Boris Johnson Faces Crucial Decisions on Local Restrictions and EU Trade Talks

Boris Johnson will make critical decisions on Friday regarding local Covid-19 restrictions in the north of England and the UK-EU trade talks, in what promises to be a busy day for the British government. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has called on Johnson to keep negotiating with the EU, saying that the bloc will need to compromise. Meanwhile, the UK's Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has signaled that the government is not ready to abandon the trade talks, and that there is still a deal to be done.

Key Takeaways:

• Boris Johnson is expected to make crucial decisions on Friday regarding local Covid-19 restrictions in the north of England and the UK-EU trade talks.
• Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has called on Johnson to keep negotiating with the EU, saying that the bloc will need to compromise.
• Dominic Raab, the UK's Foreign Secretary, has signaled that the government is not ready to abandon the trade talks, and that there is still a deal to be done.
• Local leaders in Greater Manchester and Lancashire are opposed to the imposition of tier 3 restrictions, which would see strict controls introduced in these areas.
• The government is under pressure to explain why Boris Johnson's plans for a press conference on Friday were scuppered at the last minute.

Statistics:

• 470 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Manchester (Angela Merkel).
• 15 October was the EU summit deadline for a free trade agreement between the UK and the EU (Boris Johnson).

Sources:

• Angela Merkel's call for Johnson to keep negotiating with the EU (BBC News).
• Dominic Raab's comments on the trade talks (BBC News).
• Local leaders' opposition to tier 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester and Lancashire (The Guardian).
• The UK government's decision regarding local restrictions (BBC News).
• The EU's statement on the deadline for a free trade agreement (BBC News).