Brexit benefit
THE historic trade deal with the United States is a lifeline for Britain’s hard-hit manufacturing industry.
It safeguards thousands of jobs in exporting through the easing of Donald Trump’s brutal import tariffs.
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Steel workers will be relieved that the stricken industry — on the brink of collapse just a few weeks ago — has won an exemption from the crippling charges.
Britain’s motor industry, which sustains 250,000 jobs, will also escape the worst excesses of President’s Trump’s tariff tantrum, with the 27.5 per cent levy cut to 10 per cent for the first 100,000 cars, about the limit of what we export.
While undoubtedly concessions will be hidden in the fine print — and Britain is still worse off overall than before Trump unleashed his “Liberation Day” barrage — we at least beat the EU to a deal.
Sir Keir Starmer kept a cool head while European leaders were crying blue murder, and it paid off.
A reminder to the Prime Minister though: this historic agreement was, as President Trump pointed out, only possible “because of Brexit”.
He must not imperil our freedom to do more trade deals by signing up to a botched “reset” with the European Union later this month.
Inn trouble
HAS anyone in government totted up the bill for housing asylum-seekers in hotels?
It would appear not, as the Home Office now admits the actual cost was three times higher than first thought.
For months we’ve been told the forecast bill for putting up migrants, who mostly arrived illegally in small boats, was £4.5billion for the period 2019-29.
Now a report by Government auditors says it’s more like £15.3billion.
That’s more than the £14billion savings squeeze Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her Spring Budget.
It’s little wonder there’s no money left to fill in potholes, empty our bins regularly or restore pensioners’ winter fuel allowance.
Echo of history
EIGHTY years to the second after George VI went on the wireless to make his royal victory address, his grandson went on TV last night to echo his message of hope.
King Charles was speaking, however, at a time when the era of peace heralded by VE Day is much less secure.
This week’s anniversary celebrations have given the nation time to honour our past and reflect on the future.
The diminishing number with a childhood memory of VE Day are mostly now in their 90s.
And only 1,200 of the three million who fought in World War Two are still alive.
But as living memory fades into history one thing is sure: We will remember them.