Businesses are becoming better corporate citizens, so why is public perception lagging behind? June 28, 2019 When I left politics for business two decades ago, it was taken for granted that those who ran the country would be held more accountable than those who ran our companies. Today, in many cases, levels of scrutiny on business now seem more intense. Leave aside the fact that conduct and persistent policy failures which [...]
Jeremy Hunt tells Boris Johnson to stop getting Brexit facts wrong in blistering letter response June 27, 2019 Jeremy Hunt has accused Boris Johnson of getting important facts wrong in a searing attack on his Conservative leadership rival. The foreign secretary has sent a letter to Johnson accusing him of not being straight with people over Brexit, and reiterated his challenge of a head-to-head debate before ballot members in the leadership contest go [...]
‘Hurt and angry’ Labour MPs call on Jeremy Corbyn to sack Chris Williamson June 27, 2019 More than 90 Labour MPs and peers have called on Jeremy Corbyn to sack an MP readmitted to the party following a row over antisemitism. Derby North MP Chris Williamson was suspended by the party in February after he was filmed saying Labour had been “too apologetic” amid claims of antisemitic comments from a number [...]
Japanese firms ‘very concerned’ about prospect of no-deal Brexit, warns foreign minister June 27, 2019 Japan’s foreign minister has urged the UK to avoid a no-deal Brexit, admitting that Japanese firms are “very concerned” by the possibility. Taro Kono has warned the Tory leadership hopefuls, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, that a failure to agree on a withdrawal bill will have “very negative” implications for the 1,000 Japanese companies operating [...]
US and China ‘agree tentative trade truce’ ahead of G20 summit June 27, 2019 China and the US have reportedly agreed to a tentative truce in their ongoing trade war, two days before crucial talks at the G20 summit this weekend. Details of the agreement, which would scrap plans for a further round of US tariffs on an additional $300bn (£236bn) of Chinese goods, will be laid out in [...]
UK passes law to slash greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050 June 27, 2019 The UK has enshrined in law a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050, becoming the first major economy to legislate to curb its global warming contribution. That compares with a previous target to slash greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels. Read more: Is there any merit to [...]
Tory leadership race: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt reveal fresh pledges June 27, 2019 Boris Johnson has promised to deliver an Australian-style points-based immigration system as Prime Minister if he wins the Tory leadership race. Johnson vowed to be “tougher on those who abuse our hospitality” and restore the public’s trust in the UK’s immigration system. Read more: Like Boris, Jeremy Hunt should beware of promising spending splurges Meanwhile, [...]
Debate: Is there any merit to Labour’s ‘financial totalitarianism’ plans to tackle climate change? June 27, 2019 Q: Is there any merit to Labour’s ‘financial totalitarianism’ plans to tackle climate change? Yes – Angus Satow is co-founder of Labour for a Green New Deal. The free market is failing us. Despite enjoying free rein following Margaret Thatcher’s deregulation programme, the UK’s financial system has been completely unable to tackle the climate crisis. [...]
A bold pro-business Prime Minister should let Liz Truss shake things up June 27, 2019 There’s another month to go until we have a new Prime Minister, but pro-market Conservatives can already start breathing a sigh of relief. For a start, both contenders for the top job have pledged to cut tax. Jeremy Hunt has promised to cut the rate of Corporation Tax from 19 per cent to 12.5 per [...]
Like Boris, Jeremy Hunt should be wary of promising spending splurges June 27, 2019 Earlier this week, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) performed a useful public service, placing Boris Johnson’s spending proposals under the microscope. The less-than-glowing conclusion was that the plans would be immensely expensive, and have the side-effect of helping wealthy retirees more than current workers. Today, the IFS has done the same favour for rival [...]