Brexit won’t break Britain’s trading relationships with Europe, study shows January 30, 2017 British businesses will continue to have a strong trading relationship with European customers and suppliers despite the Brexit vote, research to be released today suggests. Of 1,500 business people surveyed, around three quarters currently sell and source goods and services in the EU market, and UK companies will continue to see Europe as a vital trading [...]
The UK could seal its first bilateral free trade deal before 2020 if it pursues the right countries January 30, 2017 Britain could sign off on its first bilateral free trade deal before 2020 if the government prioritises negotiations with South Korea, the US and Brazil, a new report suggests. The UK government should prioritise pursuing trade deals with specific countries based on the potential economic value it would bring to the UK economy as well [...]
Is Ireland Brexit-ready? Inside Dublin’s bid to win financial services power from London January 30, 2017 Riding the airport shuttle bus through Dublin’s financial services centre on a sunny January afternoon, and looking forward to a pint of Guinness at the journey’s end, the prospect of the City of London losing jobs to Ireland doesn’t seem too upsetting. Located to the east of the city on the River Liffey, the financial [...]
No change in interest rates expected by economists ahead of Superthursday January 30, 2017 The Bank of England is set to keep its interest rate at 0.25 per cent this week, economists predict, despite forecasts that inflation is creeping up. The bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) meets ahead of publishing its latest rates decision this Thursday. On the same day, the bank will publish its quarterly inflation report, making [...]
Fever-Tree is branching out as it finds there’s more room to grow January 30, 2017 Posh tonic maker Fever-Tree has a knack for finding holes in the market. More than a decade after founders Tim Warrillow and Charles Rolls launched their first product, an Indian tonic water, the firm is flying. The company’s premium alcohol mixers, including Sicilian lemonade and ginger beer, are sold on and off trade to retailers, [...]
Tech giants are hitting back against Donald Trump’s immigration ban January 30, 2017 Events have moved fast since Theresa May walked hand-in-hand with President Trump outside the White House. Initial reaction to May’s Washington visit was positive: the PM had charmed Congressional Republicans, banged the drum for increased US-UK trade and held a successful press conference with the new President. Hours later, however, as details emerged of America’s [...]
Putin isn’t dangerous because Russia is strong – but because it’s so weak January 30, 2017 “Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking.” – L Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz As a child, I remember being fascinated by the populist allegory The Wizard of Oz. My favourite part of the story – sure to cause me to burst out laughing even when I knew what was coming [...]
The City should welcome apprenticeships to build a higher-skilled economy for all January 30, 2017 The City of London Corporation recently announced its pledge to hire 100 new apprentices. This figure, combined with 17 current positions, will give 117 career-starters a role in the organisation. This echoes Sadiq Khan’s recent calls for more powers to build skills among London’s workforce – and to help keep the capital globally competitive in [...]
Embrace simple taxes and openness to trade to make a long-term success of Brexit January 30, 2017 At her Lancaster House speech this month, Theresa May was good to her word. She set out her 12-point negotiating position for leaving the EU and it was explicit that Brexit does, in fact, mean Brexit. The lady is clearly not for turning. And if the Lancaster House speech was about withdrawing from the current [...]
With reports Barclays has chosen Dublin for its EU HQ, will Ireland be the beneficiary of any City Brexodus? January 30, 2017 Daniel Mahoney, head of economic research at the Centre for Policy Studies, says Yes. Although Theresa May has provided a degree of clarity on the Brexit negotiations, remaining uncertainties mean that financial service firms will, inevitably, seek to implement some restructuring and contingency planning. Ireland is well placed to take advantage of this. Ireland shares [...]