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 [...]
UK sends 350 soldiers to Poland to ‘stand firm’ with Ukraine, says defence secretary February 8, 2022 The UK is set to send 350 soldiers to bolster security on the Polish border, as prime minister Boris Johnson prepares to deploy RAF Typhoons and warships to eastern Europe. “Poland is one of our oldest allies,” defence secretary Ben Wallace said today. “As strong partners in NATO and Europe we will both stand firm [...]
UK swerves away from EU car safety rules following Brexit February 8, 2022 The government has said it could use its new Brexit “freedoms” to avoid complying with EU car safety rules. Following Brexit, the UK no longer needs to follow the General Safety Regulations, which include higher standards for cars and lorries to make them less deadly for pedestrians. The UK agreed to be follow the regulations [...]
Ofgem boss to face grilling from MPs as price cap comes under fresh scrutiny February 8, 2022 MPs will put the consumer price cap under scrutiny in Westminister today after Ofgem’s decision to hike energy bills to nearly £2,000 per year.
Attempts to move civil servants out of London result in twice as many being recruited in the capital February 8, 2022 A new report claims this morning that efforts to move civil servants out of London are “going backwards”. In fact, since 2018, one in three civil servants has been recruited in the city, meaning the number of civil servants has grown twice as fast in London, at 22 per cent, than it has in regions [...]
The Elizabeth Line in pictures: Our first look at Crossrail February 8, 2022 It’s almost here. Almost fifteen years after being granted approval by government, the Elizabeth Line is set to open in just months. City A.M. Editor Andy Silvester went underground to see the line’s progress – trusty iPhone camera in tow. I THINK people are going to be impressed” are TfL Commissioner Andy Byford’s last words [...]