EU ministers say Britain needs ‘clear plan’ to be granted Brexit delay April 9, 2019 EU ministers arrived in Luxembourg this morning to try and thrash out a united stance on whether it should give the UK a Brexit extension ahead of tomorrow's summit. Read more: Brexit delay on the cards as Tories gear up for European elections Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok said the EU should give Britain “more [...]
Conservative MP quits Jacob Rees-Mogg’s Eurosceptic ERG for putting Brexit ‘at risk’ April 9, 2019 A Tory MP has resigned from Jacob Rees-Mogg’s European Research Group (ERG), claiming “hardcore” Brexiters are endangering their own goal of leaving the EU. Read more: Brexit delay on the cards as Tories gear up for European elections Shropshire MP Daniel Kawczynski accused an ERG “hardcore elment of ‘Unicorn’ dreamers” of “now actually endangering Brexit”. [...]
Brexit hoped to heal the UK, but instead it leaves wounds that will not easily be closed April 9, 2019 The other day, my three-year-old son gave me a geography lesson. Him: “This is Battersea Park.” Me: “That’s right.” Him: “And Battersea Park is in London?” Me: “Yes, and we’re also in England and in Britain.” At which point he shook his head. “No,” he insisted. “Just London.” Political analysis obviously runs in the family. [...]
Government should choose outsourcing contracts based on the quality, not cost April 9, 2019 If and when the Brexit debate ever ends, politicians will return to the challenge of improving domestic politics. And one of the main questions will be the role of private companies in delivering public services. Overall, the government spends almost £300bn per year – or around a third of its total budget – on partnerships [...]
The Tories face a struggle with young voters, but hope is not lost April 8, 2019 Where do Tories look these days to cheer themselves up? Until recently they could console themselves with their party’s relative popularity compared to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, but those polls are tightening and when voters are asked for their views on specific areas of policy from housing to crime and the NHS, it’s the Labour party [...]
Brexit delay on the cards amid anger as Conservatives gear up for European elections April 8, 2019 A long delay to Brexit is looking increasingly likely as the Conservative and Labour leaderships are struggling to agree a compromise deal ahead of Wednesday’s EU summit. Brussels has given the UK until 10 April to set out a credible alternative negotiating plan after the repeated failure by Theresa May to get her deal through Parliament. [...]
EU would move ‘extremely quickly’ to agree a post-Brexit customs union, says Michel Barnier April 8, 2019 The EU will move quickly to back a post-Brexit customs union with the UK if Theresa May shifts her red lines, Brussels chief negotiator has claimed. Speaking in Dublin, Michel Barnier said he hoped the cross-party talks taking place in London would produce a “positive outcome” with the prospect of a no deal Brexit now [...]
London remains most popular investment target for European venture capitalists April 8, 2019 London secured its reputation as a global fintech hub as it attracted almost double the amount of venture capital funding compared to its closest European rival last year. The capital received 39 per cent of European venture capital funding last year, almost double that of runner-up Berlin, which took in 21 per cent in 2018, despite [...]
British car manufacturing powers down to half capacity as planned factory shutdowns take effect April 8, 2019 British car makers including Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have gone ahead with plans to shut their UK plants this week over Brexit, in a move which leaves at least half the country’s car production gridlocked. JLR’s Wolverhampton engine plant as well as its three assembly plants in Solihull, Halewood and Castle Bromwich were due to [...]
City watchdog FCA strengthens post-Brexit ties with Australian regulator April 8, 2019 The City watchdog has strengthened ties with its Australian counterpart to secure cooperation post-Brexit. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have agreed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) covering trade repositories and alternative investment funds, to ensure continuity after the UK leaves the EU. Read more: FCA tells Morgan [...]