Shadow chancellor John McDonnell says Labour is looking at universal basic income June 6, 2016 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said that Labour is considering backing a universal basic income (UBI), which could prepare the workforce for robotisation. The change would be a transformation of the welfare state, providing a flat rate payment to individuals. McDonnell will appear at the launch of a report from campaign group Compass in the [...]
EU referendum: Boris Johnson says taxpayers will be hit with £2.4bn bill if UK votes to Remain as David Cameron speaks with former foes June 6, 2016 Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said the UK faces a "triple whammy of woe" if it remains in the EU, while stating Leave has won the "democratic argument". That will include facing a £20bn blackhole in EU finances, an extra £2.4bn bill from Brussels and liability for future eurozone bailouts. However, Remain's Chuka Umunna said the [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Donald Trump says “it’s possible” Muslim judges would be biased against him June 6, 2016 Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump isn't convinced he'd get a fair trial from a Muslim judge. After last week having said that a judge's Mexican background should bar him from a lawsuit against him, Trump raised concerns that a Muslim judge wouldn't be able to stay neutral in a case against him. Last week [...]
Politics, like business, needs long-term ideas June 6, 2016 As Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Junker remarked: “We all know what to do, we just don't know how to get re-elected after we've done it.” Today, Junker no longer has to worry about relying on an electorate for his position, having acquired the role of top dog at the European Commission. However, his past observation remains [...]
Brexit campaigners have been handed another lead in the latest polling from YouGov June 6, 2016 Leave campaigners have been handed another boost, with the latest YouGov figures again showing a lead for Brexit, while almost three quarters of voters say they don't trust the Prime Minister. The polls adds to growing suggestions of a Leave lead, with online and telephone polls last week both showing a swing towards Brexit. In a [...]
Taxpayers’ Alliance hits out at “quangocrat gravy train” June 6, 2016 Over 130 bureaucrats sit on more than a single quango board, according to research from the Taxpayers' Alliance, but less than five per cent made declarations of political activity. In data published today, the lobbying group reported that fifteen individuals sat on more than two quango boards, while board members collectively missed 1,500 meetings over 2014-15. The [...]
Cameron to accuse Brexiteers of playing “reckless” and “undemocratic” “con-tricks” June 6, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron will today band together with political rivals to accuse Brexit campaigners of “con-tricks”, although Jeremy Corbyn will remain absent. Cameron will say that the Leave campaign must reveal their plans for Britain outside of the EU, or be guilty of “perpetuating an economic con-trick” on Britain, and accuse the Brexiteers of being [...]
French finance minister says strikes have no “substantial impact” on the economy June 5, 2016 The French finance minister, Michel Sapin, said weeks of strikes over controversial labour reform proposals would have little impact on the economy. In an interview with the business newspaper Les Echos, he said: "So far, the strikes have been partial and limited to sectors. I don't see any substantial impact on activities." Read more: French strikes spark confrontations [...]
Rolls-Royce shortlisted to build fleet of baby nuclear reactors June 5, 2016 FTSE 100-listed engineering company Rolls-Royce has been shortlisted to build a fleet of mini nuclear reactors, City A.M. understands. It's part of the government's £250m nuclear research programme unveiled in last year's Autumn Statement, which includes a competition to identify the best value small modular reactor (SMR) design for the UK. Read more: There's no way Hinkley Point project will be finished [...]
Treasury’s bank bailout tsar Kingman in talks with L&G June 5, 2016 The senior civil servant who was central to Britain's bank bailouts in 2008 is in line to chair FTSE 100-listed insurer and asset manager Legal & General. John Kingman, who is stepping down as second permanent secretary of the Treasury, has been approached about taking over the position when current chair, John Stewart, leaves the role on 1 June. It's [...]