Tractors circle Westminster as farmers protest inheritance tax rise November 19, 2024 Thousands of farmers marched on Westminster today in protest against the government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to meet with representatives from the industry after she unveiled plans in the Budget to impose inheritance tax (IHT) on farms worth more than £1m from April 2026. The [...]
Starmer risks resurrecting Cameron’s failed China script November 19, 2024 The Prime Minister has been mingling with world leaders in Brazil, and while his government continues to face an array of domestic challenges (from tractor protests to debates on assisted dying) he has managed to pick up a hefty endorsement from one of the world’s most powerful people. “The new UK government is working to [...]
Reeves has been ‘straight with the public’, No10 insists amid CV row November 18, 2024 Rachel Reeves has been “straight with the public” about Britain’s accounts and “restored financial stability”, No10 has insisted, amid claims the Chancellor exaggerated her CV. Reports emerged this weekend that Reeves had inflated the length of her service at the Bank of England in a Stylist interview in 2021. She told the magazine in 2021 [...]
Labour’s assault on the private sector will come back to haunt them November 18, 2024 The weekend’s papers groaned under the weight of business leaders’ concerns and complaints about the Labour’s government’s recent Budget and wider policy agenda. “They don’t understand business” ran an FT article, drawing on a host of quotes from alarmed chief executives. “Honeymoon’s over for business chiefs…” was the warning in a similar Sunday Times article. [...]
COP29: A missed opportunity to take the heat out of global warming November 18, 2024 Those who shout the loudest about climate change tend to have a disproportionate influence, but we’ll never solve this challenge without being realistic and practical, says Eliot Wilson There was a time when climate change – ”global warming” was the argot when I was young – was accepted by politicians as a major challenge. Margaret [...]
The UK has the tools, talent and expertise to unlock growth November 18, 2024 In a competitive global environment, Britain has everything it needs to succeed, but there are a few ways the government could help, says Chris Hayward The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech laid out a bold and detailed vision for the UK’s economy and financial services sector. The message is clear: Britain is not only primed for [...]
Peers want to force Chagos Islands referendum to stop handover deal November 16, 2024 A group of Lords wants to force a referendum over the handover of the Chagos Islands, in a move that could delay the treaty from taking effect until after Donald Trump takes office. Lord Bellingham is leading a group of peers who plan to introduce an amendment to the treaty when it reaches the House [...]
UK turning away from EU ‘socialism’ would spur Trump on trade deal – adviser November 16, 2024 Donald Trump would be more willing to clinch a free trade agreement with the UK if it turns away from the EU’s “socialism” and towards a US model, a senior economic advisor to the president-elect has said. Stephen Moore, who is advising Trump as he prepares for office, said the UK “has to choose” between [...]
Reeves ‘not satisfied’ as economic growth slows in third quarter November 16, 2024 Rachel Reeves has said she is “not satisfied” after official figures showed economic growth slowed in the months after Labour won the election, and even contracted in September. The UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent between July and September, versus 0.5 per cent growth in the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) [...]
Get rid of ‘mongrels and wasters’ by paying government advisors more November 15, 2024 Sue Gray’s salary as chief of staff attracted controversy for all the wrong reasons: it was too low, not too high. Across government, we should be prepared to pay serious money for serious talent, says Patrick King Staffing appointments by the new government have led to cries of cronyism, with hand-wringing about civil service politicisation. [...]