Brexit: No “nice things” for UK without responsibility says top German minister August 29, 2016 One of Germany's top politicians has warned that negotiations for Britain's exit from the EU should not allow it to "keep the nice things" but take no responsibility, while handling the process badly could send Europe "down the drain". Sigmar Gabriel, the number two of Chancellor Angela Merkel and economic minister, made the comments at [...]
Hammond to take on Cabinet colleagues over access to the EU single market August 28, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond is to set out plans for Britain to stay in the single market at a meeting of Cabinet ministers this week, but is likely to face resistance from his colleagues. According to the Sunday Times, Hammond will look for access to the single market "on a sector by sector basis" – with financial services [...]
Donald Trump given slight boost with bookie after Nigel Farage appearance August 27, 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's chances of getting into the White House jumped after Nigel Farage appeared alongside him, according to one bookmaker. Following the Ukip leader's appearance at one of his campaign rallies, William Hill cut their odds on Trump beating Democrat rival Hillary Clinton. The bookie is now offering 11/4 on Trump to become [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger Article 50 without parliamentary vote August 27, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May will not hold a parliamentary vote on Brexit before triggering Article 50 and opening negotiations with the EU. May will invoke Article 50 without consent of parliament, in a move that will be hailed by eurosceptics. Those opposed to leaving the EU have said that the referendum is legally only advisory [...]
Owen Smith to propose scrapping university fees and building starter homes to appeal to younger voters August 27, 2016 Trailing incumbent Jeremy Corbyn in the polls challenger, Owen Smith is to propose scrapping university tuition fees to appeal to younger voters. Smith is to make the pledge, along with a scheme to build starter homes for those aged under 30, as the Labour leadership contest continues. Smith is to make the announcement when he [...]
The boardroom and the slave: These are the actions firms need to take August 26, 2016 This autumn, executive boards should expect to see slavery and trafficking as compulsory board agenda items, with the introduction of Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act. The statement Large UK companies are required to publish an annual statement, signed by a director, detailing actions taken to eradicate modern slavery within its organisation and its [...]
The extent of Jeremy Corbyn’s appeal to young voters may be limited, according to new polling figures August 26, 2016 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leads Theresa May by a wafer-thin margin among young voters, according to pollsters Yougov, while the Tory leader has an overwhelming lead among those of retirement age. In a poll commissioned by The Times, Yougov found that Corbyn is more popular amongst a sole group of voters split by age – the [...]
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas considering electoral pact with Labour August 26, 2016 The Green Party's only MP Caroline Lucas has indicated she would be willing to make an electoral pact with Labour. Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said she would consider a deal with other parties, including Labour, with candidates agreeing not to compete in some constituencies. By reaching a deal for a so-called "progressive alliance" both parties' could, in theory, [...]
Growth in the UK’s economy accelerated in the build up to June’s Brexit referendum August 26, 2016 Growth of the UK economy accelerated in the three months to June, according to the latest figures. The Office for National Statistics revealed today that economic growth for Q2 was 0.6 per cent, up from 0.4 per cent on the previous quarter. Year-on-year the economy expanded 2.2 per cent. The figures mean that growth for [...]
Scrapping Hinkley Point would save taxpayers £1bn a year, according to a new report August 26, 2016 Axing plans for two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point could save UK taxpayers £1bn a year, according to a new report. Prime Minister Theresa May slammed the brakes on the project last month, despite the board of French energy giant EDF approving construction. And ahead of a final verdict from Downing Street next month, a [...]