UK avoided arming Ukrainians for fear of angering Putin, former ministers said April 23, 2022 The UK Government has avoided sending arms to Ukraine for the last seven hears out of fear of angering President Putin, the Sunday Times reported today. Former ministers said Boris Johnson and his two predecessors, Theresa May and David Cameron, have maintained a line of “appeasement” with Moscow since the country’s invasion of Crimea. “Some [...]
Union calls Jacob Rees-Mogg’s notes to civil servants ‘insulting’ April 23, 2022 The union FDA lambasted cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg for leaving “insulting” notes to civil servants. “These notes from JRM are not only condescending, crass and insulting, they completely undermine the leadership of the service,” said FDA’s general secretary Dave Penman. “Day after day we have good people telling us they will go because they know [...]
Homes for Ukraine scheme: tax treatment April 20, 2022 | City Talk The Government has announced that sponsorship payments under the Homes for Ukraine scheme will not be taxable and that the conditions for some tax reliefs will be adjusted to take account of the scheme. Homes for Ukraine scheme The scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to the UK and [...]
Drug-drivers could be forced to take rehabilitation courses before using cars under new government plan April 5, 2022 Drug-drivers could be forced to take rehabilitation courses before being allowed to get behind the wheel, according to proposed government plans. Transport secretary Grant Shapps today launched a call for evidence to decide whether those who had been caught drug-driving need to follow in drink-drivers’ footsteps and complete rehabilitation. “If we are to make our [...]
Homes for Ukraine scheme: Less than 10 per cent of visa applications approved March 31, 2022 Less than one tenth of visa applications have been approved through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, it has been revealed. The Home Office said it is “moving as quickly as possible” to make the process more efficient, as the UK handed out just 2,700 passes through its initiative, according to The Times. The programme pairs [...]
Lord Nash steps down paving the way for new lead Whitehall director March 30, 2022 The government lead non-executive director resigned from his post yesterday. Lord Nash, who was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in July 2020 for a three-year term, will be replaced in his Whitehall role by ex-director of Barclays Bank UK Michael Jary, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. Insiders said yesterday that Michael [...]
Randox delays release of audited results amid concerns over Covid procurement process March 30, 2022 Covid test maker Randox has delayed release of its audited results amid mounting scrutiny over the government’s decision to award it contracts worth almost £777m. The delay to publication comes after the UK’s public spending watchdog said the government failed to document the procurement process that led to Randox being awarded 22 government contracts for [...]
Government releases £150m bus funding package March 1, 2022 The government has released the £150m final tranche of pandemic-related support for buses and light railway services. Part of a £2bn package set up by the government during the pandemic, the funding is expected to run until October 2022, helping more than 160 operators with services. “The funding I’ve announced today will ensure millions of [...]
Public sector debt climbs to record £2.32 trillion: 94.9 per cent of Britain’s GDP February 22, 2022 Government borrowing hit a surplus of £2.9 billion in January, reversing a £2.5 billion deficit in the same month a year earlier, according to official figures published this morning. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector borrowing from the end of March to December was £138.5 billion – the second highest since records [...]
Serious Fraud Office property raids fall to zero February 21, 2022 The Serious Fraud Office did not undertake a single property raid last year, according to its response to an FOI request.