6.04pm GMT18:04 Afternoon summary Andrew Sparrow Jeremy Corbyn has challenged Johnson to TV debates on what has effectively been the first full day of campaigning since MPs agreed that there should be an election on Thursday 12 December. (See 4.06pm.) The bill approving the election is still being debated by …
Read More »Bad weather, postal delays and lack of polling staff pose election risks | Politics
Boris Johnson’s call for a general election in December is both a political and logistical gamble. Here are some potential challenges that organisers of a pre-Christmas election could face. Winter weather A carefully choreographed mid-December campaign could be wrecked by gales, heavy snow, ice and floods, ruining travel plans and …
Read More »Pound creeps towards $1.30 amid Brexit deal hopes – business live | Business
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson smiling in the House of Commons in London on October 19, 2019, during a debate on the Brexit deal. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Images Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business. …
Read More »CBI calls on Labour to publish nationalisation plans | Business
The Confederation of British Industry has served Labour with a challenge to publish the full details of its nationalisation plans, in the latest twist of an increasingly bitter row. Britain’s leading business group hit back amid mounting pressure over its claim that Labour’s nationalisation plans would cost £196bn, releasing further …
Read More »New Gruffalo 50p coins launched by Royal Mint – see the full collection
The Gruffalo is being celebrated on a new commemorative 50p coin, depicting the beast’s first meeting with Mouse in the woods. The famous story of brains over brawn, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, was first published 20 years ago. It has become a firm bedtime reading …
Read More »Christmas postal strike looms after Royal Mail workers vote for action | Business
Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of striking in a dispute over job security and employment terms and conditions, raising the threat of industrial action in the run-up to Christmas. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) backed action by 97% in a huge turnout of almost 76%. …
Read More »CBI is wrong to see cost as big issue in Labour’s nationalisation plans | Nils Pratley | Business
The Confederation of British Industry is barking up the wrong tree when it howls about the “eye-watering” cost of Labour’s nationalisation plans, which it puts at almost £200bn. Of all the arguments against nationalisation – and there are many strong ones – the claimed upfront cost is the weakest. The …
Read More »Rarest 50p coins revealed as Royal Mint officially marks 50 years of the coin
The 50p coin is marking 50 years since it went into circulation, and the Royal Mail has revealed which are the rarest. Rarity gives a coin value as collectors will pay thousands of pounds for an example of there are few of them around. Some 50p coins have seen just …
Read More »Duchess of Sussex to sue Mail on Sunday over publication of ‘private’ letter
The Duke of Sussex has issued an extraordinary statement condemning what he has called a “ruthless campaign” against the Duchess, saying: “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.” The Duke, who is currently in South Africa with his wife and …
Read More »Eight key pledges by Boris Johnson’s government
As the Tory party conference gets into full swing cabinet ministers have taken to the stage to announce some major pledges for the years ahead. From better broadband to more hospitals and overhauling the bus system, the Tories have promised to spend big money on the make up of the …
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