Government borrows less than official predictions in August thanks to rising tax receipts September 21, 2023 The government borrowed £11.6bn in August, the fourth highest August borrowing figures on record but still lower than official forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), higher central government spending meant borrowing was £3.5bn higher than August last year. The only time the government [...]
Starmer’s pre-election plan? Dance a gentle waltz with the media September 20, 2023 After the years of bitter angst between Jeremy Corbyn and the media, Starmer is trying for a cautious courtship, writes Simon Neville.
The debanking debacle deserves proper parliamentary scrutiny September 20, 2023 There were some, when Nigel Farage was debanked by Coutts, who found the whole thing rather amusing. Those people, typically, were no fans of the Brexiteer-in-chief; how they chortled when the BBC broke the news that Farage was taken off the books as a result of his finances. Of course we know now that was [...]
Banks not closing accounts due to political views, FCA finds September 19, 2023 Banks have not been closing customer accounts for political reasons, according to the initial findings of an investigation by the FCA.
Brexit: Starmer meets Macron, as experts warn of bid for closer ties with EU September 19, 2023 Sir Keir Starmer will meet French President Emmanuel Macron as experts say he risks “demanding more than the European Union is willing to give” with his insistence on seeking closer ties with Brussels after Brexit. The Labour leader will hold talks in Paris on Tuesday, during which post-Brexit relations are expected to feature prominently, against [...]
Farage debanking an outlier, reckons City watchdog’s investigation September 19, 2023 The bosses of both Coutts and Natwest quit after Nigel Farage was ‘debanked’ but an FCA report is expected to say it is not usual practice
Urgent reform needed to restore trust in UK constitution, warn think tanks September 19, 2023 An urgent reset is required in order to restore trust in the UK’s constitution, two top think tanks have warned. Faith in Britain’s political system has been shaken after a “tumultuous” string of events — from the Brexit process, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis — a report by the Institute for [...]
Labour need to find ‘incentive’ for EU to reopen Brexit deal, expert warns September 19, 2023 Labour’s plans to seek a renegotiated Brexit deal with the European Union will require finding an “incentive” for the bloc to reopen talks, an expert has warned. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to seek a “much better” deal if his party wins the next general election, and said Boris Johnson’s agreement, which is up for [...]
Brexit: Starmer will seek overhaul of Boris Johnson’s trade deal September 18, 2023 In an interview with the Financial Times, Starmer said he will "attempt to get a much better deal for the UK" in 2025, when the current arrangements come up for review.
London Design District launches flagship building in welcomed boost for capital’s creative sector September 18, 2023 London’s Design District has launched a spectacular new space for smaller businesses at the heart of its Greenwich hub