House of Lords warned: Behave over Brexit, or see your power restricted November 17, 2016 The government has warned the House of Lords to toe the line on Brexit, or face revived plans to limit the powers of peers. A minister today revealed it would instead ask peers undertake “self-regulation”, but warned them over rebelling against Brexit in particular. Former prime minister David Cameron launched plans to limit peers after the House of [...]
The number of new affordable homes in England more than halved last year November 17, 2016 The number of new affordable homes in England fell by more than half last year, new figures have suggested. Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government showed the number of new affordable homes built in 2015-2016 fell to 32,110, down from 66,600 the year before. The figures, which take in newly-built affordable homes [...]
How far will Trump’s war on climate change go? November 17, 2016 In a world of post-truth democracy, it is fitting that President-elect Donald Trump's new director of the Centre for Energy and Environment “is not a climate scientist. I'm just… the informed layman.” It would be truly fascinating and terrifying to take a peek at what Myron Ebell is reading. On the one hand, he believes [...]
Strictly star (and former shadow chancellor) Ed Balls wants Bank of England independence reformed November 17, 2016 The star of Strictly Come Dancing 2016 has spoken out on the Bank of England's independence. Yes, that's right: former shadow chancellor Ed Balls has called for the BoE's independence to be curbed in response to growing "popular discontent". He has co-authored an academic paper on central bank independence saying: "We need a more nuanced approach [...]
The Brexit bill? Chancellor Philip Hammond expected to announce £100bn black hole in Autumn Statement November 17, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to reveal a £100bn black hole in government finances in next week’s Autumn Statement. The estimated figure, built up cumulatively over the next five years, has been linked to the UK’s Brexit vote, because of the deterioration in forecasts since March. Read more: Public borrowing could overrun by £100bn over [...]
Hillary Clinton shares pain – “more than I can ever express” – of US presidential election loss November 17, 2016 Hillary Clinton has spoken of her disappointment following Donald Trump’s victory in the US election, saying she wanted to “never leave the house again”. The Democrat won the popular vote against Trump, but was beaten in the US electoral college system. Speaking at a children’s charity event, Clinton said: “I will admit coming here tonight [...]
Chaotic Brexit planning has cost Tories’ “party of business” mantle, Labour business minister claims November 17, 2016 Labour's shadow business secretary will today accuse Conservatives of giving up their mantle as the party of business, hitting out over chaotic Brexit planning. Speaking at the Royal Society of Chemistry today, Clive Lewis will promise businesses a clear industrial strategy, led by an ambitious goal on renewables. Lewis will commit Labour to a goal of [...]
May must scrap “counterproductive” plans to limit immigration says radical free market think tank November 17, 2016 Theresa May has been urged to scrap “counterproductive” moves to limit migration in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, despite public support for reform. Radical think tank the Institute for Economic Affairs is pushing the Prime Minister to retain freedom of movement in a bid to boost the British economy. May has made it clear [...]
An ex-White House adviser and two banking bosses have been recruited to join Liam Fox’s trade ministry November 17, 2016 A former adviser to George W. Bush and two senior bankers have been recruited to advise Liam Fox's trade ministry, following former IoD director general Simon Walker. Walker's appointment emerged last month, but now Morning Wire can reveal three further non-exec hires at the government department. Former Bush adviser and economist Pippa Malmgren leads the [...]
The ministry of justice to stamp out “bogus” whiplash claims, while insurers promise to pass on savings November 17, 2016 Insurers and motorist groups celebrated government plans to get tough on bogus whiplash claims. Motor insurers have clamoured about the inflationary impact of whiplash claims over recent years. They have said that despite a generally soft insurance market, motor premiums have soared because of spiralling personal injury claims. Read more: Here's one more way the cost of motoring is [...]