Starmer: Unemployment jump not caused by my government May 14, 2025 The Prime Minister has denied the 10 per cent rise in unemployment since last year’s election is the fault of his government, arguing that the recently struck trade deals with India and the United States will boost jobs and the UK economy. During a fiery exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer accused Kemi Badenoch [...]
Is Rachel Reeves breaking up with the OBR? May 14, 2025 City AM’s City Editor, Simon Hunt, unpicks the stories that get the Square Mile talking Rachel Reeves will do anything to keep the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on side. Or so we thought. The chancellor made a number of last-minute changes to her Spring Statement to ensure her fiscal headroom stayed on target, including [...]
FCA to rip up insurance rules in drive for growth May 14, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority has outlined plans to ditch “outdated or duplicated” insurance rules in a bid to help firms reduce costs and drive competition. The City regulator’s fresh proposals would hand firms greater responsibility over reviewing the value of their product. This would involve companies using the risks and characteristics of each individual product [...]
UK research fund suffering from Labour’s lack of strategy, watchdog says May 14, 2025 The government should give the UK’s largest single public fund for scientific and technological research more deadlines and clearer targets in order for projects to succeed, an independent watchdog has said. The National Audit Office (NAO) said the government should better communicate its policy priorities to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which has a budget [...]
Home Secretary defends PM’s immigration speech after backlash May 13, 2025 The Home Secretary has defended the Prime Minister’s choice of language after he received criticism for claiming that the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers” without major reform to the immigration system. Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who was suspended from Labour after voting against welfare reforms, posted on X: “Talk of an “island [...]
New immigration plans could reverse the UK’s tech exodus May 13, 2025 The UK government’s recently unveiled immigration white paper has triggered cautious optimism across the tech sector, as policymakers aim to reverse a talent bottleneck that many say has long stifled innovation and growth. As part of a broader industrial strategy targeting sectors like AI, quantum, and green tech, the paper outlines steps to widen access [...]
Starmer’s trade deal triumphs fail to impress UK voters May 13, 2025 With Sir Keir Starmer’s approval ratings languishing below those of both the Reform UK and Conservative leaders, Downing Street would have hoped that signing trade deals with India and the US last week could have turned the dial on the PM’s unpopularity. However, despite the diplomatic coups voters appeared unmoved by Starmer’s success on the world [...]
Reform is rising rapidly, but voter frustration can only carry Farage so far May 13, 2025 Reform UK is surging ahead of Labour, but voter frustration can only carry Farage so far, writes Matthew Lesh.
Immigration reforms won’t solve labour shortages, businesses warn May 13, 2025 Government plans to draw back immigration levels and tighten criteria for visas will put efforts to fill labour shortages at risk, with leading industry groups urging Keir Starmer to fast-track apprenticeship reforms. The immigration white paper, which was published on Monday, set out plans to end specific care worker visas, strengthen the skills criteria needed [...]
Starmer’s just the latest to be shaped by UK’s immigration debate May 13, 2025 Immigration has shaped UK politics for the past 20 years, often in ways that surprised at the time but which appear in hindsight to make perfect sense. David Cameron’s 2010 pledge to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands set the Tory party on a collision course first with Brexit and then the subsequent [...]