Chancellor's Budget 'could cripple small businesses' - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
The National Enterprise Network warns that increased taxes and costs could threaten small businesses' survival, which are vital for local communities and the economy.
OBR to publish breakdown of claimed 22bn black hole' on budget day
The OBR's review aims to clarify claims of a £22bn funding shortfall inherited by Labour.
Laura Kuenssberg: When will politicians make their minds up on key plans?
Conservatives considering tax cuts have changed their tune and are now hesitant due to tight finances.
Labour is reconsidering their pledge to invest in green projects after dismissing it as nonsense.
Chancellor's Budget 'could cripple small businesses' - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
The National Enterprise Network warns that increased taxes and costs could threaten small businesses' survival, which are vital for local communities and the economy.
OBR to publish breakdown of claimed 22bn black hole' on budget day
The OBR's review aims to clarify claims of a £22bn funding shortfall inherited by Labour.
Laura Kuenssberg: When will politicians make their minds up on key plans?
Conservatives considering tax cuts have changed their tune and are now hesitant due to tight finances.
Labour is reconsidering their pledge to invest in green projects after dismissing it as nonsense.
Labour mulls plan to boost local buyouts of community sites in England
Vacant pubs, shops, and community centres in England may be offered to local groups first under Labour’s plans.
The proposals would give local groups the right to buy community assets with financial backing from the state and a 12-month exclusive period to make an offer.
John Swinney suggests Labour would do a deal with the SNP in a hung parliament
SNP leader predicts Labour/SNP deal after next general election.
No general election in May, Tory minister confirms
Ruling out a May general election, Tory minister signals an autumn election.
Labour and Tories disagree on timing of early elections, with contrasting views on the possible election month.
Labour cuts 28bn green investment pledge by half
Labour has cut its green investment plans by half in a move to bolster their chances at the general election.
The scale of the green prosperity plan has been reduced from 28bn a year to under 15bn, with only a third being new money.
Starmer needs even bigger swing than Blair to win Labour majority
Labour will face a difficult task in winning a majority at the 2024 general election due to boundary changes.
Keir Starmer will need to achieve a larger swing than Tony Blair did in his landslide victory to become prime minister.
Young climate activists aim to sway six Labour candidate selections
Young climate activists are discreetly trying to influence Labour's candidate selection process in six constituencies before the general election.
Green New Deal Rising (GNDR) aims to mobilize thousands of young activists to promote candidates in marginal seats.
GNDR has already trained 2,000 organizers and hopes to mobilize 10,000 core activists by the time of the election.
Labour mulls plan to boost local buyouts of community sites in England
Vacant pubs, shops, and community centres in England may be offered to local groups first under Labour’s plans.
The proposals would give local groups the right to buy community assets with financial backing from the state and a 12-month exclusive period to make an offer.
John Swinney suggests Labour would do a deal with the SNP in a hung parliament
SNP leader predicts Labour/SNP deal after next general election.
No general election in May, Tory minister confirms
Ruling out a May general election, Tory minister signals an autumn election.
Labour and Tories disagree on timing of early elections, with contrasting views on the possible election month.
Labour cuts 28bn green investment pledge by half
Labour has cut its green investment plans by half in a move to bolster their chances at the general election.
The scale of the green prosperity plan has been reduced from 28bn a year to under 15bn, with only a third being new money.
Starmer needs even bigger swing than Blair to win Labour majority
Labour will face a difficult task in winning a majority at the 2024 general election due to boundary changes.
Keir Starmer will need to achieve a larger swing than Tony Blair did in his landslide victory to become prime minister.
Young climate activists aim to sway six Labour candidate selections
Young climate activists are discreetly trying to influence Labour's candidate selection process in six constituencies before the general election.
Green New Deal Rising (GNDR) aims to mobilize thousands of young activists to promote candidates in marginal seats.
GNDR has already trained 2,000 organizers and hopes to mobilize 10,000 core activists by the time of the election.
Will Labour's gravy train get the UK back to Cool Britannia?
Creative industries in the UK are hoping for increased funding post-election, potentially by aligning with marketing giants.
Labour to use emergency powers to build new prisons to halt overcrowding crisis
Labour plans to use emergency powers to build new prisons to address overcrowding.
Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood criticizes the current state of jails as a 'national emergency' and emphasizes the urgency of building new prison places.
Martin Lewis writes to Jeremy Hunt with four demands for spring Budget
Martin Lewis has written to the chancellor urging him to fix financial penalties that are affecting millions of people across the country.
The penalties include child benefits rules, ISA scheme punishments for first-time buyers, above inflation phone and broadcast price hikes, and real terms cuts to student living loans.
Chancellor denies Rishi Sunak made trans joke
Jeremy Hunt defends Rishi Sunak by saying transphobic remarks were taken out of context
Labour criticized for inconsistent stance on key issues
Hunt says plan to scrap employee national insurance could take more than a decade'
Unfunded proposal to scrap employee national insurance could take over a decade
Dependent on sharp economic growth without cuts to public services
Martin Lewis writes to Jeremy Hunt with four demands for spring Budget
Martin Lewis has written to the chancellor urging him to fix financial penalties that are affecting millions of people across the country.
The penalties include child benefits rules, ISA scheme punishments for first-time buyers, above inflation phone and broadcast price hikes, and real terms cuts to student living loans.
Chancellor denies Rishi Sunak made trans joke
Jeremy Hunt defends Rishi Sunak by saying transphobic remarks were taken out of context
Labour criticized for inconsistent stance on key issues
Hunt says plan to scrap employee national insurance could take more than a decade'
Unfunded proposal to scrap employee national insurance could take over a decade
Dependent on sharp economic growth without cuts to public services
Labour would force AI firms to share their technology's test data
Labour plans to replace voluntary testing agreements with AI firms with a statutory regime which would require companies to share test data with officials.
Labour calls for greater transparency from AI firms and wants them to be more open about their research and development activities.
The current voluntary testing agreement for AI models was struck by Rishi Sunak and includes leading AI firms like Google, OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.
Home Office dumps online all sacked borders chief inspector's reports
Routine checks of asylum decisions sacrificed for productivity
Delay in publishing reports raises concerns about transparency
Labour would force AI firms to share their technology's test data
Labour plans to replace voluntary testing agreements with AI firms with a statutory regime which would require companies to share test data with officials.
Labour calls for greater transparency from AI firms and wants them to be more open about their research and development activities.
The current voluntary testing agreement for AI models was struck by Rishi Sunak and includes leading AI firms like Google, OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.
Home Office dumps online all sacked borders chief inspector's reports
Routine checks of asylum decisions sacrificed for productivity
Delay in publishing reports raises concerns about transparency
Moment Labour win Wellingborough by-election: People desperately want change'
Labour candidate Gen Kitchen wins Wellingborough by-election with second-largest swing from Tory to Labour since World War II.
Kitchen said the win shows people are fed up and want change.
Labour's self-sabotage leaves Rochdale byelection up for grabs
Labour's own candidate in the Rochdale by-election, Azhar Ali, has sabotaged what should have been a safe Labour seat and made a George Galloway victory more likely.
Labour has withdrawn its support for Ali and he will not be allowed to sit as a Labour MP even if he wins the election.
Labour wins Kingswood by-election
Labour wins Kingswood by-election with a swing of 16.4%
Damien Egan pledges to give the constituency its 'future back'
Moment Labour win Wellingborough by-election: People desperately want change'
Labour candidate Gen Kitchen wins Wellingborough by-election with second-largest swing from Tory to Labour since World War II.
Kitchen said the win shows people are fed up and want change.
Labour's self-sabotage leaves Rochdale byelection up for grabs
Labour's own candidate in the Rochdale by-election, Azhar Ali, has sabotaged what should have been a safe Labour seat and made a George Galloway victory more likely.
Labour has withdrawn its support for Ali and he will not be allowed to sit as a Labour MP even if he wins the election.
Labour wins Kingswood by-election
Labour wins Kingswood by-election with a swing of 16.4%
Damien Egan pledges to give the constituency its 'future back'
Shutters down at Rochdale Labour HQ as defunct leaflets arrive by post
Labour has withdrawn from the byelection in Rochdale after an antisemitism scandal involving their candidate.
Although Labour has withdrawn, their candidate, Azhar Ali, will still appear on the ballot and may even win as an independent MP.
Kingswood byelection: Labour overturns big Tory majority to win
Labour has won the byelection in the South Gloucestershire constituency of Kingswood, overturning an 11,000-plus Tory majority.
Labour's Damien Egan won with a majority of 2,501 votes and a swing in the share of the vote of 16.4 percentage points.
The ultimate protest against Labour': George Galloway's bid to win Rochdale
Ali Dar, assistant manager of Rochdale Chunky Chicken, is supporting George Galloway in the byelection due to Keir Starmer's refusal to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Galloway has been campaigning hard in the Milkstone and Deeplish ward, where a majority of residents are Muslim, and has a strong online presence.
Shutters down at Rochdale Labour HQ as defunct leaflets arrive by post
Labour has withdrawn from the byelection in Rochdale after an antisemitism scandal involving their candidate.
Although Labour has withdrawn, their candidate, Azhar Ali, will still appear on the ballot and may even win as an independent MP.
Kingswood byelection: Labour overturns big Tory majority to win
Labour has won the byelection in the South Gloucestershire constituency of Kingswood, overturning an 11,000-plus Tory majority.
Labour's Damien Egan won with a majority of 2,501 votes and a swing in the share of the vote of 16.4 percentage points.
The ultimate protest against Labour': George Galloway's bid to win Rochdale
Ali Dar, assistant manager of Rochdale Chunky Chicken, is supporting George Galloway in the byelection due to Keir Starmer's refusal to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Galloway has been campaigning hard in the Milkstone and Deeplish ward, where a majority of residents are Muslim, and has a strong online presence.
Azhar Ali case demonstrates difficulty of selecting suitable politicians
The case of Azhar Ali highlights the difficulty of vetting political party candidates who may have controversial past comments.
Labour is facing pressure to overhaul its vetting process to avoid damaging its relations with the Jewish community.
Rochdale byelection controversy what happens next
Labour has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali, its candidate for the Rochdale byelection, over controversial remarks he made about Israel and the 7 October attack.
Labour cannot replace Ali as the deadline for candidate withdrawal has already passed.
Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate
Labour defends candidate despite controversial remarks
Conservatives call for suspension of candidate
Labour's reduced home insulation plans simply not enough'
Labour's slashing of proposed spending on home insulation will leave millions of people on low incomes in cold, damp homes and could prevent the UK meeting its legally binding carbon targets.
The Federation of Master Builders criticized Labour's scaling back of low-carbon policies, stating that the new plans would barely scratch the surface of the need for insulation and would miss opportunities for energy savings and economic growth.
The Guardian view on Labour's green retreat: wrong, wrong, wrong | Editorial
Global warming has exceeded 1.5C above preindustrial levels for an entire year, showcasing the urgency of the climate crisis.
Labour's decision to retreat from its climate commitments, citing economic concerns, is met with disappointment and outrage.
Starmer confirms end of Labour's 28bn green policy plan
Labour drops flagship spending commitment for climate change and green jobs
Labour leader blames government for inability to reach £28bn figure
Revised plan only slows down in warm homes commitment
Dorries pledges to hand back nearly 17,000 golden goodbye' given in error
Nadine Dorries pledges to pay back over £16,000 she was mistakenly given as an exit payout after being sacked as culture secretary.
Other politicians, including Peter Bone, Baroness Stedman-Scott, and Sir David Evennett, have also received incorrect severance pay due to age eligibility.
Labour has promised to reform ministerial severance pay rules if they win the next election.
Starmer confirms end of Labour's 28bn green policy plan
Labour drops flagship spending commitment for climate change and green jobs
Labour leader blames government for inability to reach £28bn figure
Revised plan only slows down in warm homes commitment
Dorries pledges to hand back nearly 17,000 golden goodbye' given in error
Nadine Dorries pledges to pay back over £16,000 she was mistakenly given as an exit payout after being sacked as culture secretary.
Other politicians, including Peter Bone, Baroness Stedman-Scott, and Sir David Evennett, have also received incorrect severance pay due to age eligibility.
Labour has promised to reform ministerial severance pay rules if they win the next election.
Labour urges ministers to close glaring loopholes' in knife crime plans
Labour proposes criminal sanctions for online platforms selling illegal knives
Labour calls for tech executives to be held liable for illegal weapons sold on their platforms
Guide dogs: Government plans to stop businesses refusing access
The charity Disability Rights UK criticizes the DAP proposals for being light on action and big on talking.
Labour sets out its own plans to tackle inequality, including extending equal pay rights to ethnic minority workers and disabled people.
Free school meals cut obesity and help reading skills' in England, study finds
A new study found that providing free school meals for all primary school children in England reduces obesity and boosts reading skills.
Levels of obesity were reduced by 7% to 11% among reception children in the four London boroughs that have already adopted the policy.
Making free school meals universal increased their take-up by those who had already been entitled to them, possibly because it changed school culture and the stigma around having them.
Labour's Peter Kyle set for AI talks with tech giants during Washington visit
Labour's shadow technology secretary, Peter Kyle, is visiting the US to meet with tech giants and discuss artificial intelligence developments.
Kyle plans to use the talks to explore the potential for AI to improve public services, such as speeding up cancer scans and creating personalized lesson plans for children.
Christina Rees readmitted to Labour after apology over bullying claims
Labour has readmitted MP Christina Rees after she apologized for bullying her staff.
Rees had already been barred from selection as the Labour candidate for the next election.
What is Labour's 28bn green plan and could it be shelved?
Labour's proposed green prosperity plan would commit 28bn a year to kickstart the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy.
The plan includes boosting renewable energy, insulating homes, improving transport infrastructure, fostering low-carbon industries, and helping fossil fuel-reliant industries transition to net zero.
The 28bn figure has been criticized by the Tories, who claim it would require higher taxes, but economists argue that it can be funded without raising taxes and seen as an investment.
Tory minister mocked for claiming Labour has no plan' over HS2
Conservative rail minister Huw Merriman claimed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has no plan for high-speed rail.
During a live interview, Sky News presenter Kay Burley mocked Mr Merriman by showing him a montage of Tory MPs claiming Labour has no plan.
What is Labour's 28bn green plan and could it be shelved?
Labour's proposed green prosperity plan would commit 28bn a year to kickstart the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy.
The plan includes boosting renewable energy, insulating homes, improving transport infrastructure, fostering low-carbon industries, and helping fossil fuel-reliant industries transition to net zero.
The 28bn figure has been criticized by the Tories, who claim it would require higher taxes, but economists argue that it can be funded without raising taxes and seen as an investment.
Tory minister mocked for claiming Labour has no plan' over HS2
Conservative rail minister Huw Merriman claimed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has no plan for high-speed rail.
During a live interview, Sky News presenter Kay Burley mocked Mr Merriman by showing him a montage of Tory MPs claiming Labour has no plan.
Labour's Wes Streeting backs separate hospital wards for trans patients
Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health secretary, expressed support for treating trans people in separate wards in hospitals.
Streeting believes that separating trans people into single-sex wards would protect the 'integrity' of those spaces.
Pro-Palestinian activist to run against Wes Streeting in election for Ilford North
Leanne Mohamad, a pro-Palestinian activist, has been chosen as an independent parliamentary candidate for Ilford North, challenging Wes Streeting of Labour.
Mohamad's selection complicates Streeting's attempt to retain his seat amidst criticism of Labour's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Labour's Wes Streeting backs separate hospital wards for trans patients
Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health secretary, expressed support for treating trans people in separate wards in hospitals.
Streeting believes that separating trans people into single-sex wards would protect the 'integrity' of those spaces.
Pro-Palestinian activist to run against Wes Streeting in election for Ilford North
Leanne Mohamad, a pro-Palestinian activist, has been chosen as an independent parliamentary candidate for Ilford North, challenging Wes Streeting of Labour.
Mohamad's selection complicates Streeting's attempt to retain his seat amidst criticism of Labour's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.