CBI chief calls Labour’s approach to business more ‘command and control than partnership’ November 19, 2018 The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has accused Jeremy Corbyn of offering a "command and control" approach to business rather than partnership after the Labour leader addressed its annual conference earlier today. CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn said firms had made an offer to Labour to work with business to create a "truly competitive and fair country". [...]
McLaren boss backs May’s Brexit plan, saying no deal is ‘not an option’ for businesses November 19, 2018 The boss of car manufacturer McLaren has backed Theresa May’s draft Brexit agreement, saying crashing out of the European Union without a deal is “not an option” for British industry. Mike Flewitt said May’s withdrawal agreement, which the Prime Minister is currently trying to sell to her MPs, would “provide urgently-needed certainty and an implementation period [...]
Theresa May wants UK to be out of EU transition period before general election in 2022 November 19, 2018 Theresa May has reaffirmed her commitment to taking the UK out of the EU transition period in time for the next scheduled general election in 2022. Delivering a keynote speech at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), May hinted that she would not let the transition period extend until the end of 2022. The pound slipped [...]
Dropping ‘mansize’ from Kleenex boxes is a good move, but won’t solve gender inequality November 19, 2018 Last month, Kleenex finally scrapped the use of the word “mansize” from its branding after 60 years on the shelves. The decision sees the world-famous tissue brand become the latest in a long line of well-known names to distance itself from gender-specific marketing. In recent decades, Yorkie’s “it’s not for girls”, Snickers’ “get some nuts”, [...]
Cyber committee urges government to do more to combat security risks November 19, 2018 The UK government is in dire need of political direction on responding to national cyber security threats, as current efforts have left the country's infrastructure and businesses "wholly" unprepared for another attack. The joint committee on the national security security strategy warned today that the UK's critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, health services and water, face a [...]
Business secretary says extending Brexit transition period is an option November 19, 2018 Business secretary Greg Clark said today that extending the UK’s transition out of the EU to 2022 was an “option”. Speaking to the BBC, Clark said there could be a parliamentary vote on extending the transition period out of the EU. Yesterday the EU’s lead Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier proposed extending the UK’s transition out [...]
CBI prepares to call on MPs to avoid no-deal Brexit ‘wrecking ball’ November 19, 2018 The CBI will call upon MPs today to back the Prime Minister’s draft withdrawal agreement and avoid hitting the British economy with the “wrecking ball” of a no-deal Brexit. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference in front of more than 1,500 business leaders, CBI president John Allan is expected to ask politicians to consider the [...]
After last week’s evictions, what next for Big Brother: Brexit edition? November 19, 2018 How could they do it? After 18 years on UK television, Channel 5 has waved goodbye to hit show Big Brother. But fear not, the fun format has been reborn. And it’s no mere house this time, it’s a palace – the Palace of Westminster. If the pilot is anything to go by, this one [...]
Business confidence falls to nine-year low amid political uncertainty over Brexit November 19, 2018 Morale among businesses is at its lowest since the aftermath of the financial crisis, according to a new survey out today. Political uncertainty surrounding Brexit weighed down on hiring and investment plans in the manufacturing and services sectors, data firm IHS Markit’s latest quarterly report found, pushing business confidence down to its lowest level since [...]
May will need Brussels to help her sell the deal November 18, 2018 Brexit has shattered the normal rules of politics. Theresa May has suffered twenty-two ministerial resignations since becoming Prime Minister, and while not all of them have been Brexit related it would have been difficult to remain in office had so much support dripped away under other circumstances. Last week should have finished her off, with [...]