Free-market think tank Institute of Economic Affairs slams NHS satisfaction, patient outcomes and funding structure December 4, 2015 A leading think tank is attacking the National Health Service (NHS) with a new paper arguing the service is failing current and future patients. Kristian Niemietz, head of health and welfare at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), said the NHS is a “demographic timebomb” with an unsustainable funding structure that leads to poor health [...]
It is “very possible” airstrikes in Syria could lay the foundation for ground troops, says Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair Crispin Blunt December 3, 2015 It is “very possible” that the House of Commons vote in favour of extending air strikes against the Islamic State (Isis) in Syria could pave the way for the involvement of UK ground troops, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee has said. Speaking to City A.M., Crispin Blunt said that while air strikes will [...]
London mayoral election 2016: New YouGov poll shows Sadiq Khan has a six-point lead over Zac Goldsmith December 3, 2015 Labour candidate for mayor of London Sadiq Khan now has a six-point lead over Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith, according to a new poll out today. A YouGov survey of more than 1,000 Londoners found 53 per cent of likely voters favoured Khan, compared to 47 per cent backing Goldsmith. The poll found that Khan has a particularly strong lead (57 [...]
Syria airstrike vote 2015: Here’s how your MP voted December 3, 2015 Last night MPs voted in favour of the UK beginning airstrikes against Islamic State (Isis) with an overwhelming majority of 397 votes to 223, following a gruelling 10-hour debate in the House of Commons. The move was controversial, with huge numbers of people protesting against military intervention. Some Labour MPs claimed they were being intimidated to [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith courts small businesses December 3, 2015 Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith will launch a charm offensive on the capital’s small businesses tonight, promising to provide them with better broadband, faster payments and more funding from City Hall. Speaking at a dinner for London members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Goldsmith will say that while “business is good in [...]
British forces to begin bombing in Syria after MPs vote to extend anti-Isis air strikes December 2, 2015 British forces will begin bombing Islamic State (Isis) targets in Syria, after parliament overwhelmingly backed government proposals for air strikes in the region. MPs voted 397-223 in favour of the government’s proposals late last night. While Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn fiercely opposed military intervention, 67 Labour MPs, including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, reportedly voted in favour [...]
Business groups slam shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s proposal for ministers to “kitemark” businesses December 2, 2015 Business groups have hit back at shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s suggestion that a Labour government would recognise firms for meeting living wage targets and paying their taxes “transparently and properly”, while naming and shaming those who failed to comply. Speaking at the London Chambers of Commerce yesterday, McDonnell said Labour would bring in a “Good Business” [...]
Russia levies Islamic state oil claims at Turkey December 2, 2015 Russia's defence ministry today claimed that it has proof Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan and his family were benefiting from the illegal smuggling of oil from Islamic State (Isis) held territory in Syria and Iraq. Deputy defence minister, Anatoly Antonov, said during a major briefing on new findings concerning Isis funding by Moscow: "Today, we are presenting only some facts [...]
Syria air strikes vote: Yvette Cooper, Margaret Beckett and Tim Farron say they’ll vote for bombing during all-day debate December 2, 2015 Labour, Liberal Democrat and DUP MPs have all backed British air strikes against Islamic State (Isis) targets in Syria in today's all-day debate in the House of Commons. High-profile Labour backbenchers, including former shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and former deputy Labour leader Margaret Beckett, have said they will vote in favour of the government's proposals for [...]
EU referendum: Disunited Kingdom – how far apart are we on the EU and could England vote to take the UK out despite other nations voting to stay in? December 2, 2015 The surprise outright victory of David Cameron’s Conservative party at this year’s General Election means that we are now certain there will be a referendum on Britain’s future in the European Union (EU). At some point before the end of 2017, we will be asked whether we think the UK should remain a member of [...]