Insurers launch guide to sharing November 25, 2014 A GROUP of insurance experts have launched a guide to the sharing economy for people who want to make money from assets such as their home or car. The guide is being launched as the government publishes the results of its independent review into the sector, which includes sites such as Airbnb and ZipCar. Business [...]
Hardline Tories slam CBI over pro-Brussels stance November 24, 2014 The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) came under fire from Tory eurosceptics yesterday over its pro-European stance. In a speech hosted by eurosceptic group Business for Britain, former minister Owen Paterson said that the CBI did not represent small and medium-sized companies and acted instead for its own interests. The group has recently upped its [...]
Ukip gains at the expense of the Conservatives November 24, 2014 Three new polls have seen Ukip increase its share of the vote at the expense of David Cameron’s Conservative party, as Labour leads the Tories by up to five per cent. Both Populus and Lord Ashcroft’s most recent research shows Nigel Farage’s party making gains of one or two per cent on the party’s previous [...]
Airbnb given boost as IoD says sharers should not pay tax on first £10k November 24, 2014 Rental groups such as Airbnb could soon become even more attractive if the Institute of Directors (IoD) gets its way. The business group has called on the government not to tax sharers on the first £10,000 they make by monetising their assets. Currently, those renting their home get £4,250 tax-free under rules first created 18 [...]
A20 Loampit Vale in Lewisham under water as flood alerts issued for South East of England after a weekend of heavy rain November 23, 2014 Flood alerts have been issued for vast swathes of the south of England following a weekend of heavy rain. Residents in Lewisham, south east London, had a nasty surprise yesterday after bad weather caused the river Ravensbourne to burst its banks, leaving the A20 Loampit Vale under almost a metre of water. Fire crews managed [...]
Report warns deficit worse than expect: Conservatives would miss 2018/19 surplus targets November 23, 2014 A Conservative government would miss its own target to run a surplus by 2018/19 under new projections out today, which show the deficit is much higher than originally thought. The news will come as a heavy blow to both David Cameron and George Osborne just a week ahead of the Autumn Statement. Independent think tank [...]
Cameron counters Ukip with two year benefit ban for EU migrants November 23, 2014 David Cameron is understood to be working on a speech in which he will announce a two-year benefit ban for EU migrants in a bid to counter the threat posed by Ukip. The Prime Minister is also said to be considering a ban on unemployment benefits for EU migrant workers, following a ruling in Germany [...]
Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down as an MP November 23, 2014 Former Labour Prime Minister and chancellor in Tony Blair’s government Gordon Brown is widely expected to announce that he is standing down as an MP this week. Brown, who took a leading role in the Scottish referendum, spearheading the Westminster campaign to keep the Union, has been a member of Parliament for 32 years. He [...]
Labour to sell off £100m worth of buildings including Inn The Park, QE2 conference centre and Marlborough House November 23, 2014 Labour has announced plans to sell off £100m worth of government-owned buildings in London if the party wins the general election next May. As part of a review of public spending, designed to tackle the deficit, Ed Miliband’s party is planning to hang the “for sale” sign on a number of iconic buildings [...]
Beer tie row: Tory rebels hit back as pub fight gets fierce November 20, 2014 A group of Conservative MPs hit back last night after pub companies warned a new Bill would threaten their business model and put people out of business. The MPs, who all voted against their own party in favour of abolishing the tie-in between pub companies and landlords, claimed the decision as a victory for pub [...]