Steven Mnuchin confirmed as US treasury secretary February 14, 2017 Donald Trump’s pick for US treasury secretary has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee in a vote that divided strictly along party lines. Mnuchin’s nomination was beset by attacks from Democrats and centred on the foreclosure record of OneWest, a bank where Mnuchin acted as CEO. The Democratic senator, Elizabeth Warren, accused Mnuchin of [...]
Philip Hammond wants the “best and brightest” of the private sector to work with Britain’s cyber spooks February 14, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond is to call on the private sector to help Britain's spooks battle cyber attacks. Speaking at the launch of the UK's new National Cyber Security Centre, Hammond will unveil a new scheme inviting industry to dispatch their “best and brightest” personnel to be embedded in the anti-hacking operation to collaborate in tackling [...]
Many City bosses disapprove of Trump’s presidency, but would be happy to see Dodd-Frank reformed February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has finally appointed a Treasury Secretary, with former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin confirmed by the Senate last night. Mnuchin joins former Goldman Sachs number two Gary Cohn who has been filling the vacuum since becoming Trump’s head of the National Economic Council, and is believed to have already exerted broad influence [...]
Canadian PM Trudeau promises not to “lecture” the US over Trump’s travel ban February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has shared an occasionally tense first encounter with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with both men largely avoiding their differences on immigration. Trudeau has made it clear he opposes Trump's attempted bans on Syrian refugees and migration for passport holders from seven predominantly Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. However, the [...]
Finnish foreign minister vows to fight for “a good deal” between the UK and Europe after Davis talks February 13, 2017 Finland's foreign minister has vowed to push for “a good deal” between the UK and the EU after talks with Brexit secretary David Davis. Davis met Timo Soini in Helsinki at the start of a two-day trip to the Nordic region, and Soini called for "constructive" talks with the UK. “We are hoping, of course all of us, [...]
The MP trying to unseat House of Commons speaker John Bercow claims he has support from government ministers February 13, 2017 The Tory MP behind a motion of no confidence in John Bercow claims he has secured cross party support for his bid to unseat the House of Commons speaker, with government ministers also on board. Southend MP James Duddridge put forward an Early Day Motion late last week following Bercow's intervention over Donald Trump. And today, Duddridge [...]
London’s lord mayor is the latest to lead a trade mission to China February 13, 2017 The City of London's lord mayor, Andrew Parmley, will follow closely in the footsteps of government ministers by leading a trade delegation to China later this month. Foreign office minister Alok Sharma began a four-day trip leading a delegation of life sciences firms earlier this week as the government seeks to boost ties with China, and Parmley will [...]
Early signs suggest there’s already been a fall in supply of EU nationals – contributing to UK skills and labour shortages February 13, 2017 Sectors employing a high number of EU nationals are starting to feel the pinch as uncertainty lingers over future prospects. According to the CIPD and Adecco’s Labour Market Outlook, while the short-term outlook for employment remains strong, skills and labour shortages are starting to become evident in sectors employing a raft of EU nationals. Despite [...]
Blame France’s incompetent and corrupt elite for the rise of Marine Le Pen February 13, 2017 “Apres moi, le deluge.” (After me comes the flood) – Louis XV Say what you will, Francois Fillon, the disgraced former frontrunner in the upcoming French presidential elections, is no Professor Moriarty. As the investigative journal Canard Enchaine reports, Fillon paid his wife Penelope over €800,000 for work as a political assistant it is unclear whether [...]
We should roll back the barriers to growth post-Brexit – not employment rights February 13, 2017 For years, some of the people I’ve encountered on the Westminster circuit have argued that one of the principal reasons for the UK to leave the EU is employment law. For this hardy bunch, and their tight circle of business supporters, rolling back employment legislation always seemed to be the answer to everything that ails Britain. [...]