Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he wants to impose local income taxes as shadow chancellor John McDonnell repeats commitment to restoring 50p top rate January 10, 2016 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has reportedly suggested imposing local income taxes, telling a private lunch in Westminster that he wants "genuine regional taxation powers" in England. Corbyn's apparent proposed levy would be on top of existing national income tax and council taxes. According to the Mail on Sunday, Corbyn has yet to specify how much tax regions [...]
David Cameron promises £140m turnaround of sink estates January 10, 2016 David Cameron has promised £140m to redevelop so-called sink estates in an effort to tackle poverty and social problems. Some 100 housing estates across the UK will be redeveloped and some knocked down "starting from scratch" under new plans. "Behind front doors, families build warm and welcoming homes. But step outside in the worst estates [...]
Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers under pressure to resign post if she campaigns for Brexit January 9, 2016 Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers has been called on to resign if she ends up campaigning for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union ahead of the upcoming referendum. Villiers is said to be ready to campaign for Brexit, which would likely damage the economy in Northern Ireland, making her position untenable, opponents claim. [...]
US President Barack Obama to leave empty seat for gun victims at State of the Union address January 9, 2016 When US President Barack Obama gives his final State of the Union address he will leave a seat empty to symbolise the victims of gun crime. The gesture, revealed in the New York Times, is the latest in a string of moves by the President to bring gun crime down, after having met with his [...]
Financial Conduct Authority interim chief executive Tracey McDermott says regulator isn’t “going soft” on banks January 9, 2016 The Financial Conduct Authority is "not going soft on banks", its interim chief executive Tracey McDermott said after the regulator dropped probes into the banking industry. Speaking to the BBC, McDermott said: "We're not going soft on the banks, we're not being told what to do by the government. We have objectives which are set for [...]
£1,500 grant to be given to those affected by flooding, says Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon January 9, 2016 Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon has announced that every household, business and charity in Scotland directly affected by flooding will receive a grant of £1,500. During a visit to Inverurie in Aberdeenshire the first minister said £12m would be made available to help areas hit by flooding after rivers Dee, Don and Ythan burst their [...]
It will cost the average Londoner over £6,000 to do their job this year January 9, 2016 Londoners spend on average over £6,000 on their jobs each year just getting to and from work, as well as buying work-related items, new research has shown. The study by health consultancy firm Protected revealed that Londoners spend an average of £6,100 per year, before employees even get to the office or workspace. Read more: The [...]
EU migrant crisis: German Chancellor Angela Merkel considers tougher migrant laws following Cologne attacks January 9, 2016 German Chancellor Angela Merkel is considering changes to the law to make it easier to deport migrants who commit crimes, following sex attacks on women in Cologne. Condemnation following the attacks, which took place on New Years Eve and appeared to be co-ordinated, raisied a debate about Germany's open-door policy on migrants. Read more: Time Magazine [...]
Top tips for saving up a house deposit January 8, 2016 Four out of five Britons under 30 would prefer to own their own home, rather than rent, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, but in London, that’s easier said than done. Home ownership is at its lowest level in 25 years and property prices have risen to about six times the UK’s average annual [...]