Investment trusts celebrate move to reform cost disclosure rules September 19, 2024 The UK has finally exempted investment trusts from complying with cost disclosure requirements that industry experts say could unlock billions in investment. In a statement today, the government and Financial Conduct Authority said regulators would temporarily withdraw the requirements, which campaigners have argued force trusts to ‘double count’ their fees. While this is also the [...]
Replace the NHS with Social Health Insurance says think tank September 19, 2024 The IEA has called for a radical transformation of the NHS, proposing it be replaced with a Social Health Insurance system to improve healthcare outcomes in the UK
How the UK justice system determines prison sentences September 19, 2024 Recent attention on the criminal justice system, prompted by a high-profile sentencing, has exposed a significant disconnect between public understanding and the realities of sentencing
Jeremy Hunt backs calls to abolish NHS England September 19, 2024 Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has backed calls to abolish NHS England amid a suite of reforms to how the service is managed. A new report from think tank Policy Exchange has argued for overhaul of NHS management structures, training and incentives to improve the system’s performance and productivity – as opposed to focusing on [...]
UK signs trade pact with Thailand in bid to boost exports September 18, 2024 The UK has signed an enhanced trade pact with Thailand in an effort to boost British exports and drive investment. Trade minister Douglas Alexander inked the enhanced trade partnership (ETP) agreement with Thai commerce minister Pichai Naripthaphan in Bangkok this morning (Wednesday). It came during the Blair-era minister’s first visit to Asia after being re-elected [...]
Cut beer duty by five per cent to create 12,000 jobs, pubs urge Chancellor September 18, 2024 Cutting beer duty by five per cent could create up to 12,000 jobs, a beer and pub association has urged the Chancellor ahead of next month’s Budget. The brewery and hospitality industries are urging the government to continue supporting them to invest and maintain the 1,040,000 jobs across the sector. Jobs could be at risk [...]
UK tech faces talent exodus if founders are penalised by tax hikes September 17, 2024 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget will prioritise economic growth and wealth creation. But moves to hike taxes that will hurt Britain’s entrepreneurs are putting that pledge in doubt. As British businessman Sir Martin Sorrell warned in City A.M.: “Increasing capital gains tax, especially without index-linking or time apportionment, [...]
‘Strike right balance’ on flexible working, business groups urge Labour September 17, 2024 Ministers must allow firms to “strike the right balance” on flexible working, business lobby groups have urged. It comes after business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told The Times alternative work schedules “contribute to productivity” and could be “significant” in tackling regional inequality issues, amid debate over the government’s proposed plans for workers’ rights reforms. He said, [...]
Ed Miliband brands renewable energy transition a ‘national security fight’ against nimbys September 17, 2024 Britain’s transition to renewable energy is the “economic justice, energy security and national security fight of our time”, Ed Miliband has said, as he pledged to “take on the blockers”. The energy security and net zero secretary told Energy UK’s annual conference in London that fossil fuel “dependence” continued to leave the UK “deeply vulnerable [...]
Oxford Street: Former MP for the City and Westminster brands pedestrianisation ‘bullying’ September 17, 2024 A row has erupted over Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street as the area’s former MPs branded the move “bullying”. The mayor of London today unveiled proposals to ban traffic from the iconic central London retail destination, in what he hopes will reinvigorate the nation’s “most famous high street”. But Nickie Aiken, the former [...]