Yeo goes; Quango wars; Damning Falkirk report leaked; plus, the UKIP spokesman who was a convicted kidnapper
87 Tories rebel by voting for the Raab amendment “Amid farcical scenes in the Commons, Mr Cameron had to rely on the votes of Labour MPs and his Liberal Democrat Coalition partners to defeat a revolt by 87 Tories, who voted to give ministers rather than judges the final decision on whether deportation would breach […]
Leaked immigration report fuels rebels; Help at last for Somerset; and Carney dents Salmond’s plans
1.9 per cent growth and rising – could the economy soon surpass its pre-recession peak? “The economy will surpass its pre-recession peak within months as growth returns to its fastest pace since 2007, economists said yesterday. … Analysts have forecasted growth of up to 3 per cent this year – as the latest GDP figures […]
Labour lead over Tories drops to only one point in ComRes poll “Labour’s lead over the Conservatives has dropped to just one point amid signs that the Tories are making headway in the crucial political battle over living standards, according to an opinion poll for The Independent…The survey puts Labour on 33 per cent (down […]
Business leaders condemn Labour’s 50p tax proposal ‘Senior business figures have launched a strong and united attack on Labour’s pledge to raise the top rate of tax to 50p. In the strongest criticism so far, the heads of 24 of Britain’s most successful companies warned in a letter to The Telegraph – copied below – […]
Cameron faces a Euro-revolt on three fronts… “David Cameron is facing a ‘triple whammy’ from his backbenchers as he tries to head off a series of revolts over Europe. … The prime minister is facing two rebellions involving dozens of backbenchers demanding measures to increase controls on immigrants. … Meanwhile, a bill promising a referendum […]
A million sickness benefit applicants found to be fit “The DWP claims 980,400 people – 32%, of new applicants for Employment and Support Allowance – were judged capable of work between 2008 and March 2013. More than a million others withdrew their claims after interviews, it adds….Minister of State for Disabled People Mike Penning said: […]
Cameron backs “reshoring” and hails recovery “The British prime minister will on Friday throw his weight behind a drive to capitalise on the small but growing trend of “reshoring”, the return of production to the UK from overseas. David Cameron, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, will announce the creation of a government […]
Will yesterday’s employment statistics herald a rate rise? Not yet, says the Bank… “Yesterday the Office for National Statistics said the unemployment rate is now at 7.1 per cent after falling faster than any economist or the Bank predicted. … But the Bank of England insisted interest rates are not on the brink of their […]
May faces off against Cameron over stop-and-search… “Theresa May is in a stand-off with Downing Street over stop-and-search powers used by police. … The Home Secretary wanted to announce sweeping curbs of the controversial tactic before Christmas but has been blocked by No 10, senior officials have told The Times. … The clash threatens to […]
IMF: British economy shows best improvement in the world ‘The British economy is in far better shape than expected and the outlook has improved by more than any other major nation, the International Monetary Fund will say today. The global watchdog looks set to predict that gross domestic product in the UK will increase by […]
IDS and May announce jobless immigrants to be denied Housing Benefit “Jobless immigrants are to be denied housing benefit. Writing in the Mail today, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa May say Britain’s generous welfare system should no longer be a magnet for citizens of other EU states. The Work and Pensions Secretary and the Home […]
Speak English or lose your benefits ‘In a radical bid to slash Britain’s benefits bill, the Prime Minister intends to stop printing welfare paperwork in foreign languages and prevent claimants using taxpayer-funded translators at benefits offices. The move – which would also hit British residents who cannot speak English – was due to be announced […]
Osborne ponders another tax cuts for companies… “The Chancellor angered employers by indicating he is ready to contemplate an increase of almost 11 per cent in the present £6.31-an-hour rate to £7 to restore it to pre-recession levels. … But if the rise is approved by the independent Low Pay Commission, Government sources say he […]