Treasury spokesman for the party, Robert Jenrick, said the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – which mirrors EU legislation and was adopted as domestic law after Brexit – had “strangled” tech firms and small enterprises.
Under new proposals, the framework would be replaced by rules modelled on New Zealand’s privacy legislation, which is seen as more lenient, the party said.
Mr Jenrick outlined the pro-business pitch this morning, including a pledge to widen a tax-relief scheme for investors in small businesses in the UK to allow relatives to claim advantages more easily.
Mr Jenrick said the GDPR had “strangled small businesses and tech firms alike in a web of unnecessary regulation”.
“Ten years after the Brexit referendum, we should not still be following ridiculous EU privacy laws that hurt British businesses”, he added.
Reform said it would change the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme to ensure parents and grandparents can put up to £250,000 into their child or grandchild’s small business, and receive an income tax rebate of 50 per cent and exemption from capital gains tax if they hold the investment for three years.
The party has also announced promises to reverse the rise in employer national insurance contributions and changes to inheritance tax on farms, while introducing a “hard work bonus” that scraps income tax on overtime.
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John Swinney ‘surprised’ Andy Burnham will bypass Scotland in ‘cost of living tour’
John Swinney said Scottish voters were ‘entitled’ to choose the direction of their country’s constitutional future | GETTYScotland’s First Minister has said he is “surprised” the Prime Minister will not be bringing his UK tour to Scotland.
It is understood Andy Burnham will not be coming to Scotland as he tours the country talking to people about the cost of living.
Speaking to reporters, John Swinney said: “I’m surprised the Prime Minister’s decided not to come to Scotland as part of his listening tour.
“But I think if he did come to Scotland, people would be wanting to say to him that that they’re deeply concerned about the fact that his Government has failed to live up to the Labour election promise to cut fuel bills by £300 because, as a consequence of the price cap announcements today, bills are now £250 higher than when Labour came to office.
“Labour have totally failed to cut energy bills as they promised.
“And in an energy-rich country like Scotland, what that says to me is that Scotland’s energy has got to be in Scotland’s hands, so that we can reduce fuel bills and use the energy wealth of Scotland to support consumers in our country.”
William Clouston resigns as leader of the SDP
The former leader of the SDP confirmed the move on X: “I have resigned as leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Thanks to all that have given me support, trust and kindness since 2018”.
In an attached letter, the politician described his tenure as “truly the greatest political honour in my life.”
Lib Dems call for tougher crackdown on burglary as polling shows Labour ‘too soft’ on crime
Sir Ed Davey said the thought of waiting more than 12 hours in A&E was previously ‘unthinkable’ | PAPolice officers would be forced to attend every burglary under legislation pitched by the Liberal Democrats, who criticised the police for solving too few burglaries.
The party says more than 160,000 burglaries went unsolved in England and Wales over the past year, according to their own analysis.
They have also suggested analysis of Home Office figures shows that only 6 per cent of burglary cases resulted in a charge, while the Metropolitan Police failed to identify a suspect in four out of every five cases.
Jess Brown-Fuller, the Lib Dem’s justice spokeswoman, said: “It’s frankly appalling that the government has failed to get a grip on this, many will be left worrying that if their property is burgled, the chances are the criminal responsible will never face justice.
“The PM needs to sort this issue out now with a serious crackdown on burglaries. Liberal Democrats would urgently push forward legislation to guarantee that every single burglary is properly investigated.”
Polling carried out by YouGov in recent days found around 47 per cent of people believe Labour’s approach to crime and punishment is too soft, while only 3 per cent said they believe the party is too harsh.
Robert Jenrick says Kemi Badenoch is living ‘in a fantasy of her own making’ amid ‘unite the right’ turmoil
Kemi Badenoch is living “in a fantasy of her own making”, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman has said.
Robert Jenrick hit out at the Conservative leader, suggesting she was lying over claims Giorgia Meloni had warned her not to do a deal with Reform.
Speaking at a press conference in London, he said: “My advice, if you go and visit a foreign leader, is don’t make up a pack of lies about what they say. That’s clearly going to hurt your relationship.
“I have meetings with people, Nigel (Farage) has meetings with leaders around the world, and he keeps those conversations private. That’s the way to do things. That’s the way you conduct yourself.
“As regards Kemi, we could tell she was making it up – that’s what she’s like, she lives in a fantasy of her own making.”
Reform unveils £30 tax credit for Britons stuck on the phone to HMRC for over 30 minutes
Reform UK has announced plans to introduce a tax credit for Britons who are left waiting on the phone to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for more than 30 minutes.
Earlier this morning, the party’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick confirmed those affected will receive a £30 tax credit at the end of the tax year if Reform wins power.
To ensure the tax authority meets its targets, Reform will link the pay of senior HMRC officials to their customer service performance.
Notably, if senior officials fail to make progress on waiting times, they will be fired.