Jones denies dropping Marler for England’s Grand Slam bid as punishment for “Gypsy boy” comments March 17, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has denied that prop Joe Marler has been dropped to the bench for tomorrow’s Grand Slam decider against France as punishment for verbally abusing Wales forward Samson Lee. Marler was cleared to play against Les Bleus after escaping sanction from the tournament’s disciplinary committee for branding Lee “gypsy boy” as [...]
Fear that young voters are “frozen out” of democractic process with EU referendum and London mayoral election looming March 17, 2016 Young people are being are being frozen out of the democratic process as they become increasing disconnected from it, a new study has warned. With the EU referendum and London mayoral election looming, the democratic process is failing to connect with younger people. The research found a key barrier to voting was electoral registration, with four [...]
Young people need to know the true value of apprenticeships – especially for professional jobs March 17, 2016 The UK has a proud history when it comes to apprenticeships, boasting a great tradition in industries such as engineering, construction and manufacturing. However, a lack of effective careers advice is risking the government’s plan to increase apprenticeship uptake in “professional” sectors like accountancy – especially for those young people electing not to go to [...]
Welsh e-cigarette ban is defeated after Labour politician makes ‘cheap date’ jibe at Plaid Cymru March 16, 2016 Welsh Labour plans to ban e-cigarettes in public places where children and young people are present were defeated today. The decision came as a surprise given that Plaid Cymru had originally given its Assembly members a free vote on the issue. However, the party instructed its members to vote against the e-cigarette ban after Labour member and [...]
Budget 2016: Lifetime Isa announced to stop younger people choosing between buying a house and saving for retirement March 16, 2016 Chancellor George Osborne has today announced a new lifetime Isa in his Budget speech to help under 40s who feel they have to make a choice between saving for a retirement or saving for a property. Similar to the help-to-buy Isa, government will boost the savers' pot, with the rate offered on the lifetime Isa being £1 [...]
Is the Lifetime Isa the answer to poor savings rates among younger people? March 16, 2016 Richard Parkin, head of pensions at Fidelity International, says Yes. The reasons why younger people don’t save enough for the longer term are numerous, but fundamentally they boil down to the feeling that they can’t afford it or that there are too many other demands on their funds. The Lifetime Isa is definitely not a magic [...]
Budget 2016: The ‘Graph of Doom’ and the UK’s £100bn secret weapon March 16, 2016 Another budget, another round of public funding cuts. Whatever the efficacy of George Osborne’s latest round of cuts to public services, one thing is increasingly clear: while government backs British business to flourish and focuses on ensuring the UK is ‘living within its means’, someone must fill the growing public services gap. When projecting their future spending power [...]
Budget 2016: As chancellor George Osborne announces new lifetime Isa, young workers now face baffling saving choices March 16, 2016 The introduction of a flexible new savings product for younger workers sounds superficially attractive but opens up a baffling range of options and the risk of making damaging choices. In recent years millions of people in their 20s and 30s have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension, benefiting from an employer contribution, tax relief [...]
Budget 2016: Here are the reactions to Osborne’s announcements on sugar tax, corporation tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Isas, education and growth prospects March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just announced some Budget surprises – a sugar tax, longer school days – as well as an increase in sin taxes on tobacco, alterations to ISAs and savings, and corporation taxes. Here's what analysts are already saying about the chancellor's latest agenda on… Personal allowance David Kilshaw, private clients services partner, EY [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]