Scottish independence: A second referendum is now “inevitable”, says Nicola Sturgeon October 11, 2015 While all parties should respect the result of last years Scottish independence referendum, a second vote is "inevitable" in the future, leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon has said. Read more: A yes vote would have plunged Scotland into a deep depression Speaking on BBC's The Andrew Marr show, Sturgeon said she believed a [...]
Barista creates Irn Bru coffee by mixing espresso with Scotland’s favourite drink October 11, 2015 Move over deep-fried Mars bars, there's a new Scottish delicacy in town. One young barista has created what could just be the ultimate pick-me-up my combining a shot of espresso and the Scots' favourite drink, Irn Bru. Competing in a barista championship in Edinburgh, 17-year-old student and coffee shop worker Daniel Todd picked up second place in the competition [...]
Boris Johnson is heading on a trade trip to Japan to promote fintech and life science investment… and the Rugby World Cup October 11, 2015 The London mayor Boris Johnson is heading east to promote investment in the capital's fintech and life sciences sectors on a new trade trip to Japan. The out-going mayor is seeking to tie up new deals between the countries in tech innovation and life sciences, as well as retail, in a bid to increase the £950m pumped into the capital [...]
These MPs want the government to hike the rate of tax on tobacco October 11, 2015 A group of MPs want the tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products to be increased to reduce the number of people smoking and raise £100m for the Treasury to spend on anti-smoking projects. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on smoking and health has suggested tobacco tax be raised to five per cent from the [...]
Facebook’s UK corporate tax bill in 2014 was less than the cost of this annual commute between London and Brighton October 11, 2015 Facebook paid just £4,327 in corporation tax last year – less than the annual cost of travel for some people commuting to London from Brighton each day. The miniscule amount was paid on losses of £28.5m at its UK business, according to its latest accounts, up from £11.6m the year before. Revenues hit £105m in 2014, [...]
Rent checks risk “everyday racism” warns Labour shadow home secretary Andy Burnham of Right to Rent scheme in Theresa May’s Immigration Bill October 11, 2015 Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has slammed new rules forcing landlords to check the immigration status of tenants, saying it would risk causing " everyday racism". The pilot Right to Rent scheme places responsibility for the background checks on to landlords, with the threat of fines and even jail if they fail to do so. Burnham, [...]
EU referendum: Three ex-PMs Tony Blair, John Major and Gordon Brown band together to fight for pro-Europe “In” vote with Britain Stronger in Europe campaign group October 11, 2015 Three former Prime Ministers have joined forces to fight for the UK's membership of the European Union, according to reports. Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will support the campaign to keep the UK part of the European Union, which is expected to be called Britain Stronger in Europe. Former Marks & Spencer [...]
EU referendum: Downing street denies scaling back on renegotiating terms of EU membership October 11, 2015 Number 10 has denied reports that the government is backing down on some key tenants of its attempted EU renegotiation. Reports over the weekend suggested Prime Minister David Cameron had watered down his demands, including restricting benefits to EU migrants, the Guardian reported. Read more: Treasury Select Committee to review UK's EU membership Downing street said [...]
Britons more likely to drink than other nations in a range of situations October 10, 2015 It's no secret that Britons like a drink, and often don't need any excuse to crack open a beer or sip on a glass of wine, but a new survey shows Britons are the most eager of all nations in the world to have a drink. A study of 6,500 drinks from countries including UK, [...]
Geoffrey Howe, former Conservative chancellor, dies aged 88 October 10, 2015 Former Conservative chancellor of the exchequer Geoffrey Howe has passed away aged 88 after suffering a suspected heart attack, his family have said. Prime Minister David Cameron has led the tributes, calling Howe the "quiet hero" of the first Thatcher government. Cameron added: "The Conservative family has lost one of its greats." Howe became chancellor in 1979 when [...]