Rishi Sunak calls for more ‘diplomacy and engagement’ with China November 28, 2022 Rishi Sunak has said the UK needs to “evolve its approach” toward China as he signals closer “diplomacy and engagement” with the burgeoning super power. The Prime Minister told the Lord Mayor’s banquet at Guildhall tonight that the “golden era” of UK-China relations pushed by David Cameron “is over”, but that the UK must not [...]
Number 10 hits out at China for ‘shocking and unacceptable’ arrest of BBC journalist November 28, 2022 The arrest of a BBC journalist by Chinese authorities in Shanghai has been branded as “shocking and “unacceptable” by Number 10. Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman today said that “journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear or intimidation” and that the Foreign Office is making inquiries. BBC journalist Ed Lawrence was beaten and [...]
Keir Starmer’s brand of blue collar progressivism is coming into focus November 24, 2022 It’s been a good 12 months for Labour. Sir Keir Starmer’s party began 2022 with a small polling lead over the Tories and will finish it looking like a government-in-waiting, thanks largely to the risible collapse of two Prime Ministers and economically crippling stagflation. Pressure will now come onto the opposition leader to give away more [...]
Hunt rejects OBR forecasts of Brexit hit to UK economy November 24, 2022 Forecasts of the economic hit caused by Brexit from the UK’s budgetary watchdog are wrong, according to chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Hunt today said he doesn’t “accept” predictions by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that the UK’s economy will be 4 per cent smaller in the medium-term due to Brexit. Hunt told Sky News that [...]
UK bans Chinese surveillance equipment in ‘sensitive’ Whitehall buildings November 24, 2022 Government departments must stop installing surveillance cameras made by Chinese companies in “sensitive” sites, it was announced today. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden told MPs that a review by the Government Security Group found “additional controls are required” due to “the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity” of surveillance systems. The [...]
Brexit: Business groups and unions call for delay of EU legislation bonfire November 24, 2022 Leading British business groups and unions have called on Rishi Sunak to delay post-Brexit plans to shred all retained EU laws by 2023. In a letter signed by more than a dozen institutions – including the Institute of Directors and Trades Union Congress (TUC) – the groups said the plans would “cause significant confusion and [...]
Sunak backs down against BoE and ditches call-in power over City regulators November 23, 2022 The government has tonight confirmed it will scrap controversial plans to allow MPs to overrule City regulators as part of a post-Brexit Big Bang 2.0 blueprint. The decision to ditch the plans marked a victory for the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who have both previously warned that introducing the so-called [...]
Hunt says he’s ‘very concerned’ about tax burden and ‘absolutely’ wants to cut it November 23, 2022 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said he is “very concerned” about the UK’s soaring tax burden and that he “absolutely” wants to cut it. Hunt told MPs on a Westminster committee today that “if taxes are too high it makes it difficult to be a modern, dynamic economy”, while also backing his decision last week to [...]
Badenoch to host trade forum with South African President Ramaphosa November 23, 2022 Kemi Badenoch will host a roundtable forum with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa today, with the trade secretary looking to boost exports to the continent. Badenoch said this morning that a “UK-South Africa Investment Taskforce” was looking to break down trade barriers with the Commonwealth nation, however there are no current plans to extend the trade deal [...]
Sturgeon ‘accepts’ court decision to block Scottish independence referendum November 23, 2022 Nicola Sturgeon has said she “accepts” today’s decision from the Supreme Court to block another independence referendum without Westminster’s consent, but that “democracy won’t be denied”. The Scottish First Minister said the decision only “blocks one route to Scotland’s voice being heard on independence” and that the next General Election, due by the start of [...]
