US stocks fall as industrial sector contracts for third time in four months May 15, 2019 US industrial production unexpectedly fell for the third time in four months in news that will displease the Trump administration as it wages a trade war on China. Read more: European markets back in red following weak Chinese data Industrial production fell 0.5 percent in April, meaning output declined at an annual rate of 1.9 per [...]
Huawei snaps up top Sky News journalist as senior spin doctor May 15, 2019 Embattled Chinese tech firm Huawei has hired a veteran Sky News journalist as its new senior spin doctor as it ramps up efforts to quash accusations of spying. Senior Sky News editor Paul Harrison, who previously served as the network’s royal and business correspondent, has said he will join Huawei in a senior communications role [...]
European markets back in red as China shows signs of hurting under trade war May 15, 2019 European stocks have fallen after opening higher this morning, as weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data hinted at the effects of the US-China trade war. Read more: China retaliates with tariffs on $60bn of US goods Official figures today showed China’s industrial output growth slowing to 5.4 per cent year-on-year in April, a worse-than-predicted figure and much [...]
Trump set to sign executive order rolling out US ban on Huawei May 15, 2019 US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week that will set in motion the country’s ban on Chinese tech firm Huawei. Trump is set to sign a long-discussed executive order preventing US companies from using telecoms equipment made by firms that pose a national security risk, Reuters reported, citing three [...]
MPs in eurosceptic ERG faction ‘will vote against’ May’s Brexit deal in June May 15, 2019 The majority of MPs in anti-EU Tory faction the European Research Group (ERG) will vote against Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal when it is presented to parliament next month, a minister has said. Read more: MPs will vote again on Brexit next month – despite no cross-party agreement Conservative MP Owen Paterson, who was [...]
Business risks ‘Corbygeddon’ if it doesn’t learn to speak up May 15, 2019 The headline in the Sunday Times was stark: “Rich prepare to flee Corbyn’s Britain as Tories desert PM”. The country’s millionaires and billionaires were, according to the compilers of the paper’s annual rich list, preparing for “Corbygeddon” – the prospect of a hard-left Labour government making an irreparable dent in both their own finances and the [...]
While the US and China sneeze, London too risks catching a cold May 15, 2019 The trade dispute between China and the US has escalated. After Donald Trump tweeted that he was imposing higher tariffs on $200bn of Chinese imports to the US, China predictably retaliated, announcing on Monday that it would impose a further $60bn of tariffs on US goods coming into the country. Much attention has been paid [...]
DEBATE: Is the Tesco boss right to call for slashed business rates and an online tax to save the high street? May 15, 2019 Is the Tesco boss right to call for slashed business rates and an online tax to save the high street? Robert Palmer, executive director of Tax Justice UK, says YES. Tesco’s Dave Lewis is right: the way we tax high street shops and online firms isn’t working. The tax system benefits companies like Amazon and Google, [...]
Leaked document reveals Labour plan to nationalise UK energy network at below market value May 14, 2019 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has devised proposals to take control of the UK’s energy networks in a plan that industry groups said could increase bills and slow decarbonisation. A Labour party document reveals Corbyn’s plan to nationalise energy companies “immediately” following a general election win. Read more: World could face energy shortage as investment lags [...]
MPs will vote again on Brexit next month – despite no deal between Tories and Labour May 14, 2019 Theresa May will attempt to force her Brexit deal through parliament for the fourth time of asking next month – despite not yet reaching an agreement with Labour. Downing Street has revealed May will put forward the legislation needed for the UK to leave the EU in the week commencing 3 June. The announcement came after May met [...]