Scottish referendum revisited: Is an independent Scotland becoming inevitable? September 7, 2015 A fortnight today (18 September) will mark the first anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum – arguably the most important political event any of us in Scotland have experienced – giving pause for reflection on a year that has seen the referendum losers seem like winners, and vice versa. Despite the relatively decisive [...]
EU Migrant crisis: Prime Minister David Cameron to outline UK plan for refugees September 7, 2015 As MPs return from the summer recess, the Prime Minister is set to outline details of government plans to accept more refugees into the UK, the BBC has reported. Cameron is expected to say how many people will be accepted in more detail and who exactly will be accepted, as well as outlining plans of [...]
Tories put City at centre of EU talks: George Osborne vows to take on damaging and misguided regulations September 6, 2015 The government will put the City’s interests at the forefront of its bid to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the European Union, chancellor George Osborne said today. Writing exclusively for City A.M., the chancellor warns that red tape from Brussels poses a major danger to London’s status as a global financial hub. While Osborne [...]
Chancellor George Osborne: The City has made progress… Now for the next 10 years September 6, 2015 Today marks a decade since City A.M. established itself as a leading paper for the City of London. Lots has changed over that time, not least the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 that cost Britain billions in lost economic output. Back then, the City was seen as part of the problem. But since I [...]
David Cameron braces for defeat on EU referendum bill September 6, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron stands to be dealt a bruising defeat today if a cross-party coalition of Labour, the SNP and Conservative rebels vote down the government’s proposed changes to the EU referendum bill. Last week, Downing Street indicated that Cameron would U-turn on his initial refusal to impose a period of “purdah” ahead of [...]
Tesco Bank, Metro Bank and Aldermore put more pressure on Treasury over George Osborne’s new bank tax September 6, 2015 The government is expected to face fresh criticism this week as politicians and City bosses step up their attacks on a new bank tax. Labour and the SNP have tabled amendments that would exempt challenger banks and building societies from having to pay an additional eight per cent of UK profits in corporation tax, the [...]
As a Federal Reserve interest rate hike creeps closer, should we remain relaxed about the consequences? September 6, 2015 Andrea Cicione, head of strategy at Lombard Street Research, says Yes. We can’t imagine investors feeling relaxed, with a series of Fed hikes looming, but past tightening cycles have generally been benign for US stocks. During the last nine episodes, price to earnings multiples have fallen by an average 4.2x, but in seven, earnings per [...]
EU migrant crisis: This is how the chancellor plans to pay for thousands of incoming refugees September 6, 2015 George Osborne plans to pay for thousands of incoming refugees by dipping into the UK's £12bn international aid budget. In an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show today, the chancellor said he would use some of this money to help local councils house the refugees: The foreign aid budget can provide the [...]
Chancellor George Osborne’s bank tax comes under attack from Labour and SNP September 6, 2015 Small challenger banks and building societies will receive a boost if Labour and the SNP are successful in their attempt to amend Osborne's new bank tax. In his budget this year, the chancellor announced plans to replace the increasingly unpopular bank levy with an eight per cent surcharge on profits for banks of all [...]
EU migrant crisis: Labour leadership candidates Andy Burnham and Jeremy Corbyn say they will share their homes with Syrian refugees September 5, 2015 Following the example of the Finnish Prime Minister, Labour leadership hopefuls Andy Burnham and Jeremy Corbyn have said they will share their homes with Syrian refugees. Read more: Londoners organise a march on Downing Street to urge government to welcome refugees Speaking to Channel 4 News, both candidates said they would emulate efforts made by [...]