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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
DEBATE: Does the increasingly global reach of the tech giants require a regulatory watchdog? September 13, 2018 Does the increasingly global reach of the tech giants require a regulatory watchdog? Ruth Manielevitch, director of business development EMEA at Taptica, says YES. Even Mark Zuckerberg himself has admitted that some regulation of his industry is necessary. A regulatory watchdog would ensure that the activity of Facebook and other tech titans is scrutinised, to [...]
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 [...]
John McDonnell would hound gig workers out of their jobs with his socialist dystopia September 13, 2018 Since becoming shadow chancellor, John McDonnell has worn the appearance of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This week, he reverted to type as a wolf in wolf’s clothing. His speech at the TUC Congress on the gig economy shouldn’t surprise us. This is, after all, a man who waved Mao’s Little Red Book when he [...]
Debenhams share price falls as House of Fraser merger talk is dampened September 13, 2018 Shares in Debenhams fell by five per cent this morning, wiping out most of the gains made yesterday amid speculation that Sports Direct could merge the struggling retailer with House of Fraser. Read more: Sports Direct board 'mulled Debenhams and House of Fraser merger' The comments were made by an outgoing board member at the [...]
Gordon Brown: World ‘sleepwalking’ to another financial crisis September 13, 2018 The world is “sleepwalking” into another financial crisis, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today, but said it lacks the international will to quickly recover. Read more: A decade on, hubris is the lesson to learn from the Lehman tragedy Brown issued the warning in the week marking the 10th anniversary of the collapse of [...]
Mike Ashley must end the Sports Direct clowning if he is to be the high street’s hero September 13, 2018 Emptying his pockets of wads of £50 notes at a security check, telling a select committee about vomiting in a fireplace at board meetings – Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley is clearly not afraid of theatre. Against type, he has now chosen to play the part of white knight of the high street, but yesterday’s [...]
Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan says he will not step down in wake of Elizbeth Line delay September 12, 2018 Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan has said he will not step down in the wake of the nine-month delay to the Elizabeth Line. The £15.4bn project was scheduled to open in December this year but has been put back until Autumn 2019 following delays to signalling testing and safety concerns. The delay was roundly criticised by [...]