Jeremy Hunt’s anti-foreigner agenda will devastate the NHS October 4, 2016 In the bizarre post-Brexit chaos, there are now increasing voices arguing that in order to curb immigration from the EU we should be willing to give up access to the Single Market. We should be clear that both of these developments would be disastrous for the City, negative for the economy as a whole and a catastrophe [...]
Our infantile political class is failing to appreciate the scale of Britain’s challenges October 4, 2016 A country on the brink of a historic transition. An economy in need of serious, long-term thinking. A wider world that, as ever, remains a work in progress. A swathe of our own population here at home that remains on the margin. These are serious, generation-spanning challenges that require all of us – whether in business, [...]
“No silver bullets” for homebuilding says the housing minister October 4, 2016 Housing minister Gavin Barwell has pushed back on a call to liberalise rules on green belt construction, warning there are "no silver bullets" to the UK's shortfall in homebuilding. Earlier this week, communities secretary Sajid Javid revealed plans for a housing white paper later this year. And Barwell today said the government would pursue a multi-faceted [...]
“No question” government will address the City’s fears over Brexit says David Davis October 4, 2016 Brexit secretary David Davis has vowed to “resolve” fears from the City over the loss of access to European markets in the aftermath of leaving the EU. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Davis said the government was working to minimise risks to the financial services sector. London mayor Sadiq Khan has been [...]
Businesses have reacted horribly to Amber Rudd’s visa crackdown October 4, 2016 Businesses have hit out at the government’s new plans to tighten visa rules for workers who come to the UK from outside the EU. Home secretary Amber Rudd told the Conservative Party Conference earlier today she is considering making it harder for UK businesses to recruit from overseas by introducing a new rigorous test to [...]
IMF steps up attacks on Donald Trump and issues fresh Brexit warning October 4, 2016 Political risks are the greatest threat to the world economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said today, in a thinly veiled attack on US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump. In its half-yearly economic outlook, the Fund downgraded its outlook for the world's largest economies over the next two years and warned a growing backlash against trade, [...]
Brexiteer MP Steve Baker expects the UK to retain almost all of its current trade arrangements with the EU October 4, 2016 The UK should be able to retain “virtually all” of its current trade arrangements with the EU, according to Treasury Select Committee member and Brexit campaigner Steve Baker. Speaking to City A.M. at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Baker said the UK would be boosted by a raft of elections across Europe in the [...]
Man accused of Jo Cox murder refuses to enter pleas October 4, 2016 A not guilty plea has been recorded on behalf the man accused of the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox. Thomas Mair, 53, appeared in the court via a video link from Belmarsh prison and did not respond when asked for his plea on four charges relating to Cox's death in the Old Bailey this morning, [...]
Crispin Blunt says new cannabis and wider drugs legislation could be a task for a Royal Commission October 4, 2016 Former prisons minister and Tory MP Crispin Blunt has said the best way to move ahead with more progressive drugs legislation would be to initiate a Royal Commission on the matter. Blunt told a fringe event about cannabis legalisation at the Conservative party conference last night that doing so would take the debate about changing drugs policy, [...]
Better infrastructure and new houses: Here’s how to invest for a post-Brexit fiscal stimulus October 4, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond used his party conference speech yesterday to tell the public that the government is prepared to take “whatever steps are necessary to protect this economy from turbulence”. Though he gave a nod to his predecessor’s commitment to fiscal consolidation, new spending plans are widely expected when he delivers his first Autumn Statement in [...]