Labour’s war on business is a gift to Nigel Farage July 22, 2025 Labour’s paralysis is driving business away from Britain and paving a path to power for Nigel Farage and Reform, says Alexander Temerko The government of Keir Starmer has internalised a culture of hesitation so completely that inaction is no longer perceived as a flaw, but as a mode of governance. Over the past year, a [...]
Labour to target rule-breaking ministers with financial sanctions July 21, 2025 Rule-breaking ministers will be targeted with sanctions and a new watchdog will be set up to improve standards in public life under new reforms introduced by the Labour government. As part of efforts to improve behaviour across politics, Keir Starmer has replaced an independent watchdog for former ministers – the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments [...]
Wealth tax would be a ‘dangerous road to go down’, BNP investment chief warns July 21, 2025 The chief investment officer at BNP Paribas Wealth Management has become the latest senior banker to warn over plans to introduce a wealth tax in the UK, describing the move a “dangerous road to go down.” In an interview with City AM, Edmund Shing said the move was likely to discourage entrepreneurs from starting a [...]
How much will the Afghan data leak really cost? July 21, 2025 Many questions arise from the astonishing story of the Afghan data leak, but one is why the government seems to have no idea how much it will cost, says Eliot Wilson The announcement last week by defence secretary John Healey that the government had for two years had a super-injunction to conceal a massive loss [...]
Keir Starmer bars Labour MPs after rebellion July 16, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suspended at least four Labour MPs who have had a record of voting against the government in parliament. The Labour backbenchers to have been barred from the party include Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell. Sources told The Times, which first reported the story, that the MPs [...]
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out pension tax raid July 16, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer shied away from ruling out a pensions tax raid at the Autumn Budget despite top researchers’ calls for the government to refrain from adding ever-higher cost burdens on Britons. Keir Starmer has faced repeated questions about several taxes being introduced later this year given City estimates that as much as £24bn [...]
Rachel Reeves launches major fintech push to galvanize listings July 15, 2025 Rachel Reeves has laid out the government’s plans to make the UK the world leader in fintech in the Chancellor’s latest effort to attract a fleet of listings from the industry. Reeves today unveiled the Treasury’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, in which she laid out her vision to make the UK the “world’s [...]
Rachel Reeves accelerates deregulation push in Leeds Reforms July 15, 2025 Rachel Reeves has laid out plans to “rewire” the financial services system in a deregulation push as part of her Leeds reforms package. The Chancellor said the plans will make the UK the number one destination for financial services businesses by 2035 as the government “doubles down on the UK’s global strengths”. The Leeds Reforms [...]
Tax debate goes from comedy to tragedy July 15, 2025 When I suggested recently that we were going to experience déjà vu, with another summer of endless tax rise speculation, I didn’t imagine the experience would be quite so profound. And yet, having already enjoyed the spectacle last year of Labour MPs trying to define “working people” they’re now treating us to a rerun of [...]
In Starmer’s Labour, it’s backbenchers that hold the power July 15, 2025 Labour needs backbenchers who fight for growth, not just block spending cuts, writes Michael Martins in today's Notebook.