The European Parliament has appointed Guy Verhofstadt as its representative on Brexit matters September 8, 2016 Influential MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been appointed as the European Parliament's (EP) point man for Brexit negotiations. Verhofstadt will keep the Conference of Presidents (comprising the EP president and group leaders) fully informed of developments and will help prepare the EP position in the negotiations, in close consultation with the Conference of Presidents. The former Belgian Prime Minister said [...]
UK sets up new trade group with India to prepare for future deal following Brexit September 8, 2016 Britain has set up a new working group with India to help prepare for possible trade deals after Brexit has completed. The UK can't agree trade deals with other countries until it has formally exited the EU, a process that could take years. However, the government has said that won't stop it from preparing for the [...]
Now even Donald Tusk has told Theresa May to get going on Brexit negotiations September 8, 2016 It isn't just fed-up UK politicians who want the UK to get going on Brexit negotiations: European Council president Donald Tusk has told Theresa May to start the process "as soon as possible", according to reports. Tusk told May "the ball is now in your court" during a meeting at Downing Street this morning. "Our [...]
Why we’re backing Britain’s resilient and optimistic small businesses September 8, 2016 In the run up to June’s referendum vote, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) became a focal point for both Leave and Remain camps, with each side claiming the support of small business owners for their different visions of Britain’s future. This focus on SMEs was unsurprising – these businesses are the nuts and bolts of British [...]
Don’t let Remainers frustrate Brexit through delays and timidity: The government needs a bold plan of action now September 7, 2016 Now ministers have had their holidays to brush up on what actually might be possible to ensure Brexit means Brexit, what will be the best negotiating strategy to take? There are still many, especially in Parliament, who cannot accept the people's vote and will sow confusion by diluting what leaving the EU means. One grumpy sacked minister [...]
Senior bankers are pushing the government to bring in transitional measures for Brexit, and warning of a “cliff edge” of disruption September 7, 2016 Britain's bankers are pushing for transitional arrangements to soften the impact of Brexit. Banks are currently adopting a “wait and see” approach on whether to remain in the UK, according to the chief executive of the British Bankers' Association, but Browne said that transition measures could soften uncertainty and the risks of a “cliff edge” of [...]
Streatham MP Chuka Umunna is the first to enter the race to succeed Keith Vaz as chair of one of parliament’s most powerful watchdogs September 7, 2016 Streatham MP Chuka Umunna is seeking to replace Keith Vaz as chairman of one of parliament's top watchdogs. Vaz stepped down as chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday after the Sunday Mirror reported the 59-year-old MP for Leicester East paid for the men to visit him at his flat in London just a [...]
Plans to sell the Land Registry have been shelved by ministers September 7, 2016 The government has dropped plans to sell the Land Registry, first mooted by former chancellor George Osborne. Osborne had hoped to raise as much as £5bn by 2020 from a programme of sales including the agency, which records ownership of land and property. The Treasury expected to sell the Land Registry for more than £1bn alone, [...]
A senior Labour Brexiteer says universities should be held responsible for numbers of foreign students returning home after graduation September 7, 2016 British universities should held responsible for the return of international students to their countries of origin after graduation, according to the Work and Pensions Committee chair. Foreign graduates should be able to stay for two years after completing their studies, with universities then told to make sure students return if they are unable to find work, Frank Field [...]
Theresa May has vowed silence on the government’s position on Single Market membership September 7, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed silence on the UK's Brexit negotiations, despite pressure from MPs to clarify the government's stance on Single Market membership. Addressing the House of Commons today, May said she would not provide commentary on talks with the EU. “We will not take decisions until we are ready. We will not [...]