Day: October 1, 2016

    Theresa May is to make a major speech on Brexit at the Tory conference in Birmingham Tory former Cabinet ministers have ramped up pressure on Theresa May by presenting her with a "Brexit Blueprint" to take the country out the EU in less than two years. The plan, which presses for a "take it or leave it" approach to Brussels, was circulated ahead of the Prime Minister making a speech on quitting the bloc at the Tory party conference on Sunday. Mrs May has previously said she would not rush to show "rapid progress" in Brexit negotiations, insisting the process should be "sober and considered". She has already stated that Article 50, the formal mechanism for Britain leaving the EU, will not be triggered this year. However, the so-called Route Map for Brexit, proposed by ex-mi...

    Poorest pensioners to lose hundreds of pounds a year in ‘new bedroom tax’ Thousands of poorer pensioners will be hit by a new “bedroom tax”, despite the Government’s promises to protect the elderly from the hugely controversial benefit cuts. They are poised to lose at least £300 a year because their homes will be deemed to be “underoccupied”, slashing their incomes or forcing them to move – away from family and friends, or to flats that are unsuitable for older people. In some cases, the financial pain will be greater – one housing association has identified pensioners in part of the North who are set to lose a staggering £1,700 a year. Over time, hundreds of thousands of pensioners will be affected by the little-noticed measure, which extends tough benefit restrictions in...