In March 2013, a senior Whitehall source told the Guardian that: “We are going to follow what they have done in Australia. The evidence suggests it is going to deter young smokers. There is going to be legislation.” Shortly before the Queen’s Speech in May, however, the plan was shelved without warning. A Whitehall source [...]
Category Archives: U-turns
Posted in U-turns
Tagged cigarettes, david cameron, plain cigarette packets, Public health, tobacco
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In March 2012 David Cameron said that it was wrong that beer could be “cheaper than water” and that he would make no excuses for clamping down. As Cameron put it: This isn’t about stopping responsible drinking, adding burdens on business or some new kind of stealth tax – it’s about fast immediate action where [...]
In June Michael Gove announced that GCSEs would be scrapped in favour of a return to O-Level style exams. The Daily Mail reported: Proposals to axe GCSEs and return to an O-level style exams will ensure an education system that compares with most rigorous in the world, Michael Gove told MPs. …The proposals could see [...]
In April, Andrew Lansley gave his support to plans for regional pay in the NHS. The Observer reported: Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, is threatening another controversial revolution in the NHS by proposing that its staff be paid less if they work in poorer parts of the country. The cabinet minister is backing a plan [...]
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Tagged Autumn Statement, Department of Health, NHS, regional pay, Treasury
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In July 2010, the government cancelled the Building Schools for the Future programme, as part of £1 billion of cuts from schools. The Guardian reported: The coalition government took its axe to a further £1.5bn in spending commitments, cutting £1bn from the schools budget and millions from the business department, communities and local government and [...]
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Tagged Autumn Statement, DfE, education, school building, schools, Treasury
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In the finance bill 2011, capital allowances were cut from £100,000 to £25,000. Today, in the autumn statement 2012, capital allowances for plant and machinery increased ten-fold to £250,000, as The Manufacturer reports: Manufacturers will breathe a collective sigh of relief after campaigning for higher capital allowances finally pays off in the autumn statement… What [...]
In June, David Cameron revealed housing benefit will be scrapped for under 25s, who’ll be “forced to live with their parents”. The Mail on Sunday reported: Radical new welfare cuts targeting feckless couples who have children and expect to live on state handouts will be proposed by David Cameron tomorrow. His bold reforms could also [...]
In November 2010, it was revealed flood defence spending faced a ’27 per cent cut’. The Observer reported: “The department for the environment has said that funding over the next four years would be “just 8% less than our average yearly spend”. But Lord Smith, the chairman of the Environment Agency, told the Observer that [...]
At PMQs yesterday, David Cameron said: “We have encouraged people to switch, which is one of the best ways to get energy bills down. I can announce… that we will be legislating so that energy companies have to give the lowest tariff to their customers.” However, he quickly had to backtrack on his announcement, today [...]
In June, the government confirmed it would reinstate a planned fare rise of 3% above inflation from January – leaving commuters facing fare hikes of 6-11 per cent next year. The Guardian reported: Ministers had limited the rise to 1% rate this year to ease the financial strain on commuters but the Department of Transport [...]