Sterling falls to seven-week low as May commits to triggering Article 50 by end of March October 3, 2016 Sterling approached a new post-referendum low today after Prime Minister Theresa May said negotiations to leave the EU will start by the end of March next year and signalled she will not prioritise Single Market access. The pound drifted lower throughout the day, falling 1.1 per cent through Monday's session to stand at $1.2827 crashed to $1.2827 in the minutes [...]
Europe’s banking woes are inherently political October 3, 2016 We live in a time of political absurdity. At home, the opposition is led by an unreconstructed 1970s-style Marxist who spent the last three decades as a backbench irrelevance. Throughout continental Europe, extremist parties remain worryingly popular. And across the pond, there is a genuine threat that Donald Trump, a dangerously reactionary authoritarian megalomaniac, could get [...]
Make Budgets mean Budgets again: We need far better tax policy-making October 3, 2016 At lunchtime today, Philip Hammond will stand up in Birmingham and make his first major speech as chancellor. He will be aiming to reassure audiences that the government will manage the economic consequences of Brexit – and will give the first indications of his approach. The Institute for Government, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and [...]
As the Tory Party conference kicks off, should Theresa May use the opportunity to call an early general election? October 3, 2016 John Lehal, managing director at Insight Consulting Group, says Yes. The case for an early election is overwhelming. Like Cameron, Major and Callaghan before her, Theresa May is finding out just how difficult governing with a small majority can be. The government is divided on what Brexit should look like, while her domestic agenda, including the [...]
Two senior Eurosceptic politicians from the continent have suggested the UK could keep Single Market membership October 2, 2016 Two Eurosceptic politicians from the continent have argued Britain should be able to retain Single Market membership, and warned Europe's leaders seeking a deal to "punish" the UK for its referendum vote. Finland's foreign minister and a Flemish MEP both backed Theresa May's ambitions for free trade with EU members at the Conservative party conference in [...]
Sajid Javid to rule on Blackpool fracking this week October 2, 2016 Sajid Javid is expected to rule on Cuadrilla Resource's attempt to frack for shale gas at two sites near Blackpool next week. The communities and local government secretary’s decision is likely to come at the Conservative party conference which kicked off yesterday. His department has previously said that a final decision will be made by 6th October. Only then will [...]
David Davis: UK aiming for “freest possible trade” alongside migration reform October 2, 2016 Brexit secretary David Davis has warned the UK would aim only for the "freest possible" trade with Europe compatible with migration reform. Speaking at the Conservative party conference after Theresa May said she still wanted to secure free trade with EU members, Davis said it makes "perfect sense" for the UK to have the strongest possible [...]
Business secretary Greg Clark has hinted at support for future government interventions by welcoming freedom from EU state aid rules October 2, 2016 Business and energy secretary Greg Clark has hinted at the prospect of fresh British interventionism by welcoming freedom from EU state aid rules. Clark is helming the newly created department of business, energy and industrial strategy, and its creation has led some to question whether Theresa May is set to take a more active approach [...]
No delays on Brexit, warns Prime Minister Theresa May October 2, 2016 Theresa May has vowed that there can be no delays on the UK’s departure from the European Union, blasting efforts to secure parliamentary oversight for the process as “undemocratic”. May accused campaigners seeking a vote in parliament of trying to “kill” the UK’s referendum verdict. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, May also [...]
It’s official: Article 50 will be triggered before end of March 2017 October 2, 2016 Article 50, the official signal that Britain will leave the EU, will be invoked by the end of March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May has revealed. It will trigger the start of negotiations with Europe on matters such as trade and free movement of people and will give the country two years to agree terms [...]