Politicians must tread carefully on M&A intervention February 20, 2017 It is common in business and politics today to talk about "signals". Brexit is either a signal of our desire to cut ourselves off from the world, or a sign that we’re set to become a kind of expansionist high-seas merchant. From immigration to Donald Trump, foreign policy to international aid, perceptions are increasingly being [...]
Oxford University denies plans for a post-Brexit campus in France February 20, 2017 The UK’s oldest university has refuted claims that it is looking to open a campus in France, contrary to reports. The former director at the French ministry for education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, told the Telegraph senior officials had met in Oxford last week to discuss ways in which the university could continue to receive EU funding [...]
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Donald Trump’s Sweden incident comments February 20, 2017 Donald Trump caused confusion over the weekend when he referred to an "incident in Sweden" while talking about previous terrorist attacks in Europe at a rally in Florida on Saturday. The US President told his audience to "look what's happening last night in Sweden" – prompting many to wonder what had occurred but seemingly gone [...]
Lowest earning families have just £95 in savings pot as inequality grows February 20, 2017 Low income families have just £95 in their savings and investments compared to £62,885 among high income families, according to research by Aviva. The news highlights growing inequality in the UK as the savings gap grows by 25 per cent annually, up from £50,072 last year to £62,790 in winter 2016/17. Around one in four [...]
Brits plan to ditch US holidays for Canada and Mexico as the President causes a Trump slump in travel February 20, 2017 Much has been made about the Trump bump on Wall Street, but over in the UK there's been something of a Trump slump when it comes to US travel. So says global flight platform Cheapflights, which has found that just under a third of Brits have been put off holidaying in the US because of President [...]
Founding Fathers 1, populists 0: The US constitution is taming Trump February 20, 2017 “Through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory.” – John Adams to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776, after Congress voted for Independence “Good people don’t go into government.” – Donald Trump Donald Trump’s first month in office ended with a bizarre, rambling press conference that made incompetence into a [...]
We won’t build a Global Britain with the highest taxes on air travel in the world February 20, 2017 The Prime Minister – in her Lancaster House speech last month – set out her vision for Brexit and her goal of “a truly global Britain”. She has been clear that she seeks to lead “a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe” and “a country that goes into the world to build relationships”. [...]
It’s lift off for government plans to bolster UK space sector as new legal powers could soon send scientists into space February 20, 2017 New powers unveiled this week will allow British scientists to fly to the edge of space to conduct medical experiments. UK scientists could research and develop vaccines and antibiotics up in space, which grow differently where there is no gravity. The government said today that the powers will allow the launch of satellites from the [...]
Improved fiscal outlook for the chancellor as he prepares the Spring Budget February 20, 2017 The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is expected to provide some “fiscal cheer” for the chancellor, with a forecast showing greater growth for the economy and lower borrowing costs. According to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club, forecasted GDP figures for 2017 are expected to be revised upwards, from 1.4 per cent to 1.6 or 1.7 [...]
The HS2 cost for taxpayers could top £90bn, warns the TaxPayers’ Alliance February 20, 2017 HS2 costs could top £90bn, if the high-speed rail project follows in the footsteps of other government-managed, large infrastructure projects, according to a think tank. The TaxPayers' Alliance has warned that taxpayers should "take no comfort" in government insistence that HS2 will be delivered on budget, given an "appalling track record". Ministers had said the London 2012 [...]