Almost all London councils set to raise taxes as funding situation becomes ‘unsustainable’ March 7, 2023 More than half of local councils in England are set to make cuts to services while raising council tax by the highest possible amount amid an “unsustainable” funding system. A fifth of London councils say budget cuts will be evident to the public and almost 95 per cent will raise residents’ council tax bills, the [...]
Malware attacks on UK government devices up by 75 per cent, report reveals March 7, 2023 Malware attacks on UK government ‘internet of things’ devices have risen by 75 per cent, a new report has revealed. Attempted attacks on the so-called internet of things (IoT) devices used by UK government facilities and departments jumped from 38,334 in 2021 to 67,324 in 2022, according to a report by US cybersecurity company Sonicwall. [...]
Labour tells Jeremy Hunt to ‘get a move on’ with Solvency II reforms March 7, 2023 Labour has hit out at the government over delays to overhauling EU-era Solvency II rules demanding that it needs to “get a move on”. Shadow city minister Tulip Siddiq called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reform the rules – which govern the sums of money insurers must hold on their balance sheets to protect themselves [...]
Sir Graham Brady: 1922 Committee chair to step down as MP at next election March 7, 2023 Sir Graham Brady is stepping down as an MP at the next general election, he has said. The MP for Altrincham and Sale West has sat in the House of Commons (HoC) since 1997. He has been chairman of the Conservative Party’S 1922 Committee of backbench MPs since 2010, apart from a spell in 2019. [...]
Reform childcare system to unlock 10 per cent GDP growth by 2025, think tank says March 7, 2023 A think tank has called on the government to reform its “disproportionate and illogical” childcare policies, citing OECD data that it could boost GDP growth by up to 10 per cent by 2025 In a new report published today, the Adam Smith Institute said the UK’s childcare system is holding back the UK’s growth because [...]
Labour backs 25 per cent corporation tax rate amid calls to scrap rise ahead of budget March 6, 2023 Labour will back the government’s bod to keep the planned corporation tax rise to 25 per cent amid “siren calls” to scrap the move ahead of the budget. It comes as the shadow chancellor is set to say Britain must be in “lockstep” with the G7 and work to “incentivise investment”, at the announcement of [...]
Labour’s business charm offensive is an attempt to right the ship March 6, 2023 As Labour headed further left under Corbyn, business ran scared from the party fearing higher taxes and heavy-handed nationalisation – all roundly rejected by voters. But Starmer has steered the ship around and is leading a business charm offensive. His efforts to win over big business have been branded the ‘Prawn Cocktail Offensive 2.0’ in [...]
The Notebook: Nick Bowes on devolution, LA’s issues and why Lewisham is now home March 6, 2023 ACCESS to opportunities – well-paid jobs and high-quality study – is a major part of the levelling up agenda.Clearly, some parts of the UK don’t have the same access to jobs and education as others. London scores well, being home to amazing universities and colleges and thousands of high-end jobs. Many Londoners can see the [...]
Cyber attacks on Ukraine will be used as a template by hackers on a global level, experts warn March 6, 2023 “Cutting edge” cyber attacks used against Ukraine are set to be used more widely by the hackers of tomorrow, experts have warned. Rogue threat actors will employ “sophisticated” techniques forged in the heat of Russia’s cyber assault, while data and tech attacks become more “pervasive”, CityAM has been told. Sophos security expert Christopher Budd warned [...]
Sadiq Khan urges government to commit to making all public bodies a ‘safe haven for women’ March 6, 2023 Sadiq Khan is urging the government to back his call for a review of “women-friendly” workplace policies ahead of International Women’s Day. The mayor of London is calling for public bodies to commit to supporting female workers with domestic abuse, gynaecological pain, leadership development, and the menopause. He has written to work and pensions secretary [...]