Steel crisis: Small business ministers Anna Soubry slammed for saying steel sector not “totally” free market May 16, 2016 Small business minister Anna Soubry has come under fire from two influential think tanks after she suggested that the UK's steel sector should not be treated as a "totally" free market. Writing in the Sunday Times Magazine, Soubry recalled her early discussions with Prime Minister David Cameron: “Like him I believe the blast furnaces at [...]
“Persistent” poverty rates show UK citizens among the least likely in the EU to be trapped in poverty May 16, 2016 People living in the UK are among the least likely in the European Union to be trapped in poverty, new numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released today have shown. Between 2011 and 2014, 6.5 per cent of the UK’s population were classified as being in “persistent poverty”. The number – which equates to [...]
London housing: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan plans to fast-track scores of sites owned by Transport for London to build homes May 16, 2016 After pledging to build new homes on land owned by City Hall if elected Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has said he intends to fast-track scores of sites for development. During a visit to Landmark Court in Southwark, which is owned by Transport for London, Khan announced that the wants to unlock the site, which [...]
Green Party leadership: Who are the runners and riders to replace Natalie Bennett May 16, 2016 Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has announced she will stand down from the helm of the party in August after four years leading the party, paving the way for younger blood. Bennett won't be standing for re-election when her second two-year term comes to an end this summer, though she does intend to stay "fully engaged". Given [...]
EU referendum: Fitch warns that protracted post-Brexit negotiations could trigger recession May 16, 2016 The stakes of any post-Brexit negotiations were laid bare today in a new report from ratings agency Fitch, which assesses how the UK economy will perform if it were to secure different terms of exit after voting to leave the EU. In its worst scenario – in which Fitch predicts at least two years of political wrangling along with [...]
CMA says BAA breakup shows how competition leads to benefits while adding further gains can be realised if runway capacity restraints can be lifted May 16, 2016 The breakup of BAA is an example of how competition can lead to benefits for business and personal customers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said, while adding further gains can be realised if runway capacity restraints can be lifted. The CMA published an evaluation of the decision to break up BAA, which found a [...]
Ratings agency Fitch thinks Brexit will make Europe weaker, poorer and more populist May 16, 2016 Europe could become weaker, poorer, more politically fractured and less secure if the UK votes to breakaway from the European Union, according to ratings agency Fitch. "An exit from the EU by the UK would weigh on the economies of other EU countries and increase political risks in Europe," the group said in a new report [...]
EU referendum: YouGov polls say Britain thought to be more influential in Europe than not May 16, 2016 Britain's influence in global affairs is a key battleground in the EU referendum, with the Remain and Leave side claiming the UK's power will be larger if they win the vote. But looking beyond the arguments each side are spouting, Britain's perceived influence in European affairs is at an all-time high, according to data compiled by [...]
Remain dream team? A most unlikely group is speaking out on Brexit – Osborne, Balls and Cable join forces May 16, 2016 An unlikely group has gathered at, of all places, Stansted Airport, to make the case for Britain remaining in Europe. The chancellor George Osborne has been joined by former political rivals Ed Balls and Vince Cable – as well as outspoken Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. The unlikely trio, representing the UK's main political parties, stood together united against [...]
EU referendum: Prime Minister David Cameron says poorest would be worst hit in recession while he praises EU for equality and human rights May 16, 2016 Every single job depends on a strong economy, which itself depends on the EU, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned. The Prime Minister, appealing to similar arguments Labour has made for remaining in the EU, echoed sentiments of the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, that a recession could hit in the event of Brexit, [...]