Greek debt crisis: German MPs vote in favour of negotiating third bailout deal with Greece July 17, 2015 It’s Chancellor Angela Merkel’s birthday, and to celebrate the German parliament has voted in favour of starting negotiations with Greece for a third bailout deal. There was a clear majority in the Bundestag with 439 voting in favour against 119 votes against. 40 lawmakers abstained. Merkel, who has been a tough negotiator previously, was urging [...]
Iran nuclear deal: After the nuclear deal, Iran is our “frenemy” July 17, 2015 Tuesday’s agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme is a momentous achievement, but only if it can be enforced and verified. Following the diplomatic deal in Vienna, Western governments should engage with Tehran, but also help to contain Iran’s growing influence in the region. While Tehran celebrates the upcoming removal of international sanctions, its neighbours are anxious; [...]
English devolution is go: Cornwall is first county to receive powers over employment, transport, business support, energy, health and social care July 17, 2015 Put down your pasty. Cornwall has become the first UK county to gain historic new powers under the government's push to give more power to local authorities. The county will now have more control over a host of key areas including employment and skills, transport, business support, energy, health and social care, public estate and [...]
Gender pay gap: About time to name and shame businesses who don’t promote women July 16, 2015 News that UK firms will be required to publish gender pay audits is to be applauded. Gender diversity in the workplace has been ignored for too long by UK companies and it’s about time businesses that fail to employ, support and promote women are named and shamed. Why am I so passionate about this topic? [...]
MPs’ bewildering pay rise flies in the face of all we’ve heard about spending restraint July 16, 2015 They say timing is the art of comedy. Unfortunately, nobody's laughing. In the week after the chancellor of the Exchequer announced a pay rise of just one per cent for public sector employees, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) have awarded MPs a juicy 10 per cent rise – roughly £7,000. This takes their salaries [...]
MPs handed 10 per cent pay rise to £74,000 despite David Cameron’s objections July 16, 2015 The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has confirmed MPs’ salaries will rise from £67,060 to £74,000 – a 10 per cent pay rise. Ipsa was set up in the wake of the expenses scandal in 2009 to monitor parliamentary expenses, and is responsible for paying salaries and expenses. The salary increase was approved despite David [...]
Sir Howard Davies grilled over Airports Commission’s Heathrow runway decision July 15, 2015 Chair of the Airports Commission Sir Howard Davies explained the decision to recommend a Heathrow expansion in front of a Lords Selec Committee. Read more: Gatwick attacks "flawed" Heathrow expansion report The Commission's long-awaited report somewhat controversially recommended building a new runway at Heathrow as opposed to Gatwick as the "clear and unanimous" decision. Davies' report, [...]
Labour leadership race: Liz Kendall now least likely to become next Labour leader July 15, 2015 As the Labour leadership race hots up, Liz Kendall has become the least likely to win and lead her party, as Jeremy Corbyn overtakes her. The most pro-business of the four contenders left, Kendall has tried to separate herself from the rest of the pack by presenting herself as a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately [...]
Theresa May bans water cannon use in England and Wales after London mayor Boris Johnson authorised the Metropolitan Police to buy three last year July 15, 2015 It's a case of egg on the face for London mayor Boris Johnson today, after home secretary Theresa May banned the use of water cannon on the British mainland today. May said the weapons should not be used as a part of riot control techniques, citing safety fears as a major factor. In the House [...]
The Scottish National Party’s decision over fox hunting has exposed their desire to vote on English only issues July 14, 2015 Last night Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, participated in the mammoth discussion with her party that resulted in the SNP's 56 Westminster MPs intention to renege on their promise to keep out of issues that do not impact on Scotland. And now, while Conservative MPs had been given a free vote on [...]