SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested in party finance probe April 18, 2023 The Scottish National Party’s (SNP) treasurer Colin Beattie has been arrested in a police probe into the party’s finances, according to reports. Beattie, 71, is under arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the party, Police Scotland has said, the PA news agency has reported, In a statement, the [...]
Regulators must be kept in check, Tory MPs warn April 18, 2023 Tory MPs have warned powerful regulators operating “largely unchecked” are holding back the UK’s economy and “directly hindering” the country’s growth prospects. The backbench Regulatory Reform Group (RRG) has called for increased parliamentary oversight of the UK’s regulators – from water and energy watchdogs Ofwat and Ofgem to banking supervisor the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). [...]
US says G7 will resist Chinese ‘coercion’ as Taiwan tensions heighten, per reports April 18, 2023 A US official has said the G7 nations will resist any “coercion” from China during a key summit in Japan, as tensions heighten over Taiwan, according to reports. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven countries – the UK, the US, Germany, France, Japan, Canada and Italy – are meeting in the central Japanese city [...]
Retail groups call for business rates reform to save Britain’s high streets April 17, 2023 Retail and hospitality groups have called for urgent reform of business rates, which are contributing to shop closures and job losses. “Retail accounts for 5 per cent of the economy but pays more than one-fifth of business rates,” Helen Dickinson, British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive, said. “The overall industry tax take is unsustainably high [...]
Business groups ‘welcome’ maths focus to plug ‘skills gap’ April 17, 2023 Business groups say Rishi Sunak’s focus on maths is a “welcome” measure to plug key “skills gaps” as Britain goes for growth, despite concerns over a lack of teachers. The Prime Minister has unveiled plans to transform the UK’s approach to maths education, including an expert advisory group, maths hubs and a new primary teaching [...]
Rishi Sunak: PM under investigation for possible failure to ‘declare interest’ April 17, 2023 Prime minister Rishi Sunak is under investigation by the Parliamentary standards watchdog over the possible failure to declare an interest. The House of Commons Standards Commissioner looks at evidence to determine whether individual MPs may have broken the rules of conduct. An investigation was opened into Sunak, who is also MP for Richmond in Yorkshire, [...]
‘A breath of fresh air’ vs ‘more to do’: What City grandees have to say about Sunak April 17, 2023 As Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer doesn’t tire of reminding voters: expertise beyond politics can be invaluable. For the current resident behind that most famous front door, it’s so far proved an advantage. Liz Truss’ accountancy background may not have aided her short-lived leadership bout, but – for the City’s boardrooms at least – her [...]
Labour attack ad backfires to dent own reputation, polling finds April 17, 2023 Labour’s controversial attack ad, which claimed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was failing to ensure child sexual abusers serve prison time, has damaged the party in the polls, it has emerged. The divisive online ad campaign also saw the party hit out at the Conservative’s record on the justice system and at Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty’s [...]
SNP leader Humza Yousaf denies party close to bankruptcy April 16, 2023 Humza Yousaf has denied the Scottish National Party (SNP) faces bankruptcy as he confirmed forensic auditors could be appointed to investigate its finances. The first minister said a governance and transparency review would be carried out as he insisted the SNP is “solvent”. Yousaf, speaking shortly after the SNP’s National Executive Council (NEC) met, said: [...]
Top Tory donor says he won’t give Conservative party any more cash April 16, 2023 Top Tory donor and hotel mogul Sir Rocco Forte has said he won’t hand over any more cash to the Conservative Party. Speaking to GB News, the businessman, who founded the world famous Rocco Forte hotel chain, said the party no longer stands for anything he believes in and that he was “not a fan” [...]