IFS slam Labour and Tory plans targetting pension tax relief as “damaging and counterproductive” April 12, 2015 Tory and Labour plans to cut pension relief for top earners have come under fire from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Director of the IFS, Paul Johnson warned that even though both sets of policies apply to a relatively small number of people they nevertheless could prove to be "complex, damaging and counter-productive". [...]
Nicola Sturgeon struggles to explain SNP economic policy as Jim Murphy promises no further cuts in Scotland April 12, 2015 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon struggled to articulate her party's economic policy during a shambolic debate between the main party leaders in Scotland. In the third televised Scottish leaders' debate Sturgeon reiterated her desire to see Scotland granted full fiscal autonomy. Sturgeon was immediately attacked by Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Lib Dem Willie Rennie, who [...]
Hillary Clinton announces 2016 run for the Presidency with video message April 12, 2015 Hillary Clinton has announced she is running for the Presidency of the United States via a video message. The veteran politician fires the starting gun on what looks to be a limited race for the Democratic nomination. Clinton starts the race with a vast amount of money and unrivalled ground operation. Few Democrats are likely [...]
IFS say David Cameron’s inheritance tax cut would disproportionately benefit the wealthy April 12, 2015 The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has said the Conservatives' plan, if they win the General Election, to cut inheritance tax for homes worth up to £1m would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. George Osborne told the Andrew Marr show the Tory party supported "the basic human instinct to provide for your children." Under the current [...]
General Election 2015: Tactical voting could save Scottish Labour from total SNP wipeout April 10, 2015 For several the months, the polls have been telling us Scottish Labour is facing electoral oblivion. No matter what he seems to do, Labour's leader in Scotland, Jim Murphy, cannot cut it with voters, and has failed to stem the rise of the SNP. But some new YouGov polling may provide some comfort to Labour's [...]
This man changed his name to Michael Green to challenge Tory chairman Grant Shapps for Welwyn Hatfield April 10, 2015 Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps is facing an unusual challenge in the seat of Welwyn Hatfield. Shapps will almost certainly retain the seat where he holds a 17,000 majority, but one of his rivals will bring up memories of one of his more embarrassing moments. Welwyn Council has confirmed that one of the opponents facing [...]
General Election 2015: Could the threat of Brexit trigger a second Scottish independence referendum? April 10, 2015 A push toward Brexit could trigger the SNP to push for a second Scottish independence referendum. The suggestion was made by SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during the Scottish leaders' debate on Wednesday. Challenged over whether her party would push for a second independence referendum, Sturgeon said the SNP was not "planning or proposing another referendum". [...]
Here’s why David Cameron’s plan for three days’ paid volunteering is bad for business April 10, 2015 David Cameron's plan to offer workers three days' paid leave for volunteering has come under fire from the business world. The Prime Minister has pledged that if the Tories win the General Election up to 15m workers in the public and private sector will be able to take paid time off for volunteering. In the [...]
Eric Pickles car crash interview: Senior Tory struggles to explain Cameron’s paid volunteering scheme April 10, 2015 Communities secretary Eric Pickles suffered a bruising encounter on Radio 4's Today programme as he struggled to explain Tory plans to give workers three days' paid leave for volunteering. David Cameron pledged a future Conservative government will offer workers in the public sector and big private companies three days' paid leave for volunteering. Large companies [...]
Majority of Britons want to follow Australia and introduce compulsory voting April 9, 2015 The debate over how to increase voter turnout has produced some controversial proposals. None more so than the suggestion that the UK should follow Australia's lead and compel citizens to vote through force of law. In Australia, citizens can be fined £115 for refusing to vote. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argue young [...]
