City Hall: Blow to Sadiq Khan as deputy mayor for policing quits for government job October 7, 2024 City Hall’s deputy mayor for policing and crime has quit her post for a government job in a blow to Sadiq Khan. Sophie Linden is to step down from her £141,386-a-year role to become a senior adviser to justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has announced. Linden has been in post since [...]
Teaching unions urge government to delay private school VAT roll out October 7, 2024 Teaching unions have urged the government to delay the roll out of private schools having to pay 20 per cent VAT on fees, amid fears of job losses and a “significant burden” on HMRC. Reports emerged on Sunday that ministers were reevaluating the policy – after the Treasury initially declined to confirm it would take [...]
Budget: Rachel Reeves set to drop pensions tax raid plans, per report October 7, 2024 Rachel Reeves is reportedly set to drop plans for a tax raid on pensions over fears it could unfairly affect public sector workers. The Chancellor has been warned that a scheme to reduce the 40 per cent tax relief on higher earners could disproportionately impact teachers and nurses, the Times reported. Treasury officials told Reeves [...]
The Notebook: How to fix the civil service? Pay the top brass more October 7, 2024 It's in everyone's interest to have the best talent in the civil service. That's why we should pay the top brass more, writes James Chapman.
Starmer set to announce £22bn boost for UK carbon capture October 4, 2024 The UK is set to invest almost £22bn over 25 years in carbon capture and storage schemes, Sir Keir Starmer is to announce ahead of the upcoming international investment summit. Projects in Teesside and Merseyside will benefit from the £21.7bn in funding over 25 years, which the government says will attract £8bn in private investment [...]
Labour capital gains hike would probably cost Treasury money, experts warn October 3, 2024 As the budget approaches, speculation is mounting that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning to reform CGT to help fill an alleged £22bn blackhole in the public finances.
How Conservatives won World War Two October 3, 2024 World War Two is meant to be ‘the people’s war’ in which ordinary people rose up, saved the nation and swept the Labour party to victory in 1945. That story is at best misleading and at worst untrue, says Kit Kowol The Second World War was the Tories War. Other than describing a love of [...]
Let’s be honest… the Conservatives are deluded October 3, 2024 The Conservative Party is enjoying the sugar rush of a leadership campaign, but the grim reality of opposition will soon sink in, says Matthew Lesh The vibe at the Conservative Party conference this week in Birmingham was chipper. Well-lubricated members excitedly shuffled between drinks receptions headlined by the four leadership contenders. There were impromptu rallies, [...]
Bank of England: Markets need to be prepared for ‘severe but plausible stresses’ October 2, 2024 Officials at the Bank said that the “significant but short-lived spike in volatility and falls in equity indices” seen in early August demonstrated the risks facing global markets.
Is Rachel Reeves planning a £24bn pension tax raid? October 1, 2024 It has been reported that the Treasury is considering what could amount to a £24bn pension tax raid as Rachel Reeves tries to plug her £22bn budget black hole. The Chancellor has reportedly been looking at tax relief on pension contributions, specifically, employers’ national insurance relief. There are two forms of national insurance. Employees, paid [...]