More than half of firms facing hiked business rates are already planning cutbacks March 20, 2017 Six out of 10 firms facing increased business rate bills are already planning cutbacks, new figures reveal. The revaluation of business rates is due to come into force next week, and after building pressure chancellor Philip Hammond introduced some transitional protections for firms in his Budget. However, a survey of London's firms has now laid [...]
Theresa May is embarking on a UK tour to galvanise Brexit support March 19, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May will kick off a nation-wide tour with a visit to Wales this week as part of a move to "strengthen and sustain the precious Union." Details of the trip were announced as Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon doubled down on her commitment to holding a second independence referendum. Dates for May's [...]
Theresa May ready to accelerate plans for energy market intervention March 19, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May could accelerate energy market reform, bringing forward plans within weeks after hinting at an intervention on Friday. A green paper on energy pricing had been expected next month, but now speculation is rife that it could emerge even sooner as Downing Street seeks to capitalise on growing momentum. Former Tory minister John [...]
Theresa May is taking business support for granted says Tim Farron March 19, 2017 Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has accused Prime Minister Theresa May of taking her party's support from the business community "for granted", and issued a stark warning to Conservative MPs to "defect or resign". Speaking at the Lib Dem's spring conference in York, Farron said that May had "hung out to dry her own backers in British [...]
Nicola Sturgeon says that Single Market membership is “the minimum” for Scotland March 19, 2017 Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to secure Scotland's membership in Europe's Single Market after last week declaring she would seek a referendum on independence. Last Monday, Sturgeon announced she would call on MSPs to back a motion demanding a vote on remaining within the UK by Spring 2019. Downing Street has already slapped down the [...]
George Osborne’s new job as Evening Standard editor will be scrutinised by parliament watchdog the Committee on Standards in Public Life March 19, 2017 George Osborne's surprise new job as editor of London newspaper the Evening Standard will be scrutinised by MPs. The Committee on Standards in Public Life, the watchdog which holds those in public life to account, will officially review the appointment in light of the former chancellor remaining an MP for Tatton, the Sunday Times reports. Read more: [...]
G20 finance ministers ditch anti-protectionist pledge and climate change commitment March 18, 2017 Finance ministers from the world's biggest economies have ditched an anti-protectionist commitment following opposition from the US. The annual G20 meeting of the 20 financial leaders closed without a set agreement on free trade after the US rejected past commitments regarding the open flow of goods. The leaders noted the importance of trade to the global economy, [...]
President Donald Trump says Germany “owes vast sums” to Nato after saying he had a “great meeting” with Angela Merkel March 18, 2017 President Donald Trump has said Germany "owes vast sums of money" to Nato and should also pay the US more for defending it. He made the remarks on Twitter, saying he had a "great meeting" with German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday. A video of the meeting showed him appearing to deny Merkel a handshake during a [...]
Gordon Brown has a third “patriotic” option in the debate over a second Scottish independence referendum March 18, 2017 Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has an alternative to full-blown independence from the UK, as the debate over a second Scottish referendum ramps up. During a speech in Fife, Brown suggested giving Holyrood vast new powers, including the responsibility of signing treaties with other European and setting VAT – as long as it stays in the UK. Read [...]
An anti-racism march is being held in London today by Stand Up to Racism to defend EU nationals’ rights and protest Trump’s ban March 18, 2017 Thousands are expected to take part in today’s anti-racism march in the capital to mark UN Anti-Racism Day and campaign for EU workers in the UK and against the “toxic scapegoating of migrants”. Organisers Stand Up to Racism said: “As Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 with ‘hard Brexit’ while contributing to the toxic [...]