RMT: Rail union workers accept pay offer as end of strikes on horizon March 20, 2023 Members of the RMT in Network Rail have voted overwhelmingly to accept an offer to end the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. In a turnout of nearly 90%, members voted by 76% to 24% in favour, signalling an end to the bitter row, which led to a series of strikes in recent months. [...]
‘No limits friendship’: Why is China premier Xi in Moscow – and can he help end Russia’s war in Ukraine? March 20, 2023 Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit that shows off Beijing’s new diplomatic swagger and offers a welcome political lift for Russian President Vladimir Putin as the fighting in Ukraine slows to a grinding war of attrition. China and Russia have described Mr Xi’s trip as part of efforts to [...]
Boris Johnson prepares for showdown with MPs over partygate fib claims as defence to be published March 20, 2023 Boris Johnson’s defence against claims he lied to Parliament over the partygate scandal could be published on Monday as he prepares for a showdown with MPs. The Privileges Committee is expected to publish the lengthy submission from Mr Johnson’s barrister Lord Pannick KC before the former prime minister gives evidence on Wednesday in a session [...]
War-torn Ukraine firms get access to London’s financial services in digital trade deal March 20, 2023 The UK has signed a digital trade deal with Ukraine which will help support the country’s economy during the war with Russia and as it rebuilds in the future. Under the deal, Ukrainian businesses will be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts. It will also [...]
Elgin Marbles: Leading historian says British Museum has “nothing to apologise for” March 20, 2023 A leading Oxford academic has slammed mooted plans to lend the Elgin Marbles to Greece ahead of a crunch meeting of the trustees of the British Museum this week. In a new report commissioned by Policy Exchange, art historian and Elgin Marbles expert Sir Noel Malcolm has confirmed the Museum is legally bound to preserve [...]
UK hosts crunch talks on Putin ‘war crimes’ investigation March 20, 2023 International justice ministers are meeting in London to discuss support for the investigation into war crimes in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s arrest, accusing him of bearing personal responsibility for the abduction of children. It is the first arrest warrant to be issued against a [...]
Analyst: Why Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has less headroom than he thinks on the public finances March 20, 2023 THE OFFICIAL Treasury watchdog may be repeating its mistake of over-estimating UK growth, Deutsche Bank analysts have warned, with the forecasting miss potentially wiping out Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s spending power in years to come. In forecasts published by the Office for Budget Responsibility last week, the watchdog said it expected UK GDP groth to settle around 1.75 [...]
Brits now more concerned about state of UK economy than before budget, polling finds March 20, 2023 More than a third of Brits surveyed say the budget last week made them more concerned about the state of the UK’s economy. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his spring statement in the House of Commons last week in light of rosier economic projections and within the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules. He focused on childcare reforms, [...]
Government ‘always willing’ to engage on NHS strikes, minister claims March 20, 2023 The government was “always willing” to engage with unions on strikes and NHS pay, a minister has claimed. Cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden told the BBC there were “initial discussions” with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and that the deal which has been agreed is a “decent deal”. His comments came as the British [...]
Allies fear Boris Johnson walking into a partygate ‘witch hunt’ – with a comeback at risk March 19, 2023 Former prime minister Boris Johnson could face a “witch hunt” before MPs at a grilling over his involvement in the lockdown-busting partygate scandal, a key ally has warned. Lord Greenhalgh, who was a deputy mayor during Johnson’s tenure at City Hall, said he was “concerned it will be a witch hunt” and hoped he would [...]