Shrinking workforce limiting UK economic growth, MPs warn April 21, 2023 The UK’s shrinking and ageing population is limiting economic growth, with “outdated and static” working practices, MPs have warned. An “exodus” of over-50s from the labour market has worsened shortages, a cross-party House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee report said. Chairman Darren Jones said: “Our shrinking and ageing UK labour market, and [...]
FCA will ‘keep its eyes’ on banks’ Q1 results for evidence of savings rate profiteering April 20, 2023 Savers are facing a rising “loyalty penalty” from high street banks, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned. Customers banking with the UK’s big name lenders are likely to earn less competitive interest rates on their savings over time, while new savers are given more attractive offers, the City watchdog told MPs today. “Harm” from [...]
‘Genie won’t go back in the bottle’ on artificial intelligence, says security minister April 20, 2023 Security minister Tom Tugendhat has said while he understands fears about artificial intelligence (AI), it would be misguided to pause further developments on the new technology. He also suggested that suspending the field could squander UK cybersecurity efforts. “Given the stakes, we can all understand the calls to stop AI development altogether,” he said, speaking [...]
UK military may break NATO pledges, MPs warn April 20, 2023 The UK’s plan for arming its military is a “broken system” and government ministers may struggle to meet crucial commitments to NATO, a prominent group of MPs has warned. A critical report into the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) plans to buy military equipment found a “cycle of costly delay and failure” and an ignoring of [...]
SNP treasurer Colin Beattie steps down from role after arrest April 19, 2023 SNP MSP Colin Beattie will step down as the party’s treasurer after he was arrested in connection with a police investigation into the party’s finances, he has said. In a statement released through the party, Beattie also confirmed he will be “stepping back” from his role on Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee until the probe has [...]
Minister Paul Scully ‘considering’ running for London mayor in 2024 April 18, 2023 Minister for London Paul Scully said today he is “considering” running against Sadiq Khan to be the next London mayor in 2024. Speaking at a Centre for London event today, Scully said: “Let me tackle this head on, am I considering running for London mayor in 2024? Yes, I am considering it. I haven’t made [...]
SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested in party finance probe April 18, 2023 The Scottish National Party’s (SNP) treasurer Colin Beattie has been arrested in a police probe into the party’s finances, according to reports. Beattie, 71, is under arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the party, Police Scotland has said, the PA news agency has reported, In a statement, the [...]
Regulators must be kept in check, Tory MPs warn April 18, 2023 Tory MPs have warned powerful regulators operating “largely unchecked” are holding back the UK’s economy and “directly hindering” the country’s growth prospects. The backbench Regulatory Reform Group (RRG) has called for increased parliamentary oversight of the UK’s regulators – from water and energy watchdogs Ofwat and Ofgem to banking supervisor the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). [...]
US says G7 will resist Chinese ‘coercion’ as Taiwan tensions heighten, per reports April 18, 2023 A US official has said the G7 nations will resist any “coercion” from China during a key summit in Japan, as tensions heighten over Taiwan, according to reports. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven countries – the UK, the US, Germany, France, Japan, Canada and Italy – are meeting in the central Japanese city [...]
Retail groups call for business rates reform to save Britain’s high streets April 17, 2023 Retail and hospitality groups have called for urgent reform of business rates, which are contributing to shop closures and job losses. “Retail accounts for 5 per cent of the economy but pays more than one-fifth of business rates,” Helen Dickinson, British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive, said. “The overall industry tax take is unsustainably high [...]