Embed purpose into business so that it flourishes for the benefit of all February 27, 2017 UK business is at a critical juncture. Low investment and low productivity have been compounded by perceptions that their fruits are unequally shared. The government’s recent green papers on corporate governance and industrial strategy signal a serious intent to address these problems by revitalising the productivity of business, reorienting its focus onto the long run, [...]
Ministers probe plan to cut NI contributions for firms recruiting ex-offenders February 27, 2017 Ministers are exploring whether firms should be offered financial incentives to recruit ex-offenders. Options being considered include reducing National Insurance contributions if employers take on former prisoners. The plans emerged as part of the government's response to a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which calls on ministers to provide more support to ex-offenders. Read More: Ex-migration chief [...]
Labour is still embroiled in a decades-long battle to decide what it stands for February 27, 2017 Nearly 60 years ago Denis Healey delivered a speech to the Labour party conference that has since become famous among Britain’s left-leaning political activists and commentators. Labour had just suffered a bruising third-straight General Election defeat, with the Conservatives storming to a three-figure majority under the leadership of Harold Macmillan. “There are far too many [...]
Is the Home Office considering plans to hand new visa powers to an independent body after Brexit? February 26, 2017 The Home Office is reportedly considering handing new powers to an independent migration body to issue visas on a sector-by-sector basis. The Sunday Times reports that ministers are evaluating a plan to grant the Migration Advisory Committee powers to decide how many visas need to be issued for workers in key sectors after Brexit. The [...]
The MoD has been failing to pay suppliers on time, after installing new systems to do just that February 26, 2017 Ministry of Defence officials have been left red-faced after the implementation of a new system designed to make sure that suppliers are paid on time left some firms missing out for up to three months. The MoD launched the new system to make business with the department more efficient as part of a cross government bid to [...]
Labour has invited industry groups for an emergency summit on business rates tomorrow February 26, 2017 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has convened an emergency roundtable on business rates tomorrow in a bid to increase the pressure on the government to implement reforms. McDonnell will lead the summit alongside newly appointed shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, meeting with groups including the Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chamber of Commerce [...]
Almost 80 per cent of non-Labour voters say the party has the wrong leadership February 26, 2017 Almost 80 per cent of non-Labour voters do not believe the party has the right leader in Jeremy Corbyn, new polling figures show. Research published in the Sunday Mirror today shows an overwhelming 77 per cent of those who backed other parties in 2015 also dismissed Corbyn. A further 73 per cent said they do [...]
Philip Hammond enlists Mark Carney and Simon Kirby for first UK FinTech conference February 26, 2017 The government will host its first ever International FinTech conference as part of FinTech Week 2017, chancellor Philip Hammond announced today. City minister Simon Kirby and Bank of England governor Mark Carney will join the chancellor at the conference, which will feature panels and workshops as well as opportunities for UK FinTech firms to pitch [...]
Guess who’s coming to dinner? Nigel Farage joins Donald Trump for a meal after his Brexit speech February 26, 2017 Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been boasting of his close ties with US President Donald Trump again, posting a picture of the two sharing a meal last night. Farage was in the States to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, giving an address on the "global revolution" started by Brexit. After his speech, Farage sat down with The [...]
Michael Heseltine vows to fight the government on Brexit February 26, 2017 Conservative peer Lord Heseltine has vowed to fight Theresa May's government over Brexit, coming out in favour of opposition amendments to the Article 50 Bill. The Bill, which gives the government the power to begin Brexit talks, is being debated in the Lords, with next week set aside for discussions of amendments. Writing in the Mail on [...]