Urgent reform needed to restore trust in UK constitution, warn think tanks September 19, 2023 An urgent reset is required in order to restore trust in the UK’s constitution, two top think tanks have warned. Faith in Britain’s political system has been shaken after a “tumultuous” string of events — from the Brexit process, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis — a report by the Institute for [...]
Water industry shake-up: Ministers accused of ‘deep-rooted complacency’ September 19, 2023 The government has been accused of “deep-rooted complacency” over water industry regulation in a report by the House of Lords. Peers, who reported on issues such as investment, water supply and wet wipes, have branded the government’s response to its findings one of “dismissive brevity and complacent tone”. It comes after the committee published a [...]
Labour need to find ‘incentive’ for EU to reopen Brexit deal, expert warns September 19, 2023 Labour’s plans to seek a renegotiated Brexit deal with the European Union will require finding an “incentive” for the bloc to reopen talks, an expert has warned. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to seek a “much better” deal if his party wins the next general election, and said Boris Johnson’s agreement, which is up for [...]
Border security top of agenda at Montreal summit, Keir Starmer says September 16, 2023 Sir Keir Starmer said protecting the UK’s borders is an “acute security concern” as he arrived in Canada for a summit of political leaders. The Labour leader is set to declare people smuggling, terrorism, climate change and weakening democracy the four major threats to western countries during the latest in a series of engagements on [...]
Murdoch executives ‘told Sunak not to resign’ after partygate fine September 16, 2023 Rishi Sunak was persuaded not to quit as chancellor over his fine for breaking lockdown laws after an intervention by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s executives, it has been claimed. The claim is detailed in a new book by the Telegraph’s political editor and published by the newspaper on Friday. It is the latest report to [...]
UK will not follow Biden’s ‘subsidy bowl’ economic policy, Chancellor says September 16, 2023 The government’s £500m intervention into Britain’s biggest steelworks is not a sign that ministers are set to follow Joe Biden’s “subsidy bowl” economic policy, the Chancellor has said. Jeremy Hunt insisted that the financial backing for Tata, the Indian conglomerate owner of the Port Talbot steelworks in South Wales, came after “very credible commitments” were [...]
Failure to scrap nutrient neutrality rules a ‘national disgrace’, say housebuilders September 14, 2023 The government’s failure to scrap rules on so-called nutrient neutrality which have limited the construction of new homes are a “national disgrace”, a housebuilding body has said.
PMQs sketch: Starmer goes on the attack September 13, 2023 It would have been a tall order for Keir Starmer to mess up this week’s shouting match with the prime minister. Few politicos would have had an escaped terror suspect cycling around west London or an alleged Chinese spy in Parliament on their pre-conference bingo cards. And in fairness to the former chief prosecutor, he [...]
‘Recession may have begun’: UK economy craters 0.5 per cent in July September 13, 2023 Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the economy contracted 0.5 per cent in July. Economists had predicted a smaller fall of 0.2 per cent.
Government won’t create single insolvency regulator in its industry overhaul September 12, 2023 Insolvencies will not be regulated by a single body, after the government dropped plans to create a solo watchdog for the sector. Ministers had proposed setting up a single regulator of insolvency practitioners to run within the insolvency service – but have since reversed on the idea. The move comes as high street retailer Wilko [...]