Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says big businesses should tie executive pay schemes to company performance February 8, 2016 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will use a major speech in London today to call on Britain's biggest businesses to tie executive compensation schemes to company performance. "I do think we should consider the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's proposal for companies to ensure that reward packages are more aligned to financial and non-financial [...]
Higher tuition fees and rising student expectations mean universities and employers must work together February 8, 2016 Graduate employment figures have finally returned to pre-recession levels, but in an era of higher tuition fees and a competitive global labour market, universities must innovate to meet market demands, as well as students’ ever increasing expectations. Businesses are frustrated with the status quo in higher education provision. Various sectors including digital, manufacturing and construction [...]
EU referendum: Downing Street doubles down on warning that Brexit could lead to a massive influx of asylum-seekers February 8, 2016 Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister David Cameron believes that a huge influx of asylum-seekers would suddenly move to Britain if the UK votes to leave the EU. "We currently have these juxtaposed controls with France. Should the UK leave the European Union, there is no guarantee that the controls will remain in place," [...]
EU referendum: Pro-European Union group says Brexit would cost London £13.9bn February 8, 2016 Staying in the European Union will deliver a “permanent boost” to the capital's economy, according to new figures released by pro-Europe business group London First. Analysis conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) for the lobby outfit says that EU membership could add £13.9bn a year and 75,000 jobs to London's economy [...]
UK steel crisis: Companies to ramp up pressure on British government to take action over China and Russia driving commodity prices down February 8, 2016 Steel companies will this week ramp up pressure on the government to come to the industry's defence ahead of an emergency European conference on 15 February. The conference, called at the behest of the UK and involving executives from Tata Steel and Celsa, will call on the European Commission to take action against cheap steel flooding [...]
North Korea fires long-range rocket defying international sanctions – UN Security Council to meet as foreign secretary Philip Hammond condemns ballistic missile technology testing February 7, 2016 The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting after North Korea fired a long-range rocket it claims put a satellite into orbit. The move was condemned by the US, UK, South Korea and Japan as a missile test against international sanctions. Foreign secretary Philip Hammond said: "I strongly condemn North Korea’s ballistic missile technology test. This is a clear [...]
George Osborne urged to clarify banks’ tax deductions on fines and regulatory costs by Andrew Tyrie and Treasury Select Committee February 7, 2016 George Osborne has been urged to clarify how banks offset the costs of fines such as PPI mis-selling and other regulatory costs against their corporate tax bill. The chair of the influential Treasury Select Committee Andrew Tyrie has written to the chancellor asking him to make clear whether banks can offset the costs associated with regulatory penalties. “It [...]
UK steel crisis: Sajid Javid joins EU governments to warn steel industry risks collapse unless Europe steps up cheap import fight against Russia and China February 6, 2016 The UK and six other European steel producers have urged the EU to fight back against cheap steel imports, to stop the European industry “collapsing”. Business secretary Sajid Javid joined ministers from Germany, Italy, Poland, Belgium, France and Luxembourg in demanding the EU “ensure a global level playing field” for the industry. “The European Union [...]
EU referendum: Another row erupts between Out campaign groups Vote Leave and Leave.EU as Labour MP Kate Hoey stands down February 5, 2016 An open fight between two rival groups campaigning for Britain to leave the European Union has erupted, potentially just months before the EU referendum is held. Labour MP Kate Hoey, who is a member of Labour Leave, has quit Vote Leave, but will continue to support Grassroots Out, another Out campaign group. Labour Leave will [...]
EU referendum: The draft EU deal has given the Leave campaign a boost as Prime Minister David Cameron heads to Poland to continue negotiations February 5, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron's draft EU deal has given a boost to the Out campaign ahead of the referendum, a new poll has found. Read more: Rees-Mogg on the PM, the EU and gruel A poll by YouGov conducted in the immediate aftermath of Cameron's EU deal has found Leave is now leading with 45 per cent [...]