UK-EU trade has ‘flatlined’ but hopes for ‘reset’, MPs told September 6, 2024 UK trade with the European Union (EU) has “essentially flatlined”, MPs were told, but the new government hopes to “reset our relationship” with the neighbouring bloc. Business minister Douglas Alexander told the House of Commons: “Overall trade since 2018 has essentially flatlined. “As a government, we’re determined to reset our relationship with the EU more [...]
‘You’re fired’: The Apprentice star Lord Alan Sugar accused of treating Parliament with contempt September 5, 2024 Lord Alan Sugar, the star of BBC One hit The Apprentice, has been accused of treating Parliament with “contempt”. The business tycoon was told “You’re fired” in a row over his long-running failure to take part in proceedings in the House of Lords. Lord Sugar was given a dose of his own boardroom medicine after [...]
Water: Tougher regulation will attract ‘global investment’, Steve Reed claims September 5, 2024 Steve Reed has claimed that toughening up water regulation will “attract global investment” to rebuild the UK’s sewage and pipeline infrastructure. The environment secretary today insisted his efforts to reform the under-fire industry—including the threat of prison time for rogue water bosses—would create “growth and opportunity.” It comes after Reed unveiled the Water (Special Measures) [...]
Water bosses risk prison time as government launches crackdown September 4, 2024 Bosses of water companies who obstruct watchdog investigations could face up to two years behind bars, as the government unveils tough new laws to ramp up enforcement. The Water (Special Measures) Bill was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday and will grant sweeping new powers to the Environment Agency (EA), the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat [...]
Tory leadership contest: Priti Patel knocked out of race as Robert Jenrick leads field September 4, 2024 Dame Priti Patel has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak, as rival Robert Jenrick was revealed to be leading the field. The results of the first ballot of MPs were revealed this afternoon with the former immigration minister emerging as the favourite among Conservative MPs to lead the party. [...]
Grenfell: Firms involved to be barred from public contracts, Starmer vows September 4, 2024 Companies involved in the failings that led to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy will no longer be awarded government contracts, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister apologised for the disaster – which saw 72 people die in the tower block blaze in June 2017 – in a grave statement to the House of [...]
‘New footing’: Eurogroup president pledges closer ties with City of London as Brexit tensions ease September 4, 2024 The president of the EU’s council of financial ministers pledged closer ties with the City of London yesterday as he hailed a “new footing” in the relationship between Keir Starmer’s government and the bloc.
Pension tax relief: Reeves warned of ‘backlash’ – but offers up roadmap for firms September 3, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has declined to rule out increasing taxes on pensions in the upcoming Budget, sparking fresh warnings over “anti-growth” policies. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Reeves refused to “speculate about what will be in the Budget” when asked to give savers “peace of mind” over rumoured annuity levies. Despite failing to give [...]
Tory leadership: Tom Tugendhat lays into ‘overregulation’ as he launches campaign September 3, 2024 Tory leadership contender Tom Tugendhat launched a broadside against overregulation warning it has “drained the pools of capital” as he set out his bid to lead the party. The former security minister vowed to lead a “Conservative revolution” while setting out his stall in a pitch to MPs and members at the Royal Horseguards Hotel [...]
Workers’ rights fines will harm growth and jobs, small businesses warn September 3, 2024 The government risks “reversing economic growth” and disincentivising hiring if it pursues plans to issue “punitive” fines to businesses that breach its workers’ rights plan, industry leaders have warned. Businesses face paying thousands of pounds in fines if they fall foul of the new protections that Labour are hoping to introduce, it was revealed on [...]