Rees-Mogg hints schools, hospitals and care homes will get extended energy support September 21, 2022 Jacob Rees-Mogg has hinted schools, hospitals and care homes will get energy support for longer than the initial six months outlined for all businesses. The business secretary today said that “schools and hospitals and care homes are obviously going to be able to need to afford their energy in a year’s time”, while also emphasising [...]
UK government borrowing double than expected September 21, 2022 The UK government borrowed nearly double the amount than expected last month to fund the first stages of the cost of living care package, official figures published today show. Britain’s debt pile swelled £11.8bn in August, much higher than the country’s official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), projected £6bn at the March budget, [...]
Russia holds its breath as Putin mobilises hundreds of thousands amid risk Ukraine war may turn nuclear September 21, 2022 The Russian president announced earlier this morning a partial military mobilisation, with 300,000 reservists set to be called up as the Kremlin attempts to regain ground in the face of a counter-attack by Ukraine’s forces. Vladimir Putin warned Russia would use “all the means at our disposal” to protect itself as the conflict in Ukraine [...]
Government unveils energy support package to ‘stop businesses collapsing’ September 21, 2022 Firms have been given a boost in dealing with the energy crisis through a government discount, with the chancellor saying it “stepped in to stop businesses collapsing”. Plans were unveiled this morning, cutting prices for non-domestic energy customers, while suppliers will reduce wholesale costs to help families. The measures, announced by the department for Department [...]
Liz Truss planning to cut stamp duty as ‘rabbit’ in mini-budget September 21, 2022 Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng are planning to cut stamp duty as the ‘rabbit’ in forthcoming mini-budget. Britain’s new prime minister will announce plans in a bid to spur growth in the UK economy. Reported in the Times, Truss and her new chancellor have been working on plans for over a month, before she was [...]
Scrapping bankers’ bonus cap is only a signal, but it is a signal nonetheless September 21, 2022 AN UNPOPULAR politician is usually a short-lived phenomenon. It appears Liz Truss is hoping that by the time the impacts of her unpopular decisions will be felt, the benefits will be so obvious the electorate will forget their initial teeth-gnashing. She may well be right. Even this column would accept that removing the bankers’ bonus [...]
London businesses still not sure what ‘Levelling Up’ means, new survey shows September 20, 2022 London businesses are still unclear on the details of what the UK government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda actually entails, according to new research from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). First set out in the Conservative Party manifesto in 2019, the Levelling Up policy aims to reduce disparities between regions and social groups inside [...]
Liz Truss sticks by chief of staff despite being questioned by FBI in Puerto Rico bribery probe September 20, 2022 Liz Truss has given her “full support” to her chief of staff Mark Fullbrook, after revelations that he was questioned by the FBI as a witness over an inquiry into alleged bribery in Puerto Rico. It was revealed on Sunday that Fullbrook, who ran Truss’ Tory leadership campaign, had been asked to answer questions relating [...]
Trade unions launch legal challenge against UK government’s ‘strikebreaking’ law September 20, 2022 Eleven trade unions, including RMT, Unite and GMB, are seeking permission for a judicial review to overturn the UK government’s strikebreaking law, which lets firms bring in temporary staff to replace striking workers. The trade unions are seeking permission for a judicial review in arguing the law breaches Article 11 of the European Convention of [...]
Liz Truss refuses to rule out scrapping the bankers’ bonus cap September 20, 2022 Liz Truss has today warned that not all her policies will be “popular” as she refuses to rule out scrapping the bankers’ bonus cap. The Prime Minister told journalists in New York that “what is important to me, what is important to the chancellor, is that people have more opportunities, there is more investment, there [...]