How are the UK’s business groups reacting to the Brexit white paper? February 2, 2017 Some of the UK's biggest business groups have come out in favour of a Brexit white paper published by the government today, but questions still remain on the rights of EU nationals. The Department for Exiting the European Union published the paper earlier this afternoon, following pressure from MPs to provide more information on Brexit [...]
Why an “imminent” Robin Hood tax is the latest nail in the EU’s coffin February 2, 2017 It is easy to be sceptical when any European Commissioner comes out and says something is imminent – particularly when you consider the ponderous and remote nature of the various institutions that make up the EU. But with Britain no longer having a say, last week’s comments from Commissioner Pierre Moscovici about a financial transaction [...]
Six things we learned from the Brexit white paper February 2, 2017 Theresa May has finally answered the calls of MPs and published a Brexit white paper, today releasing a 77-page document detailing her plan to quit the EU. May previously laid out much of the detail in her landmark address at Lancaster House last month, but what can we glean from all the extra information released today? 1. [...]
Theresa May publishes her Brexit plan in government white paper February 2, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has issued her much-demanded Brexit white paper, less than 24 hours after MPs voted in favour of granting her the power to begin EU divorce proceedings. The government paper was released by the Department for Exiting the European Union earlier today, following repeated calls for the government to expand on May's [...]
John McDonnell says Labour’s frontbench Brexit rebels may not face the sack February 2, 2017 Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said the party's Brexit rebels may be able to serve on the frontbench, despite disobeying direct orders. 13 Labour shadow ministers, including three party whips, voted against the progress of the Article 50 Bill in the House of Commons last night, ignoring instructions from party leader Jeremy Corbyn to [...]
American Airlines has opened its first office in Cuba despite Trump uncertainty February 2, 2017 American Airlines has formally opened its first office in Havana, Cuba, despite uncertainty on US President Donald Trump's approach towards the country. It comes two months after the airline's first scheduled commercial flight from the US to Havana in over 50 years. The airline said the flight and the new office underlined the company's commitment to [...]
As scandal hits the frontrunner for the French presidency Francois Fillon, is this good news for Marine Le Pen? February 2, 2017 Dylan Kissane, a France-based writer and director at The CoSMo Company, says Yes. After five years of mismanagement by Francois Hollande’s Socialist left, the electorate in France is primed for change. Until recently, Francois Fillon seemed to be the natural choice: a known quantity on the centre-right, a devout Catholic, and the man endorsed by [...]
Nimbyism in decline as housing shortage bites February 2, 2017 The construction of new homes is now a top five priority for voters, with increasing numbers of people willing to support housing projects in their local area. A report by the Centre for Policy Studies, a think tank, suggests attitudes to new builds have changed dramatically over the last ten years. Citing a British Social [...]
Top business leaders are getting to work on making British industry digital to boost productivity and jobs February 1, 2017 It's full speed ahead for Britain's digital economy as top business leaders embark on ambitious plans to pull industry into the modern age and position itself at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution. Increasing productivity and creating highly-skilled jobs will be the focus of the ambitious new plan to put digital technology, such as artificial [...]
MPs just voted overwhelmingly to back an Article 50 Bill February 1, 2017 An overwhelming majority of almost 500 MPs have expressed their support for a Bill granting Prime Minister Theresa May the power to begin Brexit negotiations. In the first vote in the House of Commons on the Article 50 Bill, 498 MPs backed the legislation moving to the next stage, where amendments can be tabled. By contrast [...]