City Airport expansion is a boost for London July 28, 2016 Recent political events have thrown any decision on UK airport expansion further into doubt. Even before the referendum and subsequent resignation of David Cameron, it was tough to pin down exactly what the government was minded to do about the pressing need to expand capacity in the south east. Throughout the debate (which looks set [...]
After pledging a wealth tax and an end to austerity, would Owen Smith be just as bad as Jeremy Corbyn? July 28, 2016 Brendan O’Neill, editor of Spiked, says Yes. Corbyn versus Smith is the least inspiring leadership spat in living memory. On one side, a man who looks like he wandered out of the 1970s, a beardy, lefty version of Austin Powers, always saying stuff that’s decades out of date. And on the other, an edge-free technocrat whose [...]
Investment banks have taken a wait and see approach to Brexit July 28, 2016 London's investment banks are continuing to take a wait and see approach to the UK’s decision to quit the European Union more than one month after the vote. Of the 20 biggest investment banks in the UK, 40 per cent have so far expressed a view on the vote. Half of those institutions that have [...]
Take off! London lifted by green light for City Airport expansion as markets touch post-Brexit highs July 28, 2016 The City received a double boost yesterday as London City Airport was given the go-ahead for a major expansion while the latest GDP data beat expectations and lifted the FTSE 100 to a 12-month high. Chancellor Philip Hammond, transport secretary Chris Grayling and communities secretary Sajid Javid gave the green light to the multi-million pound [...]
Should the City be worried about the EU’s new Brexit negotiator? July 27, 2016 The politician once dubbed “the most dangerous man in Europe” is set to lead the European Commission’s negotiations with the UK over the terms of Brexit. Frenchman Michel Barnier, a “friend” of Jean-Claude Juncker, scooped the newly-created chief negotiator role yesterday and is expected to be one the the EU’s top representatives in discussions with [...]
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called Theresa May to establish clarity on the UK’s Brexit timeline July 27, 2016 Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called for more certainty on when the UK plans to quit the EU following last month's referendum. Last week French president Francois Hollande called on the UK to begin formal Brexit talks as soon as possible, and today Renzi has again stressed the need for clarity on the future of the [...]
EU Commission refuses to call for fines against Spain and Portugal over budget breaches July 27, 2016 The European Commission will not fine Spain and Portugal for breaking the EU's budget rules, despite calls for the EU to take a hard line against the two countries. Spain and Portugal both ran budget deficits which exceeded Eurozone guidelines which prohibit states in the single currency area from running shortfalls of more than three per cent of [...]
MPs warn HMRC cost cutting could lead to another customer service “collapse” July 27, 2016 MPs have slammed HMRC over its levels of customer service, and warned that cutting costs will lead to further lowering of standards. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said in a report today that customer service levels "collapsed" to such a degree last year that at one point in October the average time taken for HMRC to answer the [...]
A woman Prime Minister. So what? July 27, 2016 Much has been made of the fact that we have our second women Prime Minister. But the question remains, what difference does it really make? In my view her appointment has multiple significance and presents us with a major opportunity. Firstly, it still has a huge symbolic value to see a woman running the country. The message that [...]
Here are the key challenges the new pensions minister will face July 27, 2016 The recent reshuffle meant a whole host of new ministerial faces both at the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These new ministers will have a full agenda when it comes to pensions. At DWP, the new secretary of state is Damian Green, who will be responsible for controlling welfare spending and getting people back [...]