Ministers mull bailout of chipmaker Newport Wafer Fab May 29, 2022 The government is considering a taxpayer bailout of British chipmaker Newport Wafer Fab if its sale to a Chinese-owned firm is overturned on national security grounds. Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced this week that he was using new powers in the National Security Act to review the sale of the Wales-based firm by Wingtech subsidiary [...]
Ukraine puts pressure on Germany to limit Russian gas through Nord Stream 1 pipeline May 29, 2022 Germany is under pressure to reduce its consumption from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, as Ukraine looks to fund its war efforts through transit fees.
Stick or twist: Ministers prepare to water down upcoming gambling review May 29, 2022 As the review for gambling legislation beckons, it is understood that ministers are rethinking what the industry has called "draconian" measures.
Cabinet minister ‘confident’ there was no Number 10 interference in Gray report May 29, 2022 Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has said he is “confident” there was no Number 10 interference in the Sue Gray report into partygate amid reports to the contrary. The Sunday Times reported today that three senior government officials, including top civil servant Simon Case, lobbied Gray to water down her report on the eve of [...]
Russian Army is ‘chewing through ground’ in Donbas as Kremlin makes ‘palpable progress’ in Ukraine this week May 28, 2022 Vladimir Putin’s Russian Army is making “palpable progress” in the Donbas region after abandoning the attempt to encircle Kyiv, Boris Johnson said this morning. Johnson argued, in an interview with Bloomberg, that more offensive weapons including long-range multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRSs) are needed. He stressed the “vital” need to provide Ukraine with fresh military support [...]
Shell: ‘We understand worry for millions – but windfall tax creates uncertainty’ May 27, 2022 Shell has slammed the government’s windfall tax. It said while it “understands the worry for millions” about the cost of living crisis, the new tax creates “uncertainty” about investment in the UK energy sector. This follows Chancellor Rishi Sunak announcing a so-called Energy Profits Levy, a 25 per cent surcharge on North Sea oil and [...]
Partygate: MP quits top role over Sue Gray report citing ‘toxic culture’ creating ‘deep mistrust’ May 27, 2022 An MP has resigned from his role in the government over the partygate, citing the “toxic culture” in Downing Street which has created a “deep mistrust” of Boris Johnson’s administration. Paul Holmes, who represents Eastleigh, announced in a statement on Friday he had quit his role as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Home Office. The [...]
Post-Brexit and pandemic inquiry launched into labour market recovery as shortages ‘act as brake on prosperity’ May 27, 2022 A post-pandemic and Brexit recovery inquiry has been launched into the UK labour market as skills and worker shortages appear to have strained the recovery post-pandemic and Brexit. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee initiated the probe on Friday in wake of recently published figures by the Office for National Statistics, showing more [...]
Sunak: If you’re rich like me, give windfall tax of £400 to charity May 27, 2022 Rishi Sunak has said people should follow his lead and give the government’s £400 energy bill assistance to charity. The chancellor of the exchequer made his comments this morning after it was announced everyone will get a grant as part of a £21bn living support package. This comes after pressure on the government to impose [...]
Sunak denies using £21bn support package to deflect from No 10 lockdown parties May 27, 2022 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has rejected the notion that the timing of handing out £21bn worth of cost-of-living support to deflect from the controversy over Downing Street lockdown parties. The Chancellor bowed to demands for the UK Government to step in and help households to deal with ballooning energy bills and rising shop prices, which are [...]