The House of Lords amended Theresa May’s Article 50 Bill to protect EU nationals March 1, 2017 The House of Lords has handed Prime Minister Theresa May's government its first defeat on the road to Brexit, amending the Article 50 Bill to include a unilateral guarantee of the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK. Peers voted 358 to 256 in favour of a change to the Bill, which passed through [...]
Nigel Farage is escalating his war on Ukip’s only MP, but he claims it’s not about that knighthood March 1, 2017 Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has escalated his war with the party's only MP, accusing Douglas Carswell of "damaging" Ukip, the Brexit campaign – and Farage himself. Carswell, who participated in the official Vote Leave campaign, has been at the centre of reports relating to Ukip's hopes of securing a knighthood for Farage. Carswell has denied moving to block the honour. However, [...]
MPs have warned keeping the pensions triple lock means no one will retire until they’re 70 February 28, 2017 The state pension age may need to rise beyond the life expectancy of some of the UK's poorest places in order to be compatible with retaining the “triple lock” on payments, MPs have today warned. In a report published this morning, parliament's Work and Pensions Committee warned keeping the policy will push the pension age to [...]
The British Chambers of Commerce is demanding more Brexit certainty from the government February 28, 2017 British businesses have demanded the government give more Brexit certainty in a blueprint published today. The British Chambers of Commerce has stated that EU member states will remain a key partner for UK firms, adding it is “imperative” that a new deal facilitates trade. The BCC warned that negotiations should be extended if trade talks cannot [...]
Former Prime Minister John Major has hit out over “unreal” expectations of Brexit February 27, 2017 Former Prime Minister John Major has blasted “unreal” predictions of the UK's future outside of the European Union. Speaking in central London, Major also accused Brexiteers of “demeaning” their former political rivals in the Remain camp by “shouting down legitimate comment”. Major campaigned for a Remain vote in the referendum, and made a series of [...]
The Conservatives’ former leader in the European Parliament has launched a stinging attack on Brexit rebels February 27, 2017 The Conservatives' former top man in the European Parliament has issued a warning against peers interfering with the Article 50 Bill just one day after former Conservative minister Lord Heseltine vowed to fight for amendments. Lord Callanan, the former chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in Brussels, has issued a stinging rebuke to [...]
A hard Brexit could be “crippling” to housebuilding in London, Sadiq Khan has warned February 27, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has warned almost a quarter of London's construction workforce is facing an uncertain future ahead of Brexit negotiations. Pressing the case for retention of skilled workers as a key priority in Brexit talks, Khan today argued the loss of London's 95,000 European construction workers would have “a seriously detrimental effect” on [...]
Ministers probe plan to cut NI contributions for firms recruiting ex-offenders February 27, 2017 Ministers are exploring whether firms should be offered financial incentives to recruit ex-offenders. Options being considered include reducing National Insurance contributions if employers take on former prisoners. The plans emerged as part of the government's response to a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which calls on ministers to provide more support to ex-offenders. Read More: Ex-migration chief [...]
Is the Home Office considering plans to hand new visa powers to an independent body after Brexit? February 26, 2017 The Home Office is reportedly considering handing new powers to an independent migration body to issue visas on a sector-by-sector basis. The Sunday Times reports that ministers are evaluating a plan to grant the Migration Advisory Committee powers to decide how many visas need to be issued for workers in key sectors after Brexit. The [...]
The MoD has been failing to pay suppliers on time, after installing new systems to do just that February 26, 2017 Ministry of Defence officials have been left red-faced after the implementation of a new system designed to make sure that suppliers are paid on time left some firms missing out for up to three months. The MoD launched the new system to make business with the department more efficient as part of a cross government bid to [...]
