Bank of England holds monetary policy unchanged amid “greater uncertainty”on Brexit September 13, 2018 The Bank of England today left monetary policy unchanged amid “greater uncertainty” in markets on the Brexit process and a worsening global trade outlook. The Bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) raised its main interest rate, bank rate, on 2 August, in only the second increase in the decade since the financial crisis began, but minutes [...]
No-deal Brexit risks UK recession and credit rating cuts says Moody’s September 13, 2018 A no-deal Brexit would risk a recession in the British economy and endanger the credit ratings of a host of companies, an influential rating agency said today. Moody's Investor Service said the risk of negotiations between the UK and the EU breaking down had “risen materially” in recent months, in an update to the market. [...]
Government to unveil new set of no deal Brexit papers today September 13, 2018 Brexit secretary Dominic Raab is poised to unveil a further 28 ‘technical notices’ advising the country how to prepare for a no deal scenario. The notices, due to be published this afternoon after a special "no deal" Cabinet meeting which Bank of England governor Mark Carney was seen joining, will offer detail on a number of critical [...]
Mayor power: Devolution is giving Britain a brighter future September 13, 2018 With the distraction of Brexit, one could be forgiven for believing that devolution policy has been dormant since 2016. Indeed, as Westminster negotiates feverishly for optimal European and international status come 30 March, it can seem that domestic policy has been effectively on hold since the referendum. But in that time, a quiet revolution has [...]
The EU needs dynamic new thinking, not lectures on unity September 13, 2018 Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. This should be adopted as the personal motto of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, or at least as the tagline for his final State of the Union address yesterday. “There is no applause when EU law dictates that Europeans have to change the clocks twice a [...]
Calls for Brexit deal to protect UK asset management industry September 13, 2018 Analysts have called for the final Brexit deal to protect the asset management industry as it emerged that the value of investments managed in the UK for European clients increased by 30 per cent last year. A total of £3.2 trillion is managed in the UK for overseas clients, of which £1.8 trillion is assets from European [...]
Raab: Stop blaming Brexit for poor business performance September 13, 2018 Brexit secretary Dominic Raab today told businesses to stop blaming Brexit for poor performance and “take responsibility”. His comments come in the wake of John Lewis posting a 99 per cent drop in profits in its half-year results this morning, which it partly attributed to Brexit. Read more: Bank of England: Hold fire until there [...]
Britain’s hostility to international students puts trade deals at risk September 13, 2018 Some 11 years ago, in parliament, I personally spearheaded the change in rules to allow international students to automatically stay on in Britain and work for two years after graduation. Sadly, this was removed by the government in 2012, under the then home secretary Theresa May. Today, that inward-looking attitude hasn’t changed. This week, the [...]
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab clashes with John Lewis as profits tumble 99 per cent September 13, 2018 Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has clashed with John Lewis after its chairman Charlie Mayfield suggested the store’s 99 per cent plunge in profits was partly due to Brexit. Profits at John Lewis plummeted to just £1.2m in the first half of this year amid what Mayfield called “challenging times” for retail. He also warned that [...]
Bank of England: Hold fire until there is Brexit certainty says the shadow MPC September 13, 2018 City economists are all but certain that the Bank of England will hold interest rates steady today, only six weeks after raising interest rates and with the Brexit endgame fast approaching. The Bank’s rate-setting monetary policy committee (MPC) will announce its latest decision at midday, with all eyes on any tweaks to guidance around the [...]