MPs urged to back strike action ban at major sporting events Sport Business Industrial action could be banned during major sporting events such as the Olympics, World Cup and Euros if a key amendment is passed in Westminster this morning. The shadow sport minister, Conservative Louie French, will table an amendment to the Sporting Events Bill this morning that he hopes will stop “reckless union leaders who want [...]
Healey plots Budget raid on family businesses Politics John Healey has reportedly drawn up plans for a tax raid on family businesses ahead of his first Budget, as he scrambles to avoid spending cuts. The Chancellor is considering proposals to levy income tax when business owners hand their company down to their children, potentially almost doubling the tax bill, according to a report [...]
Tories call for urgent action on youth unemployment in Budget Politics Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately has said the government needs to “take action in the Budget” to “back businesses to employ more young people”, referring the one million young people who are not in employment, education or training (Neets). Talking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Whately said the Labour party have [...]
Healey rejects calls to equalise capital gains and income tax rates October 13, 2026 Chancellor John Healey has reportedly rejected calls by senior Labour figures to raise capital gains tax to the same levels as income tax, after warnings that an increase would harm Britain’s appeal to investors. Several senior cabinet ministers have in recent months called for capital gains tax (CGT) to be equalised with income tax in [...]
Jeffrey Archer (1940-2026): A writer of fiction in all senses October 8, 2026 Following the death of novelist and former political Jeffrey Archer, Eliot Wilson looks back at a complicated life.
If black labradors are a far right fantasy, I guess I’m a fascist October 6, 2026 That labradors aren't a sign of fascism feels self-explanatory, yet Labour blathers on, writes James Ford's hand in today's Notebook.
National Audit Office launches review into Capita’s handling of civil service pension scheme October 2, 2026 Capita has said the public spending watchdog has launched a review into its administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, after admitting its performance “remains below” the standards expected. The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched a further formal review into the London-listed outsourcer’s handling of the scheme, building on the watchdog’s initial June 2025 [...]
Economists warn of tax hikes after Burnham admits social care funding ‘shortfall’ September 30, 2026 Andy Burnham has admitted there may be a “shortfall” in his ambitious plans to fund a new national care service, as economists warn that taxes will have to rise. Burnham announced plans to adjust the triple lock from 2030, effectively creating a double lock, using the savings to fund the new service. The new mechanism [...]
End of triple lock: What is the double lock and will it work? September 29, 2026 Andy Burnham has pledged to drop the triple lock on state pensions for a so-called ‘double lock’ in Labour’s next manifesto in order to pay for his new National Care Service. In an address to party members, Burnham confirmed the existing triple lock mechanism will remain in place for the remainder of this parliament before [...]
Why is Burnham set to turn against the triple lock? September 29, 2026 The controversial pension triple lock is reportedly set to face the axe as Andy Burnham looks to rewire the UK’s pension landscape to fund his plans. In his maiden conference speech as prime minister on Tuesday, Burnham is expected to signal the death of the triple lock after 16 years, bringing an end to pensioner’s [...]