Juncker signals optimism for agreement on Brexit deal October 6, 2018 European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed optimism that a Brexit deal could be reached by November, as talks between the UK and the EU gained pace over the last few days. Speaking to reporters in Austria this morning, Juncker signalled that while there remains some stumbling blocks, such as the Irish border issue, a no-deal [...]
EU rejects aviation regulator’s push for no-deal Brexit transition talks October 5, 2018 The EU's aviation regulator rejected British calls for a joint no-deal Brexit transition plan in July, new letters reveal. In June, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) chief executive Richard Moriarty wrote to his EU counterpart Patrick Ky to say it would be in "both their interests" to agree to a joint transition plan. "These [...]
Looking for a job? Starting salaries just grew at their fastest rate in three years October 5, 2018 Starting salaries for permanent jobs have increased at their quickest rate in three years, according to data compiled by independent recruitment site Rec and London-based information provider IHS Markit. Drawing on information provided by recruitment consultancies, they have published The IHS Markit/Rec Report on Jobs, which surveys the position of the UK labour market every month. Pay [...]
EU negotiators predict Brexit deal to be ‘very close’ October 5, 2018 Brussels negotiators for the UK's exit from the European Union told diplomats late last night that a deal between the two sides is "very close" to being finalised. Two sources present at yesterday's meeting suggested to Reuters good progress had been made as the EU began to engage with new British proposals on how to [...]
Everyone’s a loser in today’s fabricated generation wars October 5, 2018 According to doomsayers in policy and media circles, the young have never had it so bad, and the fault lies with their greedy elders. The allegedly enormous, voracious baby boomer generation, living it up on the golf course with the ill-gotten gains from gold-plated pensions and over-valued houses, is in the firing line for causing [...]
The Tories talk the talk on free markets, but the policies don’t match the rhetoric October 5, 2018 Last year’s Conservative party conference marked a change in tone for the Prime Minister and her relationship with the free market. Perhaps it was the 2017 snap election upset that made her roll back her language around “untrammeled free markets”, or maybe there was increased understanding that after Brexit a commitment to competition would be vital [...]
Editor’s Notes: A subversive Brexit comedy? It’s about bloody time; art’s in the right place and Conservative party conference diary October 5, 2018 Whenever Brexit is introduced as a subject for comedy, it is invariably the Remainers laughing at the Leavers. I don't say this to make a populist point, it is simply an observation. Think of Radio 4 comedy, BBC panel shows and the stand-up circuit. It’s risk-free to be a Remainer – and laughing at the Leavers, [...]
Unilever’s board has now lost the Lynx effect with UK investors, a new era for spin city and a hand from above October 5, 2018 How ironic that one of the world’s great consumer marketing machines – responsible for brands like Lynx, Persil and Magnum – should be making such a hash of a sales pitch to its own investors. Unilever’s insistence that it remains “confident” of winning this month’s vote to scrap its British headquarters sounds more strained by the [...]
HMRC chief slammed by MPs for not telling 100,000 firms how to prepare for ‘no deal’ Brexit October 4, 2018 The UK's chief taxman has been slated by MPs for failing to tell 100,000 small businesses how to prepare for a 'no deal' Brexit. Jon Thompson, chief executive of HMRC, was given a dressing down in a letter from parliament's Public Accounts Committee, which was made public today. Committee chair Meg Hillier said she was [...]
EU regulator calls for access to UK deal insurers in event of hard Brexit October 4, 2018 The chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has called for measures which would allow EU firms to access clearing houses based in the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Clearing houses (CCPs), which have becoming an increasingly integral part of dealmaking, are insurers which balance risk between the sellers and [...]