Boris Johnson news: Tory hardliners 'plotting to force no-deal', as Brexit recession warning issued and pound tumbles
UK faces 'one in three chance of recession' after EU departure, says Bank of England
Britain has a one-in-three chance of a recession even if there is an orderly exit from the EU, the Bank of England has warned as sterling fell to a new two-and-a-half year low against the dollar amid Brexit uncertainty.
It came as the newly appointed chief secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, cast doubt over the government's Brexit deadline, as he said Britain would "hopefully" leave the EU by 31 October.
Voters are also heading to the polls in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election that could see Boris Johnson's working majority in the Commons cut to just one if the Tories fail to hold on to the seat. The result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning.
This live article has now ended. Recap on how developments unfolded below
The pound fell to a new two-and-a-half year low against the dollar on Thursday and dropped a quarter of a cent against the euro.
Sterling sank 0.6 per cent against the dollar to below $1.21 after the US currency strengthened on the back of comments made by America's central bank chief.
Jerome Powell, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, indicated on Wednesday that he was not about to embark on a series of interest rate cuts as many analysts had predicted.
That boosted the dollar against other major currencies, particularly the pound which has been battered by Boris Johnson's plans for a no-deal Brexit.
Disposable plastic bag use in England’s main supermarkets has fallen by more than 90 per cent since the introduction of a 5p charge in 2015, according to new figures.
The average English shopper now uses just 10 bags a year, compared to 140 before the charge came in.
Government data suggests that more than 25 billion fewer single-use bags have been issued by the seven biggest food retailers in the three and a half years of the charge than if use had continued at previous rates of 7.6 billion a year.
In the latest of a string of positive polls for the new prime minister Boris Johnson, the pollsters Ipsos MORI found the Conservatives 10 points ahead of Labour - echoing similar results at the weekend.
The results, published in the Evening Standard, also suggests that a majority of voters (62 per cent) believe Jeremy Corbyn should be replaced as Labour leader before the next general election.
Here are the full results of Westminster voting intention
Tories - 34
Labour - 24
Liberal Democrats - 20
Brexit Party - 9
Green - 6
As the new PM tours the country extolling the virtues of leaving the EU without a deal in place, and his chancellor earmarks more money for the scenario should talks with the EU fail, the boss of BMW has told Boris Johnson to abandon the option.
Harald Krüger said it would be a "lose-lose" scenario, adding: Listen to the economy and listen to the people. You need to have a dialogue with business. I would visit Johnson to tell him this.”
The Bank of England has warned the UK faces a "one in three chance" of a recession even if there is a smooth exit from the European Union.
In its quarterly forecasts, the Bank said unresolved questions over Britain’s future relationship with the EU will slow the economy down over the coming year even if there is an orderly Brexit.
80 school cricket pitches have been closed since 2010, new figures have revealed on the first day of the 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia. Labour claimed the loss was a result of cuts to school budgets.
Independent MP Frank Field is to "make an announcement on his political future" tomorrow.
The former Labour MP resigned from the party last August over antisemitism and what he called "nastiness" in the party.
Mr Field, who chairs the Commons work and pensions committee, will make the announcement at noon tomorrow at Birkenhead Town Hall.
At least 60 Conservative MPs would vote down the current Brexit deal even if the controversial Northern Ireland backstop was removed, a prominent anti-EU Tory has suggested.
Mark Francois, vice-chair of the European Research Group (ERG) of Eurosceptic Tories, said there would be a "running parliamentary war probably for at least a month" if Boris Johnson tried to force through Theresa May's deal without the backstop.
Members of the ERG - thought to number about 60 MPs - would vote against the plan if this happened, he said.
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