Last Friday, the First Minister of the Welsh Government (WG), Mark Drakeford, announced the latest round of relaxations of the coronavirus restrictions in Wales. Taken overall, they are extremely welcome, ranging from the freedom to meet other households outdoors to … read the full article
Budget day is one of the two most important Parliamentary events of the year – the State Opening being the other. Last week’s, however, was even more important than usual. Chancellor Rishi Sunak came to the Commons facing two great … read the full article
As we witness the increasing, positive impact of the vaccination programme, with over 20 million now inoculated in the UK, it is important to consider how people’s livelihoods will continue to be secured after we emerge from lockdown. In North … read the full article
Last weekend, the country passed a significant milestone in the struggle against coronavirus. It was announced that over 15 million people had received their vaccination – almost everyone in the top four most vulnerable groups. The next aim of the … read the full article
Last week’s row with the European Union over vaccine supply struck an intensely sour note in what has otherwise been a welcome good-news story. The United Kingdom had shrewdly placed early orders for a wide range of vaccines, all of … read the full article
The success of the United Kingdom’s roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has been an unalloyed good-news story in what has otherwise been a bleak winter. The Government shrewdly placed very early orders for a wide range of vaccines, all … read the full article
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a public health catastrophe unrivalled by any other in living memory. Yet, like many other times of crisis, it is undoubtedly true that it is has brought out the best in people. The astonishingly swift development and … read the full article
The immediate post-New Year period frequently has a cathartic feel to it. The excesses of Christmas are over, and we can resign ourselves to a quieter period as we sit out the long, dark days of January, awaiting the first … read the full article
Speech: European Union (Future Relationship) Bill Second Reading Debate
The Bill that the House is considering this afternoon is crucial to the future of the United Kingdom and its relations with the European Union. It marks the end of a process that commenced just over five years ago when … read the full article
In normal years, I would be taking the opportunity of this article to wish all Weekly News readers a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year. This year, however, circumstances are far from normal. COVID-19 has dominated our lives over … read the full article