Scottish election 2016: Nicola Sturgeon accused of being arrogant by Labour’s Kezia Dugdale as new poll reveals SNP on for huge victory March 21, 2016 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of being "utterly arrogant" by the Scottish Labour leader after declaring victory in the Scottish election before the vote has been cast. Kezia Dugdale said the upcoming election was the "most interesting, exciting and important we have ever faced" and that new devolved powers meant Scottish voters would be able [...]
Moody blues: Tories forced to abandon controversial welfare cuts as Iain Duncan Smith lashes out March 21, 2016 The government will perform a screeching U-turn today as ministers scramble to repair the damage caused by controversial plans to cut disability payments. Prime Minister David Cameron will aim to draw a line under a blistering row prompted by the resignation of former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who stepped down as welfare secretary at [...]
EU referendum: Former prime minister John Major slams Brexit campaign as built on “fantasy” March 20, 2016 Former conservative prime minister John Major has issued a damning critique of those who want Britain to leave the European Union. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Major derided the arguments which underpin the Leave campaign as "disingenuous" and "fantasy". Major, the last Conservative prime minister before current incumbent David Cameron, said it would be "verging [...]
Iain Duncan Smith on Marr: Ex-work and pensions secretary defends resignation branding welfare cap “deeply unfair” March 20, 2016 Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary who spectacularly resigned on Friday, has revealed he has turned against the government's cap on welfare and benefits, saying "this is not the way to do government". In his first media appearance since his exit speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, he said the cap was "arbitrarily lowered" following the [...]
Iain Duncan Smith resignation: Pensions minister Baroness Ros Altman blasts move as “all about the EU referendum” not disability cuts March 20, 2016 The pensions minister Baroness Ros Altman has blasted Iain Duncan Smith's resignation saying she believes it's really about the EU referendum. "I’m particularly saddened that this really seems to be about the European referendum campaign rather than about DWP policy," Altman said in a statement. Duncan Smith, who unexpectedly resigned as work and pensions secretary on Friday [...]
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 [...]