UK’s post-Covid small business support programme sees slow take-up February 9, 2022 Rishi Sunak’s post-Covid scheme to boost productivity among small British businesses has seen it reach just a tenth of its target in its first six months. The Help to Grow scheme, launched in August last year, is intended to support 30,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering business training in areas like marketing [...]
Health minister Gillian Keegan apologises for in-person meeting despite positive Covid-19 result February 9, 2022 Minister Gillian Keegan has apologised for continuing an in-person meeting after testing positive for Covid-19. The minister for care and mental health took to Twitter to publicly apologise and be “upfront” about her “mistake” last night. Keegan had attended a meeting with three fathers who had lost their daughters to suicide, and took a “precautionary” [...]
Govt told: ‘Don’t overpromise but be honest’ about Brexit as red tape, costs and delays hit UK firms February 9, 2022 The public spending watchdog warned this morning that UK trade with the EU has been knocked by Brexit and businesses have faced higher costs, more paperwork and border delays since Britain’s withdrawal. A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that while it was difficult to untangle how much of the hit to trade since [...]
Partygate dying down: Boris Johnson heading to PMQs after tinkering top team as PM tries to regain grip on power February 9, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face MPs after tinkering with his top team as he looks to stave off a confidence vote and lay the foundations for the next election battle. After months of being dogged by partygate allegations and a fresh controversy over his Jimmy Savile remarks, the Prime Minister opted to embark on [...]
Ambitious target: Sajid Javid plans to recruit 15,000 new health workers by the end of next month February 9, 2022 Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he aims to recruit 15,000 new health workers by the end of March as the Government warned the NHS waiting list in England will not start to fall for another two years and could even double in size. Sajid Javid, writing in the Daily Telegraph today, said the NHS [...]
Treasury’s £4.3bn fraud write-off likely to be eclipsed by £20bn Covid loan defaults as CBILs and BBLs are not repaid February 8, 2022 The £4.3bn of Covid loans that may have to be written-off by The Treasury due to fraud and highlighted by the recent resignation of Lord Agnew, could be eclipsed by businesses failing to repay their CBILs and BBLs Covid support loans, an industry expert warns. £73.8bn has been loaned under the above schemes to around [...]
Jobseekers have four weeks to find work in previous industry before widening search February 8, 2022 From today, jobseekers receiving Universal Credit will have four weeks to find work in their previous industry or job role, before having to widen the net. Those unemployed had previously had up to three months to find a job in their preferred sector. “The changes in the regulations aim to support people into work faster [...]
Exclusive: TfL chief on Crossrail, progress on a funding deal, and why levelling up needs London February 8, 2022 SOME fifteen years after the project was given government approval, TfL staff beam with pride as they escort journalists onto the gleaming Elizabeth Line platform at Paddington’s new Crossrail hub. “The Shard will fit in here quite comfortably. It’s the size of three Wembley stadiums,” explains Crossrail’s chief executive Mark Wild.Built jointly by construction giants [...]
Rees-Mogg made minister for ‘Brexit opportunities’ in mini-reshuffle February 8, 2022 Jacob Rees-Mogg is now minister for “Brexit opportunities” in the Cabinet Office after he was moved from his post as House of Commons leader in a mini-reshuffle today. He will still attend cabinet in the newly created role, which will also include a remit to oversee “government efficiency”. Mark Spencer, former chief whip, replaces Rees-Mogg [...]
PM won’t apologise for Jimmy Savile slur against Keir Starmer February 8, 2022 Boris Johnson will not apologise to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer after the Labour leader was mobbed by angry protesters shouting out “Jimmy Savile” and holding nooses. It came after Johnson claimed last week that Starmer spent his time as the director of public prosecutions “not prosecuting Jimmy Savile”, despite the fact that the Labour [...]