Ukraine peacekeeping plans entering ‘operational phase’, Starmer says March 15, 2025 Planning for a peacekeeping force for Ukraine will move to an “operational phase”, the Prime Minister has said after a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on Saturday. Sir Keir Starmer said military chiefs would meet in London on Thursday to “put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace [...]
Ministers must get a grip of broken benefits system, Reeves insists March 15, 2025 Rachel Reeves has doubled down on the need to reform the welfare system, insisting the government must “get a grip” on it amid concerns from Labour MPs about the impact of expected cuts to the budget. The benefits system is “broken” and is “not working for anyone”, the Chancellor said. Backbench Labour MPs have made [...]
Starmer hosts Ukraine peacekeeping talks as Putin warned not to play games March 15, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer will host further talks on a peacekeeping force for Ukraine on Saturday after warning Vladimir Putin not to play games with a proposed ceasefire. The Prime Minister is expected to hold a video call with as many as 25 potential members of the “coalition of the willing”, nations that could take part [...]
Baileys and Grind launch St. Patrick’s Day giveaway March 14, 2025 Baileys and Grind are offering Londoners a free festive treat this St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a secret giveaway at Grind’s Liverpool Street café. From Saturday 15 March to Monday 17 March, the first 100 visitors each day can claim a complimentary ‘Baileys Irish Coffee’ by simply quoting the password ‘Kiss me, I’m Irish.’ The [...]
Tories call on Labour to abandon flagship Employment Rights Bill March 10, 2025 The Labour government’s controversial Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament on Tuesday when it will face a fresh assault from Tory MPs, with shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith claiming the Bill will “take Britain back to the dark days of the 1970s.” Labour’s flagship legislation aims to boost protections against unfair dismissal, improve conditions for [...]
Taxes might be going up. Here’s how to cut your tax bill March 10, 2025 Savers are preparing for the possibility of income tax increases, with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves expected to announce some changes to the tax regime in March. Labour pledged not to increase income tax during its election campaign. However, the Treasury has discussed freezing income tax thresholds and has refused to rule out income tax [...]
High street firms facing extra £1bn tax bill next month as relief slashed March 10, 2025 Shops, restaurants and pubs across England are facing an extra £1bn in taxes when a discount is cut next month, adding to a “tsunami” of rising costs hurtling toward the sector, according to new analysis. Businesses in London will be hit hardest by changes, tax and software firm Ryan found. Firms in the retail, leisure [...]
Ministers could cut the number of official bodies that get a say on planning March 10, 2025 Ministers could slash the number of official bodies that get a say in planning decisions in a drive to cut red tape. Officials will consult on removing sport England, the theatres trust and the garden history society from the list of “statutory consultees”, while the scope of others who get to give input is set [...]
Countries cannot be ‘dragooned’ into coalition of the willing, says McFadden March 9, 2025 Countries cannot be “dragooned” into the so-called coalition of the willing by the UK, a senior minister has suggested. Pat McFadden has said that nations have to “step forward themselves” if they want to be part of the group of nations willing to defend a peace deal in Ukraine. The UK and France have been [...]
Ministers to be questioned on alleged Palestinian militant who crossed Channel March 9, 2025 Ministers are facing questions over reports an alleged Palestinian gunman illegally crossed the channel on a small boat. According to the Mail on Sunday, Abu Wadee is a former key member of a militant group who has called for the slaughter of all Jews and posed with AK-47s. Wadee, who is believed to be in [...]
