Trade union blasts Tata Steel for delays over the sale of its Port Talbot operation June 21, 2016 A British steelworkers' union has launched a broadside on the "integrity" of Tata's sales process as reports emerge that the Indian giant is considering a break-up of its UK steel business. Almost three months after Tata announced plans to sell its UK assets, including Port Talbot steelworks, the Community union has lambasted the firm for a continued [...]
Taxpayers’ investment into science is being poured down the drain, according to a report from the Public Accounts Committee June 29, 2016 The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the government to do more to protect taxpayers' investment into science. The government is not safeguarding the intellectual property coming from UK science, the committee said – wasting taxpayer money that could be boosting the UK economy through scientific discoveries. Read more: Boaty McBoatface has a name. It's not Boaty McBoatface [...]
UK tech is outraged about Rudd’s immigration crackdown October 5, 2016 The UK's reputation as one of the leading digital economies in the world and a global tech hub could be at risk from fresh government plans to crackdown on foreign workers. The new home secretary Amber Rudd yesterday revealed plans to reduce immigration, including proposals to "tighten" the test for companies recruiting from abroad to encourage hiring of [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launches London Finance Commission 2 in his latest push for devolution July 26, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new finance commission as part of his latest push for devolution in the wake of the Brexit vote. Khan has tasked the London Finance Commission to bring forward a new, beefed-up set of devolution proposals, arguing that “nothing should be ruled out” when it comes to giving London [...]
How to cut EU migration without leaving the Single Market October 13, 2016 The Tory MEP Vicky Ford has taken a major step back from the idea of closing frontiers to European citizens which still appears to be the throbbing desire of Tory-Ukip hard Brexiters. In a newspaper interview, she set out ideas for reducing inflows of European workers within EU rules. She cites Liechtenstein, which was allowed [...]
Who owns America? Why Donald Trump will lose – but not by much August 15, 2016 To put it mildly, by any terrestrial standards Donald Trump has not had a good week. Be it seeming to threaten Hillary Clinton with assassination or stubbornly refusing to back down on his Oliver Stone-like claim that President Obama is the founder of Isis, Trump has stretched the already fraying bonds of American credulity to breaking point. [...]
Jeremy Corbyn launches leadership campaign stating he wants to tackle nation’s “five ills” July 21, 2016 Incumbent Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to fight "five ills of 21st century Britain" as he launched his bid to retain his place at the top of the party. Corbyn promised to fight against inequality, neglect, prejudice, insecurity and discrimination as he launched his campaign today in central London. Future Labour governments will require [...]
Should Philip Hammond cut VAT to support post-referendum economy? July 28, 2016 Theresa May and Philip Hammond have promised to "reset" the government's spending plans in the wake of the EU referendum. George Osborne's goal to run a budget surplus has been abandoned while rumours about a massive injection of government spending are gathering pace. In 2008, as the Labour government scrambled to deal with the start of the slowdown, [...]
Shock, horror? How the City reacted to today’s MPC’s interest rate inaction July 14, 2016 Another month, another deferral of The Big Interest Rate Move. That makes 88 so far. How is the City reacting? Two words: "we're cautious". Read more: Over to you, Carney – our MPC has voted to cut rates 1. "BoE is playing wait and see" Michael Martins, economist at the Institute of Directors: “The Bank [...]
Setback for Greece as GDP shrinks faster than first thought in first quarter May 30, 2016 The Greek economy contracted by a shaper amount that previously thought in the first three months of the year, in a reality-check for the troubled nation following a string of upbeat developments. Economic output in Greece fell by 0.5 per cent between January and March – sharper than the 0.4 per cent contraction previously pencilled in. [...]