Industry News

29th February 2008

Brown: Reducing UK Plastic Bag Consumption

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has said that the Government is ready to take the "necessary steps" to reduce the UK's plastic bag consumption in an effort to cut pollution and improve the environment.

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29th February 2008

Immigration Points System Commences

The Home Office's new immigration points system began today, designed to ensure that only the best can work in Britain, laying down new rules for highly skilled foreign nationals who are currently working in the UK and who want to extend their stay. A new licensing system for employers wanting to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK has also been intorduced.

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27th February 2008

Largest Earthquake Since 1984 Hits England

The British Geological Survey recorded an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale in Lincolnshire in the early hours of this morning. Reports indicate that the earthquake had been felt widely across England. This is the largest UK earthquake since 1984, when a 5.4 hit Lleyn Peninsula.

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26th February 2008

MP Allowances Review: First Commons Committee's Special Report

The House of Commons Members Estimate Committee has published it's First Special Report on the Review of Members’ Allowances, following the meeting on 25 February chaired by The Speaker. The Report highlights the work on restructuring MP's pay, allowances and auditing due to be carried out over the coming months, including that the Committee "shall work with the Standards and Privileges Committee on the registration of family members employed out of the staffing allowance" whilst also making the Committee's process and deliberations open and transparent. An issues paper is due to be published by the end of March, with conclusions to follow two months later. The Committee notes that it "will complete a report in time for debate in the House in July".

25th February 2008

Conservative's Green Trading Plans

Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, is due on Wednesday to propose the creation of the world's first trading market for companies focused on green technology, setting out Conservative plans for a Green Environmental Market to provide new capital and opportunities for green technology companies.

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25th February 2008

Commons Speaker Michael Martin

News from the broadsheets about the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, as it is understood to have "emerged that his officials deceived the public over his wife's expenses" reports The Telegraph, and his spokesperson Mike Granatt "quit, claiming he had been misled over taxpayer-funded shopping trips" writes The Sunday Times, and The Guardian writes "Michael Martin: what are the allegations?".

21st February 2008

Labour's Top 50 Achievements Since 1997

The Labour Party has published what it believes are it's Top 50 achievements that have "revolutionised the lives of British people" since coming to power in 1997. The party is seeking the views of the public and invites comments on items that should be removed or included in the list.

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21st February 2008

Alcohol Pricing Increase to Help Tackle Misuse?

Alcohol Concern has welcomed the publication of the British Medical Association's report on "Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic". The report's recommendations include: higher taxes on alcoholic beverages with increases proportionate to alcoholic strength; a reduction in the legally permitted alcohol levels for driving and; the standardisation of product labelling. Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket, said to the Government that it is "willing to take an active role in discussions around the introduction of legislation to ensure responsible pricing on alcohol and alcohol promotions". Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, has welcomed the move.

20th February 2008

UK Conservative MEP Expelled from Largest European Political Group

The Members of the European Parliament's centre right EPP-ED grouping - the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats - have expelled the UK Conservative MEP, Daniel Hannan. Hannan made what the group termed as 'unacceptable' remarks in the Parliament's 31 January Brussels Plenary session that compared the interpretation by the European Parliament President of a Parliament Regulation to the 1933 German law which gave power to the Nazi regime.

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