EU referendum: new CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn puts pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron over in/out vote November 23, 2015 Britain’s biggest business group is urging Prime Minister David Cameron to accelerate plans for the European Union referendum, warning that investment is beginning to suffer at the hands of a protracted renegotiation. Carolyn Fairbairn, who took over as director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) last week, has told City A.M. that uncertainty [...]
New CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn takes the reins at Britain’s biggest business group November 23, 2015 Speaking to City A.M. at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) headquarters on Cannon Street last week, Carolyn Fairbairn said that she is “proud” to be the first female director general in the 50-year history of Britain’s biggest business group. “I think business is a great career for women,” she said. “If my being here [...]
Spending review 2015: Prime Minister David Cameron commits another £12bn to defence equipment November 23, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron will commit to spending an additional £12bn on defence equipment over the next ten years when he reveals the government’s five-year national security strategy and strategic defence and security review today, saying that the world is “more dangerous and uncertain today” than when he first moved into Downing Street. “This is [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne promises £3.4bn extra counter-terrorism spending in wake of Paris attacks but no police cuts commitment November 22, 2015 George Osborne has promised to spend £3.4bn extra on the country's counter-terrorism efforts over the next five years – a rise of 30 per cent – ahead of the Autumn Statement, as the government seeks support for military action to fight the rise of Islamic State (IS). Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, the chancellor said: "When it comes to the spending review, [...]
David Cameron plans Islamic State fightback and Syria airstrikes “within weeks” November 22, 2015 David Cameron is formulating plans for Britain's fight against Islamic State (IS), including military action, and will announce them "within days", media reports suggest. That could include airstrikes against IS in Syria for the first time, action which was previously voted against by MPs. The PM will need to corral support from across the political spectrum for a [...]
London airport expansion: Sadiq Khan ramps up support for second Gatwick runway over Heathrow November 20, 2015 Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan will today up the ante in the London airports row by coming out stronger than ever in making the case for a second runway at Gatwick. The Tooting MP will meet with senior executives at the Sussex airport to conduct a charm offensive aimed at laying out his pro-Gatwick position. Khan [...]
EU cracking down on bitcoin after Paris attacks to stop terrorism funding November 19, 2015 EU ministers are hoping to tackle terrorism funding by cracking down on digital currencies like bitcoin, according to news agency Reuters. The news agency has seen a draft document from EU ministers calling on the European Commission to clamp down on anonymous online payments used to finance terrorist organisations. According to the document drafted ahead [...]
Think Nick Clegg’s fee is steep? Here’s how much former Presidents, Prime Ministers and central bankers make on the after-dinner speaking circuit November 19, 2015 Leading politicians may not earn as much as top entrepreneurs or chief executives while they are in office, but their influence and expertise sure do make for a pleasant afterlife. Last week former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joined the ranks of those making a post-politics income from their experiences. And while Clegg was mocked [...]
French MPs vote in favour of extending emergency powers, including blocking websites and social media accounts November 19, 2015 French MPs have voted in favour of extending emergency laws in the wake of terror attacks that gripped Paris last Friday. The National Assembly voted for extending emergency powers for three months, after French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency for 12 days following the attacks, according to AFP. The result means anyone [...]