Why it’s public sector productivity George Osborne should worry about June 30, 2015 Improving the UK’s lagging productivity record is a hot topic among economists and politicians at the moment. Next week, the chancellor is likely to produce a productivity plan alongside his Summer Budget, which is set to find additional savings and enshrine budget surpluses into law, all without raising the rates of income tax, national insurance [...]
Sajid Javid questions CBI stance on European Union membership June 30, 2015 Sajid Javid has told the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) they could harm the Prime Minister’s renegotiation efforts with their unquestioning support for European Union membership. “I’ve heard the CBI thinks the UK should remain in the European Union no matter what,” the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills (BIS) said at a CBI [...]
Greek debt crisis: George Osborne vows to help British pensioners, businesses and holiday makers June 29, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne has said that the government will protect British pensioners, businesses and holiday makers who stand to lose money in the ongoing Greek debt crisis. In a special statement to the House of Commons yesterday, Osborne said that Britain is “prepared” in a “rapidly changing situation”. “Britain’s attitude to the developing [...]
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras calls on Greeks to vote “no” to reforms June 29, 2015 Even if Greece votes against accepting the reforms put forward by creditors, it will not be pushed out of the Eurozone, according to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Read more: Jean-Claude Juncker says he feels "betrayed" by Alexis Tsipras During an interview televised on the Greek ERT channel on Monday night, he called on the [...]
Chancellor George Osborne says no-one should underestimate the impact of a Greek exit from the Eurozone June 29, 2015 George Osborne has reiterated Britain’s attitude regarding Greece is to “hope for the best, but plan for the worst,” in a speech to the House of Commons. The chancellor told MPs no-one should understate the "impact a Greek exit from euro would have on the European economy and the knock-on effects on us." This is [...]
How Twitter became Alexis Tsipras’ secret weapon in Greek negotiations June 29, 2015 Late on Saturday evening, as Europe was still reeling from Greece’s decision to walk away from the negotiating table to hold a referendum on a reform package proposed by its creditors, the country’s Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, started tweeting. https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/614922800709636096 Minutes later, he followed it up with another proclamation: https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/614923748504940544 Then [...]
Richard Branson: UK would be better off in Eurozone June 28, 2015 Britain would be better off in the Eurozone, billionaire investor Sir Richard Branson has said. “I think that if we were part of the euro right now, our currency would be a lot cheaper,” the Virgin founder said in an interview with the BBC yesterday, adding: “Great Britain would be doing that much better in [...]
EU referendum: London Mayor Boris Johnson wants public to vote for an exit June 28, 2015 London Mayor Boris Johnson has hinted he is in favour of voting “no” in the EU membership referendum. Read more: London mayor Boris Johnson calls on Cameron to drive through EU reform Ultimately, he says he wants the UK to remain in the bloc, but hopes voting to leave will shock EU leaders into [...]
Greek debt crisis: ECB will maintain ELA emergency loan support to Greek banks June 28, 2015 The European Central Bank (ECB) will keep supplying Greece with emergency loans to keep the country's banks running after Greek PM Alexis Tsipras called a surprise referendum on its latest bailout deal. “We continue to work closely with the Bank of Greece and we strongly endorse the commitment of Member States in pledging to take [...]
Greek debt crisis: Gretigue? Alexis Tsipras vents on Twitter as bailout referendum and ECB decision looms June 28, 2015 Maybe he's a bit tired and emotional as his country teeters on the edge of default – and let's face it, everyone else trying to keep up with developments in Greece certainly is, in what's been dubbed "Gretigue" – but Greek PM Alexis Tsipras has vented his frustrations in a hashtag fueled tirade against Europe's [...]