London house prices are costing the capital’s economy £1bn each year – CEBR October 12, 2015 Soaring house prices and rocketing rents are costing London’s economy over £1bn each year, according to a new report out today. The study – published by a new campaign to increase London’s housing supply called “Fifty Thousand Homes” – says employers across multiple sectors are facing more competition and staff retention problems as a result [...]
EEF: business needs a bigger say over devolution October 12, 2015 A leading industry group is calling on the government to give businesses more influence over the devolution of powers to local authorities. In a new paper out today, the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, argues that firms “must be given a greater role in plans for devolution in England if the process is to result in [...]
EU referendum: Politicians and business leaders line up to campaign for and against Brexit October 12, 2015 Heavyweight politicians and business leaders have nailed their colours to the mast in the debate over Britain’s EU membership by throwing their support behind the “in” and “out” campaigns, as referendum battle lines are drawn. The campaign for the UK to remain in the EU, Britain Stronger in Europe, officially launches today. Led by former Marks [...]
Seven Eurosceptic Conservative MPs form a band to compete in Eurovision in protest against the EU October 11, 2015 While the European Union debate will be fought with renewed vigour tomorrow as the "In" campaign gets ready for battle with the "Out" campaign that launched last week, some politicians don't appear satisfied that will be enough to ensure their desired outcome of a Brexit. Having beaten former shadow chancellor, Andrea Jenkyns will now head up a [...]
Ken Clarke tells chancellor George Osborne to push ahead with tax credit cuts despite criticism October 11, 2015 Former chancellor of the exchequer Ken Clarke has said that current chancellor George Osborne should push ahead with reforms. Read more: Chancellor George Osborne faces backbench revolt over cuts to tax credits The Tory grandee, speaking on BBC's The Andrew Marr show, said: When you've got yourself a mandate to put things right, get on with [...]
Scottish independence: A second referendum is now “inevitable”, says Nicola Sturgeon October 11, 2015 While all parties should respect the result of last years Scottish independence referendum, a second vote is "inevitable" in the future, leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon has said. Read more: A yes vote would have plunged Scotland into a deep depression Speaking on BBC's The Andrew Marr show, Sturgeon said she believed a [...]
These MPs want the government to hike the rate of tax on tobacco October 11, 2015 A group of MPs want the tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products to be increased to reduce the number of people smoking and raise £100m for the Treasury to spend on anti-smoking projects. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on smoking and health has suggested tobacco tax be raised to five per cent from the [...]
Rent checks risk “everyday racism” warns Labour shadow home secretary Andy Burnham of Right to Rent scheme in Theresa May’s Immigration Bill October 11, 2015 Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has slammed new rules forcing landlords to check the immigration status of tenants, saying it would risk causing " everyday racism". The pilot Right to Rent scheme places responsibility for the background checks on to landlords, with the threat of fines and even jail if they fail to do so. Burnham, [...]
EU referendum: Three ex-PMs Tony Blair, John Major and Gordon Brown band together to fight for pro-Europe “In” vote with Britain Stronger in Europe campaign group October 11, 2015 Three former Prime Ministers have joined forces to fight for the UK's membership of the European Union, according to reports. Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will support the campaign to keep the UK part of the European Union, which is expected to be called Britain Stronger in Europe. Former Marks & Spencer [...]
EU referendum: Downing street denies scaling back on renegotiating terms of EU membership October 11, 2015 Number 10 has denied reports that the government is backing down on some key tenants of its attempted EU renegotiation. Reports over the weekend suggested Prime Minister David Cameron had watered down his demands, including restricting benefits to EU migrants, the Guardian reported. Read more: Treasury Select Committee to review UK's EU membership Downing street said [...]