Prime Minister Theresa May blames the sinking pound on media reports of a looming “hard Brexit” January 10, 2017 Theresa May has blamed the fall in sterling on press reports that she is planning a so-called hard Brexit. The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since October yesterday, after the Prime Minister heavily implied the UK will not stay in the Single Market after Brexit. Sterling dropped from $1.229 at the [...]
Corbyn calls for an historic return to state aid programmes and an end to freedom of movement from the EU January 9, 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wants a return to state aid programmes in the aftermath of Brexit, and has insisted his party is not "wedded" to European freedom of movement. Making a landmark speech tomorrow, Corbyn will lay out Labour's vision for Britain once the country has left the EU. "Britain can be better off after [...]
Senior Tory MP Andrew Tyrie is demanding details in Theresa May’s Brexit plans January 9, 2017 Senior Tory Andrew Tyrie is demanding the government explains its hopes for the Single Market as part of a Brexit plan promised last year. Last year, Prime Minister Theresa May committed to revealing more on the UK goals ahead of triggering Article 50, and now Tyrie, who chairs parliament's influential Treasury Committee, is demanding that any [...]
Tories slam Khan over zero strikes vow and “woeful” understanding of London transport January 9, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been slammed by London and home counties Tories over today's tube strike, with Khan accused of a “woeful” understanding of the capital's transport. Tube station workers have been on strike throughout the day, with many Londoners suffering extended commutes both to and from work. Although the strike formally finishes at [...]
Martin McGuinness resigns as Northern Ireland deputy first minister January 9, 2017 Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has resigned. McGuinness has helped to lead the assembly in Belfast since 2007, but is stepping down over first minister Arlene Foster's handling of a growing scandal involving incentives provided to businesses to use renewable heat systems, such as biomass boilers, on their premises. In his resignation letter, McGuinness said: [...]
Nuclear strike: Decommissioning workers to vote on industrial action over pensions January 9, 2017 The UK could be facing industrial disputes at nuclear power plants after unions agreed to ballot decommissioning workers over a potential strike. Workers at plants including Sellafield could launch industrial action after the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority kicked off a statutory consultation over changes to final salary schemes for staff at 19 sites across the UK. Read more: Engineering union Prospect swells to [...]
Theresa May calls for a “new partnership” with employers on mental health January 9, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has called for a "new partnership" between government and industry on mental health as part of a speech laying out her broad agenda for the UK. Speaking at the Charity Commission today, May brought together housing, mental health, industrial strategy and Brexit as part of her programme to create a "shared society". [...]
Ireland hard border with UK could be inevitable after “pig in a poke” Brexit says top Irish diplomat January 9, 2017 A hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland could be inevitable if the UK leaves the EU’s Single Market, according to an influential Irish diplomat – while saying Leave voters in the EU referendum were “sold a pig in a poke”. Speaking in an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, Phil Hogan, the EU commissioner [...]
Why unleashing competition would deliver lower fares and greater choice to rail passengers January 9, 2017 The UK’s rail passengers are suffering, and will no doubt continue to do so over the coming months. Union action is bringing the network to a standstill, with further strikes planned for this week. The level of sickness leave among train staff has also been mysteriously increasing, and has doubled compared to pre-strike levels, according [...]
The average price of leasing popular cars surges eight per cent in two months thanks to post-Brexit vote inflation January 9, 2017 While the process of Britain leaving the European Union hasn't yet started, the wheels are already in motion for a rise in the cost of cars to consumers. The monthly cost of leasing a basket of some of the more popular car models has risen by an average of eight per cent, from £245.70 to £264.70, [...]