Brexit news – Latest updates at 5am from the past 12 hours
HERE is your daily briefing on all the Brexit and General Election news from the past 12 hours.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a fast track “NHS visa” for overseas doctors under new immigration plans to solve the health service’s staff crisis...
BoJo's NHS promise
The PM will announce the blockbuster plans as he visits a hospital in the east Midlands this morning on a whistle-stop election campaign tour of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Under the new scheme medical staff hoping to work in the UK will have their application whizzed through in just two weeks – with the visa fee half the normal price.
The proposals are part of Boris Johnson’s blueprint for an Australian points-based immigration system after Brexit – and was made to tackle concerns the NHS could struggle to attract staff.
Under the scheme, the cost of a visa for health professionals would be halved from £928 to £464, while applicants would be guaranteed a decision within two weeks.
Applicants coming to work in the NHS would receive preferential treatment with extra points under the points-based system, and no cap on numbers entering through the NHS route.
They would also be able to pay back the cost of the immigration health surcharge through their salary if the charge is not already covered by the NHS trust offering the job.
SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon's Labour will
Nicola Sturgeon is willing to do an election deal with Labour if Jeremy Corbyn agrees to a 2nd independence referendum next year.
The SNP chief issued Mr Corbyn with a long list of demands if he wants her to prop up a potential Labour government.
They included a 2020 indyref and granting Holyrood the power to block a trade deal with the US.
Launching her party’s election campaign in Edinburgh yesterday she warned Mr Corbyn she’ll “drive a hard bargain” in coalition talks to “lock the Tories out of government”.
Ms Sturgeon said she would demand further devolution of powers from Westminster and tell Labour to accept SNP policies on the economy, welfare, and the environment.
She said: “I’m not a big fan of Jeremy Corbyn, but we have to work with what we have before us.
“I can’t see the SNP being in a formal coalition but we would look to form alliances and we’d drive a hard bargain on issues we want to advance. “
Tories call for an election watchdog to probe Remainer pact
The Tories have called on an election watchdog to probe the Remainer pact over claims it is breaking the law.
Leaders of the Lib Dems, Greens and Plaid Cymru have announced plans not to run candidates against each other in 60 seats in an effort to keep out the Tories and Labour.
But Tory chairman James Cleverly has written to the electoral commission accusing the group of failing to register a third-party campaigner, The Telegraph reports.
Mr Cleverly also claims Unite to Remain breached third party spending limits and failed to publish their donations.
He told the commission: “I urge you to urgently investigate the activities of Unite to Remain and ask what pre-emptive measures can be considered to prevent a potential serious breach of electoral law.”
But Unite to Remain director Peter Dunphy has dismissed the claims.
He said the group has complied with all Electoral Commission’s rules and guidance, including applying to register as a third-party campaigner.
Labour MP put on blast
A Labour frontbencher has been blasted for claiming a Remembrance Sunday poppy wreath on expenses.
Marsha De Cordova, shadow minister for work and pensions, claimed £17 back from taxpayers for the floral tribute.
Tory MPs and military leaders slammed the tight-Labour MP, who is a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn.
The MP for Battersea issued a grovelling apology, telling the Sun it was an “administrative error” and she is “deeply sorry”.
The revelation comes just five days before the country will fall silent to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Tory MP Bob Stewart, a British Army officer who rose to become United Nations Commander during the Bosnian war, slammed the claim.
He stormed: “It was totally wrong of her to claim for a poppy wreath.
“Remembrance Sunday is about remembering those who have fallen in battle for whatever country they fought for as young men and women.
“It is wrong to claim for a wreath to commemorate.”
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