Ed Balls: “Never say never” of political comeback July 19, 2015 Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls has hinted that his exit from politics may not necessarily be a permanent one. After spectacularly losing his seat at the General Election, the ex-MP has headed across the pond to teach at Harvard in the aftermath. But appearing on BBC's Radio Five Live Test Match Special to talk balls [...]
James Dyson warns business secretary Sajid Javid on foreign students immigration policy July 19, 2015 Sir James Dyson is not happy with business secretary Sajid Javid. Javid last week insisted foreign students should leave after their studies, indicating a fresh push by the government to introduce new legislation cracking down on their right to work after graduating. Now the hugely respected entrepreneur has attacked the business secretary's stance saying that the [...]
David Cameron: “I want Britain to do more” fighting Isis in Syria and Iraq, PM tells NBC’s Meet the Press July 19, 2015 David Cameron has said he wants Britain to do more to help fight Isis in the Middle East and is committed to working with the US to destroy the caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Speaking to NBC News, the Prime Minister said there were discussions taking place in parliament about what more could be done. [...]
A lesson from Putin: Three Ps to stay in power – pride, propaganda and perspective July 17, 2015 Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, the tumbling price of a vital commodity, and a currency in freefall with record high interest rates. Russia’s economy has leaped from one catastrophe to another. Yet one thing remains: President Vladimir Putin holds the reigns. Putin’s approval rating is now at a record 89 per cent. And while [...]
Greek debt crisis: German MPs vote in favour of negotiating third bailout deal with Greece July 17, 2015 It’s Chancellor Angela Merkel’s birthday, and to celebrate the German parliament has voted in favour of starting negotiations with Greece for a third bailout deal. There was a clear majority in the Bundestag with 439 voting in favour against 119 votes against. 40 lawmakers abstained. Merkel, who has been a tough negotiator previously, was urging [...]
Iran nuclear deal: After the nuclear deal, Iran is our “frenemy” July 17, 2015 Tuesday’s agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme is a momentous achievement, but only if it can be enforced and verified. Following the diplomatic deal in Vienna, Western governments should engage with Tehran, but also help to contain Iran’s growing influence in the region. While Tehran celebrates the upcoming removal of international sanctions, its neighbours are anxious; [...]
English devolution is go: Cornwall is first county to receive powers over employment, transport, business support, energy, health and social care July 17, 2015 Put down your pasty. Cornwall has become the first UK county to gain historic new powers under the government's push to give more power to local authorities. The county will now have more control over a host of key areas including employment and skills, transport, business support, energy, health and social care, public estate and [...]
Gender pay gap: About time to name and shame businesses who don’t promote women July 16, 2015 News that UK firms will be required to publish gender pay audits is to be applauded. Gender diversity in the workplace has been ignored for too long by UK companies and it’s about time businesses that fail to employ, support and promote women are named and shamed. Why am I so passionate about this topic? [...]
MPs’ bewildering pay rise flies in the face of all we’ve heard about spending restraint July 16, 2015 They say timing is the art of comedy. Unfortunately, nobody's laughing. In the week after the chancellor of the Exchequer announced a pay rise of just one per cent for public sector employees, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) have awarded MPs a juicy 10 per cent rise – roughly £7,000. This takes their salaries [...]
MPs handed 10 per cent pay rise to £74,000 despite David Cameron’s objections July 16, 2015 The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has confirmed MPs’ salaries will rise from £67,060 to £74,000 – a 10 per cent pay rise. Ipsa was set up in the wake of the expenses scandal in 2009 to monitor parliamentary expenses, and is responsible for paying salaries and expenses. The salary increase was approved despite David [...]