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About The London Economic
The London Economic emerged from a political blog sharing platform created by Jack Peat in 2012. It was developed through to 2014 into an alternative news website in an attempt to redress the political power of the mainstream media.
While it focuses on UK political affairs, it also has Business, Economics, Food, Sport, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Travel and Property pages.
Yellowhammer papers reveal risk of care home closures as ‘providers fail’
Joe Mellor - 12 September 2019
Boris Johnson has faced renewed pressure to recall Parliament after the Prime Minister was forced to reveal that a no-deal Brexit could trigger medical shortages, food price rises and major cross-channel trade delays.
There are also concerns about the care home sector. The GMB Union, which represents tens of thousands of care sector workers, reacted to the Operation Yellowhammer warning a No Deal Brexit risks closing care homes as even large providers may ‘fail’.
The document, only revealed by the Government after MPs voted to force its release, also shows the Government is fully aware of the ongoing care crisis...See moreOur government has invited a roll call of human rights abusers to sell them their deadly tools at DSEI
Andrew Smith - 3 September 2019
Recent weeks have seen a further intensification of the violence being inflicted on pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong. The police crackdown has only got worse, with clouds of tear gas becoming a regular sight on the streets. There is no doubt that some of that tear gas was made here in the UK, with images of UK-made canisters emerging across social media.
It would take 100 years for black & minority ethnic police officers to be representative of London population
Guest Contributor - 19 February 2019
It would take 100 years for black and minority ethnic police officers to be representative of the London population, it was revealed today.
Twenty years on from the inquiry into the investigation of Stephen Lawrence’s murder, black and minority ethnic people are still less likely to be successful applicants to the Met Police.
And when they are recruited they have significantly higher grievances at their treatment in the force...See moreMay gets a bullet for her Valentines
Jack Peat - 15 February 2019
Theresa May received a dose of her own medicine last night after suffering yet another defeat at the hands of a hostile parliament.
With a threatening Home Office tweet sent out on her watch making the rounds on Twitter the former Home Secretary went into hiding as her motion urging MPs to back attempts to strike a new withdrawal agreement with the EU was beaten by 303 votes to 258.
Many hard-line Brexiteers abstained from the vote, which highlighted the momentous task the PM has ahead of her...See moreSocial entrepreneurs are helping the homeless – by transforming shipping containers into homes
Joe Mellor - 9 February 2019
A group of social entrepreneurs are helping the homeless – by transforming shipping containers into homes for rough sleepers.
The metal units are among dozens of old storage containers being turned into living spaces as part of a project by social enterprise Help Bristol’s Homeless.
The containers-turned-homes will provide accommodation for a rough sleeper for an entire year...See moreSterling slides as Bank of England slashes growth forecasts
Joe Mellor - 7 February 2019
The Bank of England has downgraded its growth forecast for 2019 growth to 1.2%, which would be the smallest rise since 2009.
Sterling tumbled on the news and was trading 0.6% down versus the US dollar at $1.285. Against the euro, the pound was down 0.3% at €1.134.
The PM flew to Brussels today to push for concessions from EU leaders on the divorce deal agreed with them last year, which has been rejected by Parliament...See moreLast year was the world’s fourth warmest on record – just behind 2015, 2016 and 2017
Joe Mellor - 6 February 2019
Last year was the world’s fourth warmest on record – just behind 2015, 2016 and 2017, according to new research.
It means the planet really is hotting up – leaving experts with little hope of limiting climate change to global targets.
Temperatures are now at levels not seen for 115,000 years – making cyclones, floods and droughts increasingly likely...See moreAverage earnings in London 15.5% lower than in 2007 after inflation
Jack Peat - 5 February 2019
Average earnings in London are 15.5 per cent below the real value of earnings in 2007 after inflation, new research has revealed.
A study of official data by GMB has shown that in London, full-time workers’ mean gross annual pay in 2018 was just 84.5 per cent of what it was in 2007.
In 2007 the mean gross annual pay of full-time workers was £42,226. In 2018 that figure was £48,604, which when you factor in inflation at 36.17 per cent, saw a decrease in pay of 15.5 per cent...See moreTributes as comedian Jeremy Hardy dies of cancer aged 57
Ben Gelblum - 1 February 2019
Award winning comedian and News Quiz favourite Jeremy Hardy has died after battling cancer his publicist has announced.
Tributes from the greats of broadcasting, comedy and social activisim have poured in this morning (see below).
The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: ''“Jeremy Hardy was a dear, lifelong friend. He always gave his all for everyone else and the campaigns for social justice. You made us all smile. You made us all think. Rest in peace, Jeremy.”''...See moreDeprived communities bear the brunt of austerity cuts
Jack Peat - 28 January 2019
The north of England has borne the brunt of austerity cuts imposed since 2010, with the most deprived communities taking the biggest hit.
A new study by the Centre for Cities thinktank shows communities which are enduring the highest poverty rates and weakest economies are facing cuts twice that of their counterparts in the more affluent south.
The report also points to a “city and country” divide, with urban council areas having shouldered cuts to services such as street cleaning, road repairs and libraries, which, are, on average, twice as deep as those borne by leafier authorities....See moreAirbus chief slams Government over its handling of Brexit
Joe Mellor - 24 January 2019
Tom Enders, the head of Airbus, a major UK employer has not held back over his thoughts on the Government’s handling of Brexit.
Enders slammed the Government branding it a “disgrace” and said the business might be forced to leave these shores, post-Brexit, to ensure they can compete in the global marketplace.
Airbus, which employs more than 14,000 people in the UK with around 110,000 more jobs connected in supply chain...See moreSony to move headquarters from UK to Netherlands to avoid Brexit disruption
Jack Peat - 23 January 2019
Sony has become the second major brand within two days to announce it is to move its headquarters out of the UK.
The company will move its European HQ from Weybridge to the Netherlands to help it avoid customs issues tied to Britain’s exit from the EU.
It is the latest Japanese company to flag a move to the continent in response to Brexit and it comes after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe raised concerns over a no-deal Brexit...See moreCCHQ put on election footing and told it needs to have ‘resources in place’ if PM is defeated
Jack Peat - 22 January 2019
Sir Mick Davies has briefed the Conservative Campaign Headquarters to be on election footing, according to emerging reports.
The Telegraph’s political reporter Steven Swinford says the Tory Part’s chief executive told campaign HQ to have the ‘resources in place’ in event PM is defeated again.
But it is thought that the party are struggling to get donors to back another Theresa May campaign, which could lead to a leadership contest...See more
Billionaires see fortune grow by £2bn a day as wealth of the world’s poorest dwindles by 11%
Jack Peat - 21 January 2019
The fortunes of the world’s richest people rose by £2 billion a day last year, while the wealth of the poorest dwindled by 11 per cent.
Some 3.4 billion people were forced to survive on less than £4.27 a day each according to new Oxfam research.
The 26 richest people globally now hold the same wealth as the poorest half of the population – compared with the richest 43 in 2017.... See more
Number of homeless people visiting A & E has tripled under Tory-led Governments
Joe Mellor - 21 January 2019
The BMA (British Medical Association) has found that homeless people needed urgent medical attention has grown substantially since 2011.
After analysing data the BMA discovered that in 2011 11,305 people classed as having no fixed abode went to A & E. Last year the number for close to 32,000, almost tripling the earlier figure.
Since 2010 homelessness has doubled, raising concerns that those the most in need are struggling to cope and are increasingly suffering from illness and injuries... See more
More cheeky billboards trolling politicians with their own words appearing all over UK
Ben Gelblum - 17 January 2019
Last week we reported how mysterious billboards have been spotted trolling politicians with rash things they said that they must wish people had forgotten.... See more
Dramatic scenes as Theresa May survives no confidence vote but warned election may be inevitable
Ben Gelblum - 16 January 2019
There were dramatic scenes in the House of Commons as tempers frayed and MPs bayed loudly, but the hardline Brexiteers of the ERG party within the Tory Party and her DUP allies who had let the Prime Minister down last night, voted loyally to keep her in power.
After suffering the worst parliamentary defeat by a British Prime Minister for at least a hundred years last night, Theresa May scraped through a vote of no confidence called by Jeremy Corbyn by 19 votes.
There were 306 votes for the motion which would trigger an election, 325 against. If the 10 DUP MPs had voted against the government as they did last night, the PM would have lost the vote by 1, precipitating a general election.... See more
432 MPs vote against May’s Brexit deal in “catastrophic defeat”
Jack Peat - 15 January 2019
More than 400 MPs rejected Theresa May’s deal with the European Union in tonight’s meaningful vote.
It is an unprecedented defeat in British political history.
The last time a government was defeated by more than 100 votes on the floor of the House of Commons was almost a century ago when the minority Labour government of Ramsay MacDonald went down to a defeat of 166.... See more
House of Lords votes against Theresa May’s Brexit deal and no deal Brexit by massive majority
Ben Gelblum - 15 January 2019
Last night the House of Lords voted on an opposition motion against Theresa May’s EU withdrawal deal and also a no deal Brexit by a massive majority of 169.
Peers from across the political spectrum voted 321 votes to 152 for Labour peer Lady basildon’s motion to reject a no deal outcome and regret the terms of the government deal and future relationship with EU.
The Lords voted overwhelmingly less than 24 hours before the Commons meaningful vote on Brexit that Theresa May’s deal “would damage the future economic prosperity, internal security and global influence of the United Kingdom.” The motion also urged MPs to “emphatically reject” a no-deal out come.... See more
May cited for hypocrisy after using Welsh Assembly vote to sell her Brexit plans
Jack Peat - 14 January 2019
Theresa May was labelled a hypocrite today after she tried to use the Welsh devolution referendum to sell her Brexit plans.
The Prime Minister tried to claim “both sides” accepted to endorse the creation of the Welsh Assembly – even though many Conservative MPs, including herself, voted against it.
Her initial speech which was sent to members of the press read: “When the people of Wales voted by a margin of 0.3%, on a turnout of just over 50%, to endorse the creation of the Welsh Assembly, that result was accepted by both sides and the popular legitimacy of that institution has never seriously been questioned.”... See more
Government has chance to ‘avert catastrophe’ on Universal Credit
Joe Mellor - 11 January 2019
In a speech on Friday, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced important changes to current proposals for Universal Credit (UC). Amber Rudd announced that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will immediately lay two pieces of legislation:
The first will provide protections for people currently receiving the ‘Severe Disability Premium’ -additional benefits paid to disabled people who live independently, recognising the extra costs faced by people not supported by a carer. It will come into force on January 16, 2019, according to the original timetable and means there will not be a vote on this... See more
GDP slump: “Working people shouldn’t pay price for political failures of Conservative politicians”
Joe Mellor - 11 January 2019
Working people should not be made to pay the price for Conservative political failures says GMB Union amid the sluggish GDP figures today.
Economic growth slowed to just 0.3% in the three months to November – the lowest for six months.
Meanwhile manufacturing growth has fallen five months in a row now – the first time this has happened since the global financial crash a decade ago.
GMB says this is further proof we are on the wrong economic path.... See more
Grayling looks to EU to dig him out as ferry fiasco continues
Jack Peat - 04 January 2019
A dredger from the Netherlands was put to work in Ramsgate yesterday as preparations for the ferry company with no ferries were put in place.
The Dutch dredger was spotted clearing rubbish, weeds and excess mud at the Kent site to prepare for potential extra freight trade crossings.... See more
Brexit contract handed to shipping firm with NO ferries
Joe Mellor - 31 December 2018
In another Brexit story you couldn’t make up, a very lucrative contract has been agreed with a business that will run extra ferries if a ‘no-deal’ Brexit takes place, but has no ships,and has not previously operated a service.
Seaborne Freight was one of three companies awarded contracts totalling £108m last week to lay on additional freight crossings to ease the pressure on Dover.
Seaborne’s contract is for £13.8m and they have defended themselves amid criticism it doesn’t currently have any shipping vessels.... See more
Conservatives use refugees as political pawns ahead of crucial Brexit period
Jack Peat - 31 December 2018
The Conservatives have been accused of framing a migrant crisis in order to “whip up fear” before the Brexit vote after Sajid Javid declared a “major incident” in response to a handful of small channel crossings this Christmas.
The Home Secretary was said to have borrowed moves straight from Donald Trump’s playbook as news cameras turned their attention to the desperate struggles of refugees in order to create the illusion of an emergency situation.
“Make no mistake”, Labour MP David Lammy said, “this is not in response to genuine concern for human life. This is Sajid Javid imitating Donald Trump’s “migrant caravan” manufactured emergency to whip up fear before the Brexit vote. Desperate and cynical.”... See more
Questions raised as Home Office roll out major settlement scheme under the guise of a cheery video
Jack Peat - 29 December 2018
Serious questions have been raised today after the Home Office rolled out an “important and unprecedented” settlement scheme under the guise of a cheery video.
The video, which features up-beat music and pictures of smiling people, details the application process for EU citizens who want to continue living in the country after 31 December 2020.
Checks on their identity, UK residence status and criminal record will take place on all EU citizens living in the UK and will cost applicants £65 for an adult and £32.50 for children under 16.... See more
Corbyn puts pressure on May to cut short MP’s break to allow vote to take place ASAP
Jack Peat - 28 December 2018
Jeremy Corbyn has put pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to recall parliament early to allow a vote on her Brexit deal to take place “as soon as possible”.
The Labour leader reiterated that he wants MPs to have a vote as soon as possible in an interview with The Independent.
He also suggested that if May were to lose that vote – which looks likely – he would call for a confidence vote in the government that could potentially trigger the snap general election Labour says it wants.
In his interview, he said: “We’ve made clear it’s a question of when, not if, we do a vote of no confidence in the government. Obviously we do [it] at a time when their confidence is the lowest ever, which I suspect will be after they’ve lost the vote.”... See more
Immigration White Paper doesn’t “meet the UK’s needs & would be a sucker punch for many firms”
Joe Mellor - 19 December 2018
Low-skilled workers from EU countries will no longer have the automatic right to work in the UK after Brexit, under proposed new immigration rules.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the plans – to be published later – will not include a “specific target” for reducing numbers coming into the UK.
The CBI has responded to plans for a new post-Brexit immigration system as set out in the UK Government’s Immigration White Paper.
Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “A new immigration system must command public confidence and support the economy. These proposals would achieve neither.... See more
Govt must assess impact of UC on disabled recipients & ‘not leave people destitute’
Joe Mellor - 19 December 2018
An influential group of cross-party MPs have published a report urging the Government to properly look at the impact of Universal Credit on disabled people.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee, chaired by Frank Field MP, is particularly concerned about people currently on the older benefit Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) losing out on ‘disability premiums’* – extra money which will no longer be available after they’ve moved over to Universal Credit (UC).
In addition, the report expresses concern about the lack of clarity or adequate protections for people facing the process of ‘managed migration’, which will see thousands of people with mental health problems make a new claim for UC within three months, and lose their income if they fail to do so.... See more
Sexting MP has whip restored to help May get over the line
Jack Peat - 12 December 2018
Andrew Griffiths has had the Tory whip restored today as Theresa May frantically looks to get the support she needs to survive tonight’s vote of no confidence.
The Prime Minister will face the vote this evening with results expected to come in at around 9pm tonight.
And she will need all hands on deck if she is to survive.
Andrew Griffiths resigned earlier this year after it was revealed he sent 2,000 texts to two barmaids asking for explicit photos and videos and describing degrading sex acts in crude detail.... See more
Lawyer speaks out over BBC bias against Corbyn as evidence of “coded negative imagery” emerges
Jack Peat - 12 December 2018
One of Britain’s leading barristers has claimed he has evidence of BBC bias against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Jolyon Maugham QC, director of the Good Law Project, took to social media to post the alleged evidence of bias against Corbyn.
He said a senior BBC journalist has told him that the BBC has indulged in showing “coded negative imagery” of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn since his election in 2015.... See more
“Ludicrous” Home Office u-turn on suspension of ‘Golden Visa’ scheme
Joe Mellor - 12 December 2018
The u-turn on suspending the ‘Golden Visa’ scheme feels as if it was snuck in as the Brexit situation became febrile yesterday. Only last week the Government said it would halt the scheme as a sweeping crackdown on financial crime.
The UK’s anti-corruption policy was under scrutiny on Tuesday after the government failed to implement a promise to suspend a widely criticised “golden visa” scheme.... See more
ECJ rules Britain can cancel Brexit as MPs prepare to vote on May’s deal for leaving EU
Jack Peat - 10 December 2018
The European Court of Justice has ruled the UK can cancel Brexit without the permission of the other 27 EU members.
The ruling comes as MPs prepare to vote on Theresa May’s deal for leaving the EU, which is expected to end in a crushing defeat for the beleaguered PM.
It comes after a senior ECJ official – the advocate general – said last week he agreed the UK should be able to change its mind about leaving.... See more
Conservatives abandon Northern Powerhouse as spending gets ploughed into the south
Jack Peat - 05 December 2018
Conservative promises to build a Northern Powerhouse lay in tatters today after new research found spending in the north of England has fallen by £6.3 billion while the south-east and south-west of England have seen an increase of £3.2 billion since 2009-10.
Analysis of official figures by thinktank IPPR North showed that the north of England continued to see bigger cuts in public spending than any other region.
Spending per head in London has increased by twice as much as spending in the north – £326 per head in London, compared with £146 per head in the north – since the launch of George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse initiative in 2014.... See more
For the first time in history MPs vote government in contempt of parliament over hiding full Brexit advice
Ben Gelblum - 04 December 2018
There were extraordinary scenes in the House of Commons as for the first time in history MPs voted to find the Government in contempt of Parliament over its refusal to release its full legal advice on Brexit.
The Government is now set to publish the full text.
Theresa May’s attempts to hide the full legal advice on her Brexit deal despite MPs voting that they should see it avote on the deal were scuppered.
“The government is wilfully refusing to comply with abinding order of this house,” Shadow Brexit Secretary Kier Starmer told MPs in today’s debate... See more
Child poverty statistics declared an “outrage and a scandal”
Jack Peat - 04 December 2018
New statistics that show a third of children are living in poverty have been declared an “outrage and a scandal” by Labour MP David Lammy.
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed half a million more people are “trapped” in poverty than five years ago, with 14 million people living in poverty across the whole of the UK.
Over half of those classed as in poverty are working age adults, alongside 4.1 million are children and 1.9 million are pensioners.... See more
Tory MPs face backlash for Foodbank publicity stunt
Jack Peat - 3 December 2018
Conservative politicians in Scotland have faced a backlash today after a Foodbank publicity stunt backfired.
MPs including Ross Thomson, John Lamount, Kirstene Hair and Luke Graham appeared to use scripted copy to boast about donations they made to an annual food collection organised by supermarkets in conjunction with Trussell Trust.
Stephen Paton, online content editor at The National, tweeted: “If you want to give the impression you’ve spontaneously donated to a food bank, probably best not to mostly copy and paste whatever the Scottish Tory PR office sent”.... See more
