I helped write the manifesto — and now our skills agenda is more important than ever June 16, 2020 With Britain now facing economic challenges that were inconceivable just a few months ago, it’s worth reflecting on some of the ideas we will need to spur economic recovery in today’s very different world — including from the manifesto we wrote before the December 2019 election. I remember vividly that collective sense of elation as [...]
Beijing tightens controls amid ‘extremely severe’ second wave fears June 16, 2020 The Chinese capital of Beijing has put neighbourhoods under lockdown and upped testing in a bid to stop clusters of new coronavirus infection developing into a second wave. Parts of Beijing were fenced off last night, with security checkpoints set up to prevent people from leaving the city as more than 100 new cases were [...]
British public supports calls for online gambling restrictions June 16, 2020 The British public overwhelmingly supports calls by MPs for restrictions to online gambling, new research has shown, as the betting industry this week gears up for the return of televised sporting events. Data released today by polling firm Survation revealed that 82 per cent out of 1,525 people surveyed support limits to online gambling spending. [...]
Brexit: Boris Johnson says ‘a bit of oomph’ is needed in trade talks June 15, 2020 Boris Johnson and the heads of the EU have agreed that “new momentum” is needed in trade negotiations for a deal to be struck by the 31 December deadline. In a joint statement issued after their Brexit summit today, leaders of the UK and EU said they needed to “intensify the talks in July and [...]
Dominic Raab hits out at HSBC over its support for Hong Kong security legislation June 15, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has lashed out at HSBC’s stance on proposed security legislation in Hong Kong, saying the government “will not sacrifice the people of Hong Kong over the altar of banker bonuses”. Raab said the UK had a “historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong to protect their autonomy and protect their [...]
MPs call for total ban on gambling adverts ahead of Premier League restart June 15, 2020 A group of more than 50 MPs and peers has called for a total ban on gambling adverts in a new report that urges for a wide-scale overhaul of British gambling laws. In a report set to be published tomorrow, a cross-party group of MPs will urge the government to enforce tighter controls on the [...]
Johnson launches commission to tackle racism in the UK June 15, 2020 Boris Johnson has announced a cross-government commission to examine racial inequality in the UK following weeks of Black Lives Matter protests. Writing in the Telegraph, the Prime Minister said “no-one who cares about this country” could ignore the anti-racist protests that have swept the country in response to the killing of George Floyd last month. [...]
Robert Jenrick looks to publish documents on ‘unlawful’ planning decision June 15, 2020 Under fire housing secretary Robert Jenrick has said he would seek to publish documents related to his controversial decision to approve a £1bn housing development. Jenrick told MPs today that he would “take advice” from his department’s top civil servant on “what further documentation we might be able to publish”. The housing secretary has come [...]
No set timescale for two-metre social distancing review June 15, 2020 There is no set timescale for the government’s review into the two-metre social distancing rule in England and a decision is “weeks away”, according to Downing Street. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told journalists today that it would be a “comprehensive review”, but gave few details on what would be included. “It will be a [...]
Treasury mulls over temporary VAT cut to boost economy June 15, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering a temporary VAT cut to help boost consumer demand and confidence. The Treasury is considering either a blanket cut in VAT or a more targeted reduction in a bid to stimulate the faltering economy. The measure would mirror the temporary VAT cut taken by former chancellor Alastair Darling during the [...]