Former MPC member and Labour adviser David Blanchflower has launched a searing attack on Labour under Jeremy Corbyn August 2, 2016 Former Monetary Policy Committee member David Blanchflower has launched a searing attack on Labour and party leader Jeremy Corbyn after backing his rival Owen Smith. Blanchflower served on Labour's economic advisory committee, but quit in June over the party's failure to effectively campaign against Brexit. And he has now hit Corbyn with another scathing blast, [...]
Ed Balls. Former Labour MP priced as 100/1 outsider as Strictly rumours mount August 2, 2016 Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls is rumoured to be joining Strictly Come Dancing this year, but the Labour man has already been priced as a 100/1 outsider. Rumours are growing that the former Morley & Outwood MP will join the show, although the BBC says any suggestions are speculation. The BBC will begin releasing the names of [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May will today chair the first meeting of the new industrial strategy cabinet committee August 2, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May will today chair the first meeting of a new cabinet committee focused on the government's industrial strategy. May will lead the committee, which will also be attended by a raft of senior cabinet members, including chancellor Philip Hammond, defence secretary Michael Fallon, international trade secretary Liam Fox and business and energy secretary Greg Clark. [...]
Travel sickness: Tube staff took over 163,000 sick days last year, the highest level in five years August 2, 2016 Tube staff took over 163,000 sick days last year, the highest level in five years and more than twice the national average. Figures obtained by City A.M. show that staff working for London Underground took 163,152 days off sick in 2015, a year plagued by the threat of strike action as the Night Tube battled opposition [...]
Ros Altmann is right: It’s time to scrap the state pension triple-lock August 1, 2016 As with many contemporary policy debates, the furore over the state pension triple-lock has its roots with Gordon Brown. Back in 1999, when Brown was chancellor, the state pension was increased by 75p per week. “Derisory”, claimed pensioner groups. Only “enough to buy a packet of peanuts”, bemoaned national newspapers. Scarred by the backlash, political [...]
China urges Hinkley approval as its state media scolds security concerns August 1, 2016 China urged the UK government to press ahead with the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, after it delayed making a final decision until October. Reports suggest Prime Minister Theresa May pushed back final approval last week because of security concerns regarding the involvement of China's state nuclear company, which would own about a third of the project. [...]
What is an industrial strategy? A senior committee of MPs has launched an inquiry into the government’s plans August 1, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May's plans to launch a new industrial strategy are being examined by MPs this morning after a senior committee launched an inquiry. The Business, Innovation and Skills committee is seeking to ascertain “what the government means by industrial strategy”, and how interventionist May's government should be. Committee chair Iain Wright said: “I am [...]
The fur flies on Downing Street as two of politics’ top cats get their claws out August 1, 2016 Two of UK politics' most senior moggies had to be forcibly separated this morning after reportedly engaging in a brutal fight in Downing Street. A Downing Street photographer captured 10 Downing Street's Larry fighting with the Foreign Office's "chief mouser" Palmerston earlier today. Massive fight in Downing St was horrible to watch which I tried to [...]
In numbers: Remain campaigners and Downing St aides to get gongs – but how does Cameron’s honours list compare to previous PMs? August 1, 2016 Former Prime Minister David Cameron is facing fury over this morning over honours expected to be delivered to former members of staff and EU referendum campaigners. The Sunday Times reported that Cameron will hand out 48 gongs in his resignation honours, with exactly half predicted for former Downing Street staff. The nominations have led to the [...]
Labour’s love affair with fantasy economics August 1, 2016 In a recent interview Jeremy Corbyn was asked to identify his successes of the past year. Alongside saying sorry for the Iraq war, the Labour leader said “turning the party into one that challenges the economic orthodoxy” comes high on his list of achievements. He may be challenging it, but he's far from forging a [...]