Philip Hammond says those who want detail on Brexit plans are inviting the government to “undermine our own negotiation” November 20, 2016 Philip Hammond has said the government will "get the very best possible deal that we can for Britain", amid concern European leaders will force a "hard Brexit". Speaking on The Andrew Marr show, Hammond said: "I do understand the frustration among people who would like us to be much more open about what we're thinking of [...]
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell just said he’d back a rise in the 40p rate tax threshold for higher earners November 20, 2016 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he backs raising the threshold on 40p tax for higher earners. Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, McDonnell said: "It looks as though the threshold will be increased by the government on Wednesday and we would support that." Marr suggested it was a tax giveaway, to which McDonnell said: "It is, but [...]
Fifteen people charged over Heathrow expansion protest November 20, 2016 The Met Police have charged 15 people following a protest at Heathrow Airport yesterday. The police said they had been charged with wilful obstruction of the highway, following a protest near M4 Spur Road. All those charged have been bailed to appear at Ealing Magistrates Court on Thursday 22 December. Heathrow expansion protesters were arrested after [...]
Businesses are “100 per cent committed” to making the best of Brexit but need clarity from government, says CBI November 20, 2016 Businesses want to make the best of Brexit, but will need more clarity from government, according to the CBI. Speaking tomorrow at the CBI's annual conference, president Paul Drechsler is expected to say that firms are "100 per cent committed" to making the best of Brexit", but to do that, "government and business must do more [...]
Donald Trump will be invited to meet the Queen at Windsor next year November 20, 2016 What a difference a few months makes, eh? In January, MPs were debating banning Donald Trump from the UK, now apparently he'll be invited to meet the Queen next year. The President-elect will be invited to meet the Queen, aka ministers' "secret weapon" to try and really cement the UK's special relationship with America. Read more: Donald [...]
Potholes beware: UK’s roads to get a £1.3bn boost in Philip Hammond’s infrastructure-intensive first Autumn Statement November 20, 2016 A £1.3bn funding boost to go towards improving Britain's roads will be one of the key infrastructure policies announced in Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement next week. Infrastructure investment will be "at the heart" of the mini-Budget, the government said today, will policies targeting long-term economic growth and productivity. An industrial strategy will also be published in [...]
Second tram investigation launched after video shows a driver “asleep” at controls close to spot of tragic Croydon crash November 19, 2016 An investigation has been launched into footage that appears to show a tram driver "asleep" while driving a tram close to the site where a major crash occurred nine days ago. The driver in the video, who was doing 40mph two stops away from the crash area, had 50 passengers on board the rush-hour tram when the [...]
Brexit: 60 Conservative MPs including Michael Gove and Iain Duncan Smith call on Theresa May to pull UK from Single Market November 19, 2016 A group of 60 pro-Brexit Conservative MPs has demanded Prime Minister Theresa May pulls Britain out of the Single Market. The ministers, which include seven former cabinet members, have put their names to the "hard Brexit" demand through the Sunday Telegraph, amid concerns that Remain figures in the cabinet are watering down the government's Brexit position. [...]
Facebook to launch $6bn share buyback programme from first quarter of next year and accounting chief Jas Athwal to resign in February November 19, 2016 Facebook Inc will buy back up to $6bn (£4.8bn) of its shares, starting in the first quarter of next year. The social media behemoth's board of directors authorised the repurchase programme of Class A common stock, which does not have an expiration date, according to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares were [...]
Steel yourselves: Storm Angus set to batter London tonight with 55mph winds and could affect commuters on Monday morning November 19, 2016 The first storm of Autumn 2016 is poised to batter London, the South and South East of England tonight and could cause disruption to commuters into Monday morning. Storm Angus will be whipping up a, err, storm, overnight when gales with storm-force winds developing over the English Channel will be swept overland from Dorset to Suffolk. London [...]