‘Right to disconnect’ plans must offer firms flexibility, experts warn August 20, 2024 The government’s plan to give workers the ‘right to disconnect’ must offer companies some flexibility when it comes to implementing the changes, experts have warned. Staff who are frequently contacted by their bosses outside of their work day could be granted thousands more in compensation cash from employment tribunals under new worker reforms, The Times [...]
Green energy plans could reduce costs for UK steelmakers, industry says August 20, 2024 Plans for the UK to become a green energy superpower could help reduce costs for British steelmaking, a supplier has said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited a wind farm near Carmarthen, west Wales, today as part of a trip to promote his ambition for renewable power through setting up GB Energy. The public company [...]
US election 2024: All you need to know about the Democrat Party convention August 19, 2024 In just three months time, US voters will be heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the 2024 presidential election. Former president Donald Trump is standing for the third time for the Republican party, while current Democrat vice-president Kamala Harris is making her first White House run after the incumbent Joe Biden opted [...]
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 [...]
Operation Early Dawn: UK reactivates emergency court case plan after influx of rioters August 19, 2024 The UK government has reactivated an emergency plan to delay court cases as the latest swarm of arrests following the riots adds to an overcrowded prison system
Emergency move to avoid jail overcrowding may be used soon as rioters sentenced August 18, 2024 The government could trigger an emergency plan to avoid prison overcrowding “at some point next week” as rioters are sentenced, according to the Prison Officers’ Association. It followed reports in The Observer that the government could be about to trigger Operation Early Dawn. The long-standing contingency measure allows defendants to be held in police cells [...]
Yvette Cooper pledges crackdown on ‘hateful beliefs’ to counter extremism August 18, 2024 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs” and to “kickstart” a new approach to fighting extremism. The Home Office has commissioned a “rapid sprint” to drive a new practical approach to countering extremism. The project is being carried out to provide analysis and recommendations on how [...]
ULEZ: Sadiq Khan to shut scrappage scheme as London drivers scramble to apply August 16, 2024 London Mayor Sadiq Khan will close the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) scrappage scheme next month as drivers in the capital scramble to make last-minute applications. The announcement comes after Khan expanded the controversial scheme to more areas of greater London shortly before his re-election earlier in the year. The scrappage scheme, which drivers can apply to [...]
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 [...]
Tata Steel: Ministers pledge £13.5m to protect jobs as ‘all options on the table’ August 15, 2024 The government has pledged £13.5m to help workers amid Tata Steel job losses, as a minister vowed “all options are on the table”. Funding will go to supporting supply chain businesses and workers affected by job losses in connection with the Indian-owned manufacturer changing its production systems. Tata is switching to a greener form of [...]