Odds not on George: Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation has made Osborne vulnerable as William Hill slashes Tory leader odds March 19, 2016 Bookmaker William Hill has doubled its odds on George Osborne becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party from 2/1 to 4/1 second favourite. William Hill also shortened Boris Johnson's odds from 3/1 to 15/8, becoming the clear favourite, as "a series of mistakes" started to impact on Osborne's "future prospects". "So sure-footed for so long, Mr Osborne was [...]
Iain Duncan Smith: Full resignation letter March 19, 2016 I am incredibly proud of the welfare reforms that the Government has delivered over the last five years. Those reforms have helped to generate record rates of employment and in particular a substantial reduction in workless households. As you know, the advancement of social justice was my driving reason for becoming part of your ministerial team and [...]
EU migrant crisis: European leaders agree deal with Turkey to help stem the flow of migrants March 18, 2016 European leaders and Turkey have come to an agreement to help stem the flow of migrants into Europe, President of the European Council Donald Tusk has confirmed. Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka also announced the deal on Twitter: "Agreement with Turkey approved. All illegal migrants who arrive to Greece from Turkey starting 20 March will be returned!" [...]
Budget 2016: Government committed to disability benefit cuts as chancellor George Osborne faces potential backbench Conservative rebellion March 18, 2016 Number 10 has said it "remains committed" to cutting disability benefits this parliament, despite the prospect of a backbench rebellion over the issue. The backbench Tories claim they have the numbers to overcome the government's plans over personal independent payment changes, according to reports. Education secretary Nicky Morgan had suggested that the government would climbdown on the proposal [...]
EU referendum: Brexit would be as bad for families as the financial crisis, London School of Economics warns March 18, 2016 Family incomes could be hit by up to £6,400 – a decline in UK GDP equivalent to the 2008 financial crisis – if the UK votes for a Brexit, according to research released today. The effect of reduced trade and productivity would result in UK incomes falling by between 6.3 per cent and 9.5 per cent, or [...]
MP Simon Danczuk has to pay back over £11,000 after “error” in expenses claims March 18, 2016 MP Simon Danczuk is going to have to pay back over £11,000 after wrongly claiming money. The MP had claimed money for the cost of his children living in London, sparking local Liberal Democrats to ask the police to check if he had wrongly claimed the money. Now the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has ordered Danczuk [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Senator Bernie Sanders slams calls for him to drop out of Democrat nomination race March 18, 2016 Senator Bernie Sanders has branded calls for him to drop out of the Democrat nomination race "absurd" amid claims President Barack Obama issued a rallying cry to the party to back Hillary Clinton. Obama told a group of Democrat donors last week that Sanders is coming to the point where his campaign to become the [...]
Scottish National Party MSP John Swinney calls for Scottish chancellor after devolved powers are introduced March 18, 2016 Scotland could need a its own chancellor when further revenue raising powers are devolved to Holyrood, Scottish National Party's John Swinney has said. The deputy first minister said that Scotland could need a dedicated tax minister to oversee the new powers. Swinney, who is current the cabinet secretary for finance, constitution and the economy, said [...]
EU referendum: Hargreaves Lansdown boss Peter Hargreaves backs Brexit March 18, 2016 Hargreaves Lansdown founder Peter Hargreaves has said he backs the UK leaving the European Union, the latest City bigwig to come out in support of Brexit. Hargreaves, who founded the Bristol-based finance firm in 1981, told the BBC a "fresh start" would help the country become more innovative. "I'm firmly convinced, that day – hopefully – [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Do Donald Trump’s economic policies stack up? March 18, 2016 High profile attacks on Mexicans, Muslims, China and the disabled – and sheer disbelief that he could actually become President – have obscured Donald Trump’s economic policy programme. As he stokes up the prospect of more hostility and continues to criticise immigrants, observers could be forgiven for thinking he doesn’t even have one. But his unashamedly reactionary campaign [...]