MI6 chief calls for Russians to spy for UK July 19, 2023 The head of MI6 has urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine to spy for the UK. Sir Richard Moore told them “our door is always open” and “we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end”. He said that while artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help target the Kremlin’s [...]
Sunak set to delay decision on UK rejoining Horizon July 19, 2023 Rishi Sunak is expected to delay making a decision on whether the UK should rejoin the EU’s Horizon science funding programme until after the summer break, it has been reported. The prime minister will not announce whether British researchers will have access to the €95.5bn programme until the autumn,the Financial Times (FT) reported. A government [...]
Susan Hall selected as Conservative mayoral candidate July 19, 2023 Susan Hall has been selected as the Conservative London mayoral candidate. Hall, a former City Hall Tory group leader, will take on incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan, who is pursuing a record third term, in the election next year. She secured 57 per cent of the vote, beating rival candidate Moz Hossain, on 43 per cent, [...]
Met Police has ‘so much further to go’ in tackling racism and misogyny July 19, 2023 The Met Police still have “so much further to go” in rooting out racism and misogyny in the force, the mother of two murdered sisters has said. Mina Smallman said a lack of acceptance and transparency persists in the Met, and that instances of both good and bad policing should be highlighted more often. Smallman’s [...]
Deloitte to review BBC internal processes after Huw Edwards scandal July 18, 2023 A top Deloitte partner has been drafted in to help the BBC review its internal processes following the Huw Edwards scandal. The Big Four firm will be assisting the broadcaster as it evaluates how complaints are assessed in the wake of the crisis. Dame Elan Closs Stephens, acting BBC chairwoman, told a House of Lords [...]
Conservatives heading for triple by-election loss, bookies predict July 18, 2023 The Conservatives are tipped for a triple by-election loss this week as they prepare to do battle in three Tory seats, bookies have predicted. Voters in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome will head to the polls this Thursday to select new MPs. Ballots are expected to be an electoral [...]
Bosses from Natwest, Shell and Sainsbury’s join PM’s new taskforce to boost growth July 18, 2023 Top bosses from firms including Barclays, Aviva and Shell have joined the Prime Minister’s new business council aimed at supercharging the UK’s growth. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will chair the first business council meeting at No10 today, followed by a glitzy reception for scores of industry bigwigs to celebrate UK enterprise. CEOs including Alison Rose [...]
UK set to open trade negotiations with Turkey July 18, 2023 The UK is set to pursue a new trade deal with Turkey in an effort to deepen relations with the country, the government has announced. Negotiations on an updated free trade agreement are expected to begin in 2024 after the two countries agreed there was scope to improve the existing deal. Britain’s trade with Turkey [...]
UK to issue visas for foreign construction workers to fill job shortages July 17, 2023 Carpenters, bricklayers and roofers are among migrant workers who will be allowed to apply for work visas and get a discount on fees in a bid to fill UK job shortages. The Home Office said it was “temporarily easing visa restrictions” for a string of construction roles by adding them to the shortage occupation list. [...]
Post Office scandal: Government urged to sort compensation delays for victims July 17, 2023 Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, has called on the government to address compensation issues faced by sub-postmasters affected by the scandal. In an interim report presented to parliament today, Williams recommended legislative changes and stronger support for the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board. He brought forward the investigation of compensation [...]