Theresa May’s vision-free approach is alienating us all October 2, 2018 An opening day Conservative conference speech by former CBI Director-General Digby Jones might not have been expected to diagnose the Prime Minister’s key weakness. But defending Theresa May’s Brexit approach, the former Labour minister unwittingly exposed the reason that the Prime Minister has alienated much of her party: she is a vision-free zone. Riffing off [...]
British construction growth sags to six-month low October 2, 2018 Output growth from the British construction sector sagged to its lowest level in six months in September as civil engineering projects stalled, according to a closely followed indicator. The construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 52.1 points in September, down from 52.9 in August, according to data firm IHS Markit. Civil engineering output, such [...]
Sterling finds strength from higher UK manufacturing growth October 1, 2018 Sterling climbed on the back of stronger UK manufacturing growth this morning. The pound was up 0.1 per cent against the US dollar at 1.304 and close to 0.4 per cent compared to the euro at 1.125. Read more: British manufacturing output growth weakens as exports slow Manufacturing posted a “mild” improvement in output at [...]
The longevity dividend: How to make the most of our ageing society October 1, 2018 It is well known that the UK is ageing. In 1976, only 14 per cent of the population was aged over 65, today it is 18 per cent, and in 2036 it is estimated to be 25 per cent. Over the same period, the median age is expected to rise from 34 to 43. The [...]
War of words: Former Brexit minister brands CBI a ‘grave menace to political stability’ in damning attack September 30, 2018 A former Brexit minister and leading Tory backbencher has launched a remarkable and scathing attack on Britain’s largest business lobby group today, branding the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) “a grave menace to the political stability and economic prospects of the UK”. In a hard-hitting article that claims the CBI is no longer the voice of [...]
Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier puts himself out of contention for EU presidency September 28, 2018 The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has put himself out of the running to become the centre-right's candidate to replace departing Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. Barnier's announcement ends a protracted period of speculation suggesting that he would throw his hat into the ring for the role of Spitzenkandidat in the [...]
GDP: Half-year growth hits slowest rate since 2011 as business investment slides September 28, 2018 The UK economy grew by 0.5 per cent in the second half of this year, marking the weakest six-monthly growth in seven years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) findings on gross domestic product (GDP) today show that the underlying trend is “still one of slowing real GDP growth”, with the UK economy growing [...]
Expectations have been set too low – let’s go for the free trade deal Britain deserves September 28, 2018 The Brexit debate has soured on both sides of the aisle. Remainers are hunkering down in their calls for a second referendum, while Leavers – who were not so long ago standing side-by-side to push the vote over the line in their favour – are now subject to infighting over the specific deal that [...]
DEBATE: Would the energy market benefit from Corbyn’s proposed wind turbines and renewable subsidies? September 28, 2018 Would the energy market benefit from Corbyn’s proposed wind turbines and renewable subsidies? Alan Lockey, head of research at Demos, says YES. First, let’s dispense with the notion that it’s a choice between unsubsidised fossil fuels and subsidised renewables: the global energy “market” is all subsidised. In fact, research by the International Energy Association [...]
DEBATE: Is Labour looking more like a credible government-in-waiting after this year’s conference? September 27, 2018 Is Labour looking more like a credible government-in-waiting after this year’s conference? Finn McRedmond, staff writer at Reaction, says YES. In his keynote speech yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn said to Jim O’Neill, former Tory minister and Goldman Sachs economist: “You’re welcome, come and join us in the new political mainstream.” This was the pervasive sentiment: [...]