‘This is Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax’: Labour warned inheritance tax protests won’t stop February 17, 2025 The Labour government’s reforms to farmers’ inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget has been branded as “Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax”. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, added that the Prime Minister is “losing the argument and feeling rattled”. The pubs boss has liked the policy, which [...]
Labour minister insists fears over workers’ rights bill ‘misplaced’ February 14, 2025 Concerns over the move to day one rights under the government’s workers rights bill represent “misplaced fear”, a Labour minister has insisted in the face of criticism from employers. Justin Madders, employment minister, told City AM firms recognise the benefits of “giving people more certainty at work” as he argued the package of workers rights [...]
Housebuilding: Starmer to reveal vision for new towns across UK February 13, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer will reveal the government’s vision for new towns to be built across the UK. The Prime Minister is expected to unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of communities, including homes, doctors’ surgeries, schools, nurseries and public transport, at a visit to a new housing development on Thursday. Over 100 proposals [...]
Labour has sucked the confidence out of wealthy Brits February 13, 2025 The government defines a high net worth individual as someone with an income of at least £170,000 and net assets of more than £430,000. Such people are undoubtedly in a comfortable position, but are hardly reaching non-dom status. Indeed, those just meeting the government’s definition would be politely turned down for a bank account at [...]
Property experts warn ‘more needs to be done’ on £350m housing funding February 12, 2025 A £350m investment into affordable and social housing by the government has been welcomed but property experts warn “more needs to be done”. Housing secretary Angela Rayner has insisted the government “can’t afford not to” hit its 1.5m housebuilding targets, as officials unveiled an extra £300m in funding for the affordable homes programme, which they [...]
PMQs: UK should impose ‘Tesla tariffs’ on US electric cars, Davey says February 12, 2025 The UK should impose “Tesla tariffs” on US electric cars produced by Elon Musk, after President Donald Trump announced higher taxes on steel imports, the Lib Dem leader has suggested. Sir Ed Davey called for the UK to retaliate – after Trump confirmed he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium [...]
Farmers warn of ‘breaking point’ at Westminster tractor rally February 10, 2025 Protesting farmers at a tractor rally in Westminster have warned “we are at breaking point” as they called on the government to scrap planned changes to inheritance tax on farms. Protesters staged another tractor protest outside Parliament and Downing Street on Monday, organised by Save British Farming, as they continued to campaign against Labour’s plans [...]
If the NAO is calling for government innovation, you know it’s bad February 10, 2025 Everyone thinks government should be more innovative, but the NAO saying it means Labour really has dithered, writes Eliot Wilson.
‘Unproven’ green tech to have significant impact on energy bills, MPs warn February 7, 2025 Government investment into “unproven” carbon capture schemes is set to have a “very significant effect” on households’ energy bills, an influential group of MPs is warning. Ministers have backed investment into carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) schemes in a bid to achieve the UK’s legally mandated climate goals, including net zero by 2050. But [...]
‘Doing a day’s work seen as stressful’ by youth, Liz Kendall says February 7, 2025 The UK must avoid a situation where “doing a day’s work is in itself seen as stressful” by young people, Liz Kendall has warned. The work and pensions secretary has told ITV: “There is genuinely a problem with many young people, particularly the Covid generation, but we can’t have a situation where doing a day’s [...]