Proposed post-Brexit wage requirement for new EU immigrants to be slashed February 9, 2020 The minimum wage requirement for incoming EU immigrants after Britain leaves the single market is expected to be slashed. Freedom of movement between the EU and the UK will continue to at least 1 January 2021 during the second-phase of Brexit negotiations. Under Theresa May, the plan was to limit EU migration at this point [...]
Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid weighing up a mansion tax February 9, 2020 Number 10 is considering plans to implement a mansion tax in next month’s budget to help pay for spending increases. Plans to hit wealthy homeowners with the tax have been discussed at the Treasury and Number 10 multiple times, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Read more: Sajid Javid weighing up tax raid on high earners [...]
With 100 days to go, can Sadiq Khan lose the 2020 London mayoral election? January 28, 2020 Even Sadiq Khan’s biggest critics would acknowledge his skill in working a crowd. The mayor of London glides from person to person, selfie to selfie, handshake to handshake. At a time when politicians are not exactly enjoying public favour, he seems to have plenty of Londoners firmly on his side. The response toward Khan by [...]
Liz Truss sparks row over private talks with Australian minister January 20, 2020 International trade secretary Liz Truss has come under fire following a potential breach of the ministerial code of conduct. Truss met Australian trade minister Simon Birmingham at the end of December. Birmingham was visiting the UK in a personal capacity and the two politicians arranged to meet for a meal, along with their families. Over dinner, the pair discussed a potential UK-Australia trade deal. [...]
UK pledges £620m for African infrastructure projects January 20, 2020 More than £600m of government funding will be given to help build vital infrastructure in Ghana, Zambia, Gabon and Uganda today. International trade secretary Liz Truss will today set out the spending plans at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, announcing that the UK Export Finance (UKEF) will fund the initiative. The £620m will go [...]
British Steel: Jingye brings in PwC and McKinsey to close £50m deal January 19, 2020 Prospective British Steel buyer Jingye has called in PwC and McKinsey to help finalise the company’s plans to close the deal. The Chinese dealmaker needs to finalise its £50m takeover of the insolvent British Steel by the end of next month. Consultants from PwC and McKinsey have now been brought in to ease concerns about [...]
Treasury freezes Hezbollah’s UK assets January 19, 2020 The Treasury has designated the entire organisation of Hezbollah as a terrorist outfit, freezing all its UK assets. The Lebanese party’s military wing was previously designated as a terrorist organisation by the Treasury, however its wider operations were not. The call to place Hezbollah on the terror black list follows home secretary Priti Patel’s decision [...]
Water companies turn back on pledge to not pay dividends January 19, 2020 Some of Britain’s largest water companies have given away hundreds of millions of pounds to shareholders in recent years, despite promises to stop paying dividends. Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water all promised to stop paying dividends to shareholders, after watchdog Ofwat told them to invest in more infrastructure and cut bills. Read more: [...]
Boris Johnson planning to roll back EU immigration earlier than expected January 19, 2020 Boris Johnson is drawing up plans to limit low-skilled European Union immigration at the start of 2021 – a full two years earlier than previously promised. Under previous proposals, freedom of movement with the European Union would continue until 2023. The promise had been made by Theresa May, after an extended period was demanded by [...]
Tory chairman James Cleverly confirms House of Lords move may be on the cards January 19, 2020 The Conservatives’ party chairman has confirmed the government is considering a proposal to permanently move the House of Lords to York. The Sunday Times reported today that Boris Johnson has begun a review into the feasibility of the move, with disused land already identified as a potential location. Another initiative under discussion is holding House [...]
