Japanese firms ‘very concerned’ about prospect of no-deal Brexit, warns foreign minister June 27, 2019 Japan’s foreign minister has urged the UK to avoid a no-deal Brexit, admitting that Japanese firms are “very concerned” by the possibility. Taro Kono has warned the Tory leadership hopefuls, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, that a failure to agree on a withdrawal bill will have “very negative” implications for the 1,000 Japanese companies operating [...]
US and China ‘agree tentative trade truce’ ahead of G20 summit June 27, 2019 China and the US have reportedly agreed to a tentative truce in their ongoing trade war, two days before crucial talks at the G20 summit this weekend. Details of the agreement, which would scrap plans for a further round of US tariffs on an additional $300bn (£236bn) of Chinese goods, will be laid out in [...]
UK passes law to slash greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050 June 27, 2019 The UK has enshrined in law a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050, becoming the first major economy to legislate to curb its global warming contribution. That compares with a previous target to slash greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels. Read more: Is there any merit to [...]
Tory leadership race: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt reveal fresh pledges June 27, 2019 Boris Johnson has promised to deliver an Australian-style points-based immigration system as Prime Minister if he wins the Tory leadership race. Johnson vowed to be “tougher on those who abuse our hospitality” and restore the public’s trust in the UK’s immigration system. Read more: Like Boris, Jeremy Hunt should beware of promising spending splurges Meanwhile, [...]
Debate: Is there any merit to Labour’s ‘financial totalitarianism’ plans to tackle climate change? June 27, 2019 Q: Is there any merit to Labour’s ‘financial totalitarianism’ plans to tackle climate change? Yes – Angus Satow is co-founder of Labour for a Green New Deal. The free market is failing us. Despite enjoying free rein following Margaret Thatcher’s deregulation programme, the UK’s financial system has been completely unable to tackle the climate crisis. [...]
A bold pro-business Prime Minister should let Liz Truss shake things up June 27, 2019 There’s another month to go until we have a new Prime Minister, but pro-market Conservatives can already start breathing a sigh of relief. For a start, both contenders for the top job have pledged to cut tax. Jeremy Hunt has promised to cut the rate of Corporation Tax from 19 per cent to 12.5 per [...]
Like Boris, Jeremy Hunt should be wary of promising spending splurges June 27, 2019 Earlier this week, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) performed a useful public service, placing Boris Johnson’s spending proposals under the microscope. The less-than-glowing conclusion was that the plans would be immensely expensive, and have the side-effect of helping wealthy retirees more than current workers. Today, the IFS has done the same favour for rival [...]
Hunt: Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit will put Corbyn in Downing Street June 26, 2019 Boris Johnson’s “do or die” Brexit pledge risks installing Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street, Conservative leadership Jeremy Hunt has warned. The foreign secretary hit back at his rival in the race to be Prime Minister after Johnson made it clear he would take the UK out of the EU with or without a deal on [...]
No-deal Brexit fears have increased, Bank of England governor Mark Carney warns June 26, 2019 Market expectations of a no-deal Brexit have increased over the last few months, Bank of England (BoE) governor Mark Carney warned today. The uncertainty surrounding the UK’s future relationship with the European Union is having a greater impact on businesses than before the original Brexit deadline date of 29 March. Read more: 150,000 firms not [...]
Rory Stewart throws weight behind Hunt in Tory leadership contest June 26, 2019 International development secretary Rory Stewart has confirmed he is backing foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to be the next prime minister. “I’m not a supporter of Boris and I wouldn’t serve in his cabinet, so I’m supporting Jeremy Hunt,” he told the BBC’s Today programme. Read more: Boris Johnson challenges Jeremy Hunt to commit to 31 [...]