Brexit: EU ambassador hits out at Truss for ‘unhelpful’ comments on NI Protocol January 9, 2022 A war of words between the UK and EU over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol has reignited just days before negotiations are set to resume. The EU’s ambassador to the UK Joao Vale de Almeida today said renewed threats by foreign secretary Liz Truss to trigger Article 16 and suspend the protocol were “unsurprising” and [...]
Tory chairman Ben Elliot tables plans to sell off Quintessentially January 9, 2022 Tory chairman Ben Elliot has reportedly tabled plans to sell his Quintessentially, as several business eye the luxury concierge business for takeover. While advisers have not yet been appointed, Quintessentially has hopes of securing a deal as soon as possible, the Telegraph reported, after the company hit rocky waters last year as lockdown restrictions [...]
Labour calls for windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas in bid to cut energy bills January 9, 2022 Labour is calling for a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas to pay for a series of measures that would cut household energy bills by around £600 per year for the country’s lowest wage earners. The plan, unveiled today, would see every consumer save just under £200 per year and 9m of the [...]
Zahawi says cutting Covid isolation period to five days would be ‘helpful’ January 9, 2022 A senior cabinet minister has expressed his support for cutting the Covid self-isolation period from seven to five days. Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the measure, which has been recommended by America’s Centre for Disease Control, would be “helpful” for the British economy as the Omicron wave hits its peak. It comes as new analysis [...]
EU’s nuclear power plans needs €500bn investment, says market commissioner January 9, 2022 The European Union’s new generation nuclear power plans will require a €500bn investment by 2050, according to the bloc’s internal market commissioner. The regeneration plan forms part of the bloc’s bid to decarbonise its energy grid, with Thierry Breton urging that the EU’s labelling of nuclear energy as ‘green’ alternatives will be vital for drawing [...]
Omicron could be ‘first ray of light’ towards Covid becoming an endemic says scientist January 8, 2022 Omicron is the "first ray of light" that COVID could eventually become less severe, scientists have suggested.
Tony and Cherie Blair under fire for £76k furlough payout January 8, 2022 Tony and Cherie Blair face criticism for their use of the furlough scheme, following a string of companies that have been told to hand back payments.
Rising inequality: Wealth of top one per cent is 230 times higher than poorest ten per cent January 8, 2022 The wealth of the richest one per cent of households is more than 230 times that of the poorest ten per cent, according to new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
A major climbdown: More flat owners dodge paying for dangerous cladding removal January 8, 2022 New plans reveal that flat owners will not have to pay to remove dangerous cladding from lower-height buildings, following a major climbdown of government commitments, according to BBC Newsnight.
Dominic Cummings: No 10 may have broken lockdown rules January 8, 2022 Former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings said a "senior No 10 official" invited people to "socially distanced drinks" in the garden in May 2020.