It’s productivity, stupid: The chancellor must be bolder on the greatest threat to living standards March 7, 2017 Whenever a new Budget is in the offing, fiscal policy tends to take centre stage. But while an open and lively debate over the goals of fiscal policy in the coming year is to be welcomed, we should not forget about the economic problems that, lurking in the background, continue to afflict the country. In particular, [...]
Letter: Reform business rates entrepreneurs tell chancellor ahead of Spring Budget March 7, 2017 Entrepreneurs, startup founders and tech leaders have penned an open letter to chancellor Philip Hammond ahead of the Spring Budget calling for business rates reform. Dear chancellor, In recent years London has established itself as Europe’s top destination for technology startups. Our capital has gone above and beyond to welcome and nurture some of the [...]
Entrepreneurs and tech leaders urge chancellor to give startups business rate exemption in Spring Budget March 7, 2017 Entrepreneurs and tech leaders are urging the chancellor Philip Hammond to exempt newly created companies from business rates, adding their voice to a growing chorus of anger at the burden of an imminent rise in costs, and calls for reform. A three-year exemption would give startups breathing space and a chance to find their feet while [...]
Former chancellor Norman Lamont warns Brexit is “under attack” March 6, 2017 A former Conservative chancellor has warned that Brexit is “under attack”, calling on the House of Lords to “see sense”. Lord Lamont said yesterday that Prime Minister Theresa May should be allowed to begin official negotiations as soon as possible. Lamont, who supported exiting the EU, served as chancellor under John Major between 1990 and 1993, [...]
The government has vowed fresh action to stop women being told to wear high heels at work March 6, 2017 The government has petitioned high-risk sectors to warn employers away from demands for women to wear heels in the workplace. Junior equalities minister Caroline Dinenage revealed today that she had written to trade bodies in a raft of sectors, asking them to remind employers of their responsibilities. Sectors targeted include hotels and tourism, travels and [...]
Apprentices may bridge post Brexit labour shortages, employers’ campaign claims March 6, 2017 Apprentices can help bridge the gap of labour shortages if the UK loses access to skilled workers following Brexit, research by apprentice and graduate entry to work campaigners, The 5% Club, claims. In a survey of 200 UK employers, 89 per cent said that Brexit would make no difference to the number of apprentices they [...]
Donald Trump has removed Iraq from the list of countries affected by his new travel ban March 6, 2017 Donald Trump has removed Iraq from the list of countries barred from entering the US in a new executive order. The US President signed a new order today in private after his original ban on travellers from certain countries caused mass confusion and protest and was eventually blocked in courts. The new order also clears up uncertainty around [...]
Samsung accused of bribing South Korea’s president March 6, 2017 South Korean conglomerate Samsung has been accused by the state prosecutor of bribing President Park Geun-hye $37.19m (£30.34m) for her support on Samsung’s corporate activities including a merger and a public listing. According to the state’s special prosecutor, Park Young-soo, a 70-day probe has found that the president is responsible for several counts of illegality, including [...]
Less than half of Labour members say Corbyn should lead the party into the next election March 6, 2017 Less than half of Labour supporters say Jeremy Corbyn should fight the next general election, according to new polling. Just over a third of Labour backers said Corbyn should stand down immediately, and 14 per cent said he should quit ahead of the next election. And just 44 per cent of Labour members said the [...]
Downing Street says Theresa May won’t be publishing her tax return this year March 6, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has “no plans” to publish her tax return, Downing Street said today, despite the former home secretary previously doing so as part of her leadership campaign. May published a summary of her earnings last July as she battled it out to become Tory leader and Prime Minister, but Number 10 has [...]