‘Free speech in retreat’- JD Vance warns Europe of ‘threat from within’ February 14, 2025 JD Vance has accused the UK and Europe of a “backslide away from conscience rights”, warning of the “threat from within” and claiming: “Free speech, I fear, is in retreat.” The US vice-president made the comments while addressing European leaders at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday, amid wider concern on the continent [...]
Munich summit: Ukraine on ‘irreversible path to NATO’, Starmer tells Zelenskyy February 14, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the UK remains committed to Ukraine “being on an irreversible path to NATO.” Speaking to the Ukrainian President this morning, the Prime Minister “began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed”, a Downing Street spokeswoman has said. Sir Keir was “unequivocal [...]
The Week in Business: Is Net Zero going out of fashion? February 14, 2025 Just a few short years ago BP proudly told us they were embarking on a journey – and I quote – “in support of our purpose to reimagine energy for people and our planet, and our ambition to become a Net Zero company by 2050 or sooner and help the world get to Net Zero.” [...]
Labour minister insists fears over workers’ rights bill ‘misplaced’ February 14, 2025 Concerns over the move to day one rights under the government’s workers rights bill represent “misplaced fear”, a Labour minister has insisted in the face of criticism from employers. Justin Madders, employment minister, told City AM firms recognise the benefits of “giving people more certainty at work” as he argued the package of workers rights [...]
Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ in HBOS banking job February 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves was investigated over her use of expenses while working in a banking job before becoming an MP. The Chancellor, alongside two colleagues, was subject to an internal probe into expenses claims, while she was a senior manager at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in the late 2000s, the BBC has revealed. Reeves is [...]
The public isn’t buying Labour’s growth story February 13, 2025 Today’s growth figures will have elicited a sigh of relief across the government. A meagre 0.1 per cent uptick is certainly better than a recession. Though the news is not all good. The economy is smaller on a per capita terms, and when you dig down into the data, private sector activity is shrinking. An [...]
Legal funders warn UK government it is easier to ‘invest elsewhere’ February 13, 2025 Litigation funders have said the sector is facing a “moment of reckoning” following a court ruling, with some blaming the lack of action from the government
Housebuilding: Starmer to reveal vision for new towns across UK February 13, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer will reveal the government’s vision for new towns to be built across the UK. The Prime Minister is expected to unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of communities, including homes, doctors’ surgeries, schools, nurseries and public transport, at a visit to a new housing development on Thursday. Over 100 proposals [...]
Labour has sucked the confidence out of wealthy Brits February 13, 2025 The government defines a high net worth individual as someone with an income of at least £170,000 and net assets of more than £430,000. Such people are undoubtedly in a comfortable position, but are hardly reaching non-dom status. Indeed, those just meeting the government’s definition would be politely turned down for a bank account at [...]
Property experts warn ‘more needs to be done’ on £350m housing funding February 12, 2025 A £350m investment into affordable and social housing by the government has been welcomed but property experts warn “more needs to be done”. Housing secretary Angela Rayner has insisted the government “can’t afford not to” hit its 1.5m housebuilding targets, as officials unveiled an extra £300m in funding for the affordable homes programme, which they [...]