Let Nicola Sturgeon have her referendum – and find out that a Hard Brexit is better than a Hard Independence October 17, 2016 It could not have been staged better. Like a general on the battlefield making a final appeal to her troops, Nicola Sturgeon’s use of the SNP’s annual conference to announce the publication of a draft bill to pave the way for Indy Ref Two could not be matched. The legions cheered, ready to go over the top [...]
Half of London businesses say it’s time to look again at the Green Belt for housing October 17, 2016 Almost half of London's business leaders say the government must re-evaluate the use of Green Belt land for housing. In a new survey commissioned by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 47 per cent of the city's business decision makers said poor quality Green Belt land could be used to foster new development. The [...]
The British Chambers of Commerce has revealed its Autumn Statement wish list October 17, 2016 British businesses are calling on chancellor Philip Hammond to unveil a raft of pro-entreprise policies in the Autumn Statement next month. Hammond will make his debut at a fiscal event on 23 November, and has already mooted using the event as a “reset” of the UK's fiscal policy, moving the government away from the stance of [...]
The UK is facing a “cliff edge” on food prices, according to Nick Clegg October 17, 2016 UK food prices could spike dramatically if the UK quits the Single Market, according to former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. Clegg, now the EU spokesman for the Lib Dems, says British shoppers will face dramatically increased bills if the UK reverts to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules after Brexit. The UK currently exports £11bn worth of agricultural products to [...]
Donald Trump stomps all over Mike Pence’s attempts to soften his claims that the US election is rigged October 16, 2016 Donald Trump is probably giving his running mate Mike Pence quite the headache. Pence had been trying to dampen Trump's latest incendiary comments about a "rigged" election, saying Trump was just referring to media bias, and emphasising they would "absolutely accept the result of the election". Read more: In quotes: The most shocking moments from [...]
Theresa May will this week chair the cabinet committee on airport expansion, with Heathrow the favourite to secure a new runway October 16, 2016 Top Tories will meet this week to mull a final verdict on airport expansion, with Heathrow considered the favourite to get the green light. Theresa May's cabinet committee on airport expansion meets on Tuesday, with a decision on how to expand aviation capacity expected to emerge within days. That verdict is then expected to be [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond is to host Chinese officials for November talks on future ties with the UK October 16, 2016 Philip Hammond is set to host senior Chinese officials for trade talks next month, as the UK seeks to build ties with non-EU trade partners. The talks will be the latest in a series of annual summits between the UK and China, and comes after George Osborne last year travelled to the Far East. Senior [...]
Attorney General set to speak in Article 50 case tomorrow October 16, 2016 Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC is due to lay out the government's argument in the Article 50 case tomorrow. The case, which started in the High Court last Thursday, has been brought to decide whether an Act of Parliament needs to be in place before government triggers Article 50. However, lawyers for government are expected [...]
A second vote on Scottish independence is “highly likely” before 2020 October 16, 2016 Get the date in your diary and start making plans (whether it's to make sure you're around to vote, or to escape the whole thing) – another vote on Scottish independence is "highly likely" before 2020. That means within the next three years, Scotland could be heading to the polls for a second time, according to [...]
Theresa May’s heading on her first international trade mission October 16, 2016 Theresa May is heading to India to russle up business ties with the country in her first international trade mission as Prime Minister in a bid to boost the economy after Brexit. A number of deals are expected to be signed on the visit which will take place at the start of November and May will meet with [...]