New harsh rules on house building, UK warns Trump over ‘trade war’, and more trending news

Theresa May is cracking the whip on builders and councils in an attempt to kick-start more housebuilding. In a speech today, the Prime Minister announced a raft of reforms, including placing penalties on councils that fail to hit house building targets. When deciding on who to award planning permission to, councils will be able to take a developer’s history into account – favouring those with a proven record of actually getting on and building houses, rather than those who receive planning permission then “just sit on land and watch its value rise”.

Britain has warned the US against pursuing the same protectionist policies the UK itself adopted in the 1960s and 70s, as fears grow of a trade war. In a call between Theresa May and Donald Trump yesterday, May expressed her “deep concern” about the policy, which would see a hefty US tariff placed on steel and aluminium imports. May’s deputy David Lidington said “trade wars don’t do anybody any good” and likened it to Britain’s own policy last century of protecting the local car industry. Trump earlier tweeted: “Trade wars are good, and easy to win.”

Only 8% of small businesses in the UK are prepared for strict new privacy laws that come into effect in May. Around 20% are completely unaware of the existence of the incoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), according to research from the Federation of Small Business. GDPR will force firms to step up their protection of personal data, and make it easier for citizens to check what information corporations and governments are holding about them. Fines for the more serious breaches would start at ￡17m.

In another blow to the EU, Italy has backed eurosceptic parties in its national election. In early polling results – which watchers were quick to caution were less than reliable – a majority of Italians backed parties that wanted to create distance from the EU, the Financial Times (paywall) reports. The anti-establishment 5 Star Movement and the anti-immigration Northern League polled strongly, while the ruling Democratic party slid dramatically in the polls. Disgraced former leader Silvio Berlusconi’s party had a strong outing. No party immediately claimed a clear majority.

Gary Oldman has won the best actor award at the Oscars for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. The 59-year-old actor staved off competition from fellow British nominees Daniel Kaluuya and Daniel Day-Lewis for the coveted prize. Among other highlights: The Shape of Water took the Oscar for best picture, Jordan Peele became the first African American to win for original screenplay, and actress Frances McDormand asked every female nominee to stand during her acceptance speech for best actress. Here's the full list of winners.

Idea of the Day: After more than 100 years of International Womens' Days, it’s clear that there’s so much more work to be done, writes Prof Jonathan A.J. Wilson PhD.

“Power is not in the hands of women and it is rarely given to outsiders without a struggle. Without power, influence and change are short-lived and incremental. Therefore, what can be done to wrestle power back, rewrite the wrongs and do right?”

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— Nicolette Logue and Emily Spaven / Share this using #DailyRundown