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How effectively has Keir Starmer handled the riots? Join The Independent Debate
Sir Keir Starmer faced his first big test as prime minister last week, as far-right riots engulfed the country. The unforeseen crisis appears to have played to Sir Keir’s strengths as a former public prosecutor, with over 900 people arrested and 466 already charged following the violent disorder. Towns andContinue Reading
Two unions suspend planned bin strikes so members can vote on new pay deal
Members of two trade unions will be balloted on a new offer for cleansing workers as the unions announced they will suspend planned strike action. Staff represented by Unite and the GMB were due to walk out for more than a week from Wednesday, but a late offer from localContinue Reading
HS2 hit with final £6.2 million IR35 bill as IR35 reforms continue to draw criticism
HS2 has revealed a final IR35 liability of £6.2 million in its 2023/24 accounts, following a compliance review by HMRC. This payment concludes the tax obligations under the Off-Payroll Working Legislation introduced in 2017. The review found that only 5% of HS2’s contractors were classified as outside IR35, raising concernsContinue Reading
A Lawyer’s Journey of Recovery and Resilience
In the fast-paced world of business, the pressure to perform and deliver can often lead to the brink of exhaustion, with far-reaching consequences. Let me share the story of John, which I hope can resonate with others: My name is John, and as a newly appointed Conveyancing Lawyer, I learnedContinue Reading
Government considers capping landowners’ profits from green belt sales to meet housing targets
Ministers are preparing to cap the profits landowners can make from selling green belt land as part of the government’s strategy to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2030. The proposed reforms would give councils the power to compulsorily purchase green belt land at a lower “benchmark” value, curbing theContinue Reading
Patrick Drahi sells 24.5% BT stake to India’s Bharti Global, which rules out full acquisition
Patrick Drahi, the debt-laden media tycoon, has sold a 24.5 per cent stake in BT Group to Bharti Global, the international investment arm of India’s Bharti Enterprises. The transaction marks a significant shift in ownership for the British telecoms giant as Bharti Global becomes its largest shareholder. Bharti Global hasContinue Reading
Man Utd transfer news LIVE as INEOS consider £50m bid, Ten Hag eyes free agent
Manchester United could secure the services of Sergi Roberto for free, seven years after the Red Devils launched an unsuccessful bid for the Barcelona academy graduate. Fabrizio Romano reports the 32-year-old is preparing to leave Barcelona as a free agent after failing to earn a new contract – ending hisContinue Reading
Sainsbury’s boss and retail union warn 17,000 shops face closure without business rates reform
Over 17,000 shops across the UK could face closure in the next decade unless the Labour government takes urgent action to reform the business rates system, according to warnings from Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, and Paddy Lillis, General Secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).Continue Reading
Wage growth could still push inflation up, says BoE policymaker
Catherine Mann, a rate setter at the Bank of England, has said the UK should not be “seduced” into thinking inflation will stay low over the coming year. Ms Mann, an external member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), said she is concerned that inflation could rise again soon,Continue Reading
HMRC concedes £19bn in unpaid taxes unlikely to be recovered amidst soaring call centre failures
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has conceded that it is unlikely to recover more than £19 billion in unpaid taxes, as the department grapples with a significant rise in uncollected tax debt and a dramatic increase in customer service failures. According to HMRC’s latest annual report, the total amount ofContinue Reading