Business backs Sajid Javid over strike law reforms May 12, 2015 Business groups have rallied behind government moves to make big changes to strike laws. New business minister Sajid Javid said he will use his first days in office to tighten rules surrounding strikes, saying that the Tory government’s Queen’s Speech would introduce thresholds for strike ballots. Under the proposals, strikes affecting public services would need [...]
David Cameron ushers in a new era at the Treasury as Damien Hinds and David Gauke join Greg Hands and Harriet Baldwin May 12, 2015 George Osborne is set to work with a new team at the Treasury following this week’s Cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister David Cameron announced one new Treasury minister and the reappointment of another yesterday, the latest in a slew of postings he has doled out to loyal Conservatives following last week’s General Election. Read [...]
George Osborne starts his EU reform push with ministers in Brussels May 12, 2015 Britain’s EU renegotiation process is officially underway, as chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne made his first post-General Election trip to Brussels yesterday. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU finance ministers, Osborne said he went to Brussels “with a very clear mandate to improve Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union, and to [...]
Chuka Umunna joins the race to replace Ed Miliband for Labour May 12, 2015 SHADOW business secretary Chuka Umunna has officially thrown his hat into the ring to become the next leader of the Labour party. Umunna, the MP for Streatham, made the announcement in a video posted on Facebook yesterday. In the film, which appeared to have been made with a handheld camera, Umunna stood on a street [...]
Pietersen slams ECB betrayal May 12, 2015 ■ Batsman said to have lost £250,000 ■ Strauss offered him ODI adviser role ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen last night accused cricket bosses of betrayal after the maverick batsman was told he will not be considered for an international recall this summer. Pietersen believes he was promised a route back into the England reckoning if [...]
ECB raises emergency loan limit to £57bn for Greek banks May 12, 2015 The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its emergency loan limit for Greek banks by €1.1bn (£0.8). The Emergency Liquidity Assistance lifeline, which is provided by the Bank of Greece, is now worth €80bn (£57bn). The decision to raise the level was passed by the ECB's governing council today, and comes a day [...]
How coalitions dominate Europe: David Cameron’s majority makes UK one of only three single party governments May 12, 2015 The UK may have what David Cameron would describe as a “strong and stable government”, led by one majority party, but the rest of the EU looks quite different. Of the 28 countries in the EU, only the UK, Malta, and Spain have single parties in power, with the others being led by coalitions. Some [...]
David Cameron might bring the EU referendum forward to next year May 12, 2015 David Cameron could bring the referendum on EU membership forward to next year – a year earlier than was originally promised. The Prime Minister is drawing up the plans in order to avoid coinciding with the German and French elections in 2017, which could end up creating a crash. One source told The Guardian [...]
Who will be the next Labour leader? Chuka Ummuna launches his leadership bid May 12, 2015 Chuka Umunna is in the running to become the next leader of the Labour party, confirming his widely suspected intention in a video posted on Facebook. The shadow business secretary and MP for Streatham has been widely tipped for the role. He made a number of media appearances in the immediate wake of the election [...]
Sajid Javid’s busy first day as business secretary – here’s what he said on the BBC, strikes and the EU May 12, 2015 Not even 24 hours into his first day as business secretary in David Cameron's all-Tory cabinet, and Sajid Javid is on the front foot with a media blitz having appeared on three different morning TV and radio shows. Notably, the government's business secretary chose the BBC (appearing on BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live and Radio [...]