David Cameron goes Dutch on first leg of EU reform tour: The Netherlands is a good start as the PM looks for allies May 28, 2015 “Old friends and like-minded allies” was how David Cameron described the relationship between the UK and the Netherlands when he was in The Hague yesterday, kicking off his whistle-stop tour of visits to EU leaders to build up support for the changes he wants to made to European policy. “Like-minded” has certainly been the case [...]
David Cameron blitzes Europe as efforts are intensified to renegotiate European relationship May 28, 2015 David Cameron is travelling across European countries in an attempt to intensify his lobbying of EU leaders over his plans to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership. Read more: EU referendum details emerge as David Cameron begins tour to win reform support The Prime Minister has embarked on a two-day tour of four European [...]
Bills, bills, bills: EU referendum and Scotland bills go before parliament May 28, 2015 Just a day after the Queen's Speech confirmed what we knew the Tories would have to do, a bill has dropped into the House of Commons' in-tray aimed at clearing a path for the in-out vote to take place. The summary of the European Union Referendum Bill says its aim is “to make provision [...]
What was in the 2015 Queen’s Speech, bill-by-bill May 28, 2015 A full employment and welfare benefits bill aiming to create 2m more jobs and 3m more apprenticeships An enterprise bill to cut red tape and help small and medium-sized businesses resolve late payment disputes A personal tax allowance bill raising the personal allowance to £12,500 and linking future increases to the minimum wage A finance bill [...]
EU referendum details emerge as David Cameron begins European tour to win reform support May 27, 2015 New details about the in/out referendum on Britain’s membership in the European Union have emerged today, as Prime Minister David Cameron sets off on a whistle-stop tour to meet with his European counterparts. The EU referendum bill, which the government will introduce in parliament today, includes the exact text that the electorate will be [...]
Queen’s Speech 2015: Here’s everything that was said about the EU referendum, employment, tax, the Human Rights Act and Scottish devolution May 27, 2015 The EU referendum is on; taxes will be locked in at current levels and strike laws are being reformed. The Queen's Speech has come to an end, and we have been presented with the legislation the government intends to pursue over the coming parliamentary session. While global cooperation, reducing the deficit and sticking to the [...]
Queen’s Speech 2015: Business community and others react to announcements on immigration, housing, employment, tax, Scotland and English devolution May 27, 2015 The Queen's Speech – the first full-Tory state opening of Parliament since 1996 – has come and gone. But what is the business community making of it all? Here are the best reactions so far. On the tax lock: Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of tax at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants says: “This is a [...]
EU referendum: London banks may flock to Dublin but Brexit wouldn’t be all positive for Ireland May 26, 2015 If the UK leaves the EU, the impact will be felt far beyond its borders. Indeed, one country that will be particularly affected is Ireland. In the short term, there will be a painful economic dislocation, as the two close trading partners adjust to the UK’s new status. But it could be far more positive [...]
Dear Queen, here’s everything business wants you to say in your speech May 26, 2015 On Wednesday the Queen will give her Speech from the Throne, setting out the policy plan for the Conservative government. Big topics to be covered include the EU referendum, which Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to hold within the next two years, housing, immigration, and devolution for cities outside London. Many of the [...]
Nicola Sturgeon on Brexit: In/out EU referendum must have “double majority” rule May 26, 2015 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has slammed Tory austerity measures and reaffirmed her party's commitment to staying in the EU in her first major economic speech since the election. Speaking to business leaders at Heart of Midlothian's Tynecastle Stadium, Sturgeon said the SNP would propose a "double majority" on the vote, in which each of the [...]