Former pensions minister says time in Cameron’s government was like being in detention July 22, 2016 A former pensions minister has said that her time spent in David Cameron's government was like being in detention, with lasting effects on her health. “It has been the most terrible experience for me,” Ros Altmann said. Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, she said that she felt “micro-controlled”, adding “it affected my health without question. It’s a [...]
Political betting: This week’s big movers July 22, 2016 The referendum is over, Theresa May is Prime Minister, Donald Trump is officially the Republican presidential candidate, and Corbyn looks set to retain his place at the helm of the Labour party. So, all in all, a few question marks have been, or are likely to be, resolved soon. But that hasn't stopped the political betting [...]
Nicola Sturgeon puts emphasis on British-Irish council as means to keep ties to EU July 22, 2016 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thinks the meeting of the British-Irish council today is crucial for her chance of keeping Scotland in the EU. She will be in Cardiff this morning to discuss the impact of the Brexit vote with her counterparts from devolved assemblies. Read more: May says Scotland should be "fully engaged" in Brexit [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond says he could “reset” policy in upcoming Autumn Statement July 22, 2016 Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is in a bullish mood. He's said that he could "reset" Britain's economic policy in the upcoming Autumn Statement. At the start of his trip to China, where he's bolstering economic ties to the world's second largest economy, he's said the Treasury will act "if we deem it necessary [...]
Heathrow boss says Brexit means airport expansion plans need to move forward as company reports revenue grew to £1.3bn in first half of 2016 July 22, 2016 Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye today said expanding the west London airport will give Britain the post-Brexit boost it needs, as the company reported revenue and profit grew in the six months to 30 June. Revenue was up one per cent to £1.32bn, from £1.31bn in the same period of 2015, while pre-tax profit jumped 8.7 [...]
Philip Hammond heads to China to boost the City’s reputation in the Far East July 22, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond has travelled to China in a bid to burnish the City's trading reputation overseas. Hammond will visit Beijing and Hong Kong to promote British business ahead of the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Chengdu. “My focus in China will be on promoting British business opportunities, including in the financial services sector, where [...]
Parliament must have a role in scrutinising Brexit negotiations, according to House of Lords report July 22, 2016 Parliament should scrutinise the negotiations, including those about trade, on the UK's withdrawal from the EU, the House of Lords has said. The Lords EU Committee has said the withdrawal process is arguably the “most important task that the government has undertaken since the Second World War”, and all aspects should be effectively scrutinised. In a report, Scutinising [...]
Theresa May and Francois Hollande have agreed to retain existing borders, but the French president has maintained that Brexit talks must begin ASAP July 21, 2016 Theresa May and Francois Hollande have agreed to retain UK border controls in Calais, despite the latter repeating his demands for Brexit talks to begin “as soon as possible”. In the build up to the referendum, French politicians had called for the Le Touquet agreement, which allows the UK to maintain border checks in France, to be [...]
Provincial England has taken over Westminster – and it’s put state intervention back in vogue July 21, 2016 The EU referendum paved the way for the industrial strategy now defining Theresa May’s first weeks in office. Why? Because the provincial English working class and lower middle class forced the country out of its status quo and administered a huge shock to the system. Politicians are realising that options they never previously considered are [...]
Swedish group trumps Trump with UK offshore wind farm near his golf resort July 21, 2016 A wind farm, which had been opposed by controversial US presidential candidate Donald Trump, got given the go-ahead today. Swedish energy firm Vattenfall confirmed it will invest £300m in the 11-turbine wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen. It will take 100 per cent ownership of the project, having bought Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group's 25 per cent [...]