Live update: Govt threatens to pull Brexit bill if MPs vote down timetable October 22, 2019 The Prime Minister has urged MPs to back his Brexit bill to ensure the UK leaves the EU by 31 October, saying it will allow the country “to heal”. Speaking in the Commons for the first time since he was forced to send a letter requesting an extension, Boris Johnson bemoaned the passing of the [...]
MPs challenge Sir Nick Clegg over Facebook’s political ads rule change October 22, 2019 A top MP has written to Facebook vice president Sir Nick Clegg urging him to explain why the social media platform has overhauled its rules on political advertising. Damian Collins, chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee, warned the changes would “place a heavy constraint on [Facebook’s] ability to combat disinformation [...]
DEBATE: Should we ban staff from work emails after office hours October 22, 2019 Is banning staff from work emails after office hours a good idea to combat the ‘always-on’ culture? YES, says Laura Giffard, founder and creative strategist of Perq Studio. Any company that buys into the idea that emails can be answered at any time is being irresponsible and exploiting their staff’s discretionary effort. It sets a [...]
Donald Tusk opens door to Brexit extension ahead of key vote October 22, 2019 The president of the European Council Donald Tusk has indicated he is minded to back an extension to the Brexit process if MPs vote against the government’s timetable today. Speaking in Strasbourg today for the first time since he received the Benn Act-compelled letter from Boris Johnson, Tusk told MEPS: “The situation is quite complex [...]
Brexit can spark a Big Bang for life sciences October 22, 2019 Whether or not Halloween marks a new chapter in the UK’s relationship with the EU, it also marks over 30 years since the “Big Bang” reforms to the City of London. And it is this milestone – rather than any Brexit deal – which is more instructive for how the country can make its way [...]
Bidding war on the cards as Just Eat rejects £4.9bn hostile bid from Prosus October 22, 2019 Just Eat could find itself at the centre of a bidding war after rejecting a hostile £4.9bn bid from investment firm Prosus that threatens to disrupt its merger with Takeaway.com. The firm’s share price leapt 24 per cent to 732.8p despite the rejection in favour of its £8.3bn tie-up with the Dutch Takeaway.com as a [...]
Ofgem proposes new rules to stop energy firms going bust October 22, 2019 Ofgem has proposed further reforms for existing energy suppliers as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of supplier failure and strengthen the safety net for consumers. The new rules would allow the regulator to request independent audits of suppliers’ customer service operations and financial status. Read more: Renewable energy set to grow by [...]
These are the 10 most dangerous celebrities to search for online October 22, 2019 Carrying out an online search for your favourite singer or TV star may seem an innocuous way to while away the time. However, a spot of celebrity stalking could turn out to be dangerous, as cyber criminals lure in unwitting fans with links to malicious websites. Read more: Russian cyber criminals hack Iranian hackers to [...]
UK manufacturing firms planning lowest investment since financial crisis October 22, 2019 British manufacturing companies are planning to invest at the lowest rate since the financial crisis next year, a survey showed today, as Brexit uncertainty batters the sector. Read more: What’s in the WAB? Government’s Brexit bill explained The sector’s slowdown worsened in the three months to October, with orders for products falling at the fastest [...]
Government borrowing jumps by a fifth in run up to Brexit October 22, 2019 UK public borrowing shot up by a fifth in the first six months of the financial year, figures have shown, as promises of extra spending spelled the end of Conservative debt reduction. Read more: Sajid Javid promises to increase national living wage to £10.50 The UK public sector had to borrow £9.4bn in September to [...]