A woman Prime Minister. So what? July 27, 2016 Much has been made of the fact that we have our second women Prime Minister. But the question remains, what difference does it really make? In my view her appointment has multiple significance and presents us with a major opportunity. Firstly, it still has a huge symbolic value to see a woman running the country. The message that [...]
Here are the key challenges the new pensions minister will face July 27, 2016 The recent reshuffle meant a whole host of new ministerial faces both at the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These new ministers will have a full agenda when it comes to pensions. At DWP, the new secretary of state is Damian Green, who will be responsible for controlling welfare spending and getting people back [...]
Why it’s time to start taking Donald Trump seriously, part two July 27, 2016 Just as the UK’s former Remain camp was getting used to the transformation of Project Fear into Project Sigh Exaggeratedly But Put Up With It, a new version has emerged across the pond. Yes: Project Fear, Donald Trump Edition, ground into gear this week as the Democratic National Convention got into full swing – – [...]
Sir Philip Green is considering his options after the chair of a BHS investigation failed to meet a 24 hour deadline for an apology July 26, 2016 Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green is considering his options after Labour MP Frank Field failed to respond to Green's claims of defamation and a demand for an apology within 24 hours. That was over a day ago. Lawyers instructed by Green wrote to Field yesterday, claiming the chair of the work and pensions committee used a BBC interview to accuse [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launches London Finance Commission 2 in his latest push for devolution July 26, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new finance commission as part of his latest push for devolution in the wake of the Brexit vote. Khan has tasked the London Finance Commission to bring forward a new, beefed-up set of devolution proposals, arguing that “nothing should be ruled out” when it comes to giving London [...]
EU development funds frozen for at least 600 startups after Brexit vote July 26, 2016 Hundreds of London startups could lose out on investment because the government has put the distribution of EU funds on hold in the aftermath of the referendum. A scheme, named CASTS, designed to provide advice and support for 600 startups in the capital was due to receive £3.7m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) this month, [...]
International trade secretary Liam Fox has revealed plans for three new trade offices in the US July 26, 2016 Liam Fox has announced three new trade offices to be opened in the US in a bid to promote UK business across the country. The international trade secretary announced the new offices while visiting Chicago as part of a three stop US tour. Fox has already visited Washington, and will head to Los Angeles tomorrow [...]
Ladbrokes and Coral must sell off roughly 10 per cent of their joint empire to proceed with a long-planned merger July 26, 2016 Bookmakers Ladbrokes and Coral must sell up to 400 shops to proceed with a planned merger, the UK's competition watchdog has ruled. Ladbrokes and Gala Coral Group are the UK's second and third largest bookmakers by number of betting shops, operating a total of 4,000 shops across Great Britain, with a further 77 in Northern [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May wants to secure UK-Ireland external border July 26, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants to work to secure the external borders of the Common Travel Area as she looked to relieve concerns around the potential fallout from Brexit on Irish-British relations. Speaking in a press conference with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, she said that the UK and Ireland have benefited from a Common Travel [...]
It’s not one rule for them, another for Jeremy, court hears July 26, 2016 Jeremy Corbyn's name on the Labour leadership ballot fell into further dispute today, after lawyers argued there was "not a trace" of legal grounds for a different set of rules to apply to him than to his challengers. Corbyn's bid to retain his position as Labour party leader has been full of controversy. The Labour party [...]