House of Lords reform: 90 per cent of people say it needs a complete overhaul after tax credits vote October 28, 2015 Just ten per cent of British voters say the House of Lords should "remain as it is" following peers' votes on Monday night to delay the implementation of tax credit cuts. According to a new poll conducted by BMG Research for the Electoral Reform Society, a campaign group, nearly half (48 per cent) of people think the Lords should be an [...]
Number 10 announces a new review led by Lord Strathclyde into the House of Lords October 27, 2015 The government has announced new details of a review into the role of the House of Lords, following peers' votes last night to delay the implementation of tax credit cuts. A Number 10 spokesperson said tonight that the government is "setting up a review to examine how to protect the ability of elected governments to secure their [...]
George Osborne faces more tax credit pressure October 20, 2015 Pressure is building on chancellor George Osborne to reconsider his plans to slash tax credits, with Labour and Conservative MPs alike attacking the proposals ahead of an expected “fatal motion” in the House of Lords. MPs debated the tax credit cuts in the House of Commons yesterday, with new Tory MP Heidi Allen drawing attention [...]
Chancellor George Osborne says he will continue with reforms to tax credits while “lessening the impact on families” October 27, 2015 After the government was slammed by the House of Lords twice last night, chancellor George Osborne has said he will "lessen" the impact of tax credits on families. Osborne promised "transitional help" for those affected, but pledged that the government would continue with reforms that will save billions for the Treasury in welfare payments. Read [...]
Former Labour chancellor Denis Healey dies at home in Sussex aged 98 October 3, 2015 Former Labour chancellor Denis Healey died at his home in Sussex this morning, aged 98. According to his family, he died peacefully in his sleep following a short illness. The politician served as an MP for Leeds for 40 years, and was chancellor of the exchequer from 1974 to 1979. In 1980, he became [...]
After several warnings over energy supply, should Britain expect blackouts this winter? December 6, 2015 Lord Redesdale, head of the Energy Managers’ Association, says Yes. I wholly expect blackouts or brownouts this winter. Last year, there was a capacity margin of just 1.5 per cent in London. Last month, National Grid asked firms to reduce their power demand immediately, issuing a demand-side balancing reserve (DSBR) notice. This was in the [...]
Work and Pensions Committee pressure chancellor George Osborne to delay tax credit cuts for a year November 11, 2015 A group of influential Members of Parliament, including six Conservatives, have called on chancellor George Osborne to delay cutting tax credits. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published a unanimous cross-party report calling on the government to "pause for a year and plan for a major overhaul of the tax credit system". Read more: Osborne's "rhetoric [...]
EU referendum: London mayor Boris Johnson and Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith back Brexit as City grandees call on City of London Corporation to stay neutral in run-up to referendum February 21, 2016 London mayor Boris Johnson declared his support for Britain leaving the European Union last night, in a move that exposed deep divisions in both the Tory Party and the capital. Johnson announced yesterday that he had “made up” his mind “after a great deal of heartache”, adding, “The last thing I wanted was to go [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne promises £3.4bn extra counter-terrorism spending in wake of Paris attacks but no police cuts commitment November 22, 2015 George Osborne has promised to spend £3.4bn extra on the country's counter-terrorism efforts over the next five years – a rise of 30 per cent – ahead of the Autumn Statement, as the government seeks support for military action to fight the rise of Islamic State (IS). Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, the chancellor said: "When it comes to the spending review, [...]
Whatever chancellor George Osborne does next on tax credits he should set it out as clearly as possible October 27, 2015 The Conservative voter who berated energy minister Amber Rudd on Question Time became something of an overnight sensation. Michelle Dorrell was visibly upset as she said life would become very difficult for her and her family if the government was to proceed with its reductions in tax credits. But just a day or two later, [...]