Gordon Brown joins 50 charities urging action on cost of living crisis, u-turn on ‘unthinkable’ below-inflation benefit rise March 17, 2022 Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined around 50 charities urging the government to urgently address the cost of living crisis, and change its mind on a below-inflation benefits rise. Pressure was growing on ministers this week not to go ahead with the rise of 3.1 per cent in the Spring statement, as inflation is set [...]
Dorries’ laws for Big Tech have become overrun trying to keep everyone happy March 17, 2022 Today marks the introduction of the Online Safety Bill: a “world-first” for online safety, but a behemoth bill of confusion. Variations of today’s bill have been bounced around since David Cameron, drawing media attention and public uncertainty, and ultimately landing in the hands of reality TV personality turned politician Nadine Dorries. As it stands today, [...]
Government doesn’t support cap on MP pay as a part of sleaze reforms March 17, 2022 The government does not support a cap on MP pay as a part of reforms proposed after last year’s Conservative party sleaze scandal, it has been revealed. The Guardian reports that ministers recently submitted its proposals for reform of parliament’s rules on second jobs for MPs to Westminster’s Committee on Standards, with a cap on [...]
Sadiq Khan declares war on domestic abusers as mayor frees up fresh cash for London victims March 17, 2022 London Mayor Sadiq Khan has outline a new £11.3m cashpot for domestic abuse services, after reports rocketed during the pandemic. Around one in eight crimes recorded last year in the capital were domestic abuse reports, as Covid-19 lockdowns kept a number of crimes behind closed doors. “The new investment we’ve have announced today will work [...]
Rail franchise Govia slapped with £23.5m fine over HS1 scandal March 17, 2022 The government has slapped rail franchise Govia with a £23.5m fine over a breach of an agreement relating to High Speed One. The penalty notice for the company – run by the Go-Ahead Group (65 per cent) and Keolis (35 per cent) – was issued to the operating firm London & South Eastern Railway Limited [...]
‘Financial institutions are losing patience’ with Hong Kong, admits Lam March 17, 2022 Hong Kong’s leader has admitted today that the city’s controversial ‘Zero-Covid’ restrictions are blocking out businesses and wearing down its residents. Carrie Lam has since been forced to reconsider the financial hub’s tough Covid-19 restrictions, while case numbers remain high – but are thought to have peaked. “The time has come” to review the measures, [...]
Johnson says Saudi Arabia ‘understands’ need to protect globe from energy price rises March 16, 2022 Boris Johnson has said Saudi Arabia “understands” the need to help protect the globe from current energy price spikes, after trying to get the country to increase its production of oil. Johnson said after his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman today that “I think there was an understanding of the need to [...]
Ukraine and Russia make progress on draft peace plan March 16, 2022 Ukraine and Russia reportedly made progress yesterday on a draft 15-point peace plan, after almost four weeks of fighting. The draft plan includes an agreement to a ceasefire, Ukraine agreeing to become neutral between Russia and Nato and commitments from Volodymyr Zelensky to shrink the Ukrainian army. This would include Ukrainian promises to not host [...]
Truss confirms £394m paid to Iran to free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe March 16, 2022 Liz Truss has confirmed in the House of Commons that the UK has paid its £393.8m debt to Iran to free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, after six years in a Tehran prison. Fellow British-Iranian dual national Anousheh Ashouri was also freed after almost five years imprisonment, while Morad Tahbaz has been released “on furlough” and remains in [...]
Kremlin in sudden U-turn as ceasefire seems likely: Russia ‘changing tone’ as isolated Putin drops demands for Ukraine to surrender March 16, 2022 Despite fierce fighting in the last 24 hours, with Russia’s military forces blasting Ukraine’s capital region and other major cities. Russia has softened its stance in the talks over a possible settlement and is rapidly ‘changing tone’, according to people close to the Ukraine-Russia peace talks. In fact, a ceasefire seems increasingly likely. Ihor Zhovkva, [...]