Academics attack George Osborne budget surplus proposal. George Osborne’s plan to enshrine permanent budget surpluses in law is a political gimmick that ignores “basic economics”, a group of academic economists has warned.
Responding to the chancellor’s Mansion House speech earlier this week, they said a law forcing the government to cut spending or raise taxes every year to generate a budget surplus, characterised as Micawber economics, would suck the economy dry and within a few years could trigger another credit crunch. In a letter to the Guardian, coordinated by the Centre for Labour and Social Studies, 77 of the best-known academic economists, including French economist Thomas Piketty and Cambridge professor Ha-Joon Chang, said the chancellor was turning a blind eye to the complexities of a 21st-century economy that demanded governments remain flexible and responsive to changing global events. The chancellor argued that the discipline imposed by a new law would support future generations who faced being saddled with sky-high debts.
Mic Relief money invested in arms and tobacco shares. 10 December 2013Last updated at 05:23 ET By Declan Lawn BBC Panorama Extracts from Panorama - All in a Good Cause Millions of pounds donated to Comic Relief have been invested in funds with shares in tobacco, alcohol and arms firms, BBC Panorama has learned.
The BBC has also seen evidence which suggests Save the Children censored criticism of energy firms, to avoid upsetting corporate partners. Ed Miliband Sets Out 'New Plan' For Britain With £8 Minimum Wage Pledge. Ed Miliband has kick-started Labour's final conference before the general election with a pledge to hike the minimum wage to at least £8.
The party leader said the rise over the next parliament - from the £6.50 level it will hit next month - was needed to stop ordinary workers being left behind. The increase would add around £3,000 a year to the pay packets of those earning the minimum wage. The announcement by Mr Miliband, in interviews with the Sunday Mirror and Observer, is thought to be the first of a series of interventions during the gathering in Manchester to focus on stagnating living standards under the coalition.
US confirms it made 'Cuban Twitter' 3 April 2014Last updated at 15:15 ET White House press secretary Jay Carney: "It is neither covert nor an intelligence programme" The White House has confirmed that a US government aid agency was behind a text-message service that was allegedly designed to foment unrest in Cuba.
ZunZuneo, dubbed a "Cuban Twitter", had 40,000 subscribers at its height in a country with limited web access, reports the Associated Press. The project is said to have lasted from 2009-12 when the grant money ran out. The US reportedly hid its links to the network through shell firms and by routing messages via other countries. Lawyers staging second walk-out over legal aid cuts. 7 March 2014Last updated at 11:43 ET Celebrities including actress Maxine Peake joined the protest in Westminster Thousands of lawyers opposed to legal aid cuts in England and Wales have staged their second walkout this year.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) called the cuts "crippling" ahead of the action, which was set to affect many trials on Friday. The government is pressing ahead with fee cuts for barristers and solicitors in an effort to save £220m from the £2bn annual cost of legal aid. It has said reform of the "expensive" system is vital in austere times. Thousands of criminal case lawyers staged a first walkout in January, causing widespread disruption. Trials affected On Friday, barristers did not attend proceedings at major crown courts in cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool Hundreds of lawyers marched to Westminster in protest. Leveson Report: David Yelland says press misleading public.
29 November 2013Last updated at 03:30 ET David Yelland was editor of the Sun newspaper for more than four years The press is misleading the public and engaging in hysteria over press regulation plans, according to a former editor of the Sun.
In a speech later, David Yelland is expected to accuse newspapers of censoring debate on the Leveson Report and its proposals for new press rules. He will warn the public could end up with less protection than before. A year on from the Leveson Report, he will say editors must show humility and acknowledge how much power they have.
Clegg pledges £250m extra for business lending. Lib Dems to 'veto' tax cuts for wealthy before 2015. 5 February 2014Last updated at 04:21 ET Chancellor George Osborne, left, with Lib Dem deputy Danny Alexander, right A senior Lib Dem minister has said any cuts to the top rate of income tax before next year's general election will only happen "over my dead body".
Chief Secretary Danny Alexander said the 45p rate was the "right place to be" and suggested he would veto any Conservative proposal to cut it to 40p. A cut has not been put forward, but is called for by some senior Tories, including London mayor Boris Johnson. The mayor did not wish Mr Alexander ill but said a tax cut could still happen. Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The last thing I want to see is pointless sacrifice from the Liberal Democrats, let alone the dead body of Danny Alexander. Nick Clegg urges end to 'job for life' culture in Lords. 18 December 2013Last updated at 02:49 GMT Members of the House of Lords can claim a £300 daily allowance for attending a sitting at Parliament.
Bring back 50% income tax rate - Lord Kinnock. 8 December 2013Last updated at 11:03 ET Neil Kinnock has said he wants to see the 50p tax rate reinstated A future Labour government should reintroduce the 50% top rate of income tax, Lord Kinnock has said.
The former Labour leader told the BBC that it would demonstrate the party's "unerring" commitment to fairness. Labour fails to secure bookies' roulette machine rethink. 4 December 2013Last updated at 13:06 ET Fixed Odds Betting Terminals have sprung up across the UK in recent years Labour has failed in an attempt to force ministers to restrict the stakes and prizes on roulette machines in bookmakers shops.
MPs voted to back a government decision to keep the maximum punters can bet per spin at £100. Ed Miliband: Government's energy plan 'smoke and mirrors' 2 December 2013Last updated at 12:36 ET Labour leader Ed Miliband says the changes are not enough Labour leader Ed Miliband has accused ministers of using "smoke and mirrors" over its plan to cut the cost of energy bills by an average of £50 a year. Chancellor George Osborne has said he will spread the cost of insulating homes and that government will take on some of the burden faced by customers. But Mr Miliband told reporters on Monday that a "cosy deal" with firms would not keep bills down. Labour 50p tax plan 'very bad' for economy, says Cameron. 27 January 2014Last updated at 11:09 ET The government cut the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p last April Labour's plan to raise the top rate of income tax to 50p is "politically convenient" but "very bad" for the economy, David Cameron has said.
The prime minister told a business conference in London that the move would "cost jobs and investment". He said the strong reaction from business to the plans illustrated how damaging they could be. Ed Miliband pledges more say for consumers on competition. 19 January 2014Last updated at 07:45 ET Ed Miliband: "We have got to make sure we have a system in place to shine a light on broken markets" A future Labour government would involve consumer groups in ensuring there is genuine competition between businesses, Ed Miliband has said.
The party leader told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show bodies such as Which? And Citizens' Advice would help regulators draw up an annual competition audit. Ministers would have an obligation to address any concerns raised. Mr Miliband said addressing greater competition was a way to tackle pressures on the cost of living. It follows his announcements of plans to promote more competition in the banking sector and reform the energy industry. Labour's transport spokeswoman: We support HS2. 24 September 2013Last updated at 09:47 ET Despite its opponents, HS2 has had cross-party support A senior Labour figure has voiced support for the HS2 north-south rail link - just a day after the party's shadow Treasury team raised the prospect of scrapping it. Maria Eagle, shadow transport secretary, said the line would reduce journey times and tackle overcrowding.
Ban on smoking in cars carrying children backed by Lords. 29 January 2014Last updated at 17:17 ET Smoking was banned in England in most enclosed public spaces in 2007 The Lords has backed a Labour plan to ban smoking in cars carrying children, despite opposition from the government. Labour peers tabled an amendment to the Children and Families Bill detailing their proposal for England, which they said was about "protecting children". Ministers had argued that the new law was a "blunt instrument" and public information campaigns were preferable. But the BBC understands that government backbenchers will not be pressed to reverse the change in the Commons. Labour conference: Ed Miliband calls for votes at 16.
24 September 2013Last updated at 18:19 GMT. Ed Miliband: Labour would freeze energy prices. Ed Miliband says Labour will not commit to EU referendum. Ed Miliband pledges living wage tax breaks for firms. Strip benefits from claimants lacking skills - Labour. Labour to announce plans for 200,000 homes a year by 2020.
Marriage tax. Cameron promises more flexible GP hours. David Cameron brings forward Help to Buy scheme. Cameron pledges to cut red tape for small business. 27 January 2014Last updated at 11:06 ET Prime Minister David Cameron gave examples of the "pointless" regulations that are being scrapped Thousands of rules affecting business are to be scrapped or amended, David Cameron has told a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference. More than 3,000 rules will be dropped or changed, saving more than £850m a year, he told the FSB.
They include 640 pages of cattle movement guidance, 286 pages of hedgerow regulations and 380 pages of waste management rules. Mr Cameron said he wanted to "get out of the way of small business success. " David Cameron wants leader debates before campaign begins. 29 September 2013Last updated at 08:21 ET By Brian Wheeler Political reporter, BBC News in Manchester The 2010 leader debates dominated the general election campaign, Mr Cameron says David Cameron has backed televised leader debates at the next election - but suggested they should take place before campaigning gets under way. MPs set to receive 11% pay rise. Parenting scheme dubbed a 'flop' by Labour. Cameron 'still plans' recall powers to get rid of MPs. Roads tax. 'No case' to water down CO2 targets, chancellor told. Pay better wages, minister tells Domino's Pizza boss.
Plans to curb wind turbines onshore will push up electricity bills. Pickles increases energy policy role. HS2. Theresa May: Deport foreign criminals before appeal. Abolish human rights act. George Osborne: We'll run a budget surplus. Autumn Statement: At-a-glance summary of key points. Osborne distances himself from Boris Johnson over IQ comments. Osborne to unveil new conditions for long-term jobless. George Osborne commits to 'fight for full employment'