6:56 am, March 13, 2023
Gary Lineker and BBC talks ‘moving in the right direction’ – reports
Talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are ‘moving in the right direction’ after the broadcaster’s sports coverage suffered disruption throughout the weekend, the corporation has reported.
There ‘are hopes of a resolution soon, but not all issues are fully resolved at this stage’, BBC news said.
Football coverage on BBC TV and radio shows was hit across the weekend as pundits walked out in ‘solidarity’ with Lineker after the former England player was told to stand down from presenting Match Of The Day when he compared language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.
Hunt vows to be responsible with UK finances ahead of Budget
Jeremy Hunt has said he makes ‘absolutely no apology’ for being responsible with the public finances as he risked angering Tory MPs by playing down the prospect of major tax cuts in Wednesday’s Budget.
The Chancellor has faced pressure from senior Conservatives, including Boris Johnson, for tax cuts in a bid to ignite the UK’s stalling economy, including pausing the planned rise in corporation tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent.
Speaking on Sunday morning broadcast shows, Mr Hunt said: ‘Within the bounds of what is responsible, we will always look to reduce the tax burden.’
Car makers warns UK must ‘step up to compete’ in electric vehicle production
The UK’s ability to compete internationally in electric vehicle (EV) production is at risk, an automotive industry body has claimed.
Urgent action is needed by the Government to respond to ‘fierce competition’ from other countries, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
Cutting energy costs, speeding up funding for green technology projects and expanding free trade agreements are among the measures included in an SMMT blueprint setting out how to encourage EV production.
Weekend’s Car Dealer headlines you might have missed
- Exclusive: Jaguar set to slash number of UK dealers to ‘under 20’ in just TWO YEARS
- Big Mike: So, there were these two Brits speeding in an Italian car in Spain – what could possibly go wrong…?
- Suzuki showroom worker faces jail for offences including having sex with a dog
- Third senior Marshall Motor Group director quits car dealer group since takeover
- Used van prices hit record highs as Ulez extension beckons
Sunak rejects calls for defence spending to increase to three per cent of GDP
Rishi Sunak has rejected pleas to increase defence spending to three per cent of the size of the economy despite acknowledging the growing challenges posed by China and Russia.
The Prime Minister said an updated foreign and security policy would show the UK is ‘ready to stand our ground’ and ‘ensure we are never vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power’.
He promised a further £5bn for defence over this year and next, although significant sums will be swallowed up by replenishing ammunition stockpiles handed to Ukraine and work on the Aukus project to develop nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
Scramble to secure Silicon Valley Bank UK takeover amid fears for tech firms hit
A number of potential buyers are circling the failed lender Silicon Valley Bank UK.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Government was ‘working at pace’ on a plan to prevent affected businesses from going bust, which could involve an emergency private takeover deal.
A survey of 31 venture capital funds, which hold thousands of investments in UK tech and science firms, found that 34 per cent of their portfolio companies – amounting to 336 – have accounts with bank.
Weather outlook…
Today will be a cloudy, windy and wet day, especially in the north and west, although rain will turn to sleet and snow across northern Scotland. The south-east will see some bright spells, the BBC reports.
Tonight will see outbreaks of rain in the south and snow in the north, clearing away to the south east. Northern Scotland will see clear spells and scattered wintry showers move in from the north.
Tomorrow, most will see some sunshine to start, but it will be windy and colder with frequent snow showers in the north and west of the UK. Elsewhere will see a mixture of sunny spells and showers.
