After the Queen’s Speech set out ambitious social reform plans, would Brexit put the government’s agenda at risk? May 19, 2016 Therese Coffey, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, says Yes. This Queen’s Speech contained some ambitious proposals to strengthen the social fabric of our country, from prison reform and boosting social care, to measures to increase school independence and expand the National Citizen Service. But these policies, aimed at helping the poorest and neediest in our country, [...]
EU referendum: Brexit risks compromising plans to build hundreds of thousands of new homes May 19, 2016 If Britain votes to leave the EU it risks sparking a chronic construction skills deficit, compromising plans to build hundreds of thousands of new homes. According to new research, a Leave vote could lead to a cut in the construction workforce, which would in turn jeopardise plans to expand the UK's housing stock that would otherwise ease [...]
Alistair Darling and Michael Howard clash over Brexit campaign at CBI dinner May 18, 2016 Two grandees of the Leave and Remain campaigns dramatically crossed swords last night, when a former chancellor and former home secretary clashed over the ramifications of the referendum vote at the CBI's annual dinner. The glitzy black tie event, hosted at Grosvenor House on Park Lane, saw Labour peer Alistair Darling and Tory peer Michael Howard [...]
S&P warns Brexit could sap investment in UK infrastructure May 18, 2016 The majority of infrastructure investors in the UK market believe that a Brexit would zap much-needed investment in buildings, roads and power supplies for at least two years after the vote. Research by credit ratings agency S&P showed that while Britain's exit from the 28-nation bloc could cripple infrastructure investment in the short-term, capital would return once [...]
Has the Queen’s Speech delivered? May 18, 2016 With so much focus on the EU referendum, this year’s Queen’s Speech was an opportunity to return the spotlight, if briefly in the short term, onto the domestic agenda and delivering the plan set out in the manifesto. It’s clear that the reforming zeal will focus in the next year on the rehabilitation revolution, with [...]
Britons think a Brexit will boost our coffers in the long term, but they’re still voting to remain May 18, 2016 Britons believe a Brexit would cause a short term shock to the economy but leave us financially better off in the long term – but they’re still voting to remain in the EU. 26 per cent of respondents said that voting to leave the EU on 23 June would be better for Britain’s economy over [...]
This is how the business community has reacted to the Queen’s Speech May 18, 2016 Business groups welcomed measures in the Queen’s Speech today while urging the government to push on with big decisions after the EU referendum, but clashed over broadband. The Queen’s Speech was announced as a “one nation” effort by Prime Minister David Cameron, and was set around three principles – the economy, increasing chances for the disadvantaged [...]
Parliament’s BHS inquiries: Everything you need to know May 18, 2016 Two parliamentary committees will come together for a second time next week as part of an ongoing investigation into the collapse of BHS. The Work and Pensions select committee and the Business Innovation and Skills select committee held a joint hearing last week, grilling the chief executives of the Pension Protection Fund and The Pensions Regulator over the [...]
EU referendum: Left Leave campaign rally tonight in Euston May 18, 2016 While the Labour party officially backs remaining in the EU, some on the left are less than impressed by the UK's membership. In that vein, a rally is being held tonight in Euston with a range of speakers who aim to put forward an internationalist argument against the EU. The meeting will be start at [...]
Pound soars against the dollar as Remain takes 18-point lead in new opinion poll May 18, 2016 The pound has shot up against the dollar after a new opinion poll showed the Remain side could be soaring ahead as the EU referendum campaign enters its final five weeks. In a new Ipsos Mori poll for the Evening Standard, released this afternoon, 55 per cent of voters said they were in favour of staying in [...]