Eric Pickles
If Eric Pickles is cutting the town hall rich list, here are the Tories to talk to
Eric Pickles is a driven man on a mission to slash spending and waste in local government. As the latest round of budget cuts just enacted highlights, Pickles has managed… Continue reading
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Budget 2013: New ‘Help to Buy’ plan is a boost for Eric Pickles
One of the big measures in today’s Budget was the Help to Buy scheme. It answers two demands: the first for the Tories to continue to support home ownership as… Continue reading
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Eric Pickles in Eastleigh: Lib Dems are holding Tories back
All the evidence is pointing to a Lib Dem win in Eastleigh, but those Tories visiting are continuing to fight to the bitter end. Eric Pickles was down there today,… Continue reading
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Shapps aide delivers next blow in BBC cuts row
Eric Pickles has been at war with the BBC over the way it reports council cuts for a while now. But today the battle took on a new front following… Continue reading
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Eric Pickles ‘does God’, but does the government really agree?
Personally, I don’t wear a cross, on the basis that I’m not much of an advertisement for Christianity and I’d risk diminishing the brand. But for Eric Pickles, Communities Secretary,… Continue reading
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Home Office won’t produce estimate of number of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants
Eric Pickles says he’s waiting for figures on how many Romanians and Bulgarians are expected to come to the UK when transitional controls on their freedom of movement expire on… Continue reading
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Pickles refuses to disclose government number of Romanians and Bulgarians set to come to UK
The Europe debate is raging in the Sunday papers ahead of Cameron’s speech on the matter. There’s mounting concern among Tory Cabinet Ministers that the speech will not go far… Continue reading
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Eric Pickles and the looming Tory split over the ECHR
Eric Pickles is one of the few characters in contemporary British politics. In an interview with The Spectator this week, he chides Vince Cable for not deregulating enough, admits that… Continue reading
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‘Muscular’ Pickles pleases MPs on green belt
Eric Pickles delivered his statement on housebuilding with the adoring gaze of new planning minister Nick Boles fixed on him throughout. Boles was leaning forward eagerly, drinking in every word… Continue reading
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CLG vs National Trust, round 2
Now that David Cameron has jumped on board the Treasury bandwagon in wanting to revise the National Planning Policy Framework, it’s looking like the Communities and Local Government department is… Continue reading
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Pickles struggles for an answer on growth
The government is desperate for economic growth but where can it find it? This was the question posed to Eric Pickles on the Sunday Politics today, but sadly he was… Continue reading
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What would count as a success for Labour?
In today’s English council elections, there’s no doubt that Labour will do better than in 2008 — the last time most of these seats were contested. Experts Colin Rallings and… Continue reading
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Vince puts his aggressive hat on
Ever since Chris Huhne’s departure from government, Vince Cable has become a more and more aggressive coalition figure. His deliberately provocative interview with The Guardian in which this Keynesian, corporatist… Continue reading
29 CommentsFox in the clear?
Liam Fox demonstrated today why he’ll be staying in Cabinet. He’s a tough, eloquent and effective Commons performer who does not fall to pieces when the going gets tough. George… Continue reading
26 CommentsOsborne, the caring chancellor
George Osborne is pursuing the Tesco strategy: every little helps. In his conference speech today, he will announce that he has found £805 million to freeze council tax next year,… Continue reading
10 CommentsOsborne mulling child benefit u-turn
Eric Pickles makes no bones that his bin policy is aimed at Middle Britain, and the Tories may soon announce more measures to butter up that vital electoral constituency. The… Continue reading
17 CommentsEric’ll fix it
The papers report that Eric Pickles has beaten Caroline Spelman: bins will be collected on a weekly basis. Back in June, James reported how the DCLG and DEFRA were opposed… Continue reading
22 CommentsPickles to take charge of dealing with Britain’s 120,000 "problem families"
I understand that following a meeting in Downing Street this morning, Eric Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, has been put in charge of dealing with Britain’s 120,000 "problem… Continue reading
31 CommentsOsborne and Pickles defiant on planning reform
George Osborne and Eric Pickles’ joint op-ed in the Financial Times on planning reform is meant to send the message that the coalition won’t back down on the issue. They… Continue reading
36 CommentsPickles rebuffs calls for new taxes
Anyone looking for a good blast of common sense on a Saturday morning should read Eric Pickles’ interview in the Telegraph. In it, he responds to much of the kite-flying by… Continue reading
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