Danone UK boss urges government to raise fat, sugar and salt taxes June 11, 2023 The UK boss of a major food firm has called on ministers to link VAT rates to the “health credentials” of products containing fat, salt and sugar, in the first example of such a demand coming from business rather than government. James Mayer, president of Danone UK & Ireland, which sells the Actimel yoghurt drink [...]
Labour would slash planning red tape in green energy bid June 11, 2023 Labour would slash planning regulations in a reported bid to boost Britain’s green energy construction of wind farms and nuclear plants.
Nicola Sturgeon released without charge after arrest over SNP finance probe June 11, 2023 Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge pending further investigation following her arrest in the police investigation into the SNP’s finances. The former SNP leader and first minister was arrested on Sunday and taken into custody “by arrangement” with Police Scotland, where she was questioned by detectives. In a statement, Sturgeon said the experience was “deeply distressing”. [...]
Sunak defends “progressive” UK tax system June 10, 2023 Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK’s tax system is “very progressive” as he brushed off questions about his own financial affairs. The Prime Minister paid an effective rate of around 22% on his substantial income because the majority came from capital gains rather than earnings. But Mr Sunak insisted the tax system was fair for [...]
“Writing on the wall”: Boris advisor on why ex-PM quit Parliament June 10, 2023 Boris Johnson has been accused of being a coward for quitting as an MP before the findings of a cross-party investigation into whether he lied to the Commons has been published. Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said the former prime minister had “jumped” to avoid facing a potential by-election in his marginal constituency. Mr Johnson [...]
London workers are £50,000 worse since 2010 due to wage stagnation, Sadiq Khan report claims June 9, 2023 Workers in London are £50,000 worse off since 2010 due to “scandalous” poor wage growth over the past decade, according to a new report. An analysis from London Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested that workers in the capital have lost thousands of pounds every year as their salaries have failed to keep pace with inflation. In [...]
Three injured as drone crashesd into Russian building – while Ukraine recovers from flood damage from dam destruction June 9, 2023 Three people have been injured after a drone crashed into a residential building in a city in south-western Russia near the border with Ukraine, the regional governor said. The latest drone attack to target Russian cities in recent weeks comes as Ukraine has been intensifying its efforts to expel Russian forces from a vast swathe [...]
‘Economic stability must come first’: Labour’s Reeves backtracks on £28bn green prosperity plan June 9, 2023 Labour has backtracked on its £28 billion green prosperity plan, saying “economic stability” must come first if it wins the next election. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Opposition could not commit to spending figures until the financial situation it would inherit becomes clearer. The party had promised in 2021 to invest £28 billion a [...]
Sunak urged to stop Johnson handing a ‘carousel of cronies’ honours June 9, 2023 Labour has renewed calls for Rishi Sunak to stop Boris Johnson handing honours to a “carousel of cronies” amid speculation the list could be published imminently. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said the Prime Minister had “caved in” to appease warring factions within the Conservative Party by reportedly accepting his predecessor’s recommendations. The list, which [...]
London bias ‘baked into’ system as MPs warn UK can no longer ‘fly blind’ on attracting foreign investment June 9, 2023 The Government is not doing enough to encourage foreign investment into areas of the UK outside London and the South East, MPs have warned. An economic bias remains “baked into” the system, leaving barriers to the levelling up agenda, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said. The group has told the newly formed Department for Business [...]