Starmer vows to break high-tax, low-growth ‘doom loop’ May 18, 2023 Sir Keir Starmer has vowed the Labour Party will ensure “investment thrives” in order to boost growth in the UK economy if he is elected Prime Minister. The opposition leader hinted he would step up government investment and launch policies to boost private investment. Asked by City A.M. about investment and tax and spending policies, [...]
Sunak in China row over Confucius Institute U-turn May 18, 2023 Downing Street has refused to elaborate on Rishi Sunak’s decision not to ban controversial Confucius Institutes from operating in the UK. The Prime Minister previously pledged during his leadership bid to bar the 30 Beijing-linked organisations from running on UK soil. Confucius institutes are Chinese cultural and language outposts. But he has now walked back [...]
Critics pour cold water on sewage companies’ apology for spills May 18, 2023 Critics have poured cold water on sewage companies apologising for spills as they prepare to invest £10bn in modernisation. The bid to clean up Britain’s waters comes in the wake of campaigning from environmental activists and locals over the scale of sewage spillages from big water companies. Water UK, the industry membership body, yesterday announced [...]
Cost of living overwhelmingly top concern for UK public, poll finds May 17, 2023 The cost of living crisis continues to be the top concern for Britain’s voters, a new poll has found. Pollsters at More in Common (MiC) found 75 per cent of those surveyed cited the cost of living crisis as their number one priority that the government should address. Only 44 per cent said supporting the [...]
Ofwat £11m enforcement boost branded ‘drop in the ocean’ by sewage campaigners May 16, 2023 An £11m funding boost for water regulator Ofwat to help it take action against polluting water companies has been branded a “drop in the ocean” by a campaign group, who argued more was needed to address the scale of the problem. Ofwat said the funds, which would be provided by a future hike to the [...]
UK must solve labour issues and cut red tape to help ease food inflation, lobby group warns May 16, 2023 The UK government must address labour shortages and make sure regulations don’t weigh food producers down to help ease food price inflation, an industry lobby group has warned. Downing Street hosted a Farm to Fork event at No10 with retailers, traders and producers invited, as Rishi Sunak announced greater protections for farmers in future trade [...]
Krispy Kreme plays down impact of UK rules on unhealthy foods May 16, 2023 The boss of Krispy Kreme doughnuts has shrugged off the impact of new UK regulations on unhealthy food in supermarkets, insisting that consumers could simply be “trained” to look elsewhere in shops for their sweet treats. Major retailers have been banned from placing high fat, sugar or salt items near prominent store locations such as [...]
Net migration set for record high as Tories brace for backlash May 14, 2023 Net migration figures into the UK are reportedly set to reach a record high of up to one million with the Conservative party bracing for criticism over the issue. Official figures are expected to be released later in May, with net migration expected to be 650,000 to 997,000 – far higher than the previous record [...]
Keir Starmer to ‘look at’ voting rights for EU citizens and 16-17 year olds May 14, 2023 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will “look at” expanding the franchise to EU citizens living in the UK and lowering the voting age to 16, a party frontbencher has confirmed. Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said the proposals are “something we will look at”, amid reports over Labour being keen to bring in the [...]
Change in state pension age not to be decided until after next general election May 11, 2023 A decision on changing the state pension age won’t come until after the next general election, a top cabinet minister has admitted. Work and pension secretary Mel Stride said the starting age is not likely to go up to 68 until the 2040s and that there is “no reason why you need to take the [...]