Labour smashes the “don’t mess with pensioners” rule September 9, 2024 Nothing in politics is more painful than the removal of a benefit to which the recipients have become accustomed. Successive Chancellors and Prime Ministers have discovered this, sometimes to their embarrassment and sometimes to their very great cost. Related to this first rule, comes another; don’t mess with pensioners. In fact, ‘not messing’ with them [...]
Who’d be ambassador to President Trump? September 9, 2024 Peter Mandelson and David Miliband are rumoured to be in the frame for British ambassador to Washington, but only if Kamala Harris wins. That’s a mistake. A Trump victory would demand a diplomatic heavyweight, says Eliot Wilson By the beginning of next year, Dame Karen Pierce will have served as British ambassador to the United [...]
Renters rights bill must protect ‘workable’ grounds for possession, landlords warn September 6, 2024 Plans to reform renters rights must protect “clear, comprehensive and workable” grounds for possession, a landlords body has warned. The government could reportedly bring forward its new Renters Rights Bill, which was announced in the King’s Speech, as soon as next week, according to Sky News. And renters rights campaigners have urged ministers to fulfil [...]
Tory leadership contest: Priti Patel knocked out of race as Robert Jenrick leads field September 4, 2024 Dame Priti Patel has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak, as rival Robert Jenrick was revealed to be leading the field. The results of the first ballot of MPs were revealed this afternoon with the former immigration minister emerging as the favourite among Conservative MPs to lead the party. [...]
UK’s banking regulator ‘extremely mindful’ of US on capital rules overhaul September 3, 2024 The UK’s banking regulator is “extremely mindful” of pushing ahead with a sweeping set of capital rule changes while the US’s reform package remains up in the air, its chief executive has said. Sam Woods, the deputy governor of the Bank of England and boss of the Prudential Regulation Authority, told the Following the Rules [...]
Tory leadership race gets underway as Badenoch and Cleverly launch small state campaigns September 2, 2024 The Conservative leadership race was set alight today as frontrunner Kemi Badenoch and rival James Cleverly launched their campaigns, both calling for a “state that does less”. Former business and trade secretary Badenoch argued: “Government should do fewer things but better – and what it does, it should do with brilliance.” While former foreign and [...]
Outdoor pub smoking ban would cause ‘serious economic harm’ to UK hospitality August 29, 2024 A possible smoking ban in outdoor spaces of pubs, bars and restaurants in the UK is likely to do more harm than good, leading trade figures have warned. The ban would make it illegal to smoke in pubs, outdoor restaurants and open-air spaces in nightclubs, according to leaked documents seen by The Sun, in a [...]
FCA goes six months without registering a single crypto firm amid criticism of tough regime August 27, 2024 The City watchdog has gone six months without registering a crypto firm, amid criticism that its tough approach to regulation poses a risk to the UK's competitiveness in digital assets.
Is the UK moving in the wrong direction? Bad news for Keir as 52 per cent of Brits agree August 19, 2024 Some 52 per cent of Brits think the UK is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new poll following the general election. Pollsters at Ipsos found 22 per cent of people thought the situation in Britain was going in the right direction – down three points from a survey the previous month. It [...]
Infected blood scandal: Compensation for some victims by end of the year after review August 16, 2024 The government has published its report into the infected blood scandal, saying it will pass legislation this month and expect compensation by the end of the year for victims. The long-running scandal saw thousands given infected blood, leading to infections and diseases which killed many. It has been reported that 30,000 have been infected with [...]