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‘Who are you to lecture us?’ How France and Germany view Britain
Eyebrows have been raised. France was heard muttering an obscenity. That is essentially how George Osborne’s “reform or perish” speech on Europe will be received in Paris or Berlin.
Eyebrows have been raised. France was heard muttering an obscenity. That is essentially how George Osborne’s “reform or perish” speech on Europe will be received in Paris or Berlin.
The Conservative party’s problems over EU policy are not confined to the backbenches – it has lots of work to do to persuade other EU nations of the need for a new treaty.
Consumer prices inflation drops to 2 per cent for the first time in over four years, in line with the government’s target. But Labour says the “cost-of-living crisis” has not gone away.
If you can’t see pound signs in many councillors’ eyes as the PM announces incentives for councils affected by shale gas drilling, then you’re not looking hard enough.
More than 90 Conservative MPs write to David Cameron urging him to give parliament a national veto over current and future EU laws.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launches an assault on “Chinese-style” welfare reforms being floated by the Tories.
The Conservatives are accused of suppressing a report that calls for two new garden cities to combat the housing shortage.
The government’s pledge to cut net migration to the “tens of thousands” by the next election is impractical and almost certain to be broken, Business Secretary Vince Cable says.
Cracks in the government’s welfare strategy open up after allies of Iain Duncan Smith round on George Osborne for announcing a further £12bn in benefit cuts.
Chancellor George Osborne reinforces his plans for lower spending – and warns that only further austerity measures can pay for tax cuts and better job prospects.
In his first major pledge ahead of the 2015 general election, the prime minister appeals to older voters by promising a guaranteed rise in the state pension under a Conservative government.
Labour Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna says his party backs the “triple-lock” principle on pensons, and promises a “fiscally responsible” package on the economy at the next election.
More flood warnings and alerts are issued across England and Wales, as David Cameron pledges that lessons will be learned from the damage caused by severe flooding from Cornwall to Scotland.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts the UK’s GDP will move ahead of France by 2018, then leapfrog Germany by 2030.
Nick Clegg pledges to block any fresh attempts to curb immigration from the European Union, insisting “this is where we draw the line”, as Vince Cable says the Tories are ‘in a panic’ on the subject.