A report in the Irish Times last night revealed that Britain’s declaration that trade talks were done “was met with bewilderment in Brussels, not least because a deal is closer than ever before”.
"If you get arrested, make sure you come quietly."
Government bailouts may keep the lights on, but how cash was distributed - and who received it - has sparked criticism that ministers are either ignorant or apathetic about the industry they supposedly want to save.
Helen Whately - the health minister - revealed that “contractual penalties” were “not included in test-and-trace contracts with Serco”.
“Opening line from Govt: ‘We either do tier 3 with you or impose it'. And then absolutely nothing is offered to bring us on side because ‘there is no money’.”
“In a single week this Government is paying these senior consultants more than they pay an experienced nurse in a year."
"The anger and frustration isn't just that the response is failing, but that it's failing because the government refused to enable and invest in local authorities and public health teams and instead chose to pump billions into scandal-ridden contractors."
The PM's chief aide reportedly had a £30,000 council tax bill written off - leading to accusations that it is "one rule for them and another for everyone else".
“No matter what hits us, we’ll never lose our spirit and humour.”