Taxes too high where you live? It’s time to vote with your feet October 4, 2019 Moving is the ultimate form of tax avoidance. It is legal and effective – although rather drastic. Often we think in terms of a person or business relocating from one country to another. Last year Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest businessman, decided to move to Monaco. In 2010, his company Ienos moved its headquarters to [...]
Sajid Javid: Why politics can learn from City meritocracy October 4, 2019 Sajid Javid retains a great affection for the City, describing it as a true meritocracy where all that really matters is how good you are at your job. Westminster, he adds, could learn a thing or two from the City’s efforts to promote and increase diversity. Read more: Sajid Javid pledges to raise National Living [...]
PM rows back from Brexit ‘final offer’ stance as EU calls proposal ‘problematic’ October 3, 2019 The government has rowed back from its original position that proposals published yesterday would be the “final offer”, as the European Union warns of “problematic points”. Boris Johnson took his place at the Despatch Box this morning, to tells the Commons that his proposals were a “genuine attempt to bridge the chasm”. Read more: Boris [...]
Boris Johnson: Brexit offer ‘is genuine’ attempt to bridge EU gap October 3, 2019 Boris Johnson has addressed MPs on his new Brexit offer, calling it a set of “constructive and reasonable proposals”. The Prime Minister said the plans for the Irish border “do not deliver on everything that we would have wished” but said they represented a compromise that would break the deadlock in parliament. Read more: MPs [...]
Speaker John Bercow loses voice ahead of Prime Minister’s Commons address October 3, 2019 House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has lost his voice on the day Boris Johnson is expected to set out his new Brexit proposals to MPs. Bercow appeared to struggle to speak this morning while taking questions in the Commons. “Order,” he said with a croak, provoking some laughter in the Commons. “It won’t last [...]
Commons to grill Boris Johnson over ‘final offer’ on Brexit October 3, 2019 The Prime Minister will face a grilling in the Commons today, after the government published its “final offer” to Brussels yesterday. Boris Johnson, who also confirmed plans to prorogue parliament for a second time in order to bring forward a Queen’s Speech, enjoyed rapturous applause in front of the party faithful after his conference speech [...]
Jennifer Arcuri blames media ‘attack’ for scrutiny over Boris Johnson relationship October 3, 2019 US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri has reportedly denied allegations that Boris Johnson helped her to win business grants and a visa. The tech entrepreneur said she was instead the victim of an “orchestrated attack” by media, according to comments in the Daily Mail, which spoke to her in Los Angeles. Read more: Allegations around Jennifer Arcuri [...]
Politicians live in a social media-driven world. Is this a good thing? October 3, 2019 It’s odd to see a constitutional crisis be upstaged by a disposable cup. Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Conservative party conference this week. Amid the platitudes, lanyards, and infighting, it was a simple receptacle that took centre stage. While TV cameras escorted Boris Johnson through the halls of Manchester Central Convention Complex on [...]
What do people want? Policies conceived by Dominic Cummings October 3, 2019 One of the criticisms frequently levelled at Number 10’s de facto chief of staff Dominic Cummings is that he has no ideology or long-term vision. Once Brexit is done, it is argued, he will disappear in a puff of smoke and leave Britain to stew in whatever mess he leaves behind. Beyond leaving the EU, [...]
Businesses don’t need Labour to adopt a more flexible work week October 3, 2019 Labour’s pledge at its party conference to introduce a four-day working week on five-day’s pay has grabbed headlines and been greeted with concern in some quarters and optimism in others. Questions abound from journalists and employers alike. How could this be achieved? Would it mean shutting offices and factories for a three-day weekend? How much [...]