What will it cost to refurbish our crumbling Houses of Parliament? February 25, 2019 From an engineer’s perspective, renovating historic or listed buildings is one of the trickiest projects you can undertake. Such is the case with the Palace of Westminster, which has long been unfit for purpose and is in dire need of a complete overhaul to bring it up to current working standards. It is a gargantuan [...]
Critics hit out at Sadiq Khan’s ‘blunt’ junk food advertising ban to tackle child obesity February 24, 2019 Sadiq Khan's advertising ban on junk food across London's transport networks has come into force today, as part of the mayor's bid to tackle child obesity in the capital. Junk food advertising will be banned on the London Underground and at bus stops across London following a public consultation in May which received 1,500 responses, with 82 [...]
With time running out for Theresa May’s deal, are we heading for a Brexit delay? February 24, 2019 MPs will once again march through the voting lobbies in parliament on Wednesday to give their views on Brexit. The motion put forward by Theresa May will only be an endorsement for her to carry on negotiating with Brussels in a bid to get legally binding changes to the Irish backstop plan. However, there is [...]
Competition regulator set to launch reforms to beef up consumer protection February 24, 2019 Consumer protection is set to be beefed up with bigger fines and disqualification for company directors under a new set of proposals to be announced tomorrow by the competition watchdog. The chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Lord Tyrie will announce a set of proposed reforms at an event with the business secretary Greg [...]
MPs in uproar as Theresa May delays Brexit meaningful vote February 24, 2019 Number 10 has confirmed reports that the Prime Minister will delay this week's meaningful vote on her Brexit deal. Theresa May told journalists on board a flight to Sharm El Sheikh that the meaningful vote on her Brexit deal will now be held by 13 March – just two weeks until the UK's scheduled exit date [...]
Jeremy Corbyn needs to change the Labour party to solve the ‘crisis for its soul’, says Tom Watson February 24, 2019 Tom Watson has said Jeremy Corbyn must change to resolve the "crisis for the soul of the Labour party” that has escalated with the loss of nine MPs to the Independent Group. Labour's deputy leader warned that the party's approach to tackle anti-semitism in the party had "very patently…not been adequate", and that the loss of nine [...]
Theresa May warns Brexit must not be frustrated amid Cabinet mutiny over no deal February 24, 2019 Theresa May has said the government must maintain an "absolute focus" of delivering Brexit after senior Cabinet ministers warned they could vote to delay article 50 to thwart the chance of leaving without a deal. The Prime Minister told Tory party activists over the weekend that government "must not, and I will not, frustrate what was the [...]
HMRC blames no-deal Brexit preparation for penalty letter delays February 23, 2019 The UK’s tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs, has said a delay in sending out penalty notices for the late filing of self-assessment returns is due to preparations for a no-deal Brexit. HMRC revealed on Friday in a technical publication that it would send out £100 penalty notices as late as 24 hours before higher [...]
Jeremy Corbyn will defend his Labour leadership at a rally on Saturday February 23, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn is set to defend his leadership of the Labour Party after nine MPs quit this week. The MPs quit to become independents with concerns over Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and the wider allegations of anti-semitism within the party. Corbyn is expected to remind supporters of the huge support he received at the 2017 [...]
Email to the Independent Group February 23, 2019 To: Independent Group members From: Paul Blanchard Date: February 23, 2019 Subject: Strictly confidential: PR advice for your new party Dear Members, Well done on having the guts to launch The Independent Group! It led the news agenda for that day and for much of the following days. You've already attracted new recruits and, at [...]