MPs ‘seriously concerned’ that British businesses are not ready for Brexit October 23, 2020 The Treasury Committee has written to chancellor Rishi Sunak to express “serious concerns” that an eleventh-hour trade deal with the EU would not give businesses enough time to prepare for Brexit. The select committee said it was left with a “significant number of outstanding questions and issues”, following an evidence session around the UK’s preparedness [...]
Over 1m people from Hong Kong could come to UK under new visa rules October 23, 2020 More than 1m people from Hong Kong could emigrate to the UK in the next five years under new visa arrangements, according to official estimates. Plans were set out to allow British National (Overseas) (BNO) citizens and their families who live in Hong Kong to apply for visas and live and work in the UK. [...]
UK signs £15bn free trade deal with Japan October 23, 2020 Britain has officially signed a trade deal with Japan, marking a major milestone in Brexit negotiations as the UK secured its first agreement as an independent trading nation. The British embassy in Tokyo today announced it has formed the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was agreed in principle last month. The government said [...]
Entrepreneurs don’t want Rishi’s restaurant handouts — they want to be allowed to do their jobs October 23, 2020 The Conversative Father Christmas — Rishi Sunak, to you and me — has visited once again. In a better-late-than-never display of magnanimity, the chancellor has finally realised that conditions in Tier 2 Covid areas — which now cover 26.7 million people — make operating impossible for thousands of businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. Whereas [...]
The US Election countdown – don’t just brace for volatility. Trade it October 23, 2020 | City Talk If 2020 hasn’t been turbulent enough already, the US election is well and truly underway. As the future of the country’s leadership remains uncertain, financial markets are braced for further volatility. The “strength of the U.S. dollar” is a popular topic within the campaign messaging of both candidates this year. Ultimately, that strength is based [...]
Boris Johnson on the backfoot on local government rows, funding delays October 22, 2020 Boris Johnson has been forced to defend the government’s efforts in providing support for businesses under new Covid restrictions and its dealings with regional governments. Rishi Sunak was forced today to extend its support for businesses under Tier 2 restrictions, with more than £10bn spent to support the private sector. Businesses will only need to [...]
Whisky, stilton and pork pies to be protected in post-Brexit food regulations October 22, 2020 The government today set out new legislation to guarantee the authenticity and origin of traditional British foods such as stilton, pork pies and Scotch whisky at the end of the Brexit transition period. Negotiations between the UK and EU are still ongoing, with time running thin for a trade deal with the bloc before Britain [...]
Businesses welcome Sunak’s change of tack but say many still ‘left behind’ October 22, 2020 Business groups have praised Rishi Sunak’s change of course on his winter economic support package, which the chancellor has made more generous to employers hit by Tier 2 restrictions. Yet organisations said there was a lack of support for companies further down supply chains, for freelancers and for many self-employed people. Addressing Parliament today, Sunak [...]
Rishi Sunak extends support to businesses facing Tier 2 restrictions October 22, 2020 The government has expanded its job support scheme for businesses facing Tier 2 restrictions, with Rishi Sunak announcing that the government will pay significantly more of companies’ wage bills under the new post-furlough scheme. Businesses will only need to pay five per cent of workers’ unworked hours under the new part-time Jobs Support Scheme instead [...]
Donald Trump and Barack Obama lash out at each other in rival election rallies October 22, 2020 Barack Obama and Donald Trump have mounted vicious attacks on each other last night at opposing rallies as polling day draws closer. Obama, who was speaking at a Joe Biden drive-in rally in Philadelphia, called Trump a “crazy uncle”, a peddler of conspiracy theories and someone who is eroding democracy in the US. The President, [...]