It’s Europe that will push for a conciliatory Brexit – because Britain holds all the aces December 12, 2016 A strong case can be made that the UK economy is in a unique position within the European Economic Area (EEA). Unique, because its membership is to the categorical financial benefit of all other members. Other countries gain either through exports to or via businesses located within Britain. Were the UK to be sent outside the [...]
Johnson keen to emphasise UK’s close ties with Saudi Arabia after critical comments on Yemen December 11, 2016 Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson reiterated Britain's close ties to Saudi Arabia on a visit there yesterday, days after making comments seen as critical of the desert kingdom's actions in Yemen. "I'm here to emphasise the friendship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and that is something that is developing and expanding," Johnson said [...]
Four charts showing who is and isn’t prepared to be financially worse off after Brexit December 11, 2016 The majority of people are not willing to lose out on any amount of cash they have coming in each month as a result of Brexit, a new poll has found. And just one in 10 voters who backed Brexit are prepared to become poorer by more than £100 per month as a result of the negotiations, [...]
Political opposition to Murdoch takeover of Sky mounts December 10, 2016 Former Labour leader Ed Miliband, former business secretary Vince Cable and influential campaign group Hacked Off have all voiced their opposition to the possibility of a 21st Century Fox takeover of Sky. Although media analysts appear to believe the deal is unlikely to be blocked by regulators, the news has attracted a number of objections in the [...]
US intelligence agencies believe Russia intervened to help Donald Trump win presidential election December 10, 2016 US intelligence agencies have “high confidence” Russia acted covertly to boost Donald Trump’s chances in the US presidential election. Both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times have reported the findings, citing senior US officials. Read more: Donald Trump has beaten Nigel Farage to be named Time's Person of the Year Trump’s transition team [...]
Jeremy Corbyn speech on human rights disrupted by Syria campaigners December 10, 2016 Campaigners disrupted Jeremy Corbyn today as he attempted to deliver a speech on human rights. The human rights activists were protesting Labour’s response to the war in Syria. Read more: Corbyn confirms Labour will seek an amendment to Article 50 bill As Corbyn began speaking, a group of campaigners moved in front of the Labour [...]
Council tax bills likely to soar across England next year (again) December 10, 2016 Council tax bills in England are set to soar across the country next year, according to new research out today. Nine out of 10 local authorities are planning to increase charges by nearly four per cent in 2017/18. This follows an average hike of 3.1 per cent this year. The finding was made by the [...]
Michael Gove backs Theresa May decision: “I would have sacked me too” December 10, 2016 Michael Gove has said Theresa May was right to oust him from the cabinet, saying: “If I’d been in her shoes, I would have sacked me too.” The former justice secretary has also said he regretted running for the Conservative Party leadership. Read more: Gove questions EEF over pre-Brexit membership polls And Gove said he had [...]
Uber treats drivers like Victorian “sweated labour”, says Frank Field in gig economy report December 9, 2016 Frank Field might be more commonly known as one of the thorns in Sir Philip Green's side, but Uber might now have a bone to pick with him too. The Labour MP and chair of the Work and Pensions Committee has uploaded a report to his site analysing the working relationship between Uber and its drivers, [...]
New government tool lets people check what the gender pay gap is like in their industry December 9, 2016 This could spark some interesting chats at the water cooler… The government has created a tool for the public to check out what the gender pay gap – the average earnings between men and women – is in their own profession. Justine Greening, minister for women and equalities, unveiled the online tool created by the government and [...]