UK outlook slashed to negative by Standard & Poor’s over EU referendum risk June 12, 2015 Standard and Poor's has revised the UK's credit rating from "stable" to "negative" due to the government's promises of an EU referendum in 2017. S&P said the decision to hold an EU referendum represents a risk to the UK's economic growth – particularly to its financial services and exports sectors – and "raises questions" about [...]
Labour frontbenchers plan to launch separate pro-EU campaign June 12, 2015 A group of Labour frontbenchers is planning to launch a pro-European campaign group for the upcoming EU referendum. Senior figures in the party will be launching the "unashamedly" pro-EU group, separate to the Conservatives' campaign. It is reported that they have begun discussions for funding and office space in order to launch their campaign as [...]
From London property prices and London smells to World Gin Day and naked cyclists: Here’s what got us talking this week June 12, 2015 There was (another) election. There was the start of some privatising. And late on Friday there was some biblical weather. Here's what got us talking this week 1. We should be paying for property with Monopoly money We wish it was that easy. This week were learned just how much of a share up [...]
David Cameron’s migrant welfare reforms rejected as he holds “open and frank” EU talks June 12, 2015 David Cameron has held "open and frank" discussions with EU leaders in his ongoing campaign to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU. The Prime Minister met with leaders from Belgium, Spain, Finland and Romania as he continued to push his agenda for EU reform in Brussels. Migrant benefits become a sticking point Each of the [...]
EU in/out referendum: Just 15 per cent of Tories want UK to leave June 11, 2015 Just 15 per cent of Conservative party members would “definitely” vote for the UK to leave the EU, according to a new poll out today. The poll, led by Tim Bale at Queen Mary University of London and Paul Webb at the University of Sussex, found that while about one in seven Tory party members [...]
EU referendum: CBRE says UK exit of European Union will hurt property sector June 11, 2015 An exit from the European Union could hurt property investment to the UK and damage London’s status as a world financial centre, a survey of investors has warned. More than 60 per cent surveyed by property advisors CBRE said leaving the EU would have a negative impact on the UK’s attractiveness as an investment location, [...]
UK’s £56bn aerospace, defence, security and space sectors come out strongly against Brexit June 11, 2015 A whopping 86 per cent of the UK's £56bn-a-year aerospace, defence, security and space sectors want Britain to remain part of the European Union, a new study has found. Just two per cent of companies in the combined sectors' trade body ADS said Brexit would have a positive impact on their business. The [...]
EU in/out referendum: Labour wants Bank of England to publish the costs of Brexit June 10, 2015 The Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) should publish an assessment of the economic impact of Britain leaving the European Union at least 10 weeks before an in/out referendum, the Labour party has said. Labour backed the EU referendum bill at its second reading on Tuesday, but it is understood that [...]
Boris Johnson says ministers should be allowed to campaign to leave the EU June 9, 2015 Boris Johnson has said that ministers should be allowed to campaign freely in the upcoming EU referendum. Government ministers should have free reign to campaign on their conscience, he said, adding it would be "safer and more harmonious" for David Cameron to let them do so. As MPs debated in the House of Commons over [...]
EU referendum: MPs clash over voting franchise and reforms in debate June 9, 2015 Members of Parliament filled the House of Commons to debate the government's proposed EU referendum, as parties clashed over the future of the UK and the EU. Foreign secretary Phillip Hammond introduced the EU Referendum Bill, calling it a "simple but vital piece of legislation". He said that the EU is often seen as "something [...]