Former Asda and M&S boss Lord Rose: WFH is ‘not doing proper work’ January 20, 2025 The increase in home work has created a generation who are “not doing proper work,” according to the former boss of Asda and Marks & Spencer. Speaking to BBC Panorama, Lord Rose said more working from home was a part of the UK economy’s “general decline” and that productivity was suffering as a result. “We [...]
Starmer’s value for money office might be a waste of money, MPs warn January 20, 2025 Keir Starmer’s new value for money office might be a waste of money, an influential group of MPs have warned in a sceptical report. The newly-established Office for Value for Money (OVfM), which Labour pledged to set up ahead of the election, is supposed to improve government competitiveness and crackdown on waste. But concerns have [...]
Starmer welcomes ‘wonderful and long-overdue’ news of hostages’ release January 19, 2025 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the “wonderful and long-overdue” news that three hostages including British citizen Emily Damari have been released by Hamas. British-Israeli Ms Damari was freed on Sunday, at the start of a ceasefire deal with Israel which secured the phased release of those in captivity as well as a pause [...]
‘No plans right now’ to ban TikTok in the UK January 19, 2025 There are “no plans right now to ban TikTok”, a Cabinet minister has said. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “We always keep all of these technology issues under consideration, whether it’s for national security or data privacy concerns. “We have laws in place and processes [...]
Government ‘prepared for all scenarios’ says minister as Trump tariffs loom January 19, 2025 The Government “has prepared for all scenarios”, a Cabinet minister has said, as questions about President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs loom large ahead of the inauguration on Monday. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said “we need to see what the Trump administration do” but also that Mr Trump is “well known for wanting to [...]
Last remaining British hostage named by Hamas as one of three set to be released January 19, 2025 The last remaining British hostage in Gaza has been named by Hamas as one of three people set to be released on Sunday. A ceasefire deal, which promised the phased release of hostages as well as a pause in the 15-month Israel-Hamas war, was delayed on Sunday morning and came into force at 9.15am UK [...]
Priti Patel: Labour should focus on negotiating with Trump instead of ‘disparaging comments’ January 19, 2025 Labour should focus on starting negotiations with Donald Trump, rather than making “disrespectful and disparaging comments”, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has said. She told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I think we have to respect the fact that he has a very significant mandate. The American people voted clearly, categorically, [...]
Ministers to announce plans to claim back money from benefit fraudsters January 19, 2025 Ministers are set to unveil plans for new laws which mean they will be able to reclaim money from bank accounts in instances of benefit fraud. The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that new planned powers will mean that money can be reclaimed from people who have committed fraud and are not on [...]
Ministers set to unveil plans for digital driving licences January 18, 2025 Ministers are set to unveil plans for digital driving licences next week, according to reports. The Times reported on Saturday that the licences will be available through a new government app, potentially by the end of this year. Officials have emphasised that a digital licence would not be mandatory. The digital wallet that will contain [...]
Train drivers seek to put ‘dent’ in cost of living in pay talks January 18, 2025 Train drivers in England will look to “put a dent” in the cost of living over the past few years when they negotiate their next pay settlement, according to the head of their union. Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef), told the i Paper any proposed rise [...]
