Prosperity or pound shop? Our free trade future awaits August 9, 2019 Like most of us, I’ve been watching the new government in the UK with interest – and no small measure of anxiety. As it became clear that Boris Johnson would emerge as the new PM, it also became clear that there would be a sharp change in government policy across the board. Theresa May, for [...]
Boris Johnson visits damaged Derbyshire dam as storms expected August 3, 2019 Work to repair a damaged dam in Derbyshire and prevent it bursting has entered its third day as the Met Office warns of thunderstorms and possible flooding. Despite work being carried out to reduce the water level, the risk of collapse is still at a “critical level”, and there is a yellow weather warning in [...]
Sterling plunges below $1.22 as no-deal Brexit fears batter currency July 30, 2019 Sterling fell further overnight to its lowest level since March 2017 as worries over a no-deal Brexit under Boris Johnson’s government deepened. The pound plunged below $1.22 to hit $1.2146 this morning, a drop of almost 0.6 per cent against the dollar as analysts warned GBP is coming close to “uncharted waters”. Read more: Sterling [...]
No-deal Brexit a ‘threat’ to UK’s science sector, says Wellcome Trust July 27, 2019 The chairwoman of the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s biggest charitable funder of scientific research, has written to Boris Johnson claiming that a no-deal Brexit is a “threat” to the science sector. Lady Eliza Manningham-Buller has backed Johnson’s vision for the science industry, but warned against the potential damage leaving the EU without a deal could [...]
Boris Johnson ‘absolutely’ rules out pre-Brexit general election July 27, 2019 Boris Johnson has ruled out calling a general election prior to the Brexit deadline of 31 October. The Prime Minister said voters did not want to return to the polls for another general election or referendum until the mandate had been completed. Read more: Ireland foreign minister hits out at Boris Johnson’s “unhelpful” Brexi approach [...]
US and UK working on ‘very substantial’ trade deal, says Trump July 27, 2019 US President Donald Trump has revealed that he has begun talks with Boris Johnson and the UK about a “very substantial” trade deal. Speaking on Friday, Trump said that a deal between the two countries following the UK’s exit from the European Union could lead to a “three to four, five times” increase in current [...]
Boris Johnson to pledge funding for high-speed rail route between Leeds and Manchester July 27, 2019 Boris Johnson is expected to pledge to fund a new high-speed rail link between Leeds and Manchester during a speech in the latter, later today. He will give his backing to the trans-Pennine transport link to “turbo-charge the economy”. Read more: UK car industry tells Boris Johnson no-deal Brexit not an option It is the [...]
Enough buffoonery, Boris: it’s time for you to step up July 26, 2019 They say a week is a long time in politics. By that measure, this one has been longer than most. We’ve seen Theresa May’s departure from Downing Street (headed for Lords, it seems, and most likely a glass or two of chilled Pinot Grigio) and the installation of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson as prime [...]
John Glen retains position as economic secretary to the Treasury and City minister July 26, 2019 Boris Johnson has continued the process of selecting his ministers today following his appointment as Prime Minister on Wednesday. The latest to benefit is John Glen, the MP for Salisbury and South Wiltshire, who has retained his position as the economic secretary to the Treasury and City minister. Read more: UK car industry tells Boris [...]
Boris Johnson ramps up no-deal Brexit plans with £300m freight capacity pledge July 26, 2019 Boris Johnson has pledged to spend up to £300m on extra freight capacity in order to keep vital goods moving in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The disruption to imports and exports across the Channel is one of the most prominent risks facing Britain in the event of the UK leaving the European Union [...]