Ministers put regional infrastructure plans in the spotlight ahead of “largest ever” Qatari business summit March 13, 2017 Ministers are hoping to secure a cash injection for the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine projects when the UK plays host to the biggest investment and business forum ever held with Qatar later this month. Qatar is the UK's third largest export market in the Middle East, accounting for £35bn of investment into the UK, and Prime Minister Theresa [...]
David Davis warns MPs not to tie Theresa May’s hands ahead of historic debates on Brexit legislation March 13, 2017 Brexit secretary David Davis has told MPs not to “tie the Prime Minister's hands” by approving amendments to the Article 50 Bill as the UK embarks on an historic week in which the government could kickstart the process of leaving the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May might trigger Article 50 as soon as tomorrow as [...]
Boris Johnson warns Russia is “up to all sorts of dirty tricks” and could undermine the UK’s democratic process March 12, 2017 Boris Johnson has warned Russia is "up to all sorts of dirty tricks" following an intelligence report that told political parties to protect themselves against potential cyber attacks. The foreign secretary said there's "plenty of evidence" Vladimir Putin's government is capable of undermining Britain's democratic process, and he accused the Kremlin of bringing down French TV stations, [...]
Charlotte Hogg may get a roasting from the MPs mulling whether she is fit for her job at the Bank of England, as banks slam her slip in ethics March 12, 2017 Charlotte Hogg's fate as a deputy governor at the Bank of England is facing renewed pressure, as MPs are busily mulling whether she is fit for her role. Hogg has come under fire in recent weeks for failing to declare her brother's job at Barclays as a potential conflict of interest. Prior to her promotion, she [...]
Brexit rebels in the Lords must be prepared to back down admits Heseltine March 12, 2017 Tory peer and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine has warned the House of Lords against waging a long-running battle to make changes to the Article 50 Bill. The unelected chamber installed two amendments to the legislation, on protections for the rights of EU nationals, and offering parliament a “meaningful” vote on any new trading relationship with the EU. [...]
Brexit secretary David Davis says ministers are planning for “all possible outcomes” of EU talks March 12, 2017 Brexit secretary David Davis has moved to reassure MPs that the government is undertaking contingency planning on Brexit, after a critical report called for more preparations. The Foreign Affairs select committee today warned "a complete breakdown in negotiations represents a very destructive outcome leading to mutually assured damage for the EU and the UK", and [...]
Article 50: Six risks of a Brexit “no deal”, as MPs warn Theresa May to plan now for negotiation failure March 12, 2017 "No deal is better than a bad deal" Theresa May famously said, outlining her big plans for Brexit last month. But now an influential group of MPs have told the Prime Minister she better start planning for a "no deal" scenario just days before she's expected to start the firing gun on the UK's official exit [...]
Hammond slammed for “rookie error” over national insurance contributions March 11, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has been criticised for making a "rookie error" with his plans in increase national insurance contributions for the self employed. Former Conservative chancellor Norman Lamont has raised concerns that Hammond's first spring budget has ruined the party's image for pursuing low-tax policies. The changes will mean up to 1.6m people will face [...]
A poll shows after the Budget, the Conservatives have their strongest lead in eight years March 10, 2017 Philip Hammond's Budget speech may have led to angry headlines, but many voters shrugged off his controversial plans to hike national insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed, a new poll has shown. The poll, conducted by YouGov for The Times, showed 47 per cent of voters supported Hammond's decision to raise £2bn by hiking NICs for those [...]
Tim Martin, chair of JD Wetherspoon, says the Budget didn’t do enough for Britain’s pubs March 10, 2017 JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has hit back at chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget, arguing it doesn't do enough to support pubs from increasing cost pressures. Wetherspoon's share price dipped in morning trading as investors took note of Martin's warning that lower sales and increased costs in the second half of the year will hit the [...]