Day: October 10, 2018

    A Government study quietly published last month found there is no evidence that benefit sanctions work. Sanctions, which can result in the stopping of benefit payments for claimants who do not comply with rules laid out by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), have been proven to be ineffective in a three-year study carried out by the Government. The DWP published the findings in the paper Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial on the Government's website on 12 September, as MPs prepared for party conference season. There was no ministerial announcement about the results. In the study, which was carried out over three years, the paper found no evidence that sanctions for failing to apply for additional work, or undertake additional tr...

    Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has said he is confident of a Brexit deal by this autumn. Mr Raab addressed MPs on the latest negotiations on Tuesday evening, making the bold claim. Speaking at the House of Commons, Mr Raab said the final few weeks of talks are always going to be tough but that was all the more reason for the UK to hold our nerve. He added: I remain confident we will reach a deal this autumn, saying it is time for the EU to match the pragmatism we have shown. Labour’s shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer argued against Mr Raab’s claim however, saying the statement would have been much better coming from the Prime Minister. He said: It’s no good hiding behind the badge of the Salzburg summit as informal. Mr Raab also categorically ruled out an i...

    The stunning ring features a large pink padparadscha sapphire surrounded by 10 brilliant cut diamonds and two pear cut diamonds. According to reports, it is estimated to be worth £100,000, which is double the cost of Meghan Markle 's ring from Prince Harry. But when it comes to comparisons of rings, it's much more interesting to examine Eugenie's alongside another royal piece of bling. And there's a very good reason for this. Eugenie's ring isn't intended as a copy of the Duchess of Cambridge's, but instead as a copy of another iconic ring - one that belonging to her mother, Sarah Ferguson. Some may recall that Garrard & Co also created the ring worn today by Kate, which previously belonged to Princess Diana and as both rings were made in the 80s it is underst...