Boris Johnson’s first PMQs: The verdict September 5, 2019 If Boris Johnson thought that things could get no worse after losing his first Commons vote, his majority, and his control over the parliamentary agenda in one fell swoop, he was sorely mistaken. In a near record-length PMQs yesterday, the new Prime Minister was well and truly ripped apart. First Jeremy Corbyn – displaying an [...]
PM’s election plan scuppered as Labour holds out until Halloween September 4, 2019 The Prime Minister has claimed Labour is running scared after losing yet another vote, this time on whether to hold an election. Facing the house after it was revealed he had failed to secure the required two-thirds majority for an election, Boris Johnson told MPs he could “only speculate as to the reasons” opposition leader [...]
Sajid Javid’s spending plans raise eyebrows at think tanks and business bodies September 4, 2019 Chancellor Sajid Javid today announced he would “turn the page on austerity” with the biggest increase in government spending for 15 years. Read more: Sajid Javid proclaims the ‘end of austerity’ in spending round In his first major announcement after taking the helm of the UK economy, Javid turned his back on the approach of [...]
Could there be a UK general election in 2019? September 4, 2019 Boris Johnson suffered his first parliamentary defeat as Prime Minister last night as 21 of his own Conservative MPs rebelled against him on a crucial bill – could he now call a UK general election? The PM lost a vote by 328 votes to 301 that means the Commons will today decide whether or not [...]
Chancellor Sajid Javid proclaims ‘end of austerity’ in spending round September 4, 2019 Sajid Javid has proclaimed the “end of austerity” with a new spending round that protects every government department, with an additional £2bn to spend on Brexit planning. The chancellor said he would “turn the page on austerity”, tipping the country to move from “a decade of recovery to a decade of renewal”. Read more: Javid [...]
Sterling surges above $1.22 after MPs rip up Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy September 4, 2019 The pound hit $1.22 against the dollar as it continued to rise after MPs defeated Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy in Parliament last night. Sterling hit $1.22 by lunchtime, helped by poor US manufacturing data, before falling back slightly. The pound is now hovering around $1.293, an increase of 0.89 per cent. Read more: [...]
Chancellor Sajid Javid accused of ‘kicking can down road’ over RPI verdict September 4, 2019 Sajid Javid has been accused of “kicking cans down roads” with his decision to delay plans to scrap or reform the Retail Price Index (RPI). The chancellor confirmed he would not consult on reforming or ditching the inflation measure until January 2020, and that any changes were unlikely to be made until 2025 at the [...]
Home secretary orders review which could bring Australian immigration system to Britain September 4, 2019 The government’s immigration advisers have been asked to review if Australia’s points-based migration system could work in the UK, months after the Prime Minister’s team said it the method he preferred. Home secretary Priti Patel yesterday wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee, asking it to look into the Australian system and others like it. Read [...]
Rebel, rebel: Boris Johnson faces day two of Brexit defiance September 4, 2019 Westminster is still reeling from the events of last night, which saw more than 20 Tory MPs, including two ex-chancellors, were sacked after rebelling against Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But today promises to be just as dramatic – with the creeping possibility that the country will be going to the polls once again. Read more: [...]
Cathay Pacific chair John Slosar resigns amid Hong Kong controversy September 4, 2019 The chairman of Cathay Pacific John Slosar has stepped down from his role and will be replaced by Patrick Healy. The Hong-based airline has been embroiled in controversies relating to the widespread pro-democracy protests in the city and has come under pressure from Chinese authorities to suspend staff who participate in the demonstrations. Read more: Cathay [...]