France votes to lower “Nutella tax” on palm oil after protests over “arrogant” and “excessive” surcharge from international producers March 19, 2016 In the same week that George Osborne announced a surprise sugar tax in the Budget here in the UK, France has voted to cut a tax on imported palm oil dubbed the "Nutella tax". The surcharge of €300 per tonne of palm oil was originally approved by the country's upper chamber in a biodiversity bill after environmental groups [...]
Odds not on George: Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation has made Osborne vulnerable as William Hill slashes Tory leader odds March 19, 2016 Bookmaker William Hill has doubled its odds on George Osborne becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party from 2/1 to 4/1 second favourite. William Hill also shortened Boris Johnson's odds from 3/1 to 15/8, becoming the clear favourite, as "a series of mistakes" started to impact on Osborne's "future prospects". "So sure-footed for so long, Mr Osborne was [...]
Thousands of protesters descend on London in major refugee rally organised by Stand Up to Racism for UN anti-racism day March 19, 2016 Thousands of protesters will descend on central London today for a refugee-focused march coordinated by campaign group Stand Up to Racism. The demonstration will assemble at midday at Portland Place and will then follow a route through Langham Place, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Pall Mall and Pall Mall East before congregating in Trafalgar Square from [...]
Stephen Crabb appointed work and pensions secretary after Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation over disability cuts March 19, 2016 Stephen Crabb has been appointed as the new work and pensions secretary, after Iain Duncan Smith resigned yesterday over "indefensible" disability cuts. Duncan Smith published an open letter of resignation on Friday evening, citing pressure to make further cuts to disability benefits as the reason for his departure. In a letter responding to his resignation, [...]
Five killed and 36 injured in an expected suicide bomb attack on Istiklal Avenue in central Istanbul March 19, 2016 At least five people have been killed and 36 injured in what is believed to be a suicide bomb attack in central Istanbul, government officials have said. The explosion on Saturday morning occurred on Istiklal Avenue, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops and boutiques near Taksim square in the historic Beyoglu district of the city. The bomber, who [...]
Russia plane flying from Dubai crashes in city of Rostov-on-Don killing all 62 people on board March 19, 2016 A passenger jet flying from Dubai to the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has crashed killing all 55 passengers and seven crew members on board. The FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 flight FZ981 missed the runway by 250m (800ft) as it attempted to land at 5.30am local time, officials say. "The aircraft hit the ground and broke into pieces," the [...]
Iain Duncan Smith: Full resignation letter March 19, 2016 I am incredibly proud of the welfare reforms that the Government has delivered over the last five years. Those reforms have helped to generate record rates of employment and in particular a substantial reduction in workless households. As you know, the advancement of social justice was my driving reason for becoming part of your ministerial team and [...]
David Cameron “puzzled and disappointed” by Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation over disability cuts March 19, 2016 David Cameron has said he is "puzzled and disappointed" at the resignation of work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith last night. Stephen Crabb, formerly the secretary of state for Wales, was appointed Duncan Smith's successor on Saturday morning. Duncan Smith published an open letter of resignation on Friday evening, citing pressure to make further cuts to [...]
After the government’s volte-face on the sugar tax, will marketeers be left with a crashing low? March 18, 2016 NULL
The Underground adland: Having won TfL’s £1.1bn advertising contract, Exterion Media’s Jason Cotterrell lays out his subterranean vision March 18, 2016 NULL