Doubts are emerging over Tata’s long-term commitment to Port Talbot blast furnaces December 4, 2016 New concerns are emerging over Tata's commitment to maintaining two blast furnaces at the Port Talbot steelworks. The Indian conglomerate is expected to commit to the long-term future of the site within weeks, but with one furnace in need of relining, observers are concerned Tata will only implement a short-term fix. The furnace is due [...]
New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall is mulling a bid to snatch Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester constituency next year December 4, 2016 Newly-elected Ukip leader Paul Nuttall is mulling a bid for the constituency of Labour's Andy Burnham in an effort to enter the House of Commons. Burnham is due to step down as a Leigh MP next year to fight for the mayoralty of Greater Manchester, and Nuttall is considering a battle to steal the seat from [...]
Boris Johnson has set up a clash with Theresa May over students and migration numbers December 4, 2016 Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has publicly rejected the government's policies on migration numbers, specifically the inclusion of student numbers. Only in October, Downing Street stressed that there is no review of the current plan – which sees students included in net migration sums. That was a reaction to comments from chancellor Philip Hammond, who had [...]
Now two of the government’s most senior figures have hinted the UK will continue EU contributions after Brexit December 1, 2016 Signs are increasing that the UK may continue making contributions to the EU after Brexit, after two of the government's most senior figures refused to rule it out. Brexit secretary David Davis said the UK “would consider” contributions aiding the UK in securing the best possible Single Market access. His comments were later echoed by chancellor [...]
Andrew Tyrie is demanding an investigation of Nissan’s talks with Downing Street December 1, 2016 The chair of a senior parliamentary watchdog is demanding an investigation into Downing Street's talks with Nissan. The Prime Minister hosted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn in October ahead of the decision by the automaker to continue to manufacture its new Qashqai in Sunderland. Ministers have since denied that any special offer was made to the firm [...]
Brexit secretary: UK would consider paying EU for Single Market access December 1, 2016 Brexit secretary David Davis has revealed that the UK is prepared to consider paying to the European Union to secure terms on Single Market access. Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Davis was asked by Labour Caerphilly MP Wayne David whether the government would consider making “any contribution in any shape or form” [...]
Sadiq Khan launches £7m tech talent programme for young Londoners December 1, 2016 London mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a new £7m scheme to support Londoners into digital, technology and creative careers, with a focus on women and minority ethnic groups over two years. Designed to help meet the needs of tech business in the capital, the scheme will support and encourage young people developing digital skills and [...]
Michael Gove has questioned the efforts of the EEF to poll its membership ahead of the Brexit vote November 30, 2016 Michael Gove has questioned the efforts of a manufacturing trade body to survey its members over Brexit. In a Brexit select committee hearing, Gove took EEF director of EU affairs Fergus McReynolds to task over surveys of its membership. The EEF was one of several trade bodies to back a Remain vote, but Gove said [...]
Ex-Treasury minister Jim O’Neill hits out over “disappointing” Autumn Statement November 30, 2016 Former Treasury minister and Goldman Sachs banker Lord Jim O'Neill has hit out over last week's Autumn Statement, branding chancellor Philip Hammond's performance as “disappointing”. Speaking for the first time as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, O'Neill yesterday lamented a “lack of new or additional initiatives” from Hammond. O'Neill focused on devolution [...]
The Lib Dems are predicting a narrow win over Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park tomorrow November 30, 2016 The Lib Dems think they will snatch a narrow win in Richmond Park tomorrow and dethrone the former Tory MP Zac Goldsmith. Polls open in South West London tomorrow, and Goldsmith had been regarded as favourite, but bookmakers are also cutting the odds on victory for Tim Farron's party. And internal modelling by the Lib Dems is now predicting [...]
