Citizens assemblies are no solution to the climate challenge — we need innovation February 26, 2020 At first sight, long-term swings in individual seats in Australian elections are a definite niche interest, one for the real trainspotter. But during a visit to Sydney University’s Complex Systems Institute, I noticed a fascinating piece in The Australian newspaper. The Australian Labor Party had a good result in the 2007 federal elections, and a [...]
Exclusive: Javid to make first statement since exit February 26, 2020 Sajid Javid will today make a short statement in Parliament, his first public intervention since he resigned as chancellor just under a fortnight ago. Javid stepped down after being asked to fire his aides by the Prime Minister as part of a drastic reorganisation of Number 10 and 11 Downing Street. Refusing, Javid said “no [...]
IFS: Borrowing could surge to five-year high February 26, 2020 The UK’s borrowing could balloon to £63bn next year, a five-year high well above both the most recent forecast and this year’s borrowing figure, an influential think tank has said. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) also warned that the government would “undermine any credibility” in its spending rules if it ditches its pledge to [...]
Prime Minister announces foreign policy “overhaul” in biggest review since Cold War February 25, 2020 Boris Johnson will today launch a fresh review into Britain’s foreign and defence policy, as he seeks to redefine the nation’s national security position post-Brexit. The Integrated Review, which will look into the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policies, is set to be the largest government-led review since the end of the Cold War. It [...]
Stage set for new Brexit collision as UK and EU clash over level-playing field February 25, 2020 The stage is set for a head-on collision during the first round of trade talks between the UK and EU next week, with both sides standing firm over the level-playing field. Brussels published its negotiating mandate this afternoon, having been signed off by the EU27 member states, reaffirming its position that the UK must agree [...]
Gina Miller calls for review of Andrew Bailey’s Bank of England role after ‘toxic’ FCA tenure February 25, 2020 Campaigner and asset management boss Gina Miller today called for a review of Andrew Bailey’s appointment as governor of the Bank of England after his “toxic” tenure as head of the City watchdog. Miller’s True and Fair campaign today published as a report called “Asleep at the wheel” about the string of City scandals during [...]
EU keeps demands on level-playing field as it publishes mandate ahead of trade talks February 25, 2020 The EU has stressed there must be no reduction in “common” standards on food, environment and labour laws as it publishes its negotiating mandate for the second stage of Brexit. The mandate, published after being signed off by the EU 27, says a deal will be dependent on both sides agreeing to maintain the level [...]
Lord Steel quits after report finds authorities ‘turned a blind eye’ to Westminster child abuse claims February 25, 2020 Liberal Democrats peer Lord Steel has quit today, after an inquiry criticised him for failing to report child sex abuse claims against the late MP Cyril Smith. The former Liberal party leader said he would retire from the Lords “as soon as possible”, after the report accused Steel of an “abdication of responsibility” for failing [...]
Fuming: Foreign Office names and shames embassies for unpaid congestion charges February 25, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) is owed more than £116m of unpaid congestion charges by diplomatic officials, with the US embassy leading the way. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office released the figures today, showing that the US embassy had accumulated a total of 102,225 unpaid congestion charges, which adds up to £12.44m in lost revenue for [...]
Is the SFO giving executives an easy ride in bribery cases? February 25, 2020 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has developed a lucrative model of targeting large companies in bribery and corruption cases, striking a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) to suspend criminal charges and extracting a sizeable financial penalty. Last month, the SFO agreed a €991m (£831m) DPA with planemaker Airbus as part of a €3.6bn deal with prosecutors [...]