#SorryNotSorry : Read Night Tsar Amy Lame’s “gritted teeth” apology November 24, 2016 London's new night tsar Amy Lame has risked a fresh backlash by issuing a half-hearted apology to Tory councillors over her controversial comments on social media. Questions have been raised over Lame's appointment by her use of Twitter to brand Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson “scum”, celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher and fantasise about “bitch-slapping” David [...]
Last surviving WWI submarine hunter looks doomed for scrap after failing to secure Autumn Statement funding November 24, 2016 The HMS President's fate is looking uncertain, after a bid for Libor funding was turned down in Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement. Now she faces the prospect of being scrapped in the coming weeks. A parliamentary motion was submitted in an effort to signpost its value as a heritage site as one of the UK's last three [...]
Ukip fell behind the BNP in the latest donations figures November 24, 2016 Ukip has experienced a staggering reduction in political donations since the European referendum, with new figures showing it has received less financial support than the British National Party. Nigel Farage's party received just £42,943 according to the most recent quarterly numbers from the Electoral Commission. It means the party received less than half the donations [...]
Tony Blair says Brexit could be stopped November 24, 2016 Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that Brexit may still be halted if concerns around its impact continue to increase. Yesterday, the Office for Budget Responsibility warned the decision to quit the EU would have a substantial impact on the UK's finances. And speaking to the New Statesman, Blair has said that the summer's [...]
Nigel Farage is moving to the US, according to reports November 24, 2016 Nigel Farage is said to be planning to follow in the footsteps of millions of immigrants throughout history, with a move to the United States. The interim Ukip leader has told friends that he and his wife are planning to emigrate, the Times has reported. The news comes the morning after Farage attended a party held [...]
Steady as she goes from Spreadsheet Phil November 24, 2016 It can't have been easy for George Osborne to watch his successor abolish one of the former chancellor’s favourite political devices. Philip Hammond ended his sober assessment of the public finances yesterday by declaring that the Autumn Statement will be no more. “No other economy makes hundreds of tax changes twice a year, and neither should [...]
Sadiq’s controversial Night Tsar has issued an apology to six London Tory councils November 23, 2016 Sadiq Khan’s controversial new Night Tsar has apologised for a back-catalogue of offensive tweets in a bid to build bridges with Conservative-controlled London boroughs. Amy Lame’s appointment has been mired in criticism since it was announced in early November. In particular, questions have been raised over Lame using Twitter to brand Scottish Tory leader Ruth [...]
Philip Hammond has gifted Britain a third decade of gross fiscal irresponsibility November 23, 2016 If it ever truly began, it really does look like the era of austerity is over. After the savage cuts of George Osborne’s days, when current spending was slashed by an eye watering 0.2 per cent, Philip Hammond has decided enough is enough. The borrowing forecasts from yesterday’s Autumn Statement were diabolical. A surplus is now not [...]
The chancellor’s new investments should boost productivity – but the next few years are going to be tough November 23, 2016 Philip Hammond kept the nation in suspense as to the new government’s priorities for the economy until the Autumn Statement, and generally it was worth the wait. The chancellor proved a bigger spender, focusing on one of the fundamental challenges facing the UK economy beyond Brexit – productivity. If the UK is to forge a [...]
Was the Autumn Statement a missed opportunity to tackle Britain’s housing crisis? November 23, 2016 Jeremy Leaf, a former RICS residential chairman, says Yes. As expected, the chancellor’s speech contained no reversal of stamp duty changes, withdrawal of mortgage interest relief proposals for landlords, or assistance for downsizers. This was despite the potential benefits for the wider economy of lower taxes, greater job mobility and more housebuilding. No measures were [...]