George Osborne tax scheme gave ‘unjustified preferential treatment’ to multinational companies April 2, 2019 The European Commission (EC) has found a UK scheme gave tax breaks to some multinational companies illegally, and has ordered Britain to recover the money from firms that benefited. Officials in Brussels said on Tuesday they found the scheme, first introduced in 2012, gave tax breaks to the firms under the guise of state aid. [...]
MPs to vote on forcing Theresa May to ask for longer Brexit delay April 2, 2019 MPs are set to create a law forcing Theresa May to ask for a delay to Brexit. Read more: UK ‘risks trashing relationship with Europe’ over Brexit A cross-group of parliamentarians, including Conservative Sir Oliver Letwin and Labour’s Yvette Cooper, will on Wednesday bring forward a bill instructing the Prime Minister to request an extension [...]
DCMS Committee launches new body to fight fake news as pressure on tech giants builds April 2, 2019 The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee today said it has launched a dedicated division to tackle the ongoing threat of disinformation to democracy. The new sub-committee follows the DCMS Committee’s report into disinformation and fake news, which called for a new regulator to monitor tech giants such as Facebook and Google. Read more: [...]
DEBATE: Is John Major correct that we need a cross-party government to steer the UK through Brexit? April 2, 2019 Is John Major correct that we need a cross-party government to steer the UK through Brexit? YES, says Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction. In the best-case scenario, a “strong and stable” government with a majority, clear priorities, and an overarching strategy would be leading the way on delivering Brexit. Instead, we have a shambolic [...]
Deadlocked MPs reject soft Brexit as Tory MP quits party in protest April 2, 2019 Parliament last night failed once again to back an alternative Brexit plan, just 11 days before the UK is set to leave the EU. Read more: UK service exports fall as Brexit and global economic slowdown bite None of the options voted on by MPs secured a Commons majority, although a call for the UK [...]
Tory Brexiter hints he will vote against government in no confidence motion April 1, 2019 A former Brexit minister has hinted he could resign from the Tories and back a no-confidence motion in the government. Steve Baker, one of the die-hard band of Brexiters who voted against Theresa May’s withdrawal plan on Friday, has warned the possibility of a general election was now “coming on to the table.” Baker, who [...]
‘Let history decide’: Downing Street coy on claim cabinet is most ill-disciplined ever April 1, 2019 Downing Street has refused to slap down a leading member of the government who claimed Theresa May’s top team are “the worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history.” Chief Whip Julian Smith made the remarks in an interview with the BBC, set to be broadcast on Monday evening, as he hit out [...]
While Westminster is distracted by Brexit chaos, Labour puts the finishing touches to its plan for revolution April 1, 2019 While the Brexit process pushes the British constitution to its limits, the Labour party continues to develop and promote policy proposals that, if implemented, would make the UK's torturous departure from the European Union look like a modest tweak to our political operating system. While all of Westminster focuses on the near collapse of functioning [...]
Brexit: Commons speaker picks four indicative votes for MPs to debate April 1, 2019 A fresh attempt to break the UK’s Brexit deadlock was made today as MPs prepare to vote on four indicative motions to decide on a path forward. Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal was rejected for a third time last week by a margin of 58 votes as parliament opted against leaving the EU with her [...]
Findel says it has backing of major shareholder in blow to Ashley bid April 1, 2019 Online shopping specialist Findel claimed today that it had the support of its second largest shareholder, as it looks to see off a takeover bid from Sports Direct. In the latest blow to retail tycoon Mike Ashley, the British home shopping company published a letter of support from Schroders, which controls an 18.85 per cent [...]