Jeremy Corbyn says a maximum wage is still being considered by Labour March 13, 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has rekindled the prospect of Labour introducing a maximum salary, months after suggesting a pay ratio scheme. Speaking on the Today programme, Corbyn said Labour is consulting on the appropriate level for a pay ratio, but he added that a hard salary cap was still on the table. “On maximum pay we [...]
Ministers put regional infrastructure plans in the spotlight ahead of “largest ever” Qatari business summit March 13, 2017 Ministers are hoping to secure a cash injection for the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine projects when the UK plays host to the biggest investment and business forum ever held with Qatar later this month. Qatar is the UK's third largest export market in the Middle East, accounting for £35bn of investment into the UK, and Prime Minister Theresa [...]
David Davis warns MPs not to tie Theresa May’s hands ahead of historic debates on Brexit legislation March 13, 2017 Brexit secretary David Davis has told MPs not to “tie the Prime Minister's hands” by approving amendments to the Article 50 Bill as the UK embarks on an historic week in which the government could kickstart the process of leaving the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May might trigger Article 50 as soon as tomorrow as [...]
Brexit rebels in the Lords must be prepared to back down admits Heseltine March 12, 2017 Tory peer and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine has warned the House of Lords against waging a long-running battle to make changes to the Article 50 Bill. The unelected chamber installed two amendments to the legislation, on protections for the rights of EU nationals, and offering parliament a “meaningful” vote on any new trading relationship with the EU. [...]
Did Philip Hammond tell cabinet he was breaking manifesto promises? These senior ministers won’t say March 12, 2017 NULL
Brexit secretary David Davis says ministers are planning for “all possible outcomes” of EU talks March 12, 2017 Brexit secretary David Davis has moved to reassure MPs that the government is undertaking contingency planning on Brexit, after a critical report called for more preparations. The Foreign Affairs select committee today warned "a complete breakdown in negotiations represents a very destructive outcome leading to mutually assured damage for the EU and the UK", and [...]
A former Tory minister is to lead calls for a new cap on energy price increases next week March 9, 2017 A former Conservative minister is to lead cross-party calls for a new intervention into the UK's energy market, demanding fresh restrictions on pricing. Ex-cabinet office minister John Penrose will next week tell the government to create a new “relative price cap” to limit suppliers ability to hike bills. In a backbench debate in the House of Commons on [...]
Liam Fox extols the virtues of free trade at an inaugural Commonwealth trade summit March 9, 2017 International trade secretary Liam Fox has met with more than 20 different Commonwealth counterparts at the first meeting of its kind at Lancaster House. The Commonwealth Secretariat hosted Fox and trade ministers from around the world for a summit in London to discuss increased collaboration in commerce. And speaking at the event, Fox extolled the [...]
Theresa May’s Article 50 Brexit bill could be approved by parliament as soon as Monday March 9, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May could be handed the power to begin Brexit negotiations as early as Monday, with the House of Lords on notice to rapidly approve legislation. MPs are set to debate the Article 50 Bill from Monday, with focus on amendments installed by the House of Lords. However, while time has been allotted for [...]
Downing Street is refusing to rule out a u-turn on a National Insurance tax hike for the self-employed March 9, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond's plan to hike National Insurance contributions (NICs) for self-employed workers has continued to generate controversy, with Downing Street today refusing to rule out a review of the scheme. Hammond has been at pains to defend the plans today, but increasing numbers of Tory MPs have come out against the plan to up NICs [...]
