Key points from the Autumn statement Working-age benefits: will only rise by 1 per cent in each of the next three years rather than by inflation Corporation tax cut: Extra percentage point cut: down to 21 per cent in 2014 compared to 28 per cent when George Osborne took office Income tax threshold: will rise by £235 more than planned, to
Editor of Vanity Fair, Graydon Carter, is this week’s Shelf Lifer. He reveals a predilection for Herman Wouk, an in depth knowledge of certain sections of the Eaton’s catalogue and a fondness for a particular character in P.G. Wodehouse. What are you reading at the moment? Don’t Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk As a
Much of the response to the Leveson Inquiry has focused on the disappointment of the victims of phone hacking and other intrusions by the press that David Cameron is opposed to introducing statutory underpinning for a new system of newspaper regulation. But how much can victims tell us about how to change a system? In
Neil O’Brien’s appointment as a new special adviser for George Osborne has gone down very well in the Westminster bubble, partly because of the Policy Exchange director’s ability to look beyond that bubble. He has written a number of times for the Spectator, and as an insight into the man who will be advising the
‘It’s great: renewing my gym membership online means I never have to set foot in the place.’
‘You ruled yourself out — why didn’t they appoint you?’
‘We’ve regulated your response to Leveson.’
‘At last! They’ve finally put up a toilet in these woods.’
‘It’s tough to admit that now I will never own a bookcase which springs open to reveal a hidden room.’
‘Get marketing in here now — I’m going to throw the Kindle at them!’
‘You failed to answer a single question, Richardson. Are you planning to become an MP?’
‘The Israelites have retaliated for me blowing my bugle.’
Too busy for terrorism Sir: The Islamisation of countries surrounding Israel may not necessarily constitute an increased threat to the Jewish state (‘Israel under siege’, 24 November). The reluctance of Hezbollah to open a second front in Israel’s north in the past weeks may be due to the recent economic recovery of south Lebanon following massive
Local elections in Catalonia, which could lead to an independence referendum, put the region in a race with Scotland to be the world’s next new nation. Some other contenders: NEW CALEDONIA A collectivity of France governed by a high commissioner and a 54-seat territorial congress. Rejected independence in a referendum in 1987 but will hold
Anyone picking up a newspaper in recent days will have noticed that the press has been writing a lot about itself. Lord Justice Leveson’s inquiry into press practices and ethics has created anxiety at a time when newspapers were already haemorrhaging sales and influence. David Cameron’s government’s response to the report is nervously awaited, and
Home Rotherham Borough Council took away three children from foster parents because they belonged to the UK Independence Party. ‘If the party mantra is, for example, ending the active promotion of multiculturalism I have to think about that,’ said Joyce Thacker, Rotherham’s Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services. Rochdale Council said that 12
