Government’s vaccine bounce comes to an end as public opinion shifts July 12, 2021 New polling suggests the vaccine bounce in the polls has ended for prime minister Boris Johnson and his government, as Labour support slowly ticks up. Johnson’s net favourability score has fallen after he and his party experienced a boost in support in May polls, according to YouGov. The UK’s successful rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine [...]
Yellen: Global corporate tax reform unlikely until 2022 July 11, 2021 US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has warned that recently-agreed reforms to corporate tax rules that will ensure major companies pay tax in more countries may not be ready until next year. Speaking after a G20 finance leaders meeting in Venice today, Yellen said the OECD’s re-allocation of taxing rights was on a “slightly slower track” [...]
Richard Branson set for space flight aboard Virgin Galactic rocket July 11, 2021 Sir Richard Branson is today due to launch into space aboard a Virgin Galactic rocket plane as he kicks off the race to roll out space tourism. The British billionaire will be one of six people aboard the plane, which will climb more than 50 miles above the New Mexico desert to the edge of [...]
Branson and Bezos space race outruns insurers July 9, 2021 Billionaires Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos are reportedly launching into space without insurance for injury or death. Brokers told the NYT’s Dealbook newsletter neither Branson or Bezos, or their respective companies Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, have purchased liability insurance. This is most likely because there isn’t a fully functioning insurance system for casual [...]
Euros 2020: Bank holiday, sick day or in mourning? Businesses urged to be flexible day after final July 9, 2021 There are increasing calls from business groups, unions, and the public, for employers to offer flexibility to staff for the day after the Euros 2020 final, as the Prime Minister is under pressure to announce a bank holiday if England win. “Businesses across England will recognise the momentous nature for many of the prospect of [...]
Biden to sign executive order cracking down on Big Tech July 9, 2021 US President Joe Biden will today sign an executive order aimed at clamping down on anti-competitive behaviour in Big Tech and across a host of other sectors. In a sweeping set of reforms, the president will call on more than a dozen agencies to undertake 72 initiatives aimed at promoting competition across the US economy. [...]
‘Is my camera on?’: Sajid Javid pokes fun at Matt Hancock over office CCTV July 8, 2021 Health Secretary Sajid Javid has poked fun at his predecessor as he addressed a conference from his office in the Department of Health and Social Care. “I hope my camera is on, is my camera on?” he asked as he dialled in to the conference, adding: “I mean, the one on my laptop, not the [...]
Extra bank holiday if England wins Euro 2020 final? Boris Johnson keeps us guessing July 8, 2021 The Prime Minister has come under pressure to consider a one-off day off in the event of the Three Lions winning the tournament after defeating Denmark 2-1 at Wembley last night. Boris Johnson has refused to rule out the prospect of an emergency bank holiday should England win Euro 2020 this coming Sunday. Asked during [...]
Government to bin English votes for English laws July 8, 2021 The government today announced it plans to scrap English votes for English laws, a system that gives English MPs a veto over laws that only affect England. Speaking at Cabinet Office questions on today, Michael Gove said: “The procedure has been suspended since April 2020 and, having reflected, the government believes it has not served [...]
Planning reforms: Govt U-turns over infrastructure levy after Chesham and Amersham defeat July 8, 2021 The Government has announced a significant change to its controversial proposals for the reform of the planning system. Speaking to the Local Government Association’s annual conference, Robert Jenrick – the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary – announced that the Government would backtrack on implementing a new nationally-set infrastructure levy that was initially outlined as part [...]