UK house prices: Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says government failure to confront Nimbys is fuelling the housing crisis March 2, 2016 A leading free-market think tank has accused the government of yielding to self-interested local residents at the expense of pressing ahead with major housebuilding projects. In a new report out today, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) argues that the government’s “failure to tackle the housing crisis is due to its unwillingness to confront the [...]
EU referendum: More than 30 City figures make final effort to stop Canada Corporation from endorsing the UK staying in the EU March 2, 2016 Dozens of City figures have made an eleventh-hour attempt to stop Canada Corporation from campaigning for Britain to remain in the European Union. In a letter seen by City PM, more than 30 Square Mile grandees, including former chancellor Lord Lamont, CMC Markets founder Peter Cruddas and Risk Capital Partners chairman Luke [...]
EU referendum: London mayor Boris Johnson’s economic adviser Gerard Lyons backs Brexit as CBI president Paul Drechsler praises the EU Single Market March 2, 2016 London can still be “Europe’s world city” even if Britain leaves the European Union, mayor of London Boris Johnson has argued in a major new report from City Hall. “London: The Global Powerhouse”, was first published yesterday and was written by the mayor’s economic adviser, Gerard Lyons, among others. In the report, Lyons wrote that [...]
EU referendum: Swiss- or Canadian-style trade deal not as beneficial as EU membership, government report will caution March 2, 2016 The alternatives to EU membership, such as a Swiss-style trading structure, are more damaging to Britain than staying in the union, a government report due to be released this morning will warn. However, critics have been quick to slam the analysis, highlighting that Britain would be drawing itself up a bespoke deal should it leave, [...]
UK income tax: Chancellor George Osborne says lowering the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p raised an extra £8bn for the Treasury in one year March 1, 2016 Cutting the top rate of income tax has raised billions of pounds in extra revenues for the Treasury, chancellor George Osborne said today. Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Osborne said that lowering the top rate from 50p to 45p raised an additional £8bn in its first year. Osborne said the new revenue figures "completely" [...]
Freedom of Information act should apply to private firms carrying out public sector work valued at £5m or more, report suggests March 1, 2016 Private companies carrying out public sector work should come under greater scrutiny, after a new report has said. The independent commission on FoI has today suggested that "information concerning the performance or delivery of public services” through contracts worth £5m or more be brought under the act. But its report, published today, acknowledged that making private companies responsible for [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Labour candidate Sadiq Khan wants to crack down on Uber drivers to “level the playing field” March 1, 2016 Labour London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has hinted that he might crack down on Uber if he is elected in May. During an interview on London radio station LBC, Khan noted there had been a spike in the number of private hire vehicles, including Uber, at the cost of the number of black cabs on the streets. [...]
EU referendum: Lord Mandelson warns Brexit would lead to tariffs of up to 20 per cent on UK exports, inflicting “serious damage on competitiveness” March 1, 2016 Labour peer Peter Mandelson has warned Britain leaving the European Union would lead to tariffs of up to 20 per cent on UK exports, inflicting "serious damage on the competitiveness" of some industries. The former European Union trade commissioner said in a speech today that those campaigning for a so-called Brexit are "trying to sell people a fantasy” [...]
EU referendum: Mayor Boris Johnson backs report saying London could be Europe’s world city after Brexit – but needs further infrastructure investment March 1, 2016 Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made his latest intervention into the EU debate, arguing that can still be "Europe's world city" even in the case of a Brexit. The Johnson-backed report, titled London: The Global Powerhouse, says that if the UK forges ties with new markets and maintains its competitive edge, London can overcome competition from rival global [...]
EU referendum: These are the most eurosceptic – and europhile – parts of Britain March 1, 2016 The campaign is heating up in the build up to the EU referendum in June, with Prime Minister David Cameron recommending the UK to stay in but many in parliament, his party, and even his cabinet disagreeing. The In and Out campaign groups will now be ramping up their efforts in a last ditch attempt to win over [...]
