP Jacob Young dubbed themselves \u2018the Blue Wall\u2019 as they caught the train down to London together from the North East.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Just days after Mr Johnson\u2019s historic landslide, Tory strategists already have their eye on the next election. A senior source said: \u2018The first six to 12 months are key. People have got real expectations of change and we have got to show we are delivering it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-d1bbd9ba79086b32\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22285434-7795239-All_eyes_today_are_on_who_Mr_Johnson_appoints_as_culture_secreta-a-8_1576480900878.jpg\" alt=\"All eyes today are on who Mr Johnson appoints as culture secretary, with a remit to shake up the BBC. Former culture secretary John Whittingdale (pictured) is under consideration\" width=\"962\" height=\"677\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">All eyes today are on who Mr Johnson appoints as culture secretary, with a remit to shake up the BBC. Former culture secretary John Whittingdale (pictured) is under consideration<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018People need to feel this first term has worked for them, they need to be able to point to things locally that have changed, they need to feel that their lives have got better \u2013 otherwise they will not vote for us again. That is not easy and we need to refocus the whole of government to do it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018A lot of people are putting their faith in us for the first time and we sure as hell have to make sure we don\u2019t let them down.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">MPs will be sworn in over the next two days ahead of the Queen\u2019s Speech which will be dominated by meeting Mr Johnson\u2019s election pledges. The new programme will also include amendments to the Human Rights Act to prevent \u2018vexatious claims\u2019 against British troops, and a new Sentencing Bill to introduce a mandatory minimum 14-year term for adults convicted of serious terrorist offences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Measures will also be brought forward to guarantee greater funding for schools. And there will be an end to automatic early release for serious violent offenders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">All eyes today are on who Mr Johnson appoints as culture secretary, with a remit to shake up the BBC. Former culture secretary John Whittingdale is under consideration, but Mr Johnson is also under pressure to bring new blood into his top team. Mr Sunak has also been tipped as a possible candidate, as has defence minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Cabinet Office minister Simon Hart is tipped for possible promotion as Welsh Secretary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"mol-style-medium\">Gove: We\u2019ll be fully out of EU next year &#8230; with no delays<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Britain will be fully out of the European Union next year, Michael Gove said yesterday \u2013 as he ruled out any extension to the Brexit transition period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Legislation to take Britain out of the EU will be brought back to Parliament on Friday, with MPs asked to back it in principle before Christmas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak said the UK \u2018will leave the European Union in a matter of weeks\u2019 in the wake of Boris Johnson\u2019s election victory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The UK will then enter an 11-month \u2018implementation period\u2019 during which EU rules will continue to apply while negotiations on a future trade deal take place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-8cb764e84fe61432\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280300-7795239-Britain_will_be_fully_out_of_the_European_Union_next_year_Michae-a-9_1576480900881.jpg\" alt=\"Britain will be fully out of the European Union next year, Michael Gove said yesterday \u2013 as he ruled out any extension to the Brexit transition period\" width=\"962\" height=\"657\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"overlay-icon mobile-gallery\">\n<div class=\"mobile-gallery-icon\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Britain will be fully out of the European Union next year, Michael Gove said yesterday \u2013 as he ruled out any extension to the Brexit transition period<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The Prime Minister\u2019s deal leaves open the possibility of extending the transition period for up to two years to allow more time for trade talks. A decision on whether or not to seek an extension has to be taken by the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The EU\u2019s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said last week it was \u2018unrealistic\u2019 to expect a trade deal to be finalised by the end of next year. But Mr Gove yesterday told Sky News that there was no need to extend the implementation period as trade talks could be completed on time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018It will be concluded next year,\u2019 he said. \u2018We will be in a position to leave the European Union before January 31 next year and we will have concluded our conversations with the EU about the new framework of free trade and friendly co-operation that we will have with them by the end of next year.\u2019<\/p>\n<div id=\"mol-5d28c790-1f80-11ea-9fe6-7517880be313\" class=\"art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS news\" data-version=\"2\" data-permabox-url=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-7795239\/Prime-Minister-Boris-Johnson-puts-border-control-NHS-Northern-investment-heart-plans.html\">\n<h3 class=\"mol-factbox-title\">In matching blue, Tories who smashed Red Wall<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ins cleared mol-factbox-body\">\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Grinning for the camera in matching scarves, they look like fans off to the football. But these five were in fact on the train to Westminster \u2013 as newly-elected Conservative MPs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The selfie was shared online by 26-year-old Dehenna Davison, a reality TV star who became Bishop Auckland\u2019s first Tory MP in the constituency\u2019s 134-year history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She helped to smash the Red Wall of Labour-held seats in the party\u2019s North East heartland along with Matt Vickers, Peter Gibson, Paul Howell and the appropriately named Jacob Young, who like Miss Davison is also 26. \u2018Couldn\u2019t be happier to be sharing my journey to Westminster with these four amazing lads,\u2019 she tweeted yesterday, adding: \u2018Can\u2019t wait to get to work.\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group mol-hidden-caption xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-7655fc0d07bed432\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280400-7795239-image-a-10_1576480900882.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"274\" height=\"205\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Miss Davison was just 13 when her father was killed by a single punch to the head in a pub. She went on to study politics at Hull University, spending a year as an assistant to Jacob Rees-Mogg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She appeared in a Channel 4 series, Bride and Prejudice, about her marriage to an older man but is now believed to be separated from John Fareham, 61, a Tory councillor in Hull.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He added: \u2018The speed and effectiveness with which the Prime Minister negotiated or renegotiated the withdrawal agreement I think demonstrates his determination, our Government\u2019s determination to ensure that we not just leave the European Union by January 31 but we also conclude the remaining arrangements by the end of 2020.\u2019 Mr Gove was appointed last summer to take charge of No Deal planning, which will now be scaled back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tory sources said he was likely to head up a beefed-up trade and industry department which will play a leading role in negotiating the new trade deal with Brussels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Mr Gove yesterday played down the difficulty involved \u2013 pointing out that, unlike in normal trade deals, the two markets have very similar interests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He added: \u2018Quite a lot of the detail that needs to be negotiated is already laid out in the political declaration so a lot of work has been done and, as a number of people have pointed out, there are areas where the European Union\u2019s interests and the United Kingdom\u2019s interests are already closely aligned. So I am confident that we will be able not just to leave the EU on January 31 but also to conclude all the details of a new relationship in short order.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tory sources said the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which enshrines Mr Johnson\u2019s Brexit deal in law, is likely to have a second reading in the Commons on Friday to ensure there is time to push through the remaining stages before Britain leaves the EU on January 31.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But the process may not run as smoothly as the Government predicts as Nicola Sturgeon declared yesterday that she will not allow Scotland to be \u2018imprisoned\u2019 in the United Kingdom against its will.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The SNP leader said her party\u2019s success in the General Election has given her a mandate to hold another. She said Scotland had chosen a \u2018very different kind of future to the rest of the UK\u2019. The First Minister told the BBC\u2019s Andrew Marr show she had spoken to the Mr Johnson on Friday where he reiterated his opposition to Scottish independence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She said: \u2018I don\u2019t presume that everybody who voted SNP on Thursday is yet prepared to back independence. But it\u2019s not for me to decide that question, it\u2019s not for Boris Johnson to decide that question, it\u2019s for the people of Scotland to decide that question.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She added: \u2018If he thinks saying \u201cno\u201d is the end of the matter then he\u2019s going to find himself completely and utterly wrong.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"mol-style-medium\">Climate change battle to be led by new minister<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Boris Johnson is to create a new Whitehall department to tackle climate change as part of his post-election shake-up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He will reverse Theresa May\u2019s 2016 decision to fold the Department for Energy and Climate Change into the Department for Business after vowing to make Britain the \u2018greenest country on Earth\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The Prime Minister will carry out a limited reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the election.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mol-img-group xwArtSplitter\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap fff-pic\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-2b24393b3455123c\" class=\"blkBorder img-share b-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/12\/16\/07\/22280974-7795239-Mr_Johnson_will_reverse_Theresa_May_s_2016_decision_to_fold_the_-a-2_1576480900875.jpg\" alt=\"Mr Johnson will reverse Theresa May\u2019s 2016 decision to fold the Department for Energy and Climate Change into the Department for Business after vowing to make Britain the \u2018greenest country on Earth\u2019\" width=\"962\" height=\"642\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Mr Johnson will reverse Theresa May\u2019s 2016 decision to fold the Department for Energy and Climate Change into the Department for Business after vowing to make Britain the \u2018greenest country on Earth\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"moduleFull mol-video\">\n<div class=\"item\">\n<div id=\"p-49\" class=\"news x-wide video_carousel_container\" data-track-module=\"vm-2082904517265145972^extra_wide\" data-track-selector=\"a.videoLink\" data-track-type=\"cl\" data-track-pos=\"static\">\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The new Government lacks a Culture Secretary after Nicky Morgan decided not to stand, and a Welsh Secretary following the departure of Alun Cairns. Environment minister Zac Goldsmith lost his seat and must be replaced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A wider reshuffle, involving the scrapping or merging of some departments, is expected after Britain leaves the EU next month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Michael Gove could be installed as the head of a new trade \u2018super-department\u2019 to oversee Britain\u2019s future relationship with the EU. It would incorporate the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade and the Department for Exiting the EU.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Mr Johnson could also axe the Department for International Development and hand control of Britain\u2019s \u00a314billion aid budget to a beefed up Foreign Office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The plan to create a new department to tackle climate change comes after Mr Johnson pledged to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He promised \u2018colossal new investments in infrastructure, in science, using our incredible technological advantages to make this country the cleanest, greenest on Earth with the most far-reaching environmental programme\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Ministers tipped for promotion include Sajid Javid\u2019s deputy at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak. But Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace are under pressure. Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg may get a lesser role.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boris Johnson will welcome 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster tomorrow Key new policies include \u00a3100billion Northern infrastructure fund,\u00a0\u00a334billion extra funding for the NHS and greater schools funding Home Office could be split in to with new department focusing on borders Will also complete minor reshuffle to fill Culture and\u00a0Wales Secretary vacancies Huge shake-up set [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_post_source_name":"","_post_source_url":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[6850,894,4988,8249,2735,7119,11941,8713,2971,9204,11580,5090,157,75,5307,5268,6140,1904,5249,3782,8659,10387,9328,556,7331,1425,5110,3862,10000,11282,3513,5262,11356,716,6718,685,9292,423,911,5494,9196,159,9505,1195,8123,9026,9127,746,10196,5247,9643,3577,2264,1444,1473,10840,6094,12773,8601,8995,10954,9343,682,256,9515,1828,3642,10342,12329,5840,3684,10634,11743,5802,9833,325,11662,9701,7343,6864,4995,278,2402,8000,3570,5025,4435,7964,6332,1198,6027,2627,5424,3174,5561,3927,8598,9458,7400,6431,9089,13301,5266,5217,717,9265,8810,2381,5151,9037,4987,2507,9271,3240,10041,6965,11325,5150,9030,7333,8302,6675,7609,11906,1568,4890,255,6594,10329,12864,9616,5755,9178,12605,7231,3080,214,6348,10885,1254,6267,3954,659,10415,594,5140],"class_list":["post-17257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news","tag-aid","tag-andrew-marr-show","tag-auckland","tag-australian","tag-bbc","tag-ben-wallace","tag-bill","tag-birthday","tag-bishop","tag-border","tag-border-control","tag-boris","tag-boris-johnson","tag-brexit","tag-britain","tag-british","tag-british-troops","tag-brussels","tag-budget","tag-cabinet","tag-camera","tag-campaign","tag-carbon","tag-carrie-symonds","tag-cash","tag-chancellor","tag-christmas","tag-climate-change","tag-conservative","tag-convicted","tag-culture","tag-cut","tag-delays","tag-dominic-cummings","tag-downing","tag-downing-street","tag-earth","tag-education","tag-election","tag-energy","tag-environment","tag-eu","tag-european","tag-european-union","tag-eye","tag-fans","tag-february","tag-feel","tag-first-minister","tag-football","tag-fund","tag-future","tag-government","tag-hell","tag-home-office","tag-human-rights","tag-immigration","tag-increase","tag-independence","tag-infrastructure","tag-international","tag-investment","tag-jacob-rees-mogg","tag-jeremy-corbyn","tag-killed","tag-labour","tag-landslide","tag-law","tag-laws","tag-liz-truss","tag-london","tag-lost","tag-majority","tag-marriage","tag-meeting","tag-michael-gove","tag-michel-barnier","tag-midlands","tag-migrants","tag-ministers","tag-minor","tag-mp","tag-mps","tag-negotiations","tag-nhs","tag-nicky-morgan-and-former-welsh-secretary-alun-cairns","tag-nicola-sturgeon","tag-north","tag-online","tag-parliament","tag-pledge","tag-pm","tag-politics","tag-prime-minister","tag-protest","tag-queen","tag-rail","tag-rees-mogg","tag-referendum","tag-release","tag-reshuffle","tag-results","tag-rishi-sunak","tag-russian","tag-sajid-javid","tag-sanction","tag-schools","tag-science","tag-scotland","tag-scottish","tag-sedgefield","tag-selfie","tag-sky","tag-snp","tag-speech","tag-split","tag-street","tag-sturgeon","tag-success","tag-summer","tag-sunak","tag-technology","tag-terrorist","tag-the-general","tag-theresa-may","tag-tories","tag-tory","tag-tory-mp","tag-trade","tag-trade-deal","tag-train","tag-trains","tag-troops","tag-uk","tag-union","tag-united-kingdom","tag-university","tag-us","tag-victory","tag-wales","tag-westminster","tag-will","tag-withdrawal-agreement","tag-work","tag-who","tag-young"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17257\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nsemgh.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}