London mayoral elections: Stephen Greenhalgh argues the capital needs a more joined-up approach to its emergency services August 20, 2015 London's ambulance service is in crisis. Last year Prime Minister David Cameron was forced to defend its performance, which was the worst in the country with only 66.5 per cent of ambulances reaching the most serious 999 calls within eight minutes. The NHS target is 75 per cent. This is because the ambulance service [...]
Denmark scales back climate goals that are proving “too expensive” for businesses August 20, 2015 Denmark is scaling back its green ambitions, after the country’s government said the previous target was “too expensive for businesses”. In a goal set by the country’s previous government, Denmark had promised to reduce its carbon emissions at least 40 per cent by 2020, against 1990 levels. This is proving too expensive though, so the [...]
London mayoral hopeful Stephen Greenhalgh renews pledge to cut Tube fares August 19, 2015 London mayoral hopeful Stephen Greenhalgh has said there is “a deal to be done” between City Hall and the government to cut Tube and rail fares for commuters. Greenhalgh, who will set out his new plan for London this morning at a rally outside City Hall, told City A.M. that he is confident that he [...]
As building societies pile on the pressure, Andrew Tyrie warns George Osborne against new bank surcharge August 19, 2015 The chairman of an influential parliamentary committee has urged chancellor George Osborne to make sure that a new tax on banks does not reduce competition in the market. Read more: Osborne facing pressure from building societies over "perverse" bank surcharge Andrew Tyrie, who chairs the Treasury Select Committee, said today that there was a danger of "unintended consequences" [...]
Five charts showing where political parties get their money August 19, 2015 Unions donated more to political parties than companies did in the second quarter of 2015, while both lagged behind the value of individual donations, according to figures published by the Electoral Commission, the independent party funding watchdog. Overall, 12 political parties registered in Great Britain reported almost £21m in total donations in the second quarter of [...]
Punters cash in on Corbyn win three weeks before ballots close August 19, 2015 The bookies are so convinced Jeremy Corbyn will win the Labour leadership contest, at least one oddsmaker has already made payments to punters. Paddy Power said yesterday it was paying out £100,000 on Corbyn – more than three weeks before ballots are due. A winner in the Labour leadership race is set to be announced [...]
Protests grow as Brazil’s crisis deepens: Impeachment threats make Dilma Rousseff’s future look uncertain August 19, 2015 Crisis is engulfing Brazil as hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets demanding the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, as the country slides into its worst economic crisis for 25 years. Protests have taken place across the country in the third major day of demonstrations this year, following unrest in March [...]
Calais migrant crisis: UK and France to sign deal for increased security August 18, 2015 Home secretary Theresa May will travel to Calais on Thursday to sign a deal with French interior minister Bernard Cazeneue on tackling the migrant crisis. Read more: The Calais migrant crisis shows why Europe needs a common migration policy and a new asylum system The ministers will agree to increase security measures for preventing [...]
We need the facts on fracking to make responsible decisions about UK energy August 18, 2015 Today the Government announced that it will award 27 new exploration licences, opening up 1,000 square miles of the UK as potential sites for shale gas extraction. With thousands more people faced with the possibility of having it on their doorstep, the debate on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been well and truly renewed. Proponents [...]
Sadiq Khan gains backing of Neil Kinnock to be Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London August 18, 2015 Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has pledged his support to Sadiq Khan to become the Labour candidate for London mayor. Writing for the Mirror, Kinnock said: “Labour must recapture City Hall, and our best chance of doing that is with Sadiq Khan as our candidate for London mayor in 2016.” Read more: Meet London mayor [...]