Health care coverage plans

By Jim Reed Published 6 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Steve Barclay has been named as the new health secretary following the resignation of Sajid Javid, who stepped down after saying he had lost faith in Boris Johnson's leadership. Mr Barclay had been working as the chief of staff at No 10, a powerful role in which he advised the prime minister and managed the machinery of government. Before that, he was chief secretary to the Treasury, a Brexit minister and served for a short while as a junior health minister in 2018. Delighted to be back at @DHSCgovuk taking up the role of Health & Social Care Secretary. @NHSEngland & social care staff. https://t.co/PaFG8QzmU8 — Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) July 5, 2022 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. View original … [Read more...] about Steve Barclay: What will new health secretary tackle first?

Shameless Boris Johnson has told friends he will "smash on" despite a string of resignations. The Prime Minister is said to have declared "I'm not going anywhere” despite Rishi Sunak , Sajid Javid and his Solicitor General all resigning last night. But MPs have other ideas - with a string of Tories from across the spectrum reading him the “last rites”. While the Cabinet are now mostly firm, the PM is being rocked by a string of junior resignations from government. Between 6pm on Tuesday and 2pm on Wednesday 21 MPs resigned from the government - nine ministers, nine parliamentary private secretaries, two trade envoys and one Tory vice chair. Back bench MPs across the spectrum, from moderate ex-ministers Chris Skidmore and Nick Gibb to culture war Red Wallers Jonathan Gullis, Tom Hunt and Lee Anderson, have charged over the top. For so many MPs, the revelation the PM knew about claims against MP Chris Pincher, then promoted him repeatedly, then “forgot” he’d been told, is … [Read more...] about All the Tories brutally turning against Boris Johnson’s leadership as MPs ‘read last rites’

The Department of Internal Affairs has hit back at Rotorua Lakes Council after its rejection of Three Waters reform, saying it "stands up” to scrutiny. It follows Rotorua Lakes Council’s blunt rebuttal of the reform at a full council meeting on Thursday, which saw just one councillor – Trevor Maxwell - continuing to defend it. The reform , announced in June last year, would create four water service entities to take over responsibility for the three waters – drinking, waste and stormwater – from councils. Originally an opt-in programme, it was made mandatory in October last year and had been met with opposition from some, including at least 31 councils nationwide. READ MORE: First tranche of 'better off' funding from Three Waters about to start flowing Big cost projects may affect service levels at SDC Govt could have a 'revolution on its hands' if it pursues proposed water reforms STUFF Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the … [Read more...] about Rotorua’s Three Waters rejection: DIA says reform ‘stands up’ to scrutiny, new funding hinted

Published 7 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Following the shock resignation of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, his replacement Nadhim Zahawi has said he and Prime Minister Boris Johnson want to "rebuild the economy" and get soaring inflation under control. Mr Zahawi said "nothing is off the table" in terms of cutting taxes. What are some of the options open to the new Chancellor to make good on those plans? 1. Cut VAT Mr Zahawi has said he wants to do two things: cut taxes and "bear down" on inflation. Those are not usually happy bedfellows. Cutting taxes puts more money into the economy, which drives prices up - so how can he walk this line? A temporary cut in VAT - the tax paid when buying goods and services - from 20% to 17.5%, say, would lower the price of goods and services in the basket used to calculate inflation - taxes would get cut, and … [Read more...] about Four ways Nadhim Zahawi may try to boost the economy

By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar

By Faisal Islam Published 6 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing All types of household energy bill are now heading above £3,000 a year this winter, say energy industry sources. The rise is 7% higher than the predicted prices on which the government's recently announced cost of living support package was based. The government said it didn't recognise the figures, but added it and Ofgem "keep a close watch on energy prices". National Energy Action said there were "few signs of energy prices becoming affordable this winter". The bleak prediction comes as households are already struggling with rising food and fuel prices. Every UK household is to get an energy bill discount of £400 this October, whilst poorest households will also get a payment of £650. When will households get the £400 energy grant? … [Read more...] about Household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year