The trade unions are set to call for a cap on political donations that would happen to not apply to them. The shamelessness is something…
The Guardian reports that unions are approaching agreement on a proposal that would divide their donations to political parties (Labour) by their number of members, and count members as individual donors. In effect a total exemption…
Trade unions are debating at the TUC Congress today whether to call for a cap on donations from domestic entities because they are worried they would not be able to donate as much via their political levies. They are desperate to hand out more of the wages they confiscate from their members…
The ham-fisted arrangement currently under discussion would have no relationship with reality as the union barons, not members, decide where cash goes. If their members want to donate to parties, they of course can…
The Transport Secretary charged the taxpayer £39,199.67 for an eight-day trip to Beijing, Tokyo, and Osaka this summer. It really was the summer of jollies…
Flights alone cost £29,000. Heidi Alexander took with her a SpAd, her Principal Private Secretary, and a ‘senior policy official.’ A ‘senior rail official’ was also on the Japan leg…
Alexander enjoyed a “ride in unmanned autonomous vehicle” in China and meetings with transport companies. In Japan Alexander played on a train simulator and rode in an autonomous bus, before riding on the Shinkansen train. There was also a karaoke night…
DfT told Guido’s FOI Unit that the visit “forms part of HMG’s long-term and consistent approach towards China and Japan” and “reflected the importance of sustained senior level engagement with key global transport partners.” Meanwhile rail delays are at their highest since 2019 – post-Labour’s nationalisation…
Read the full details here…
We’ve seen this one before…
The Cabinet Office’s annual report and accounts is out today. It reveals Chris Wormald, ex-Starmer Cabinet Secretary, was handed a £859,496 severance payout. The comptroller wrote:
“I have reviewed both the evidence to support the exit package and the request for and receipt of a Ministerial Direction. The appropriate approvals have been obtained to ensure the expenditure incurred is regular, and appropriate disclosures are included within these annual report and accounts.
I have, however, observed considerable variation in the size and nature of exit payments made on the departure of Permanent and Cabinet Secretaries. I consider this is an area requiring further review by the Cabinet Office.
I recommend that the Cabinet Office leads a review of both the employment terms and conditions and performance management arrangements of Permanent and Cabinet Secretaries, to reduce the incidence of discretionary extra-contractual elements of payments on departure from these roles.”
It was previously thought that Wormald was only paid above £500,000 or so. Almost a million…
Andy Burnham is banning nice food from schools. Ice cream, you scream…
Under new school food rules fish and chips and other deep-fried foods are banned completely, sweetened baked products are limited to once a week in primary, twice in secondary, and each has to include a portion of fruit. So – out of the door then…
Ice cream is restricted in a new dessert allowance. There are new breakfast standards: no pastries, no fried eggs, no chocolate spread, and a sugar cap on cereals. Pasta has to be at least 50% wholewheat at least once a week and condiments like ketchup must be limited to the reduced salt and sugar versions only. Processed sausages, chicken nuggets and ham can be served once a week only. Beans, chickpeas and lentils must appear on the menu at least once a week. Nuts are out too…
Schools have to implement the changes between September 2027 and 2028 for secondaries. The school unions are pointing out that these changes will raise costs and there is no extra money. The National Association of Head Teachers said: “Many schools already have to raid stretched core budgets for staffing and the curriculum to subsidise the costs.” Schools have to nominate a ‘food governor’ to enforce the changes…
Jamie Oliver said in a government release: “after 25 years of campaigning, today is a brilliant day.” Emma Thompson has also lent her support…
Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, tells Guido:
“Phrases like ‘introducing pulses such as chickpeas to meals, limiting cheese-based main dishes and restricting desserts’ will strike fear into the heart of any school child. Anything that is supported by not only Jamie Oliver but also Emma Thompson is bound to be bad.”
He added:
“Actual childhood obesity is rare…There is not a lot of logical rationale behind this stuff.”
Previous food standards have been shown to have almost no impact on kids’ total diet. What matters happens beyond the school gates…
Amid renewed speculation – first reported by Guido – that Tory Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith might pledge to abolish Inheritance Tax at conference in a few weeks, Guido has compiled some essential facts about the tax. And its abolition…
IHT is charged at 40% on estates above a £325,000 nil-rate band, frozen since 2009 and now frozen to April 2031, with an additional £175,000 residence nil-rate band where a home passes to direct descendants and both bands transferable between spouses, giving a couple up to £1 million tax free. The UK’s IHT is one of the harshest:
Reform has attacked the potential Tory proposal – Robert Jenrick called it a “desperate play.” Reform pledged to abolish the tax altogether in 2025, too…
UPDATE: Kemi Badenoch confirms she is looking at stripping down or scrapping Inheritance Tax.
“Reform says abolishing inheritance tax is ‘morally wrong’. I think it is morally wrong to punish people for doing the right thing – spending a lifetime working, saving, building up a business or a home to pass on to the next generation.
That’s why I’ve asked my team to explore fiscally responsible ways to do address this burden. The people caught by inheritance tax are mostly home-owning middle-class families due to house price inflation, diligent savers, and small-business owners.”
Boris spoke to GB News about Labour’s attempts to restrict donations:
“It looks absolutely pathetic. Just because some people want to support one party very generously, Labour kicks up a huge fuss and says they’re going to cap donations.
I just saw Richard Tice on your show just now. I have to say I rather agree with him.
They’ve got huge amounts of money – troughing it from the trade unions. It’s absolutely ridiculous Labour are trying to cap donations.”