Reeves summons regulators to No 10 in drive for cuts to red tape Regulators are being summoned to No 10 on Monday to meet Chancellor Rachel Reeves as the government moves to slash bureaucracy and cut the cost of regulation for business by a quarter. The government will also announce plans to streamline environmental permitting… Continue reading Reeves summons regulators to No 10 in drive for cuts to red tape
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Plan to freeze PIP disability benefits may be dropped
Plan to freeze PIP disability benefits may be dropped Ministers are considering abandoning plans to freeze some disability benefits, the BBC understands. Initial reports had suggested Personal Independence Payments (PIP) would not rise in line with inflation for a year, but many usually loyal Labour MPs have voiced strong opposition in meetings in No10, as… Continue reading Plan to freeze PIP disability benefits may be dropped
Apple encrypted data row hearing begins in secret
Apple encrypted data row hearing begins in secret Apple’s encrypted data case against the UK government has begun in secret at the Royal Courts of Justice. The Home Office has demanded the right to access data from Apple users that have turned on Advanced Data Protection (ADP), a tool that prevents anyone other than the… Continue reading Apple encrypted data row hearing begins in secret
Reeves insists changes to welfare needed as MPs call for flexibility
Reeves insists changes to welfare needed as MPs call for flexibility 4 hours ago Iain Watson PA Media Rachel Reeves has insisted on the need to “get a grip” on the welfare bill, saying the system is not working for the taxpayer or recipients. The chancellor’s comments come amid concerns from Labour MPs about the… Continue reading Reeves insists changes to welfare needed as MPs call for flexibility
Pressure grows to hold secret Apple data privacy hearing in public
Pressure grows to hold secret Apple data privacy hearing in public 17 hours ago Tom Singleton Technology reporter Getty Images US politicians, civil rights campaigners and the BBC are all calling for a High Court hearing about a data privacy row between Apple and the UK government to be held in public. The tech giant… Continue reading Pressure grows to hold secret Apple data privacy hearing in public
Chris Mason: Starmer echoes Liz Truss on reform of government
Chris Mason: Starmer echoes Liz Truss on reform of government It is a comparison neither would likely welcome, but look closely and the arguments of Sir Keir Starmer and Liz Truss about why government doesn’t work well enough are remarkably similar. Neither are the first to grumble about the machinery of government. More than 20… Continue reading Chris Mason: Starmer echoes Liz Truss on reform of government
Starmer pledges to tackle ‘flabby’ state
Starmer pledges to tackle ‘flabby’ state 13 minutes ago Becky Morton Political reporter Getty Images Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to tackle the “overcautious” and “flabby” state to make it more efficient. Writing in the Daily Telegraph ahead of a speech later, the prime minister insisted he was not interested in ideological arguments about whether… Continue reading Starmer pledges to tackle ‘flabby’ state
Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row
Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row Apple’s appeal against a UK government demand to be able to access its customers’ most highly encrypted data is set to be considered at a secret hearing at the High Court on Friday, the BBC understands. It is due to be considered by the… Continue reading Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row
UK seeks trade deal as Trump metal tariffs take effect
UK seeks trade deal as Trump metal tariffs take effect 1 hour ago João da Silva and Tom Espiner Business reporters, BBC News Reuters The UK is pushing for a trade deal with the US as tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminium take effect. The import tax introduction… Continue reading UK seeks trade deal as Trump metal tariffs take effect
Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing
Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing Councils are to be given greater powers to seize land, under government plans to boost housebuilding. The measure is part of the flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is being introduced in Parliament later and aims to speed up building. Housing Minister Matthew… Continue reading Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing