Labour need to find ‘incentive’ for EU to reopen Brexit deal, expert warns September 19, 2023 Labour’s plans to seek a renegotiated Brexit deal with the European Union will require finding an “incentive” for the bloc to reopen talks, an expert has warned. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to seek a “much better” deal if his party wins the next general election, and said Boris Johnson’s agreement, which is up for [...]
Train drivers announce fresh strike to coincide with Tory conference September 15, 2023 Train drivers are to stage fresh strikes, coinciding with the Conservative party’s annual conference, in their long-running dispute over pay. Aslef announced its members at 16 train operators will walk out on September 30 – the day before the conference – and October 4, the final day of the event. The union said the strikes [...]
Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond joins exodus of Tory MPs quitting at next election September 15, 2023 Stephen Hammond has become the latest MP to confirm they will call it quits at the next election. The Wimbledon MP and former minister will join a Conservative exodus, with more than 40 announcing that they will not defend their seat in an election that is likely to take place next year. In a letter [...]
Failure to scrap nutrient neutrality rules a ‘national disgrace’, say housebuilders September 14, 2023 The government’s failure to scrap rules on so-called nutrient neutrality which have limited the construction of new homes are a “national disgrace”, a housebuilding body has said.
UK only replaced a third of public investment since leaving EU, think tank warns September 14, 2023 The UK has only been able to replace a third of public investment – and just an eighth of infrastructure investment – since leaving the European Union (EU), a think tank has warned. EU funding of £146bn over 46 years had supported crucial infrastructure schemes such as the Channel Tunnel, the Thames Tideway Tunnel and [...]
PMQs sketch: Starmer goes on the attack September 13, 2023 It would have been a tall order for Keir Starmer to mess up this week’s shouting match with the prime minister. Few politicos would have had an escaped terror suspect cycling around west London or an alleged Chinese spy in Parliament on their pre-conference bingo cards. And in fairness to the former chief prosecutor, he [...]
Pensions secretary: Triple lock has ‘very long term’ question marks as cost spirals September 12, 2023 The triple lock - set to cost an extra £2bn as a result of new wage growth data - may not be sustainable in the long-term
Rishi Sunak now as unpopular as Boris Johnson, poll finds September 11, 2023 Rishi Sunak is now as unpopular as Boris Johnson when he left office, polling of the public has revealed. The Prime Minister has scored his lowest ever favourability rating with almost 70 per cent of Brits revealing that they don’t rate him – making his popularity levels as poor as those of his former boss [...]
Rishi Sunak dodges commitment to pensions ‘triple lock’ in Tory manifesto September 11, 2023 Rishi Sunak has dodged a commitment to include the pensions ‘triple lock’ in the next Tory election manifesto. The Prime Minister now risks a backlash from his own MPs who will worry about turning off older voters in the general election. It comes amid reports ministers could consider a cut to benefits ahead of voters [...]
Corbyn London mayor bid could hurt Sadiq Khan and let Tories in, poll claims September 8, 2023 If former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn opts to run for City Hall in London, it could take votes away from Sadiq Khan and open the door for the Conservatives, a new a poll has found. It comes after the former party leader told the Edinburgh Festival earlier this summer that he would “have a think” [...]