Culture minister Matt Hancock confirms Sky-Fox deal can proceed as long as Sky News is divested June 5, 2018 Culture secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that the Sky-Fox merger can go ahead, as long as Sky News is divested to Disney or another firm. If an "acceptable form of remedy" can be found, the minister said he would wave it through. Hancock said he agreed with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that there [...]
Government slammed for “shameful” one day debate on key Brexit bill June 4, 2018 The government has been slammed for scheduling less than a day to debate and vote on all the amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill. A leaked letter from chief whip Julian Smith revealed that the bill will return to the Commons for a series of crunch votes on 12 June. The legislation suffered 15 defeats [...]
Doubts grow over the UK’s preferred post-Brexit model for financial services June 4, 2018 The government's preferred post-Brexit trading model for the City remains uncertain amid growing concerns that Brussels is not prepared to compromise. Mutual recognition, the post-Brexit system heavily promoted by the financial services sector as well as Whitehall, has failed to win the support of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. One Square Mile source familiar with [...]
Exclusive: Doubts grow over UK’s preferred post-Brexit model for City June 3, 2018 Uncertainty is growing over the City's preferred post-Brexit trading model for financial services, amid growing concerns that Brussels is not prepared to compromise. Mutual recognition, the post-Brexit system heavily promoted by the financial services sector as well as Whitehall, has failed to win the support of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. One Square Mile source familiar with [...]
Exclusive: Cabinet ministers poised to back max fac customs option as Irish border solution breaks Brexit deadlock June 1, 2018 Ministers charged with determining the UK’s position on post-Brexit customs are poised to argue for a modified version of the “max fac” option, after making a breakthrough on the Irish border issue, City A.M. understands. For nearly a month, Cabinet ministers have been analysing the two options – the new customs partnership, or NCP, initially [...]
Exclusive: Cabinet ministers poised to back max fac customs option as Irish border solution breaks Brexit deadlock May 31, 2018 Ministers charged with determining the UK’s position on post-Brexit customs are poised to argue for a modified version of the “max fac” option, after making a breakthrough on the Irish border issue, City A.M. understands. For nearly a month, Cabinet ministers have been analysing the two options – the new customs partnership, or NCP, initially [...]
Donald Tusk slaps down EU commissioner after Italy comments May 29, 2018 European Council President Donald Tusk has slapped down one of the bloc's commissioners for suggesting that Italian voters may be pressured into changing their minds by market movements. Markets across Europe were in flux today, with the so-called fear index the Vix up 17 per cent on the back of political uncertainty unfolding in Italy [...]
What Italy’s political situation means for Brexit May 29, 2018 The chaotic political situation in Italy is putting the country's membership of the euro front and centre – and with it, the longer term question of the European Union. Over the weekend, unelected former IMF official Carlo Cottarelli — dubbed “Mr. Scissors” because of his support for austerity — was named interim Prime Minister. President [...]
Momentum activists urge Labour leadership to give members a vote on Brexit May 28, 2018 Members of leftwing pressure group Momentum are pushing for a vote on Brexit at the Labour party's annual conference in September. Senior figures of Labour's vanguard were quoted in the Observer saying it would be "unacceptable" for members not to have a say on Brexit, especially since a key part of Jeremy Corbyn's winning manifesto [...]
Jacob Rees-Mogg priced out of Mayfair, has to ‘settle’ for house in Westminster. May 28, 2018 Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has admitted to being priced out of Mayfair after he recently moved his family home to Cowley Street in Westminster. Addressing speculation that the move was prompted by his ambition to become Prime Minister, and therefore live closer to Parliament, Rees-Mogg told ITV that it was simply a matter of personal [...]