Government loses court case after the so-called bedroom tax is labelled discriminatory by Court of Appeal judges January 27, 2016 The government has lost a Court of Appeal case after judges declared the so-called bedroom tax discriminatory, following a legal challenge by a domestic violence victim and the family of a disabled teenager. The Court of Appeal decision came after a hearing in November. The government have said they will appeal against the ruling, according to the BBC. The [...]
Bernie Sanders pants? Donald Trump trucker cap? The weird world of US presidential hopeful merchandising January 27, 2016 The race is hotting up between Democrat rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders ahead of the Iowa caucus on 1 February, with Sanders closing in on Clinton's lead. And fans are doing all they can to support their candidates. First there was Bernie Sanders' own Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavour, called "Bernie's Yearning" and subtitled [...]
EU referendum: Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair says Brexit would lead to Scotland leaving the UK January 26, 2016 Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair thinks that if the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union, Scotland will leave the UK. Speaking to French radio, Blair said he hopes the UK will decide to stay in the 28-member bloc, but added: “In my opinion, if Great Britain, if the United Kingdom votes to leave [...]
EU migrant crisis: Schengen agreement “to be suspended for two years” as Brussels told to reinstate border controls January 26, 2016 The Schengen agreement – the treaty which allows free movement between EU member states – is set to be suspended for two years as officials attempt to halt the influx of migrants into Europe. Brussels has been told to reinstate border checks as officials put together plans to lock Greece out of the zone altogether, [...]
Top Tories demand simpler tax system as they step up to defend internet giant Google January 26, 2016 Leading Conservative MPs lined up to defend Google yesterday as the technology giant’s corporation tax bill came under fresh political scrutiny. “A corporation’s duty to shareholders will be to minimise its tax liability. It should be the duty of those making tax policy to find better ways to limit the elasticity,” Treasury Committee chair Andrew [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Labour candidate Sadiq Khan rejects suggestions from shadow chancellor John McDonnell to scrap City of London Corporation January 26, 2016 Labour candidate for mayor of London Sadiq Khan has sharply rejected calls from shadow chancellor John McDonnell and top Labour advisers to get rid of the City of London Corporation. “The City of London Corporation is the City’s bedrock, playing an historic and vital role representing business,” a spokesperson for Khan told City A.M. “Any suggestion [...]
Former Lib Dem MP and ex-chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander poised to join Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank January 25, 2016 Sir Danny Alexander, who was chief secretary to the Treasury under the coalition government until 2015, is odds on for a new post at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), according to the Financial Times. Alexander is expected to be named as one of five resident vice presidents of the bank. The AIIB is seen as [...]
EU referendum: Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny warns of “serious difficulties” for Northern Ireland if UK leaves the EU January 25, 2016 Irish Prime Minister Enda Kelly has warned that a British exit from the EU would create "serious difficulties" for Northern Ireland. "From our perspective it would create serious difficulties for Northern Ireland and I don't want to see that happening," Kenny, who was in London visiting UK Prime Minister David Cameron, told journalists today. "Our focus is [...]
Downing Street rows back on support for £130m Google corporation tax deal January 25, 2016 Downing Street has distanced itself from Treasury ministers' reactions to the news that Google had agreed to had over £130m to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in unpaid corporation tax. The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman said the deal was a "step forward" but declined to endorse chancellor George Osborne's comments over the weekend that the tax [...]
EU referendum: Credit Suisse says Brexit could lead to a second Scottish independence referendum and benefit Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn January 25, 2016 If Britain votes to exit the European Union there could be an unexpected boost for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as well as a second Scottish independence referendum, according to Credit Suisse. When it looked at the longer-term, Credit Suisse said the market could decide that a Brexit outcome is not the end of UK political [...]