Politics
May’s NHS Brexit dividend is “tosh” & “a sticking plaster solution”
Yesterday Theresa May announced her £20bn "Brexit dividend" spending increase for the NHS, but immediately came under fire, with many claiming her figures were misleading or just plain wrong. The PM told Andrew Marr that: “At the moment, as a member of the European Union, every year we spend significant amounts of money on our subscription, if you like, to the EU. "When we leave we won’t be doing that. It’s right that we use that money to spend on our priorities,...
Is the Brexit Dividend another lie?
With confidence in a divided Conservative government’s ability to negotiate a Brexit that makes sense for Britain, Europe and Northern Ireland at an all-time low – both at home and abroad, Theresa May urgently needed some good news. And according to the front pages of the newspapers that have been cheerleaders for Brexit and more likely to scream “traitors” than report concerns from any quarters, the “Brexit Dividend” is just the good news soundbite that our PM needed. This week...
Tory MP blocks upskirting law…Twitter reacts
It is hard not to be shocked, as a Tory MP has blocked a law to make upskirting illegal. Sir Christopher Chope decided to chip in with a last minute objection. The MP for Christchurch and also a barrister, shouted out "object" to the private members bill. He was met with shouts of "shame" by others in the house. The Voyeurism (Offences) Bill was all set to progress into law, having won support from the Ministry of Justice before it was brought before...
Brexit: Firm set up by Jacob Rees-Mogg is setting up fund in…Ireland
Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the most vocal supporters of Brexit, has come under criticism due to a business he helped to launch. Rees-Mogg answered questions about Somerset Capital Management (SCM) who have launched an investment vehicle in Ireland. The Irish operation’s prospectus listed Brexit as a risk, which could cause "considerable uncertainty.” Rees-Mogg has consistently told the public, and Parliament, that the UK will prosper post-Brexit and could even become a stronger economy than at present. Addressing the issue of...
High Court rules Universal Credit roll-out unlawfully impacting on men with disabilities
The High Court has judged that the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) cut the benefits for two severely disabled men when they moved onto universal credit. Both men saw a drop in their income of around £178 a month when they were placed on universal credit, instead of their old entitlements. The Government had acted 'unlawfully' by denying the men a 'top up' on their Universal Credit claim due to their severe disability. Lawyers for the men said the...
“Ministers will rightly come under pressure today over the job losses at Rolls Royce,” says Union
These type of quality, well paid and skilled jobs will not be easily replaced - it will have a devastating impact on workers but also the economy says GMB union GMB, the union for manufacturing workers, has criticised the Government following the news of 1000s of Rolls Royce job losses. The engineering giant is to cut 4,600 jobs over the next two years as part of a major reorganisation. Today, Secretary of State for business Greg Clark faces an urgent...
Time’s up for mining & oil firms as UK endorses strong anti-corruption rules
Global Witness welcomes today’s announcement by the UK Government of the findings from its review of a vital anti-corruption law for oil and mining companies. The Government strongly endorsed the law, which requires extractive companies to publish details of the billions of dollars they pay to governments across the world in exchange for oil and minerals. The Government concluded that the law had been a success in bringing greater transparency to the sector with no unnecessary costs to business, and...
Brexit woes: Car firms face “extinction” post-Brexit claims CBI chief
If the UK presses on with plans to leave the customs union, post-Brexit, large swathes of the car industry will face extinction, claims the president of the CBI. This news follows Jaguar Land Rover's recent statement that it is to move all production of its Discovery from the UK to Slovakia in a move that could lead to hundreds of job losses. The chief of the CBI, Paul Dreschler told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there was “zero evidence” that...
Feeling Bitter? Wetherspoons cans German beers & Champagne pre-Brexit
Pro-Brexit budget pub chain Wetherspoons is taking a stand against EU based alcoholic drinks From July 9 880 Wetherpoons outlets will ditch German wheat beers and Champagne in favour of UK and non-EU drinks. I’ve never personally bought Champagne in Wetherspoons and probably never will now as Moët & Chandon champagne is being swapped with sparkling wines from the UK and Australia. Brexit believer and Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, said: "This move helps us to broaden our horizons so that...