Junk food advertising ban defies common sense December 5, 2024 The government’s ban on advertising foods deemed unhealthy is a big fat win for the nanny state, but it will end up costing us, says John Oxley Christmas is coming, and that means a deluge of seasonal advertising and, for most of us, overindulgence. This might be the last time we can enjoy those two [...]
If Starmer really wants to change Britain, he’ll need more than targets December 4, 2024 In a major speech today, Keir Starmer will outline his ‘plan for change’, but the public didn’t vote for targets, they voted for transformation, says Anna McShane Politics moves very quickly. Just as the first 100 days came and went, within a blink of an eye we’ll find ourselves heading towards another election and asking [...]
PMQs: Reeves ‘coming back for more’ in next Budget, Badenoch warns December 4, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves will be “coming back for more” borrowing and further tax rises in her next Budget, according to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. During a feisty PMQs the Conservative leader railed against the Prime Minister who she said “failed to repeat the Chancellor’s pledge of no more borrowing and no more taxes”. After referencing [...]
Employment reforms need considerable thought to not ‘swamp business’ December 4, 2024 ELA urged Parliament that the Employment Bill needs "considerable..thought" to not to "swamp business" with costs or obligations.
South Western Railway, C2C and Greater Anglia to be nationalised in 2025 December 4, 2024 SWR will come under state ownership in May, followed by C2C and Greater Anglia in July and autumn 2025, respectively.
New top civil service boss named to replace Simon Case December 2, 2024 Sir Chris Wormald, a former health department boss, has been named as the new head of the UK’s civil service and cabinet secretary. Downing Street confirmed the appointment of Sir Chris, who will replace Simon Case in the head of the civil service role, advertised with a £200,000 salary, this afternoon. Wormald has led the [...]
‘Losing faith’: Just one in four bosses has confidence in government December 2, 2024 Just one in four bosses has confidence in the government to deliver economic growth, in a sign firms are “losing faith” in ministers’ strategy. A London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) snap poll found 81 per cent of business leaders said they were not confident the government will address firms’ concerns. While 77 per [...]
Business leaders brace for a cold winter December 2, 2024 Temperatures are set to fall again as a mid-week cold snap muscles in, bringing icy winds to accompany the latest batch of chilling economic data. Several business organisations have just released their latest research, and the findings ought to chill the blood of complacent government ministers. Since the Budget, City AM has reported daily on [...]
The government is steamrolling family farms December 2, 2024 Ministers appear to have got their understanding of farming from Ladybird books filled with smiling yokels on little red tractors, says Tim Bonner The starting point for trying to understand the current row over inheritance tax and agricultural land is that farming is an essentially illogical activity. The return on assets in farming businesses is [...]
Labour urged to scrap ‘vindictive’ farm tax as Tories set to force vote December 1, 2024 Labour MPs are being urged to back scrapping the “vindictive” changes to inheritance tax (IHT) on farms, as the Conservative Party prepares to bring a vote on the issue. Tory MPs are set to use their opposition day debate on Wednesday, December 4, to insist Parliament hold a vote on Labour’s controversial move for farmers [...]