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 [...]
PMQs: UK should impose ‘Tesla tariffs’ on US electric cars, Davey says February 12, 2025 The UK should impose “Tesla tariffs” on US electric cars produced by Elon Musk, after President Donald Trump announced higher taxes on steel imports, the Lib Dem leader has suggested. Sir Ed Davey called for the UK to retaliate – after Trump confirmed he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium [...]
Steel tariffs: No10 won’t say if Trump wrong to impose import charges February 11, 2025 Downing Street has refused to say whether Donald Trump is wrong to impose 25 per cent tariffs on the UK’s steel exports to America. Trump’s executive order scrapped exemptions for the UK and all other countries, with all steel and aluminium exported to the States to face tariffs from March 12. Speaking from the Oval [...]
Progressive liberal comes out against progressive liberalism February 11, 2025 What’s keeping Keir Starmer up at night? It’s safe to assume the list is long and that we’re unlikely ever to see it in full, given the myriad security and intelligence matters that take up so much of a PM’s time without ever breaking into public view. So, aside from state secrets, what else might [...]
Farmers warn of ‘breaking point’ at Westminster tractor rally February 10, 2025 Protesting farmers at a tractor rally in Westminster have warned “we are at breaking point” as they called on the government to scrap planned changes to inheritance tax on farms. Protesters staged another tractor protest outside Parliament and Downing Street on Monday, organised by Save British Farming, as they continued to campaign against Labour’s plans [...]
‘Bitter pill’: MPs set to be on almost £94k after above inflation pay rise February 10, 2025 Plans for MPs to earn almost £94,000 after an above inflation pay rise have been criticised as a “bitter pill to swallow”. Members of Parliament (MPs) are in line for a 2.8 per cent pay increase which would put their annual salaries at £93,904, up from £91,346. It comes after the body in charge of [...]