Founding Fathers 1, populists 0: The US constitution is taming Trump February 20, 2017 “Through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory.” – John Adams to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776, after Congress voted for Independence “Good people don’t go into government.” – Donald Trump Donald Trump’s first month in office ended with a bizarre, rambling press conference that made incompetence into a [...]
We won’t build a Global Britain with the highest taxes on air travel in the world February 20, 2017 The Prime Minister – in her Lancaster House speech last month – set out her vision for Brexit and her goal of “a truly global Britain”. She has been clear that she seeks to lead “a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe” and “a country that goes into the world to build relationships”. [...]
It’s lift off for government plans to bolster UK space sector as new legal powers could soon send scientists into space February 20, 2017 New powers unveiled this week will allow British scientists to fly to the edge of space to conduct medical experiments. UK scientists could research and develop vaccines and antibiotics up in space, which grow differently where there is no gravity. The government said today that the powers will allow the launch of satellites from the [...]
Improved fiscal outlook for the chancellor as he prepares the Spring Budget February 20, 2017 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is expected to provide some “fiscal cheer” for the chancellor, with a forecast showing greater growth for the economy and lower borrowing costs. According to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club, forecasted GDP figures for 2017 are expected to be revised upwards, from 1.4 per cent to 1.6 or 1.7 [...]
The HS2 cost for taxpayers could top £90bn, warns the TaxPayers’ Alliance February 20, 2017 HS2 costs could top £90bn, if the high-speed rail project follows in the footsteps of other government-managed, large infrastructure projects, according to a think tank. The TaxPayers' Alliance has warned that taxpayers should "take no comfort" in government insistence that HS2 will be delivered on budget, given an "appalling track record". Ministers had said the London 2012 [...]
Downing Street was up for a fight over the now scuppered $140bn Kraft Heinz-Unilever mega deal February 20, 2017 Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be. Many of us spent the weekend chewing over the early manoeuvres of what would have been one of the largest corporate deals ever, but by Sunday evening Kraft Heinz declared it was “amicably” walking away from its audacious bid to scoop up Unilever. In just 48 hours, a [...]
Will Marine Le Pen’s Front National provide Europe with its next big political shock? February 19, 2017 With Marine Le Pen’s hard-right Front National leading the polls just over two months away from France’s presidential election, some have already marked May in their calendars as the next political shock in Europe. Is the result a foregone conclusion and what does it all mean for the UK in any case? Polling Day France [...]
Khan says Trump’s visit should be scrapped over “cruel and shameful” travel ban February 19, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May should scrap plans for US President Donald Trump to visit the UK over his “cruel and shameful” policies, London mayor Sadiq Khan has said. Trump was offered a state visit to the UK just days after being elected, but the plan has proved controversial, with protests erupting over the President's attempts to ban [...]
Tech leaders call for new post-Brexit visa to avert talent crisis February 19, 2017 The UK's tech leaders are calling for a new visa scheme to avert a potential skills crisis in the industry caused by Brexit. The government should create a new minimum six-month high-skilled visa to ensure the fast growing sector has access to talent after the UK leaves the European Union, as new figures reveal a [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May to work on new domestic violence law February 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will be leading work on a new law on domestic violence and abuse. There is an “unacceptable diversity” in the way domestic abuse is handled by police forces around Britain, Downing Street said in a statement. Along with her efforts to tackle modern slavery, domestic abuse is an [...]