EU referendum: Senior Conservative MP presses chancellor George Osborne to “clear up important questions” around the draft EU negotiation proposals February 11, 2016 Ahead of next week's European Council summit a senior Conservative MP has pressed chancellor George Osborne to "clear up important questions" arising from elements of the draft reform proposals. "There is a lot at stake in these negotiations. They could offer gains for the UK, but a lot of important and detailed questions need to be answered [...]
Google UK tax: Public Accounts Committee grilled Matt Brittin and HMRC over so-called sweetheart tax deal, as the tech giant argues that it pays a 19 per cent corporation tax rate on average worldwide February 11, 2016 Representatives from Google have defended the technology company's various subsidiaries in so-called tax havens in a hearing with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), pointing out that the company paid corporation tax at an average rate of 19 per cent worldwide. Matt Brittin, president of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa, remarked that having a branch in Bermuda, despite the company having [...]
Pro-Heathrow group sends Valentine’s Day message to “commitment-phobe” Prime Minister David Cameron February 11, 2016 Pro-Heathrow expansion group Back Heathrow is hoping to find love this Valentine's day from Prime Minister David Cameron, sending him a romantic message urging him to "make a commitment" to Heathrow. The message is from a "busy west London airport, well-built, popular, looking for a commitment (to a third runway), hoping "David Cameron will make my [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Can the stock market predict who is going to be the next President? February 11, 2016 The big wins in the New Hampshire primaries by candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders reflects the general discontent the US currently has. This is also mirrored in the stock market and suggests the potential for a big appetite for change come November. Stock prices reflect a number of forces including economic, earnings and interest [...]
EU referendum: Why Brexit is threatening Britain’s SME exporters February 11, 2016 As the economy gains momentum, the UK’s 4.9m SMEs are looking to capitalise on this growth, casting their net beyond our shores to fulfil their business growth ambitions through exporting. However, RSA’s recent study found that these businesses are hitting a BRIC wall; they have huge ambitions to access exporting opportunities in emerging and growth economies, [...]
US Presidential Election: Carly Fiorina suspends campaign for Republican candidacy in 2016 White House race after poor showing in New Hampshire primary February 10, 2016 Carly Fiorina has suspended her campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination ahead of this year's US Presidential Election. Fiorina was previously chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, and in 2009-2010 ran as a Republican candidate for the California Senate but was defeated by Democrat Barbara Boxer. She was also a senior adviser to Republican Party Presidential candidate John McCain in the 2008 race. "While I [...]
Google UK tax row: Here’s what you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee hearing on corporate tax deals February 10, 2016 At 10am tomorrow, representatives from Google and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will face the unenviable task of talking tax deals with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Before it kicks off, here's our quick guide of what you need to know: HMRC I understand, but why are Google being brought in on this? The PAC undoubtedly [...]
UK exit from the EU would damage our insurance market, says Lloyd’s of London February 10, 2016 A Brexit would damage London’s £30bn insurance market, Lloyd’s of London has claimed. Sean McGovern, chief risk officer and general counsel at Lloyd’s, said today that “exiting the EU will create a level of uncertainty, for Lloyd’s, for the London market, as well as the UK and European economies, we have rarely experienced”. London’s insurance [...]
PMQs today: Prime Minister David Cameron forced to defend government’s record on housing February 10, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron came under the cosh on housing from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, forcing Cameron to defend the government's plans to help people buy and own property in the UK. Corbyn said that Cameron's record is one of failure on housing, asking what the Prime Minister was doing to help people who suffer unrealistic house prices and [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Bookies slash odds on Donald Trump to become next President after winning New Hampshire primary February 10, 2016 Outspoken Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump is now more likely to enter the White House after winning the New Hampshire Primary, according to bookmakers. Previously at 6/1 to become the next US President, a Trump victory is now being offered at 7/2 by Betway after it emerged he was likely to get more than twice the [...]