Latest news with #PlanforChange.
Al Etihad
21 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
US tariff relief for UK carmakers and aerospace comes into force
30 June 2025 09:31 LONDON (dpa)Tariff cuts for the automotive and aerospace sectors have come into force after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer finalised parts of a deal for relief from US import manufacturers exporting to the United States will face a 10% tariff quota, down from 27.5%, while the aerospace sector will see a 10% levy removed hailed the "historic trade deal" with the US, clinched after US President Donald Trump imposed the import taxes as part of his "liberation day" tariffs on countries across the prime minister and US president finalised the deal for those sectors at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, but levies on steel have been left standing at 25% rather than falling to zero as originally are ongoing to secure 0% tariffs on core steel products from the executive order signed by Trump suggests the US wants assurances on the supply chains for UK steel intended for export, as well as on the "nature of ownership" of production said: "Our historic trade deal with the United States delivers for British businesses and protects UK jobs. From today, our world-class automotive and aerospace industries will see tariffs slashed, safeguarding key industries that are vital to our economy."We will always act in the national interest - backing British businesses and workers, delivering on our Plan for Change."Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal would save hundreds of millions each year and safeguard thousands of jobs."We agreed this deal with the US to protect jobs and support growth in some of our most vital sectors - and today, we're delivering on that promise for the UK's world-class automotive and aerospace industries."The government is also due to update parliament on Monday on ethanol and quotas on US the deal, it was agreed that a 20% tariff on US beef imports to the UK be removed and the quota for US beef raised to 13,000 metric tons.A 19% tariff on ethanol imports from the US is also due to be removed, with a tariff-free quota of 1.4 billion litres of US ethanol applied. The bioethanol industry says the deal has made it impossible to compete with heavily subsidised US products. The UK's largest bioethanol plant warned last week that it could be weeks from stopping production.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meet Blaise Metreweli, the first woman chief of UK spy agency MI6
Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the new Chief of MI6, making history as the first woman to lead the UK's foreign intelligence agency. Succeeding Sir Richard Moore, she will oversee MI6's operations amidst growing global instability and cyber threats. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the vital role of intelligence services, supported by an additional £600 million in funding. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads All about Blaise Metreweli Blaise Metreweli is Director General Technology and Innovation in MI6. She has previously held a Director-level roles in MI5. She is a career intelligence officer, having joined the Service as a case officer in 1999. She has undertaken a range of roles across the Service. She has spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. She studied Anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge. In a historic move, the UK government has named Blaise Metreweli as the next Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service—MI6—marking the first time a woman will lead the country's foreign intelligence currently Director General for Technology and Innovation at MI6 , will succeed Sir Richard Moore this autumn to become the 18th Chief in the agency's history. Commonly known as 'C,' the Chief is the only publicly named officer in MI6 and is accountable to the Foreign Secretary for overseeing all operational appointment comes at a time of growing global instability, from increased cyber threats to escalating geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the intelligence services have never been more vital.'The UK is facing threats on an unprecedented scale—from spy ships in our waters to cyberattacks aimed at public services,' said Starmer. 'Blaise will provide the leadership needed to defend our country and keep our people safe—the foundation of my Plan for Change.'Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who made the appointment, called Metreweli the ideal candidate to steer MI6 through emerging security challenges where 'technology is power.''Blaise brings a wealth of experience from across the national security community,' Lammy said. 'At a time when our adversaries are working ever more closely together, her leadership will be crucial in keeping Britain secure.'Outgoing MI6 Chief Sir Richard Moore praised her as 'one of our foremost thinkers on technology,' and said her appointment signals a new era for the agency.'I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment. Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader. I am excited to see her lead the Service into the future.'Cabinet Secretary Christopher Wormald also welcomed the announcement, saying Metreweli would embody the values of MI6 and serve as a role model to its herself expressed pride in taking on the top role.'It's an honour to lead my Service. MI6, alongside MI5 and GCHQ, plays a vital role in keeping the British people safe and advancing the UK's interests overseas. I look forward to continuing this important mission with our brave officers, agents, and international partners.'The UK government has also announced an additional £600 million in funding for the intelligence community to meet future challenges.A career intelligence officer, Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999 and has served extensively in operational roles across the Middle East and Europe. She has also held a senior role in the domestic security agency MI5. She studied Anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Runcorn and Helsby by-election: Reform's newest MP hails victory
Reform UK's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has been hailed by the party's newest Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin dramatically edged out Labour's Karen Shore in the Cheshire constituency by just six votes following a her victory speech, Pochin said Reform had "made history" while the Tories said it was a "damning verdict" on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's said by-elections were "always difficult" for the party in government and that the circumstances which led to this by-election - namely the resignation of Mike Amesbury following his conviction for assault - had "made it even harder". LIVE: Reform wins Runcorn by-election by just six votes, while Labour wins three mayoral races Amesbury, who won the newly created seat at the July 2024 general election with a 14,696 majority, was caught in widely shared CCTV footage punching a constituent in a drunken subsequently stepped down after admitting assault. At the by-election count in Widnes, Pochin said: "It would be an honour and a privilege to serve this community, a community of hard-working people who just want fairness. "Going forward, I will do my best for all you in Runcorn and Helsby... regardless of how you voted, and I will be accessible to you all."Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "It's the closest by-election since the war and I think one of the most dramatic. But I sense, also, one of the most significant." A Labour spokesperson said: "Voters are still rightly furious with the state of the country after 14 years of failure and clearly expect the government to move faster with the Plan for Change."While Labour has suffered an extremely narrow defeat, the shock is that the Conservative vote has collapsed."The spokesperson claimed moderate voters were "clearly appalled by the talk of a Tory-Reform pact". Farage, MP for Clacton in Essex, said the result showed Reform were "not a protest party". "Thirty years ago, Parliament was full of people like [Sarah Pochin] that had successful careers, as she's had in business, in politics, in judiciary and now there are very few of them," he said. "We're putting candidates up, getting people elected with real life experience and that's what voters want."The Conservatives, whose candidate Sean Houlston came a distant third, called the by-election result a "damning verdict" on Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.A Tory spokesperson said: "Just 10 months ago Labour won an enormous majority, including in this seat with 52% of the vote, but their policies have been a punch in the face for the people of Runcorn."Snatching Winter Fuel Payments from vulnerable pensioners, pushing farmers to the brink with their vindictive Family Farms Tax and hammering families with a £3,500 jobs tax, families are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government."There was a turnout of 46% in the by-election, compared with 59% at last year's general election. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Councils fear bankruptcy amid homelessness crisis
Homelessness represents the "single biggest risk" to council finances and may cause effective bankruptcy, according to the organisation that represents London Councils, a cross party group that represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London, estimated that councils in the capital had been forced to overspend on their homelessness budgets by at least £330m in 2024-25. Local authorities have a legal duty to provide temporary accommodation to anyone who qualifies as homeless, so are unable to limit expenditure on accommodation. The government said it was tackling the root causes of homelessness by building homes and abolishing section 21 no fault evictions. Emergency support Councils in London said the subsidy they receive for temporary accommodation costs from the government did not compare with the actual financial 2023-24, the gap was about £96m, but London Councils estimated the gap for 2024-25 reached £140m – a 45% group said if the trend continued, more boroughs would need emergency support from the government and face effective bankruptcy. The number of homeless Londoners has reached the highest level ever recorded with about 183,000, or one in 50 residents, London Councils the boroughs spend £4m daily on temporary accommodation. Costs have spiked due to fewer rental properties available and an increased use of hotels. London Councils has called for urgent national policy action in the government's Spending Review to reduce homelessness pressures and to help councils. The government is set to conclude its review, which will determine levels of investment in public services for the coming years, in is also preparing a new national strategy on homelessness. London Councils' executive member for housing and regeneration, Grace Williams, said any potential bankruptcy of local councils could bring "massive uncertainty" to the future of communities' local services."It could ultimately mean more costs to the government when emergency interventions are required," she said. "We need urgent action from ministers," she added. A spokesman at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: "We inherited a serious housing crisis which is why we are taking urgent and decisive action to end homelessness, fix the foundations of local government and drive forward our Plan for Change."This government is providing £1 billion for crucial homelessness services and tackling the root causes of homelessness by building 1.5 million new homes, boosting social and affordable housing and abolishing section 21 no fault evictions."
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cabinet Office to axe a third of roles in civil service shake-up
A government department run by one of Sir Keir Starmer's most senior ministers is cutting almost a third of its jobs as ministers seek to accelerate civil service at the Cabinet Office - headed by Pat McFadden - are being told today that 2,100 of their 6,500 jobs will be cut or moved to other parts of government over the next two years. Along with other reforms, the Cabinet Office says the cuts will save £110m a year by Cabinet Office supports the prime minister and co-ordinates the work of other departments which have more specific service union Prospect warned "blunt cuts of this scale" could harm delivery across government. McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is one of Sir Keir Starmer's key lieutenants and the minister responsible for reform of the civil service. A source said he was "leading by example" with the cuts to his own the jobs to go, some 1,200 posts will be lost through redundancies or people not being replaced if they leave. A further 900 are being transferred to other government departments in an attempt to avoid duplication of recent weeks the government has announced plans to make "radical" reforms to the way the civil service works, including cutting the costs of running government by 15% by the end of the wants to introduce performance-related pay for senior staff and new rules under which those failing to meet standards could be sacked if they do not improve within six he has resisted, in public at least, setting a target for how many civil servants' jobs would be lost. Today's announcement of the moves at the Cabinet Office suggests that the cuts might go further than some had expected. A Cabinet Office source told the BBC: "Leading by example, we are creating a leaner and more focused Cabinet Office that will drive work to reshape the state and deliver our Plan for Change."This government will target resources at frontline services - with more teachers in classrooms, extra hospital appointments and police back on the beat."In a call with staff this morning Cat Little, the Cabinet Office's top civil servant, said she wanted the department to be "more strategic, specialist, and smaller".Since 2016 the number of people employed by the civil service has grown from 384,000 to more than 500,000. The rise was partly driven by preparations for Brexit and new functions the British state did not have to carry out during EU membership. New officials were also hired to deal with the Covid Cabinet Office has grown the most of any department proportionally, approximately trebling in size since the EU Clancy, the general secretary of the Prospect trade union which represents some civil servants, said: "The Cabinet Office has an important role to play operating the machinery of government, driving efficiency and reform, and ensuring other departments are fully aligned with and able to deliver the government's missions."Blunt cuts of this scale will make it harder to play that role and could impact on delivery across government."Prospect will engage with the Cabinet Office throughout this process and will seek an assurance that there will be no compulsory redundancies." Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
