news.sky.com Open in urlscan Pro
23.32.59.121  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

Skip to content
30 May

16°
11°
Watch Live
Menu
 * Home
 * UK
 * World
 * Politics
 * US
 * Climate
 * Science & Tech
 * Business
 * Ents & Arts
 * Travel
 * Offbeat
 * Analysis
 * Opinion
 * Videos
 * Weather

More
 * Home
 * UK
 * World
 * Politics
 * US
 * Climate
 * Science & Tech
 * Business
 * Ents & Arts
 * Travel
 * Offbeat
 * Analysis
 * Opinion
 * Videos
 * Weather


PLATINUM JUBILEE: BORIS JOHNSON POISED TO MARK CELEBRATIONS WITH POST-BREXIT
PLEDGE TO BRING BACK POUNDS AND OUNCES

During the 2019 election campaign Mr Johnson promised a new "era of generosity
and tolerance towards traditional measurements" and claimed measuring in pounds
and ounces was an "ancient liberty".

Jon Craig

Chief political correspondent @joncraig

Saturday 28 May 2022 22:09, UK



Image: Boris Johnson's pledge will be seen as an appeal to pro-Brexit voters in
Red Wall seats
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Why you can trust Sky News

Boris Johnson is poised to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a post-Brexit
pledge to bring back pounds and ounces in Britain's shops.

Whitehall sources have told Sky News he will announce on Friday that imperial
measurements are to be revived as part of a bonfire of EU regulations.

Sponsored link
 * 
   Shoes made to last. Velasca

Recommended by


His promise of legislation will be seen as "red meat" designed to appeal to
pro-Brexit voters in Red Wall constituencies and older Conservative supporters.

But it is likely to be ridiculed by Opposition MPs and denounced as a waste of
taxpayers' money. Some people under 40, used to metric, may also struggle with
yards or ounces.

At present traders are legally obliged to use metric measurements such as grams,
kilograms, milli-litres and litres when selling packaged or loose goods in
England, Scotland and Wales.

Advertisement

As opposed to the metric system of weight, in which 1,000 grams are equivalent
to one kilogram, under the imperial system there are 14 pounds in a stone and 16
ounces in a pound.



And for liquids, there are 20 fluid ounces in a pint and 160 fluid ounces in a
gallon, instead of metric's 1,000 millilitres in a litre.


MORE ON BORIS JOHNSON

 * Partygate: 'Not immediately obvious' investigation needed into alleged Carrie
   Johnson Downing Street lockdown party, minister says

 * Partygate: Drip feed of no confidence letters in PM as pressure grows after
   Sue Gray report

 * Partygate: Senior Tory Sir Bob Neill submits no confidence letter as number
   of MPs calling for Johnson to go ramps up


RELATED TOPICS:

 * Boris Johnson
 * Brexit
 * Platinum Jubilee

'An important step in taking back control of our national rules'

The revival of imperial measures comes after the prime minister's appointment of
Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg earlier this year as Brexit Opportunities Minister
with a brief to slash Brussels red tape.

But as far back as the 2019 election campaign Mr Johnson promised a new "era of
generosity and tolerance towards traditional measurements" and claimed measuring
in pounds and ounces was an "ancient liberty".

And in a policy paper entitled "Brexit Opportunities" last September, the
Cabinet Office vowed to "review the EU ban on markings and sales in imperial
units and legislate in due course".

Then Brexit minister Lord Frost declared: "Overbearing regulations were often
conceived and agreed in Brussels with little consideration of the UK national
interest. We now have the opportunity to do things differently."

And Business Minister Paul Scully added: "We are reviewing the EU ban on the use
of imperial units for markings so that businesses have more choice over the
measures they use.

"This is an important step in taking back control of our national rules, and we
will consult to ensure that we have the best evidence available on which to make
changes. An assessment of the economic impact on businesses will be carried out
in due course."


Image: The new post-Brexit will be part of the celebrations to mark the Queen's
70-year reign

Read more:
16,000 street parties to celebrate the Queen - find an event near you
Jubilee weekend Tube strikes are suspended after 'significant progress' made
over bullying allegations
Timings of events for Queen's weekend of celebrations revealed

The move is also a victory for "metric martyr" campaigners such as Sunderland
grocer Steven Thoburn, who waged a three-year legal battle after being
prosecuted for selling in pounds and ounces on his market stall in 2001.

Reaction from the primeminister's opponents and critics to his plans for an
imperial measures revival was scathing.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "To paraphrase - 'those whom
the gods seek to destroy they first make utterly ridiculous'."

And former Cabinet minister David Gauke tweeted: "The announcement of the return
of imperial measurements is an important recent tradition which we should all
celebrate. I'm already looking forward to the next time this is announced."


RELATED TOPICS

 * Boris Johnson
 * Brexit
 * Platinum Jubilee


Sponsored Links
 * 
   15 European Cities with Highest Quality of Life Far & Wide
 * 
   We Will Guess Your Education Level in 20 Questions https://themoneytime.com/
 * 
   [Fotos] Das wusstest du sicher noch nicht über Wonder Womans Kostüm Coming
   Soon

 * 
   8 Amazing Little-Did-You-Know Facts about Cats Goodnet
 * 
   Wie viel kostet es, einen Privatjet in Deutschland zu mieten? Die Preise
   könnten Sie überraschen Privatjets | Gesponserte Links
 * 
   This Japanese Method Removes Toxins Out Of The Body tech4-you.com

 * 
   Type 2 Diabetes? Do This Immediately (Watch) healthgoodtop
 * 
   Which Companies Offer Online Jobs From Home AskMoney
 * 
   Finden Sie Ergebnisse für Bearbeitungssoftware online Suchanzeigen



Sponsored
1/5
Finden Sie Ergebnisse für Hundebetten für große Hunde online
This Stray Cat Walked Into Hospital 'Asking' Doctors for Help!
[Fotos] 15 Fakten über das entzückende Kostüm von Wonder Woman
Der Preis für Ganzjahresreifen im Jahr 2022 könnte Sie überraschen
New Invention Charges Your Phone In Record Speed!
Finden Sie Ergebnisse für Hundebetten für große Hunde online
This Stray Cat Walked Into Hospital 'Asking' Doctors for Help!

This Stray Cat Walked Into Hospital 'Asking' Doctors for Help!
Goodnet
Read More
Recommended by

More From Sky
 * 
   Depp v Heard: Actress's $45m loss of earnings disputed as court told about
   'lack of chemistry' in Aquaman
 * 
   Prix Saint-Alary: Above The Curve claims Group One glory at ParisLongchamp
   for Ryan Moore and Joseph O'Brien



Sponsored Links
 * 
   5 Hacks to Raise Independent Kids Goodnet

Recommended by


 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * YouTube
 * Instagram

ABOUT SKY NEWS DOWN

 * About Us
 * Sky Data
 * Sky News International
 * Sky News Library Sales
 * Site Map
 * Editorial Guidelines
 * Supreme Court Live
 * Sky News Board

SKY NEWS SERVICES DOWN

 * Sky News RSS
 * Sky News For Your Phone
 * Sky News Radio

SKY CHANNELS DOWN

 * Sky 1
 * Sky Witness
 * Sky Atlantic
 * Sky Arts
 * Sky Cinema
 * Sky Sports

MORE SKY SITES DOWN

 * NOW
 * Sky Ocean Rescue
 * Sky Academy Studios
 * Bigger Picture
 * Sky Group
 * Sky Bet
 * Sky.com
 * Sky News Arabia
 * Advertise With Us

 * Terms & Conditions
 * Privacy & Cookies
 * Privacy Options
 * Accessibility
 * Contact Us

© 2022 Sky UK