Theresa May resets government policy in flagship conference speech October 5, 2016 Theresa May has promised to reset the Conservative Party's relationship with capitalism, free markets and business and stepped up her claims to be the representative of working-class Britain. The Prime Minister also threatened to intervene in "dysfunctional" markets, tackle failing competition in the utilities sector, press ahead with reforms to boardroom pay and crack down [...]
Theresa May confirms government will press ahead with HS2 and airport expansion decision due shortly October 5, 2016 Theresa May confirmed the government would "press ahead" with HS2 development and that it would "shortly take a decision on expanding Britain's airport capacity". In the closing speech to the Conservative Party conference the Prime Minister said "big and sometimes controversial" decisions on infrastructure needed to be taken. Whether that statement was a hint at Heathrow getting [...]
Theresa May sets down her vision for bigger government as she slams “divisive” Labour party October 5, 2016 Theresa May will wrap up the Conservatives’ conference today with a dramatic pledge to move her party further away from free-market liberalism and towards an approach that favours even greater government control. The new Prime Minister, who replaced David Cameron in July, will set out her vision for Britain, which she says will put “the power [...]
A hard Brexit could cost up to 75,000 jobs October 5, 2016 Leading think tank TheCityUK has warned that a so-called "hard Brexit" would cost thousands of jobs. A report published today by Oliver Wyman on behalf of TheCityUK estimates that, if the UK only secures a low degree of access to the Single Market, it could cost between 65,000 and 75,000 jobs, plus up to £38bn in [...]
Ukip leader Diane James stands down after just 18 days October 4, 2016 Ukip leader Diane James has stepped down as the party's leader after just 18 days at the helm. Ukip sources have told City A.M. that James had "cited her husband's ill health", while others said she had been reluctant to stand for leader from the beginning. The news was first reported by the Sun newspaper. Read more: Nigel [...]
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 [...]