Over 1,000 barristers write to Cameron branding the Brexit outcome “not legally binding” July 11, 2016 The legal clamour against the result of the EU referendum is growing, with over 1,000 barristers branding the outcome “not legally binding” and demanding that leaving the EU be subject to an Act of Parliament. The barristers are writing to Prime Minister David Cameron this week to call for MPs to be given a free vote [...]
Ukip’s march Left will create Britain’s first major populist party – and that means big business needs to look beyond the bounds of London July 8, 2016 Nigel Farage might not be every City worker’s favourite person at the moment. But the City might look back on Farage’s time as leader with fondness – because there is a real prospect that Ukip’s leadership election will herald the birth of Britain’s first truly populist party. Ex-commodities broker Farage was at heart a pro-business [...]
Would the City be better off in the long term outside the Single Market? July 8, 2016 Len Shackleton, professor of economics at the University of Buckingham, says Yes. Policies towards banks and the financial sector are largely based on ignorance, envy and spite – whatever country you’re in. But a UK outside the EU has a marginally better chance of forming sensible policy as slightly more of our politicians have at [...]
Chancellor George Osborne has secured the backing of five investment banks as he seeks to protect the role of the City after Brexit July 7, 2016 George Osborne has secured the support of the leaders of five investment banks as the government seeks to protect the City following last month's Brexit vote. Osborne met with bosses from Standard Chartered, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley International and JP Morgan earlier today. And now the bankers and Osborne have [...]
Asset managers close the gate on £15bn-£20bn funds July 7, 2016 Post-referendum reverberated through the City yesterday as several more property funds were forced to shut the gate on their investors, while the value of the pound languished below $1.30. Six companies’ funds, with an estimated value of £15bn to £20bn, have been frozen this week as fears over the consequences of the UK’s vote to leave [...]
Sadiq Khan is to institute a £10 charge for London’s most polluting vehicles, while accelerating the planned expansion of the ultra-low emission zone July 5, 2016 Sadiq Khan has fleshed out his proposals to tackle London's air quality, including specifying new charges for drivers in environmentally unfriendly vehicles. Khan made tacking the city's pollution a key plank of his election platform, and figures last month showed that Londoners living in the capital’s most deprived boroughs are significantly more likely to die [...]
Sons of London’s Sepand Oboudiyat on cow bellies, Italian artisans and fast fashion July 4, 2016 "Bob Diamond wouldn’t hire a guy who had bad shoes," Sepand Oboudiyat informs me. And the latter has done very well out of the City’s predilection for fine footwear. The founder of new men’s shoe brand Sons of London has only been trading for seven months, but he’s already seen 75 per cent growth month-on-month. Sitting at [...]
Brexit wrecks it: Brits shun big ticket buys July 4, 2016 The future of retail was uncertain even before the country voted to leave the European Union. Now, grocers and high street department stores have more than just discounters and the internet to deal with: they have to navigate changing trade relationships, weather a possible downturn in consumer sentiment, and adapt to shifting spending patterns as well. So what’s next for UK [...]
Osborne to slash corporation tax to below 15 per cent in bid to create a “super-competitive economy” July 3, 2016 George Osborne is planning to slash corporation tax to below 15 per cent in a bid to create a "super-competitive economy". The cuts are part of the chancellor's plan to attract businesses discouraged from investing in Britain following Brexit. In an interview with the Financial Times, Osborne said he wants Britain to boast the lowest corporation tax rate of [...]
Tens of thousands march in London to protest the Brexit vote July 2, 2016 Tens of thousands of people are marching in London today to protest the UK's democratic decision to leave the European Union. Protesters taking part in #marchforeurope are heading to Parliament holding banners saying slogans such as "I am really quite cross", "Shame on liars, xenophobes, Farage Johnson Gove" and "2nd Referendum". There will be speakers at Parliament Square from [...]