David Cameron fires starting gun for grand bargain with Europe May 22, 2015 Newly re-elected Prime minister David Cameron will hold his first talks with European Union leaders today, as he attempts to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership in the bloc ahead of a referendum in 2017. "Today I will start discussions in earnest with fellow leaders on reforming the EU and renegotiating the UK's relationship with [...]
Government minister George Freeman threatens food companies with sugar tax May 21, 2015 Sugary foods may be taxed to cover the costs of treating obesity, a government minister has said. George Freeman, the life sciences minister, said yesterday that food companies should know that if they produce food that could lead to poor lifestyles and ill health, they may face penalties. In doing so, Freeman contradicted health secretary [...]
Graduates could face tougher repayments on their student loans May 21, 2015 Students could face tougher loan terms amid rising uncertainty over long-term debt repayments, or else the government would be forced to cut funding for things such as apprenticeships or science. Changes to the way the government covers unpaid student loans is squeezing the department for business innovation & skill's budget, according to a new report by [...]
David Cameron: Firms must crack down on illegal migrants May 21, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron took his hardest line yet on illegal immigration this morning, when he introduced sweeping legislation cracking down not only on foreign workers, but on the landlords, banks and employers that help them as well. In a speech today in Westminster, Cameron said the Queen’s Speech will include an immigration bill intended to [...]
Pro-business Labour candidates? Blairite Liz Kendall may be Labour’s best bet at winning back business confidence May 21, 2015 With candidates lining up to take over Ed Miliband as the new Labour leader, divisions in the party are appearing as it digests the General Election. In the postmortem of Labour’s election defeat, many are arguing that it was the party's lack of an aspirational message and its perceived anti-business stance that put off voters. [...]
George Osborne says Britain wants to be in Europe, not run by Europe May 20, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne told business leaders last night that they need to “confront some hard truths about Europe”. In a speech at the pro-European Confederation of British Industry’s annual dinner, Osborne said that the government wants “Britain to be in Europe, not run by Europe.” “The continent is sleepwalking towards a future where it has [...]
Labour leadership contest: Tristram Hunt rules himself out as he backs Liz Kendall in race May 20, 2015 Shadow education minister Tristram Hunt has ruled himself out of the leadership race contest, endorsing Liz Kendall, shadow minister for care and older people. Hunt held a press conference today in which he said he was not prepared to stand after “the bulk of MPs are already committed to just a couple of candidates” [...]
Michael Spencer says EU referendum vote must not be rushed as CBI boss Sir Mike Rake gives pro-European support May 19, 2015 City veteran and top Tory donor Michael Spencer yesterday warned against rushing into a quick referendum, arguing that the Prime Minister needs time to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with Brussels. The message is at odds with pleas from key City figures, including Bank of England governor Mark Carney, to cast the in/out vote as quickly as [...]
Labour and SNP in battle of the bottoms as Michelle Thomson and Pete Wishart claim seats on House of Commons opposition bench May 19, 2015 The parliamentary turf war between Labour and the Scottish National Party (SNP) escalated yesterday, as MPs were sworn in. Not content with wiping out Labour from seats in their Scottish heartland, Nicola Sturgeon’s MPs are now trying to force them out of their preferred perch in the House of Commons chamber, too, The [...]
How can Yvette Cooper and the Labour party reset their relationship with business? May 19, 2015 Labour leadership candidate Yvette Cooper caught the attention of the City yesterday when she said that she wanted to consign the party’s anti-business image to the scrapheap. Distancing herself from Labour’s former leader Ed Miliband, who stepped down following the party’s severe defeat in the General Election, Cooper said Miliband had made a “mistake” by [...]