Osborne backs an increase in the minimum wage “George Osborne has called for a significant rise in the minimum wage to compensate low-income workers for the economic crisis. … Pushing up wages will ‘make sure that we have a recovery for all and that work pays,’ the Chancellor said in a move apparently aimed at […]
EU 1) Osborne: Brussels would suffer from Brexit ‘A British exit from the EU would be a disaster for its other members, Chancellor George Osborne warned yesterday. In one of his most significant speeches to date on the nation’s future in Europe, he said: ‘A country of the size and global reach of Britain leaving […]
Cameron calls for children to be taught about the dangers of “sexting”… “Children are to be taught about the dangers of online bullying and ‘sexting’ in sex education classes, David Cameron said last night. … The Prime Minister told MPs he wanted youngsters to be warned about the perils of using the internet and smartphones. … […]
EU renegotiation 1) Business for Britain: scrap red tape for firms which don’t export ‘British firms who do not export to the EU should be freed from the most burdensome Brussels regulations, hundreds of business leaders will say today. Business for Britain, a Eurosceptic campaign group representing 800 business leaders, will propose that only the […]
Cameron accused of being “out of touch” with his own party… “David Cameron was branded ‘absolutely out of touch’ with the Tory party last night after he dismissed calls to give Parliament a veto over EU law. The Prime Minister was told he risked causing disastrous divisions in the party, including a Cabinet split…Eurosceptics reacted furiously […]
EU 1) 100 Conservative MPs back call for Parliament to have EU veto “In a major intervention, the backbenchers have written to the Prime Minister urging him to change the law to give the Commons authority to block new EU legislation and repeal existing measures that threaten Britain’s “national interests”. Such powers would enable the […]
Plebgate policeman admits he lied “In what was described as ‘a black day for the Met’, PC Keith Wallis – who falsely claimed to have witnessed the infamous row between a colleague and Mr Mitchell – pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. … The former Chief Whip said he was ‘pleased that justice had […]
Zahawi told to support planning reforms or resign “Nadhim Zahawi, the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, decided to attack the National Planning Policy Framework this week. Mr Zahawi was simply repeating what many colleagues feel when he said the reforms were causing ‘physical harm’ and ‘pain’ to the countryside. His intervention was significant, though, because he is […]
UK economy enters virtuous circle “Britain’s economic recovery is gathering momentum as demand for mortgages surges, banks become more willing to lend and companies scramble to hire staff. Strong data on Wednesday showed the economy was entering a virtuous circle. ‘The recovery is snowballing,’ said Robert Wood, an economist at Berenberg” – Financial Times House prices […]
Osborne “refuses to back inflation busting minimum wage rise plan”… “A cross-section of the governing party is pressing the chancellor and Downing Street to commit to a big rise in the minimum wage ahead of the 2015 election to debunk a perception that the Tories are the party of the rich. But the chancellor has […]
Cabinet concern at Osborne’s £12 billion of extra welfare cuts “George Osborne is facing a battle with the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, over his plan to impose an extra £12bn in welfare cuts after the next general election. … Conservative sources said Osborne’s intervention – a proposal that also prompted Nick Clegg […]
Cameron confusion: will he or won’t he cut pensioner benefits? “On a day of confusion, David Cameron appeared to ditch a cherished pledge that the winter fuel allowance, free bus passes and TV licences for the over-75s would continue for the better off after the next election. … Only hours later though No 10 moved […]
The impact of mass immigration; Cameron pledges pension rise; Gove and Clegg go to war.
Owen Paterson backs developers building on woodland if there is “massive offsetting” of new trees elsewhere “Developers could be allowed to destroy ancient woodland if they agree to plant 100 trees for each one felled, the Environment Secretary has said. Owen Paterson said that “biodiversity offsetting” could apply to 400-year-old woodland. Under the scheme, the […]
New documents give insights into Thatcher’s Downing Street – plus good economic news, and a battle over 100-year prison sentences.