Industry News
10th July 2008
Brown Statement on G8 Summit
Read the Prime Minister's full statement to the House of Commons following the G8 Summit which took place in Toyako in Japan here.
9th July 2008
Tory Leader Sweeps Broom in MEP Expenses Cleaning Campaign
Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron, has announced new measures for the party's Members of the European Parliament in order to try and ensure transparency in their use of expenses. The procedures include clearing up "the issue of payments to family members". Prospective Tory candidates for next year's June Euro elections wil have to agree to the new system which includes following a code of conduct and completion of 'Right to Know' forms detailing office and staffing expenditure. Download the Draft Code for Expenses and Allowance for Conservative MEPs and the Right to Know form.
8th July 2008
London Mayor Scraps ?25 Congestion Charge Hike
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has scrapped the plans to increase to £25-a-day the cost to drive in the Central London Congestion Charge zone for large cars/ band G vehicles. The hike in price had been due to enter into force from October. Boris Johnson said “My commitment to making the congestion charge fairer and more effective for Londoners is well known. And I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest. I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free". Read all about it
8th July 2008
Slovakia Green Light to Adopt Euro Currency
The European Union's Economic & Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) has agreed the Decision to allow Slovakia to adopt the euro from 1 January 2009. Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs said "This is a major success for Slovakia, the result of determined policies to promote convergence over recent years. Slovakia joins the euro area exactly ten years after its inception. During the last decade the single currency, which is now shared by some 325 million citizens, has been a remarkable success, and Slovakia is well placed to benefit from euro-area participation. Still, this is not the end of the road. Slovakia needs to remain committed to sound policies, particularly in the fiscal and structural domain. This is both in its own interest and part of the responsibility that all members share to ensure that the monetary union functions smoothly". Read all about it
8th July 2008
Lords Inquiry into Government Communications
The House of Lords Communications Committee is to carry out an inquiry into the government communications system. Focussing on the implementation of the reforms recommended by the 2004 Phillis Review, the inquiry will investigate whether the system this is open, impartial, efficient and relevant to the public. Lord Fowler, Chairman of the Committee said "We will investigate whether government communications have improved since the Phillis report of 2004. We want to know if the culture of secrecy and partial disclosure has been changed. We will also examine the rules governing the conduct of special advisers and whether their role in relationship to civil servants is now clear. It is vital that the government communications system should be both open and impartial". The inquiry commences with evidence on 9 July from Sir Robert Phillis and Howell James, the former Permanent Secretary for Government Communications. The next evidence session on the 16 July will hear from journalists Nick Robinson, Tom Bradby, Adam Boulton, Nigel Hawkes, Tim Marshall and Frank Gardner. Read all about it
8th July 2008
Tories Maintain Reduced Lead with Weak Brown in Populus/Times Poll
The latest Populus poll for the Times newspaper shows the Conservative Party suffering a four point fall but still retaining 41%, a 13 point lead over Labour who have increased their standing by three points up to 28%. The Liberal Democrats fell one point to 19%. The poll revealed that 67% of voters regard Prime Minister Brown as weak, as opposed to strong. Read all about it
7th July 2008
Government Launches Food Matters Strategy
The Cabinet Office has launched the results of a 10 month Strategy Unit study into food policy. 'Food Matters: Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century' focuses on UK food issues whilst putting them into a global context. The report recommendations include: promoting the role of agriculture in mitigating and adapting to climate change; launching a new scheme to get the public sector in England providing healthier, more environmentally sustainable food; helping consumers to access healthier choices when eating out. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said “The rise of popular interest in food policy issues, and growing public awareness of the impact of what we choose to eat on everything from animal welfare, to our health and the protection of the environment has seen a massive transformation in Britain's food culture over the past ten years. This cultural change, along with more recent events in global food markets, has brought new and urgent policy challenges to the fore, which governments must act to meet". Read the full news release and further details about the key recommendations
7th July 2008
Glasgow East By-Election Update
Margaret Curran MSP has stepped up to fight the Glasgow East by-election for the Labour Party, although reports suggest that if elected she may not give up her Scottish Parliament seat of Glasgow Baillieston but would instead become a part-time MP. Labour are looking to defend a majority of 13,507. The SNP candidate, John Mason, has today launched his campaign as has Scottish Conservative contender Davena Rankin. Ian Robertson represents the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
7th July 2008
Tory Fair Fuel Stabiliser Plan Launched
The Conservative Party has launched a 'Fair Fuel Stabiliser' plan to ease the impact of future fuel price rises. Under the proposals, which have been opened for consultation, duty on fuel would fall when fuel prices go up and would be increased when prices fall. Read and comment upon the consultation document
5th July 2008
London's Deputy Mayor for Young People Resigns
Ray Lewis has resigned as London's Deputy Mayor for Young People over allegations of financial misconduct. Read the resignation statement in full here
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