Exclusive: ERG pulls back from publishing Brexit plans September 6, 2018 The pro-Brexit group of MPs the European Research Group has decided to pull back from publishing the first of its series of alternative proposals this weekend, City A.M. has learned. It had been widely reported that the ERG's alternative to Theresa May's Chequers proposal was to be drip fed throughout the month, starting on Sunday, [...]
EU Commission stresses ‘positive elements’ to Chequers proposal following claims that Michel Barnier had said it was ‘dead’ September 6, 2018 The European Commission has played down reports that Michel Barnier said the Chequers plans were “dead”, arguing that the EU's chief negotiator had found "positive elements" to the proposals. Yesterday Labour MP Stephen Kinnock revealed that during private talks Barnier had declared the proposals "dead in the water", claiming he had made it "crystal clear that Chequers is [...]
Operation Yellowhammer: Photo of secret Treasury document reveals no deal contingency planning September 6, 2018 A secret Treasury document detailing the government's no deal contingency planning, under the code name Operation Yellowhammer, warns of the importance in maintaining confidence "particularly… for financial services". The document, which was snapped by political photographer Steve Back being carried by City minister John Glen into a Whitehall meeting this morning, included a series of discussion points for [...]
Gloves are Boff: Conservative mayoral candidate Andrew Boff throws down gauntlet to rivals Shaun Bailey and Joy Morrissey on crime September 6, 2018 One of the three Conservative candidates for London mayor is to challenge his opponents to a live debate on crime, claiming they do not have "a consistent policy on this essential issue". Andrew Boff, who is currently a Conservative member of the London Assembly, is throwing the gauntlet down to rivals Joy Morrissey and Shaun [...]
Treason? Trump demands NYT hand over author of critical article September 6, 2018 US President Donald Trump has demanded the New York Times turn over an anonymous White House official who penned an article claiming staffers were behind a "quiet resistance" to his "detrimental" actions. In a series of late-night tweets the President blasted the "failing" newspaper, accused it of "treason" and called for the individual to be [...]
DEBATE: Should mobile phones be banned in schools to help children concentrate? September 6, 2018 Should mobile phones be banned in schools to help children concentrate? Jenny Afia, privacy lawyer and partner at Schillings and a member of the Children’s Commissioner’s Digital Task Force, says YES. Bravo to France for banning mobile phones in schools. We face a public health crisis in the UK with children glued to their screens, causing [...]
It’s hubris to believe that we can or should reshape the economy September 6, 2018 On Wednesday, the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, fronted the final report of the IPPR’s Commission on Economic Justice. It makes an interesting read, but is otherwise a completely over-the-top attack on current economic policy, with a wishlist of mainly unworkable policies attached. It begins with an examination of everything that the Commission – made [...]
The sugar tax is failing – let’s empower people to make their own choices instead September 6, 2018 It’s been five months since the so-called “sugar tax” was introduced, charging manufacturers a levy according to the amount of sugar in their drinks products. Ostensibly its aim was to combat obesity. But recent Nielsen data shows that the tax has had little impact on consumer behaviour. Around two thirds (62 per cent) of consumers [...]
A land levy would be far fairer than our punitive business rates September 6, 2018 We have by now all heard about the crisis facing our high streets, and the burden of business rates in particular. But while high-profile retail struggles like that of House of Fraser and Maplin have brought this issue into the headlines, the problems with this badly designed tax run far deeper. Contrary to what any economist [...]
Sterling jumps on report Germany and UK could offer key Brexit concessions September 5, 2018 The pound jumped today on reports that Germany and the UK may be prepared to offer key concessions in the Brexit negotiations. Germany and the UK will accept a less detailed deal on the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU in order to secure a withdrawal agreement and avoid a no-deal Brexit, [...]