Sunday newspaper round-up: Boris' NHS pledge, Cobham, Uber, Brexit

The new prime minister has used a boost in health funding as part of an attempt to build a domestic agenda beyond Brexit, with his team well aware that they could be forced into an election this year. But experts have already warned that the fund may not be enough even to cover the upgrades Johnson has already promised.

Full details of the plan are set to be revealed on Monday, but it is understood the new funds will be directed straight to the front line for new beds and updated equipment. It is also set to include upgrades to wards and some building repairs. - The Guardian

The cabinet minister in charge of negotiating a new US trade deal met with a series of rightwing American thinktanks to discuss deregulation and the benefits of “Reaganomics”, new documents have revealed.

Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, had a number of meetings with libertarian groups that have championed parts of Donald Trump’s deregulatory agenda and tax cuts.

New details of her three-day visit to Washington last September have been uncovered by Greenpeace’s investigative journalism team, Unearthed. Truss met senior representatives from the Heritage Foundation, a thinktank committed to shrinking the state and cutting environmental regulation, to discuss “regulatory reform”. Also at the meeting was the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Both groups were part of the “shadow trade talks” project, designed to advocate a wide-ranging US trade deal allowing the import of American goods currently banned in Britain. - The Guardian

Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker allegedly “smuggling fuel” to unspecified Arab states, according to state media.

"The IRGC's naval forces have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was smuggling fuel for some Arab countries," Press TV reported, referring to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and quoting IRGC commander Ramezan Zirahi as saying. - The Independent

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has urged the so-called “Gaukeward squad” of pro-European Tory former ministers to “stand up and be counted” on Brexit – because she fears not enough of them will try to stop Boris Johnson crashing the UK out of the EU without a deal.

Ms Swinson said the coming weeks represent a “big test” for Conservative MPs who recognise the risk of no-deal but have so far held back from rebellion. - The Independent

Gavin Williamson is facing calls to pay back thousands of pounds to the taxpayer amid claims that he profited financially from being sacked as defence secretary.

The new education secretary returned to the government when Boris Johnson assumed office last month but was still receiving severance pay after leaving his previous cabinet job less than three months earlier.

Mr Williamson was dismissed by Theresa May in May after being accused of leaking details of national security discussions about the role of Chinese telecoms company Huawei in the UK. - The Independent

The chairman of the Conservative Party has failed to rule out a general election amid growing speculation that Boris Johnson is preparing to go to the polls later this year.

James Cleverly said that the government would not “initiate” a general election but his comment follows speculation that a rush of spending commitments, including to spend an extra £1.8 billion on the NHS, means the party is preparing for an election. - The Sunday Times

The founding family of defence company Cobham has urged the government to block its £4bn takeover by an American private equity firm, claiming the deal jeopardises the national interest.

The board of the FTSE 250 stalwart, the country’s third-biggest independent defence manufacturer, has backed the acquisition by Advent International.

Lady (Nadine) Cobham, whose late husband Sir Michael ran the firm and was the son of founder Sir Alan Cobham, has written to defence secretary Ben Wallace and business secretary Andrea Leadsom asking them to intervene. - The Sunday Times

The favourite to be the next governor of the Bank of England has fired a shot across Boris Johnson’s bows, warning politicians not to interfere in its running.

Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, said the Bank’s independence must be maintained, calling it a “core underpinning” of economic stability.

The prime minister and his lieutenants have repeatedly criticised the Bank and its warnings over the impact of a no-deal Brexit, with Johnson calling on outgoing governor Mark Carney to be “a little more positive” about Britain’s options on leaving the EU. - The Sunday Times

Uber is set to be turned down for a long-term licence by London’s transport bosses when its probationary period runs out next month.

The ride-hailing service is likely to be granted another temporary permit of less than two years rather than the five-year licence it was seeking, according to Sky News.

Transport for London revoked Uber’s licence to operate in the capital in 2017, citing concerns over its approach to background checks on drivers and its reporting of criminal offences. Uber was granted a 15-month licence in June last year after a successful appeal. - The Sunday Times

Nationwide Building Society has come under fire for emailing 1.3million savers with a 'summary' of their accounts showing they all had balances of zero.

Nationwide has apologised for the distress and confirmed other customers had been in touch about their zero balance.

It explained that a change from an annual summary sent in the post in previous years called Savings Promise to an emailed alternative known as SavingsWatch meant it could no longer include balance details. - The Mail on Sunday