DEBATE: MPs are about to get a pay rise – but do they deserve it? March 4, 2019 MPs are about to get a pay rise – but do they deserve it? John Oxley, a Conservative commentator, says YES. MPs will soon earn £79,468. It’s far more than most people, but still not enough to lure the most talented individuals into our legislature. An ambitious and highly capable graduate in the City or [...]
Looking for space for homes in the capital? Build over rail lines March 4, 2019 A new survey of housebuilders published last week by construction consulting and design agency McBains is depressing reading for Londoners looking to get a foot on the housing ladder. Although two thirds of housebuilders in London reported that they had built more homes over the last 12 months, those that stated a decrease cited a [...]
London can strengthen its relations with Scotland March 4, 2019 On a brisk evening in January, I had the honour of hosting a Burns Supper at the Mansion House with the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. The night was complete with bagpipes, haggis, and of course a “wee dram” of whisky. The event brought together leading business figures from both sides of the border, [...]
Attorney General looks to prevent Britain being ‘trapped’ in a customs union, says cabinet minister March 4, 2019 Britain’s attorney general is looking to make legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop to ensure Britain is not "trapped" in a customs union, according to communities secretary James Brokenshire. Brokenshire said Geoffrey Cox, the UK’s top government lawyer, is determined to secure a revision to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal that prevents [...]
Fresh data reveals the folly of Britain’s apprentice levy March 4, 2019 Today is the start of National Apprenticeship Week, an event that should celebrate the endeavours of ambitious young adults across the country. Unfortunately, however, it is impossible to mark the occasion without noting the disaster that the government’s Apprenticeship Levy has become. The tax was launched with the supposed intention of lifting the number of [...]
Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins takes home £4.9m in dividends March 3, 2019 Plumbing millionaire Charlie Mullins bagged £4.9m in dividends from his Pimlico Plumbers business last year, according to new accounts. The figure includes £1.6m in post year end dividends. In addition to dividends, Mullins and his son Scott, took home a combined £711,512 in pay for their work as directors of the company, taking their income [...]
Gagging orders face the ban amid allegations against Sir Philip Green March 3, 2019 Leading politicians have vowed today to ban controversial “gagging orders” that have risen to prominence in the wake of recent harassment allegations made against retail tycoon Sir Philip Green. Ministers have revealed sweeping plans this morning to tighten rules around non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which have been at the centre of bullying claims surrounding the Topshop owner [...]
Space X Dragon capsule successfully docks with International Space Station March 3, 2019 A capsule launched by Elon Musk’s Space X successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) today as part of its demonstration mission. The Dragon vehicle made the attachment autonomously having launched on Saturday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 4.9 metre tall capsule contained a dummy called Ripley and 90kg of supplies. It [...]
Tory Brexiters draw up list of terms for backing Theresa May’s exit deal March 3, 2019 Tory Brexiters have drawn up a list of conditions that Theresa May needs to satisfy in order to receive their backing in a looming crunch Commons vote on her Brexit deal. Members of the European Research Group (ERG), chaired by Jacob Rees-Mogg, have drawn up “three tests” that May has to meet in order for [...]
Space X launches unmanned crew capsule to International Space Station in step forward for sending humans into orbit March 2, 2019 Elon Musk’s Space X on Saturday took a giant leap forward in its quest to resume human space flight from US soil, launching a rocket with an unmanned crew capsule towards the International Space Station. Space X’s 4.9 metre tall Crew Dragon capsule, on a Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center [...]