Now two of the government’s most senior figures have hinted the UK will continue EU contributions after Brexit December 1, 2016 Signs are increasing that the UK may continue making contributions to the EU after Brexit, after two of the government's most senior figures refused to rule it out. Brexit secretary David Davis said the UK “would consider” contributions aiding the UK in securing the best possible Single Market access. His comments were later echoed by chancellor [...]
UK immigration reached 650,000, its highest levels ever, in the year before the Brexit vote, but cuts to immigration could harm the public finances December 1, 2016 Immigration to the UK reached 650,000, the highest level estimate ever recorded, in the year before the Brexit vote, but influential economists have warned that attempts to reduce net migration could harm Britain’s public finances and even result in higher taxes. European Union immigration also reached its highest ever level, at 284,000, an increase of [...]
Pound shoots up as Davis says UK could pay for single market access December 1, 2016 The British pound rose sharply to break $1.26 after Brexit secretary David Davis said in a speech the UK may continue to pay money into the European Union budget in order to preserve Single Market access. The pound/dollar spot exchange rate had opened the day at $1.2506, but rose sharply this morning to reach intraday highs [...]
Andrew Tyrie is demanding an investigation of Nissan’s talks with Downing Street December 1, 2016 The chair of a senior parliamentary watchdog is demanding an investigation into Downing Street's talks with Nissan. The Prime Minister hosted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn in October ahead of the decision by the automaker to continue to manufacture its new Qashqai in Sunderland. Ministers have since denied that any special offer was made to the firm [...]
Tony Blair just said he’s not returning to the front line of politics December 1, 2016 The rumour mill has been working at full force in recent weeks after former PM Tony Blair said he was returning to British politics (adding that Jeremy Corbyn is a "nutter"). But today Blair categorically stated that the meetings are "not about my returning to the front line of politics". "I have made it abundantly [...]
Brexit secretary: UK would consider paying EU for Single Market access December 1, 2016 Brexit secretary David Davis has revealed that the UK is prepared to consider paying to the European Union to secure terms on Single Market access. Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Davis was asked by Labour Caerphilly MP Wayne David whether the government would consider making “any contribution in any shape or form” [...]
Donald Trump hands top job at commerce department to Bank of Cyprus vice-chairman December 1, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump has appointed the vice-chairman of soon-to-be London-listed Bank of Cyprus as his secretary of commerce. Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross was a key Trump ally during his bid for the White House. Similar to the President-elect, he has criticised the North American Free Trade Agreement and blamed China's entry into the World Trade Organisation in 2001 [...]
Chris Grayling has called TfL’s Heathrow expansion cost estimates “ludicrous” December 1, 2016 Chris Grayling has called Transport for London's (TfL) predicted costs for improving road and rail links for the Heathrow expansion "ludicrous". Giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on Heathrow's third runway, the transport secretary discussed warnings from TfL that making such improvements could cost up to £20bn. The Airports Commission has estimated surface infrastructure changes [...]
Cherie Blair says there’s a “backlash” against women after Hillary Clinton loses US presidential election December 1, 2016 Cherie Blair has said there's a backlash against women in politics. Speaking on BBC's Newsnight, Blair was asked about the so-called "golden moment" where Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel and Theresa May looked as if they were going to make up three of the G7 leaders at the same time. But Hillary Clinton then lost the US [...]
Bizarre by-election enters final straight December 1, 2016 Richmond's by-election has become rather surreal in the last couple of days. On Wednesday night Zac Goldsmith turned up to a crucial hustings an hour late, blaming the delay on a close encounter with a car driven by one of his own supporters (the vehicle clipped his leg and tore his trousers, Goldsmith told a [...]