All posts tagged: The government

UK faces ‘economic catastrophe’ as young people are ‘rewired’ by smartphones, warns government’s jobs tsar

UK faces ‘economic catastrophe’ as young people are ‘rewired’ by smartphones, warns government’s jobs tsar

Published by Sam Flores

The government’s jobs tsar has warned Britain faces an “economic catastrophe” as young people have been “rewired” by smartphones. Alan Milburn was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer as chairman of the Young People and Work Report as hundreds of thousands of 16-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (Neets). His interim report, set be published next week, will suggest that the “rising tide of mental ill-health, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity” is the main reason for high economic inactivity. Speaking to The Times, the former health secretary said young people “are not snowflakes or faking it”, but the rise in these issues could be linked to growing up in a digital age on social media. “The system is trapping people in worklessness rather than enabling them into work,” Mr Milburn told the paper. “We’re at a risk of just writing a whole generation off.” 729,000 16-24 year olds were not employed between January and March this year (PA Wire) The research also described a “bedroom generation” with many of those who had left school at 16 …

Miliband facing Labour revolt on North Sea drilling

Miliband facing Labour revolt on North Sea drilling

Published by Sam Flores

Ed Miliband is facing a rising backbench revolt over his refusal to back North Sea drilling. A growing number of Labour MPs are for the first time publicly calling on the Energy Secretary to reconsider his net zero agenda, amid pressure to shore up domestic energy supplies in the wake of an energy crisis caused by the Iran war. It will pile pressure on the Left of the Cabinet to back “pragmatic” North Sea oil exploration, a policy already supported by the Conservatives and Reform UK. Earlier this week, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, said she would be “very happy” to support extraction at two proposed new oil and gas fields: Rosebank and Jackdaw – breaking away from Mr Miliband and opening a rift between government ministers. Mr Miliband has been facing opposing voices from a growing number of party colleagues – ANDY RAIN/Shutterstock Sir Keir Starmer has refused to weigh in, stating repeatedly during the last Prime Minister’s Questions before recess that approval for Rosebank and Jackdaw was a quasi-judicial decision for Mr Miliband alone. …

Downing Street fears panic at petrol pumps

Downing Street fears panic at petrol pumps

Published by Sam Flores

Sir Keir Starmer will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the cost-of-living crisis and how to prevent panic at the petrol pumps. Ministers will meet on Monday to hammer out a strategy to prevent panic buying at forecourts amid concern that motorists could bleed pumps dry despite ample supplies. The issue of fuel supplies to forecourts and how to manage any future shortage has emerged as a major concern for No 10. One source said the Government was grappling with “behavioural science’’ and studying the 2021 fuel-supply crisis – the first for two decades – which saw pumps run dry across the country after reports of a shortage of tanker drivers. While Britain produces more than enough petrol to cover demand, the bulk of diesel volumes come from imports, which could be disrupted as Iran continues to prevent shipping leaving the Persian Gulf. Ministers are said to be nervous about communicating any concerns about fuel supplies for fear of sparking a rush to the pumps. The source said: “Clearly we need to stay ahead of …

British military companies look to flee abroad

British military companies look to flee abroad

Published by Sam Flores

Sir Keir Starmer faces losing British defence firms to rival economies as bosses look to flee abroad. Defence firms have warned the Government that it could face imminent supply chain collapse unless the industry received an emergency cash injection. Scores of British companies have already drawn up plans to relocate to the US, which offers perks such as reduced income tax to attract business. They have said firms could be forced to quit Britain unless Sir Keir publishes the Government’s delayed 10-year defence investment plan. However, it is understood that the Government does not have any imminent plans to publish the report, which was due more than six months ago, prompting uncertainty. The report, expected to outline the Ministry of Defence’s budgeting priorities, would allow companies to anticipate where the Government plans to invest its Armed Forces spending. On Saturday, Robert Taylor, a former Royal Marine and founder of military technology company 4GD, urged the Government to publish the plan. He is one of several defence leaders considering relocating his company to the US unless …

How new DWP crackdown on universal credit payments will work

How new DWP crackdown on universal credit payments will work

Published by Sam Flores

The government is set to launch a fresh crackdown on universal credit recipients fraudulently claiming the benefit. Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil in the Budget plans to bring in an extra £1.2bn in savings by identifying incorrect universal credit payments up to 2031. The move comes as the chancellor seeks to fight off likely criticism from some quarters over other welfare spending plans in the Budget – she is reportedly set to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which would cost the Treasury more than £3 billion to fund.. While the Conservatives and Reform have accused the chancellor of increasing taxes to pay for more welfare payments, the Greens have argued that more support should be available for those in need through a wealth tax. Here, Yahoo News explains the government’s powers to deduct money from your universal credit payments, how to check what you are being paid, as well as challenging the government if you’re wrongly accused of fraud. How will the plans work? To claw back the extra cash, the UK government will …