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 […]
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 […]