UK halts £120m annual payments to Mauritius while reviewing Chagos Islands deal following US pressure and Conservative opposition.
The government has halted annual £120 million payments to Mauritius while reviewing the Chagos Islands sovereignty agreement, following criticism from Donald Trump during talks with Andy Burnham. The pause comes as Conservative opposition intensifies, with critics calling for the deal to be completely scrapped.
- ▪Annual £120m payments to Mauritius suspended pending full review of the Chagos Islands agreement
- ▪Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the deal cannot proceed without US support
- ▪Conservative Party calling for the agreement to be entirely abandoned
- ▪Trump raised concerns about the deal during recent meeting with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
- ▪Review led by former minister Alan Milburn examining worklessness and youth employment opportunities
- ▪Milburn has contacted 100 major firms requesting work placements and jobs for young people
- ▪Companies including Royal Mail, Octopus Energy, Greene King, and Lloyds Bank already participating in First Chance scheme
- ▪Government targeting businesses in rail, transport, and utilities sectors for job creation
Source: according to media reports
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