Queen’s Speech 2015: Everything we know so far including the EU referendum, devolution, Human Rights Act, income tax, housing and Scotland May 26, 2015 The Queen's Speech will unveil the Conservative government's policy agenda on Wednesday and having shed its coalition partner at the General Election, some pretty major shifts in policy are expected. Here are some of the top pledges expected to feature in the state opening of parliament tomorrow. EU referendum bill Having committed to holding an [...]
New budget 2015: George Osborne uses CBI speech to lay out government plans to tackle the productivity puzzle May 20, 2015 George Osborne offered a glimpse of what to expect at the 8 July budget when he gave a speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) this evening, with productivity a major focus. Also top of the agenda is the merging of the Shareholder Executive – the body that runs the government’s financial interests in [...]
Why now is the time for energy policy to champion consumers May 18, 2015 The election of a Conservative government has led to a big change in personnel at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) – one of the few Liberal Democrat run departments in the previous Parliament. Now, this fresh team has an opportunity to get a grip on the many challenges facing the UK’s energy [...]
George Osborne gives Goldman Sachs alum Jim O’Neill top Treasury job May 14, 2015 Former Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O’Neill has been given a peerage and a top job in George Osborne’s treasury. The chancellor of the exchequer tweeted yesterday afternoon: “I am delighted to confirm Jim O’Neill as the new commercial secretary to the treasury to make devolution and the Northern Powerhouse happen.” https://twitter.com/George_Osborne/status/598855150640472064 Lord O’Neill, [...]
Thousands want Manchester, Sheffield and the north to become part of “New Scotland” May 14, 2015 Thousands of northerners want to break away from the UK, even as chancellor George Osborne announces new devolved powers to cities across the country. More than 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for the north to secede from the UK and join Scotland, creating a "New Scotland" that includes Manchester, Sheffield and some of the country's [...]
General Election 2015: Small business support for Tories is stronger in the south than north, according to 5,000-strong Telegraph letter April 27, 2015 Small businesses in the south of England are the overwhelming backers of the Tory party compared with those located across the rest of the UK, based on the 5,000-strong letter of support published in The Telegraph. The letter, the second signed by business leaders in the lead-up to the General Election, has recieved widespread criticism however, as it [...]
General Election 2015: A Labour government could turn to Michael Heseltine, says Chuka Umunna April 24, 2015 Labour could turn to the business expertise of former Conservative deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine if it wins the election. Speaking to the Guardian, the shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, said Heseltine was a “visionary” whose advice could benefit Labour’s plans for regional devolution. Labour is expecting to set aside £30bn for devolution if it comes [...]
Government hopes to create “northern powerhouse” with transport overhaul worth billions March 20, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne is putting forward proposals to completely re-work the north of England's transport system. Called the Northern Transport Strategy report, he hopes it will lead to a “northern powerhouse”. The government worked with Transport for the North (TfN) to put the plan together. Costing billions of pounds to implement, the project would [...]
Budget 2015 interactive: Friends of the north? Unemployment mapped in every constituency March 18, 2015 On budget day, George Osborne offered a hand to the north of England. The Conservative party would, he said, build a Northern powerhouse, and, in fact they had already started. Employment and jobs the chancellor added, have grown faster in the north of England than the south. ONS tables comparing the three months to the [...]
Budget 2015: Here are George Osborne’s best quotes plus his Budget speech in full March 18, 2015 George Osborne's final Budget during this parliament had few surprises but plenty of great quips, including – to the dismay of bookies everywhere – a quip about Ed Miliband's now-infamous second kitchen. Here's a selection of our favourites from today's big speech. (Source: Getty/City A.M.) (Source: Getty/City A.M) (Source: Getty/City A.M.) [...]