Backlash for Ed Miliband over zero hours contracts ban March 31, 2015 Business groups have blasted Labour’s plans to ban zero hours contracts as unnecessary and damaging. Ed Miliband will today set out his party’s proposals to ban the “exploitative” contracts. The next Labour government is to introduce early legislation to ban zero hours contracts for employees who are in practice working regular hours. The new legal [...]
General Election 2015: 103 business leaders sign anti-Labour letter March 31, 2015 Over 100 business leaders have warned that a Labour government would "threaten jobs and deter investment" in a letter to be published in The Telegraph tomorrow. The letter, signed by 103 business bosses, praises the Conservative government which it says has "been good for business and has pursued policies which have supported investment and job [...]
Nigeria: Five of Muhammadu Buhari’s biggest economic challenges March 31, 2015 Muhammadu Buhari has become the first opposition candidate to win a Nigerian presidential election, after incumbent Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat today. The 72-year-old former military ruler was over 2m votes ahead of his rival with 35 of Nigeria's 36 states declaring results. According to Reuters, Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) have received a call from [...]
Here’s what happens when Nick Clegg pretends to care what Joey Essex thinks March 31, 2015 Poor Nick Clegg (aka "Nick Leg"). When he woke up this morning ready to set out his party's policy on mental health and the NHS, little did he know his thunder would be stolen by a 24-year old reality TV star. Joey Essex pitched up to Clegg's press conference at the National Liberal Club, ready [...]
David Cameron’s Heat Magazine interview: Here’s everything we didn’t want to know March 31, 2015 With the polls showing Labour neck and neck, neither of the party leaders can afford missed beats or wasted interviews. To that end, David Cameron decided to let Heat magazine's editor-in-chief, Lucie Cave, into the heart of Downing Street for a grilling that would put Paxo to shame. Here's a sample of what we found [...]
“Politicians are scared of telling the truth”: Circle blames Hinchingbrooke hospital failure on unequal spending cuts across the NHS March 31, 2015 Exclusive: Today, the NHS's biggest privatisation experiment ever comes to an expensive and embarrassing end – Circle Healthcare, which was chosen by the government three years ago to turn around the troubled Hinchingbrooke hospital in Cambridgeshire, is abandoning the project seven years early, leaving behind a deficit of between £7.7m and £12m. What's more, the [...]
General Election 2015: How does Martin Freeman stack up in celebrity political Top Trumps March 31, 2015 One the hallmarks of both UK and US elections is that each party wheels out their celebrity backers to add a bit of glamour to the men in grey suits. Yesterday, Martin Freeman – star of Sherlock, The Hobbit and a host of other hits – explained why he supports Labour. Freeman is far from the first [...]
Greece bailout talks: Greek government defends reform plans against German criticism March 30, 2015 The Greek government last night hit back at claims by Germany that its reform plans are too vague for an agreement to be struck over much-needed bailout payments. Greece and its creditors were locked in tense discussions throughout the weekend, after Athens submitted plans last Friday. The government is tasked with reining in borrowing while [...]
General Election 2015: Row over tax on business erupts between Labour and the Tories March 30, 2015 Labour and the Conservatives will today lock horns over the levels of tax imposed on companies, as business takes centre stage in the fiercely contested General Election campaign. Labour will announce today that, if elected, the party’s first Budget will cut business rates, in a move they say will be worth an average of £400 [...]
General Election 2015: And they’re off… The campaign is finally on March 29, 2015 ELECTION COUNTDOWN 38 DAYS TO GO After months of build up, the election campaign is officially here. Charlotte Henry previews the weeks ahead. David Cameron will today drive the short distance from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, perhaps for the last time as Prime Minister, and ask the Queen to dissolve parliament. This will [...]