Explainer: What is the Economic Crime Act and how will it help the government tackle oligarchs? March 17, 2022 The government’s Economic Crime Bill, which gives the UK new powers to tackle oligarchs, has gained Royal Assent after being fast tracked through parliament. In a statement, the government said the new laws will make it easier for the government to “tackle corrupt elites” and crack down on “Putin’s cronies.” Notably, the law will require [...]
Government doesn’t support cap on MP pay as a part of sleaze reforms March 17, 2022 The government does not support a cap on MP pay as a part of reforms proposed after last year’s Conservative party sleaze scandal, it has been revealed. The Guardian reports that ministers recently submitted its proposals for reform of parliament’s rules on second jobs for MPs to Westminster’s Committee on Standards, with a cap on [...]
UK government vows to crack down on use of ‘lawfare’ to silence ‘valid criticism’ March 17, 2022 The UK government is preparing to crack down on those using legal threats to intimidate journalists and silence the British press. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab will today set out plans to stop wealthy individuals and large businesses from “using the threat of endless legal action” to “stifle legitimate criticism”, the government said in a statement. [...]
Government confirms BBC licence fee exemption and UK-wide big screens for Platinum Jubilee May 14, 2022 The government has confirmed that big screens will be set up outdoors in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff so that people can come together to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month.
John Lewis boss: Government must help struggling households amid cost of living crisis May 13, 2022 John Lewis chair Dame Sharon White has called on ministers to produce a support package for households struggling with the cost of living squeeze. The government should be helping families in the way it did to steer the country through the Covid pandemic, the retail boss said on ITV’s Peston programme on Wednesday evening. Boris [...]
Government to scrap the 15-minute vaccine waiting time December 14, 2021 A new report from Chief Medical Officers this afternoon has recommended the removal of the 15-minute wait for vaccination with mRNA vaccine for COVID-19.
Red list to be scrapped from tomorrow, government confirms December 14, 2021 The UK Government has confirmed that the travel red list – which includes countries such as South Africa and Botswana – will be scrapped from tomorrow 4am, less than two weeks after it was introduced following concerns over the new Omicron variant. Testing measures will remain in place. Health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the decision, [...]
Michael Gove appears to ditch government pledge to build 300k homes per year May 11, 2022 Downing Street has sought to shrug off comments from the housing minister seeming to suggest the government had scrapped its home-building targets. Michael Gove suggested the government is no longer committed to building 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s, tearing up a Conservative party manifesto pledge. In an interview with Mishal Husain on [...]
Surging inflation to add £10bn to government’s debt burden July 19, 2021 Surging inflation is likely to add £10bn to the government’s debt burden, putting further pressure on the UK’s public finances. Around a quarter of the government’s stock of debt is linked to the retail price index, meaning the Treasury needs to increase interest payments to savers if prices rise. Read more: UK inflation hits 2.5 [...]
Lawyers struggle to get government permission to let sanctioned Russians pay legal fees April 11, 2022 LAWYERS working for sanctioned oligarchs are floundering in their efforts to get paid for their work, due to struggles in obtaining permission from the UK government to let their sanctioned clients pay. The UK government has received 15 separate applications for permission to temporarily lift sanctions so that sanctioned Russian clients are able to pay their [...]