Seven points to ponder from Jeremy Corbyn’s alternative to the northern powerhouse October 26, 2015 Jeremy Corbyn has been under pressure from more moderate Labour politicians for his economic plans, but what does he want to achieve in his desire to see the North returned to a "great engine of prosperity" and how would he do it? Here are the seven things to take from Corbyn’s “Northern Future” proposals. The [...]
Government to face direct legal challenge over the ministerial code October 26, 2015 A direct legal challenge is to be made against the government and Prime Minister David Cameron over changes to the ministerial code. On Thursday the government changed the wording of the ministerial code, which now omits a previous reference to ministers being bound by international law. The code sets out the standard of conduct expected of government [...]
Recruiters are more likely to be hit hard by late payments and wait more than twice as long to be paid October 26, 2015 Recruitment firms are waiting more than twice as long as the average British company to be paid by their clients, according to a new report out today from the commercial law firm EMW. According to EMW, recruiters have to wait 56 days, on average, to be paid for their services, compared to the average UK [...]
Tax credit changes: Chancellor George Osborne braces for House of Lords row October 26, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne’s plans to cut tax credits are expected to face their fiercest opposition yet today as peers consider killing the reforms. The House of Lords is set to debate and vote on three amendments to the proposed cuts to in-work benefits, including a “fatal motion” which would stop the legislation from going into effect. [...]
Sugar tax debate: Sainsbury’s ready meal contains more sugar than a can of Coca Cola, reveals Public Health England October 25, 2015 Who says you can't have too much of a good thing? Well, some supermarket ready meals contain almost twice as much sugar as those often-vilified cans of fizzy drinks. Sainsbury's crispy sweet and sour chicken, is the worst offender, with 61.2g of sugar in a 400g serving, which is the equivalent to almost 13 teaspoons. [...]
UK steel crisis: Industry leaders to be grilled by MPs after Tata Steel and SSI closures October 25, 2015 The extent of the crisis that has engulfed Britain’s steel industry will be laid bare tomorrow when business ministers and industry figures are questioned by a committee of MPs. The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee hearing, set for tomorrow afternoon, will address the problems of cheap steel from China, rising energy costs, and [...]
Business groups warn that UK gender pay gap can’t be eradicated with “box-ticking” October 25, 2015 The government has announced new requirements for big businesses aimed at getting rid of the gender pay gap “in a generation”. Under new rules set out by Prime Minister David Cameron and equalities minister Nicky Morgan yesterday, large employers will now be required to publish information about bonuses paid to men and women as part [...]
EU referendum: Prime Minister David Cameron says no second vote October 25, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has dismissed suggestions that a “leave” vote in the European Union referendum could lead to a second vote, with Downing Street aides saying that another referendum is not in the cards. One senior aide was quoted over the weekend saying: “The Prime Minister is clear that is simply not going to happen. [...]
Labour’s John McDonnell promises no “political capital” if George Osborne U-turns on tax credits October 25, 2015 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said the Labour party will not make "political capital" from a U-turn on tax credits. McDonnell said the issue was becoming "above politics" and revealed he has written to chancellor George Osborne to say that a U-turn is needed, but that Labour would not use it for political point scoring. Osborne is [...]
Tony Blair: Sorry for Iraq war “mistakes” and admits conflict’s role in rise of Islamic State October 25, 2015 Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has apologised for "mistakes" made during the Iraq war but said he was not sorry for toppling Saddam Hussein despite admitting there are "elements of truth" to the view that the war is connected to the rise of Islamic State (IS). Speaking in an interview with CNN which is due to [...]