Autumn Statement 2016: Could higher borrowing costs upset Philip Hammond’s plans for an infrastructure spending spree? October 17, 2016 Interest rates for the UK government are rising at one of their fastest rates in nearly two decades as chancellor Philip Hammond prepares to unleash a multi-billion pound spending spree in his first Autumn Statement in five weeks' time. Borrowing costs for Hammond, as measured by the yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond, have surged in [...]
Downing Street has offered a vote of confidence to embattled chancellor Philip Hammond October 17, 2016 Philip Hammond has been backed by the Prime Minister amid reports suggesting a growing rift between the chancellor and other members of cabinet. Hammond has previously expressed coded concerns over a so-called “Hard Brexit”, which would see the UK resort to World Trade Organisation rules and face tariffs on trade with both European and Non-European [...]
Could you be watching Trump TV if Donald loses the US election? October 17, 2016 What do you do when the media is, in your view, rigging an election against you? Set up your own media organisation, of course. Donald Trump's son-in-law has been having talks about helping his dad set up a new TV network, just days after the Republican candidate claimed that the media was rigging the US election. Jared [...]
A Tory councillor has been suspended after creating a petition to make supporting EU membership a crime after Brexit October 17, 2016 The fight for Brexit just got dirtier, after a Conservative councillor was suspended for launching a petition calling on the government to make supporting EU membership a crime. Cllr Christian Holliday called for the Treason Felony Act to be amended to include the following offences when the UK leaves the EU this morning: "To imagine, devise, promote, work, or encourage others, [...]
Why Donald Trump should be closely watching the Mexican peso October 17, 2016 As the odds of a Donald Trump victory lengthened last week, few will have welcomed the news as much as Mexico. The Mexican peso, which fell by 12 per cent in the first nine months of this year, has bounced back as market fears of a Trump win calmed. “The peso has become a bellwether [...]
Downing Street plays down talk of Mark Carney tension October 17, 2016 Downing Street appears keen to play down perceived tension between the Prime Minister and governor of the Bank of England, with allies saying he is "highly regarded". The Bank’s Mark Carney said in a speech on Friday that he would not be told what to do by politicians, adding: Read more: May you leave us [...]
Theresa May is angering both Leavers and Remainers October 17, 2016 Theresa May’s approach to Brexit has proved immensely frustrating to those who found themselves on the losing side of the referendum debate. This frustration, based at first on the idea that the government lacked any kind of plan, is turning into despair at the realisation that the PM does not intend to give any ground [...]
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 [...]